Nursing Career Ladder Handbook, Study notes of Nursing

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Nursing

Nursing Career Ladder

HANDBOOK

Illinois Valley Community College

Mission Statement - Illinois Valley Community college provides a high-quality, accessible, and affordable education that inspires individuals and our community to thrive. Vision Statement - Illinois Valley Community College is the preferred gateway to advance individual and community success. Core Values Responsibility - We will follow through on our commitments and welcome constructive assessment and suggestions for improvement. We will meet performance expectations for personal and professional conduct. Caring - We will nurture a culture of mutual appreciation; cultivate empathy and a compassionate response to others. Honesty - We will speak and act truthfully, without hidden agendas-admitting when we make mistakes or do not know, avoiding silence when it may be misleading, identifying and working with each other to communicate and solve problems. Fairness - We will treat students and colleagues equitably, without favoritism or prejudice, giving all benefits of the doubt and providing opportunities for individual success. Respect - We will consider the talents, feelings and contributions of everyone with our interactions and behaviors; practice active listening and collaborating in our daily work; base our relationships on the essential dignity of each individual; value diverse cultures, backgrounds, lifestyles and abilities; and understand that inclusion makes us stronger and able to perform at higher levels.

Philosophy of the Illinois Valley Community College Nursing Programs

The nursing programs at Illinois Valley Community College were established to provide area students the opportunity to learn in a caring environment and to develop their abilities in nursing practice by providing quality education, training and services that are accessible, affordable and promote lifelong learning. The curricula, congruent with the Mission Statement of IVCC, are designed to meet the varied needs of students and our diverse community, to stimulate lifelong intellectual growth and physical well-being, to foster social and emotional maturity, and to inculcate integrity and a caring concern for others. The following statements pertain to the beliefs of the nursing faculty in the areas of person, environment, nursing, health, teaching/learning, nursing education/curriculum, and how the practice of Associate Degree Nursing and Practical Nursing fits in the total concept of nursing. The person is a unique and complex individual who is influenced by environmental, physiological, psychosocial, cultural, spiritual, and developmental changes. The person responds to these changes and challenges through the use of internal and external resources. The individual is ultimately responsible for the quality of their health and life. The environment is dynamic, diverse, and includes physical surroundings as well as interaction processes in nursing; there is mutual interaction between the environment and society, communities, families, and individuals. It is influenced, and is affected by economics, culture, political change, geographic location, demographics, and education. Nursing education is continually evolving to reflect local community health needs and current health trends. Nursing is a caring, rational activity, which uses the nursing process and applies social and biological sciences to promote holistic patient/client well-being. Communication has a key role in this process. Nurses have a commitment to accept the intrinsic value of individuals and the inherent worth of human life. Nursing behaviors are protective, nurturing, and generative, and are extended to patients/clients as individual, family, and community. Health is a biopsychosocial state, which fluctuates depending upon the person and environmental influences across the lifespan. Teaching and Learning is a collaborative and creative process that prepares individuals to function as responsible, professional nurses. It is shared responsibility and a lifelong commitment which results in behavioral changes in the cognitive, affective and psychomotor domains. Teachers provide leadership by functioning as role models to influence student behavior. Learning is best achieved by active involvement in goal directed activity. Nursing Education is a process that utilizes a curriculum incorporating theory, technology, evidence-base principles, and re-enforced practice and skills to prepare responsible individuals for all aspects of patient care. It is the nursing process that provides the basis for critical thinking. The curriculum integrates a process whereby a student uses critical thinking skills and builds those skills using a paradigm of simple to complex. The IVCC Associate Degree nursing graduate is prepared to function as a care provider and coordinator/leader/manager of care within the scope of practice defined by the Illinois Nursing Act. The Associate Degree Nursing graduate is prepared to function as a team member with more experienced nurses as well as a delegator of functions to the practical nurse or nursing assistant. They apply the nursing process as well as principles of leadership and management toward the achievement of optimum holistic well-being of patients/clients. The client well-being is likewise the concern of the IVCC Practical Nurse graduate who is prepared to function under the direction of a registered professional nurse in the application of the nursing process within the scope of practice defined by the Illinois Nursing Act.

