Nursing Student Guide and Policies

2.1 Castle Branch

All BSN and MSN applicants admitted to the School of Nursing (SON) must complete a criminal background check. No student will be allowed entry to a nursing course without a clear report or
a Texas Board of Nursing letter certifying that any criminal history is not a danger to the public.
The following policy spells out the requirements.

All students must submit (and update when required) copies of the documents listed below to Castle Branch to be released for registration.

• American Heart Association or American Red Cross, Health Care Provider, CPR
• Immunizations as described in policies 2.3 and 2.4
• Proof of current medical insurance

See this frequently asked questions list for support 

Failure to present copies of these documents will prevent the student from registering and attending class and clinical experiences until written documentation is obtained.

Reviewed 11/3/2023

The UT Tyler School of Nursing (SON) is committed to maintaining a drug-free academic and work environment consistent with and in furtherance of UT Tyler’s Alcohol and Drug Abuse Policy for UT Tyler Students.

Failure of any drug screening or refusal to test may result in dismissal from the program. Failure to undergo a drug screen on the designated day will result in immediate withdrawal from the nursing program. Pursuant to the Nurse Practice Act (§301.404), the SON will submit a written report to the Texas Board of Nursing of any enrolled student with a positive drug screen.

Refer to items in the Texas BON Unprofessional Conduct Rule 217.12.

2.2.1 Pre-Admission Drug Testing

All students enrolled in SON clinical programs must complete a urine drug screen prior to entry into the first semester of nursing courses. Drug screens are at the student's expense and must
be conducted at drug testing facilities designated by the SON. Positive results are kept confidential and will be shared with the appropriate program director or site coordinator and nursing academic advisor.

Positive results require additional research that is conducted by Castle Branch and will require the donor (student) to be contacted to provide a prescription. Students must provide documentation within the time frame determined by Castle Branch (usually 3 days). Students with positive results that are not a medically verifiable reason will be dismissed from the program. If there is a medically verified reason for the positive result, the result will be changed to
“negative.”

2.2.2 Random Drug Testing

Random Drug Screens will be conducted on each campus each semester and screening will be paid for by the School of Nursing. A percentage of students will be randomly chosen by a third party for testing. The program director, site coordinator, or clinical experience liaison will contact the students 72 hours before the testing deadline by the student’s patriots email account. Selected students will be provided with the ordering instructions, and a guide that will direct
selected students to available collection sites.

See above “Positive Results” for consequences of a positive finding.

2.2.3 Testing for Cause

On the spot, for cause drug/alcohol screening may be requested by the faculty as deemed necessary. For cause screening will be paid for by the School of Nursing. Refusal to test may result in dismissal from the program. Pursuant to the Nurse Practice Act (§301.404), the SON will submit a written report to the Texas Board of Nursing of any enrolled student with a positive drug screen.

See above “Positive Results” for consequences of a positive finding.

Reviewed 11/3/2023

2.3 Immunizations and Documentation Requirements: Undergraduate

Per Texas Health and Human Services (In accordance with Texas Education Code Sec. 51.933), proof of the following immunizations is required for all students enrolled in health-related college courses which involve direct patient contact with potential exposure to blood or bodily fluids. Options for providing proof of immunity to meet UT Tyler School of Nursing (SON) requirements are based on Texas Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control, Immunization Action Coalition standards, and affiliate hospital requirements.Vaccines required for enrollment in health-related courses must be completed before students begin their first nursing semester.All students must be compliant with all annual requirements in the Castle Branch system before attending clinical. Failure to produce documentation of met requirements will result in missed clinical day(s). Students have the right to decline immunizations but may be denied clinical placement in specific facilities, and faculty cannot ensure alternate placement.

2.3.1 Immunizations 

2.3.1.1 Immunizations required prior to enrolling in classes for the first semester of nursing school:
Immunizations are typically completed as part of childhood immunization requirements. Although being current on childhood immunizations will meet most requirements, please note there are additional requirements for some vaccines such as Hepatitis B that may take up to 7
months to be compliant (or up to 14 months if no proof of prior vaccination). Students are encouraged to obtain vaccine records from their parents or the clinic that administered the vaccines

Hepatitis B Series:

Ultimately, proof of positive/reactive titer OR documentation verifying “nonresponder” status is required.

