General Information for All Nursing Students

Upon acceptance, all full- and part-time students admitted to a MN, MSN, Post-Master’s Certificate or DNP program must complete a background check as part of their VUSN compliance portal requirements. Instructions to complete the VUSN requirements are available under the New Student Compliance Requirements section of the VUSN Admitted Student webpage by student entry type.

Enrollment is contingent upon satisfactory evaluation of the results of the background check.

Background Check Required for Readmission: Students returning from a break in enrollment must complete a new background check. Instructions to complete a new background check are provided on the Current MN/MSN/Post Master's Certificate/DNP Student Requirements webpage.

A new background check is not required for students returning from a VUSN approved deferment or LOA. However, all returning students must submit up-to-date documentation to their VUSN compliance portal requirements prior to registration.

Current full- and part-time MN, MSN, Post-Master’s Certificate, and DNP students are required to immediately report to their academic director and the senior associate dean for academics any arrest, criminal charge or conviction occurring after their background checks have been completed. Required disclosure also includes but is not limited to allegations, investigations and/or disciplinary action from any licensing board or agency included under the Nationwide Health Care Fraud and Abuse scan: Office of Inspector General (OIG), General Services Administrations (GSA), FDA Debarment Check, Office of Regulatory Affairs (ORA), Office of Research Integrity (ORI), and Medicare and Medicaid Sanctions.

The State of Tennessee requires certain immunizations for all students (including distance graduate and professional students) prior to registration. The University’s Immunization Hold on registration is automatically cleared from Your Enrollment Services (YES) account (allow 10-business days) after the student has satisfactorily met the state-mandated requirements through the Student Health Portal.

In addition, all full- and part-time MN, MSN, Post-Master's Certificate, and DNP students are required to meet the VUSN requirements for registration through the VUSN compliance portal. The VUSN Student Requirements Hold on registration is automatically cleared from Your Enrollment Services (YES) account (allow 10-business days) after all requirements applicable to the student’s entry type and/or specialty show as 'Approved'/'Complete' in their VUSN compliance portal.

Students should use the process indicated on the VUSN Admitted Student webpage under New Student Compliance  Requirements to meet the state mandated and VUSN student requirements for registration.

Please note: If the new student fails to provide acceptable documentation of requirements, the student will not be allowed to attend orientation and/or classes.

The student must complete all requirements applicable to their entry type and/or specialty in the VUSN compliance portal. Instructions to complete the VUSN immunization, testing and certification requirements are provided on the VUSN Admitted Student webpage by entry type. Select the New Student Compliance Requirements drop-down.

Newly admitted students will use the Exxat platform to complete the VUSN background check and submit the immunization, certification and licensing documentation required prior to registration. Exxat provides students, faculty, and staff with one platform to access clinical site information, contractual agreements, clearance requirements and the ability to document clinical hours and proficiencies through all phases of the student's clinical experience. Students must submit the immunizations testing, training, certifications and licensure documentation required for their entry type and/or specialty, as outlined under their Exxat Compliance portal requirements. The documentation submitted to the requirements must be approved prior to registration. (July 1 for fall and December 1 for spring.) The student must select the drop-down for each requirement in their VUSN compliance portal to view instructions and download required forms. The file submitted to each requirement must frame only the student's original document(s) and all dates and information must be clear and readable.

Complete the VU Nursing Immunization and TB Testing Form (https://nursing.vanderbilt.edu/clinicalplacement/pdf/health_questionnaire.pdf) to meet the requirements listed below. Documentation of previously completed immunizations, titers and TB testing must be from the following sources for approval: official medical, state, county, or international immunization records (English required).

Non-RN entries (Newly admitted PreSpecialty and MN Program students) must also complete a drug screen prior to registration as part of their VUSN compliance portal requirements.

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.
   • 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/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 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/student-health-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.

The overwhelming majority of clinical placement sites require either documentation of a completed series of COVID-19 vaccinations or (in some cases) an approved exemption before allowing students to rotate at their facilities. Students are strongly encouraged to have the COVID-19 vaccine in anticipation of this requirement. VUSN will not assign clinical placement sites based on an individual student’s preference about COVID-19 vaccination, nor will VUSN reassign a student to a different site because of a student’s COVID-19 vaccination preference.

VUSN cannot guarantee students will be able to complete clinical rotations unless all agency requirements are met. You may not begin your clinical rotations until you have met all the site requirements and have received confirmation from your faculty and the Clinical Placement office that you are cleared to start.

The newly admitted student must satisfactorily complete all of the requirements with a July 1st Due Date in the Exxat Compliance portal. Additionally, students admitted to the PreSpecialty and MN programs (non-RN) must satisfactorily complete a drug screen through their Exxat compliance portal. Once the requirements for the student’s entry type and/or specialty are satisfactorily completed, the VUSN Student Requirements Hold is automatically cleared from Your Enrollment Services (YES) account (allow 10-business days).

Additional immunizations, titers, TB testing, drug screening, and/or additional background checks may be required by some clinical, observation and project sites. Once enrolled, the student may complete immunizations, titers and TB testing at Student Health (https://www.vumc.org/student-health/welcome). A student who plans to use Student Health should call (615) 322- 2427 to schedule an appointment. The student should bring a copy of the VU Nursing Immunization and TB Testing form

(Website:https://nursing.vanderbilt.edu/clinicalplacement/pdf/health_questionnaire.pdf) and any required documentation to the appointment. Students are responsible for all charges incurred in order to meet clinical site requirements. Due to certain restrictions, VUSN is not able to accommodate clinical placements in all locations.

Students are responsible for the costs of tests, treatment, and follow-up care for any accidents, injury, or illnesses that occur while enrolled as students at VUSN. Students are not entitled to worker’s compensation benefits.

Follow instructions on the Vanderbilt Student Health Center’s Immunization Requirements webpage (https://www.vumc.org/student-health/immunization-requirements-new-students) to enter dates and submit documentation of the following state-mandated requirements through the Vanderbilt Student Health Immunization Portal  (https://vanderbilt.studenthealthportal.com/Account/Logon?ReturnUrl=%2f). Acceptable forms of documentation include; official state/county immunizations, official signed or certified medical records, Yellow Book/immunization card from country of origin (English required), or the VU Nursing Immunization and TB Testing form (https://nursing.vanderbilt.edu/clinicalplacement/pdf/health_questionnaire.pdf) completed and signed by a health care provider.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis (Tdap): Documentation of vaccination within last ten years. (DTP/DTaP and Td/TD vaccines do not meet this requirement.)
5. 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.
   • 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.
6. 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 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.
7. 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/student-health-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.

The University’s Immunization Hold is automatically cleared from Your Enrollment Services (YES) account when a message of compliance is received through your Student Health Immunization Portal (allow 10-business days).