What Are Non-Academic Requirements?
Nurses and nursing students deal with patients/clients who have low immune system functioning or may have infectious diseases. It is imperative students protect themselves and patients from harm. As such, there are a number of non-academic requirements (NARs) that need to be completed and updated on an ongoing basis while enrolled in the program.
The NARs process is a multi-step process that includes the completion/renewal of each NAR, followed by submission of documented evidence of that completion/renewal, and finally, verification and clearance by Synergy (the Electronic Student Permit Checking [ESPC] software platform used for tracking your NARs). You will need to complete this process for each NAR that is incomplete, expired, and/or will expire during the expiry timeline by the specified NARs Clearance Deadline for each term you are in clinical. Failure to complete or renew NARs within the designated timeframes will result in the your inability to enter into clinical practice and any required co-requisite theory course.
Deadlines & Renewals
Submitting NARs by the specified dates and keeping them up to date is extremely important. Placement agencies require your NARs to have been completed within recent timeframes. Having expired NARs could put the student or their patients at risk. Therefore, the Trent/Fleming School of Nursing (TFSON) is very strict with the specified timeframes for submission, verification, and clearance.
It is also important to remember that some NARs take a great deal of time to complete. For example, police record checks with a vulnerable sector screen can sometimes take 8 weeks or more to receive. Starting to complete/review your NARs well ahead of the NARs Clearance Date is important to ensure you meet the deadlines. We also advise you to book your Synergy appointment well before the NARs Clearance Deadline to ensure you will have time to address any missing items or follow-up actions identified by Synergy during your appointment.
It is your responsibility to ensure you understand these requirements. If you have questions, don't hesitate to send them to Synergy at synergyhelps.com.
First-Year Students
If you are a first-year compressed, collaborative, or post-bridge PN to BScN student, you will begin your first clinical placement in your first winter term. This means that your first NARs Clearance Deadline is November 15th. This is the date by which you must submit all documented evidence of completion for each required NAR and receive verification and clearance from Synergy.
NARs deadlines for future terms are identified below on the NARs Clearance Chart.
Students can view a summary of NARs requirements by reviewing the NARs Checklist for First Year Students.
Upper-Year Students
If you are an upper year student trying to determine when your NARs are due, follow these steps:
1. Determine which semester you will begin clinical in, and review the associated Expiry Timeline and NARs Clearance Deadline on the below NARs Clearance Chart.
2. Go to your Synergy Dashboard, and review when each of the required NARs is set to expire. If the date of expiry falls with in the Expiry Timeline you determined in step 1, that NAR will need to be renewed.
3. For each NAR you identified as expiring during the Expiry Timeline, ensure you renew, submit documented evidence, and receive clearance from Synergy by the NARs Clearance Deadline" you identified in step 1. To receive clearance, you must book an Electronic Student Permit Check (ESPC) appointment with Synergy.
|
Clinical Term |
Expiry Timeline *Renew any NAR that expires during this timeline. |
NARs Clearance Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Spring/Summer (SN1, SN2, S12) | March 15th - August 31st | March 15th |
| Fall (FA) | July 15th - December 31st | July 15th |
| Winter (WI) | November 15th - April 30th | November 15th |
What NARs are Required?
The TFSON requires you to complete the below list of NARs. This list is only intended to provide general information for first year and can change term-to-term depending on the healthcare agency's requirements where you are completing a clinical placement. Additionally, at the bottom of this webpage, you will find the recorded Non-Academic Requirements Overview from Summer Orientation 2021. You should always review the most recent copy of the submission chart for your program provided by the TFSON for current and accurate information. Failure to complete, submit, and receive verification and clearance from Synergy for any NAR within the required timeframes will result in your removal from the clinical course for that term and its associated theory co-requisite course.
We encourage you to begin the NARs process soon as possible (but not before the specified date as listed below) to ensure that you have enough time to schedule your ESPC appointment to receive verification and clearance from Synergy, as well as leaving yourself with some time to make any corrections that Synergy may determine you need before the November 15th deadline.
WHAT IS IT?
- Evidence of immunization history and serology reports
- Proof that immunizations are up-to-date and complete
- Completed in First Year ONLY
WHERE CAN I GET THIS DONE?
- Healthcare provider (ie. Physician, Nurse Practitioner)
- Trent Health Services is not able to provide this service.
- Students should start this process as soon as possible!
WHEN SHOULD I BEGIN?
- You are encouraged to complete this requirement during the summer with your primary health care provider.
-
TB Testing
WHAT IS IT?
- Determines if you have ever been exposed to Tuberculosis (TB)
- A Two-Step Test is required in the first year (as part of the Immunization and Communicable Disease Form)
- If you have had a Two-Step Test within the past 12 months, provide proof of the Two-Step Test and complete a One-Step Test
WHERE CAN I GET THIS DONE?
- TFSON Simulation Hub, Healthcare provider, walk-in clinic
- TFSON Simulation Hub service announcements will be posted to the NARs at Trent U 2023
-
CPR - Level C, HCP, or BLS
WHAT IS IT?
- Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a life-saving technique that can help to keep blood and oxygen flowing during an emergency
- CPR courses accepted: Level-C, BLS, or HCP
- Fully web-based courses are not accepted, must include an in-person component
WHERE CAN I GET THIS DONE?
- TFSON Simulation Hub, other agencies
- TFSON Simulation Hub service announcements will be posted to the NARs at Trent U 2023
-
Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening
WHAT IS IT?
- Report provided by your local police service
- This process can take 8-12 weeks to complete, so apply for your Criminal Record Check (CRC) with VSS as soon as possible!
Students should start this process as soon as possible!
IMPORTANT: You are required to provide a verification letter to the police detachment indicating that you are a student.
- If you reside outside of Toronto: email nursing@trentu.ca. Please include your full legal name, date of birth, and student number in the email.
- If you reside in Toronto: email diannediniz@trentu.ca. Please include your full legal name, date of birth, and student number in the email and 2 pieces of government issued ID.
- If you are less than 18 years of age prior to the NARs deadline, please email the Placement team at nursingnars@trentu.ca
Students who have been charged and/or convicted of a criminal offense must immediately report this information to the Placement Coordinator by emailing trentclinical@trentu.ca. Failure to do so will be considered professional misconduct (refer to the TFSON Professional Conduct Policy in the TFSON Student Handbook).
-
N95 Mask Fit
WHAT IS IT?
- N95 masks cover the nose and mouth and filter airborne particulates and microorganisms
- A mask fit test is required to identify which mask size a student needs to be fully protected
WHERE CAN I GET THIS DONE?
- TFSON Simulation Hub, other agencies
- TFSON Simulation Hub service announcements will be posted to the NARs at Trent U 2023
-
Influenza Vaccine
WHAT IS IT?
- The influenza vaccine protects against infection by influenza viruses.
- A new vaccine is created every year as the type of flu virus tends to change year to year.
- This vaccine is mandatory for all Nursing students.
WHERE CAN I GET THIS DONE?
- Pharmacy or Health Care Provider
- Available mid October each Year
HOW TO SUBMIT?
- Due: December 1st each year
- Please follow the detailed instructions on Synergy to upload
- This is a free upload
-
Workplace Health & Safety Modules
WHAT ARE THEY?
There are five Ministry-required health and safety modules that you need to complete. These modules include:
- The Ministry of Health - Health & Safety Awareness Training
- Workplace Violence & Harassment Training
- Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
- Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.
- IPAC Modules
HOW TO SUBMIT?
These modules need to be completed through the NARs at Trent U 2023 on Blackboard and are only required in the first year. Students should start this process as soon as possible!
-
Consent and Confidentiality Forms
WHAT ARE THEY?
These modules need to be completed through the NARs at Trent U 2023 on Blackboard and are only required in the first year.
Complete all forms and submit via dropboxes
- HSPnet Consent Form for Use & Disclosure of Student Information
- Student Declaration of Understanding- Workplace Safety & Insurance Board or Private Insurance Coverage for Students on Program Related Placements x2
- PRHC Postsecondary Student Unpaid Work Placement Release Form
- Peterborough Regional Health Centre Confidentiality Agreement
- Trent University Photo/Image Release and Waiver
- Lakeridge Health Statement of Confidentiality
- Trent University Consent Form for Use & Disclosure of Student Information
Students should start this process as soon as possible!
What is Synergy and How do I submit NARs?
The TFSON uses Verified, a software platform by Synergy Gateway, to assist you in completing, verifying, and tracking expiry information for all NARs. Once you are registered with the TFSON, Synergy will provide you with a secure username and password using your Trent University e-mail account. You will then be able to log into your Synergy account and upload copies of NARs documents and book a mandatory Electronic Student Permit Checking (ESPC) appointment to have your documents verified. This process must be completed by the deadline identified in the submission chart for the program you are enrolled in.
As a new student you should have received an email to your Trent University student email account with log-in information. If you have not received this as of yet, be sure to check your junk mail folder. Occasionally, emails that come from an address other than @trentu.ca will filter into junk mail. If after registering for your courses you still do not have an email from Synergy, please contact their help desk at Synergyhelps.com using your Trent University e-mail address. If you do not use your Trent e-mail address Synergy will not respond.
Below will provide you with a basic introduction to Synergy and how to use their platform.
If you have any questions or problems with your Non-Academic Requirements at any point in time, please contact Synergy before contacting the TFSON. It’s important all NAR questions are routed through Synergy for consistency. In the event Synergy is unable to answer your question, they will contact the TFSON for guidance after which they will respond to you.
How to Submit NARs Documents Video Tutorial
Synergy Help Desk
Help desk hours: Monday to Friday 10 am to 3 pm excluding holidays.
Synergy Gateway Student Guidebook
PDF Copy of The Synergy Gateway Guidebook
PDF Copy of The Electronic Student Permit Check, ESPC Appointment Guidebook
NARs Frequently Asked Questions