Student Health Policy and Health Services

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The objective of the Student Health and Wellness program is to encourage health promotion and illness prevention.  The Student Health nurses provide health assessments and referrals ( if needed) for illness or injuries.  Student Health is available Monday-Friday by calling 

402-481-8468 or emailing studenthealth@bryanhealth.org.   Students can also access ezVisit, a Bryan online virtual care service for minor illness,  at no charge using their student identification number.   Upon evaluation by  Student Health,  a referral to Employee Health may be an option for the limited services available there for students.  Employee Health Services are located on both east and west campuses of the Bryan Medical Center.  Students also may utilize their primary care provider or one of the local Urgent Care facilities using their  private health insurance. 

Students as health care providers are at increased risk of exposure to communicable and blood borne illness.   Students are required to maintain complete and current health and immunization records with Student Health. This requirement ensures the well-being of students, clients and the health community.  (Please refer to the Program-specific immunization requirements.)

A. Health and Immunization Requirements

Incoming health science students with an on-campus presence and/or  students in a program containing clinical /practicum experiences are required to provide proof of required immunizations/immunity and identify allergies upon admission.  Students are expected to complete immunization requirements and submit documentation  before the start of  admission if required. Students who do not complete the immunization requirements will have an  immunization hold placed on their account that will keep them from registering for classes the following semester. 

Immunizations required by program:

MSN

  • MMR (Measles, Mumps, & Rubella) - 2-dose vaccine series OR a blood titer demonstrating positive immunity of each- measles, mumps, rubella
  • Varicella (Chicken Pox) - 2-dose series OR a positive Varicella blood titer demonstrating immunity if previously had Chicken Pox.   The history of disease alone does not meet the requirement.
  • TB (Tuberculosis): TB testing is not required on admission but may be required prior to practicum experience.
  • Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis) - 1 dose required within the past 10 years prior to start date- Once expired, can be updated with another Tdap or plain Tetanus (Td).
  • Hepatitis B – 2 or 3 dose vaccine series (depending on vaccine received) AND Hepatitis B Surface Antibody blood titer demonstrating immunity OR a positive Hepatitis B Antibody blood titer by itself.
  • Mandatory seasonal influenza vaccination- required prior to scheduled practicum. Influenza vaccine documentation is to be submitted to Student Health. Students who decline or are unable to receive the flu vaccine due to medical reasons, complete a Bryan Health declination form and submit to Student Health.     

Ed.D (Doctorate of Education)

Exempt from all immunization requirements if completing practicum experiences in non-clinical settings.

If a student is completing a practicum experience with exposure to a clinical setting, proof of the following immunizations prior to starting practicum is required:

  • MMR (Measles, Mumps, & Rubella) - 2-dose vaccine series OR a blood titer demonstrating positive immunity of each- measles, mumps, rubella
  • Varicella (Chicken Pox) - 2-dose series OR a positive Varicella blood titer demonstrating immunity if previously had Chicken Pox. The history of disease alone does not meet the requirements.
  • TB (Tuberculosis): TB testing Is not required on admission  may be required prior to practicum experience.
  • Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis) - 1 dose required within the past 10 years prior to start date- Once expired, can be updated with another Tdap or plain Tetanus (Td).
  • Hepatitis B – 2 or 3 dose vaccine series (depending on vaccine received) AND Hepatitis B Surface Antibody blood titer demonstrating immunity OR a positive Hepatitis B Antibody blood titer by itself.
  • Mandatory seasonal influenza vaccination- required prior to scheduled practicum. Influenza vaccine documentation is submitted to Student Health.  Students who decline or are unable to receive the flu vaccine due to medical reasons, complete a Bryan Health declination form and submit to Student Health.  

DNAP (Nurse Anesthesia Practice)

  • MMR (Measles, Mumps, & Rubella) - 2-dose vaccine series OR  a blood titer demonstrating positive immunity of each- measles, mumps, rubella
  • Varicella (Chicken Pox) - 2-dose series OR a positive Varicella blood titer demonstrating immunity if previously had Chicken Pox.   The history of disease alone does not meet the requirement.
  • TB (Tuberculosis) - 2-step TB skin test (two separate skin tests at least 1 week apart or two TB skin tests within the 12 months prior to college start date) OR a TB blood test (IGRA: QuantiFERON Gold) within 12 months prior to admission start date.   If a student has a history of a positive TB skin test or IGRA, documentation of follow-up screening/care from a healthcare provider must be submitted to Student Health.  TB testing will be required annually to meet the clinical site requirements.
  • Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis) - 1 dose required within the past 10 years prior to college start date- Once expired, can be updated with another Tdap or plain Tetanus (Td).
  • Hepatitis B – 2 or 3 dose vaccine series (depending on vaccine received) AND a positive Hepatitis B Surface Antibody blood titer demonstrating immunity OR  a Hepatitis B Surface Antibody blood titer demonstrating immunity  by itself   
  • COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) – proof of original 2 dose vaccines (2021/2022) OR proof of single dose bivalent since 2023 OR a signed declination for medical, religious, or creed exemption on file with Student Health prior to admission start date. 
  • Mandatory seasonal influenza vaccination-Influenza vaccination will be provided at the college at no expense during the annual flu season.  If the flu vaccine is received elsewhere, documentation to Student Health is required. For students who decline or are unable to receive the flu vaccine due to medical reasons, an influenza declination form must be signed and kept on file.

