Background Check & Health Records

Legislation & Policy

Florida Law restricts access to children, elderly, and disabled patients by persons convicted of specific misdemeanors and felonies (Chapter 435 Florida Statues). This law places restrictions on all health care facilities, which in turn require students to comply with the same restrictions as their employees and volunteers. (IMPORTANT: New Regulation for Application for Initial Licensure-Posted 10-1-09)

Therefore, a two part background check is required of all students admitted to the College of Nursing in order to secure access to nursing practice experiences as required by the College of Nursing degree programs. Please note, a level-two background check is required of all applicants prior to admission to the College of Nursing, and yearly while in the clinical component in the nursing program. 

Each nursing program has required coursework that involves patient contact such as practice in a health care facility, conducting a research study or project, or interfacing with patients individually or collectively. Partnering agencies where students receive nursing practice experiences also now require background checks, as well as additional information such as arrests without convictions, verification of employment, and social security verification, aimed at protecting the public.

If any applicant's background check indicates a history that that might prevent participation in a nursing practice component of the program, an Advisory Panel of will consider the applicant's individual situation and make a decision about admission in the program.

If the background check results in a current student being denied admission to a clinical agency and/or access to patients in the agency, and if a comparable assignment cannot be made to meet course objectives, the academic requirements of the program cannot be met, and the student will be denied progression in the College of Nursing resulting in withdrawal or dismissal from the program.

Drug Screening

Policy

The College of Nursing has contractual agreements with a multitude of clinical facilities/institutions, and each of these institutions has its own policy regarding background checks, immunizations & drug testing.Clinical facilities may require the results of the drug screening either before admission, or immediately before patient contact. In addition, agencies may require on the spot drug screens if there is a suspicion of drug use. Students enrolled in our programs must comply with agency requests.

The curricula of the programs in the College of Nursing offer a variety of nursing practice experiences throughout the State of Florida. The College of Nursing maintains contracts with all sites used for nursing practice experiences requiring a drug-free, healthful and safe workplace. Use of illegal or other substances by students impairing cognitive function, critical thinking and sound judgment cannot be tolerated.

The student should contact the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing for the directions/code for the CastleBranch company. Charges for the drug screen are the responsibility of the student. The final results will be sent and attached directly to your American Databank -Complio. If your clinical site requires that you provide them the results it is your responsibility to retrieve it from your American Databank. 

If the drug screen is returned with a positive/dilute negative result, the student will be notified by email. In addition, the Advisory Panel will be notified in order to determine the action to be taken.
**Florida Atlantic  University is committed to providing a campus environment free of the abuse of and illegal use and possession of controlled substances. The unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession or use of a controlled substance is prohibited in or on university owned or controlled property or facilities. No student is to report to work, class, or any university activity while under the influence of illegal drugs. The possession and use of controlled drugs by members of the university community must at all times be in accordance with the provisions of federal and state law, and the regulations and policies of the Florida Board of Governors and the University. [1.6 Drug-Free Environment ].

Drug Screening Policy

Drug Screening Details

For further information, contact: 

CONCompliance@health.fau.edu

Background Check Policy 

I. Purpose of the Policy: Florida Law restricts access to children, elderly, and disabled patients by persons convicted of specific misdemeanors and felonies (Chapter 435 Florida Statutes). This law places restrictions on all health care facilities, which in turn require students to comply with the same restrictions as their employees and volunteers.  

A level-two background check to include fingerprinting and drug screening is required of all applicants prior to admission to the College of Nursing. In addition, all students are required to repeat the background check yearly during the clinical portion of the program (BSN, MSN, Post-graduate certificate or DNP) to include fingerprinting and drug testing.   

Each nursing program has required coursework that involves patient contact such as practice in a health care facility, conducting a research study or project, or interfacing with patients individually or collectively. Partnering agencies where students receive nursing practice experiences also now require background checks, as well as additional information such as arrests without convictions, verification of employment, and social security verification, aimed at protecting the public. 

If any applicant's background check indicates a history that that might prevent participation in a nursing practice component of the program, a Review Committee will consider the applicant's individual situation and make a decision about admission in the program. All court/adjudication records will be required to be submitted for review. 

If the background check results in a current student being denied admission to a clinical agency and/or access to patients in the agency, and if a comparable assignment cannot be made to meet course objectives, the academic requirements of the program cannot be met, and the student will be denied progression in the College of Nursing resulting in withdrawal or dismissal from the program. 

