The School of Nursing is committed to ensuring all nursing students are compliant with national and state for personnel providing nursing care, as well as specific requirements mandated by the school’s clinical affiliates.
All nursing students are required to be in full adherence to the school’s compliance program while enrolled in the nursing program as an essential part of their professional responsibility for patient safety. These requirements include immunizations (MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B, Tetanus, influenza), trainings (CPR, HIPAA, OSHA), contracts (Information Release and Social Media), as well as a tuberculosis test and a background check.
We utilize Viewpoint Screening to track student compliance. When accepted to the program, you will receive further information about signing up for an account.
General Information
Compliance Tracking Software
The School of Nursing partners with Viewpoint Screening to manage student health compliance documents. This management system allows students to order their own background checks online and store all required documentation. There is a one-time fee for Viewpoint Screening that is paid by the student. The fee covers the cost for the background check and Health Portal. Once the subscription fee is paid, students will have permanent access to their account.
Consequences of Non-Compliance
Students who are not in compliance by given deadlines, or who fall out of compliance during the semester, are not allowed to participate in classroom or clinical experiences including practicum or research experiences in a clinical or other care setting. Students may return to classes once cleared by the Clinical Placement Unit. To be cleared, students must complete the compliance requirement(s) or provide approved evidence of a future appointment/registration to update the immunization or training requirement. Students may return to clinical settings (including practicum or research experiences) only after the appropriate immunization or training has been completed and the documentation is submitted.
Students who are out of compliance will have a hold placed on their university record, which will suspend the student’s ability to add courses. The hold will be lifted once the student is in compliance.
Health Requirements
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COVID-19
The UW-Madison School of Nursing does not require the COVID-19 vaccine. Some clinical partners may require the COVID-19 vaccination.
If you have received the COVID-19 vaccine or booster, provide the proper documentation.
If you have not received the COVID-19 vaccine, you must submit the vaccine status form. The form can be found in Viewpoint.
We collect this information because some of our clinical partners are required to report it. Providing this information will not affect your progression in the program or your clinical placement opportunities.
Hepatitis B (Hep B)
Submit documentation:
- Three vaccination series OR
- Serological laboratory evidence of immunity to Hepatitis B (positive antibody titer)
Students must have at least one dose administered prior to the compliance deadline. The second and third doses must follow, with the second dose 1 month after the first dose and the third dose 4 months after the second dose.
All documentation must be from a verifiable source such as MyChart, Wisconsin immunization registry, or be on a physician letterhead. Documentation must also include student’s name on at least the first page of the document.
Influenza (Flu)
Submit documentation of one of the following:
- a flu shot administered during the current flu season OR
- declination on the Flu Declination Form
Documentation does not need to include batch information. The renewal will be set for 11/01 of the following flu season.
All documentation must be from a verifiable source such as MyChart, Wisconsin immunization registry, or be on a physician letterhead. Documentation must also include student’s name on at least the first page of the document.
MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
One of the following is required:
- 2 vaccines OR
- a positive antibody titer for all 3 components
If the vaccination series is in process, submit where you are at in the vaccination process and additional alerts will be created for you to complete the series. Documentation must also include the student’s name on at least the first page of the document and the date of immunizations.
If the titer shows immunity OR you have documentation of 2 vaccinations, no further action is required.
If you do NOT have documentation of 2 vaccines, a titer will need to be done to prove immunity or the MMR vaccination series will need to be completed.
N95 Mask Fit Test
This requirement only applies to undergraduate students in the Accelerated and Traditional programs.
Many clinical locations require students to be fitted for an N-95 Respirator to protect against potential patient airborne infections. You can provide a fit test from your work OR get a fit test on campus.
Please upload documentation of your N95 mask fit testing.
It must include the date of the test and the mask brand, type, and (if applicable) size (Example: 3M 1860 Small or 3M 1870+).
Option 1: Employer Fit Test
You may use a fit test from an employer if completed after January 1st of the current year and is one of the following masks:
- 3M 1860 or 1860 Small
- 3M 1870+
- 3M 8210
- 3M VFLEX 1804 or 1804 Small
- Halyard 46827 Small, 76827 Small, 46727 Regular, or 76727 Regular
- Moldex 1510 Extra Small, 1511 Small, or 1517
- PAPR or CAPR (typical for persons with facial hair)
Option 2: School of Nursing Fit Test
SoN offers all nursing students free N95 mask fit testing through UHS/Occupational Medicine. You will complete this on campus at the beginning of the semester when you take your first clinical N316. You will receive details on how to fill out paperwork and schedule an appointment. After your fit test, you will receive a fit test document from UW-Madison Occupational Medicine. The document lists the mask brand, type, and (if applicable) size. You can find the document in the myUHS app in the letters section. Upload this document to Viewpoint.
Renewal
This requirement must be renewed each year. The renewal date will be set for 1 year from the testing date. You can submit a fit test from UHS or from your work.
Tetanus (TD/Tdap)
Submit a Tdap administered within the past 10 years.
The date of renewal will be set 10 years from the administered date of the vaccine at which time a TD booster (TD or Tdap) is required every 10 years.
