Clearance to Attend Clinical (AKA Practicum)

Clinical agencies require nursing students to meet specific compliance standards before participating in clinical experiences.

The Ascension Via Christi–Wichita State University School of Nursing manages these requirements on behalf of our clinical partners. All required documentation is submitted, reviewed, and approved through Project Concert and Surscan.

Depending on your assigned clinical site, you may also be required to complete additional online forms or eLearning modules.

Students should not attempt to complete requirements independently. Detailed instructions and access to required systems will be provided after admission to the program.

Initial Clearance
Before your first practicum rotation, you must complete and submit all required documentation to obtain initial clearance.

Ongoing Compliance
After your initial clearance, you are responsible for maintaining all requirements and ensuring they are up to date before they expire.

Student Responsibility
It is each student’s responsibility to remain in compliance at all times. Students who are out of compliance (your clinical requirements expire):

  • You will not be allowed to attend clinical and will receive a zero for each day missed. These absences cannot be made up.
  • Will receive a clinical practicum performance improvement notice. Students who receive three performance improvement notices will be dismissed from the nursing program.

Important Deadlines & Consequences

  • The School of Nursing must verify student clearance each semester in order to place students in clinical rotations.
  • Clinical clearance may take up to 8 weeks to complete.
  • Students will have a brief period to order initial requirements and upload all necessary documents—please plan accordingly to ensure timely completion. The period will be open in the first few weeks of class. Exact dates will be communicated via email. 
  • Failure to submit required documents on time—including during summer—may result in delayed program progression.
  • Missed clinical days may also delay progression or result in dismissal.
  • To be cleared documents must be uploaded and approved, this process can take up to 30 days

Out-of-Pocket Expenses
Some requirements expire periodically. Students should plan ahead for renewals, including any out-of-pocket costs, to avoid lapses in compliance. The School of Nursing understands that insurance companies often require waiting 365 days before obtaining a yearly physical. Students must complete physical's before they expire, this results in out-of-pocket costs. Several low cost options are availble in the ares such as the WSU Student Health Clinic and the Little Clinic. 

Background Check 

Students are required to complete a criminal background check and may be subject to additional screening as required by the clinical partner. These checks are required by our clinical partner agencies and are necessary to ensure a safe environment for patients, staff, and students.

How Background Check Results May Impact Clinical Placement
Clinical agencies set their own standards for student participation. A flag or finding on a background check—such as a misdemeanor or felony charge, pending case, or certain infractions—may result in:

  • Denial of access to clinical sites
  • Restrictions on placement options
  • Delays or inability to complete required clinical hours

Because clinical experiences are an essential part of the nursing curriculum, inability to obtain clinical clearance may prevent a student from progressing in or completing the program.

Impact on Licensure in Kansas
Students should be aware that background findings do not only affect clinical placement—they may also impact eligibility for licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN) in the state of Kansas.

The Kansas State Board of Nursing (KSBN) reviews applications for licensure and evaluates criminal history. Students are strongly encouraged to review the legal requirements and licensure eligibility criteria set by the Kansas State Board of Nursing's Legal Background Information Webpage. 

Important Reminders
Admission to the nursing program does not guarantee eligibility for clinical placement.
Graduation from the program does not guarantee eligibility for licensure.

This resource provides the most current information regarding licensure requirements, background checks, and the evaluation process.

FAQs for Clinical Requirements 


Requirement Initial Deadline Renewal Requirement Details
Background Check (Must have a valid SSN) Before first clinical.  No renewal required; a background check can be requested at anytime during the program. 

