Health Requirements

Item	Description
Tuberculosis (TB) For continued enrollment - required annually.	Initial Tuberculosis testing must be a 2-step PPD (repeated PPD). If the first PPD is negative, a second skin test is required within 7 – 21 days. Subsequent tuberculosis testing is a one-step PPD repeated annually. The skin test reaction should be read between 48 and 72 hours after administration. A patient who does not return within 72 hours will need to be rescheduled for another skin test. A TB test is valid for one year. TB records must be current and on file. For positive skin tests, an annual symptoms checklist is required and date of positive conversion provided. CXRs will be required only if the clinical site requests this. A chest x-ray is valid for 5 years. The QuantiFERON®-TB Gold blood test may be accepted in lieu of the PPD. The PPD is not contraindicated for anyone including pregnant women, persons who are HIV-infected, or persons who have been vaccinated with BCG. Evaluation will be made on an individual basis. Students who choose not to complete this testing/screening may not be guaranteed clinical placement which may impede program progression or graduation.
BLS card For continued enrollment - Re-certification required prior to expiration date.	BLS certification for the Professional Rescuer or Healthcare Provider is required. Information as to the availability of courses may be obtained by calling either the American Heart Association or American Red Cross, or checking online. This certification is valid for a two-year period and provides comprehensive training in this area. Other BLS courses will NOT fulfill this requirement. Online-only courses are not acceptable.
	Provider Name	Course Title
	American Heart Association	BLS Healthcare Provider
Tetanus- Diphtheria (TD/Tdap) For continued enrollment	Documentation of Tetanus/Tetanus-Diphtheria/Tetanus-Diphtheria with Acellular Pertussis vaccination administered within the past 10 years. (Tdap vaccines are preferred.). If you have a medical condition which does not allow current immunization, then you may sign a waiver and send to the Clinical Coordination Office to document your medical exception. Students who choose not to or are unable to take these vaccines due to medical reasons may not be guaranteed clinical placement which may impede program progression or graduation.
Influenza (Flu) For continued enrollment - required annually.	Flu vaccines are available from late September through early May. Students are required to have a current flu vaccine on file in order to enter the clinical setting. Influenza vaccine is required annually. If you have a medical condition which does not allow current immunization, then you may sign a waiver and send to the Clinical Coordination Office to document your medical exception. Students who choose not to or are unable to take this vaccine due to medical reasons may not be guaranteed clinical placement which may impede program progression or graduation.
Health Clearance Form	A physician or other health care provider completes this form following a physical exam of the student. If the physical was performed within the last six months, the form may be completed based off of that exam. (Form in appendices.)
Hepatitis B	Hepatitis B vaccine (3 doses), Hepatitis B Waiver, or blood titers are required. A lab confirmation must be presented (see below) if using blood titers. You will be required to repeat the vaccine series if there is no immunity. If you have repeated vaccination series

	and completed a second titer and the results are still negative, equivocal, or borderline, then you may sign a waiver for this disease. A waiver is required if vaccine not administered. (Form in appendix). If you have a medical condition which does not allow current immunization, then you may sign a waiver and send to the Clinical Coordination Office to document your medical exception. Evaluation will be made on an individual basis. Students who choose not to or are unable to take this vaccine due to medical reasons may not be guaranteed clinical placement which may impede program progression or graduation.
	HBsAg anti‑HBc anti‑HBs	negative negative positive with >10mIU/mL	immune due to vaccination	no vaccination necessary
MMR: Measles, (Rubeola), Mumps, Rubella	Students must show proof of immunity (lab evidence indicating positive MMR titers). It is not sufficient to report having had any of these illnesses or vaccinations as a child. Titers must indicate adequate protection. Equivocal results are considered negative and the student is required to get a booster for the MMR vaccine. If not immune (negative titer results), then student must be vaccinated and be re- tested at least 30 days after receiving the vaccination. If, after the second blood test, the student is still showing “negative” or “non-reactive” for immunity, no further vaccines/titer requests then you may sign a waiver for this disease. If you have a medical condition which does not allow current immunization, then you may sign a waiver and send to the Clinical Coordination Office to document your medical exception. Evaluation will be made on an individual basis. Students who choose not to or are unable to take these vaccines due to medical reasons may not be guaranteed clinical placement which may impede program progression or graduation.
Varicella (Chicken Pox)	Students must show proof of immunity (lab evidence indicating positive varicella titers). Because of recent changes in policies, documentation of history of chicken pox or varicella vaccinations are not sufficient. If not immune (negative titer results), then student must be vaccinated and be re- tested at least 30 days after receiving the vaccination. If, after the second blood test, the student is still showing “negative” or “non-reactive” for immunity, no further vaccines/titer requests will be required. If you have a medical condition which does not allow current immunization, then you may sign a waiver and send to the Clinical Coordination Office to document your medical exception. Evaluation will be made on an individual basis. Students who choose not to or are unable to take this vaccine due to medical reasons may not be guaranteed clinical placement which may impede program progression or graduation.
Health Insurance For continued enrollment	Verification of the student’s current health insurance coverage. (e.g., copy of insurance card.) This information will be required at the start of each semester you are enrolled. Please note that this is only for your nursing file, and is NOT shared with other departments.
DPS Fingerprint Clearance Card For continued enrollment -	The Fingerprint Clearance card must be submitted prior to beginning the program for all new students. This is not a copy of your actual fingerprints. See the Department of Public Safety for forms &/or questions: http://www.azdps.gov/Services/Fingerprint/ When requesting a fingerprint clearance card, please ask for a "Healthcare Student" card (which encompasses criminal and sex offender checks performed at the federal and state

Unexpired card required.	levels). In other words, per the Fingerprint Clearance Card application, students are to indicate that they are Health Sciences Students and Clinical Assistants (ARS 15-1881). When completing the Fingerprint Clearance Card application, please list Aspen University (and its local address) as the sponsoring agency.
Background Check	All nursing students, must complete a background check prior to first clinical rotation. No felonies accepted, and misdemeanors will be subject to review by the Program Director whose decision is final. A student must report, within 10 days, any legal violation such as a DUI, misdemeanor or felony if occurrence is during the program. Students will not be permitted to continue in the program without a disposition date. Students may not be allowed to continue in the program depending on the offense.
Hepatitis A	Recommended but not required.
Drug Screen	Students are required to have a negative drug screen prior to beginning first clinical experience. Students will be notified by the Clinical Coordination Office when drug screen is required. The student pays the cost of the drug screen (approximately $50). All students should refer to the detailed Policy for Student Drug, Nicotine & Alcohol Screening below.
HIPAA Form	Students and clinical faculty, must sign and return this form to the Clinical Coordination Office. (Form in appendices).
Universal Precautions	Based on the mandatory CDC and OSHA guidelines, students and clinical faculty will consistently observe blood and body fluid precautions when working with all clients in all settings.
COVID Vaccine	Students must submit evidence of full COVID-19 vaccination. The definition of fully vaccinated is having the entire series of shots completed. Exceptions for medical reasons will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Requests for medical exemption will require a doctor’s note and should be submitted via email to the respective Program Director for review. Students who choose not to or are unable to take these vaccines due to medical reasons may not be guaranteed clinical placement which may impede program progression or graduation.