Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner Program Information

Additional Requirements for Nurse Practitioner (NP) Concentrations

1. Identification of potential clinical sites and preceptors for the NP practicum requirements

Any applicant that does not meet the stated admissions requirements may request a review by the Admissions, Progression, and Retention (APR) Committee for conditional admission. These reviews are completed on a case-by-case basis. The APR Committee takes many factors into consideration when reviewing these requests, including but not limited to:

1. Applicant’s work experience and accomplishments in the profession;
2. Amount of time that has transpired between the applicant’s undergraduate degree completion and application to South College; and/or
3. Grade point average in graduate work at other accredited academic institutions.

Student Health Requirements for Clinical Practicum

• Current RN License: All graduate students are required to have documentation of a current RN license, in good standing, to practice as a registered nurse in their current state of residence.
• Proof of Health Insurance: It is the responsibility of each student to provide his/her own health insurance. Students, for their own protection, are required by the clinical agencies to carry health insurance throughout the program. Students will not be allowed into the practicum unless they show evidence of health insurance.
• CPR-American Heart BLS HCP: Students must maintain a current American Heart Association CPR card (level C).
• Physical Exam/Health Screening: Prior to entering their first practicum, a health history and physical exam are required (current within six months) and documentation of current immunization is required. This data is used to confirm that a student is in good physical and mental health for participation in the program.
• Tuberculin Skin Test: Required annually. If positive, proof of follow-up medical care is required. (If diagnosis of active tuberculosis is made, clearance from the Public Health Department is required before admission or for continuation in the nursing program.) In cases where a positive tuberculin test result is present due to previous exposure or vaccination, a chest x-ray or quantiferon gold and sign/symptom checklist will be required. http://www.cdc.gov/tb/topic/testing/default.htm
• Hepatitis B Vaccine: The Hepatitis B titers are required for all students.
• Tetanus/Tdap: Tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (Td/Tdap) vaccination require one-time dose of Tdap to adults younger than age 65 years who have not received Tdap previously or for whom vaccine status is unknown to replace one of the 10-year Td boosters.
• Varicella: Evidence of immunity to varicella in adults includes any of the following:
  • Laboratory confirmation of immunity through lgG antibody detection. (Reference: MMWR (2007). Prevention of Varicella: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP); 56(RR04); 1-40.)
• Current Immunizations Records: Documentation is required. Some agencies will also require documentation of PPD, MMR, Varicella, and Hepatitis B immunizations or titers.
• Background & Drug Screening through Castle Branch Students will assume the costs and responsibility of getting these completed as necessary prior to the clinical experience. Instructions for ordering these screenings can be found below.
• Professional liability insurance is provided by South College. However, FNP Student Professional Liability Insurance is strongly recommended.
• Photo ID (e.g., South College ID, driver’s license, passport)

All required health documentation must be on file in the School of Nursing prior to the beginning of clinical practicum courses. Failure to comply may result in the student being withdrawn from the course. Students not in compliance will be refused entry to the clinical site and absences during this time will be considered unexcused. These requirements are subject to change based on Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and regulatory agency requirements for healthcare provider immunizations.

Note: For applicants that are RNs who wish to pursue a BSN and then MSN, please see the RN/BSN section for requirements and then the BSN-MSN.