.gif "Visit the JMU Homepage")
<<Back to Clinical Policies and Procedures
BSN: Health Related Policies
Practicum courses involve real people and health care situations. Students are in contact with persons of all ages in diverse settings with potential exposure to many kinds of illness. This puts you at potential risk. You can also be a risk to others, including coworkers and clients. For your protection and that of your coworkers and clients, the Department of Nursing has established the following policies.
Health Center Requirements:
Nursing students are required to be in compliance with all health requirements (including the MMR-II second measles vaccine) as outlined in the JMU Health Center policy. See the University Student Handbook for further details.
Health Record and Evaluation:
Nursing students are required to have a health record and evaluation completed and returned to the nursing department prior to enrolling in nursing courses. This must be completed with nine months preceding the semester in which you are enrolled in the Sophomore level nursing course. While you can use the JMU nursing department form, other official physical examination forms are acceptable. This form can be used to document health related items for which validation is required. All health records are maintained separately in a locked file from other student academic records.
Hepatitis B Vaccine:
Nursing students are at risk of exposure to blood-borne pathogens including hepatitis and HIV and are required to have the Hepatitis B vaccine and titre or sign a declination statement before entering the junior year of the nursing program. The Hepatitis B vaccine series must be completed prior to enrollment in the sophomore level nursing courses. The series involves three injections over a 6-month period; the second injection follows 1 month after the first, with the third 5 months later. Students are also required to receive the Hepatitis B Titre 1-6 months after the completion of the vaccine series. The series and titre can be received at a place of your choice, but is available through the JMU Health Center. Documentation that you have completed all three doses and the titre must be sent to the department prior to beginning your Sophomore level nursing course. Students may not begin practicum courses until verification has been received or a declination has been signed
TB Testing:
Nursing students are required to have a 2-Step TB skin test (PPD-S) prior to beginning the Sophomore level nursing course. If the skin test is positive a chest x-ray and follow up are required. Testing can occur wherever you choose, but is available at the JMU Student Health Center. Written confirmation of the results of the skin test (and chest x-ray if indicated) are to be sent to the nursing department prior to beginning the Sophomore level nursing course and no later than August 1 prior to each year of enrollment in the nursing program. Students will not be allowed to begin practicum courses until verification of testing and current status has been received.
The student must present certification that he/she is free of active tuberculosis prior to clinical rotations. A negative two-step tuberculin skin test using purified protein derivative (PPD) is required. A two step test is defined as the application and reading of two consecutive PPD tests. The second PPD should be administered 1-3 weeks after the first.
Students with a known positive TB skin test who have had a chest x-ray within the past 2 years are not required to have additional chest x-rays if verification of both the skin test and the chest x-ray results are provided to the nursing department. Students with a positive skin test whose x-rays are satisfactory will be asked to have further chest x-rays only if there is known or suspected exposure of if there are symptoms causing concern.
Immunity for Rubella, Rubeola and Varicella
Students are required to provide evidence of immunity for rubella, rubeola and varicella.
Rubella: Immunity must be demonstrated either by documentation of immunization (with live virus vaccine on or after your first birthday) or by a positive blood serology (titer). An official record documenting the date of immunization or the date and results of a blood serology (titre) must be submitted to the nursing department prior to enrolling in the sophomore level nursing course. If blood serology (titre) does not indicate immunity you must be immunized.
Rubeola: Students must provide evidence of Rubeola (measles) immunity either by documenting immunization (with live virus vaccine on or after 15 months of age and having received a booster on or after 4 years of age) or by a positive blood serology. Official records documenting the date of immunization and the date of the booster, or the date and results of a serology (titre) must be submitted to the nursing department prior to beginning the sophomore level nursing course. If you have a blood serology (titre) that does not indicate immunity you must be immunized.
Varicella (chickenpox): Immunity must be demonstrated either by official documentation that you have had chickenpox (a letter to that effect from a parent is acceptable documentation); by receiving the varicella vaccine; or by blood serology (titre) indicating immunity. If you are unsure whether or not you have had chickenpox, or if your blood serology does not indicate immunity, you must be immunized.Verification of varicella immunity must be received in the nursing department prior to beginning the sophomore level nursing course.
Because of individual clinical agency requirements, students may be asked at a later time to get titres for rubella, rubeola or varicella to determine current immunity levels.
Drug Testing:
Students may be required to have a drug test at any point during the nursing program if required by a clinical agency or if requested by a faculty member.
Personal Health Insurance:
Students are responsible for all health care costs including any that might result from experiences that are a part of the nursing program, including experiences in clinical agencies. Students are expected to carry personal health insurance through the University student plan if not otherwise covered (this is different than liability insurance). Documentation of coverage must be provided to the department no later than August 1 prior to beginning junior level nursing courses.
Maintenance of Health-Related Records:
It is essential that you maintain personal copies of the numerous health related records that you provide to the nursing department (i.e. CPR certification, Hepatitis B vaccine, TB testing, etc.). You will need them for other purposes, including the professional portfolio you will create in the program, and are responsible for retaining copies. The department office will charge a fee for copies of these records.