Concepts & Threads/ Conceptual Frame Work

To prepare our graduate to function as a care provider, coordinator/leader/manager, and as a team member within the profession, we have selected the concepts of nursing judgment, communication, therapeutic nursing, quality and safety, care management, community, and professionalism as the structure for learning experiences. We believe in holistic care

Concepts and Threads Definitions

Nursing Judgment

Nursing judgment , often referred to as clinical judgment is the outcome of critical thinking and decision making as defined by NCSBN (as cited in Potter & Perry, 2023) (p. 210). A number of definitions of critical thinking are present in nursing literature however, an agreement exists that developing critical thinking skills during the nursing education experience is imperative. A critical thinker, according to Potter and Perry (2023) is an “active, purposeful, organized and cognitive process used to carefully examine one’s thinking and the thinking of other individuals” (p. 1467). According to Potter and Perry (2023), “nurses rely upon critical thinking process that involve open-mindedness, continual inquiry, perseverance, combined with a willingness to look at each unique patient situation and determine which identified assumptions are true and relevant” (p. 211). Critical thinking and clinical judgement involve a variety of skills to include interpretation, analysis, inference, evaluation, explanation and self-regulation Advances and rapid changes in health care require nurses who are more autonomous, responsible, and accountable for patient care (Simmons, 2010). Clinical reasoning is the foundation for decisions and actions made by nurses (Simmons). Although the term clinical reasoning is often used interchangeably with other concepts such as diagnostic reasoning, critical thinking, problem-solving, and clinical judgment, there are distinct qualities that differentiate each. Su, Osisek, and Starnes (2005) suggest the focus of clinical reasoning is “the thinking strategies that a nurse uses to make judgment or decision and solve problems” (p. 118). Critical thinking is a more far-reaching concept that includes distinct skills, characteristics, and intellectual tendencies (Scheffer & Rubenfield, 2000). According to Simmons (2010), “Clinical reasoning guides nurses in assessing, assimilating, retrieving, and /or discarding components of information that affect patient care” (p. 1151). Clinical reasoning is a “cognitive process directed toward forming conclusions, judgments, or inferences from fact or premise” (Simmons, 2010, p. 1154). Several principles help the nurse apply critical thinking skills in order to make sound nursing judgments. These include the nursing process , legal and ethical guidelines, as well as evidence-based practice (EBP). Evidence-based practice, as defined by Potter and Perry (2023), is “use of current best evidence from nursing research, clinical expertise, practice trends, and patient preferences to guide nursing decisions about care provided to patients” (p. 1469).

Communication

Communication is the therapeutic exchange of verbal and non-verbal messages involved in human interaction, influenced by multiple variables. Communication is essential to establishing a nurse-patient relationship and delivering high quality patient-centered care (Potter & Perry, 2023). It includes written exchange, group process, and skills in the use of information technology. Therapeutic interaction involves the use of communication techniques and responses that foster the “expression of feelings and ideas and convey acceptance and respect” (Potter & Perry, 2013, p.320). Relationship-centered care evolves from therapeutic interactions. Hedges, Nichols, and Filoteo (2011) identified the premise of relationship-based care is three relationships: nurse and client; nurse and colleagues; and nurse and self. The end result of relationship-centered care is safe, client-focused, well-communicated, and well-coordinated care (Hedges, et al.). Informatics as defined by Ignatavicius et al (2021) “is where nurses access and use information and electronic technology to communicate, manage knowledge, prevent error and support decision making” (p.2).

