Nursing Master's Pre-Clinical/Practicum Requirements

Prior to entry into a clinical or practicum course, students are required to have the following on file with CastleBranch (outside organization that will collect all clinical documents for your clinical placement):

  • Current New York State license registration certificate
  • Malpractice insurance appropriate to your program (Registered Nurse or Nurse Practitioner Student) with coverage of $1,000,000 per claim/ $3,000,000 aggregate
  • Current Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification
  • Evidence of Infection Control Training
  • All specific CastleBranch requirements (Please review Graduate Nursing Handbook for most up-to-date requirements.)

Background Checks and Drug Testing

Clinical agencies require yearly physicals, immunizations, PPD, malpractice insurance, CLS and a variety of other documents. They also require drug screening and background checks. The college utilizes Castle Branch, a student immunization tracker with a secure web-based management system that manages required student records. Students conveniently upload their documents, which are then securely stored online where both the college and the student can view them.

A student will not be allowed to attend clinical without uploading appropriate documents and completing the required drug screening and background checks. Background checks will be stored in the Castle Branch system and may be shared with the clinical agencies at their request.

The Castle Branch Student Immunization Tracker was designed to be fully compliant with all federal laws, including HIPAA and FERPA. Procedures for gathering maintaining and storing student records follow strict guidelines that protect the rights, security and confidentiality of students.

Two payment plans are offered to the student.