Policy for Working with Unvaccinated Nursing Students
Union University encourages, but does not require, vaccination for faculty, staff, and students. As a Baptist institution, Union takes very seriously the sacred obligation to live according to one's biblically-informed conscience; therefore, the university protects that religious liberty in everything that we have control over and seeks as best it can to accommodate those with conscientious objections to the vaccines in settings outside the university's control.
Clinical experience is a vital part of nursing education, allowing students to apply their knowledge in real healthcare settings. Clinical education is part of our curriculum and required for matriculation through our program. Most clinical partners, however, require students to be up to date on vaccinations, with limited options for exemptions. The College of Nursing and Health Sciences is committed to working with all students to secure clinical placements that support their training.
Our clinical partners determine the requirements for student placement at their facilities. As a result, we cannot guarantee clinical placement for every student. Because these requirements are outside our control, placement delays may occur, which could impact the time needed to complete clinical hours and graduate. If we are unable to secure a clinical placement, we will communicate that openly and work to identify alternative options whenever possible. If no viable placement can be arranged, we will also be transparent about that outcome.