Health Requirements for Students

College of Nursing Health Packets are the documents all College of Nursing students must complete prior to beginning clinical courses.

Download a PDF of the Health Requirements for Students included on this page.

What if I’d like to get started on my requirements before I receive my CON Health Packet?

Several requirements are date specific and those details will be included in your packet. However below are some of the general requirements students can start ahead of time.

• Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis): Documentation of Tdap vaccination within 10 years.
• MMR (Measles/Mumps/Rubella): Documentation of two MMR vaccinations or documentation of positive surface antibody titer blood tests for all three components.
• Varicella (Chicken Pox): Documentation of two Varicella vaccinations or documentation of a positive surface antibody titer blood test.
• Hepatitis B: Documentation of three vaccinations AND documentation of a positive Hep B surface antibody titer blood test.  (If blood test is negative, students will have to receive a booster vaccination and titer a second time.)
• Flu: Documentation of a current flu vaccination.
• CPR: Certification in the American Heart Association BLS Provider Course (other courses are not accepted).

What is an Online Tracker?

The Online Tracker is the CastleBranch.com site all College of Nursing students must use to store their health documents. Students use their Health Packet documents to complete their Online Tracker.

What is a Clinical Passport?

The Clinical Passport is a set of established health and safety standards required of all students caring for patients in the health care setting. Students use their Online Tracker dates to complete their Clinical Passport.

Can I upload individual documents to my Online Tracker?

Yes, students can upload individual documents as they become available and have 24/7 access.

What if my Online Tracker documents are rejected?

Details are included for all rejected documents on the Online Tracker that list what is needed in order for the document to be completed. Review the rejection notes carefully for that information.

What is a QuantiFERON Gold (QFT) TB Screen?

A QuantiFERON Gold (QFT) is a blood test consisting of one office visit for the blood draw. The lab results are generally received within 3-5 business days. The QuantiFERON Gold blood test is the only test accepted for the TB requirement (other blood tests are not accepted). If needed, students can obtain a QFT blood test during the same visit that any titers are drawn.

Can I get this testing done at any clinic or out of state?

Yes – make sure your name, full DOB, agency name and the complete vaccination or titer details are included on the documentation you receive.

What is the Hepatitis B vaccination series?

The Hepatitis B vaccination is a series of three scheduled doses. The typical schedule is dose 2 one month after dose 1 and dose 3 five months after dose 2. Students can continue in their program of study during the Hep B vaccination series as long as they stay on track with all due dates.

What is a Surface Antibody Titer?

A Surface Antibody Titer is a blood test that shows levels of immunity to the type of disease it’s drawn for. For instance, a positive Hepatitis B surface antibody titer indicates that a person is protected against the Hepatitis B virus. The clinical agencies require titers to be initiated 6 weeks after the final vaccination dose and lab results are generally received within 3-5 business days after initiation.

Do Surface Antibody Titers expire?

No.  A positive Surface Antibody Titer can be accepted regardless of the date it was completed. A negative Surface Antibody Titer does not expire; however, it would need to be repeated after additional vaccinations are completed.

What if my Surface Antibody Titer is equivocal or negative?

For Hepatitis B, MMR or Varicella a booster vaccination is required followed by a repeat titer 6 weeks later. Students can continue in their program of study during a repeat titer as long as they stay on track with all due dates.

I had chickenpox in the past, will that meet the Varicella requirement?

No, history of disease cannot be accepted for the Varicella requirement. Documentation of two vaccinations or a positive antibody titer are accepted.

What type of CPR Certification is accepted?

The ONLY CPR Certification accepted is the American Heart Association - BLS Provider Card. Other CPR courses are not accepted. Equivalency courses are not accepted.

What if the Flu vaccine has not been released by my document due date?

In most cases the annual flu vaccine is released in late July/early August at local chain pharmacies and the SU Health Center. In the event that the flu vaccine release date is later, students will receive notification that the due date for that one requirement will be extended.

Why are my renewal dates so early?

The clinical agencies conduct zero tolerance blind compliance audits throughout the program and will not accept records that expire during a quarter. As a result, students are required to renew requirements months in advance of any mid-quarter expiration dates to be cleared for clinical onboarding. The general renewal dates are 8/15 for Fall onboarding, 11/15 for Winter onboarding, 2/15 for Spring onboarding and 5/15 for Summer onboarding.

What are the Covid-19 requirements?

College of Nursing students are required to provide documentation of an initial Covid vaccination series and one booster as part of their primary clinical agency onboarding. Some clinical agencies may require additional vaccination documentation. In those cases, students are notified during the clinical placement onboarding process on a site-by-site basis.