College of Health Professions & Natural Sciences Background Check and Drug Screen Policy

All Nursing and Health Science students are required to satisfactorily complete a criminal background check and drug screen in order to promote the highest level of integrity in health care services; meet requirements of clinical facilities and contractual agreements; and avoid delays in clinical placement. College of Health Professions and Natural Sciences (COHPNS) has a designated credentialing system to obtain and track background checks and drug screens. Students are responsible for payment of any and all fees related to the background check and drug screen.

The background check and drug screen are mandatory requirements for all Graduate and Undergraduate COHPNS students. The Undergraduate Nursing and Health Science students must complete this requirement during the first core course in the curriculum. The Graduate Nurse Practitioner students, Graduate Leadership students, and Doctor of Nursing Practice students must complete this requirement prior to clinical experiences as designated by the course progression outlined program handbook.

Students will not be permitted to participate in courses that involve clinical hours or learning experiences outside the University, and may be unable to complete the program under the following conditions: refusing to complete a background check and drug screen through the designated process, having positive findings on the background and/or drug screen that are not resolved following review by the COHPNS program coordinator, medical reviewer, College Dean or designee as a result of the positive findings on the background check or drug screen.