Health Clearance
Generic, R.N. to B.S., and School Nurse Students
Students
are required to have a health assessment completed within one month
after admission to the school. The complete initial physical
examination must include certification of all required immunizations
and a mantoux test. Thereafter, a yearly mantoux test is required if a
person tests negatively. Students are not permitted to proceed with
clinical/practicum experiences until they have met these requirements.
Completed health assessment forms should be submitted to the
Immunization Program, Hurtado Health Center, Rutgers, The State
University of New Jersey, 57 U.S. Highway 1, New Brunswick, NJ
08901-8554.
Second-Degree (Accelerated and Part-time) and Graduate Students
For these programs, the official policy is available online. The forms that students complete are available at Immunization Requirements
All Undergraduate and Graduate Students
CPR Certification
Certification
in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) with external defibrillation at
the health care provider level is required prior to beginning the
clinical experience. Recertification is required biennially. A letter
from the instructor indicating a "pass" or a current CPR card is valid
proof of status. Only CPR certification from the American Heart
Association will be accepted. Proof of certification will be required
for each clinical/practicum.
Professional Liability Protection
Students participating in clinical/ practicum experiences as a part of their curriculum at Rutgers School of Nursing are provided with professional liability insurance by the university. If a student is utilizing a clinical agency that requires students to purchase and maintain personal professional liability insurance it is the responsibility of the student to ensure that they comply with agency policies.
Criminal Background Check and Drug Screening
Clinical agencies mandate criminal history background checks for
all individuals engaged in patient care, and all students must undergo
criminal background checks prior to beginning clinical/practicum courses
(regardless if the student is licensed as a professional registered
nurse). Information about the process will be sent to the students from
the Office of Student Services. These checks are conducted by an
external vendor and the information is sent to the School of Nursing.
The cost of these checks is the student's responsibility. If a reference
should occur on a student's report, the report is sent to the clinical
agency. Agency personnel will evaluate the information they receive and,
in their sole discretion, make the final determination as to each
student's ability to engage in patient care in their agency.
In addition, the New Jersey Board of Nursing requires a criminal
background check to obtain licensure as a registered nurse. Past
criminal history may have an impact upon the ability to obtain licensure
and employment as a registered nurse.
As a result of the new Joint Commission on Accreditation of
Healthcare Organizations' requirement, all clinical/practicum students
are required to have a negative urine drug screen on file prior to
beginning clinical/practicum coursework. Refusal to comply will prevent
students from attending clinical and may prevent students from
completing the course/program.
HIPAA
All
non-Ph.D. students must complete the Health Insurance Portability and
Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) compliance module. Students must
provide documentation of HIPAA training prior to beginning a
clinical/practicum course. Training can also be acquired through a
certificate/letter received at a place of employment and presented to
the Office of Student Services.
