Physical, shots, background check....what to do?

ambitiousBSN · Jul 28, 2013

We have that in common! I'm among the inaugural BSN group at my school, so things are kind of all over the place, but they're a little more organized since they have RN-BSN and MSN programs. TB tests are pretty common as they're required annually at hospitals, etc. For some reason, most schools are requiring 2-step PPD. *shrug* As far as your background check and drug test goes, I'd wait for more clarification from your school because they will provide you with specific information as to what website to order your background and drug screening. For instance, we knew ahead of time that we'd be using Certified Background, but we couldn't proceed without a special code from the SON. It's a pain, but I assure you it's worth waiting for- all of your requirements, to be honest- just so you don't waste money on something you don't need. CPR is also required, so that's something you could look into. It should be at the healthcare provider level, so check with your program before shelling out money. But! At least you're up-to-date on your shots, so that's a plus! Sounds like me- I had to provide documentation of vaccines and titers, and since I already work in a hospital, it was super quick to get approval.

Good luck! And definitely check in with this website frequently- it's pretty helpful! :-)

Jenngirl34RN · Jul 28, 2013

The TB tests are very common. In my state (WA) all healthcare workers (including students) have to get an initial 2 step ppd, and then a 1 step ppd each year after that for as long as they are working in healthcare. If they go past 1 year, even by a day, they have to do another 2 step. My school did not require a physical or drug test. You should wait until your orientation (I know it is hard!) because some schools require background checks or drug tests from certain places. You wouldn't want to spend all the money to get things done and then have to redo them because your school has specific requirements.

Kaysmom8 · Jul 28, 2013

Our school had us go to employee health and get out TB test done for free as well as a urine drug screen (if your on any prescription meds get a doctor's note), as for the clearances and background check I would wait because they want these to be done within a certain time frame. If I remember correctly our clearances couldn't be more that a month or so old because they want current verification. I had my background check done at the post office that takes your finger prints and pust them in a system to check them.

green34 · Jul 28, 2013

Hey everyone! I was accepted into an ASN program at a technical school. This is there first RN class so its all very new for everyone. They haven't really sent us anything on how to get prepared, I've emailed everyone in charge of the program and they all tell me to wait until orientation on August 12th and 13th but I really want to get the ball rolling on things. What kind of tests and stuff are normal to have for nursing school? I know this is very broad but I just need some ideas on what to start on. I've made an appointment to get a physical, all of my shots are up to date. I've heard of people having TB tests, is that common? What about a background check? Drug screen??? Thanks in advance everyone!!

Usually you will need a record of your shot record. It looks like you may be in the military so you may want to start there. Then you will usually get your MMR, chicken pox, and hepatitis B titers. I think I am missing one. If any of those come back negative then you will need to get another shot.

You also usually get a two step ppd done. Having the ppd is common requirement. If it does come back positive, you go for a chest x-ray.

A physical with a test for color blindness is a usual must.

Don't do a drug screen unless they tell you. They may have specific places you need to go then.

Background check hold off on till they tell you where to send it. I think the cheapest place I've seen it is usually at the driver's license place. Ours is both state and FBI. Make sure they can do both.

I started in an LPN program that was brand new and I switched to an established RN program.

LoriRNCM, ADN, ASN, RN · Jul 28, 2013

Our school was a little (OK alot) late in letting us know what we needed done, then it was a mad rush to get it all done and documented and scanned and uploaded into the Certfiied Profile website. Certfiied Profile rejected my Physical once because it was a two page form and I uploaded the first page only for my physical, because the second page was where all the vaccinations were, so I figured I'd upload the second page for all my vaccinations! No, they want the whole two page form, uploaded to EVERY clinical requirement, which was Physical, MMR, Varicella, TB (which is TWO tests, one to three weeks apart), Hep B, flu, etc....... You have to pay a fee to certified background, enter your school's package code, and then you will see a list of what you have to do and the due dates. I would get started on TB and Hep B asap. Make sure if you have dental issues to get them taken care of, if you have vision problems that they are corrected, etc. The drug screen form is downloadable and the drug screen company notifies certified of your results (the drug screen fee is part of the certified background fee). The background check is extensive and takes a couple days for them to post your results. Certified background is the devil :devil: IMO, but some people have said it's been a breeze for them!

twigszoo · Jul 29, 2013

Dont get the TB test until all your other vaccinations are accounted for!

Carpediem1012, BSN, RN · Jul 30, 2013

I realize I am canadian so our requirements may not be the same, but for our BSN program we need all shots up to date ( I had DPaT, Hep A B, Pneumovax (my choice), MMR boosters and a TB test. I am getting my varicella titre checked. We don't need a physical. As for classes, we need WHIMIS, first aid/CPR-C/OHS and transfer/lifting/repositioning. Also an online library Orientation course. Also a criminal record with vulnerable sector check. Hope that helps! Good luck :)

green34 · Jul 30, 2013

Oh, I forgot about the tetorifice. That was a requirement. Also, CPR too. We also used certified background but I didn't have issues with them. Our physical was 3 pages long so the school decides the physical forms.

hal325 · Jul 30, 2013

I also had trouble getting in contact with my school. It's my first semester too! What I had to do was a physical, as well as updating immunizations. I had to have proof of:

Tetorifice booster in the last two year (ouchie)

2 MMRs

2 Varicella or 1 with a positive titer or proof of illness (I thought this was weird, but you actually have to have 2)

Hep B sequence

And you do need a TB test annually. Don't do any of the live vaccines, like Varicella, at the same time as the TB or it will interfere with the TB results. I had to get the Tetorifice, TB, and Varicella, so I did TB and Tetorifice first, and then a week later got the Varicella.

I also have to get recertified in CPR, this time for healthcare providers.

And the very first step was a background check.

Good luck! It's a lot of work!

soxley · Jul 30, 2013

I would wait to hear from your school as everyone is so remarkably different between schools. For instance, my school only accepts CPR from the American Heart Assn (not from the Red Cross) so I would hate for you to waste your time and money on the wrong thing. For me, aside from the vaccinations, everything was led by the school for me. They gave the code for the background check, the form (with strict timeframe) for the drug test, etc. Timing the 2step TB test with the other vaccinations was the only thing that gave me any hassle.

Eta: I was also given a very specific form for the doc to fill out at my physical. So you may want to wait on that too.

RLtinker, LPN · Jul 30, 2013

TB is a test you get every year along with your flu shot. CPR is every 2 years (usually AHA BLS for healthcare providers) , Tetorifice is every 10 years. You may also need a Hepatitis B shots(3 shots over a 7 month period). If you are like most of us you probably contracted Varicella (may need to get titres done) as a kid or were vaccinated (part of MRRV). As a child you should have had MMR, MMR2, or MMRV, as well as Dtap, which is required to attend most public schools. If you don't have the records, there is a good chance your school or doctor still has them. If not, you may need to get titres, which can be expensive.

As for background check, physical, and drug screening, you may need to wait until the school gives you information.