Clinical Requirements

The programs identified below have learning experiences through internships, practicums, clinicals or similar for which additional clinical or special requirements for the student is mandatory. For more information select a program below or refer to the undergraduate catalog or graduate catalog.

About COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements

  • NIU strongly encourages every Huskie to be vaccinated and up to date on their vaccines.
  • Many clinical placements, internships and practicums are requiring participating students to be fully vaccinated. This CHHS program vaccination requirement is separate from NIU’s vaccination guidelines.
  • We encourage all CHHS students to complete health requirements for these placements based on required program deadlines. If you are not fully vaccinated, you may be unable to participate in activities required by your degree program in a timely manner and your graduation could be delayed.
  • Students in School of Nursing programs need to include the COVID-19 vaccine with other program requirements. Please contact your advisors, clinical program coordinators and chairs in your specific program with questions.

Drug Screen Policy

Understanding of Risk Survey

You will receive a link to the understanding of risk survey from the clinical coordinator once the course begins.

Undergraduate

Deadlines

Pre-licensure students must submit documentation of all requirements by July 1 for fall start and for the annual requirements. The deadline for spring start is Nov. 1. Any vaccination exemption requests for religious or medical reasons need to be received by May 1 for the fall semester and Sept. 1 for spring semester. Please reach out to Mary Margaret Evans, mevans13@niu.edu, prior to that deadline to start the process.

Criminal Background Check

A criminal background check that is compliant with the standards of the Illinois Healthcare Workers Background Check Act is required for acceptance/progression in the program. Students will be given specific instruction on how to obtain this background check upon acceptance. Certain sites or specific circumstances may require subsequent background checks at the student's expense.

Drug Screen

Students in the nursing program are required to submit a clean 10-panel drug screen in order to progress in the program. Students will be instructed on how and where to obtain this drug screen the semester prior to starting the program. Certain sites or certain circumstances could require students to have to repeat this drug screen, at the student's expense.

First Aid and CPR

CPR certification is required and must be current throughout the duration of the clinical experience. CPR certification must be obtained through the American Heart Association, and only the BLS certification for Healthcare Providers will be accepted.

Immunizations/Vaccinations

All students under series for a vaccine must always remain compliant until revaccination is complete, any required titers are achieved, or no further vaccinations are indicated.

COVID-19 Vaccine

COVID-19 vaccinations are required. COVID-19 vaccinations need to be up to date with CDC recommendations.

Hepatitis B

Documentation of 3 series Hepatitis B vaccinations and a positive quantitative antibody titer with results. If quantitative antibody titer is negative, student receives Hepatitis B booster and then re-titers to check for immunity. If student still shows negative immunity after 3 boosters, student is considered non-responder and must fill out Acknowledgement of Risk Form.

Rubeola (Measles)

Evidence of Immunity: Two doses of live measles vaccine; 28 days or more apart, or proof of a positive quantitative titer.

Rubella titer-IgG Quantitative

Evidence of Immunity: Two doses of live rubella vaccine; 28 days or more apart, or a positive quantitative titer.

Mumps titer-IgG Quantitative

Evidence of Immunity: Two doses of live measles vaccine; 28 days or more apart, or evidence of a positive quantitative titer.

Varicella (Chicken Pox) Titer-IgG Quantitative

Evidence of Immunity: Two doses of live varicella vaccine; 28 days or more apart, or evidence of a positive quantitative titer.

Tetanus

Evidence of Immunity: Get a one-time dose of Tdap as soon as possible if you have not received Tdap previously (regardless of when previous dose of Td was received). Get either a Td of Tdap booster shot every 10 years thereafter.

Tuberculosis (TB)

Negative Two Step TB Skin test or negative QuantiFERON Gold Blood test. If student has positive two step skin tests, they must provide a negative QuantiFERON Gold Blood test or a chest xray and clearance form from a physician.

Flu Vaccine

Administered September-November of the clinical year (must be current flu season). Due by November 1.

Proof of Health Insurance

All students must submit proof of health insurance. If there are any changes to your health insurance coverage, you must submit the new information immediately. If you are utilizing NIU Student Health Insurance, contact the Student Health Insurance office at 815-753-0122 to obtain proof of insurance.

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) Training, Code of Conduct, Academic Integrity, Blood Borne Pathogens and School Handbook Acknowledgement, will be obtained upon entry into the program and further instruction for obtaining these will be provided.

Program Coordinator

Contact Mary Margaret Evans, mevans13@niu.edu.

