School of Nursing
Nursing Student Handbook
Clinical Guidelines
Immunization
The School of Nursing requires laboratory testing and immunization in keeping with University System of Georgia policies and the requirements of host clinical agencies. Students in both tracks of the BSN program are subject to these policies. The immunization may be attained at the Nurse Managed Clinic or through a local health department or personal physician.
In order to be admitted to Clayton State University, students must have evidence of measles, mumps and rubella immunity. In addition, students in the BSN program are required to have evidence of chicken pox immunity, Hepatitis-B immunity or waiver and PPD or chest x-ray at the time the first clinical experience in the program commences.
Tuberculin Skin Testing
Tuberculin skin testing is mandatory for all students enrolled in the BSN program on an annual basis during active clinical participation. The School of Nursing assumes no responsibility for students who convert to positive PPD results after exposure in the clinical agency.
- Students with negative PPD results will be required to repeat the test annually during active clinical participation.
- Students with negative PPD results and assigned clinical experience at certain host clinical agencies may be required to repeat the test more frequently than the minimum bi-annual requirement.
- Students with positive PPD results will be required to submit a baseline chest x-ray report indicating the absence of active disease on an annual basis.
Hepatitis-B Vaccination
Hepatitis-B is a viral disease that causes systemic infection with primary liver involvement. There is no specific treatment available and the outcome from infection is variable. Five to ten percent of those infected with Hepatitis-B become carriers. Vaccination is recommended for health care workers whose jobs involve a potential for membrane or skin contact with blood or body fluids or tissue or a potential for spills or splashes on them.
All students in the BSN program are required to have proof of Hepatitis-B vaccination (at least the first injection of the three injection series), laboratory titer positive for the presence of HAB, or a Hepatitis-B Vaccine Declination form prior to participation in any clinical activity. This vaccination consists of three injections:
- First injection must be administered prior to enrollment in clinical course.
- Second injection must be administered thirty days after the first injection.
- Third (and final) injection must be administered six months after first injection (five months after second injection).
- Post-vaccine titer must be obtained to confirm immune status.
Deferral of Immunizations
Religious exemptions may not be exercised for nursing students, however, students may request deferral of these immunizations for health related or pregnancy related reasons. If any of the following medical conditions are present, students should consult with a physician before beginning Hepatitis-B vaccination:
- Serious active infection or illness.
- Serious heart or lung disease.
- Pregnant women or nursing mothers.
- Immunocompromised or receiving immunosuppressive therapy.
- Allergy to yeast (for any of the recombinant vaccines).
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FAILURE TO FOLLOW CLINICAL POLICIES MAY RESULT IN IMMEDIATE PROGRAM DISMISSAL! |
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The School of Nursing reserves the right to administratively withdraw any student who fails to adhere to any clinical course policy. |