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Clinical Requirements for Undergraduate Nursing Programs
All Nursing students must be licensed with the Ordre des infirmières et infirmiers du Québec (OIIQ). For more information, see Registration with the Profession (Immatriculation or Licensing during the Course of Study).
B.Sc.(N.) and B.N.I. students must also meet the following requirements:
Vaccination/Immunization Requirements
Vaccination/Immunization Requirements
See Vaccination/Immunization Requirements for Health Sciences Programs. A copy of the immunization form outlining requirements can be found at www.mcgill.ca/wellness-hub/access-care/vaccines. Annual influenza (flu) vaccination is mandatory. Entry into the McGill University Teaching Hospital Network of Affiliated Centres is dependent on having met the immunization requirements. Immunizations must be complete (or in progress for Hepatitis B) as outlined at www.mcgill.ca/nursing/students/clinical by the start of the first year of studies involving clinical courses (U1 for B.Sc.(N.); U2 for B.N. (Integrated)).
Mask Fitting Requirements
Mask Fitting Requirements
Prior to commencing NUR1 331 or NUR1 434, all Nursing undergraduate students must be "mask fitted" by Student Health Services to protect against airborne transmissible infections to which they may be exposed in the clinical setting. A mask fitting is valid for two years and must be renewed to continue in clinical studies. Students who are not able to be fitted with a mask due to face shape must indicate this to the clinical instructor so that the necessary precautions are taken. See www.mcgill.ca/nursing/students/clinical for further details.
CPR
CPR
All students are required to obtain and maintain CPR Health Care Provider (CPR-HCP) certification throughout their nursing studies. The Ingram School of Nursing often coordinates in-house training sessions, which students have the option of attending to fulfil the necessary requirement. See www.mcgill.ca/nursing/students/clinical for deadlines and further details.
SafeTALK
SafeTALK
SafeTALK: A ½ day suicide alertness training program is required for B.Sc.(N.) U1 and B.N.I. U2 students. Cost: $50.00.
The workshop will be coordinated by the school and students will be notified via email regarding the training dates and registration deadlines. Proof of certification is required. The deadlines to submit proof of certification on the student portal vary as per training dates for each program, and are as follows:
- B.Sc.(N.): May 1, 2020
- B.N.I. (full-time course of study): December 6, 2019
- B.N.I. (part-time course of study): June 28, 2020
Exemptions from the training can be applied to students who meet the criteria, given that proof of certification or previous experience is uploaded to the portal. For further information regarding these exemptions, please visit www.mcgill.ca/nursing/students/student-portal/clinical.
Clinical Courses
Clinical Courses in Nursing
- Clinical courses must be taken sequentially as identified in the course of study (Bachelor of Science (Nursing) (B.Sc.(N.)) - Nursing (103 credits) and Bachelor of Nursing (B.N.I.) - Integrated Nursing (65 credits));
- Students are expected to demonstrate professional behaviour at all times. The OIIQ Code of Ethics, the Faculty of Medicine Code of Conduct, and the McGill University Code of Student Conduct (as outlined in the Handbook of Student Rights and Responsibilities) provide guidelines. Accountability and professionalism are evaluated throughout clinical courses. All students must attend ISON professionalism seminars and interprofessional seminars deemed as mandatory. Failure to adhere to requirements related to professional behaviour can preclude access to clinical studies;
- Professional behaviour is expected in relation to classmates, teachers, patients/families, standardized patient/persons, the interprofessional team, and the institutions and community agencies within which studies take place;
- Students must be registered with the profession (see Registration with the Profession (Immatriculation or Licensing during the Course of Study)) before they can have access to clinical placements;
- In any formal documentation, such as in the patient's chart, students must identify themselves as a McGill Nursing Student with the respective year of study noted;
- Name badges indicating affiliation with McGill University and the program of study must be worn at all times in clinical studies. These are ordered in the Fall term for all students registered in specific nursing courses. Fees for these will be automatically charged to your student account;
- Attendance in clinical courses is mandatory and absences must be communicated to the instructor. Students with repeat absences may be asked to defer clinical studies if progress in the clinical course is compromised;
- Students whose pattern of performance in clinical studies is not meeting expectations relative to the course objectives will be informed and the student must develop a learning plan that focuses on strategies to ensure success. Students whose performance is well below expectations or deemed to be incompetent or unsafe in clinical studies will be required to leave the course—in this case the student will receive a grade of F. A meeting with the Program Director is required in such cases;
- Students are required to comply with the Ingram School of Nursing uniform policy (or that of the clinical agency) during clinical placements. Details are given in the Ingram School of Nursing Faculty and Student Handbook;
- Students are required to purchase a stethoscope and other health-assessment equipment required within specific courses;
- Students must budget for travel expenses to and from a clinical agency for the duration of their clinical course;
- Clinical placement selections are made carefully to ensure that students meet program objectives and not made on the basis of student choice except for the following exclusions: NUR1 435 Ambassador Critical Care Practicum, NUR1 530 Nursing Practice Consolidation, and NUR1 531 Ambassador Nursing Practice Consolidation; when the student or close family member is employed on the placement unit; when the student is or has been followed as a patient on the placement unit; when the Service d’évaluation des risques de transmission d’infection hématogène (SERTIH) of the Quebec Institut national de santé publique has indicated restrictions on the student’s placements; or other legitimate reasons determined by the Clinical Placement Coordinator in consultation with the student and faculty;
- Students who are seropositive for Hepatitis B, C, or HIV and/or any other blood-borne pathogens have an obligation to notify their Program Director. These students are referred to the Blood-Borne Infection Risk Assessment Unit (Service d'évaluation des risques de transmission d'infection hématogène [SERTIH]) of the Québec Institut national de santé publique responsible for all infected workers, including nursing students. The service will make recommendations regarding clinical placement based on the nature of the situation;
- Clinical courses can require that students study during the day, evening, and/or weekend;
- Students requesting clinical placements outside the McGill University Teaching Hospital Network (option only available for NUR1 435 and NUR1 531) must be in Satisfactory Standing in their program as well as have a CGPA of at least 3.2. Certain placements may require a higher CGPA. Placement decisions in NUR1 435 and NUR1 531 take into account the strength and completeness of the proposal for placement, the level of autonomy and accountability of the student, the pattern of the student's progress in the program, and interviews;
- B.N. (Integrated) students must successfully complete all Fall and Winter U2 courses prior to taking NUR1 434.
Criminal Background Verification
Criminal Background Verification
Clinical agencies require students entering their facility to provide a self-declaration on a Criminal Background Verification Form or undergo a formal Criminal Reference Check prior to being granted permission to enter their facility. Inability of the student to gain access to clinical study settings will preclude their ability to meet the clinical course requirements within their program of study. Registration with the Profession (OIIQ) requires that students declare any criminal offences—students who are not able to obtain a nursing student license from the OIIQ cannot continue in the program, as this license is required to enter clinical studies. In addition, if the student is accused of a criminal offence during studies in the nursing program, the OIIQ must be notified. Any student who is not able to obtain a nursing student license from the OIIQ cannot continue in the program.