Students have the responsibility to disclose to the College of Nursing any arrest or criminal charges. Upon disclosure, a repeat background check may be required. Disclosure of arrest and/or conviction information could affect successful progression in the Nursing Program. 
 
II. Definitions  (Define any terms that may be unique to interpreting the policy).  
Level II Background - Level II screening is a comprehensive criminal background screening that includes fingerprint-based check for statewide criminal history records through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and national criminal history records through the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  

III. Procedures  
1. Upon conditional admission to a nursing program, students are notified via email of the Level II background check, fingerprinting, and drug screening requirements along with instructions on completion of all components through American Databank/Complio.  
2. If an applicant's background check indicates a history that that might prevent participation in a nursing practice component of the program, a request will be made to submit court/adjudication records, and a Review Committee will consider the applicant's individual situation and make a decision about full admission in the program.  
3. The semester prior to a student entering the clinical component of the nursing program, they  
will receive notification of the need to complete a new Level II background check, to include fingerprinting and drug screening. Thereafter, students in the clinical component of the program will be notified of the need for the yearly Level II background check to include fingerprinting and drug screening. 
 
IV. Location of Policy on Website 
Student Handbooks 
 
V. Appendices  
(Any Related Documents to facilitate understanding or provide context)  
Chapter 435 Florida Statutes
Florida Board of Nursing Website 
 
VI. History and Updates (Provide history of promulgation and revision of the policy) 
 
Date Issued: April 16, 2024
Date Last Revised: 

Clinical/Practicum Hours Requirements Clarification

All undergraduate and graduate programs in the College of Nursing require completion of clinical/practicum hours at community sites and medical facilities approved by the College of Nursing. It is the student’s responsibility to meet all academic and professional requirements established by the College and by the individual community sites and medical facilities (including but not limited to background checks, drug screenings, health screenings, and vaccinations) prior to beginning their clinical/practicum experiences. Students should be aware that these requirements typically exceed University admission requirements. Additionally, requirements established by individual community sites and medical facilities may change at any time without notice.  

While the College of Nursing provides students with administrative assistance in meeting some of the requirements for select community sites and medical facilities, each student retains the ultimate responsibility for meeting the requirements. Community clinical sites and medical facilities may request verification that a student who wishes to participate in a clinical/practicum experience has completed all of the necessary requirements (including but not limited to background checks, drug screenings, health screenings, and vaccinations) prior to admission into the facility.  Based on the information provided by the student, the community site or medical facility may allow or deny access.  

If a student is denied access to a clinical or practicum site, the College of Nursing is not responsible for providing alternative sites, and students should be aware that in some cases no alternative site may be available.  

Students who refuse or are unable to meet the clinical and/or practicum requirements (including but not limited to background checks, drug screenings, health screenings, and vaccinations) specific to their field of study may be unable to complete their chosen educational program or degree, and tuition and fees paid are not refundable based on a student’s refusal or inability to complete their clinical and/or practicum requirements.   

Health Forms & Records

Students must provide proof of the following requirements for their CastleBranch account:

• Measles, Mumps & Rubella (MMR)
• Varicella (Chicken Pox)
• Hepatitis B
• Tuberculosis (TB) and Annual Student Health Form (see information link at the bottom of the page)
• CPR Certification BLS or ACLS from    American Heart Association(AHA) /Military
• Tetanus
• Annual Influenza vaccine
• HIPPA Certification (see video link at bottom of this page)
• Health Insurance
• Self-Insurance Policy Acknowledgement (SIP) (see PowerPoint link at bottom of this page)
• Student Handbook Acknowledgement Form
• Ed Release of Student Information
• Photo Media Release Authorization

Health Requirements/Forms for Records

• VECHS Waiver form (required by FDLE/FBI)
• Tuberculosis (TB) and Annual Student Health Form
• Student Immunization Form
• Clinical Site Information Sharing Authorization Approval Form
• Student Educational Release of Student Information
• Photo Media Release Authorization Form
• Student Handbook Acknowledgement Form
• Safety Guidelines for Clinical Practice (For Graduate Students Only)
• Safety Guidelines for Clinical Practice Acknowledgment Form (For Graduate Students Only)
• Health Insurance Portability & Accountability (HIPAA) Requirements

Information on the  TB Test Requirements 
http://www.cdc.gov/tb/publications/factsheets/testing/skintesting.htm