This is information only for those students who have received an email/letter directly from the UTRGV School of Nursing about your admission to the School of Nursing.

***This information does not pertain to pre-nursing students or those students who have not completed all their prerequisites and have not completed their application to the UTRGV School of Nursing and have not received a letter of admission from the UTRGV School of Nursing.

As a newly admitted student, you have several steps that need to take place between now and when you start your nursing classes.

Your admission in the program is contingent on providing the nursing office with the required information as listed below. Please read and comply with the following directions, paying close attention to due dates and times:

'Place an order for a Compliance Tracker at the following website. https://utrgv.castlebranch.com There is a one-time $30 package cost for your document tracker and a $1.99 service fee. The following information will need to be submitted via CastleBranch 30 days prior to your date of admission (first class day). See Newly Admitted FAQS

Copy of immunization record to include evidence of the following:

1. Absence of active pulmonary disease (negative PPD skin test or negative chest x-ray results).
2. Hepatitis B vaccine (a series of 3 injections at 0, 1, & 6 months)
3. Diphtheria-Tetanus (DT) booster every 10 years
4. Tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (TDaP) vaccine; recommended for people 19+ years of age.
5. Varicella status – either a signed statement from a health professional verifying immunity status (via serologic test) or immunization(s) (x 2; 4-8 weeks apart)
6. Measles-Mumps-Rubella vaccination. MMR x 2 if born after January 1, 1957.
7. The annual flu/influenza vaccine, including lot number is required August thru July. New seasonal flu vaccinations must be taken before classes start in August.  If the new seasonal flu vaccination is not available at the time you are completing the CastleBranch upload requirements, you will need to receive your flu/influenza vaccine before you start your classes and upload it to CastleBranch at that time.
8. Covid Vaccine:   No Covid vaccination information needs to be uploaded at this time.  Although it is not a UTRGV requirement to have a Covid Vaccine, you may need to have the vaccine to meet the requirements of the healthcare facility where you will be conducting your clinicals.  Your  clinical site may require the COVID vaccine and boosters to participate in clinical activities.
9. Proof of current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), health care provider adult & child, through American Heart Association. NOTE: Online Certification is not acceptable.
10. Copy (front & back) of the Texas Board of Nursing’s (TBON) blue postcard, Completed Criminal Background Clearance Check. Wait for the information from Texas Board of Nursing regarding this requirement.

    Important Reminder:

    You will be receiving an email in 2 or 3 weeks from Identogo to the email address you provided on the notice about background checks and Declaratory Orders when you applied. Please check your email regularly, as it includes instructions to schedule your fingerprints appointment as required for the Texas Board of Nursing (TBON) to run your background checks. If you have not received the email by the 3rd week, please contact the 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.

    If you are not officially cleared by TBON, you cannot be admitted into the BSN program.

You will also need to:

1. Maintain at least $1 million in professional liability insurance (you will automatically be billed for “blanket” malpractice student insurance coverage through student fees.).

2. Attend Mandatory BSN Program Orientation: Date to be announced later.

3. Take the ATI mandatory standardized Critical Thinking Assessment Test. You will receive notification of date and location for testing via Blackboard.

4. Complete online mandatory School of Nursing Clinical Orientation. You will receive notification of the availability of the course via Blackboard.

5. Pass the mandatory Math Quiz via Blackboard with a score of 100. You will receive notification of the availability of Math Quiz via Blackboard.

6. You will be notified when cleared to register for the following courses:

   Nursing 3101 Essentials of Nursing Profession
   Nursing 3202 Wellness & Health Promotion Across the Lifespan
   Nursing 3303 Fundamentals of Nursing
   Nursing 3304 Fundamentals of Nursing Clinicals/Lab
   Nursing 3305 Client Assessment
   Nursing 3105 Client Assessment Lab/Skills

Please keep checking your UTRGV email and announcements for further information. If you have questions or need further information, please feel free to call at 956-665-3491 or email schoolofnursing@utrgv.edu We look forward to seeing you soon!