FAQ

For more detailed information, please refer to the Nursing Program Student Handbook on CANVAS.

Academic Advising

Each nursing student is assigned a dedicated faculty advisor to support academic and career planning.

Advisors are trained to help you stay on track and achieve your goals. You’ll meet with your advisor at least twice each semester to ensure steady progress through the program.

Clinical Uniforms

Nursing students must wear official Longwood University uniforms in clinical settings to identify themselves as learners in the clinical environment.

Required uniform for clinicals

Grey scrub top
Navy pants or skirts
White or black shoes

A white lab coat, with the Nursing name badge, is worn when not in uniform.

Purchase Uniforms

Uniforms are purchased in the fall of your sophomore year at Follett Bookstore/Longwood University.

Fittings

The Bookstore staff will arrange an annual uniform fitting for nursing students. Students will be notified of fitting dates.

Clinical Requirements and Documentation

Clinical Requirements

Clinical agencies require verified documentation before students can begin clinical experiences.

Students must submit all required materials and report any changes in criminal history to the Nursing Department Chair before returning to class or a clinical setting.

Failure to do so may result in dismissal from the program.

Failure to meet documentation deadlines by July 15 may result in administrative removal from lab and clinical courses.

Documentation Requirements

Deadline: July 1

Rising junior and senior nursing students must complete all required clinical documentation by July 1 each year.

Late Submissions

Students who have not submitted documentation by July 15 will be administratively dropped from:

Nursing lab-based courses
Clinical courses

Items Requiring Annual Updates

Several documents (marked with an asterisk *) must be updated annually or as needed. Please review the checklist provided by the Department of Nursing for specific items.

CPR Certification

Must hold American Heart Association BLS for Health Care Provider certification.

Certification must include:

Adult, infant, and child CPR
AED training
Due July 1 before sophomore year
Recertification is required every 2 years

*Health Insurance

Year-round insurance coverage is mandatory
Annual proof of insurance is due by July 1
Students are responsible for all related health and screening costs

Health and Immunization Records

Nursing students must have a complete immunization record submitted by July 1 prior to fall sophomore nursing courses.

Nursing students are required to be in compliance with all health requirements as outlined in the Longwood University health policy and are responsible for obtaining documentation of required immunizations, tests, and titers from their healthcare provider.

Students must provide documentation for the following:

MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) - (lab report required)
- 2 doses and a positive antibody titer
- Booster needed if titer is negative or equivocal
Polio
- Proof of 3-dose OPV series
CTDaP (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis)
- Tdap within 10 years or Td booster within 2 years
Hepatitis B - (lab report required)
- 3 vaccinations and a positive titer
- Repeat series if titer is negative or equivocal
Varicella - (lab report required)
- 2 vaccinations or documented history plus a positive antibody titer
- Booster if titer is negative or equivocal
*Influenza
- Annual flu shot due by November 1
*TB Skin Test (Tuberculosis)
- Initial: Negative 2-step PPD - An initial PPD needs to be given and read within 72 hours of placement, if negative, a second PPD is administered 1-3 weeks after the initial PPD and read within 72 hours of placement.
- If PPD is positive: Clear chest X-ray
- Annual 1-step PPD required thereafter (due by July 1 each year)

Additional immunizations may be required by clinical partners.

Panel Urine Drug Screen

Deadline and Submission
Students must complete a panel urine drug screen through CastleBranch by July 1 prior to the start of sophomore fall courses.

Results
Results will be posted on CastleBranch’s secure website.
A negative result is required for program participation.

Physician Follow-Up
If your drug screen yields questionable results, a physician contracted by CastleBranch will follow up.
Students are expected to respond promptly during the physician’s office hours to address any concerns.

Program Eligibility
Students who do not provide a negative test result may be ineligible to continue in the nursing program.
A positive drug test may result in dismissal from practicum activities and the program.

Ongoing Testing
Additional drug screenings may be required at any time at the request of:

Clinical agency personnel
Practicum faculty members

Timely completion and compliance with drug screening policies are essential for clinical participation and program standing.

*Criminal Background Check

Background checks must be ordered through CastleBranch.

Initial Requirement (Sophomore Year)
A criminal background check must be completed by July 1 prior to starting fall sophomore courses.
Students must order the background check through CastleBranch.

Results are posted on CastleBranch’s secure website and must show no disqualifying findings.

Follow-Up Requirement (Senior Year)
An additional background check is required before entering senior year, also due by July 1.

Program Implications
A positive background check may impact a student’s ability to continue in the nursing program.
The Department of Nursing has access to track results directly through CastleBranch.

Timely and clear background checks are required for clinical site placement and continued enrollment in the program.

Clinical Documentation Requirements by Year Level

Sophomore Year Requirements

Deadline July 1
All clinical documentation must be submitted prior to fall sophomore courses.

Submission Platform

All sophomore-level students must submit documentation using the
CastleBranch Medical Document Manager.

If you need help with CastleBranch or have questions about the documentation process, please contact the Department of Nursing.

Required Documentation

Immunization records (MMR, Hepatitis B, Varicella, etc.)
Influenza vaccination (by November 1)
CPR Certification (American Heart Association – BLS for Healthcare Providers)
Health insurance verification
TB Skin Test (2-step)
Urine Drug Screen (negative result required)
Criminal Background Check (initial)

Junior Year Requirements

Deadline July 1
Annual follow-up documentation must be submitted.

Required Updates

Influenza Vaccination - November 1
CPR Certification (if nearing expiration)
TB Skin Test (1-step)
Health insurance verification
Updated immunizations or titers, if required by clinical partners

Senior Year Requirements

Deadline July 1
Annual follow-up documentation is due