Online Only/Non-Degree Seeking

  • Exempt from all immunization requirements.

B. Student Health and Wellness Office (located in Room 206, 402-481-8468)

  1. Student Health will  monitor immunization records and notify students of immunizations that require renewal to meet continued immunization requirements.
  2. Health Nurses will coordinate and offer seasonal influenza vaccination clinics each fall at the Lincoln location.     
  3. Students can request and obtain a copy of their immunization record through the Student Health Office.
  4. Student Health will provide annual TB skin tests to DNAP students 

C. Health and Hospital Insurance/Medical Expenses

  1. Students  are to be covered by health and hospitalization insurance. Any graduate student can contact Student Health for health insurance questions and informational resources.
  2. Students coming into the College with any known physical conditions are to be responsible for their medications and treatments resulting from these conditions. Medications, referrals, treatments, diagnostic tests or other special services will be at the student's own expense.

D. Illness/Injury/Hospitalization/Surgery/Exposure

  1. Students reporting an absence are expected to follow the specific course protocols identified for each classroom, clinical experience or practicum in a clinical setting.
  2. If a  student is absent due to injury, inpatient admission, hospitalization, surgery, or any actual or probable infectious conditions, the student must present documentation from a healthcare provider for review by the  Student Health Nurses. Documentation would include dates of absence, date of return to class or clinical experiences, and specify any restrictions, if applicable, that may impact the student’s ability to engage in normal classroom and/or clinical experiences.      Students with restrictions/limitations may not be allowed to provide patient care in the clinical area.   This will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the ADA Coordinator (Director of Academic Support and Accessibility Services) in consultation with faculty and the respective medical center’s Employee Health Manager. Students are advised to contact the ADA Coordinator (Director of Academic Support and Accessibility Services) to discuss the situation and determine if special accommodation is deemed necessary.
  3. The College reserves the right to specify provisions of treatment and follow-up for return to course activities following illness, injuries, or hospitalization.   
  4. Student Injuries while attending class or clinical experience   
    1. At the time of injury, notify course faculty and contact Bryan Employee Health (402-481-8622) for evaluation/treatment if needed
    2. If emergency care and treatment are indicated, seek medical attention at the Emergency Dept., Urgent Care, or a personal care provider.     
    3. Student or Dean to complete  the B-Safe reporting form on the Hello Bryan website- use the icon Employee Event and report an incident as a student
  5. Student Needle Stick or Blood and Body Fluid Exposure (All exposures must be seen by Bryan Employee Health for follow-up)
    1. At the time of the exposure, notify the assigned faculty and contact Bryan Employee Health (402-481-8622) or, after hours, the on-duty Administrative Manager at Bryan Health (402-481-1111).
    2. Exposures incurred at an off-campus educational experience must also be reported to that facility’s supervisory staff.
    3. Source patient blood is drawn onsite at the assigned facility.  Blood testing for students is completed through Bryan Employee Health or as directed by that department.     
    4. Student or Dean to complete  B-Safe reporting on the Hello Bryan website - use the icon Employee Event and report an incident as a student

E. Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Policy

  1. The College’s influenza vaccination deadline coincides with the Medical Center’s designated influenza deadline.  Dates will be determined annually and communicated to students prior to the influenza season.
  2. Students are required to provide influenza vaccination documentation to the Student Health Office, Room 206, through one of the following methods of communication:
    • Students attending the College flu clinics will have their vaccination recorded into their electronic immunization record by Student Health Nurses.
    • Students who receive their vaccination through Bryan Employee Health are responsible for notifying Student Health of receiving their vaccination.
    • Students who receive their vaccination outside of Bryan Employee Health or Mary Lanning Employee Health are responsible for submitting documentation to Student Health.
    • If a student receives an influenza vaccination elsewhere, documentation must be submitted to the Student Health Office by email or uploaded into the Student Portal.
    • Students who complete the Influenza Vaccination Declination must provide the document to the Student Health Office.
  3. Students who complete an Influenza Vaccination Declination will follow their respective medical center’s policy.
  4. Students who do not provide the required documentation to the Student Health Office by the College’s designated deadline will violate the Student Code of Conduct.
  5. The following sanctions will be applied to students who violate the Student Code of Conduct due to non-compliance with the Influenza Vaccination Policy:
    • Students are placed on a Registration Hold, which prevents them from registering for future classes.
    • Students are eligible to attend class but NOT eligible to participate in clinical experiences, which include but are not limited to hospital, clinic, community, skills lab, and simulation experiences.
    • The Clinical Absence Policy and fee structure will be applied to absences.
  6. The sanctions identified above will be removed when students complete one of the following:
    • Students receive the influenza vaccination, and documentation is submitted to the Student Health Office.
    • Student submits a completed Influenza Vaccination Declination form to Student Health.

F. Lactation/Nurturing Rooms

  • Bryan Medical Center has several Lactation/Nurturing rooms on both east and west campuses, which are available to students who need to breast pump while at the College or Bryan Medical Center.  Accessibility is via proxy card entry, and students who would like to have access should contact Employee Health at (402-481-8622) .  Lactation consultants are available to answer questions or assist and can be reached at (402) 481-7103. A list of room locations is available through Bryan  Employee Health  or Student Health Office ( Room 206,   402- 481-8468.)