SPEP Resource Library
Policy and Procedures – Student/Preceptor
Nursing Students Providing Immunizations
POLICY
While in a placement at [Enter Name here] health unit, nursing students are encouraged to provide
immunizations when appropriate for practicum experience. Students must follow the steps outlined
in the procedure. The person supervising the student must be a [Enter Name here] health unit
employee with a RN designation from the College of Nurses of Ontario. Students are required to
obtain a Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario Basic Cardiac Life Support (CPR) Certificate, prior to
beginning clinical placements. The management of anaphylaxis or other possible side effects is the
responsibility of the preceptor or aftercare nurse.
PROCEDURE
Assessment
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Providing immunization must meet the objectives of the student and be consistent with the
expectations of the educational institution.
The student must successfully complete any prerequisites by their school, prior to providing
immunization.
The student must review all the pertinent [Enter Name here] health unit policies and
procedures with respect to the administration of the vaccine.
The student can only provide immunizations for those approved by the [Enter Name here]
health unit.
The student must be knowledgeable about the vaccine they are giving and emergency
procedures for possible adverse events.
The student must have general knowledge and understanding of the procedures for giving
injections, and be able to verbalize the correct steps when administering a vaccine.
The student must have observed their preceptor in the process of client assessment,
immunization, administration and documentation of at least 3 immunizations.
Preceptor Role
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The preceptor should observe their student assess, immunize, and document for 5-10
clients.
The preceptor is responsible to determine that the student has acquired competency in the
immunization procedures through facilitation and observation of practice, knowledge, skill,
and judgement. Thus, the preceptor, using nursing judgement and once the student has
demonstrated competency, may allow their student to immunize on their own and consult
with their preceptor as needed. The student is responsible for his or her own actions.
Student Role
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The student must introduce and identify him/herself to the client as a student nurse.
The client's verbal consent is required in order to proceed with observation and/or
immunization.
The student must assess, rule out any contraindications to the vaccine, and ensure informed
written consent has been obtained prior to the immunization.
The student must ensure the client meets the specific conditions within the medical
directive.
The student can verbalize the 5 Rights (e.g.: right drug, right dose, right time, right route,
and right client) for each immunization.
The student demonstrates safe and accurate preparation and administration of the vaccine
(i.e.: checks expiry date, landmark the area, cleanses the site, etc.).
Within the Sexual Health Clinics, the preceptor and student must monitor any client whom
he/she has vaccinated for 15 minutes. Within the VPD clinics, the student must follow their
preceptor in his/her assigned clinic role(s). During the placement, the preceptor and the
student would be assigned to the aftercare station and monitor all vaccinated clients from
the clinic. If in the opinion of the preceptor the client is having an adverse vaccine reaction,
the preceptor is to follow the policies and procedures established by the program. At no
time should the student independently be monitoring vaccinated clients.
Documentation
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The Compendium of Standards of Practice for Nurses in Ontario has established
expectations for practice. For information about documentation practice standards see
http://www.cno.org/docs/prac/41001_documentation.pdf.
Each individual (the preceptor and/or student) must document the care they provide to the
client.
All documentation should be legible, descriptive, and specific. Include the intervention and
the client's reaction to the intervention.
When the student observes their preceptor, the preceptor must document the observation
including the student's full name (the same name they used for registration with their
university) and designation (e.g.: Student Nurse, U of T Year IV) in the nursing notes found
on the bottom of the form or the progress notes.
When the preceptor observes the student, the student must document the observation
including the preceptor's full name and designation in the nursing notes found on the
bottom of the form or the progress notes. The entry must include the date, time, signature,
printed name, and designation of the student.
The preceptor should not co-sign the entry.
The student must print their name, sign, and include their designation on the "Record of
Signatures” list.
Any questions regarding these guidelines, responsibilities or competencies should be
referred to the preceptor’s manager.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The Student Placement, Education & Preceptorship (SPEP) Network has agreed to post this policy as
part of the SPEP Knowledge Library. This resource is provided as a sample for reference purposes
only and is not intended as a complete policy. Please consult your Department Supervisor or legal
department prior to using in your organization.
This resource was developed by Toronto Public Health and adapted with the permission of Toronto
Public Health.
Catalogue Information
DOCUMENT #
[########]
DOCUMENT TYPE
[SPEP Network]
AUTHOR(S)
SPEP Network
DATE CREATED
[2011/11/1)
LAST MODIFIED
[YYYY/MM/DD]
LAST OPENED
[YYYY/MM/DD]
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