Practical clinical experience is an essential requirement of Chamberlain pre-licensure programs. To participate in clinicals, students are required to take and pass a drug and background check. Specific clinical requirements are listed in the academic catalog. Students who fail a drug or background check may be dismissed.

Students are required to travel to complete clinical learning experiences. The average distance between Chamberlain campuses and clinical sites ranges from 21-33 miles. Student should note that they may be required to travel up to 100 miles to complete clinical learning experiences. Clinical site locations vary. Clinical days and hours may vary dependent upon clinical site and program options. For BSN online option students, distances will vary depending on the student's place of residence. BSN online option students are also expected to attend clinicals at the site assigned to them. Contact the Clinical Coordination Office for additional information.

Some clinical experiences require additional costs. All clinical-related expenses (including uniforms, clinical supplies, travel, etc.) are the student’s responsibility.

Virginia Residents

In accordance with §54.1-3001 of the Code of Virginia, a nursing student, while enrolled in an approved nursing program, may perform tasks that would constitute the practice of nursing. The student shall be responsible and accountable for the safe performance of those direct client care tasks to which he/she has been assigned. 

Texas Residents

Every person who seeks to apply for a nursing license in the state of Texas must have good professional character related to the practice of nursing. The Texas Board of Nursing defines “good professional character” as the integrated pattern of personal, academic and occupational behaviors that indicate that an individual is able to consistently conform their conduct to the requirements of the Nursing Practice Act, the Board’s rules and generally accepted standards of nursing practice. An individual who provides satisfactory evidence that they have not committed a violation of the Nursing Practice Act or a rule adopted by the Board is considered to have good professional character related to the practice of nursing.

An individual is subject to denial of licensure for a conviction for or placement on deferred adjudication community supervision or deferred disposition for, a felony that is directly related to the practice of nursing or for a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude that is directly related to the practice of nursing (Texas Administrative Code 213.28). The Board is required under Texas Occupations Code §301.4535(b) to deny an individual initial licensure in Texas upon a final conviction or a plea of guilty or nolo contendere for a criminal offense specified in §301.4535(a). Further, an individual is not eligible for initial licensure in Texas before the fifth anniversary of the date the individual successfully completed and was dismissed from community supervision or parole for an offense specified in §301.4535(a).

Each individual who seeks to practice nursing in Texas must possess current fitness to practice (Texas Administrative Code 213.29). An individual’s fitness to practice will be determined by evaluating the individual’s ability to consistently comply with the requirements of the Nursing Practice Act, the Board’s rules and regulations and generally accepted standards of nursing practice. An individual’s fitness to practice may be subject to Board review due to an individual’s substance use disorder; possession, abuse or misuse of alcohol or drugs, prescribed or otherwise; or physical or mental health condition. This is not an exhaustive list. If an individual exhibits any conduct that may prevent them from practicing nursing with reasonable skill and safety, the Board will review the individual’s conduct to determine if they possess current fitness to practice.

Individuals who have been diagnosed, treated or hospitalized for a mental health condition that may impair their ability to practice nursing safely, will, at a minimum, be required to demonstrate controlled behavior and consistent compliance with recommended treatment, including compliance with a prescribed medication regime, for a reasonable amount of time, through verifiable and reliable evidence, in order to obtain licensure.

Individuals who have not been diagnosed, treated or hospitalized for a mental health condition but have nonetheless exhibited behaviors raising concerns about the individual’s fitness to practice due to a mental health condition or diminished capacity may be required to demonstrate controlled behavior and compliance with recommended treatment, including compliance with a prescribed medication regime, for a reasonable amount of time, through verifiable and reliable evidence, in order to obtain or retain licensure.

An individual who has reason to believe that they may be ineligible for initial licensure due to issues discussed in these rules may petition the Board for a declaratory order as to their eligibility.