Beginning January 1, 2005, all nursing students must have an approved criminal background check prior to beginning clinical activity. For RN to B.S.N. students, results must be submitted prior to beginning NUR 474 or any other course with a clinical component (by August 1 for fall semester or December 1 for spring semester). For students in the pre-licensure program, results must be submitted by July 1, prior to enrolling in the required 300-level nursing courses. The University has contracted with Certiphi.com to perform this service. The cost is to be paid by the student.
The results will be kept in the student’s School of Nursing file and will be destroyed upon graduation, withdrawal, or termination from the program. The Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs will receive the results of the criminal background check of each undergraduate student. The School will not use this information in any way except to verify to clinical agencies that students have been subjected to the background check and to release a copy of the information to the agency, if requested. Students must sign two release forms (copies available in the Associate Dean’s Office), which will authorize the release of the information to the clinical agency, if requested. Directions on obtaining the background check are available in the Associate Dean’s Office.
This criminal background check does not replace the one that will be done by the N.C. Board of Nursing prior to initial licensure as a registered nurse (see item #6).