/Institutions/Donnelly-College/json/2025-2026/Nursing-Student-Handbook-local.json

/Institutions/Donnelly-College/json/2025-2026/Nursing-Student-Handbook.json

Health Requirements - Nursing Students

Required hands-on practice at an assigned Clinical location is contingent upon compliance with both Donnelly College Nursing Program policies and all requirements of the assigned clinical site. Failure to meet any site-specific or program-wide clinical requirement may result in the inability to attend clinicals and will trigger a disciplinary review.
A clinical student is defined as any nursing student currently enrolled in a course that includes clinical or simulation hours and is expected to actively participate in direct or simulated patient care.

• Students must maintain updated documentation at all times to remain in clinical status.
• Students are responsible for understanding and complying with all Donnelly College Nursing Program policies as well as any additional requirements, expectations, or policies of assigned clinical sites (e.g., orientation, background checks, site-specific training modules, additional screenings).
• Any non-compliance with site-specific or Donnelly program requirements may result in ineligibility for clinical participation and will trigger a disciplinary review.

Vaccination Compliance for Clinical Placement
Failure to meet clinical site vaccination requirements may delay progression in the nursing program and could result in the inability to successfully complete required clinical components.
Donnelly College does not issue vaccination waivers. If a student is seeking exemption from a required vaccination (including but not limited to COVID-19), they must provide documentation from a licensed medical provider stating the medical reason they are unable to receive the vaccine. This documentation must first be approved by the Director of Nursing and then submitted to the clinical site for final approval. Both Donnelly College and the clinical site must approve the exemption. If the clinical site denies the exemption, the student must comply with the site’s vaccination policies to attend clinicals at that location. Donnelly College cannot guarantee alternative placements due to the specific preparation, credentialing, and time-sensitive requirements of each clinical site.

1. Tuberculosis (TB) Screening - Annual TB screening is required. Acceptable documentation includes:
   1. TB skin test (2 step test before program start, then annual 1 step TB skin test is required)
   2. QuantiFERON Gold IGRA blood test (within the past 24 months), or a chest x-ray (valid for 5 years; required if skin test is contraindicated; must be repeated if symptoms or exposure occur).
2. Immunizations
   Students must submit documentation for the following:
   1. Hepatitis B vaccine titer result OR signed waiver with provider clearance and student acceptance of responsibility.
   2. MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella): Positive titer.
   3. Varicella (Chickenpox): Positive titer.
   4. Tdap: (Must contain Pertussis and not only Td) Administered within the last 10 years.
   5. Influenza: Must be received annually by September 1st.
   6. COVID-19 vaccination: Required if mandated by clinical site.

Other Health Requirements

NOTE: Please be aware that all enrolled students with a communicable disease that may affect the health and safety of others MUST advise the Donnelly Clinical Coordinator. 

1. CPR Certification - Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Training
   1. Students must maintain current American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification.
   2. Online-only courses without an in-person component are not accepted.
   3. CPR certification must be valid at all times.
   4. This is the student’s responsibility to maintain and track
2. Physical Examination
   1. A comprehensive physical exam is required before beginning all Donnelly nursing programs.
      1. Must be completed by a licensed MD, DO, NP, or PA.
   2. Documentation must be submitted before classes begin.
   3. A physical exam form is included in the student acceptance package. It can also be found in your email.
3. Proof of Medical Insurance Coverage – For more information and resources - LINK  Medical Insurance Requirement    
   1. Students are required to provide proof of active health insurance coverage at the beginning of each semester.
   2. Students are solely responsible for any personal medical expenses resulting from clinical experiences.
   3. The Nursing Program and clinical sites assume no liability for injury, exposure, or medical care during clinical training.
4. Standard Precautions & Infection Control
   1. All students will be trained in standard precautions and infection control.
   2. Adherence to these guidelines is expected in every clinical setting.
5. Drug and Alcohol Screening
   1. Random drug/alcohol screenings may occur at the discretion of the Director of Nursing.
   2. A positive test will result in disciplinary action.
   3. Students may request a confirmatory test at their own expense within 24 hours of the initial result.
6. Color Vision Testing
   A color-blindness screening is required to ensure safe clinical decision-making (e.g., assessing wounds, reading lab values).
   Check with the Clinical Coordinator on where to receive this testing.