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Newly Admitted Frequently Asked Questions
For CastleBranch requirement questions, contact Lourdes Sanchez at lourdes.sanchez@utrgv.edu or (956) 882-5070
UTRGV School of Nursing uses a third-party company, CastleBranch, to streamline document tracking for required materials, including health records, CPR, criminal background checks, etc. CastleBranch assures confidentiality and continual document access to participants.
Resources have been provided by CastleBranch to guide students through the necessary steps to set up and maintain individual accounts.
CB Bridges is utilized by designated clinical sites. Students will receive instructions from their clinical instructor if CB Bridges is required.
The CB Bridges™ platform is a hub for managing important requirements throughout your clinical experience. Students may be required to pay approximately $40 for CastleBranch-Bridges annually (the cost may vary depending on the modules the hospital utilizes). If you are required to sign up for CB-Bridges, you will be notified. Instructions will be provided by your UTRGV clinical faculty. Please wait to hear from your clinical faculty if you are required to register for CB-Bridges.
The requirements for the immunization are through CastleBranch. You can also see immunization requirements on the webpage for Newly Admitted BSN students.
This process will take some time to complete, and it needs to be completed within 30 days from the date of admission.
- Place Order
- Select Program
- Select Package
NOTE: To place your initial order, you will be prompted to create your secure my CB account from within my CB, you will be able to:
- View order results
- Complete tasks
- Upload documents
- Place additional orders
- Manage requirements
- Please have ready the personal identifying information needed for security purposes. The email address you provide will become your username.
CB-Bridges:
The CB Bridges™ platform is a hub for managing important requirements throughout your clinical experience. Students may be required to pay approximately $40 for CastleBranch-Bridges annually (the cost may vary depending on the modules the hospital utilizes). If you are required to sign up for CB-Bridges, you will be notified. Instructions will be provided by your UTRGV clinical faculty. Please wait to hear from your clinical faculty if you are required to register for CB-Bridges.
- To share specific documents with an outside party, select the “Share Documents” option, then select the “Grant Access” tab.
- To add individuals who you would like to receive access to your documents, enter their name and email address. To add multiple people, click on the “Add Another Person” at the bottom of the menu.
- Once you have added all the necessary recipients, select “Next” to choose which files you want shared.
- Once you are done selecting your files, review the list under “Files You Are Sharing” to ensure accuracy.
- Click on the “Preview Access” arrow to preview all shared information. Here, you’ll have the ability to limit the share access to a specific time frame, choose to require the recipients to enter a password, create security questions, OR have the recipient confirm their identity each time they access your document.
- Click “Submit” once done with the additional security features.
NOTE: The files will be emailed to the faculty member, so no account is required for them.
This process is for all the newly admitted students to the BSN program only. You must wait for information from the Texas Board of Nursing regarding this requirement.
You will be receiving an email in 2 or 3 weeks from IDENTOGO to the address you provided the acknowledgment about background checks and the Declaratory Order (DO) Form. The email will be sent to the email address you provided on this form. Please check your email regularly, as it includes instructions to schedule your fingerprint appointment as required for the Texas Board of Nursing (TBON) to run your background checks. If you have not received the email from the 3rd week of your acceptance to the program, please contact: Texas Board of Nursing at 512-305-7400 for status. Once you receive a background clearance, TBON will mail your Blue Card (which looks like a blue postcard).
NOTE: Unless you have officially been cleared by TBON and your Blue Card has been uploaded to CastleBranch, you cannot be admitted into the BSN Generic or the BSN 2nd degree program.
No, you will receive an email from a company called IDENTOGO which is contracted by TBON to do fingerprinting. IDENTOGO will send you an email to the email address you listed on your Declaratory Order Form (DOF) to schedule a fingerprinting appointment. The TBON will send you the blue card within 30-90 days.
You must take it until you receive 100%.
Your clinical instructor will advise you. If you have specific questions on clinicals please contact your clinical instructor.
This is an individual preference, but we recommend two of each. You will receive instructions via an email letter after acceptance with the authorized vendor on how to purchase your scrubs and white coat.
- White water-resistant shoes with a non-slip sole (no shoelaces when performing clinicals in a psychiatric mental health facility), no net/cloth, open-toed shoes, or clogs.
- Two-sided stethoscope in any size (Cardiology type).
- Watch with a secondhand (smartwatches are not recommended and can be damaged during clinicals).
Please Log in into your UTRGV castle branch link
https://utrgv.castlebranch.com
Select School of Nursing
If you are in the BSN Generic please select VG51
If you are in the 2nd Degree BSN select VG52
If you are in the RN to BSN (for registered nurses already) select VG53
After you order the Drug Test, CastleBranch will send you an email which will contain an attachment (Drug Test Authorization Form from Form Fox). You will need to print out or show the
attached form on your electronic device (it should have a barcode or QR code at the top right). The drug testing lab location will be based on the zip code you entered, and CastleBranch
will find a Quest Diagnostics lab in that area. If you have questions about the lab, please call CastleBranch. The authorization form is proof of payment and also an order form.
You do not pay the lab as this was included in your package price. Once the drug testing is complete, the barcode then links the results report back to your account.
Castle Branch Contact Information
Students Help Desk888.914.7279 or 888.666.7788servicedesk.cu@castlebranch.com
That is not a School of Nursing requirement but a UTRGV requirement. If you already have health insurance, you can request a Waiver.
STUDENT HEALTH INSURANCE:
Since the fall of 2021, UTRGV students in health majors in the Division of Health Affairs (the College of Health Professions, the School of Nursing, the School of Medicine, and the School of Podiatric Medicine) have been included in a University of Texas system mandate requiring health insurance for students in health-related majors. Enrollment in the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) is automatic, and the cost is added to your student account. SHIP needs to be purchased each academic year to satisfy the University Policy of maintaining acceptable health insurance coverage.
The policy, though Blue Cross/ Blue Shield of Texas, is administered by Academic Health Plans (AHP). Details related to the plan, including costs, can be found at https://utrgvdivhealthaffairs.myahpcare.com/.
This mandate is in place for your protection, to provide access to personal health care insurance, as you engage in the essential learning activities associated with your future profession.
Student Health Insurance Waiver:
Students holding comparable coverage may be eligible to waive enrollment for the SHIP.
The Waiver Process must be completed each semester by the waiver deadline. Students who do not submit a waiver request or whose waiver submission is not approved will be automatically enrolled for the SHIP and the cost of the insurance coverage will be added to their student account. For more detailed waiver criteria, including cost, please visit
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Division of Health Affairs | Waiver
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Division of Health Affairs | Enroll/Cost
Student Health Insurance Requirements and Waiver Request:
To learn more about UTRGV’s requirement for Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) and how to request a Waiver, please visit the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Division of Health Affairs | Waiver
The School of Nursing does not administer the insurance program, including any waiver or waiver decisions. If you have any questions, please contact the following:
Student Health Insurance questions, contact
Academic Health Plans (AHP) at 855-247-7587 or use
AHP’s Chat: UTRGV Division of Health Affairs | Home (myahpcare.com)
Waivers or UTRGV health insurance requirement questions, contact
Student Affairs at: StudentAffairsHA@utrgv.edu or 956-665-3651.
The requirements for the immunization are through CastleBranch. You can also see immunization requirements on the webpage for Newly Admitted BSN students.
Our Dean of School of Nursing and Liaison to the Provost is
Dr. Lilia A. Fuentes, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC
Dean- School of Nursing, Lillian O. Slemp Endowed Chair in Nursing/Associate Professor