General Clinical/Agency Practice Requirements
In addition to fulfilling the university's clinical practice requirements, students must also comply with the specific standards and policies established by the external agencies or facilities where they are placed. These requirements often vary depending on the facility's operations, expectations, and legal obligations, and they can include aspects such as immunizations, background checks, or orientation programs. Therefore, it is crucial for students to ensure they meet both the university’s and the facility's criteria, as non-compliance may affect their clinical placements and progression in the program.
Important Info:
Make up should be lightly applied. Pierced body ornamentation is limited to two earrings per ear. The earrings need to be a small post, approximately the size of a typed letter “O.” No jewelry or body adornments outside of the ear are permitted including tongue studs, eyebrow, and/or nose rings. Ornamentation that stretches or gauges the earlobe is not permitted. No rings except a single flat band are permitted. In some clinical settings, students may be required to remove all jewelry. Tattoos must not contain profanity or nudity. If an agency policy has more restrictions regarding tattoos, that agency’s policy will be followed.
Name Badge Photo Submission Guidelines
- Current color photo of yourself
- Solid background – no other people or objects in photo
- Front view of face
- Photo should be cropped from top of head to collarbone (we can crop the photo if needed)
- No hats or sunglasses
- No “selfies” or “glamour shots”
- Eyes open and no glare on eyeglasses
See below for example:
USI Dress Code Policy as it Applies to the Name Badge Photo:
- Each student must wear a name tag that identifies that individual as a University of Southern Indiana graduate nursing student and follows the professional attire guidelines below.
- Professional appearance is required for all clinical experiences.
Refer to the "Clinical Attire" tab above for more information.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is the responsibility of the student prior to entering the clinical environment. Students must observe clinical agency and USI PPE policies.
We are increasingly recognizing the impact of various respiratory triggers in everyday environments, such as strong perfumes or aftershaves, on individuals with reactive airway conditions. To help maintain a healthier environment, refrain from using these substances when in the classroom and clinical setting due to potential client/staff allergic response.
Charts or chart documents may not be removed from clinical units, nor can they be scanned, photographed with any medium, or otherwise duplicated for any reason. No chart may be reviewed for personal reasons. Students are not permitted to upload clinical documentation into any assignment for the course.
Students shall provide their own transportation to any agency or institution included in curriculum requirements.
Personal travel is required of students for all clinical courses. Liability for driving to and from clinical sites falls on the owner of the vehicle. Automotive insurance is required.
All students must complete drug screening and criminal record verification upon entry into the program. See the CNHP Handbook for specific information. Submission of documentation to the college’s third party repository is required prior to the enrollment of the first graduate nursing course. Failure to provide information, even with negative results, will jeopardize enrollment or progression in graduate nursing courses.
All students selected for admission to the graduate nursing program must also meet clinical agency requirements, be able to perform essential functions, maintain unencumbered RN licensure, and be capable of fulfilling clinical practice requirements.
Confidentiality
Students will have access to confidential medical/personal client and family information, and to sensitive agency information as part of the clinical learning experience. It is of utmost importance that client/agency confidentiality is observed. Information concerning a client/family or agency is not to be discussed after leaving the clinical unit, agency, or classroom. Violation of this policy may result in dismissal from the USI nursing program. University and college policy for social media also applies to the graduate nursing program.
Legal Witness
Students may not witness a will or sign any legal documents.
It is the College policy that all incidents occurring in the clinical experience be reported for the purpose of generating and maintaining a record of such incidents. This information is considered confidential and is retained only for the period of time a student is enrolled in the nursing program. Information should be reported to clinical faculty the same day they occur.
Clinical Agency Requirements
BLS Requirements
All students are required to have current Basic Life Support Certification. A copy of the signed BLS certification card must be uploaded to the third-party repository. Students who are not certified by the beginning of each semester, or who allow a lapse in their BLS certification during any point in their clinical experience, will not be permitted to attend clinical rotations until this is amended and verified through the third-party repository.
ACLS Requirements
All students in the AGACNP program are required to have current Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS). A copy of the ACLS certification card must be uploaded to the third-party repository. Students who are not certified by the beginning of each semester, or who allow a lapse in their ACLS certification during any point in their clinical experience, will not be permitted to attend clinical rotations until this is amended and verified through the third-party repository.
HIPAA
The USI Nursing Programs and Health Professions comply with HIPAA standards for patient confidentiality and personal health information. Students must complete the USI SNHP HIPAA education program as directed and submit to the college’s designated third party repository. Submission of annual HIPAA certification through an employer is acceptable as an alternative. A link to the HIPAA policy is located on the About the College page.
OSHA
The USI Department of Nursing is in compliance with OSHA standards for infection control and exposure. Students must complete the USI CNHP OSHA education programs as directed. Students must adhere to the USI CNHP Infection Control Program and submit certificate to the College’s designated third party repository. Submission of annual OSHA certification through an employer is acceptable as an alternative. OSHA information is located on the About the College Page.
To comply with the state and federal regulations, potential and current students and faculty in selected programs within the College of Nursing and Health Professions, will be required to have a criminal records check relating to sexual and violent offenses against children.
In accordance with the state of Indiana’s revisions of Zachary’s Law made in January of 2003, the College of Nursing and Health Professions will verify if the student is registered with the registry for convicted sexual and violent offenders against children and will continue to do so at least annually for as long as the student remains in the program.
Should the student’s name appear in the registry, the student will be denied admission to or progression in the undergraduate nursing program. If the listing is the result of an error, it will become the student’s responsibility to correct the error before admission or progression in the program will be permitted.
Indiana law states that any person who has reason to believe that a child is a victim of child abuse or neglect has an affirmative duty to make an oral report to Child Protective Services ("CPS") 1-800-800-5556 or to their local law enforcement officials. Failure to report may result in criminal charges. Read USI's Child Protection Policy.
USI does not tolerate acts of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment and all forms of sexual violence. If you have experienced sexual misconduct, or know someone who has, the University can help. It is important to know that federal regulations and University policy require faculty to promptly report incidences of potential sexual misconduct known to them to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure that appropriate measures are taken and resources are made available. The University will work with you to protect your privacy by sharing information with only those who need to know to ensure we can respond and assist.
If you are seeking help and would like to speak to someone confidentially, you can make an appointment with a counselor in the University Counseling Center. Confidential resources are available on campus at Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) and the University Health Center (UHC).
Find more information about sexual violence, including campus and community resources.