Tanner Health System School of Nursing Health & Professional

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Tanner Health System School of Nursing

Health & Professional Requirements Checklist

BSN Pre-Licensure & RN to BSN Programs

The Tanner Health System School of Nursing partners with clinical agencies to provide quality

clinical education to students enrolled in the prelicensure BSN program. To do this, all students

must meet credentialing requirements for all our partner agencies. As a current nursing student of

the Tanner Health System School of Nursing undergraduate program, you must comply with all the

items in this health requirement checklist. Except for sequenced or yearly vaccinations, all

documents for required health credentials must be completed by July 1

and must not expire before

June 30

of each academic year. Individual contracting clinical agencies may impose additional

health and professional requirements, which students must meet before the start of each academic

year. All credentialing costs will be at the expense of students and will not be covered by tuition or

course/lab fees. The Clinical Placement Specialist will inform students of any additional

requirements and will provide instructions as to how to complete these requirements. Because many

of the processes to complete documentation for health requirements may take several weeks,

students are encouraged to plan accordingly and begin the process early to avoid any penalties.

Failure of students to complete all items on the Health and Professional Requirements Checklist for

the following courses: NURS 3301, NURS 3302, NURS 4300, NURS 4301, NURS 4302, and

NURS 4508, will result in a penalty of 5% of the total possible course grade if the items are not

completed by the following due dates:

• July 1

There will be an additional penalty of another 5% of the total possible course grade if any

outstanding items past their due date on the Health and Professional Requirements Checklist are not

completed before the first day of each semester, as designated by the University of West Georgia

academic calendar.

All communication regarding clinical documents and clinical placement will be sent via students’

MyUWG email. Students are expected to check their accounts regularly. Failure to check or

respond to your UWG email does not constitute an excuse for keeping clinical credentials and files

up-to-date. Students must have a completed clinical document file to be permitted to participate in

clinical activities. Please note that the Tanner Health System School of Nursing will not make

copies of any record or document for students. It is the student’s responsibility to keep a copy of

their documents for future use.

REQUIRED DOCUMENT LIST

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The following documents listed A - E are required for all new nursing students to be read and signed before

starting their nursing program. These forms will be electronically signed upon starting your Verified

Credentials account. A copy will be printed and placed in your student clinical file at the THS SON.

A. BSN Handbook Form

B. Confidentiality Policy Form

C. Health Insurance Acknowledgement Form

D. Student Clinical Contract Release and Authorization Forms (2 Pages)

E. Hepatitis B Requirement Acknowledgement Agreement Form

The following requirements listed below 1 – 13 are mandated for all students and will be housed in a

Verified Credentials

personal account. Some requirements will need to be updated as needed during your

time in the program. All students must purchase an account with the company Verified Credentials to upload

and maintain all of these listed required clinical documents unless otherwise specified.

1. SIGNED COPY OF HEALTH REQUIREMENT CHECKLIST

Upon setting up a Verified Credentials Account, you will be required to digitally sign a copy of the

Health Requirement Checklist.

2. PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY INSURANCE

*THS SON prefers for students to purchase the Liability policy from the “Nurses Service

Organization” (NSO). Proof of current certificate of professional liability insurance is required with

the following specifications:

• Occurrence Based Policy

• Minimum coverage amounts of $1,000,000/3,000,000

• Dates of coverage (Policy must be effective by the deadline date for all required

documents.)

• The following “Medical Specialties” must be reflected in the policy:

• Any licensures/ Certifications (Examples: CNA, LPN, RN, etc.)

• Registered Nurse Student

• Premium that reflects “Employed, Full Time”

Liability Insurance coverage is good for one year only and must be renewed annually. The effective

date should be set to July 1

, and the expiration date should be set for June 30

. Any licensure or

certification that expires while enrolled in the nursing program must subsequently be removed from the

liability policy by uploading an Addendum to Verified Credentials stating that the Certification was

removed, including the effective date of the removal.

