ADN Nursing Student Handbook 2023-2024

Policy Concerning Health

  1. A student is required to have a physical examination by a health care provider PRIOR TO ENTRY into the program. A health form is provided by the program office specific to program requirements and is the only form accepted for health clearance.
  2. Titer/Immunization Requirements (required PRIOR TO PROGRAM  ENTRY): the student is required to show lab titers showing immunity for the following diseases. If the lab results indicate the student is not immune than the appropriate immunization is required. Follow up titers after immunizations will also be required for entry into second year of the nursing program.
    • Hepatitis B positive titer or if titer comes back negative series of Hep B immunizations or signed waiver
    • MMR: must have serologic evidence of immunity (IgG positive titer for all 3 - rubeola, rubella, and mumps) and if titer comes back negative need 2 doses of MMR 4 weeks apart
    • Varicella: serologic proof (IgG positive titer) of immunity. If titer comes back negative need 2 doses of varicella vaccine, 4 weeks apart
    • Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis: a one-time dose of Tdap with Tetanus boosters every 10 years thereafter
    • Flu vaccine:  One influenza vaccine every flu season.  Due by Oct. 1st. 
    • COVID 19 vaccine(s) and boosters are recommended by CDC for health care workers.
  3. Proof of no active Tuberculosis within 90 days of start of program: Need one of the following: 
    • Record of negative TB titer
    • Record of negative 2-step TB skin test.  Second TB skin test within 1-3 weeks after first test. 
    • Negative Chest x-ray within last 5 years for past positive TB skin or blood test.
    • Further TB testing maybe needed for specific clinical sites.
  4. Students who have negative titers and receive immunizations the first year will need to have titers completed again before entry into the second year of the program to prove immunity.  
  5. Student Health Services are available through the Family Care Clinic at 615 Fairhurst in Sterling for full time students. When the student calls to set up an appointment at the clinic indicate attendance at NJC. The student must contact his/her own physician or Sterling Regional Med Center for treatment of illness or injury during evening and night hours and weekends. The student is responsible for the cost of Emergency Department treatments. The Outpatient Department may be used upon referral from a local physician for designated diagnoses.
  6. Health insurance is the responsibility of the student.  Any injury that occurs in the classroom or lab that requires treatment will be the responsibility of the student.

COVID-19 Nursing Procedure

  • It is required that nursing students receive the COVID-19 vaccine to protect themselves and patents in the clinical settings.
  • The safety of all student, staff, patients, and clinical sites is the highest priority of our nursing program.  Students with possible exposure, or symptoms of any illness should not attend any school activity, and should notify their course faculty about the potential absence as quickly as possible.
  • Students with confirmed COVID-19 infection, or who have suspected COVID-19 infection (e.g., developed symptoms of COVID-19) but were never tested  must follow the current guidance from the CDC for Return to Work for Healthcare Personnel , and all clinical site policies. 
  • Students should communicate with course faculty and the Clinical Coordinator as early as possible should they suspect any illness that would inhibit their attendance to school or clinical. 
  • Students who cannot attend clinical related to COVID-19 must understand clinical spots are limited, and make up clinical will be based on availability. This may require make up during college breaks.

For further information on NJC’s policies and procedures regarding COVID-19 see the NJC website. Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) | Northeastern Junior College (njc.edu)

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