BSN Clinical Requirements

(Traditional Day BSN, Accelerated BSN, ACCESS Evening-Weekend BSN, RN-BSN/MSN):

1. The Department of Nursing and Health maintains a zero tolerance policy for all BSN clinical requirements. No student will be allowed to participate in clinical or laboratory experiences without documentation that he/she satisfactorily meets all of the following BSN Clinical Requirements (as determined by the Department of Nursing and Health). Inability to satisfactorily meet one or more of the BSN Clinical Requirements will prohibit the student from attending required clinical and/or laboratory experiences. Inability to attend required clinical and/or laboratory experiences will result in course failure and/or dismissal from the nursing program. Some documents and clearances may need to be updated on a yearly basis.
   • Completed health forms with evidence of specific immunity
   • Nationwide Criminal Background Check+
   • FBI fingerprinting+
   • Child Abuse History+
   • Drug testing
   • CPR certification
   • Automobile insurance
   • Medical insurance
   • Any additional health documentation, criminal checks, drug testing, or certification requirements as set forth by the Department of Nursing and Health and/or affiliating clinical agencies
   • Orientation requirements specific to each affiliating clinical agency.
     
     Appropriate forms and instructions are available through the Department of Nursing and Health. Students should obtain these forms at least three months before deadline dates. Original documents must be submitted to the Department of Nursing and Health each semester and/or each year. The student may be required to submit additional documentation, as deemed appropriate. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain these forms and submit the documentation to the Department of Nursing and Health by the deadlines set forth for review.
2. Students are expected to notify the chair of the Department of Nursing and Health immediately of any changes in the following while in the nursing program:
   • Health Status
   • Nationwide Criminal Background Check+ (term inclusive of all clearances such as nationwide background test, drug testing, FBI fingerprints, elder abuse, etc.)
   • Child Abuse History+
     
     All changes will be evaluated by the chair of the Department of Nursing and Health. These changes may jeopardize a student’s progression in the nursing program and may result in a student’s dismissal from the program. Failure to notify the chair of the Department of Nursing and Health of any changes may result in immediate dismissal from the nursing program. Pending court dates, pending charges, and arrests are considered a change to criminal history. Continued participation/acceptance in the DeSales University Nursing Program is dependent upon continuous negative results of all required documentation as outlined above. Admission or participation in the nursing program may be revoked upon receipt of any positive results. The Department of Nursing and Health maintains a zero tolerance policy.
3. Affiliating clinical agencies, utilized for required student clinical experiences, reserve the right to deny a student’s participation in any clinical experience/rotation because of a positive drug test, a positive criminal record+, a felony or misdemeanor conviction+, a record of child abuse+, or the inability to produce appropriate documentation related to required health clearances. Inability to attend required clinical experiences will result in course failure and/or dismissal from the nursing program.
4. Students who experience a change in their health status, including but not limited to an illness or injury, are required to obtain a healthcare provider’s note prior to the student’s return to class and clinical/laboratory. The healthcare provider’s note must specifically state the date the student is cleared to return to normal class and clinical/laboratory experiences. Students may be withheld from class or clinical/laboratory experiences if appropriate health clearance is not provided to the Department of Nursing and Health by the deadlines set forth and must adhere to the Clinical and Laboratory Attendance Policy.
5. Students must meet the functional abilities essential for nursing practice as outlined in the Pre-licensure BSN Nursing Student Handbook.
6. Students will be assigned to clinical sites and rotation times according to clinical site availability and concurrently running nursing courses. Specific clinical site placement and rotation times cannot be guaranteed to any student. All clinical site placements are made at the discretion of the Department of Nursing and Health. It is the responsibility of the student to provide their own form of transportation to clinical sites.
7. The financial costs associated with clearances, immunizations, and examinations are the responsibility of the student.

+Regardless of whether or not a student graduates from DeSales University, individuals who have a positive criminal record, a felony or misdemeanor conviction, or a record of child abuse may be denied licensure as a health professional.

Computer and Equipment Requirements

All undergraduate nursing students are encouraged to have a portable laptop computer (PC or Mac) that uses a Windows and/or Apple operating system with internet connectivity in order to receive the best compatibility and functionality when taking courses at DeSales University. Tablets and iPads can be used as supplemental technology but will not have the same capabilities as a laptop computer. Students should refer to “Computers ” and “Distance Education and Instructional Technology ”. Additional University technology requirements can be located on the DeSales website Distance Education: Technical Requirements webpage and in the DeSales Undergraduate Pre-Licensure Nursing Student Handbook.

In addition to technology equipment, all undergraduate nursing students are required to purchase the healthcare provider equipment. Appropriate order forms and instructions are available through the Department of Nursing and Health, and are distributed to students upon and/or prior to program entry.

• Stethoscope
• Blood Pressure Cuff
• Stop-watch or wrist watch with a second hand
• Pen Light
• Medical Scissors
• Shoes, all white with smooth antimicrobial finish
• Scrub Top, wine color with DeSales logo
• Scrub Pant, navy blue color with DeSales logo
• Lab Coat, white with DeSales logo
• DeSales nursing student patch for scrub top
• Any additional equipment set forth by the Department of Nursing & Health

The financial costs associated with equipment are the responsibility of the student.

Leave of Absence from the Nursing Program

All students accepted into the nursing major, whether they are full-time or part-time undergraduate Traditional Day BSN students, Accelerated BSN students, ACCESS Evening-Weekend BSN students, or RN-BSN/MSN students completing their degrees, must continue to enroll in courses every fall and spring semester until they are awarded their degrees. A student who wishes not to register for courses must apply to take a “Leave of Absence.” These forms must be signed by the student’s faculty advisor and a “Program Plan” must be attached that clearly notes when the student plans to take required courses and plans to graduate. This policy ensures that clinical placement for all students can be adequately planned in advance. Should a student not file a “Leave of Absence” and “Program Plan” by the midterm period for the absent semester, he/she will no longer be enrolled in the nursing program and must reapply for admission. “Program Plan” and “Leave of Absence” forms are available through the Department of Nursing and Health. The student must also follow University guidelines for a leave of absence according to University regulations noted in the Undergraduate Catalog.

A student must reapply for a “Leave of Absence” if he/she wishes to take more than one semester break from the program of study. An application for a “Leave of Absence” does not guarantee that the student’s request will be granted. Students must additionally be in compliance with the “Leave of Absence” policy detailed in Section 2 of the Undergraduate Catalog under Separation from DeSales University .

It is the responsibility of the student to contact the Bursar and/or the Financial Aid Office for additional information about the implications of a leave for their tuition or financial aid. Questions about housing should be addressed to the Residence Life Office.