If you have proof of prior completion of the vaccination series:

• Complete the Hepatitis B surface antibody blood test (a serological test of immunity also known as a titer). Per Immunization Action Coalition, once a positive titer is obtained, there is no need to repeat the titer unless the individual is immunocompromised.

• If the antibody titer is positive/reactive, then immunity is confirmed. Submission of proof of the positive/reactive titer is required.

• If the antibody titer is negative/non-reactive, choose one of the below vaccine options and submit appropriate paperwork as indicated.

  • Vaccine option 1: Complete the two-dose series of Heplisav-B (doses one month apart). Then repeat the titer one month after the final (second) dose. (Total time approximately two months). Note: Heplisav-B is an “adjuvanted” vaccine by Dynavax and may display as Dynavax or Adjuvanted on vaccine records.

  • Vaccine option 2: Complete the three-dose series of Engerix-B or Recombivax HB (doses at 0, 1 & 6 months). Then repeat the titer one month after the final (second) dose. (Total time approximately seven months)

  • Note: for either 2- or 3-dose series listed above, students may choose to draw a titer one month after the first dose. If the titer is positive, the student is not required to complete the series (if negative, must complete the series).

  • Required paperwork: Submit appropriate paperwork based on the following results:

    • If titer positive/reactive: Submission of proof of the positive/reactive titer is required.

    • If titer negative/non-reactive: submission of each of the following is required:

      • Proof of completion of “initial” vaccine series

      • Proof of completion of a “second” vaccine series

      • Negative/non-reactive Hepatitis B surface antibody titer (at least one month after the last dose of second series)

      • Provider statement of “non-responder

Note: if you are a non-responder, see recommendations from Immunization Action Coalition regarding risks associated with being a non-responder.For a table view of standards, see Appendix A.If there is no proof of prior vaccination series: First, complete the vaccine series. Options include:

• 2-dose series of Heplisav-B (doses one month apart)

• 3-dose series of Engerix-B or Recombivax HB (doses at 0, 1 & 6 months)

Then follow the above guidelines for those who have proof of vaccine series completion.
Note: this process may require completion of the entire vaccine series twice along with titer levels which can take up to 14 months to complete depending on the vaccine series option selected.

COVID-19 Series:

Submit proof of one of the following:

• Documentation of an ‘initial dosing’ of COVID-19 vaccine (any one of the following)

  • one dose of J&J Jansen (dated 2020 – 2021)

  • two doses of Pfizer, Moderna or Novavax original monovalent version of the vaccine (dated 2020 – 2022)

  • one dose of any updated or current version of the COVID-19 vaccine (dated 2022 or after). OR

• Completed COVID-19 vaccine waiver found on the SON Policy website. 

Influenza:

For students starting nursing school in the Spring semester, submit documentation of an influenza vaccine administered during the current flu season. The renewal date will be set to October 31 of the following flu season.

For students starting nursing school in the Summer or Fall semesters: Summer and Fall semesters start before flu season starts. There are no influenza vaccination
requirements to enroll in courses for Summer or Fall, instead a “waiver” found on the SON Policy website should be completed and submitted.

Once flu season begins in the Fall semester, submit documentation of an influenza vaccine administered during the current flu season before October 31. The renewal date will be set to 10/31 of the following flu season.

Measles, Mumps, & Rubella (MMR):

Submission of proof of either prior completion of vaccine series (2 doses) OR positive titer (for all three components) is required. A titer is recommended only if there is no proof of ever having
completed the vaccine series.

If there is no proof of having prior completion of the vaccine series and titer results for any of the three components (measles, mumps, or rubella) are negative, completion of the vaccine series (2 doses with at least 28 days between doses) is required. No subsequent titer is needed.
Submit documentation of completion of the vaccine series.

