CHHS
School of Nursing
Health Requirements

Health Requirements

To participate in clinical and practicum experiences, all nursing students must meet health, safety, and professional compliance requirements. These requirements are established by both Salisbury University School of Nursing and our clinical agency partners to help ensure safe healthcare settings.

At any point, individual agencies may revise requirements. Students will be informed of these requirements as needed and are responsible for costs associated and completing them by the applicable deadlines.

Students are responsible for maintaining compliance and submitting all required documentation by established deadlines to remain eligible for clinical and practicum experiences.

Students may send a copy of the completed health record to Student Health Services.

Initial Requirements
Newly admitted students should expect to complete several requirements. These include:
- Physical exam and verification of Technical Standards (exam can be performed no earlier than three months before the start of the first semester; submission due date provided separately)
- Immunization records or waiver (such as MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B, Tdap, Influenza)
- Tuberculosis screening
- Background check
- Drug screening
- American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) certification for Healthcare Professionals
- RN Licensure (if applicable)
Students will receive detailed instructions after admission regarding specific requirements, required forms, submission procedures, timelines, and deadlines. Submitted materials are reviewed to verify that the student is eligible for participation in the clinical/practicum courses. Students are responsible for associated costs. No student will be allowed in a clinical or practicum agency without fulfilling requirements.

Student Health Services can provide health examinations and immunization services. Visit the Student Health Services website to learn more.

A student unable to receive required immunization(s) because of a medical contraindication, must submit a Waiver of Receipt of School of Nursing Required Immunization(s) form signed by a licensed healthcare provider. Clinical agencies and/or practicum sites may decline to accept students who submit a waiver, which may affect placement opportunities. Students are responsible for wearing a mask if required by agency.
Annual Requirements
Returning students are responsible for ensuring compliance with all annual and periodic requirements. Updated documentation may be required for items such as:
- Influenza vaccination
- Tuberculosis screening
- Immunizations
- American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) certification for Healthcare Professionals
- RN Licensure (as applicable)
- Immunization waiver form (submit each academic year as applicable; student responsible for wearing mask if required by agency)
Drug Screening

Salisbury University students who accept admission to any nursing program (B.S.N., M.S.N., D.N.P.) must complete drug screen testing to participate in clinical/practicum experiences. It is highly possible that all students may be required to undergo additional drug screening for some or all clinical experiences including both routine and random drug screening.

Any student testing positive for Cannabis currently cannot be accepted into a clinical rotation by Maryland hospitals or health care facilities, regardless of a legally obtained identification card. Positive results on a drug screen may preclude completion of course/program objectives and program completion until the issue is resolved. Students unable to complete the clinical/practicum components of the nursing program will result in them being unable to complete course requirements and therefore an inability to successfully complete the program.
Significant Change in Health Status
Students must report any significant change in their health status that impacts their ability to meet the SU nursing program's health and other requirements on the Technical Standards (Fit for Duty) form. By definition, any situation that curtails clinical performance activities for more than one clinical absence or creates a pattern of absences (e.g. every other week), and/or involves a hospitalization/medical observation will be considered a “Significant Change in Health Status”.

The following are common examples (not an exhaustive list) of changes in health status: diagnosis of mononucleosis or other infectious/communicable illnesses/diseases, disabling headache lasting more than one clinical week, fractures or other injuries affecting physical ability, hospitalizations, behavioral health issues or other emergency events.

A variety of factors, including length of time (more than one clinical absence or a pattern of absences), hospitalization/medical observation, clinical agency policies, and adherence to the usual standard of medical care, will enter into the determination of what kind of documentation is required before a student can return to clinical experiences.
1. The Length of Absence from Clinical. If the resolution of the health problem requires more than one clinical absence, the Change of Health status will be deemed significant, and will require documentation and signature by a provider stating that the student is fit for duty.
2. Hospitalization/medical observation will be considered a significant change in health status and will require documentation and signature by a provider stating that the student is fit for duty.
3. Compliance with Clinical Agency Policies. SU Nursing students and faculty must meet the health requirements of our clinical affiliates. If a student has had a significant change in health status as determined above, documentation and signature by a provider stating that the student is fit for duty will be required.
4. Adherence to the usual Standard of Care. If medical, psychological, and other types of interventions are ordinarily part of care, [e.g., rest, limitation of weight-bearing, use of casts/boots, crutches, restrictions on lifting, medications that alter cognition, etc.], documentation and signature from a provider stating that the student is fit for duty will be required.
Clinical instructors will assess the situation regarding student clinical participation. The instructor, in consultation with the Course Coordinator and the appropriate Undergraduate or Graduate Clinical Coordinator of the SU School of Nursing, will make the decision as to whether the student has had a “Significant Change in Health Status" and the kind of documentation needed prior to returning to clinical.

Student Responsibilities

The student must be aware that:
1. Suspected changes in health status must be reported to clinical instructors.
2. Clinical agency policies regarding health requirements may vary widely from location to location and by the population served e.g. policies for working with pregnant women, infants, and children are generally stricter.
3. After a “Significant Change in Health Status”, a new, updated Technical Standards (Fit for Duty) form or provider's note must be completed and signed by a licensed health care provider indicating that the student is safe to return to clinical experiences.
4. Clearance to return to clinical experiences will not be granted until all medical documents have been uploaded and accepted by the compliance tracker system.