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The School of Nursing
 
 

Students & Faculty Compliance Policy

What is compliance?

As students enter clinical courses in the School of Nursing, several requirements related to immunization status, background check, and specific trainings must be documented. These items (detailed list follows) are the "compliance" requirements. The list includes several items that are also required to be employed in clinical agencies, so our licensed students likely have already completed most things. However, because we are responsible to confirm all of this, licensed students must submit documentation as well.

Why do we have compliance?

Clinical agencies where our students go for clinical experiences have their own standards and accreditation mandates requiring documentation that all of these requirements have been met by all employees and students entering their facilities, particularly when there is contact with patients. For each clinical facility where we place our nursing students, there is an official affiliation agreement that outlines responsibilities and obligations of both the clinical agency, and the School and its faculty and students. It is all about patient safety as well as keeping our students safe in these settings. We are audited periodically by the agencies to assure them that we are accurate and that our students are fully compliant.

School of Nursing compliance policy

“Students must be compliant for clinical courses one month prior to the first class day. Students who are not compliant will be dropped from the clinical course on the first class day. Students may petition to be re-enrolled in the clinical course(s) after completing the compliance requirements up to the 12th class day. However, University late fees will apply and students will not be guaranteed their preferred clinical site or instructor. Students should see the School of Nursing website for the most current list of compliance requirements”.
Updated Spring 2012

Students MUST maintain compliance requirements for every semester they are in clinical courses. Check your CPR certification expiration date! And the TB test date. Those need renewal while in the program. Students are asked to scan their compliance information (immunization records, CPR certification, etc.) and send by email to the Student Affairs office, NUR 2.400, in order to update their record.

Exemption from Compliance Requirements: The only students who are exempt from this compliance policy are those who are enrolled in lecture-only courses (e.g., PhD students). A compliance waiver form is required for students who are NOT enrolled in clinical courses. Click here to view and download a list of graduate courses that require compliance and the compliance waiver form (PDF - to view PDF files, download Adobe Reader).

Please call the Student Affairs office at (512) 232-4780 with any questions about compliance.

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Compliance Requirements

Texas Board of Nursing Background Check: All nursing students admitted into the prelicensure BSN and AEMSN nursing programs are required to be fingerprinted for a criminal history record check. Shortly after students are conditionally accepted into the nursing program, they will receive e-mail from the Student Affairs Office with instructions about how to proceed with the fingerprinting process. Because the process is fairly complex and must be finalized before starting the program, please be sure to start the process as soon as you are notified. For compliance purposes a copy of the response that you receive from the Texas Board of Nursing will need to be turned into the Student Affairs Office. (Do not throw away!!!).

Students who do not receive a clear background check from the BON must pursue a Declaratory Order process with the BON to confirm eligibility for licensure. Results of this Declaratory Order must be submitted at the School of Nursing to complete compliance requirements. In addition, some clinical agencies require background checks to meet their corporate policies.

Required Immunization Status:

  • HEPATITIS B VACCINE (HBV) with dates of each injection, proof of positive antibody titer OR declination of vaccine completed. Three (3) HBV injections are needed. 
  • TUBERCULOSIS SKIN TEST - a negative 2-step TB test OR approved blood assay (within the past 90 days), OR, IF a prior positive reactor to skin test, a negative chest x-ray within 5 years and free of productive cough, night sweats or unexplained loss of weight AND annual TB testing.
  • VARICELLA (Chicken Pox) – Proof of immunity by documented history of chicken pox, OR proof of Varicella immunization dates OR positive antibody titer.
  • MEASLES, MUMPS, AND RUBELLA (MMR) – Proof of immunity by positive antibody titer, OR vaccination dates (2 doses of Rubeola (Measles), 1 dose of Rubella & 2 doses of Mumps vaccine), OR 2 doses of MMR vaccine.

Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) Guidelines: The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends routine MMR vaccination for the following groups of people:         

  • all children, beginning at age 12-15 months
  • adults born in 1957 or later without documentation of vaccination
  • healthcare workers, who lack evidence of immunity, regardless of age
  • non-pregnant women of childbearing age without evidence of immunity to Rubella

ACIP recommends a second dose of MMR for any adult born during 1957 or later who:

  • is a student in a post-secondary educational institution
  • is a healthcare worker
  • plans to travel internationally

Additional information on MMR Guidelines can be found on the Immunization Action Coalition website.

CPR Certification: Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers + Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) via the American Heart Association. Online CPR courses are not acceptable.  Scan and send by email to the Student Affairs Office, NUR 2.400.

First Aid Certification: (J1 & J2) (AE beginning of their Foundation year): Basic First Aid Certification via the American Heart Association (Heartsaver First Aid), via local EMS (National Safety First Aid), OR American Red Cross. Scan and send by email to the Student Affairs Office, NUR 2.400. Online first aid courses are not acceptable.

Students who have RN or LVN licensure or who have EMT certification are not required to take the First Aid Certification course.

Employment Only Background Check: Nursing students that will be attending a clinical site are required to provide an employment only background check. PreCheck, Inc conducts the employment checks. Your order must be placed online through StudentCheck website.

For the Student Check, you will need to enter only one address and any 2 employers for verification. Please view the Instructions For Obtaining Your Employment Check For Clinical Education Program (PDF - To view PDF file, download Adobe Reader). A copy of your results must be turned into the Student Affairs Office for compliance. (Do not throw away!!!).

Professional Liability Insurance: Paid annually (each Fall semester) by personal check, money order or cashier’s check made paid to the order of UT Austin SON and turned into Student Affairs office, NUR 2.400. Coverage applies to performance of duties as a nursing student in a clinical course. Cost is $14.00 for all students. The cost is prorated for new students admitted in the Spring (9.00) or Summer ($5.00) semesters.

Orientation Training Modules: Certificate of completion signed and turned in to Student Affairs.

Scholastic Dishonesty and Professional Integrity: Agreement to abide by the University’s academic integrity standards and honor code signed and turned in to Student Affairs.

Skills Lab Consent Form: Please sign electronically and email the Informed Consent and Assumption of Risk Agreement Form to Student Affairs. This form grants permission to videotape you during simulations for educational purpose.

Licensure/Certification: License and/or certification current and a copy on file in the Student Affairs office (if applicable).

Drug Screen: Some clinical agencies require drug screens to be completed prior to participating in patient care. Students registered for sections going to these agencies will be notified of this additional compliance requirement and the process to be completed.

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Facilities Training Modules

Provides access to electronic charting and documentations. To be printed out, signed, and turned in to clinical faculty. All forms below are in PDF format.

Health South

Seton COMPASS Web-based Training

St. David’s

North Austin/South Austin/Round Rock

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Faculty Compliance and Competencies

Faculty must have completed the same immunization, CPR, orientation modules and facility training modules as listed for students and submit scanned copies to the Student Affairs office, NUR 2.400.

In addition, clinical agencies expect faculty to be familiar with the following Required Faculty Competencies- new from the Health Industry Steering Committee - Fall 2011.

All faculty, who work with students in clinical agencies, will be required to be familiar with the following policies and practice guidelines now promoted by Joint Commission and the hospitals where we have affiliation agreements.

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