Question #2: 

Answer: 

Based on information from the Oregon Center for Nursing (StudentMAX™ developer) NEONI is convinced that using StudentMAX™ will decrease the number of phone calls and staff effort spent purely on arranging clinical site placements.  There is no reason for a school to call a hospital regarding placement if both are using StudentMAX™ to see if certain clinical sites are available in a particular clinical unit, a specific time or day, or if a pending request has been approved.  All confirmed and open sites are on the Web site for viewing; NEONI tracks all requests and gently reminds hospital facilitators if a pending request needs attention.

With regard to other student requirements, NEONI has worked with a committee of schools and facilities to create the NEONI Online Student Clinical Orientation Manual. This covers many of the hospital required orientation topics (HIPAA, Fire Safety, OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens, etc.) and has been widely approved by Northeast Ohio hospitals and schools of nursing for use. It is the recommendation of NEONI that hospitals require the use of this manual with schools requesting clinical site placement for pre-licensure students.

However, hospitals will still need to assess each student’s competency levels based on their own operating policies and procedures.  NEONI is exploring the feasibility and interest to create a "Nursing Student Passport”. This document will identify the requirements of a particular agency and student health status (i.e. immunizations etc.) We welcome any hospitals that would like to participate in developing this tool as we move forward.