Guidelines for Undergraduate Clinical Experiences

Undergraduate students will participate in assigned clinical experiences at both the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) and Rochester Regional Health (RRH) systems.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

General Information

Students will be provided with appropriate PPE for caring for all patients based on the requirements of the health system, the same PPE that the unit nursing staff in those hospitals use. Clinical students can be assigned or care for known COVID-19 positive patients, persons under investigation (PUIs), and recovering COVID patients.

  • N95s (or PAPRs) are not needed to care for a COVID patient on a general unit
  • The only exception is students may not care for patients while undergoing an aerosol generating procedure (AGP)* which require an N95 or PAPR.

*According to the Centers for Disease Control, commonly performed medical procedures that are often considered AGPs, or that create uncontrolled respiratory secretions that would require an N95 mask, include open suctioning of airways, sputum induction, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, endotracheal intubation and extubation, non-invasive ventilation (e.g., BiPAP, CPAP), bronchoscopy, manual ventilation, nebulizer administration, and high flow O2 delivery (as defined by agency).

PPE Training

All students and clinical faculty must complete the PPE Escape Room before clinical starts. Please access InPlace to complete that training.

Face Masks

Surgical procedure face masks (available for all students in their assigned clinical site or department), not homemade masks, must be worn at all times when students are on the campus of the health care facility (in the clinical setting as well as hallways, restrooms, breakrooms, parking garage).

N95 Masks at RRH

RRH will be offering appointments to students who have a clinical assignment in the RRH system for N95 mask fit testing. Students can sign up for these appointments as they become available using the link that will be provided by the school. Appointments will not be available for all students before the clinical rotations start. Fit testing is not required to attend clinical.

Eye Protection

Eye protection (safety glasses, goggles, or face shield) is required when in direct contact with all patients: non-COVID patients in all inpatient settings, COVID patients (quarantined, PUI, or COVID positive), or with any patient on precautions to prevent the risk of exposure and to protect the face mask from contamination. These can be obtained from each clinical area and are reused.

Vaccine Information

Although we cannot mandate vaccinations to participate in clinical, it is STRONGLY recommended that nursing students have the vaccine unless they have a medical reason not to do so. Both URMC and RRH systems will provide the vaccine to all Wegmans School of Nursing students. Information on how to sign up for the vaccine has been sent to all students.

Vaccine Resources