Tetanus, Diphtheria, & Pertussis (Tdap):

Submit documentation of at least one Tdap vaccine and proof of tetanus-containing vaccine (Tdap or Td) within the past ten years (Tdap within the last 10 years fulfills both requirements). The renewal date will be set 10 years from the administered date.

Varicella (Chicken Pox):

Submission of proof of prior completion of vaccine series (2 doses) OR diagnosis/verification of a history of varicella or herpes zoster (shingles) by a healthcare provider OR positive titer
required. A titer is recommended only if there is no proof of ever having completed the vaccine series.

If there is no proof of having prior completion of vaccine series or history of varicella or shingles, and titer results are negative, completion of the vaccine series (2 doses with at least 28 days between doses) is required. No subsequent titer is needed. Submit documentation of
completion of the vaccine series.

2.3.1.2 Immunizations Required Annually Throughout the Nursing Program

Influenza:

Documentation of an influenza vaccine administered during the current flu season is required prior to October 31 each year.

If, for any reason, a student was not in clinical classes in the Fall and did not take the flu vaccine, it is required prior to starting the Spring semester.

2.3.1.3 Exemptions and Waivers 

Exemptions may be allowed on an individual basis for medical contraindications and religious conflicts. Students have the right to decline immunizations, but they may be required to adhere to certain accommodations, or they may be denied clinical placement in specific facilities. Faculty cannot ensure alternate placement. Exemptions may be time-limited based on circumstances.

The Immunizations Exemption Request Form is located on the SON Policy website as item 2.3.1.3.1 for Tdap, Hep B, MMR, Varicella and Flu vaccine exemptions.

Castle Branch is not authorized to approve exemption requests. The student is expected to notify the SON Clinical Liaison when an exemption request has been uploaded to Castle Branch. The exemption request will go through the UT Tyler SON for approval and status
updated in Castle Branch if approved.

The Flu Vaccine Waiver for students starting nursing school during Summer or Fall semesters, and the COVID-19 Vaccine Waiver are located on the SON Policy website as items 2.3.1.3.4 and 2.3.1.3.5 respectively. CastleBranch is authorized to approve waivers.

2.3.2 Tuberculosis Screening

2.3.2.1 Non-International Students

Tuberculosis Screening: It is recommended that students obtain requirements for TB screening through the University Health Clinic, 3310 Patriot Drive, Tyler, Tx 75701; Office Hours: M-F 8
a.m. - 5 p.m. 903.939.7870

Documentation of a result is required. The frequency and type of tuberculin screening depend upon if this is initial testing and the duration of time between tests:

Required prior to enrolling in classes for the first semester of nursing school

Proof of negative PPD Mantoux tuberculin skin test (TST) OR negative blood assay (IGRA)

[QuantiFERON (QFT) or T-Spot] based on the below guidelines.

• Students receiving their first tuberculin screening or having their last tuberculin skin test (TST) more than one year ago select one of the following:

  • Proof of a 2-step TST (2 TST tests completed at least one week apart and no more than 12 months apart)

  • Single blood assay (IGRA) test   

  

• Students who have received the BCG vaccine: a single blood assay (IGRA)   

 

• Students with a TST within the previous 12 months: a single TST. Submit documentation of both TSTs performed within the last 12 months.

If results are positive, see the “Annual documentation required for positive results” below. Annual documentation required:

A single negative tuberculin skin test (TST) or negative blood assay (IGRA): [QuantiFERON (QFT) or T- Spot. For annual documentation required for individuals with a history of positive results, see the “For positive results” section below.

For positive results:

Students who have a positive TST may be requested to follow up with an IGRA blood test to verify. Students who have a positive IGRA or prior treatment for TB should notify the UT SON Clinical Liaison and are recommended to follow up with the University Health Clinic for referral
(location and phone above).
The following is required:

• Proof of a negative chest x-ray is required (annual x-rays are not required).

• The student must be referred to a health department for further evaluation.

• Treatment for latent TB infection (LTBI) should be considered in accordance with CDC guidelines. 

