The nursing program has requirements for students that are in addition to the academic criteria required. They are dictated by state law and clinical agency contractual agreements. Contracts are created with clinical agencies that are professional and legal, which include specific stipulations for the protection of patients as well as faculty and students.
- Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Training: students must complete the theory component of a CNA course prior to starting the nursing program. For purposes of the nursing program, students do not need to sit for the certification exam or be placed on a state nursing assistant registry. Students will need to provide documentation of course completion or verification of their registration on a state nursing assistant registry prior to beginning nursing courses.
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification: students must be CPR certified by completing a Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers course. The course must include resuscitation of children and adults, one and two-person rescue techniques, and AED use. CPR certification must be valid for two (2) years. A course valid for one (1) year will not be accepted. Resources for finding an approved course include the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross, and Northfield Retirement Community. St. Olaf Emergency Medical Technicians (SOEMTS) offers CPR courses. Visit their website for more information.
- Annual Exam, Immunizations, Tuberculosis (TB) Testing: in addition to the college health requirements, clinical agency partners require documentation of student health and immunization status to be updated annually. This includes having a physical exam and TB screening completed after June 1 prior to the junior and senior years, and documentation of the following immunizations: immunity to Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella, Diphtheria and Tetanus, Hepatitis B, and documentation of an annual flu shot.
- Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) Criminal Background Study: students in the nursing program must complete a criminal background study conducted by Minnesota DHS. This is required by Minnesota law. The study involves a review of specific records and will determine if a student is eligible to provide direct contact services (care of patients). A study will be submitted upon a student’s entrance to the nursing program.
- Additional Student Expenses: students in the nursing program will incur additional expenses associated with the requirements of the major. Some examples include costs associated with CNA training and CPR certification, healthcare costs pertaining to the annual exam, immunization, testing and vaccination requirements, fingerprinting fee associated with the criminal background study, nursing uniforms, transportation costs to clinicals, textbooks for nursing courses, and an annual nursing student fee. The fee, which is assessed by St. Olaf College, covers the expense of professional liability insurance. We are required to have this coverage for all nursing students for protection in case of errors of commission or omission during their student experience.