Nursing Program Orientation and Health Requirements Guide

Academic Pathways and Concurrent Nursing Programs

• Concurrent Enrollment Options:

  • Students have options for pursuing their education depending on their university preferences (e.g., "orange and blue" for Auburn or "red and white" for the University of Alabama).
  • The University of Alabama offers a concurrent option that begins in the third semester.
  • Alabama's program provides flexibility regarding the number of courses taken per semester.
  • Miss Ormstead is the primary contact for those interested in the Alabama concurrent program.
  • This is a "true concurrent program" where students work on both degrees simultaneously.

• RN to BSN Pathway:

  • Students can complete an Associate Degree ($AD$) first and obtain their Registered Nurse ($RN$) license before pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing ($BSN$).
  • Almost every college in the state (and many nationwide) that offers an $RN$ program also provides an $RN$ to $BSN$ transition program.
  • The primary benefit is that these programs allow students who already have an Associate's degree to finish their Bachelor’s, usually in about one additional year ($1$).
  • Most $RN$ to $BSN$ programs are offered predominantly online.
  • Miss Brooks is the health science adviser who maintains information on various institutions, including Troy University, $AUM$ (Auburn University at Montgomery), South Alabama, and $UAB$ (University of Alabama at Birmingham).

Financial Aid, Loans, and Scholarship Opportunities

• New Loan Proration Regulations:

  • Loan amounts are now based on a full-time status of $12$ credit hours.
  • Previously, students taking $6$ credit hours could receive their full student loan amount; now, the amount is prorated based on enrollment.
  • Example: If a student is awarded a loan of $3,000$ but only enrolls in $6$ credit hours, they will only receive approximately $1,500$.
  • This change is effective starting in the Fall semester.

• Financial Aid Appeals:

  • If a student does not qualify for federal aid, they can pursue an appeal process.
  • Appeal forms are available on the institutional website.
  • Standard deadline for submission: The last working day of the month.
  • Basis for appeal: Exceeding maximum time frames for a program or pursuing a second degree.
  • Note: Approval of an appeal is never guaranteed.

• Scholarships and "Free Money":

  • Students are encouraged to apply for scholarships, which the speaker refers to as "free money."
  • Scholarship values can range from $500$ to $1,000$.
  • Application involves a simple form requesting address and phone number.
  • If awarded, a contract is sent on the student's behalf and submitted into the system to cover tuition, fees, and sometimes books.
  • Announcements regarding scholarship application windows are posted on Canvas.

Administrative Policies and Student Communication

• Nursing Program Student Handbook ($2026-2027$):

  • The handbook contains all rules, policies, and operational procedures for the nursing program.
  • It is currently being finalized and will be emailed as a link once it is ready (expected within the coming week).
  • Students are expected to familiarize themselves with the handbook's contents to locate policies effectively rather than memorizing the entire text.

• Communication Protocols:

  • Faculty use the Southern Union email address for non-urgent communication.
  • For urgent matters, students will be contacted via telephone.
  • Students must check Canvas announcements regularly; it is recommended to set notifications to "push" to email or phone.
  • The program cost sheet is accessible on the Southern Union website.

• Parking Permits:

  • A new "Bison head" parking permit was introduced in the summer.
  • All students are required to register for this specific permit online for the Fall semester; existing square tags are no longer valid.

• Building Hours:

  • Students should note the specific office hours for the Health Science Building.
  • The office is notably closed on Friday afternoons (specifically after $02:00$ $PM$).

Campus Resources and Student Support Services

• Study Areas and Libraries:

  • Designated study areas are located in the Learning Resources Centers ($LRC$) at both the Opelika and Wadley campuses.
  • Study rooms can be reserved online via the library website.

• Bison Food Pantry:

  • A free food pantry program is available for students experiencing hardship.
  • Students must complete an online form to be contacted by a representative to arrange food pickup.

• Academic Tutoring:

  • Math tutoring is available at the Student Success Center.

• Nursing Digital Resources Glossary:

  • The program uses several digital platforms and technical terms students must learn, including:
    • ACE map
    • SurePath
    • Hesi
    • Evolve
    • Trajectsis

Clinical Health Requirements and Immunizations

• General Health Records Policy:

  • Students are visitors at clinical facilities and must comply with the requirements of those facilities.
  • Records must be collected over the next month and uploaded to the designated portal.

• Immunization Specifics:

  • Hepatitis B: Requires a series of $2$ or $3$ doses (depending on the manufacturer) or a positive titer.
    • A titer is a blood test looking for antibodies.
    • If a student has only the first dose, they may register, but the second dose is due one ($1$) month later.
  • Varicella (Chickenpox): Requires $2$ doses of vaccine or a positive titer.
  • Flu Shot: Must be the current $2026-2027$ season shot. These typically become available at the end of August. Documentation is due by October $1$.
  • COVID-19: Not currently required for participation, though East Alabama facilities may require a signed declination form.
  • MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella): Requires a series of $2$ doses or a positive titer for all three components.
  • Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis): Must be updated every $10$ years.
  • Tuberculosis (TB): Requires an annual update. Options include a skin test (approx. $25$ to $30$) or a QuantiFERON Gold blood test. Skin tests require a reading $48$ to $72$ hours after administration.

• CPR Certification:

  • Must be American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers.
  • Red Cross CPR is NOT accepted.
  • Certifications are valid for $2$ years.
  • Two more classes will be opened at Southern Union before the start of the semester; students should check the website daily.

• Personal Health Insurance:

  • Students must provide proof of coverage (parental policies are acceptable).
  • If uninsured, contact Miss Geiss for information on third-party insurance offered on a semester-to-semester basis.

Administrative Forms and Insurance Requirements

• Required Forms in Packet:

  • Health Questionnaire: Must be completed and signed by a provider (doctor or nurse practitioner). The provider's name must be printed at the bottom.
  • Essential Functions Form: The physician fills out the left side; the student fills out the right side.

• Specific Documentation Details:

  • For the flu shot (and other immunizations like the NMR mentioned in transcript), clinical sites require specific data: expiration date and lot number must be recorded upon administration.

• Liability and Safety:

  • Malpractice Liability Insurance: This is a professional insurance fee paid during registration. Southern Union handles the upload of this documentation for students.
  • N95 Fit Test: This will be conducted for free during a lab session in the first semester. Students do not need to provide this before registration.

• Locating Historical Records:

  • Suggested sources: Parents, high school "blue sheets," pediatricians, or family doctors.