Therapeutic Nursing

Therapeutic Nursing is the application of evidence-based nursing interventions in providing holistic care to the individual and/or aggregates. The term holistic refers to the belief that a person functions as an integrated unit which cannot be reduced to the sum of their parts. It encompasses emotional, intellectual, environmental, social, physical, and spiritual aspects of each person. Holistic nursing recognizes and treats the mind, body, and spirit of the patient (Potter & Perry, 2023). Aggregates are groups of persons who have one or more shared personal or environmental characteristics (i.e. family, community). Therapeutic nursing interventions are drawn from the cognitive (intellectual), affective (emotions), and psychomotor (skills) domains. Therapeutic nursing is accomplished by promoting and maintaining wellness , preventing illness, restoring health , and/or facilitating coping with altered function, life crisis, and death across the

lifespan. Biopsychosocial adaptation is the coping process of the human being trying to successfully meet the developments occurring in a lifetime. This process includes changes in body functions, emotional responses, cognitive functions, and social interactions. Potter and Perry (2023) proclaims caring is the essence of nursing. Leininger (as cited in Potter & Perry, 2023) suggests that the concept of caring sets nursing apart from other health disciplines. Caring as discussed by Potter & Perry (2023), “is a universal phenomenon influencing the ways in which people think, feel, and behave in relation to one another” (p. 90). While many theories on caring exist, Duffy, Hoskins, and Seifert (2007) recognize several common features of these theories: human interaction, mutuality, appreciation for individual uniqueness, and the desire to improve the well-being of patients and their families.

Quality and Safety

The Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN) Institute (2023) defines quality improvement as the“use of data to monitor the outcomes of care processes and use improvement methods to design and test changes to continuously improve the quality and safety of health care systems.” (QSEN.org). While in the nursing program, students will gain an appreciation for the importance of continuous quality improvement, learn to value their contributions to outcomes of care, and value change as a means to improve patient care and outcomes. As Potter and Perry (2017) claim, safety is a basic human need. Safety minimizes risk of harm to patients and providers through both system effectiveness and individual performance (QSEN, 2023) Safety initiatives are aimed at reducing harm to patients and providers through three domains: knowledge, skills, and attitudes (QSEN).

Care Management

Care Management is the planning and provision of nursing care while maintaining accountability for quality outcomes. It applies the principles of management and leadership through education, coordination, collaboration, delegation, and supervision (Potter & Perry, 2013). Management is the process of using activities needed to plan, organize, motivate, and control the human and material resources needed to achieve a desired outcome. Management , according to Cherry and Jacob (2023) involves problem-solving and decision-making in the coordination of these resources. Leadership is defined as the ability to guide, influence, and motivate others to respond in desired ways to achieve an outcome. Leadership is displayed when a person “attempts to influence the beliefs, opinions, or behaviors of individuals or groups” (Cherry & Jacob, 2023, p. 299). Collaboration is action taken in coordination with others, each being responsible and accountable in achieving a common goal. Effective collaboration requires open communication, mutual respect, and shared decision-making (QSEN, 2023). Nursing involves the collaboration of many individuals, including inter- professional teams to facilitate quality outcomes.

Community

Community is defined as a social group determined by geographic boundaries and/or common values and interests; community members know and interact with one another; a community creates norms, values, and social institutions. Community has three elements: structure, population, and social system (Potter & Perry, 2023). Diversity is the representation of many characteristics: race, gender, age, socio-economic status, education, culture, ethnicity, interests, and opinions. Individual uniqueness is determined by these diverse characteristics and their life experiences. Value and respect for diversity is exhibited through beliefs and behaviors which assimilate differences into positive interactions and relationships (Cherry & Jacob, 2023). Health care resources are means or methods used to move an individual or a group through a continuum of care. These can include tangible and intangible factors such as agencies, political influences, finances, and/or persons.

Professionalism

Nursing is a profession (Potter & Perry, 2023). Professionalism in nursing includes acting in a safe, conscientious, and knowledgeable manner in order to deliver quality patient-centered care. Integrity encompasses legal, ethical, and moral values, behavior, and conduct in all aspects of personal and professional settings (Macfarlanea, Zhangb, & Puna, 2012).