• Documentation of treatment (beginning and completion) will be scanned into the designated immunization tracking system for reference.

• Students will be followed by the school’s staff and/or administrators regarding requirements yearly after the student is admitted.

• Annual documentation required: Completed TB symptom screening form signed by a health care provider. 

Students with potential active TB should wear a mask and receive medical care immediately, according to the health department or the student’s health care provider.

2.3.2.2 International Students

International Student Services (ISS) supports all F and J visa international students who attend UT Tyler for academic study) and students that originate from a country that is defined as high burden for TB.
Does the TB screen hold apply to me? 

2.3.3 Liability Insurance

Professional liability insurance fees will be added to the bill at registration.

2.3.4 BLS/CPR
Submit your current Basic Life Support (BLS) or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification. Must be either an American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross BLS/CPR course designed for healthcare providers. Heart Saver, Lifeguard, or other nonhealthcare provider level BLS courses are NOT accepted. Courses from other companies that use AHA guidelines but do not result in either an AHA or American Red Cross card are NOT accepted.

A copy of both the front and back of your card (including your signature) or e-card containing the name of the course and your name is required. The renewal date will be set based on the expiration of certification.

2.3.5 Health Insurance
Information about health insurance and waivers are located on the  UT Tyler AcademicBlue℠ Student Health Plan Webpage.

2.3.6 Student Guide
Please view the Nursing Student Guide and download, print, sign, scan, and upload the “UG Acceptance Affirmation Form” to Castle Branch. The guide and form are available on the SON Policy website. The guide is located at the top of the webpage, and the UG Acceptance Affirmation Form is under Appendices/Forms.

(Revised 12/19/2024)

Any student enrolled in any two or four-year institution of higher education (schools, universities) listed in the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's list is required to have the following
immunizations. This applies to all students enrolled in health-related courses that will involve direct patient contact in medical or dental facilities, regardless of the number of courses taken, the number of hours taken, and the student's classification. Students considered to be provisionally enrolled cannot enroll without receipt of at least one dose of MMR vaccine if direct patient contact will occur during the provisional enrollment. These requirements must be completed prior to students beginning their first nursing semester.

All students must complete all requirements in the Castle Branch system before attending clinical. Failure to produce documentation of met requirements will result in a missed clinical day. 

2.4.1 Immunizations

Students enrolled in nursing courses are required to certify immunity to or to certify immunization of the following vaccines:

Influenza: Documentation of a flu shot administered during the current flu season (August-May) OR declination signed by a healthcare provider. Documentation DOES NOT need to indicate that the vaccine you received is from the batch of the current flu season. The renewal date will be set to 11/01 of the following flu season. 

Hepatitis B Series: A complete series (3 injections) is required (dose #1 now, #2 in 1 month, #3 approximately five months after #2) and positive antibody titer (lab report or physician verification required). 

If your titer is negative or equivocal, a new alert will be created for you to submit proof of physician recommendation for follow-up action (physician signature required) AND completed follow-up action. 

Series in process is acceptable but MUST be completed by the end of the 1st semester. If series is in process, submit where you are, and a new alert will be created for you to complete the series and titer. 

Measles, Mumps, & Rubella (MMR): Students born on or after January 1, 1957, must have two vaccines OR positive antibody titers for all three components (lab report or physician verification required). If your titer is negative or equivocal, a new alert will be created for you to submit proof of physician recommendation for follow-up action (physician signature required) AND completed follow-up action. 

Tetanus, Diphtheria, & Pertussis (Tdap): Documentation of a Tdap booster administered within the past ten years. The renewal date will be set 10 years from the administered date. 

Polio: Although the polio vaccine is not required for any student, nursing students are encouraged to ascertain that they are immune to poliomyelitis. 

Varicella (Chicken Pox): Evidence of immunity is either documentation of two doses of varicella vaccine given at least 28 days apart OR positive antibody titer (lab report or physician verification required) OR History of Disease (medically documented). If your titer is negative or equivocal, a new alert will be created for you to submit proof of physician recommendation for follow-up action (physician signature required) AND completed follow-up action.

