Amendments

GENERAL INFORMATION FOR ALL NURSING STUDENTS

Continuing Student Requirements

VUSN Requirements to Maintain for Registration

1. All students are required to be covered by health insurance either through the University’s student health insurance plan (SHIP)  https://www.vanderbilt.edu/stuaccts/insurance/health-insurance.php or by another policy while enrolled (monthly issued insurance is not acceptable). Clinical sites require students to have health insurance to cover any illness or injury that they may incur during the clinical training experience.

   Students who wish to be covered by a personal policy must complete a waiver EACH YEAR to decline the University’s student insurance plan (SHIP). To decline SHIP, the student must submit a waiver with proof of coverage at https://www.vumc.org/student-health/student-health-insurance by August 1 for the academic year. Students returning from an LOA for spring must complete a waiver by January 1 and summer returns must complete a waiver by June 1. If a waiver is not completed by the appropriate date, the student is automatically billed and enrolled in the University’s SHIP.

   Students must maintain current documentation of health insurance coverage through their VUSN compliance portal. Documentation of the University’s SHIP can be downloaded each academic year, during the first two-weeks of August at: https://www.vumc.org/student-health/student-health-insurance. Students who change providers during enrollment must provide current documentation of their coverage by contacting the VUSN Compliance Officer at: lisa.boyer@vanderbilt.edu or call (615) 343-3294.

2. All continuing students are required to submit an annual tuberculin skin test (PPD) or blood test (IGRA= QFT-Plus, QFT-GIT and T-Spot). If the student has been consecutively enrolled and a clear chest x-ray was submitted to the VUSN compliance portal in the year(s) prior, complete the Annual Post-Chest X-ray TB Questionnaire, to confirm the absence of symptoms (health care provider signature required).

    

   All Vanderbilt University School of Nursing students must maintain documentation of tuberculosis (TB) screening through the VUSN compliance portal. TB screening must be completed using an approved interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) blood test, such as QuantiFERON-TB Gold (QFT-Plus) or T-Spot. TB skin testing (PPD) is not accepted by VUSN.
   • If the test is positive, medical evaluation and documentation of a clear chest x-ray (lab report OR physician verification of results) are required. If there is evidence of a positive chest x- ray and/or symptoms of TB, the student must notify their Program Director and follow up with a medical evaluation and if needed, treatment.
   • If a student has a prior positive TB test, documentation of medical evaluation and a negative chest x-ray must be maintained in the compliance portal, along with confirmation that the student is free of symptoms consistent with active TB. Students must notify their Program Director if they develop symptoms consistent with TB and must follow any additional clinical site requirements.
3. Current American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR certification is required by all entry levels and specialties. BLS provided by the AHA is the only BLS card accepted. Providers other than the AHA cannot be accepted, even if the course "follows AHA guidelines."
4. In addition to the AHA BLS, additional CPR certifications are required by the following specialties: AHA Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) is required by PNP-AC and ENP. AHA Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) is required by AGACNP and ENP. NNP specialty requires the Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certification. Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) -or- Trauma Nurse Core Course (TNCC) -or- Advanced Trauma Care for Nurses (ATCN), required by ENP. Other specialties may require additional CPR certifications at specific stages of enrollment.
5. HIPAA and OSHA safety training is required annually by academic year through BrightSpace (VUnetID required). Instructions to complete the online training are available under the requirement’s drop-down in the VUSN Compliance portal. Additional training may be required for particular clinical sites.
6. Copy of an unencumbered Registered Nurse’s license in the state(s) where you reside/work and will be doing clinical training (if applicable). In addition, DNP students who are an NP, CNM or CRNA are required to submit an unencumbered Advance Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) designation in their state of residence and states of clinical practice and hold national board certification in their area of specialty as appropriate.
7. Influenza: Annual flu vaccination is required or student must obtain an approved exemption through Vanderbilt University’s Student Health Center by submitting a request by October 1st, prior to each flu season at, https://www.vumc.org/student-health/influenza-vaccinations-students. Medical provider documentation of a contraindication to the seasonal influenza vaccine is required for exemption approval. (Note: Minor side effects, such as low-grade fever, cold symptoms, or muscle aches, are not considered a medical contraindication to the influenza vaccine.)
8. In addition, students unable to receive an annual flu vaccination must also obtain an approved exemption (per site specifications) prior to placement at each clinical, observation or project site.

