The agencies and hospitals where students are placed for clinical have policies about what is required of nursing students. Before your first clinical rotation, you’ll need to submit a number of requirements in order to be initially cleared. After this initial clinical clearance, it is each student’s responsibility to remain in compliance.
Instructions, deadlines and forms below do not apply to Nursing@Simmons online students.
Initial clinical clearance happens before a student’s first clinical experience. You’ll work on gathering, completing and submitting these requirements during the semester before this first clinical course. The Clinical Coordination Office will make a formal announcement. While some requirements can be done ahead of this time, some really need to be done during this semester ahead of the first clinical experience.
Initial Clinical Clearance Deadlines
Documentation of the following immunizations will be scanned/uploaded by the student to their myCB account. (When you place your background check order on CastleBranch, you will automatically receive a myCB account).
TB Skin Test/PPD
For initial clinical clearance, Two-Step Tuberculin Skin Test Method required (per CDC Guidelines for health professionals), meaning one TB Skin Test (planted/read) and then a second TB Skin Test (planted/read) after one week but before three weeks. After the initial two-step, an annual TB Skin Test is required while in the Nursing Program. If more than one year passes without a TB Skin Test, the student must complete a two-step again.
If a student has a history of positive TB Skin Test results they will need to submit documentation of the year of the positive result, treatment received, and the date of a negative chest x-ray. The student is then required to complete an annual symptom review with a health care provider.
Measles, Mumps & Rubella (MMR)
Documentation of two MMR vaccinations OR positive Measles and Mumps antibody titers required.
Rubella Titer
All nursing students must have a positive rubella antibody titer.
Varicella (Chicken Pox)
Two vaccinations OR proof of immune titer is required. A history of the disease is not sufficient. If a student’s titer results come back negative, two vaccinations are required. The second vaccination should administered one month following the first.
Hepatitis B
Completion of the Hepatitis B vaccine series (three vaccines) AND the HBsAB titer is required. A HBsAB titer is also required for students whose series is in process or within last two years. If the series is incomplete at the start of clinical nursing courses, the student will receive temporary health clearance. Full health clearance is granted when the immune titer is complete. Students must be current in the Hepatitis B vaccination series to continue with clinical.
Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis)
Documentation of Tdap required. A Td booster is also required if 10 years has passed since the Tdap.
Influenza
Students are required to have an annual flu vaccination (no FluMist). The season’s flu vaccine is typically available around September and is usually due by October 1st. Date is subject to change based on affiliating agency requirements. Simmons typically hosts flu clinics during the fall semester.
These mandatory items must be ordered through McGill’s, our designated supplier. Keep in mind that you may have two clinical experiences per week.
Other mandatory items:
Optional item:
If you are a Traditional UG or a 2-3 Year DIX Scholar Student, please complete this Student Information and Pledge Form.
If you are a Direct Entry or a 16 Months Accelerated BSN Student, please complete this Student Information and Pledge Form.
CastleBranch – To place your order for the required background and CORI checks, visit this URL. For initial clearance use package code found under “Nursing” IO34: Background Check – Compliance Tracker. For classification select program and the semester you’re completing initial clearance.
CORI Release Form – Print, fill out and sign. Submit to S-329 with a photocopy of the front of your driver’s license or passport. The only requirement you’ll submit in hard copy. This authorizes CastleBrach to run your CORI check – Simmons sends these forms to CastleBranch in batch at the deadline. For your CORI check process to be complete, please submit a CORI Release Form and a clear copy of your government ID to the Clinical Coordination Office. There is a 60-90 day window between your online order date the auto-cancel date of that order. If you do not submit your CORI Form and government ID to the clinical office within the 90 days (maximum), your online order will be cancelled by CastleBranch. The student must then re-order the CORI check and pay for the additional cost.
myCB – Once you’ve completed your order on CastleBranch, you’ll receive a myCB account (https://mycb.castlebranch.com/). This where you upload your health records and CPR card (front, back and signed). CastleBranch will review your documents and approve and set renewal dates. If something is not approved, they’ll let you know why.
Immunization/Health Form – Students may have their health care provider fill out this form and use it to upload to myCB. Any documentation from your health care provider should work – it doesn’t have to be on this form.
MCN Online Orientation – Completed once per academic year (July 1st-June 30). Detailed instructions on orientation homepage. No need to print/submit certificate of completion.
Clinical Coordination Office
Park Science Center, S-329
Email: clinical@simmons.edu
Fax: 617-521-3045
CPR Course Resources
CPRBoston.org (American Heart Association BLS for Healthcare Providers Course in Dorchester, MA)
American Red Cross Take a Class (American Red Cross BLS for Healthcare Providers Classroom Course – Various Locations)
Simmons University does not endorse a specific CPR course offering or organization.
