Background Checks

Legislation and policy changes now require a full background check for all individuals applying for admission to Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing programs. Each nursing program has required coursework that involves patient contact such as practice in a health care facility, conducting a research study or project, or interfacing with patients individually or collectively. Partnering agencies where students receive nursing practice experiences require yearly background checks, as well as additional information such as arrests without convictions, verification of employment, and social security verification, aimed at protecting the public.

Therefore, a level-two background check is required of all applicants prior to admission to the College of Nursing, and yearly while in the clinical component in the nursing program.

Background check results are maintained confidentially within the College of Nursing on the Boca Raton campus and reviewed during the admission process.

If any applicant’s background check indicates a history that might prevent participation in a nursing practice component of the program, the Advisory Panel of the College that rules on such student issues will consider the applicant’s individual situation and make a decision about admission to the program.

The College of Nursing has contractual agreements with a multitude of clinical facilities/institutions, and each of these institutions has its own policy regarding background checks, immunizations & drug testing. 

If the background check results in a current student being denied admission to a clinical agency and/or access to patients in the agency, and if a comparable assignment cannot be made to meet course objectives, the academic requirements of the program cannot be met. This will result with the student being denied progression in the College of Nursing, resulting in withdrawal from the program.

Components of the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing background check include:

• CastleBranch provides data management for all aspects of the background check to include drug testing. CastleBranch can be accessed at https://discover.castlebranch.com/ to place an order.
  (see chart below for the correct code to use to place your order to start the background check process)

Please use the package codes below if you are enrolled in the Graduate Program
Program	If you are currently living or working in The State of Florida	If you are currently living or working outside The State of Florida
Doctoral (DNP)	FL08	FL08OS
MASTERS	FL82	FL82OS
PhD	FF05	FF05OS

 

• A Level II Criminal Background Check from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) in conjunction with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Instructions for both components of the background check can be accessed on the College of Nursing website at http://nursing.fau.edu in the “Current Students” section under Background Checks, /academics/student-resources/background-check-health-records/index.php. All associated fees and costs are the responsibility of the applicant or student. Applicants to the College of Nursing must have the results of both background checks on file with the College of Nursing prior to consideration for full admission. Contact the affiliated program advisor for specific program requirements.

Upon admission to the College of Nursing, a mandatory drug screening will be required. Additional screenings may be required throughout the program. In addition, clinical agencies may require students to undergo drug screening prior to placement in their agency. Students whose drug screening results are unsatisfactory may be denied access to clinical experiences by the clinical agencies, and if a comparable assignment cannot be made to meet course objectives, the student will be denied progression in the College of Nursing. 

It is important to note that admission to the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing does not guarantee eligibility for licensure in nursing in the state of Florida. The Florida State Board of Nursing, in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Nurse Practice Act, will determine a nursing program graduate's eligibility for licensure if there is an arrest/conviction record. Students should contact the Florida State Board of Nursing for information regarding regulations. Information may be found on their website at https://mqa-vo.doh.state.fl.us/datamart/voservicesportal. Detailed information can also be found on the Florida Atlantic University College of Nursing website at http://nursing.fau.edu. Completion of the nursing curriculum does not guarantee that the Florida Board of Nursing (or any other licensing body) will allow students with criminal records to take the licensing examination.

If the student experiences a break in enrollment of one or more calendar year(s) from the original background check or most recent oath and affirmation statement, a new complete background check (both components) will be required before the student may resume coursework.