Because our clinical agencies require specific health information, all nursing majors are required to have a completed health examination on file with the Department of Nursing ONE MONTH prior to the start of the first clinical course (ordinarily this is the first semester of nursing courses in the fall). Therefore, the health examination must be completed during the summer months. This is the only health examination required during the program. Should the student take longer than three years to complete the nursing courses, a second health examination will be required. The University Student Health Center does not provide this service.

The SU Nursing Department's Physical Exam / Immunization Record form must be used for the health examination and may be obtained from this link or below. The completed form should be returned to the Nursing Department secretary. The Department will review the health examination and certify that the student is eligible for participation in the clinical courses. The student should also send a copy of the completed health record to the University Health Center. No student will be allowed in a clinical agency without fulfilling this requirement.

Tests for Communicable Diseases:

Health care workers are at risk for contracting a variety of communicable diseases, and are also at risk for spreading communicable diseases to vulnerable populations. Consequently, the CDC has specific recommendations for health care workers in addition to the usual immunization recommendations.

Initial Requirement:

Prior to the start of the program, students must provide documentation of immunity or immunization records for the following:

Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis	Completion of primary series of tetanus and diphtheria AND Received Tdap one dose or has had Td within last 2 years
Measles, Mumps, Rubella	Laboratory evidence of immunity (results of titers) for each of these: Measles, Mumps and Rubella OR Completion of primary series and a second dose of MMR
Varicella vaccination	Laboratory evidence of immunity (results of titer) OR 2 doses of single antigen varicella vaccine
Hepatitis B	Laboratory evidence of immunity (results of titer) OR has begun a series of 3 vaccinations with post immunization evidence of immunity

Annual Requirement:

A tuberculosis screening test (PPD) or other appropriate test is required as part of the initial health examination and annually. The testing must be completed during the months of May, June, July or August. The result of this test is to be submitted to the Nursing Department secretary before the start of clinical experiences each academic year.

Annual Recommendation:

Students in the health care field are strongly recommended to get an annual influenza vaccination. This will generally be available on campus during the fall.

Other Non-Health Enrollment Requirements

There are other non-health related requirements for enrollment in the nursing program. These include:

1. Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) – The Nursing Department assures agencies used for clinical experiences that all nursing majors are certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). It is, therefore, necessary that all nursing majors obtain CPR certification prior to enrollment in the major. The course designed for health care providers (Basic Life Support, Module "C" for Health Care Providers) with the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross must be taken. This certification must be completed during the summer months.

It is the responsibility of students to maintain current certification and to submit the CPR certification card to the department secretary for copying. After the expiration date, a 30-day grace period may be allowed, provided the student is registered for a CPR course during that period. At the end of the 30 days, if the student does not have evidence of certification, he/she may not attend clinical lab. Such negligence is considered unacceptable and jeopardizes compliance with the University’s legal requirements for clinical practice. Certification is available through many agencies including county agencies and various hospitals.

2. Malpractice Liability Insurance - All nursing majors must carry malpractice liability insurance in the minimum amount of $1,000,000/$3,000,000. The University offers a state‑wide policy at approximately $20 per year. All nursing majors will be covered under this policy unless a student notifies the Nursing Department otherwise. Students registered in clinical courses will automatically be billed by the University for this coverage. Students who wish to use a vendor of their choice must provide evidence of coverage to the Nursing Department

3. Photo Identification - Students accepted into the major must submit a passport-type full-face photo of themselves for their permanent departmental file. This is to be cut to a 2”X2” size. The photo may be black and white or color. Newspaper photographs are not acceptable.

4. RN Licensure (for Registered Nurse students only) – Students (RN-to-BS) who have their RN License from an associative degree program or diploma school of nursing must provide a Xerox copy of a valid Maryland (or a compact state) RN license prior to beginning clinical courses. At renewal time, a copy of the most recent license shall be submitted to the department.

Other enrollment requirements will apply including, but not limited to, uniforms, personal transportation, equipment, books, and supplies.

Physical Exam / Immunization Record (Word Document)