Deadline

Students must submit documentation of all requirements the semester before enrolling in the practicum course. Fall practicum students must be compliant by August 1, spring practicum students must be compliant by November 1 and summer practicum students must be compliant by April 1.

Professional License

Proof of current nursing license obtained in the state in which you will complete your practicum is required.

Proof of Health Insurance

All students must submit proof of health insurance. If there are any changes to your health insurance coverage, you must submit the new information immediately. If you are utilizing NIU Student Health Insurance, contact the Student Health Insurance office 815-753-0122 to obtain proof of insurance.

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act HIPPA Training, Code of Conduct, Academic Integrity, Blood Borne Pathogens and School Handbook Acknowledgement, will be obtained upon entry into the program and further instruction for obtaining these will be provided.

Program/Clinical Coordinator

Contact Mary Margaret Evans at mevans13@niu.edu.

Graduate

Deadline

Students must complete clinical requirements by June 1.

Criminal Background Check

A criminal background check that is compliant with the standards of the Illinois Healthcare Workers Background Check Act is required for acceptance/progression in the program. Students will be given specific instructions on how to obtain this background check upon acceptance. Certain sites or specific circumstances may require subsequent background checks at your expense.

Drug Screen

Students in the nursing program are required to submit a clean 10-panel drug screen in order to progress in the program. Students will be instructed on how and where to obtain this drug screen at the start of the program. Certain sites or certain circumstances could require students to have to repeat this drug screen, at your expense.

First Aid and CPR

CPR certification is required and must be current throughout the duration of the clinical experience. CPR certification must be obtained through the American Heart Association, and only the BLS certification for healthcare providers will be accepted.

Immunizations/Vaccinations

These requirements are due by June 1 and further instructions will be provided through Castle Branch. All students under series for a vaccine must always remain compliant until revaccination is complete, any required titers are achieved or no further vaccinations are indicated. 

COVID-19 Vaccine

COVID-19 vaccinations are required. COVID-19 vaccinations need to be up to date with CDC recommendations. COVID-19 vaccine boosters should be dated after Sept. 12, 2023.

Hepatitis B

Documentation of 3 series Hepatitis B vaccinations and a positive quantitative antibody titer with results. If quantitative antibody titer is negative, student receives Hepatitis B booster and then re-titers to check for immunity. If student still shows negative immunity after three boosters, student is considered non-responder and must fill out Acknowledgement of Risk Form.

Rubeola (Measles)

Evidence of immunity: Two doses of live measles vaccine; 28 days or more apart, or proof of a positive quantitative titer.

Rubella

Evidence of immunity: Two doses of live rubella vaccine; 28 days or more apart, or a positive quantitative titer

Mumps

Evidence of immunity: Two doses of live measles vaccine; 28 days or more apart, or evidence of a positive quantitative titer.

Varicella (Chicken Pox) 

Evidence of immunity: Two doses of live varicella vaccine; 28 days or more apart, or evidence of a positive quantitative titer.

Tetanus

Evidence of immunity: Get a one-time dose of Tdap as soon as possible if you have not received Tdap previously (regardless of when previous dose of Td was received). Get either a Td of Tdap booster shot every 10 years thereafter.

Tuberculosis (TB)

Negative Two Step TB Skin test or negative QuantiFERON Gold Blood test. If student has positive two step skin tests, they must provide a negative QuantiFERON Gold Blood test or a chest xray and clearance form from a physician.

Influenza (flu) Vaccine

Administered September-November of the clinical year (must be flu current season).

Professional License

Proof of current Illinois Nursing license

Proof of Health Insurance

All students must submit proof of health insurance. If there are any changes to your health insurance coverage, you must submit the new information immediately. If you are utilizing NIU Student Health Insurance, contact the Student Health Insurance office at 815-753-0122 to obtain proof of insurance.

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act HIPPA Training, Code of Conduct, Academic Integrity, Blood Borne Pathogens and School Handbook Acknowledgement, will be obtained upon entry into the program and further instruction for obtaining these will be provided.

Program Coordinator

Contact Jerri Reynolds at jreynolds3@niu.edu.

We've moved!

The School of Nursing programs have a new home. Beginning in the fall 2023, we are teaching and learning in our new location, the Wellness and Literacy Center at 3100 Sycamore Road. We are excited to share our new home with other healthcare disciplines including audiology, physical therapy and speech-language pathology.

Contact Us

School of Nursing
3100 Sycamore Rd.
DeKalb, IL 60115
815-753-6554
nursing@niu.edu

Hours

Monday through Friday
8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.

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