All nursing students in the Suffolk County Community College nursing programs are required to complete a background check through a designated company prior to the start of their first clinical experience. The student's Social Security Number will be used to process the background check. Background checks submitted without a valid Social Security number will be considered incomplete. Students must also permit the Jane F. Shearer School of Nursing to release the outcome of the background check to the assigned clinical facility. Students with an incomplete background check and/or 'flagged' background checks may be denied access to the clinical facility. Students who cannot participate in clinical experiences due to adverse backgrounds are unable to fulfill the clinical requirements of the program. Further information is provided in the Nursing Student Handbook.
Upon graduation from Suffolk County Community College’s nursing programs, graduates will apply to be a candidate for the NCLEX (nursing licensure examination). The determination of whether an applicant for authorization to practice a profession, under title VIII of the Education Law, is of good moral character shall be made from all information indicating that an applicant has been convicted of a crime, or has committed an act which raises a reasonable question as to the applicant's moral character. If it is determined that a reasonable question exists as to the applicant's moral character, an investigation, including any letters of reference from peers or others which may have been submitted by the applicant, are submitted to a panel of the appropriate professional State Board for its review. Upon such review, the panel, by majority vote, may conclude in favor of the applicant to the effect that the moral character of the applicant is adequate for licensure, thereby fulfilling that licensure requirement, and the applicant and the director of the Division of Professional Licensing Services shall be notified of such conclusion by the Office of Professional Discipline. If, upon such review, the panel concludes, by a majority vote, that a substantial question exists as to the moral character of the applicant, the applicant shall be notified thereof. Upon the written request of the applicant, within 30 days after receipt of such notice, the department shall schedule a hearing on such question. Whether or not the applicant appeals from the determination of the panel, the applicant may reapply for licensure to the director of the Division of Professional Licensing Services after the expiration of 18 months from the date of service of the report of the panel.
Federal law limits the issuance of professional nursing licenses, registrations and limited permits to United States citizens or qualified aliens with an alien registration number or control number issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Non Immigrant (Temporarily in U.S. are required to list Visa type or immigration status and attach a copy a passport if not required to have a Visa to enter the United States. At the end of the nursing program, graduates filling out the application for licensure will be required to indicate citizenship/immigration status as one of the following.
- A United States citizen or National.
- An alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States.
- An alien granted asylum under Section 208 of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
- A refugee granted asylum under Section 207 of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
- An alien paroled into the United States under Section 212 (d)(5) of the Immigration and Nationality Act for a period of at least 1 year.
- An alien whose deportation is being withheld under Section 241 (b)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
- An alien granted conditional entry pursuant to Section 203 (a)(7) of the Immigration and Nationality Act as in effect prior to April 1980.
Questions about your immigration status and whether or not it is a qualifying status under federal law should be directed to the U.S. citizenship and immigration services (USCIS) by calling 1-800-375-5283, or visit their web site at www.uscis.gov.
Further information regarding candidacy for licensure can be found on The University of the State of New York The State Education Department Office of the Professions Division of Professional Licensing Services website at www.op.nysed.gov
