1. Students are expected to comply with contractual requirements of clinical facilities. These include, but may not be limited to:

a. Current CPR certification from the American Heart Association - Healthcare Professional BLS Provider certification required. Recertification must occur prior to August 1 in the academic year in which it expires.

b. Clearance by a health care provider upon final acceptance to the major including current physical examination and up-to-date immunizations. Following acceptance to the major, students must report any significant changes in their health status to the department as they arise. The department reserves the right to require a health care provider's statement approving a student's return to class and/or clinical activities.

c. Tuberculosis screening is required annually in the summer for all nursing students.

1) Tuberculosis screening must be determined through a tuberculin skin test (TST) or a QuantiFERON blood test.

2) Students who have a positive TST will need to provide proof of a negative chest x-ray (CXR) and then will need to repeat the CXR only if they experience symptoms of tuberculosis. A screening questionnaire for active disease completed by a health care provider will be required annually.

3) If the TST is contraindicated, then the student must provide evidence of a negative CXR and then will need to repeat the CXR only if they experience symptoms of tuberculosis. A screening questionnaire for active disease completed by a health care provider will be required annually.

4) Proof of absence of active TB must be submitted to the nursing department annually, prior to August 1.

5) Clinical circumstances or international travel may require more frequent testing.

6) Students who travel to tuberculosis high-burden countries as defined by the Centers for Disease Control (https://www.cdc.gov/tb/default.htm) at the time of travel need to have their Tuberculin Skin Test (unless contraindicated) repeated 8-10 weeks following return to the U.S. Additionally, if a student begins clinical prior to the 8-10 week time frame for TB testing, the student must submit a completed TB Symptom Screening Form to the nursing department prior to participation in clinical.  The completed forms need to be submitted electronically.

d. Documentation of a negative drug screen is a clinical requirement. Students will receive an email from the Nursing Department with the instructions for the drug screen. The negative test results must be submitted prior to the specified deadline. 

1) Students must complete a witnessed drug screen that may be offered at the college or at a facility of their choice. No on-line or mail-in drug screen testing will be accepted.

3) Clinical sites may require/request random drug testing at any time in compliance with the clinical site requirements.

4) Faculty reserve the right to request a random drug test to ensure compliance with clinical site requirements.

5) Students bear the cost of the drug screening.

6) A positive result for the drug screen will result in implementation of institutional policies per the CSB/SJU Student Handbook (J-Book and Bennie Book, Student Life Policies). According to these policies, a student who is experiencing health issues associated with the use of chemicals may be required to undergo professional evaluation and treatment (at the student's expense) for continuing enrollment.

7) A positive drug screen may result in the inability to complete the clinical requirement of courses and may subsequently affect progression through the nursing major.

e. A criminal background study is required for all nursing students verifying the student is able to provide direct patient care.  Students will receive an email with information and a specified deadline for completion.

f. An annual influenza vaccine or declination statement will be required per clinical agency requirements. An email will be sent from the Nursing Department with instructions during the fall semester.

g. Students will be responsible for maintaining records needed to comply with contractual requirements of clinical facilities and supply these facilities with copies of all required documentation when requested. These may include: current CPR certification, physical examination records, immunizations, tuberculin test/chest x-ray reports, negative alcohol and drug screen, and criminal background studies. If the student fails to maintain copies of his/her records and requests to have copies made within the nursing department, a fee will be charged.

h. Students will be notified by email if there are additional clinical facility contractual requirements prior to their clinical experiences.

i. Failure to submit the required documentation by the deadline specified in the emails will result in a notification to that student that his/her standing as a nursing major within the department is in jeopardy. The student will have one week to respond to the notification and submit the required documentation.  If the required documentation is not received within one week of notification, disciplinary action will be initiated per the Nursing Department Student Handbook. Refer to the Student Handbook section on disciplinary action.

j. If a student is found to be ineligible for clinical placement at any time during the program, the student will be withdrawn from the clinical course and any co-requisite courses pending resolution of the situation.

2. All students are held responsible for meeting course and clinical requirements, as well as the ethical/professional standards of the Nursing Department.

a. Refer to the Nursing Department Standards of Professional Performance for professional behavior expectations.

b. Attendance is mandatory for all scheduled classes, laboratory and clinical experiences, including clinical conferences. The student must notify the faculty of a potential absence or scheduling conflict as soon as he or she is aware of this. This notification does not excuse the student's absence.

c. In an emergency, it is the student's responsibility to telephone attendance issues to the clinical unit and the clinical instructor prior to the scheduled clinical time.

d. Students are expected to be on time and prepared for each clinical/class experience.

e. In the event a student misses clinical(s), the student may be required to make up the clinical to meet the learning outcomes and expectations.

1) Clinical absences will be made up at the discretion of the faculty.

2) A fee may be charged for the faculty coverage involved in the clinical make-up.

3) It is the student's responsibility to arrange the clinical make-up with the appropriate clinical instructor. If not made up that semester, the student will receive an incomplete for the course and may not be able to progress in the subsequent courses until the clinical is completed successfully.

4) Contact the Office of Student Accessibility Services as needed for extended clinical absences.

f.  Other Expected Courtesies

1) Classroom and clinical behavior should be respectful to both faculty and students.

2) Inappropriate classroom behavior will be called to the student's attention. Changes in behavior are expected if the student is to remain in class.

3) Cell phones for personal use during class is discouraged. Emergency contacts can be arranged in a manner that does not disrupt class or client care.

4) Parents are discouraged from bringing children to the classroom.

5) Students are not authorized to access faculty mailboxes. Please ask the office manager for assistance.

g.   Refer to Social Media Policy for other professional behavior expectations.

Approved by Faculty Organization on 12/15/15, 1/18/16, and 4/15/19. Changes made to website and students notified via email on 2/5/16; 9/1/16.