UNDERGRADUATE HANDBOOK

HEALTH DOCUMENTS AND ACTIVITIES RELATING TO CLINICAL ELIGIBILITY

Health Documents and Activities Required for Clinical Eligibility

All students must submit the following information: (Students are required to retain a copy of all information prior to submitting to the Undergraduate Secretary) In addition, place your id number on the health forms.

1. A current and comprehensive health examination performed no longer than 6 months prior to entrance into nursing. The required physical form is provided upon admission to the program and should be completed by a physician or nurse practitioner.
2. An updated immunization record on the form provided including the following: rubella vaccination (unless the vaccine is specifically contraindicated) or proof of immunity rubeola vaccine - if born in 1956 or earlier not required, if born in 1957 or later, documentation of two doses of vaccine on or after first birthday, second dose must be a minimum of 30 days after the first dose or a titer is required. tetanus immunization - current booster must have been within the last 10 years, unless there is evidence of hypersensitivity. diphtheria immunization - current booster must have been within last 10 years, unless there is evidence of hypersensitivity. polio immunization Mantoux (P.P.D. intracutaneous) - annual report required. If skin test is positive, an annual chest x-ray is required. If subsequent treatment is necessary, a note is needed from the physician describing the treatment plan. Hepatitis B - recommended unless proof immunity or signed "Statement of Refusal of Hepatitis B Vaccine", Varicella - evidence of immunity (IgG titer) or record of immunization.
3. A signed and witnessed "Statement of Informed Consent".
4. An annual signed and witnessed "Universal Precautions Training Acknowledgement". Instructor who provides the training will provide the necessary form on an annual basis.
5. Proof of current. CPR for Health Providers, Infant to Adult.  The card must be issued by the American Red Cross or American Heart Assoication.  Online CPR certification is not accepted.
6. Signed and witnessed "Potential Disease Exposure Form.
7. If proof of Hepatitis B Vaccine is not provided, "Statement of Refusal of Hepatitis B Vaccine" must be signed and witnessed.
8. All of the above documents are to be submitted preferably together prior to the first nursing class of the semester in which the student has enrolled. Students will be responsible for renewing their CPR, TB, and Malpractice Insurance, and Universal Precautions Training Acknowledgment thereafter on a yearly basis and showing proof according to the procedures stated above. All requirements (physical, CPR, TB, Malpractice) must be on file by deadline stated. A student will not be allowed in the clinical setting without the appropriate documentation.
9. Students are provided malpractice insurance through the university fees.
10. Students may be required to attend an orientation to the clinical agency prior to the first clinical day.
11. Students are expected to keep a copy of these forms in a folder to show to the clinical instructor and agency when requested. The Undergraduate Secretary will provide a folder, per your request.
12. Other For RN students a copy of your current Indiana Registered Nurse License For Non-RN students: A copy of your birth certificate.
13. All forms are to be submitted to the Undergraduate Program Secretary, Room X-138, of the Gyte Annex Building prior to beginning the first nursing course. The recommended deadline for submission of these reports is August 15 for the Fall semester, January 8 for the Spring semester, and May 1 for the Summer semester. The health examination forms may be mailed to the School of Nursing in care of:

    Undergraduate Program Secretary
    School of Nursing
    Purdue University Calumet
    2200 169th Street
    Hammond, IN 46323

MALPRACTICE INSURANCE

All students are covered through a blanket policy for the School of Nursing. (CIGNA Insurance - $1,000,000 per student/occurrence and $6,000,000 annual aggregate via laboratory fees). Coverage will begin on the date the registration payment is received by the Bursar’s Office. Your malpractice insurance coverage runs from June 1 of every year through May 31 of the next year.

UNIFORM POLICIES AND NAME TAGS

1. Students may purchase their uniforms any time before the beginning of the semester. The complete uniform for female students consists of either a white dress, white pant suit, or white scrubs. A name pin must be worn along with a Purdue emblem which is attached to the left arm of the blouse or dress. White shoes and white socks complete the uniform. Male students wear white cotton pants, white shirt, white socks, and white shoes. A name pin must be worn along with a Purdue emblem which is attached to the left arm of the shirt.
2. Lab coats are required for both male and female students. A Purdue emblem is to be attached to the left arm.
3. Students should keep in mind that uniforms should fit well, be clean, and kept in good repair.
4. Additional uniform accessories include bandage scissors, penlight, watch with a second hand, and stethoscope. A "Nurse Pack" with appropriate supplies for skill practice will be purchased at the campus bookstore. The faculty will be glad to assist students in the selection of an appropriate stethoscope.
5. Purdue nursing students may purchase their uniform and accessories at any store of their choice. Purdue University Calumet emblems can be purchased at the bookstore.
6. Students must purchase a yello name pin which should be inscribed in black or blue lettering as follows:
   

   R. Jones
   Nursing Student
   Purdue University Calumet

   
   

   The name pin can be purchased from any uniform shop or catalog. The name pin should be affixed to the left upper pocket or shoulder of the uniform, blouse or lab coat.

7. Specific uniform requirements:
   1. Clinics or Home Health Agencies - Street clothes, slacks preferable for home health agencies, with white laboratory coat.
   2. Hospitals - A white uniform or lab coat may be considered appropriate attire depending on the nature of the experience. Your clinical instructor will inform you of the specific uniform requirements prior to the lab experience.
8. Additional agency dress codes must be followed including wearing of hospital ID badge.
9. In accordance with the majority of our institutional affiliations; no nasal/facial (eyebrow, lip, nasal, tongue, etc.) ornaments may be worn in the practicum. In addition, tattoos must be covered. Jewelry permitted includes a ring, watch, and one earring in each ear that may not hang more than one inch below the earlobe. Fingernails are to be clean, well maintained, and of a length that does not interfere with patient safety. No nails are to exceed one quarter inch and nail polish must be pastel to moderate color range. No acrylic nails permitted. Additional policies regarding these areas may be implemented due to special clinical arrangements.

CLINICAL LABORATORY POLICIES

BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS STANDARDS

As you begin your education in Nursing at Purdue University Calumet, the School of Nursing feels obliged to inform you of standards by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) which affects you as you care for patients in the clinical setting.

Bloodborne pathogens are micro-organisms in human blood that can cause disease in humans. These pathogens include, but are not limited to, the Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) which causes AIDS. As a nursing student, you will be participating in care giving activities and may be exposed to infectious diseases such as Hepatitis B, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and other infectious and/or communicable diseases. To reduce your risk of exposure, the following guidelines affect you as you engage in the practice of nursing.

1. Information on Hepatitis and HIV infection will be provided in the Nursing Curriculum. This information will help you to protect yourself and others from unnecessary risks and exposure to disease. Educational material from the Center for Disease Control will serve as guidelines.
2. All nursing students are expected to follow Universal Precautions to prevent contact with blood. All blood is considered to be potentially infected. Because nursing students may have direct contact with blood and other body fluids, the School of Nursing requires training in Universal Precautions as adopted by the Indiana State Board of Health. This training will be given during your first semester in nursing prior to caring for patients in the clinical setting.
3. All nursing students will be expected to wash their hands with soap and water after exposure to blood and after removal of contaminated gloves or other personal protective equipment.
4. Disposable latex gloves will be used by nursing students providing first-aid or medical treatment to persons with bleeding wounds.
5. Pocket masks with one-way valves or "ambu-type" resuscitators will be used when providing CPR.
6. Needles and other contaminated "sharps" will be discarded as soon as feasible in closable, puncture-resistant, leak-proof containers that are appropriately labeled.