Process Requirements

Competencies and Functional Abilities

Chamberlain College of Nursing recognizes that nursing is an intellectually, mentally and physically demanding profession. Students seeking admission should be aware that all graduates are expected to assimilate basic competencies and abilities throughout their education with or without reasonable accommodation. Competencies and functional abilities required of all nurses are summarized in the table below.

Clinical Course Requirements

Specific course requirements are documented in the course syllabi. The general requirements are noted below:

1. Each student must sign and submit to their Clinical Coordinator; a Personal Healthcare Responsibility Letter of Understanding, Clinical Competencies & Functional Abilities checklist, and a Confidentiality Statement prior to the end of the first semester of enrollment and before registering for a clinical course.
2. All entering students must submit a completed health examination, including your immunization history, and health insurance verification.
3. Students are required annually to review information and successfully pass a competency quiz to demonstrate knowledge of HIPAA and certain OSHA/Bloodborne Pathogen guidelines.
4. All students admitted into a nursing program understand that they will be required to submit to both background screening and drug screening. The related expenses are the responsibility of the student. Certain clinical partners may require an additional drug screen and fingerprinting before students are allowed to conduct clinical experiences at their sites. Students attending clinical rotations at these sites will be responsible for costs of the additional screenings.
5. The Clinical Coordinator maintains student health, immunization, and health insurance verification records.
6. The College requires that certain diagnostic tests be completed at various points during the program in order to meet contractual obligations with clinical facilities used for student learning. A measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) screen along with Varicella (Chickenpox) titer must be completed and the results of this blood work are to be submitted upon acceptance into a nursing program. If results of MMR or Varicella titers indicate that a vaccine is necessary, students will be required to obtain the vaccine at their own expense and provide evidence to the College that they have done so.
7. Mantoux tuberculin skin tests (PPD) are to be done prior to registration for the first clinical course and submitted annually. If the skin test converts to positive at any point while in the program, documentation of a negative chest x-ray and a physician follow-up documenting no evidence of active TB is required. Students who have had a positive TB skin test prior to starting the program must note this in their Health History & Physical and may be required to provide documentation of a negative chest x-ray, in addition to completing a TB questionnaire. Symptoms of active TB include a cough lasting more than 2 weeks, coughing up blood, fever and chills, loss of appetite, weight loss, night sweats, and nausea.
8. Tetanus/Diptheria immunization must be repeated every 10 years. Influenza vaccines are also recommended for all healthcare students and workers.
9. Students are required to submit evidence of having completed the Hepatitis A & B vaccination series before their first clinical course. The first immunization should be completed before starting school.
10. Because failure to obtain adequate immunizations puts both students and patients – especially children – at great risk of infections that could be otherwise prevented, waivers for immunizations are only granted in special situations. Documentation of major health or personal contraindications such as pregnancy, current serious illness, prior serious side effects due to a vaccine or skin test, or allergy to any component of the vaccine are examples of appropriate waivers. IMPORTANT: Even if a student provides sufficient documentation supporting a waiver request and one is granted, the requirements of our clinical partners supersede any school waiver and the student may be denied access to certain facilities and/or units.
11. Some clinical facilities may require additional vaccines or health related evidence.
12. All required health forms must be on file with Clinical Coordinator prior to Registration for any clinical course. Failure to comply will result in the student being withdrawn from the class roster. Students not in compliance may be refused entry to class or clinical and will not be excused for any absences.

CPR

The faculty and the affiliating clinical agencies of the College have established the need for nursing students to be certified in basic life support Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) which must include one man (adult), two man (adult), child, and obstructed airway. A course with all four of these components may be called CPR for Healthcare Providers. Students must be certified in CPR before the end of their first semester and/or prior to registration for their first clinical course, whichever comes first. After initial certification, each student is responsible for maintaining and renewing his/her own certification. There are a number of resources that offer CPR certification/recertification classes:

• The St. Louis and Columbus Heart Associations have a referral service specifically for classes. Call the local chapter to find out when and where classes are scheduled.
• Check with hospitals, local fire departments, and other EMS providers in your area. Some hospitals offer basic life support CPR for the community.
• Each Chamberlain College of Nursing Campus will offer CPR on-site at least 2 times each academic year.

Summary

Specific clinical expectations for each nursing course are stated in the course outcomes. Successful completion of the course depends on demonstration of these outcomes. All students are required to meet the following clinical expectations: promptness, correct attire, satisfactory preparation, nursing laboratory checkout of specified psychomotor skills, provision of safe client care, use of universal precautions in caring for clients, demonstration of responsible and ethical behavior, and review of clinical evaluation at the completion of the rotation.

Students who do not fulfill these expectations will be dismissed from the clinical area. This may result in clinical failure, which will result in failure of the nursing course. If students are deficient, a Counseling form is completed identifying critical elements necessary to satisfactorily complete the specific clinical course. The Counseling form is developed and signed by both the instructor and student. Absence from clinical must be made up.