2.4.2 Tuberculosis Screening

One of the following is required:

• A Two-step PPD Mantoux tuberculin skin test (TST) (Students: If the first TST is negative, retest with a second TST in 1-3 weeks) OR
• A Negative IGRA Blood test (QuantiFERON or T-spot)

Students/HCWs with a baseline POSITIVE or newly POSITIVE test result for M. tuberculosis infection or documentation of previous treatment for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) or TB disease:

Please Submit a Clear Chest X-ray showing no signs of tuberculosis
If Receiving Treatment, please ALSO supply:
1. Documentation showing the start of treatment
2. Documentation showing the completion of treatment from a health care provider.

**Students may attend clinical experiences if they are undergoing treatment for infection and are clear of TB disease. Please speak with your School Administrator in these cases.

Upon Renewal, please submit:

• For Past Negative tests: A one-step PPD Mantoux tuberculin skin test (TST)
OR
• For Past Positive Tests: Provide documentation that you have received an Annual TB symptom screen. (This screen should be accomplished by educating the student/HCW about symptoms of TB disease and instructing the HCW/student to report any such
symptoms immediately to the health care provider or the local health department. Treatment for LTBI should be considered in accordance with CDC guidelines).

**International Students: Please download, complete and submit the Mandatory Tuberculosis Screening Documentation Form and Lab Report of Test Results, Signed by your Health Care Provider. Use the website link below to access this form.

Exclusions from immunization compliance are based on each health care facility. Exclusions may be allowable on an individual basis for medical contraindications and religious conflicts.
Requirements for polio, measles, rubella, mumps, and hepatitis B vaccine are waived during pregnancy.

1. Students with medical contraindications must submit written verification from a healthcare provider that the immunization required would be injurious to the health and well-being of the student or any member of the student's family or household.
   Unless a lifelong condition is specified, the verification is valid for only one year from the date signed by the physician.
2. Students whose religious beliefs forbid the use of vaccines must present an affidavit signed by the applicant stating that the immunization conflicts with the tenants and practice of a recognized church or religious denomination of which the applicant is an adherent or member.
3. Pregnant female students who submit written documentation of a positive pregnancy test are not required to take any of the above-listed vaccines, except Tdap. If the student has not had a Tdap within the last ten years, it is best to delay the administration of Tdap until the second trimester. There are no contraindications to Tdap during pregnancy after the first trimester.

2.4.3 Liability Insurance
Professional liability insurance fees will be added to the bill at registration.

2.4.4 Licensure
Licensure Verification for current registered nurses (RNs): For all licensed nurses, current licensure in the state will be verified before admission is considered. Any licensed nurse with a current license restriction or who receives a subsequent restriction after admission to the SON must contact the appropriate program director. Progression in the program will be contingent upon the nature of the restriction.

2.4.5 BLS/CPR
Submit your current Basic Life Support (BLS) or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification. Must be either an American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross BLS/CPR course designed for healthcare providers. Heart Saver, Lifeguard, or other nonhealthcare provider level BLS courses are NOT accepted. Courses from other companies that use AHA guidelines but do not result in either an AHA or American Red Cross card are NOT accepted.

A copy of both the front and back of your card (including your signature) or e-card containing the name of the course and your name is required. The renewal date will be set based on the expiration of certification.

A temporary certificate or letter from a provider will be accepted and temporarily approved for 30 days, by which time the permanent documentation must be uploaded. The renewal date will be set based on the expiration of certification.

2.4.6 Health Insurance and Health Insurance Waiver
Health Insurance: Submit a copy of your current health insurance card OR proof of coverage. Verification of coverage provider is required if the name on the document does not match. The renewal date will be set to 1 year from the date of upload.

Students may opt to waive the health insurance requirement. By waiving personal healthcare coverage, the student agrees to accept all financial responsibility for any injury associated with clinicals, as required for the Graduate program. The document to waive health insurance is available on our policy website. 

Reviewed 2/6/2023