End-of-Program Student Learning Outcomes for the IVCC Associate Degree Nursing

Program

At the completion of the program the graduate will be able to:

1. Incorporate principles of nursing judgment and the nursing process to develop a professional practice that integrates nursing science in the provision of safe, quality care to diverse population of clients throughout the life-span.
2. Collaborate as an advocate, provider, and manager of care utilizing nursing judgment, therapeutic nursing, and communication skills to meet the holistic needs of the client and/or aggregates.
3. Integrate principles of therapeutic nursing practice in a professional, safe, and caring manner with a respect for the beliefs and cultural diversity of the client and/or aggregates.
4. Integrate clinical judgment substantiated with evidence-based practice when planning, implementing, and evaluating nursing practice.
5. Develop one’s professional identity in a manner that reflects responsibility, legal and ethical practices, and commitment to professional growth and self-development.

Associate Degree Nursing Program Outcomes Measurement

1. Sixty percent of students entering the IVCC nursing program for the first time will graduate ‘on-time’.
2. Ninety percent of graduates who take the NCLEX-RN within the same 12-month time frame, will pass the examination on the first attempt.
3. Ninety percent of the surveyed graduates who seek employment will be employed in nursing within six months of graduation.
4. Fifty percent of students who take the HESI-RN Exit Exam will attain a score of 850 or above on first attempt.
5. Ninety percent of the surveyed graduates will express satisfaction with the entry level knowledge and skills gained through the IVCC nursing program.
6. Ninety percent of surveyed employers will express satisfaction with the IVCC nursing program graduates.
7. Ninety percent of the surveyed graduates and employers will report effective clinical judgment skills and the application of the nursing process in administering safe, quality nursing care in a variety of health care settings.
8. Ninety percent of surveyed graduates will assume responsibility for personal and professional growth.

Program Outcomes of the IVCC Practical Nursing Program

At the completion of the program the graduate will be able to:

1. Apply knowledge of the nursing process while using therapeutic nursing and communication skills, when meeting the holistic needs of the person in a variety of health care settings under the direction of the registered professionals.
2. Demonstrate nursing practice in a safe and caring manner with a respect for the beliefs and cultural diversity of others.
3. Demonstrate commitment to professional growth, self-development, and continuous learning.

Graduation Requirements

For Associate Degree Nursing

Students who have completed the prescribed required courses, achieved the required grade point average, and displayed nursing competence will receive a diploma from Illinois Valley Community College. Students who have completed the prescribed required courses, achieved the required grade point average, and displayed nursing competence will receive a diploma from Illinois Valley Community College

Students will not be allowed to graduate until the graduation application is completed and all outstanding debts to the College have been removed. It is each student's responsibility to see that all course requirements for the nursing curriculum are met prior to the date of graduation. Students meeting the requirements of the Associate Degree Nursing Program are encouraged to participate in the graduation ceremony. Upon graduation, the student will become eligible to file an application to take the NCLEX-RN for licensure either in Illinois or in the state in which they expect to practice. The requirements for licensure in the state of Illinois are regulated by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. The national exam for licensure is directed by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). A criminal background check with verification of fingerprinting must be completed prior to application for NCLEX Testing. This is the student’s financial responsibility.

The State of Illinois requires all candidates for licensure to answer the following questions:

Part VI: Personal History Information (This part must be completed by applicants)

