Non-Academic Requirements

 

What Are Non-Academic Requirements?

Nurses and nursing students deal with patients/clients who have low immune system functioning or may have infectious diseases. It is imperative students protect themselves and patients from harm. As such, there are several non-academic requirements (NARs) that need to be completed and updated while enrolled in the program.  

 

NEW STUDENTS - DO NOT START NARS UNTIL AFTER NURSING SUMMER ORIENTATION IN JUNE

 

NARs include:

• • Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening
  • Communicable Disease Form and serology
  • Tetanus immunization within the last 10 years
  • N95 Mask Fit
  • CPR certification (BLS, HCP or Level C)
  • 2-Step TB test
  • Health & Safety training and IPAC modules
  • Proof of Influenza Immunization
  • Proof of COVID Immunization with Booster

Please note that the TFSON Simulation Hub staff offers on-campus CPR, Mask Fit and TB testing each term. Directions on how to book appointments will be posted at the beginning of each term.

Any other costs associated with clinics, vaccines, and healthcare documentation are also the student's responsibility.

The NARs process is a multi-step process that includes the completion/renewal of each NAR, followed by submission of documented evidence of that completion/renewal, and finally, verification and clearance by Synergy Gateway (a third-party software platform used for tracking your NARs). You will need to complete this process for each NAR that is incomplete, expired, and/or will expire during the expiry timeline by the specified NARs Clearance Deadline  for each term you are in clinical.

Failure to complete, submit, and receive verification and clearance from Synergy for any NAR within the required timeframes will result in your removal from the clinical course for that term and its associated theory co-requisite course.

 

Budgeting for NARs

Please be sure to plan for the associated costs with NARs. Approximate potential costs include (but may not be limited to):

• Synergy appointments- $65
• Follow-up Synergy appointments- $10
• CPR -$90
• Mask fit- $60
• TB testing- $20 (per step)
• Annual Police Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening can cost up to $100

 

First-Year Students

If you are a first-year compressed, collaborative, or post-bridge PN to BScN student, you will begin your first clinical placement in your first winter term. This means that your first NARs Clearance Deadline is November 15th. This is the date by which you must submit all documented evidence of completion for each required NAR and receive verification and clearance from Synergy.

Students can view a summary of the NARs by reviewing the NARs Checklist for First Year Students.

 

What NARs are Required?

The TFSON requires you to complete the list of NARs below. This list is only intended to provide general information for the first year and can change term-to-term depending on the healthcare agency's requirements where you are completing a clinical placement. You should always review the most recent copy of the submission chart for your program provided by the TFSON for current and accurate information.

We strongly recommend that new students begin working on completing the Immunization and Communicable Disease form and associated Serology with their family healthcare provider after Nursing Summer Orientation in June.

If you have any questions, email nursingnars@trentu.ca.

1. Immunization and Communicable Disease Form (click to open form)

WHAT IS IT?

• Evidence of immunization history and serology reports
• Proof that immunizations are up-to-date and complete
• Completed in First Year ONLY

WHERE CAN I GET THIS DONE?

• Healthcare provider (ie. Physician, Nurse Practitioner)
• Trent Health Services is not able to provide this service.

WHEN SHOULD I BEGIN? 

• You are encouraged to complete this requirement during the summer with your primary healthcare provider. Students should start this process as soon as possible!

2. TB Testing

WHAT IS IT?

• Determines if you have ever been exposed to Tuberculosis (TB)
• A Two-Step Test is required in the first year (as part of the Immunization and Communicable Disease Form)
• If you have had a Two-Step Test within the past 12 months, provide proof of the Two-Step Test and complete a One-Step Test

WHERE CAN I GET THIS DONE?

• TFSON Simulation Hub, Healthcare provider, walk-in clinic
• TFSON Simulation Hub service announcements will be posted to the NARs at Trent U site on Blackboard

3. CPR - Level C, HCP, or BLS

WHAT IS IT?

• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a life-saving technique that can help to keep blood and oxygen flowing during an emergency
• CPR courses accepted: Level-C, BLS, or HCP
• Fully web-based courses are not accepted, must include an in-person component

WHERE CAN I GET THIS DONE?

• TFSON Simulation Hub, other agencies
• TFSON Simulation Hub service announcements will be posted to the NARs at Trent U site on Blackboard

4. Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening

WHAT IS IT?

