Criminal Background Check Requirement
All nursing students are required to complete criminal background checks (CBC) in order to be authorized to go to a clinical site to fulfill clinical course objectives. This is a requirement of the clinical agency and is intended to protect patients as a vulnerable population from convicted felons. Students will submit an initial CBC as part of their application to the professional sequence of the program. Students will be directed to a web site where they will complete the required information for a background check. It is important to know that if you have a criminal history, you may be restricted from a clinical setting, which could jeopardize your ability to progress in the nursing program. In addition to the criminal background check, some agencies may also require drug screening and fingerprinting as part of their requirement for you to be a student in their institution. The cost of all CBC screening is the responsibility of the student. (See Program Costs Sheet)
Immunization Requirements
Prior to the beginning of the professional sequence, students must provide evidence of immunity or testing for the following diseases:
If you have never had a TB test before, the Step 2 TB Program is required, which entails the following:
o 2 Tests, 3 weeks apart for initial testing documentation (if you have documentation of this kind of testing, then you only need an annual [INVALID])
o Annual testing for the duration of the program
If you have had an annual TB tests for the last 2 or more years, then a current annual TB test is acceptable and the 2 Step is not required.
Documentation of immunizations must reflect the date of the immunization or test on an official medical or immunization record, with a signature or other identification of a health care provider. If you cannot provide childhood immunizations for MMR, you must have a titer drawn to reflect immunity or be re-immunized.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification: Prior to the beginning of the professional sequence, students are required to provide and maintain a Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiac Care Card from the American Heart Association (certification is for 2 years) or American Red Cross (certification is for 1 year) while enrolled in the program. This certification should be designated as either “Health Care Provider/Professional Rescue or Basic Life Support (BLS). Students must recertify when their original certification expires.
Transportation to Clinical Sites: Transportation to clinical sites is a personal responsibility of the student. Clinical experiences may be scheduled in Big Rapids, Reed City, Cadillac, Fremont and / or Alma, and Grand Rapids.
Health Insurance: Students are strongly encouraged to carry health insurance while enrolled in the nursing program to provide coverage for any medical care required during the clinical experience. This cost is not assumed by Ferris State University. If the student does not carry health insurance they are still responsible for any medical care costs incurred that would result from injury while in the clinical setting.
Student Uniform: Students are required to purchase and wear the designated FSU nursing uniform, which includes a set of scrubs and jacket that are purchased from a Ferris designated vendor. No substitutions will be accepted. Students must follow the dress code as outlined in the Undergraduate Nursing Student Handbook.
