Students must pre-register for clinical practicum courses and MOU's must be in place between Catholic University and the healthcare agency prior to beginning clinical rotation.

## Clinical Readiness Requirements

Prior to starting clinical courses, there are requirements that the student must complete and document.

- Students must purchase a [CastleBranch account](https://www.castlebranch.com/online_submission/package_code.php).
- Students submit this documentation to [portal.castlebranch.com.](https://web.archive.org/web/20230926092808/https://portal.castlebranch.com/) *The package code for nurse practitioner students is HC54grad.*
- Criminal background checks must be completed prior to the start of the practicum.
- All students are required to submit a 9 panel urine drug screen (THC, Cocaine, PCP, Opiates, Methamphetamine, Methadone, Amphetamines, Barbiturate, Benzodiazepines) before starting practicum.
- Clinical documents you need to complete: [TB Testing](/sites/nursing.catholic.edu/files/2026-06/combined-tb-screening-and-testing-forms.pdf), [Immunization Documentation](/sites/nursing.catholic.edu/files/2026-06/combined-tb-screening-and-testing-forms.pdf), [Clinical Readiness](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mq31NzcqOmlZa74qPWMBtq8hbGAhPWpIMsKM20_JEqU/edit?tab=t.0)
- All students must have current CPR that is certified by the American Heart Association basic life support for health professionals.
- Licensure: Registered Nurses in any clinical nursing program are required to maintain licensure as Registered Nurses in the jurisdiction of their clinical placement. Nurse Practitioner students may need to obtain RN licensure in the District of Columbia.