• Report provided by your local police service
• This process can take 8-12 weeks (about 3 months) to complete, so apply for your Criminal Record Check (CRC) with VSS in early September!

Students should start this process as soon as you get to school!

IMPORTANT: You must provide a verification letter to the police detachment indicating that you are a student. 

• If you reside outside of Toronto: email nursing@trentu.ca. Please include your full legal name, date of birth, and student number in the email.
• If you reside in Toronto: requests are to be submitted online. To obtain Trent’s agency code, email diannediniz@trentu.ca. Please include your full legal name, date of birth, and student number in the email and 2 pieces of government-issued ID.
• If you are less than 18 years of age before the NARs deadline, please email the Placement team at nursingnars@trentu.ca

Students who have been charged and/or convicted of a criminal offense must immediately report this information to the Placement Coordinator by emailing trentclinical@trentu.ca.  Failure to do so will be considered professional misconduct (refer to the TFSON Professional Conduct Policy in the TFSON Student Handbook).

5. N95 Mask Fit

WHAT IS IT?

• N95 masks cover the nose and mouth and filter airborne particulates and microorganisms
• A mask fit test is required to identify which mask size a student needs to be fully protected

WHERE CAN I GET THIS DONE?

• TFSON Simulation Hub, other agencies
• TFSON Simulation Hub service announcements will be posted to the NARs at Trent U site on Blackboard

6. Influenza Vaccine

WHAT IS IT?

• The influenza vaccine protects against infection by influenza viruses. 
• A new vaccine is created every year as the type of flu virus tends to change year to year. 
• This vaccine is mandatory for all Nursing students. 

WHERE CAN I GET THIS DONE?

• Pharmacy or Health Care Provider
• Available mid-October each Year

HOW TO SUBMIT?

• Due: December 1st each year
• Please follow the detailed instructions on Synergy to upload
• This is a free upload

7. Workplace Health & Safety Modules

WHAT ARE THEY?

There are five Ministry-required health and safety modules that you need to complete. These modules include:

• The Ministry of Health - Health & Safety Awareness Training
• Workplace Violence & Harassment Training
• Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
• Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.
• IPAC Modules

HOW TO SUBMIT?

These modules need to be completed through the NARs at Trent U on Blackboard and are only required in the first year. 

8. Consent and Confidentiality Forms

WHAT ARE THEY?

All forms need to be completed, signed, and submitted to both Synergy AND First Year Drop Boxes, located on the NARs at Trent U on Blackboard. These forms are only required in the first year:

• HSPnet Consent Form for Use & Disclosure of Student Information
• Student Declaration of Understanding- Workplace Safety & Insurance Board or Private Insurance Coverage for Students on Program Related Placements x2
• PRHC Postsecondary Student Unpaid Work Placement Release Form
• Peterborough Regional Health Centre Confidentiality Agreement
• Trent University Photo/Image Release and Waiver
• Lakeridge Health Statement of Confidentiality
• Trent University Consent Form for Use & Disclosure of Student Information 

 

Deadlines & Renewals – When to Complete Your NARs

Submitting NARs by specified dates and keeping them up to date is extremely important. Placement agencies require your NARs to have been completed within recent timeframes. Having expired NARs could put the student or their patients at risk. Therefore, the Trent/Fleming School of Nursing (TFSON) is very strict with the specified timeframes for submission, verification, and clearance. 
It is also important to remember that the communicable disease form and serology can take a great deal of time to complete.  Starting to review and complete your NARs well ahead of the NARs Clearance Date is important to ensure you meet the deadlines.

We advise you to book your Synergy appointment after September 1st but well before the NARs Clearance Deadline to ensure you will have time to address any missing items or follow-up actions identified by Synergy during your appointment. Once you have registered for your clinical courses, you will be provided access to the NARs at Trent U blackboard site where further information about Synergy and the submission process can be found.

 

NARs Clearance Chart

 

Clinical Term	Expiry Timeline *Renew any NAR that expires during this timeline.	NARs Clearance Deadline
Spring/Summer (SN1, SN2, S12)	March 15th - August 31st	March 15th
Fall (FA)	July 15th - December 31st	July 15th
Winter (WI)	November 15th - April 30th	November 15th