SON Updates: Week of July 27, 2020

Dear School of Nursing Students,

As we near the month of August, the School of Nursing faculty, staff, and administrators continue to plan for our Fall semester. We thank those of you who have been able to join our ongoing “Student Hours” and appreciate the questions that you have brought. As promised during these sessions, we write today with some recent updates and responses to your questions.

  • Penn Wellness: The University’s Wellness Services COVID-19 FAQ has important information and clarification on the following topics: quarantining before arrival to campus, testing, contact tracing, isolation/quarantine, PennOpen Pass, and Campus Life. Learn more online at wellness.upenn.edu/coronavirus/.
  • SON Student Clinical Compact: The SON is finalizing its Student Clinical Compact, specific to those students who intend to return to in-person clinical and simulation experiences this fall. Please keep a look out via email for this important document.  We are working with American Databank to see if it can be integrated into Complio.  Note* It will require your signature and before being allowed to return to clinical or simulation experiences for the fall semester.
  • Student Health Services (SHS) TB testing and PPD’s: If a student needs a QFT or PPD they will need to come into SHS. If they have a QFT done at home and upload it into Immunization Compliance, then SHS can verify it over the phone or via telehealth (this also applies with other necessary immunizations). If a student is non-compliant on their immunizations with SHS, then SHS will not sign off verification forms.
  • PennOpen Pass: All students must enroll in PennOpen Pass prior to traveling to campus and begin completing the daily questionnaire. As a reminder, PennOpen Pass is a digital tool/app for daily symptom checks to reduce the risk of COVID-19 to the Penn community and beyond. Learn more online about PennOpen Pass and to view the implementation toolkit.
  • SON Student FAQ: While information updates are ongoing, the SON is in the process of creating a specific FAQ web page for Fall 2020. We will be working with the SON Communications team and our student leaders to develop this page. If you have suggestions for the FAQ page, please email them to Dann Truitt@ dannt@nursing.upenn.edu.
  • Central University Response to University general fee: “The General Fee is assessed to all undergraduate, graduate, and professional students, and directly funds Penn’s non-instructional student support services. The General Fee for full-time students provides them with full access to a wide variety of services and resources, including counseling and wellness, multicultural resource centers, student activities, recreation and fitness, career services, learning support, and much more. Services funded by the General Fee include:
    • Learning resources, activities, and support for undergraduates, graduate and professional students, students with children, and students with disabilities
    • Holistic wellness programming (physical, mental, emotional, financial) and public health initiatives
    • Career counseling and advising
    • Multicultural resource centers
    • Fitness programming and recreational spaces
    • Safety and security of the Penn community

These student services will remain consistent for all Penn students, whether administered in-person or remotely, as the services and resources they fund remain in place. In fact, Penn has made significant resource and technology investments to allow students to continue to utilize support services, access resources, and learn in a hybrid or fully remote environment.  Whether delivered online or in-person, the University continues to provide a meaningful and high-quality education and resources to all our students.”

  • December 2020 graduation: Time flies and Fall graduation is right around the corner. While planning is just beginning, please hold Monday, December 11th for now.

As I have shared in prior emails, please know that we are available throughout the summer via virtual appointments or email.  You can find a full listing of departmental contacts online here.

Sincerely,

 

Christina M. Costanzo, EdD

Assistant Dean for Admissions & Academic Affairs

University of Pennsylvania, School of Nursing

Costanzo@nursing.upenn.edu