* “Nurses Service Organization” (NSO). You can access this information at www.nso.com

, or call

them at 1-800-247-1500.

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3. CPR (CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION)

Students must upload a front and back copy (or eCard) of an American Heart Association BLS

Provider Certification. Certifications from other agencies will not be accepted.

CPR coverage is good for 2 years from the certification date. CPR certification must not expire

during the Fall or Spring semester. If this document expires while in the nursing program, students

must renew prior to the start of the Fall semester.

4. ANNUAL PHYSICAL ABILITY FORM

This verifies the student’s physical ability to perform clinical activities. A physical must be renewed

annually by July 1

, and must not expire during the Fall or Spring semester. A Physical Ability

Form is on the THS SON website. All students who have paid their health service fees may have the

physical evaluation and physical ability form completed at the University Health Services Center

located at the Carrollton Campus. Another physical ability form must be submitted if there are any

changes in the health or physical status of a student while they are enrolled in the program.

5. TUBERCULOSIS SKIN TEST (PPD)

All TB tests and documentation should be completed in the month of June with submission

of negative tuberculosis documentation by July 1

of each year.

• 1

year 2-step skin test form (TB/PPD Form)

o tests must be performed no more than three weeks apart OR

• Quantiferon/TSpot testing OR

• Chest x-ray (for students with proof of previous positive TB skin tests)

o Please note that, depending on facility placement, additional documentation may

be required if imaging report is older than 6 months.

o Symptom Screening (required annually until chest x-ray becomes 5 years old)**

1st year all students are required to submit negative tuberculosis documentation 1

year 2-step

TB/PPD form. 2

year all students are required to submit negative tuberculosis documentation 2

year 1-step TB/PPD form, or Quantiferon/Tspot test, or Chest x-ray with proof of positive PPD by

July 1

annually.

If any test yields positive results, please note that a chest x-ray and symptom evaluation will be

required from a licensed medical provider (MD, PA, or NP). Students who have received past

treatment (or are undergoing current treatment) for tuberculosis must provide signed documentation

from a medical provider detailing the length of treatment.

**Those who have been treated for tuberculosis should follow the guidance of their medical provider

regarding methods for repeat assessment, as in these cases, PPDs and blood tests can yield false

positives. If PPDs and blood testing are not advisable for these reasons and subsequent chest x-rays

are not warranted, a symptom evaluation form may be provided to satisfy annual requirements.

Please note that not all clinical facilities will accept a symptom evaluation, and additional

documentation may be required. These instances will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

All students who have paid their health services fees may have a PPD or Quantiferon completed at

the University Health Services Center

. PPDs are only available on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday

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due to the need for reading results within 48-72 hours from the time the test is administered.

6. FLU SHOT

A mandatory flu shot is due annually as soon as available as vaccinations for the current flu season

are available (Students must submit proof of vaccination by October 15 of each year).

7. TETANUS, DIPHTHERIA, & PERTUSSIS (Tdap)

Student must maintain proof of a current (within 10 years) immunization for Tetanus, Diphtheria,

and Pertussis (Tdap). The document submitted must be clearly marked as Tdap, distinguishing from

other variations of the vaccine. If a student’s Tdap becomes more than 10 years old, they will be

required to have a renewal Tdap (which MUST include Pertussis), in order to meet the clinical

requirements.

8. HEPATITIS B IMMUNIZATION

SCENARIO 1 – Hepatitis B – Standard Requirements

• Proof of 3 Hepatitis B Vaccinations or 2 Heplisav-B Vaccinations

AND

• Proof of positive Hep B Surface Antibody Titer Blood Test

SCENARIO 2 – Students that have proof of 3 vaccinations and a Negative Hep B Surface

Antibody Titer. Follow CDC Guidelines below by repeating either an addition 3 Hep B

Vaccination Series or a 2 step Heplisav-B Vaccination Series:

• Hep B Injection #4

• Hep B Injection #5 One (1) month after injection #4

• Hep B Injection #6 Five (5) months after injection #5 (N/A if having 2 Heplisav-B

Vaccinations)

• FINAL Hep B Surface Antibody Titer Blood Test: Six (6) weeks after last injection (depending

on series given)

o If the 2

Titer Blood Test results are negative you are required to have a healthcare

provider complete the THS SON Non-responder form

and list ALL vaccinations and All

titer dates. Form found on THS SON website.