1. Have you been convicted of any criminal offense in any state or in federal court (other than minor traffic violations)? If yes, attach a certified copy of the court records regarding your conviction, the nature of the offense and date of discharge, if applicable, as well as a statement from the probation or parole office.
2. Have you been convicted of a felony?
3. If yes, have you been issued a Certificate of Relief from Disabilities by the Prisoner Review Board?
4. If yes, attach the copy of the certificate.
5. Have you had or do you now have any disease or condition that interferes with your ability to perform the essential functions of your profession, including any disease or condition generally regarded as chronic by the medical community, i.e., (1) mental or emotional disease or condition; (2) alcohol or other substance abuse; (3) physical disease or condition, that presently interferes with your ability to practice your profession? If yes, attach a detailed statement, including an explanation whether or not you are currently under treatment.
6. Have you been denied a professional license or permit, or privilege of taking an examination, or had a professional license or permit disciplined in any way by any licensing authority in Illinois or elsewhere? If yes, attach a detailed explanation.
7. Have you ever been discharged other than honorably from the armed service or from a city, county, state or federal position? If yes, attach a detailed explanation. Please Note: Graduation from the Associate Degree Nursing program does not guarantee licensure. If a student has been convicted of a felony, treated for chemical substance abuse, mental illness or chronic physical illness, the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation will not consider their application for licensure in the State of Illinois until a review hearing has been conducted by the State Board of Nursing. The Board of Nursing will not conduct this hearing until the individual has completed the required approved nursing program in an approved school and has completed the necessary application forms for licensure required by the Department of Professional Regulation. The decision to allow an individual to take the examination for licensure rests with the Board of Nursing.

Pinning Ceremony:

A pinning ceremony will be held for nursing graduates. Students who have met all graduation requirements may participate in this ceremony. There may be fees associated with the pinning ceremony. These fees will vary from year to year. Only official IVCC Nursing Pins may be used in the ceremony.

Graduation from IVCC

Application for graduation must be completed by IVCC application deadline even if the student does not plan to attend IVCC’s graduation ceremony, and/or the nursing pinning ceremony.

forms for licensure required by the Department of Professional Regulation. The decision to allow an individual to take the examination for licensure rests with the State Board of Nursing.

Pinning Ceremony

A Pinning Ceremony will be held for nursing graduates. Students who have met all the graduation requirements may participate in this ceremony. There may be fees associated with the pinning ceremony. These fees will vary from year to year. Only an official IVCC PN Nursing Pin may be used in this ceremony.

Graduation from IVCC:

Application for graduation must be completed by IVCC application deadline even if the student does not plan to attend IVCC’s graduation ceremony, and/or the nursing pinning ceremony.

Essential Capabilities and Functional Requirements - Essential Capabilities

Illinois Valley Community College Nursing Program students must have abilities and skills of five (5) varieties: Cognitive- Conceptual, Behavioral and Social Attributes, Communication, Sensory, and Motor. If students cannot demonstrate these skills with or without reasonable accommodations, they may be at risk of not successfully completing the course and /or program. To function effectively and safely the student must demonstrate the following:

Cognitive-Conceptual:

Critical thinking and clinical judgment are essential abilities of the professional nurse. These abilities include measurement, calculation, reasoning, analysis, and synthesis.

Behavioral and Social Attributes:

Students must possess the emotional stability and alertness/focus required for full utilization of their intellectual abilities. The prompt completion of all responsibilities inherent to the diagnosis and care of patients and the development of mature, sensitive and effective relationships with patients are essential. Students must tolerate physically taxing workloads and multitask effectively and efficiently under stress. They must adapt to changing environments; to display flexibility and learn to function effectively, despite the uncertainties inherent in the clinical situations; to interact and establish rapport with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds. Compassion, integrity, honesty, concern for others, interpersonal skills, interest, and motivation are all personal qualities that should be demonstrated throughout the education process.

Communication:

Students must observe patients in order to elicit information, describe changes in mood, activity, and posture, and perceive and interpret nonverbal communications. Students must communicate effectively and sensitively with patients, colleagues, and other personnel. Students must communicate in English effectively and efficiently with all members of the health care team, patients and families. (See specific Functional Requirements)

Sensory:

Students must observe a patient accurately, correctly interpreting sensory data. (See specific Functional Requirements)

Motor:

Students should independently elicit information from patients by palpation, auscultation, percussion, and other assessment techniques. Students should execute gross and fine motor movements required to provide general care and emergency treatment of patients. (See specific Functional Requirements which are based on community standards of health care agencies). These capabilities must be demonstrated in the clinical, laboratory, and theory (classroom) interactions and evaluations.

