COVID Vaccination Requirements for Clinical Rotations - FAQ

November 1, 2021

1. Must I get the COVID vaccine to enroll in clinical rotations?

In order to begin clinical rotations, students must meet all agency compliance requirements including COVID vaccinations. The School of Nursing will consider alternative placements to accommodate students due to COVID vaccine requirements, but is unable to guarantee alternative placement. If no alternative placement is identified, the students who do not meet the vaccine requirements will not be able to complete the nursing program due to the inability to complete clinical coursework.

Students are encouraged to receive the vaccine as early as possible to avoid any delay in their academic program.

2. Who sets the vaccination requirements for clinicals pertaining to COVID-19?

Each clinical partner agency sets its own requirements for employees and nursing students. At this time, all major hospital entities and community health clinics and private practices with whom the School of Nursing has a clinical agreement have mandated such individuals obtain a full course of the COVID-19 vaccine by October 18, 2021, per the governor’s mandate.

The exceptions granted by PLU for medical or religious/right of conscience reasons do not apply to the clinical partner agencies. Students seeking approved medical or religious exemptions must submit a request to their placement coordinator once they have been assigned to a site.

3. Why must the School of Nursing students comply with clinical partner mandates?

The clinical agreements between the School of Nursing and our partner agencies detail the terms under which each site will provide on-site educational experiences. These agreements account for regulatory requirements, accreditation expectations, and other guidelines, and the sites have been approved as meeting specific educational and clinical regulations. These agreements include provisions requiring students to adhere to agency policies relevant to their clinical experiences.

4. Do any current placement sites not require the COVID vaccine?

Every major hospital or clinical agency with whom the School of Nursing has a contract and in which we have placed students for clinical rotations has mandated the vaccine for employees and learners.

5. Who set the dates for completing the vaccinations and waiting period for clinicals?

Each clinical partner has set its own deadline for requiring individuals to complete the vaccination(s). Some agencies may also require a waiting period after the second dose as part of their timeline. You must have completed your vaccinations by the deadline set by your placement site.

Absent an exemption from the placement site’s requirement, failure to meet your placement site’s deadline may cause a delay in the start of your clinical rotation and thus may hinder your ability to complete the program.

6. I want to request an exemption for this vaccine requirement.

The School of Nursing does not determine exemptions for the clinical sites. The exceptions granted by PLU for medical or religious/right of conscience reasons do not apply to the clinical partner agencies. Students seeking approved medical or religious exemptions for their clinicals must submit a request to their placement coordinator who will submit it to the site on their behalf. Consult the placement coordinators in the School of Nursing for more details.

Each clinical partner will determine its own process for accepting requests for exemptions. The length of time to receive approval should be considered, as it may cause a delay in the start of your clinical rotation, and there is not a guarantee that a request for exemption will be granted.

7. Do I need to show proof of vaccination?

The School of Nursing is required to have a copy of your vaccination card on file in the event that our clinical partner agencies request an audit of a student account. Students will be provided a link to upload their card prior to the start of their first semester. If you do not have proof of vaccination and have not been granted an exemption by your placement site, you may not be permitted by the clinical site to work in its clinical setting.

More questions? Contact your clinical instructor or the School of Nursing.