Deadline: December 1, 2023

You should currently be in the process of completing this step. You should have received a confirmation email from Identogo with complete instructions. You must have a blue card or clearance letter from the BON by the first day of class in order to continue with the program.

Order dates: October 1 – December 1, 2023

To order your criminal background check:

1. Go to castlebranch.com and click “Place Order.”
2. In the “Package Code” field, enter one of the following codes. These codes are for Vocational Nursing students only:
   • UL85bg – Use if you do not have previous employment
   • UL85emp – Use if you do have previous employment

• The cost of the CBC is about $50.
• ACC Health Sciences CBC (HSCBC) must come back “Clear” before permission will be given to register.
• Students will receive clearance from the Nursing Department, via their ACC email, to register for classes once the department has received notification of their clearance from the Health Sciences Compliance Officer. A student checking their status via CastleBranch does not constitute clearance.
• Students who have any issues with their CBC’s will be notified by the compliance officer from the Dean of Health Sciences.

To upload program-specific clinical requirements to CastleBranch:

1. Sign into your account at castlebranch.com and click “Place Order.”
2. In the “Package Code” field, enter UL85im2A1. After creating an account, you will be prompted to upload Phase 2 Clinical Requirements (see below).

The following tests, vaccines, and certifications are required to be completed before you are allowed to practice in a clinical setting. They are to be completed and uploaded to your CastleBranch account by the deadline posted.

1. BON Eligibility – Copy of the front and back of the blue card or CBC letter from the Texas Board of Nursing.
2. Nursing Student Information Form – Clinical (ADN-Traditional/Mobility/LVN)
   • Complete the Google form. You will receive an email with your responses as confirmation. Please check your spam/junk file if the confirmation email is not located in your inbox.
   • Upload that email to CastleBranch in its entirety to meet completion of this requirement. This should be 3 pages.
3. Health Data/Physical Exam Form – The Health Data Form must be completed and signed by a physician, physician’s assistant or nurse practitioner.
4. Tuberculosis Requirement – The Annual Program TB Test Form must be completed and signed by a physician, physician’s assistant or nurse practitioner.
   • For more information, please visit our TB Testing Student Resources page.
5. Health Insurance – Proof of health insurance for all health sciences students, consistent with the requirements of our clinical education partners, is required to be uploaded each semester by the posted deadline.
   • This coverage is in addition to the accident insurance provided by the college.
   • Students are required to keep the policy current and notify the program if changes occur. Failure to do so will result in removal from the clinical site and withdrawal from the program.
   • Upload a copy (front and back) of your Health Insurance to your CastleBranch account. Coverage must cover the entire semester. If your insurance card does not show your name, you must also submit a copy of verification of eligibility from the insurance carrier showing you are covered under that policy.
   • Click here to see a list of health insurance resources.
6. CPR Certification – You must be certified by the American Heart Association [AHA] Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers only. No other CPR certification will be accepted.
   • If the CPR card you have expires before May 12, 2024, it must be redone (completed) prior to your paperwork submission deadline.
   • Please refer to the Student Resources page for a list of approved sites for certification.
7. Clinical Modules can be found on the Student Resources page. Refer to CastleBranch for detailed instructions.
   • HIPAA Certification – Complete the HIPAA training module, upload confirmation email and all 3 pages of the completed HIPAA Confidentiality & Security Agreement form.
   • Drug Screening Student Signature Form – Sign this form prior to submitting the drug screen.
   • Ascension Seton Required Modules – Complete the Ascension Seton Pre-placement Requirements Modules. Upload the completion email to your CastleBranch account.
   • Ascension Seton COMPASS Access Agreement for Students – Complete the form and upload to CastleBranch.
   • Student Handbook signature page – Read the latest handbook, complete the signature page at the end, and upload document.
8. FERPA Release Form – Complete the Student Reference Request, FERPA Release, and Release of Liability form. Check each statement as appropriate, sign, and date at the bottom. To see an example form, click here.
9. ATI Payment Receipt – Click here to purchase your ATI academic package required for the semester. Upload the purchase receipt to your CastleBranch account.

Go to your CastleBranch account and enter code UL85im3. You may either upload the completed Flu Vaccine Consent Form or you may upload your flu vaccination receipt along with the completed top portion of the Flu Vaccine Consent Form. For more information, visit the Flu Shot Information webpage.

Students starting Level One in the Fall semester, please wait to get your flu vaccination until instructed to do so. The vaccination must be the current season vaccination, or it will be rejected by CastleBranch.

The deadline for ordering your lab kit is December 28, 2023. After this date, any kit ordered will be charged an additional $30 Late Fee and Shipping Delay Service Fee. Lab kits will be shipped to the Eastview campus, not to your home. You will receive your lab kit in the Nursing Skills Lab on your first assigned class date of VNSG-1423. To see instructions for ordering your lab kit, click here.

Deadline: January 16, 2024

Click here to view the approved scrubs and other accessories for the Vocational Nursing program.

For more information about uniforms, see the Vocational Nursing Dress Code.

In addition to your uniform, please purchase the following uniform accessories at any uniform or medical supply store:

• watch with a second hand
• stethoscope
• pen light
• bandage scissors
• ballpoint pen (black ink only)

To see the Spring 2024 Textbook List, click here.

Students enrolled in a Nursing program should not rent their textbooks. Your Nursing textbooks will be used throughout the program and it will be much cheaper in the long run to purchase books. Refer to the Textbook List for package options.

Note: The packages are built specifically for our nursing program. You will not be able to find a match by searching by ISBN number. We do not recommend that students purchase the textbooks separately for this reason. There could be items included in the built packages that are not easily obtained individually. If you do decide to purchase your books outside of the packages offered through ACC’s bookstore, you will run the risk of not having all your required materials for class.

As a course requirement in every level of the program (levels 2-5 for the Evening/Weekend track students), students will be required to purchase the ATI academic package.  In the final level of the Vocational Nursing program, all students are required to take the ATI Exit Exam to evaluate their readiness for the NCLEX examination. The purpose of this exam is to analyze students’ ability to apply key concepts taught during their nursing education. Students are responsible for the cost of this exam. Included in this cost is access to the ATI resources, case studies and practice exams, which are a valuable addition to your learning.

The ATI Resource fee must be paid every semester enrolled. The ATI Resource fee not only pays for the exam, it gives students continued access to the resources per semester. There are no exceptions or exemptions. All students enrolled must pay every semester.  Students with a voucher from Capital Idea or Workforce will upload a copy of their voucher for this requirement each semester.