9. MMR (MEASLES, MUMPS & RUBELLA)

Students must provide documentation of ONE of the following:

• 2 MMR Immunizations OR

• MMR (MEASLES, MUMPS & RUBELLA) titer showing immunity for all three of these,

which MUST include lab results and date lab was performed.

10. VARICELLA (CHICKENPOX)

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Student must provide documentation of ONE of the following:

• 2 Varicella Immunizations OR

• Varicella titer showing immunity, which must include lab results and date lab was

performed.

11. HEALTH INSURANCE

Students are required to provide the following:

• Front and back copy of a medical insurance card as proof of current health coverage to

remain active and on file throughout the time you are in the nursing program.

• Students Name must be on insurance card. If students name is not on insurance card they

must upload proof of coverage from company as a listed dependent, in addition to the

insurance card.

• Signed Health Insurance Acknowledgement Form (found on THS SON website), which

must be submitted to the school of nursing and not to the Verified Credentials website.

Please note that the student is personally responsible for any and all expenses incurred for treatment

of an injury or illness, whether it has occurred during a scheduled clinical activity in a facility or

during a class activity on campus, regardless of whether the student has medical insurance or not.

The student can be seen at the nearest emergency room if warranted. All students who have paid

their UWG health fee are eligible to be seen and treated in the University Health Center

12.

CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK & DRUG SCREEN

To initiate your background check and drug screen, please visit the Advantage Students

website at www.advantagestudents.com and order the Student Package. Please make sure to

share your completed background Check & Drug Screen with UWG School of Nursing

Student. The background & drug screen process can take up to 2 weeks to show complete

after the student completes their drug screen. Students must order the Student Package and

complete the drug screen no later than June 7

Please note that this process must be repeated annually, and the same login credentials will be

required for each renewal. If you need assistance with retrieving credentials or other matters please

get in touch with Advantage Students customer service at 1-888-885-8990.

As part of the Health and Professional Requirements for the Tanner Health System School of

Nursing, students must complete a mandatory criminal background check and drug screen each year.

Students complete this process through the THS SON’s approved vendor. The student will be

required to give access to the results of the background check and/or drug screen to clinical facilities

as required to gain clinical placement. In the event a student is denied clinical placement for any

reason relating to the facility’s review of the background check and drug screen, the Clinical

Placement Specialist will make one attempt to place the student in another facility. If the student is

denied placement by the second facility or another placement slot is not available, the student

will not progress in the nursing program.

This requirement is based on 1) recommendations from the Georgia Hospital Association, 2) concern

by the clinical agencies regarding the safety of patients and the liability risk if a student harms a

patient in a clinical setting, and 3) nursing students being denied initial licensure or delayed licensure

by the Board of Nursing because of offenses that have occurred before or during nursing school.

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Should there be concerns about report content, please get in touch with the Tanner Health System

School of Nursing for guidance.

13. LICENSURE and CERTIFICATION

Any student who holds licensure or certification (CNA, LPN, RN, Respiratory Therapist, Pharmacy

Tech, etc.) by any Board in or outside the State of Georgia must provide proof of said licensure or

certification.

14. COVID-19 REQUIREMENT

The completed COVID-19 vaccine series is a requirement of many clinical agencies, not the UWG

THSSON. Exemption status is between the student and the clinical agency. Exemptions may or may

not be considered and/or approved by all clinical agencies.

Student must provide a copy of their completed COVID-19 vaccine series OR an approved

exemption form signed and dated by the clinical agency.

Student Signature Date