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Clinical Regulations

Bachelor of Science in Nursing Student Policy Handbook

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing Student Policy Handbook is available electronically on CANVAS and the IU South Bend School of Nursing website. This document is updated (at least) annually to reflect ongoing changes in clinical and program requirements and policies. While the School of Nursing provides these updates, it is the student’s responsibility to maintain the currency of the handbook and refer to the most current regulations.

CPR Requirement

All nursing major students enrolled in clinical classes must present evidence of current CPR certification. The only acceptable program is the American Heart Association’s Basic Life Support for Health Care Provider level (preferred).

OSHA Regulations

Health requirements and OSHA regulations include annual education on blood borne pathogens. See the BSN Student Policy Handbook for annual regulatory requirements. Clinical agencies may have additional requirements which must be met.

Health Requirements

All nursing students must show annual proof that they have met the immunization, physical examination, and laboratory examination requirements of hospitals and other health agencies used for clinical experiences. Specific instructions are distributed prior to clinical assignments. Special circumstances may arise which require additional action. Failure to meet health requirements and their deadlines makes the student ineligible for clinical classes and the student will be administratively withdrawn from all nursing courses. The student is then considered to be out-of-progression in the Nursing Program. Detailed requirements and descriptions are provided in the BSN Student Policy Handbook.

Criminal Background Checks

Federal mandates for clinical agencies require criminal history inquiries through certified background checks. Students are responsible for applying for the criminal check and all fees associated with the check upon application to the major and one year following.

Health Requirements

Upon Admission to the Nursing Program

As specified in the BSN Handbook and in accordance with the Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations and local health facilities requirements, nursing students are required to provide:

• Record of required immunizations including an annual influenze vaccine
• Current (within one year) health evaluation
• Documentation of acceptable titer or history of disease state
• Urine drug screen

International students or students whose country of origin where TB is considered endemic must be tested at the IU South Bend Health and Wellness Center. Specific, current information and guidelines can be found in the BSN Student Policy Handbook.

Failure to comply with immunization and health requirements may result in withdrawal from all clinical nursing courses     Students who fail to comply with health requirements will not be allowed to enter the clinical setting.

Applicants are encouraged to begin gathering the necessary documentation to ensure a timely admission.

For Continuing Nursing Students

Nursing students are responsible for making sure they maintain annual TB screening. Immunization status must be updated as necessary. It is the student’s responsibility to submit proper documentation to the School of Nursing in a timely manner. If any of these items expire during the course of the semester, documentation must occur before the student may continue in any clinical courses that semester. Additional requirements may be added as clinical regulations are updated. Clinical agencies have the right to change health and safety stipulations for students practicing in their facilities.

For students finishing an incomplete grade in a nursing course with a clinical component, the CPR recertification, immunizations, and TB screening must be valid until the course requirements are complete.

Student Injuries

If a student is injured in a clinical agency, the student must report to the clinical instructor and follow the policy of the agency where the injury occurred. Students should also contact their primary care provider. Follow-up care may be required from the student’s primary care provider at the student’s expense.

Uniforms­­

Uniform and appearance code regulations are enforced throughout the student’s clinical experience. Guidelines for uniforms, agency dress codes, and professional appearance are located in the BSN Student Policy Handbook.

Name pins are required for all clinical experiences, along with individual agency requirements for personal identification. Students are additionally identified as an IU South Bend student by an embroidered school emblem on their uniform and name pin. . More information can be found in the BSN Student Policy Handbook.

Supplies and Equipment

Students are expected to provide the necessary tools to practice nursing each clinical day including pen, penlight, stethoscope, and bandage scissors.

Health Insurance

Undergraduate and graduate students are responsible for the financial costs of their own health/medical care related to or resulting from injury or accidents while engaged in course related experiences. These experiences may occur in the classroom, learning laboratory, or practice setting. Therefore, all undergraduate and graduate students are required to carry health insurance while enrolled in nursing courses. Health insurance information is available upon request.

Professional Liability Insurance­­

All students in the School of Nursing having patient/client contact are covered under the malpractice contract for Indiana University. This liability insurance does not extend to employment outside of course-related activities. The student should know that failure to pay course and other fees results in noncoverage under Indiana University’s malpractice contract. Such noncoverage makes the student ineligible to attend clinical classes.

APA Format

The most recent American Psychological Association (APA) format is the standard used for all written work in all nursing courses. Students should consult course syllabi for specific details.

Course Requirements

Applicants to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program must successfully complete prerequisite courses before admission to the nursing program.

Academic advisors will assist in identifying appropriate courses based on placement exam results and written plans of study for nursing..

Satisfactory/Fail Option

The School of Nursing uses the Satisfactory/Fail option to grade clinical nursing courses. Students must demonstrate a satisfactory level of clinical competence and skill to receive a satisfactory grade in these courses. Satisfactory performance standards are stated in each course syllabus and faculty evaluate the quality of student clinical performances by these standards. Students with a course failure cannot progress in the nursing program. Grades below 75%, a C-, are course failures in nursing.

Note | This is a School of Nursing policy for nursing courses and is not the same as the IU South Bend policy for grading located elswhere in this publication.

Residency Requirements­­

A student must complete a minimum of 30 upper-division credit hours in the Indiana University School of Nursing Bachelor of Science in Nursing to be eligible for graduation. A maximum of 6 lower-division nursing credit hours may apply toward this residency requirement. Students must petition the appropriate academic officer to apply those lower-division nursing credit hours toward the residency requirement.

Associate of Science in Nursing Program Articulation

Students wishing to pursue an Associate of Science in Nursing have several local options. IU South Bend and Ivy Tech Community College (South Bend) work closely to provide seamless educational choices. Ivy Tech Community College in South Bend can be contacted at (574) 289-7001, extension 5721, for additional information.

IU South Bend School of Nursing and Southwestern Michigan College have also agreed to work together to make the transfer process as smooth as possible. Students may complete prerequisite courses at IU South Bend, transfer to Southwestern Michigan College for the associate nursing degree, and return to IU South Bend for their Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Students interested in this option should contact the nursing department at Southwestern Michigan College at (269) 782-1000.