An unsatisfactory day in the clinical section should be thoroughly discussed with the clinical instructor. A written plan of action will be formulated and mutually agreed upon by faculty and student. If an extremely unsafe incident occurs either in the classroom or clinical, the student may be dismissed.

When a student misses clinical for an illness that requires a physician’s intervention, a signed release from the physician is necessary for the student to return to class and/or perform all clinical activities.

Dress Regulations/ Uniforms

Student’s dress on campus should be appropriate at all times. Comfortable, informal apparel is permitted in the classroom and College areas. However, in the clinicalsetting students are expected to dress appropriately. Items such as short shorts and halter-tops, swimsuits, playsuits, and bedroom slippers are not appropriate.

Students must abide by uniform/dress guidelines as defined below.

• Identification badges must be worn when in the hospital areas, all clinicals, and all campus properties.
• The complete uniform includes:

Female: Regulation uniform

• Pants or skirt in Navy blue.
• White Polo top with Chamberlain logo embroidered on upper left chest area.
• Tunic top with Chamberlain logo embroidered on upper left chest area.
• White hose may be worn with dress, skirt, or pant uniform. White socks (mid-calf or knee high length) are to be worn with pants only. White nurse’s shoes or white leather tennis shoes must be worn (closed heel and toe).
• White lab coat with Chamberlain logo embroidered on upper left chest (above pocket) may be worn over uniform (Optional).
• Watch with second hand.
• Identification badge attached to upper right collar area.

Male: Regulations uniform

• Pants in Navy blue.
• White Polo top or scrub top with Chamberlain logo embroidered on upper left chest area.
• White lab coat with Chamberlain logo embroidered on upper left chest (above pocket) may be worn over uniform. (Optional)
• White socks (mid-calf or knee length) and white nurse’s shoes (closed heel and toe).
• Watch with second hand.
• Identification badge attached to upper right collar area.

The following equipment is also required:

• Stethoscope with bell and diaphragm.
• Penlight.
• Bandage scissors.
• Small notepad.
• Black ballpoint pen.
• Tape measure.

Uniforms can be purchased directly from the Chamberlain approved uniform vendor, Uniforms for U via on-site fittings or online at: www.mychamberlainuniform.com. Required nurse pack supplies may also be purchased online.

Professional appearance includes good grooming and appropriate use of cosmetics and jewelry. Uniforms should be clean and well maintained. Hair is to be worn back and up and away from the face. Longer hair must be tied back in a neat manner. Items such as perfumes and after-shave lotions should be used in moderation. Nails should not extend beyond fingertips. Nail polish is not permitted. Jewelry is limited to a wedding or engagement ring or a simple non-jeweled band (one ring per hand). Two small post earrings or wire hoops less than 1/2 inch in diameter may be worn (one in each ear). Facial and /or tongue jewelry are not allowed. Gum chewing is not allowed in the clinical area. Lab coats should be worn over appropriate dress street clothes (no jeans, shorts, or sandals) when students are in the clinical area to prepare for assignments. Shoes worn in clinical areas should cover the entire foot. A plain white T-shirt or a long sleeve white turtleneck may be worn under the uniform for added warmth if needed. All tattoos must be covered in the clinical area. Men must be clean-shaven or have neatly trimmed facial hair.

Compliance Documentation

In order to provide safe, professional nursing care, the personal health and integrity of students is of utmost importance. Copies of Health records are submitted to the Clinical Coordination Office, however students are responsible for maintaining their originals for future needs. Students are required to carry personal health insurance. Documentation of the following must be provided by all students before the end of the first semester or prior to registration for the first scheduled clinical course, whichever comes first. This policy applies to all faculty who provide clinical instruction and/or oversee educational activities in a clinical setting.

• Background Check
• Expected Clinical Behaviors
• Confidentiality Statement
• Current CPR Card
• Health, History, and Physical – signed by physician
• Current HIPAA Exam (can be obtained online at my.chamberlain.edu)
• Current OSHA/Bloodborne Pathogen Exam (can be obtained online at my.chamberlain.edu)
• Personal Healthcare Responsibility Letter of Understanding
• Clinical Competencies & Functional Abilities
• Drug Screen – must be done by Quest Diagnostics (www.questdiagnostics.com)
• Proof of Immunity and/or Immunization Dates:
• Hepatitis A (First vaccine of the series received)
• Hepatitis B (First vaccine of the series received)
• MMR Titer or proof of immunity
• Varicella Titer or proof of immunity
• Polio (IPV/OPV) Series
• PPD (annual test)
• TD/Diptheria Booster

If a student is unable to receive the Hepatitis A or B vaccine series, a waiver request must be signed and submitted to the Clinical Coordinator as part of his/her health records.

Individual clinical facilities may have additional requirements.

Web-based students requiring preceptors must collaborate with the Clinical Coordination Office to identify, establish, and schedule clinical learning experiences before a course begins. A clinical site must be confirmed prior to registration for any clinical course.