Nursing Information Center

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling admission basis with the first acceptances to the program being issued in March for the next Fall semester.

HEALTH RECORDS/IMMUNIZATIONS/TITER REQUIREMENTS (for both RN & PN NURSING PROGRAMS)

In addition to the requirements of the New York State Public Health Laws, ALL NURSING students have the following requirements:

Physical – must be on the SUNY Niagara Physician’s Physical for Clinical Rotations form on the Viewpoint Health Portal (good for 1 year).

Please be sure the physician has addressed all questions and signed all required areas. If your physician identifies a health problem/issue, we may ask for additional information.

Note: Your Health Care Provider must qualify you to attend clinical with no restriction.

• Proof of a two-step tuberculosis skin testing (TST) is required with the initial physical. The second TST is to be given 7-21 days after the first one (It is not acceptable if given before SEVEN days) The TST is then updated on an annual basis. The date given, date read, and the result in mm are required. A chest x-ray and/or a physician’s statement indicating no signs or symptoms of Tuberculosis disease are required for a positive skin test. (No further TST’s are to be done after a positive skin test)
• Proof of Diphtheria Tetanus (NOT Tetanus Toxoid) within the last 10 years. (Tdap is requested as a one time update, rather than TD, if not already received)
• Proof of current Seasonal Flu Vaccination is required for all students during NYSDOH Stated Flu season. The student must submit documentation with the date given, place given, person administering, manufacturer, lot number, and expiration date of vaccine to the Viewpoint Health Portal by the date stated.
• Currently, the COVID-19 vaccination is NOT required. Although, admission and readmission into the nursing program MAY require it, if clinical sites mandate that all nursing students be COVID-19 vaccinated. This means you have had your single (J&J) dose or two doses of (Pfizer or Moderna) vaccination and are two weeks since your last dose. A booster is required following the guidelines of Pfizer vaccine 5 months after the final dose of vaccination, Moderna 6 months after the final vaccination, and J&J 2 months after the vaccination. Subject to change based on current guidelines.
• Hepatitis B vaccination is STRONGLY recommended. Please review the Hepatitis Vaccine Information document in the Viewpoint Health Portal so that you make an informed decision regarding this important immunization.

If your health status changes during the program (i.e. surgery, pregnancy, injury, etc.) You must submit a medical clearance that states you may “attend clinical with NO restrictions”.

For your convenience, you may view your immunization information on file by going to:

• Banner Web – Enter Secure Area – Enter User ID (Student ID) – Enter PIN No.
• Log In – Personal Information – Immunization Data Display

* Please note: Compliance refers to Public Health Laws – NOT Clinical Compliance)

Submit the above information to the Viewpoint Health Portal 1 MONTH PRIOR TO CLINICAL ROTATIONS to avoid any delay or restriction regarding your attendance for clinical rotations. Please allow 5 business days for your forms to be processed. Faxed physical forms are NOT accepted.

STUDENTS WILL BE GIVEN CLEARANCE FOR CLINICAL ROTATIONS BY ONE OF THE REGISTERED NURSES IN THE WELLNESS CENTER AFTER ALL REQUIREMENTS HAVE BEEN SATISFIED. Submission of the materials does NOT imply clearance.

CPR/BLS REQUIREMENTS

Students must have a current, valid certification of training in Basic Life Support (CPR).

The Basic Life Support (BLS) certification must consist of: Resuscitation (one-man, two-man, child, infant), airway management, automatic defibrillator, bag-mask technique. The procedure MUST be demonstrated to a CPR instructor.

The following certifications are ACCEPTABLE COURSES for the Nursing program. A demonstration to a certified instructor MUST be completed.

• American Heart Association: Basic Life Support (BLS Provider)
• American Red Cross: CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer
• Canadian Red Cross: Level HCP for the Health Care Professional.
• National Safety Council: Basic Life Support (BLS for the Health Care Provider)

Certification must be current and validated by nurse faculty. A copy of the valid card must be uploaded to the Viewpoint Health Portal by the deadline established in each course. Failure to meet the deadline for submission of valid CPR/BLS for the Professional Rescuer or Health Care Provider will result in exclusion from the clinical area.

Transportation For Clinical Experiences

Students must have their own reliable mode of transportation to clinical experiences. Choices of clinical locations cannot be arranged according to public transportation availability.

During Community Based Nursing rotations in NUR 211 and NUR 212, students must be able to travel to community agency sites, some of which may be in areas distant from the college and may involve additional travel to individual patients’ homes. Students must be prepared (full tank of gas) to drive their own vehicle when assigned to home care sites.

Parking at clinical agencies is the responsibility of the student. Students must park in areas designated or acceptable to the agency.  The student is responsible for any costs associated with travel to and parking at clinical agencies.