Final admission/enrollment to the nursing program is contingent upon successful completion of the background check and drug screen. The background check, drug screen, and clinical requirements must be completed before enrolling in nursing classes with clinical activities. Background checks in Virginia can often be delayed due to the backlog of requests, please purchase early.
The State Board of Nursing has the authority to deny license to any applicant who has violated any of the provisions of 54.1-3007 of the Code of Virginia. Most healthcare organizations are prohibited from hiring persons who have been convicted of certain criminal acts (For a list of crimes under this category refer to BARRIER CRIMES, Code of Virginia 63.2-1726). Students with convictions or positive drug tests may be prohibited from clinical practice and may not be able to complete the program requirements.
Qualifications for Registered Nurse licensure have been established by the Virginia Department of Health Professions and the Virginia Board of Nursing and can be found at http://www.dhp.virginia.gov/Boards/Nursing/ApplicantResources/ApplyforLicense/RegisteredNurse/ and select “First-time RN license.” Select Application Instruction for a list of requirements.
All students are required to purchase a clinical requirements package from CastleBranch which includes a background check, drug screen, and electronic clinical requirements document manager. The cost for this package is the responsibility of the student.
Register with ViewPoint Screening:
- Go to https://www.viewpointscreening.com/vhcc
- Click Start Your Order
- From the drop down, choose Registered Nursing
- Package should read: Virginia Highlands Community College – RN Nursing
- Follow the prompts to complete your purchase
After payment, you will be prompted to continue to your ViewPoints account to see requirements that may need to be completed.
If you need any assistance, please contact CastleBranch’s Student Services help desk at 888-723-4263 or userexperience@castlebranch.com
- Background Check – Upon the purchase of your ViewPoints package, your background check will be initiated. ViewPoint Screening searches various records for criminal offenses that may constitute a barrier crime.
- Drug Screen - Your payment to ViewPoint Screening includes a drug test. Twenty-four to 48 hours after you have placed your order, you will receive an electronic chain of custody form (e-form) that will list approved laboratory centers in your area that accept this e-form. Follow the directions in the email to complete your lab work. Make sure to call the lab and confirm that they accept the e-form, confirm drug testing hours, and ask if an appointment is required. Please note: If the lab sites on your e-form are out of your region, contact ViewPoint Screening to inquire about a lab location closer to your residence.
Results of your background check and drug screen will be posted to your ViewPoint Screening account. The VHCC Nursing receives a report showing results. If a student’s background check/drug screen raises an issue, the Dean will contact the student asking that the issue be resolved. Any dispute with background checks or drug screens must be mediated with ViewPoint Screening by the student.
Students are unable to enroll in nursing classes until the background check and drug screen is cleared and other clinical requirements are completed. Cleared background checks and drug screens are required for participating in clinical activities. Clinical agencies reserve the right to ask students for access to their ViewPoint Screening account at any time. Refusal to allow ViewPoint Screening access to clinical agencies may result in an agency’s refusal to allow the student to continue clinical activities at that facility; this may prevent the student from being successful in the clinical course and progressing in the nursing program.
Contact Debbie Aylor, VHCC Nursing Office, NEB 144, (276) 739-2439 for assistance or questions.