Affiliation Agreement

An Affiliation Agreement between Loyola University New Orleans and a third-party facility selected by the student is required in order to offer students nursing experience in real-world healthcare programs. The agreement establishes the terms of the relationship between the University and the facility. Loyola maintains a list of the hundreds of organizations with which there is currently an active Affiliation Agreement (Active Affiliation Agreements).

Students are expected to initiate the process of establishing an Affiliation Agreement with their organization. Loyola provides a standard Affiliation Agreement (FORM - Affiliation Agreement), which is pre-approved by Loyola's legal department. Organizations may also request that their own form be used in place of the standard agreement. The approval process for non-Loyola Affiliation Agreements can take several months and is explained in further detail in Meditrek, where students can submit agreements and track their progress as they move through the system.

In order for nursing students to begin their practicum, there must be a valid Affiliation Agreement in place between Loyola University New Orleans and the practicum site that is active for the length of the target practicum semester. When establishing a new Affiliation Agreement, nursing students may not begin their practicum until all required parties at both Loyola University New Orleans and the student's chosen organization have signed the Affiliation Agreement.

Without an active Affiliation Agreement, nursing students cannot be registered for the practicum course (or the associated theory course), which may result in delays if an agreement is not established in time for the registration period. For this reason, it is best to initiate the AA process as soon as possible.

 

Certified Background

Registered Nurse Licensure, Immunization, CPR and Background Check Requirements
Prior to beginning courses, the student must provide documentation of an unencumbered current RN license, documentation of a current physical exam, immunization documentation, current CPR certification, and a criminal background check conducted by the designated third party agency. All documentation of this type for the Loyola School of Nursing is collected and reviewed by a designated third party agency, Castle Branch (CB) (https://www.castlebranch.com/) for Loyola University New Orleans (School Code: LO22) with the results reported to Loyola University New Orleans School of Nursing.

 

Physical exam

Documentation must be submitted to CBC verifying that the student has had a complete physical exam conducted within the past 12 months by a licensed healthcare provider and is free of any condition that would prevent him/her from participating in practicum experience(s) in nursing courses through Loyola University New Orleans. Attestation of a current physical examination is required prior to the student’s start date of the program and prior to the start of any practicum course. This documentation shall be submitted using the designated attestation form that clearly identifies the name of the provider and their license number.

 

Immunization Requirements

Documentation of immunization status is required in order to comply with Louisiana Revised Statute 17:170, which sets forth the requirements for immunization and health clearance for schools, including colleges. During a student’s clinical practicum, facilities may require additional health clearance, such as proof of current health insurance. Additional clearance concerns shall be addressed by the student, who will supply documentation pursuant to a particular facility policy. Documentation of immunization series or positive immune titer shall be required for the following:

• Measles (2 doses)
• Mumps
• Rubella
• Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis
• Poliomyelitis
• Influenza
• Varicella (Chicken Pox)
• Hepatitis B

 

Measles, Mumps and Rubella Immunity can be documented by:

• Records of immunizations against measles, mumps, & rubella, varicella
• Positive results of antibody titers

 

Tetanus

Protection is demonstrated by documentation of a tetanus immunization within the previous 10 years (and must be updated every 10 years). Adults, especially health care workers, should receive at least one TDap vaccine.

 

Varicella

Immunity can be documented by:

• Records of the immunization against Varicella
• Positive results of a Varicella antibody titer

 

Hepatitis B

Immunity must be documented by records of three hepatitis B immunizations and a positive hepatitis antibody titer report. The recommended hepatitis B series is three shots, the second shot being given one month after the first, and the third shot being given six months after the first. The hepatitis B antibody titer should be drawn 1-5 months after the series is completed but may be drawn at any interval following the completion of the series. Positive titer results at any time are believed to infer lifelong immunity, even if later titers report negative results.

Students who do not have documented immunity to hepatitis B must have received the first two of three hepatitis immunizations in the first series in order to matriculate. The student must continue to provide documentation that the remaining immunizations are being received at the designated intervals in order to continue in clinical courses. If at the end of the series of three immunizations, the student’s titer does not demonstrate immunity to hepatitis B, the series and titer must be repeated. If the titer again does not show immunity, the student will be counseled about lack of immunity and asked to sign a statement acknowledging responsibility for practicing in health care without hepatitis B immunity. Students must inform their clinical preceptor at the facility if this form is signed by the student. In some circumstances, students may be granted a waiver of the hepatitis B immunity requirement after the first series if they have been counseled about the health risks and have signed a statement of responsibility.

 

Tuberculosis

Students are required to provide evidence of a two-step tuberculosis (TB) test unless the student can present documentation of negative annual TB testing over 3 consecutive years prior to enrollment in the program. Subsequent single step TB testing or a quantum gold blood test is required annually and documentation shall be provided to CBC annually. If TB testing is positive or contraindicated for any reason, clearance must be obtained from a licensed healthcare provider.

 

Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification

Prior to matriculation into the School of Nursing, students must provide proof of successful completion of CPR for Health Care Providers. An educational transcript from an approved health care employer showing the date of prior CPR training is sufficient evidence of course completion. CPR certification must be renewed every two years and documentation of current certification must be provided bi-annually.

 

Professional Liability 

The University SON retains a malpractice insurance policy covering all nursing students during their student clinical practicum hours in a University pre-approved clinical facility or medical practice. The policy does not cover professional working hours outside of those completed as a Loyola SON student.

 

Background Checks 

The School of Nursing requires a background check and a 10-panel urine drug screen for all nursing students. The background check includes criminal, residency, fraud and abuse, sexual offender and a three-year employment verification check. The Loyola School of Nursing employs a third party service to conduct the required background check and drug screen on all accepted students. Accepted students are required to complete the background check online process as defined in their acceptance letter. NOTE: If a student is required to drop their program of study due to the results of this background check and/or drug screen, all tuition and fee charges owed will be assessed as appropriate. Students will receive a copy of their criminal background information from this service. All costs associated with this service are the responsibility of the student. If the student’s enrollment is interrupted for any reason, a new background check must be completed.