CON Background Checks

Home

Student Policies

UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA MEDICAL CENTER COLLEGE OF NURSING
Background Checks	Policy: 2110 (5.1.13)
Student Policies - All Students	Originating Date: May 2006
Responsible Reviewing Agency: Undergraduate Affairs Committee Professional Graduate Affairs Committee PhD Affairs Committee Final Approving Agency: Executive Council	Revised: September 2008 Revised: February 2009 Reviewed: October 2012 Revised: March 2017 (changes) Reviewed: January 2022 (changes) Revised: August 2025 (changes)

Purpose

Establishes criteria for requiring background checks on admission and additional and/or repeated background checks depending on program and clinical placement requirements.

Scope

This policy applies to all degree-seeking students.

Policy

UNMC requires background checks on newly admitted students. Students may need to submit to additional and/or repeated background checks depending on program and clinical placement requirements. Students are required to submit the annual disclosure statement at the beginning of every academic year.

The College of Nursing (CON) reserves the right to rescind an offer of admission or progression or to place monitoring requirements on any individual whose background investigation reveals a history of conduct that:

• is reasonably determined to increase the risk of harm to patients or individuals on UNMC premises; or
• was not accurately disclosed in response to a direct question regarding criminal history on any application for admission in connection with the program; or
• is inconsistent with the high standard of ethical conduct required of all members of the academic community; or
• is otherwise unbefitting a member of the academic community or would preclude completion of required educational activities.

Required Background Check Searches

1. Social Security Number Verification
2. Maiden and AKA Name Search
3. Positive Identification National Locator with previous address
4. Criminal History Investigation
5. National Wants & Warrants Submission
6. National Sex Offender Registry
7. Sexual Offender Registry/Predator Registry
8. Adult and Child Abuse Registry
9. Sanction Check- National Healthcare Data Bank (NHDB)
10. Officer of Inspector General Sanctions
11. Excluded Parties Listing System

Review of Background Checks

The CON will review background checks in a timely manner and will determine, as part of a holistic review, what constitutes an adverse finding in the background check that may result in denial of admission or dismissal from the program. Determinations by the CON are final.

Review Procedure

In reviewing the background check reports, disclosure statements and any information submitted, the committee may consider the following factors in making its determinations: the nature and seriousness of the offense or event, the circumstances surrounding the offense or event, the relationship between the duties to be performed as part of the educational program and the offense committed, the age of the person when the offense or event occurred, whether the offense or event was an isolated or repeated incident, the length of time that has passed since the offense or event, past employment and history of academic or disciplinary misconduct, evidence of successful rehabilitation, and the accuracy of the information provided by the applicant or student in the application materials, disclosure forms or other materials. The committee should bear in mind both the safety interests of the patient and the workplace, as well as the educational interest of the student. In reviewing background checks and supplementary information, advice may be obtained from University counsel or other appropriate advisors.