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 Clearence 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 P.N. to B.Sc.N. 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.

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.

1. Immunization and Communicable Disease Form

Description: The information collected (including evidence of immunization history and serology reports, through the completion of the Immunization and Communicable Disease Form) assists in ensuring the immunizations that are required by the various clinical agencies as well as help to protect you and patients are up-to-date and complete. The form can be found by visiting the "Forms" section on the Non-Academic Requirements portion of this website. These forms are required only in first year.

When To Begin Completing: You are encouraged to complete this requirement during the summer with your primary health care provider. 

Potential Providers: Family healthcare provider, walk-in clinic, etc. Note: Trent Health Services is not able to provide this service.

2. TB Testing

Description: A tuberculin skin test will help to determine if you have ever been exposed to tuberculosis (TB). The first time you receive a TB skin test, you will need to complete a base-line Two-Step Mantoux Skin Test. After this initial test, each year moving forward, a One-Step Mantoux Skin Test will need to be completed. If you have had a Two-Step Mantoux Skin Test prior to beginning with Trent/Fleming School of Nursing, then you will need to submit proof of the previous test as well as complete a One-Step Mantoux Skin Test. A Two-Step Test is required in first year (as part of the Immunization and Communicable Disease Form). A One-Step is required annually moving forward.

Potential Providers: TFSON: Simulation Hub, family healthcare provider, walk-in clinic, etc. Note: Trent Health Services is not able to provide this service.

3. CPR - Level C, HCP, or BLS

Description:  Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a life-saving technique that can help to keep blood and oxygen flowing during an emergency. It is important that you learn and refresh these important skills annually to ensure you are prepared in the event of an emergency. If you have never completed a CPR class before or it has been 18 months since your last renewal, you will be required to take a full course. You may take a re-certification course if your previously completed a CPR course in the last 18 months. Ensure the course is a Level C, Health Care Provider (HCP), or Basic Life Support (BLS) course. The course must be acceptable to the School of Nursing and include an in-class, hands-on training session. Fully web-based courses are not accepted. Blended approaches are acceptable. You must complete a recertification course annually, even if your certification card states that it is valid for two years.

Potential Providers: TFSON: Simulation Hub, Heart and Stroke Foundation, St. John's Ambulance, Canadian Red Cross, or another provider approved by the Trent/Fleming School of Nursing. 

4. Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening

Description:  A Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening (CRC with VSS) is used for persons seeking employment and/or volunteering in a position of authority or trust relative to vulnerable persons in Canada. You first must obtain a CRC letter from the Trent/Fleming School of Nursing through the main nursing office to provide to the police services. To request this letter, please email nursing@trentu.ca with your full name, date of birth, and student ID. If you are obtaining your CRC with VSS through Toronto Police Services, you should notify the nursing office by emailing nursing@trentu.ca, as an alternate procedure is required. A new CRC with VSS is required to be submitted annually.

Potential Providers: Contact the police service in the area in which you reside to obtain a Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening. Please note: Based on the guidelines set by the RCMP, you must obtain a criminal reference check from the police detachment where you currently reside. For example, if you do not reside in Peterborough at the time of the criminal reference check application, you cannot apply to the Peterborough Police Service to obtain your criminal reference check.

5. N95 Mask Fit

Description: N95 masks are respirators that cover the nose and mouth and filter airborne particulates and microorganisms. These masks are an important part of personal protective equipment (PPE) and a mandatory requirement for all health care professionals including students. A mask fit test will help to identify which size of mask best fits you as well as help to prevent contact with airborne pathogens. Completion of a mask fit test will be required in first year, and then every 24 months.

Potential Providers: Testing is available through the TFSON: Simulation Hub or ParaMed for students in the P.N. to B.Sc.N. program. You can also check for providers in your local area, such as universities and colleges.

6. Influenza Vaccine

Description: 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. You will need to receive a flu vaccine annually.

Potential Providers: Influenza vaccines are widely available through family healthcare providers, walk-in clinics, pharmacies, public health flu-shot clinics, etc. Note: Trent Health Services is not able to provide this service.

7. Online Health & Safety Modules

Description: There are four Ministry-required health and safety modules that you need to complete. These modules include: (1) The Ministry of Health - Health & Safety Awareness Training, (2) Workplace Violence & Harassment Training, (3) Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS), and (4) Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. These modules will be due in first year only.  

Potential Providers: These modules will need to be completed through the TFSON Intranet on Blackboard. 

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

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