GENERAL INFORMATION FOR ALL NURSING STUDENTS

New Student Requirements

VUSN Immunization/Titer, TB Testing, CPR Certification, Health Insurance, Licensure, and Certification Requirements for Registration

1. Physical examination within six months of acceptance to the program, authenticated by a physician, an APRN, PA, or a DO documenting evidence of the student’s ability to carry out assignments in a nursing school program. Use the VU Nursing Immunization and TB Testing form at (https://nursing.vanderbilt.edu/clinicalplacement/pdf/health_questionnaire.pdf). (Also, downloadable from the requirement’s drop-down in your VUSN compliance portal.)
2. Measles, Mumps, Rubella: Two (2) MMR vaccinations given at least 28-days apart OR if no vaccination records available, lab evidence of immunity (positive titer results) for each Measles (Rubeola), Mumps, and Rubella. At least one of two MMR booster vaccinations are required prior to registration following a negative or equivocal titer result.
3. Varicella: Two varicella vaccines given at least 28 days apart OR if no vaccination records available, lab evidence of varicella immunity (positive titer). At least one of two Varicella booster vaccinations is required prior to registration following a negative or equivocal titer result.
4. Hepatitis B: A Hepatitis B vaccination series completed following the guidelines for dosing intervals published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) OR if no vaccination records available, lab evidence of immunity (positive anti-HBs or HBsAb surface antibody). The student must provide complete documentation of a full Hepatitis B vaccination series or a positive titer result prior to participation in observation or clinical.
5. Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis (Tdap): Documentation of vaccination within last ten years. (DTP/DTaP and Td/TD vaccines do not meet this requirement.)
6. All newly admitted students are required to submit a tuberculin blood test (IGRA=QFT-Plus, QFT-GIT, and T-Spot) completed within 3-months of program start.
   
   Newly admitted students must complete an IGRA blood test within 90 days prior to the start of their academic program.
   • If reading(s) is/are negative, repeat one- PPD or TB blood test annually.
   • If positive, medical evaluation and documentation of a clear chest x-ray completed within 6-months of program start (lab report OR physician verification of results required). If there is evidence of a positive chest x-ray and/or symptoms of TB, the student must notify their Program Director and follow up with a medical evaluation and if needed, treatment. For each consecutive year of enrollment after completing a chest x-ray, the Annual Post-Chest X-ray TB Questionnaire, must be completed and signed by a health care provider.
7. Influenza: Annual flu vaccination is required or the student must obtain an approved exemption through Vanderbilt University’s Student Health Center by submitting a request by October 1st, prior to each flu season at, (https://www.vumc.org/student-health/influenzavaccinations-students). Medical provider documentation of a contraindication to the seasonal influenza vaccine is required for exemption approval. (Note: Minor side effects, such as low-grade fever, cold symptoms, or muscle aches, are not considered to be a medical contraindication to the influenza vaccine). In addition, students unable to receive an annual flu vaccination must also obtain an approved exemption (per site specifications) prior to placement at each clinical, observation or project site.
8. All students are required to be covered by health insurance either through the University’s student health insurance plan (SHIP) or by another policy while enrolled (monthly issued insurance is not acceptable). Clinical sites require students to have health insurance to cover any illness or injury that they may incur during the clinical training experience. Students who wish to be covered by a personal policy must complete a waiver EACH YEAR to decline the University’s student insurance plan (SHIP). To decline SHIP, the student must submit a waiver with proof of coverage at: (https://www.vumc.org/student-health/studenthealth-insurance) by January 1 for spring admits, June 1 for summer admits and August 1 for fall admits. If a waiver is not completed by the appropriate date, the student is automatically billed and enrolled in the University’s SHIP. Newly admitted VUSN students must also submit documentation to their VUSN compliance portal of either the University’s SHIP coverage (proof available the first two-weeks of August at: https://www.vumc.org/student-health/student-health-insurance or of their personal health insurance once the SHIP has successfully been waived with a copy (front & back) of their insurance card or a letter verifying coverage. More information on the University’s SHIP is provided at https://www.vumc.org/student-health/student-health-insurance.
9. Current American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR Certification is required by all entry levels and specialties. BLS provided by the AHA is the only BLS card accepted. Providers other than the AHA cannot be accepted, even if the course "follows AHA guidelines."
10. In addition to the AHA BLS, additional CPR certifications are required by the following specialties: AHA Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) is required by PNP-AC and ENP. AHA Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) is required by AGACNP and ENP. NNP specialty requires the Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certification. Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) -or- Trauma Nurse Core Course (TNCC) -or- Advanced Trauma Care for Nurses (ATCN), required by ENP. Other specialties may require additional CPR certifications at specific stages of enrollment.
11. Copy of an unencumbered Registered Nurse’s license in the state(s) where you reside/work and will be doing clinical training (if applicable). In addition, DNP students who are an NP, CNM or CRNA are required to submit an unencumbered Advance Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) designation in their state of residence and states of clinical practice and hold national board certification in their area of specialty as appropriate.
12. HIPAA and OSHA safety training is required annually by academic year through BrightSpace (VUnetID required). Instructions to complete the online training are available under the requirement’s drop-down in the Exxat Compliance portal. Additional training may be required for particular clinical sites.
13. Honor Code and Plagiarism Tutorial. Read letter regarding plagiarism from the Senior Associate Dean for Academics (https://nursing.vanderbilt.edu/students/admitted/pdf/plagiarism.pdf) and follow instructions under the requirement’s drop-down in the Exxat Compliance portal to complete the latest version of a tutorial developed by Indiana University Bloomington.