Functional Requirements

The Functional Requirements described below are representative, but not limited, to those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of a professional nurse.

Communication Ability:

• Communicate effectively and efficiently in English with patients, families, and other health care providers, both verbally and in writing. (Example: explain treatment procedures, teach patients and families, and document in charts.)
• Effectively adapt communication for intended audience: o Interact; establish rapport with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural and intellectual backgrounds. o Assume the role of a health care team member. o Function effectively under supervision.

Sensory Capability:

• Coordinate verbal and manual instruction.
• Respond appropriately to verbal communication from clients and members of the heath team, which includes the ability to respond to emergency signals.
• Discern soft sounds, such as those associated with taking a blood pressure.
• Effectively and appropriately acquire information from documents such as charts.
• Comfortable working in close physical proximity to patients.

Motor Capability:

• Transfer patients who may require physical assistance.
• Guard and assist patients with ambulation.
• Perform exercise techniques, including applying resistance during exercise.
• Perform CPR.

Standards for Admission

STANDARD Some Examples of Necessary Activities

(Not all inclusive)

Critical thinking abilities sufficient for clinical

judgment.

Identify cause-effect relationships in clinical

situations, develop nursing care plans

Interact with individuals, families, and groups

from a variety of social, emotional, cultural,

and intellectual backgrounds.

Establish rapport with patients/clients, families and

colleagues.

Interact with others in verbal and written form. Explain treatment procedures, initiate health

teaching, document and interpret nursing actions and

patient/client responses – verbal & nonverbal.

essential eligibility requirements for the receipt of services, or the participation in programs or activities provided by public entity.

A person with a disability is defined as someone who:

1. Has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of such individuals.
2. A record of such impairment.
3. Being regarded as having such impairment. For the purpose of Nursing Program compliance, a qualified individual with a disability is one who, with or without reasonable accommodation or modification, meets the essential requirements of Illinois Valley Community College Nursing Program. These requirements are described in Essential Capabilities and Functional Requirements While accommodations will be provided to the student at IVCC in accordance with the ADA regulations, it is the responsibility of the student with the disability to request and apply for any accommodations that will be allowed by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation regarding NCLEX testing, or by prospective employers regarding job performance. When applying for NCLEX accommodations, the student will need both: A letter certifying accommodations approved by IVCC Center for Accessibility and Neurodiversity Copies of documentation and semester accommodations request. Documentation and a record of continued use of accommodations MUST be provided. The testing service will ultimately determine whether accommodations will be provided or not.

Health And Clinical Requirements

Requirements to participate in the clinical experience component of the nursing program are:

1. Documentation of an initial two step T.B. skin test, followed by annual 1-step T.B. skin test. If the two-step is not followed annually with a one step, the student will need to repeat a two-step. the student has had a positive skin test in the past, a copy of a recent negative chest X-ray and verification from a physician or nurse practitioner that there is no active disease present is required.
2. MMR: Two doses of MMR given at least 1 month apart or: Measles, Mumps and Rubella titers indicating immunity.
3. A positive Varicella titer or two doses of the Varicella vaccine. Recommended dosing:People 13 years of age and older (who have never had chickenpox or received chickenpox vaccine) should get two doses at least 28 days apart.
4. TDAP booster within a 10- year period. A student must obtain TDAP vaccine within the past 10 years. Even if students have been immunized with the TD (tetanus) vaccination within the past 10 years, the TDAP (tetanus, diphtheria & pertussis) is still required. If never immunized – a prescribed schedule will be mandated according to CDC recommendations.
5. Hepatitis B series of three vaccinations are required or the student must submit proof of immunity through a titer.
6. Seasonal Influenza injection will be required of all students – timeline will be announced.
7. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines regarding Covid-19 vaccine will be required.
8. A complete physical exam documented on an IVCC form is required upon admission to the nursing program. If the ADN Program is not completed within 2 years from admission, a new physical exam is needed upon readmission. All restrictions and/or limitations must be noted on the physical form. The student is to make a

copy of the completed physical and immunization form prior to submitting it to the online immunization tracking company: (www.castlebranch.com). In addition:

1. If the student has been out of the nursing program for one semester or longer, they will be required to obtain a physical exam prior to returning to the nursing program.
2. If the physical health status changes, you will be required to obtain a physical exam.
3. The IVCC nursing faculty reserves the right to ask the student to repeat a physical if a health issue arises.
4. The IVCC Nursing programs must adhere to health requirements of the contracted clinical agencies.
5. Students who have not submitted completed immunization records and physical examination forms to the tracking company by the mandated date may be dropped from the program. The physical form must be completed in its entirety by the assigned date.
6. Students must hold a current American Red Cross Community CPR card (CPR for the Professional Rescuer), or BLS for Health Care Provider card from the American Heart Association. CPR must be renewed every two years according to the standards of the American Heart Association. CPR must be renewed in June or July. A copy of this current card needs to be uploaded to You should always keep a copy of these types of forms for your own records.

Health Status

• If a nursing student has a current health problem or develops a change in health status, they must notify the instructor(s) and the Director of Nursing at the time of occurrence. (Ex: latex allergies, lifting restrictions, pregnancy).
• A student with a change in health status may continue in the nursing program with their health care provider’s written permission as long as they can accomplish the objectives of the nursing program.
• If a student is under a health care provider’s care for illness, pregnancy injury, or has recently been discharged from the hospital, they must receive a permission slip to return or continue in the nursing program from their healthcare provider. This must be written on a prescription form or appropriate letterhead and must state that the student “can return to class and to clinical without any restrictions.”
• Permission or prescription forms can be turned in to the Health Professions Office (A-214a). It is the student's responsibility to abstain from the clinical areas if they have an infectious condition.

Drug Screening Requirements Purpose

Because of the responsible relationship between students and patients, in which the safety of the patient is greatly influenced by the cognition and behavior of the student, it is the policy of Illinois Valley Nursing Programs to require that all students be free of alcohol and drugs. To assist in this, urine drug screens will be required of all students entering the Nursing Program or after any absences. ALL currently enrolled nursing students will be required to pass the drug screening test.

General Information

All students who are enrolled in the IVCC Nursing Program must successfully pass a urine drug screen. Authorization for the drug screen shall be furnished by the student and the student shall be responsible for the required fees. Drug screens conducted prior to this request will not be accepted and must be repeated. If a prospective student refuses to complete the drug screen, the student will be dismissed from the program. Following the initial drug screen students may be subject to random drug screening for reasonable suspicion, or if the student has been absent for any length of time. If a student leaves the program for one semester or more, they will be required to complete another drug screen again as well incur the expense for the drug screen.

“Documentation of Medical Necessity” means that you must disclose any prescribed medications that you are taking. It also means that you may need to contact the physician for their documentation of the prescription.

Illinois Valley Community College Nursing Drug Policy Procedure and Information

Procedure

Conducting the Drug Screen

1. Student will be given information on requirement of the Drug Screening with other health requirements with admissions and enrollment information prior to enrolling in classes. All fees associated with the drug screening will be paid directly the company that is under contract with IVCC.
2. Students will sign a waiver to release information which gives the IVCC Nursing Department permission to receive the test results and share those results with clinical agencies as needed. Failure to consent to release information or cooperate appropriately with regard to the process shall result in the student not being able to begin or progress in the program.
3. A negative Chain of Custody Ten (10) Panel Urine Screen will be required of all students enrolled either in the IVCC Associate Degree Nursing (RN) or Practical Nursing Program. This particular test was chosen because of the consistent regulatory process. The test must be completed by the dates designated by the Director of Nursing. The student is responsible for all fees incurred during this process. This includes not only the initial fee, but any fees involving the Medical Review Officer or further testing. Many of the terms are explained below. Ten (10) Panel Drug Screen will test for the following drugs: Marijuana (THC) Methadone Cocaine Propoxyphene Opiates Amphetamines/Methamphetamines Phencyclidine (PCP) Benzodiazepines Barbiturates Methaqualone
4. The state of Illinois has updated laws and guidelines to offer medicinal and recreational use of marijuana in recent years. Regardless of the law and guidelines in the state, federal laws still exist that prohibit the use of marijuana. The clinical agreements between college and the institutions hosting clinical follow federal guidelines. Therefore, a positive urine drug screen will not be accepted for any student.

