Helene Fuld School of Nursing

Welcome Nursing Students!

Congratulations on getting accepted into one our renowned nursing programs! On this page, we've gathered resources and information to get you started and help you find your way around.

Pre-Orientation

Coppin State University and the Helene Fuld School of Nursing hold a New Student Orientation for students admitted to our undergraduate nursing programs. Orientation covers a variety of topics, including:

• Academic overviews
• Clinical overviews
• Policies and procedures for various aspects of campus

Orientation/Nursing Boot Camp

Orientation
Date: August 19, 2025
Time: 9:00 am-4:00pm
Location: Talon Center, 2nd floor

Boot Camp for Nursing Students Only
Date: August 20-22, 2025
Time: 9:00 am-4:00pm
Location: to be announced

The College of Health Professions Orientation/Nursing Boot Camp is a mandatory orientation for newly admitted and returning undergraduate students enrolled in programs within the College of Health Professions (CHP). This includes students in programs in the Helene Fuld School of Nursing (HFSON) and the School of Allied Health (SAH).

The CHP Orientation/Nursing Boot Camp focuses on helping students:

• Enhance cognitive skills
• Develop positive academic behaviors
• Begin learning healthcare knowledge
• Promote retention and academic success

During this event, all CHP undergraduate students have the opportunity to meet CHP Faculty and learn about various student success resources.

Students get an introduction to the foundational nursing curriculum, such as the nursing process and medical terminology.

Campus Parking

There is no free parking on campus. Students need a parking permit to park on any of the campus parking lots. Students who don't have a permit yet can pay to park in visitor parking spots on some campus lots. There are parking options for residential and commuter students.

See student parking options

New Student Campus Orientation

All new College of Health Professions (CHP) students who enroll in Fall Term must attend New Student Orientation (NSO). The Office of Student Activities and Leadership hosts NSO, which is open to all new undergraduate students. During these orientations, students receive information about University policies and procedures, as well as additional information about available student resources. All new undergraduate students must register for NSO. 

Register for New Student Orientation

Eagle Card - Your Key to Campus

The Eagle Card is your official University ID. It is your access card to campus events and activities, as well as buildings and facilities. You can use to check out library resources and materials, purchase items in the campus Bookstore and even load money onto it to use for campus dining vendors. If you need a parking permit, you'll need to get your Eagle Card first. 

Get your Eagle Card

Required Forms and Documentation

The College of Health Professions uses the Maryland Hospital Association's designated vendor, CastleBranch, to manage student immunizations, compliance documents, background checks, and drug screenings. Your CastleBranch profile includes:

• A list of all program and clinical requirements
• Immunization Assistant
• Record Scan
• Student Immunization Records
• Document Management

How to Create a CastleBranch Profile and Ordering Your Package

1. Start at the CastleBranchwebsite
2. Click on the Place Order button on the middle of the page
3. Enter package code:
   • For Trad. BSN enter CQ49
   • For RN to BSN enter CQ50
   • For Accelerated BSN enter CQ51
   • For MSN/POST MSN enter CQ52
   • For DNP enter CQ53
   • For BSN to DNP enter VG40
   • For HIM enter CQ54
4. Set up your CastleBranch account with Background Check, Drug Test, and Document Tracker
5. Select "This is my first time preparing for clinicals in my College of Health Professions plan of study"
6. On the following screen, please review the contents of your package, and check the box that appears at the bottom of the screen to show that you have read, understand, and agree to the terms and conditions.

After completing your profile setup, you are ready to start your order. Click the Continue Order button to place your order.

Here is a tutorial video you may find useful in completing your Castle Branch process: Watch myCB Student Tutorial

Compliance Document Collection

Every admitted full-time and part-time student must satisfy University immunization requirements to be eligible for enrollment. In addition to these University requirements, students may also be required to adhere to more program-specific compliance documentation to complete your admission as well as comply with policies of the State of Maryland, Coppin State University, and the Helene Fuld School of Nursing.

The Student Immunization Tracker facilitates the storage and management of students' records. Once you have created your profile on CastleBranch, you will be prompted to submit your records via digital upload, mail, or fax.

The Document Manager lets you securely upload and store documentation required for admission and compliance:

• CPR Certification  

  
• Flu Vaccine (fall semester only)
• US RN license (RNs only)

• Health Clearance Form 

  File

  HFSON Health Clearance Form.pdf

Background Check and Drug Screen

The HFSON does not require you to undergo a background check and drug screen. However, the hospitals our students and clinical programs work with require criminal background and urine drug screen checks for incoming students. This policy ensures the safety of the patients treated by students in the program. A review typically takes 1-3 business days to complete.

CastleBranch conducts the reviews. The HFSON administrators, faculty, and staff do not receive any information of the student's criminal background or drug screen report. If you have any concerns regarding your background check, please contact CastleBranch directly and not Coppin State University or the Helene Fuld School of Nursing.

Uniforms (Traditional BSN and 2nd Degree BSN Students)

All students must wear the Coppin State University regulation uniform. You may try on the uniform by calling Ms. Shirley Means at 410-951- 6208 to schedule an appointment.

Questions about uniforms? Visit the Learning Resource Center (LRC) in HHSB Suite 433, call (410) 951-6208, or email Ms. Shirley Means at shmeans@coppin.edu.

Ordering Your Uniforms

1. Start at the Dove Uniforms Website
2. Click on Ordering
3. Next, click on Custom School Web Pages
4. Once you're on the Coppin page, decide if you want to order online or download order forms

To Order Online

• Enter COPPIN as the school code in the Order Online section (at the top)
• Click submit

To Download Order Forms

• Enter COPPIN as the school code in the To Download Copies of Forms section (at the bottom)
• Click submit
• Print form (note: print in portrait form)

Cost to Attend

Questions about tuition and fees for the current academic year? Check out our resources on the costs to attend Coppin State University.