The background check will include:

  • Social Security Number Verification;
  • Criminial Search (7 years or up to 5 ciminial searches);
  • Violent sex offender and predatory registry search;
  • HHS/OIG list of excluded individuals;
  • GSA list of parties excluded from federal programs;
  • S. Treasure, Office of Foreing Assets Control (OFAC), list of specially desgnated nationals (SDN); and
  • Applicable State Exclusing List, if available
Urine Drug of Abuse (drug test) Before first clinical No renewal required; a background check can be requested at anytime during the program. 
  • You must complete a drug test and have a negative result (no prohibited substances).
  • Clinical sites may require additional drug tests at any time, at your expense.
  • A positive result may prevent you from attending clinical.
Physical Examination Before first clinical Annually
  • You must complete a physical exam (sexual health is not required)
  • A yearly exam is required
  • Use your provider’s physical form 
Tuberculosis Testing (TB Test or PPD) Before first clinical Annually
  • You must show proof of ONE of the following:
    • Negative 2-step TB skin test
      • 2 step TB skin test means you will have four visits to the provider, usually takes 3 weeks to complete
      • Step 1: TB solution will be placed just under the skin and you will return to the provider 48-72 hours to have the results read. 
      • Step 2: 2-3 weeks after step 1 you will return to your provider and repeat step 1. TB solution will be placed just under the skin and you will return to the provider 48-72 hours to have the results read. 
    • Negative blood test (IGRA)
    • Negative chest x-ray
  • If you have a history of a positive TB test:
    • Submit documentation (positive test, treatment, and negative chest x-ray)
      Complete annual TB screening (chest x-ray or IGRA)
MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) Before first clinical Expiration
  •  You must provide proof of:
    • 2 MMR vaccines, OR
    • Positive titers for all three diseases
Tdap (Tetanus, Diptheria, Pertussis) Before first clinical Expiration
  • You must have received a Tdap booster within the past 10 years,
  • If your Tdap is older than 10 years or you do not have documentation, you must get a new Tdap vaccine before starting clinical.
Varicella (Chickenpox) Before first clinical Expiration
  • You must provide proof of immunity by:Positive titer, OR
  • Two vaccine doses (at least 28 days apart)
Hepatistis B Before first clinical Expiration
  • You must complete the full vaccine series (3 doses over ~6 months).
  • You must finish the series before clinical clearance
Influenza Before first clinical Annually between Sept and March. Information will be shared via shocker email
  • You must receive a flu shot every year (no nasal spray/FluMist).
  • Typically required between September 1 – April 1 (dates may change).
  • Exact dates will be emailed to your @shockers.wichita.edu email
Health Insurance Before first clinical Annually or expiration
  • You must have active health insurance for the entire program
  • Upload a copy of your insurance card for verification
  • Make sure your insurance is active before clinical starts (some plans have waiting periods)
  • If you need coverage, student insurance options are available through WSU Student Health. Enrollment information will be emailed to your @shockers.wichita.edu when available
Healthcare provider CPR Before first clinical Expiration
  • You must have current CPR certification for infant, child, and adult.
  • Certification must be BLS for Healthcare Providers (American Heart Association or American Red Cross).
  • Training must be completed in person with a skills check; online-only courses are not accepted.
  • CPR classes are offered at WSU (Wichita and Manhattan campuses), but you may complete training through another approved provider.
OSHA/Safety Training  Before first clinical Annually
  • You must complete OSHA training as required for clinical participation.
  • Training will be provided through an online module assigned by the Nursing Program
  • You are responsible for completing all modules by the specified deadline
  • This training covers workplace safety
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Training  Before first clinical No renewal
  • You must complete HIPAA training as required for clinical participation.
  • Training will be provided through an online module assigned by the Nursing Program
  • You are responsible for completing all modules by the specified deadline
  • This training covers patient privacy
Individual facility requirements (varies by facility) Before first clinical Varies by facility; information will be shared via shocker email
  • Some clinical facilities require additional documentation or forms
  • Instructions and deadlines for these site-specific requirements will be sent to your @shockers.wichita.edu email
Infectious Disease Informed Consent Before first clinical No renewal
  • You must review and sign this form
  • It confirms you understand the risks of exposure to infectious diseases during clinical
Student Handbook Acknowledgment Before first day of class Annually in August
  • You must review and acknowledge the Nursing Student Handbook.
  • This confirms that you understand and agree to follow all program policies, procedures, and expectations.
  • You are responsible for knowing and complying with all handbook policies throughout the program.
  • Failure to follow program policies may result in disciplinary action or removal from the program.