All documentation must be from a verifiable source such as MyChart, Wisconsin immunization registry, or be on a physician letterhead. Documentation must also include student’s name on at least the first page of the document.
Tuberculosis Test (TB)
INITIAL TEST
Students are required to have one of these tests within the last 12 months:
- 2-step PPD skin test – this takes a minimum of two weeks. The 2-step test requires an initial injection and reading by a healthcare professional, then a second injection and reading by a healthcare professional 1–3 weeks after the first. OR
- Blood test (either T- spot or QuantiFERON Gold)
If your test was NEGATIVE, submit the documentation to Viewpoint.
If your test was POSITIVE, you need to take additional steps. Submit all of the following:
- Your positive PPD skin test OR T-spot or QuantiFERON Gold blood test AND
- A post-positive chest x-ray report AND
- Physician clearance documented on letterhead (including x-ray results) AND
- A TB Symptom Risk Assessment form reviewed and signed by a healthcare professional/clinician.
RENEWAL TEST
The renewal due date is set one year from your initial test.
If your initial test was NEGATIVE:
- For renewal, one of the following is required:
- 1-step PPD skin test OR
- Blood test (either T- spot or QuantiFERON Gold)
- If your renewal test was NEGATIVE, submit the documentation to Viewpoint.
- If your renewal test was POSITIVE, follow the steps under the Initial Test section for a positive result.
If your initial test was POSITIVE (either skin test or blood test):
- For renewal, provide a new TB Symptom Risk Assessment reviewed and signed by a healthcare professional/clinician.
NOTE TO STUDENTS
University Health Services (UHS) offers TB skin tests for enrolled students. Refer to the UHS website to check eligibility.
All documentation must be from a verifiable source such as MyChart, Wisconsin immunization registry, or be on a physician letterhead. Documentation must also include student’s name on at least the first page of the document.
Varicella (Chicken Pox)
One of the following is required:
- 2 vaccines OR
- a positive antibody titer
If titer is negative or equivocal and you have documentation of 2 vaccinations, no further action is required.
If you do NOT have documentation of 2 vaccines, a titer will need to be done to prove immunity, or the Varicella vaccination series will need to be completed.
Note: A history of having Varicella (chickenpox) does not meet compliance.
All documentation must be from a verifiable source such as MyChart, Wisconsin immunization registry, or be on a physician letterhead. Documentation must also include the student’s name on at least the first page of the document and the date of immunizations.
Background Check
You will order your background check when you set up your account in Viewpoint. Background checks expire after four years. If there is any change in the individual’s background while enrolled in the program that results in a change of the caregiver report, it is the responsibility of the student to notify the School of Nursing and another full background check is required.
Trainings
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CPR Basic Life Support (BLS)
Required documentation is a copy of the final CPR BLS certification card or certificate. The School of Nursing only accepts Basic Life Support (BLS) from the American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross. We accept blended learning CPR courses that include an online component followed by an in-person skills session. We also accept AHA blended learning courses that use a self-guided, hands-on skills station. Courses that are 100% online only are NOT accepted.
The following courses are acceptable:
- American Heart Association BLS for Healthcare Providers
- Advanced Professional Healthcare Education provides acceptable American Heart Association courses.
- American Red Cross BLS for Healthcare Providers
- Cardiac on Campus (cardiaconcampuscpr@gmail.com) offers American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support classes. This is the link to check availability and to sign up. Please note: check with your compliance team to make sure the class you sign up for qualifies.
Under certain circumstances, the School of Nursing will accept ACLS or PALS certifications in place of BLS.
HIPAA
HIPAA training is required for all SoN students. You can complete the online training in Canvas.
This course is required even if you recently completed a previous version of the training.
Students who are not in compliance will not be allowed to participate in classroom or clinical experiences, including practicum or research experiences in a clinical or other care setting, until the course requirement have been satisfied. In addition, a hold will be placed on your university record, which will suspend your ability to add or drop courses or enroll for a future semester.
Please direct any questions to Staci Lowe, slowe@wisc.edu, HIPAA Privacy Coordinator for the SoN.
More HIPAA Resources:
OSHA
Students must complete OSHA Safety and Infection Prevention online course through UW Health’s Learning website.
Follow these step-by-step instructions to complete the online training. Once done with the training, upload your certificate of completion to Viewpoint.
To complete the training, access UW Health’s Learning website. Create an account using the security code in the instructions above. Under MyLearning, you only need to complete “Safety and Infection Prevention – UW Health ART FY26”, found at the bottom of the list. If the class is not listed, search for it in the upper right corner. Once in the course, scroll through the many options until you find the version labeled for “direct care in an inpatient setting.” After completing the training, save the certificate of completion to upload to Viewpoint.
If you have difficulty with the learning website or course, contact UW Health’s help team HRServiceCenterForms@uwhealth.org.
Contracts
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Social Media
When entering the School of Nursing, all students are required to access and sign a Social Media Contract. This is a one-time step to ensure students are aware of social media rules regarding patient data. The contract can be found in Viewpoint.
Student Information Release Form
When entering the School of Nursing, all students are required to read and sign an Information Release Form. This is a one-time step to ensure students are aware of the release of their student information. The form can be found in Viewpoint.