Chain of Custody

Chain of Custody is the term that refers to the process of ensuring and providing documentation of proper specimen identification and handling from the time of collection to the receipt of laboratory results. If the results come under legal challenge, the specimen must have been handled according to chain of custody procedures exactly and accurately. The chain of custody protocol assures the specimen belongs to the individual whose information is printed on the specimen bottle label, no adulteration or tampering has taken place, exactly who had possession of the specimen and when, how the specimen was transported and stored before it was analyzed, no unauthorized access to the specimen was possible, and the specimen was handled in a secure manner. Once the laboratory completes the testing process the results are reported to the designated reporting agency.

Medical Review Officer (MRO)

Positive or “inconclusive” drug screens are reviewed by an MRO. An MRO is a licensed physician with a history of substance abuse diagnostic work. During the MRO’s review, it may be necessary for them to contact and speak directly with the donor to verify any types of medication the donor has taken. There are additional fees if the MRO needs to become involved with the process. This fee is also the student’s responsibility.

Collection Site (Patient Service Center)

A facility where individuals present themselves for the purpose of providing body fluid(s) to be analyzed for specified controlled substances.

Student Criminal Background Check

The Purpose of the student criminal background check is to:

• obtain criminal history record information on an unlicensed student entering the nursing program
• review and act on issues related to positive criminal background checks of the students who are enrolled in the nursing program.
• be in compliance with the various clinical agency requirements.

Policy

Illinois Valley Community College is committed to providing a safe environment for students, patients cared for by students, and employees of the college. Therefore, the IVCC nursing program shall conduct criminal background checks using the social security number on all unlicensed students who are enrolled in the nursing program. The criminal background check is paid for by the student and will be conducted through Castle Branch Check, a company selected by IVCC. If the background check is positive and reveals a disqualifying conviction, the student must meet with the Director of Nursing and may be disqualified, depending on the conviction, from attending the Nursing program at IVCC. Please review the Administrative Code of the Illinois Nurse Practice Act, Section 1300.100: Refusal to Issue a Nurse License Based on Criminal History Record for a list of disqualifying convictions: http://www.ilga.gov/commission/jcar/admincode/068/068013000A01000R.html

Procedure

All students admitted into the IVCC Nursing Program will be required to submit required information for a background check. Information will be submitted to https://www.castlebranch.com/ prior to the start of the fall semester. This background check will be good for two consecutive years. If a student leaves the program for one semester or more, they will be required to submit the information again as well incur the expense for background check. If there are any criminal convictions while enrolled in the Nursing program the student may be unable to continue, depending upon the nature of the conviction.

Student Confidentiality

Results from the background check will not be shared with faculty. If a student did have a positive background check they will discuss options with the Director of Nursing. A positive background check may not prohibit admission to the program, based on the infraction, but may influence state licensure. Depending on the prior conviction, the results may need to be discussed with the clinical agency. Students will sign a waiver of release of information which gives the IVCC Nursing Department permission to access the results on the website of Castle Branch and share those results with clinical agencies as needed. Failure to consent to release information or cooperate appropriately with regard to the process shall result in the student not being able to begin or progress in the program. Omission of required information or false or misleading information provided by the student on the criminal background check or in any communication with the nursing program may result in disciplinary action or dismissal according to the Professional Standards section in the Student handbook.

Dealing with Positive Results

• The Nursing Program Coordinator of Access, Transition and Retention will access the electronic report from Castle Branch Company and share the results with the Director of Nursing.