    |
Frequently-Asked Questions
Where is Student Health Services & Planned Parenthood located?
Both offices are located in Eickhoff Hall 107.
Do I need an appointment to be seen in Student Health Services?
Yes. Same day appointments are usually available for sickness. Call early in the day to ensure a same-day appointment. During the cold and flu season, appointments fill up very quickly. To insure that those who need to be seen the same day are given an appointment, patients are prioritized based on severity of symptoms and the coexistence of chronic illnesses. It is important for students to provide the office schedulers with accurate information about their illness when calling for an appointment. Appointments slots for required physical examinations are sometimes booked a month in advance - call early to make an appointment for a physical.
Can I be seen without an appointment in Student Health Services?
Students whose medical condition necessitates immediate attention will be seen without an appointment.
Is there a charge for Student Health Services' visit?
There is no charge for most professional services. However, emergency contraception (Plan B), physicals, prescription medicine, laboratory testing, x-rays, crutches, and vaccinations are chargeable items. (See "Frequently Asked Question About Student Health Insurance Plan").
How many students actually use Student Health Services?
Over 74% of undergraduate students and 76% of residential students utilize campus Health Services. During the 2008-09 academic year, student visits to Health Services totaled over 8,800!
I never get sick and if I do, I'll go home to my own doctor.
That is absolutely fine. We find, however, that students begin to feel that a trip home is inconvenient and time-consuming. In addition, you may not feel like traveling. Most importantly, we have the advantage of knowing what infections are circulating on campus and may be in the best position to accurately diagnosis your condition. If you think that Student Health Services may be the best option for you, we are happy to help.
Would I be seeing a doctor or a nurse if I go to Student Health Services?
Both nurse practitioners and our physician see patients. Our clinical staff consists of a board certified family practice physician, 4 board certified family and adult nurse practitioners, and a registered nurse. Both the physician and the nurse practitioners can examine, diagnose, treat and prescribe. Allergy shots are most often administered by a registered nurse under the supervision of a nurse practitioner. A registered nurse or nurse practitioner administers vaccinations, draws blood, performs tuberculosis skin testing, and removes sutures.
What do students think of Student Health Services?
Each year, students are invited by campus-wide e-mail to complete an anonymous online survey located on the Student Health Services home page. Satisfaction rates have averaged 80-90%.
How are prescriptions handled?
TCNJ does not have an in-house pharmacy nor are prescription drugs stored in Health Services. If you are seen in Health Services and ordered prescription medicine AND you are enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP), we will call the prescription into Quick Chek Pharmacy on Pennington Road in Ewing. Quick Chek Pharmacy provides free daily delivery Monday - Friday. If your personal health care provider has ordered medicine for you, he/she can fax or call the prescription directly to Quick Chek Pharmacy. You can then contact the Pharmacy and ask that they deliver your medicine to Health Services along with the regular delivery. Student Health Services will collect any applicable prescription co-pays on behalf of Quick Chek. Quick Chek Pharmacy's phone number is (609) 883-5724 and the fax number is 609-883-8518. There is no charge for delivery. Please note that Quick Chek is the only pharmacy in the area that provides free daily Monday - Friday delivery to Student Health Services (during the Fall and Spring semesters).
If you are seen in Student Health Services and ordered prescription medicine and are either picking up your prescription at the pharmacy OR are NOT enrolled in SHIP, you will be given a prescription to take to the pharmacy of your choice. Local pharmacies in the area include the following:
- Quick Chek Pharmacy: 1535 Pennington Road, Ewing, NJ Phone: 609-883-5724
- The Robbins Pharmacy: 2108 Pennington Road, Ewing, NJ Phone: 609-882-2404
- Shop Rite Pharmacy: 1750 North Olden Avenue, Ewing, NJ Phone: 609-219-0076
- CVS Pharmacy: 1320 Parkway Avenue, Ewing, NJ Phone: 609-882-4097
- Eckerd Pharmacy: 1700 North Olden Avenue, Ewing, NJ Phone: 609-896-9089
How often does Quick Chek Pharmacy deliver to Student Health Services?
Mondays - Thursdays during the semester: 5:15 p.m.; Fridays: 3:15 p.m. This service is not available on Saturdays, during the summer and semester breaks, or when the College is closed.
I need regular blood tests because of the type of medicine I'm taking. Can Student Health Services' draw my blood so I don't have to go off-campus?
Yes. Call Student Health Services for an appointment for bloodwork. Bring the order from your health care provider with you. Quest Diagnostics is our reference lab and they pick up from Student Health Services every day. At our request and your approval, Quest will fax the lab results directly to the health care provider ordering the laboratory tests. Student Health Services does not have an agreement with Lab Corp for laboratory services.
My doctor has ordered PT (Physical Therapy) for me. Can I get that on campus?
No, physical therapy is not available on-campus. Some local PT offices in the area include:
- Delaware Valley Physical Therapy Associates, 123 Franklin Corner Rd, Lawrenceville - 609-896-9054
- Hopewell Physical Therapy, 800 Denow Rd., Pennington - 609-737-8130
- Physical Therapy Associates of Mercer County, 2273 State Hwy, Hamilton Twp - 609-586-3322
I get allergy shots. Can I get them in Health Services when I come to school?
Yes. Please see Allergy Injections for more information. The fee for allergy injections (unlimited injections) is $20 per semester payable to TCNJ Student Health Services at your first visit. Call for an appointment.
Do you give flu shots?
Yes, we have 3 flu clinics in October and November. The dates are published on our Student Health Services web site at the start of the academic year. Click here for more information.
I live on-campus and I have a wound vac that needs nursing care. Can I come to Student Health Services?
Students must make their own private arrangements for the continuation of care that is currently being provided in the home by visiting nurses or family (self-infusions, injections, wound care). Student Health Services does not provide home-health care services. This includes teaching or supervising self-administration of injections or other treatments. Arrangements can be made through local visiting nurse agencies to have a nurse come to your residence hall room to provide service. Those agencies listed locally include:
- VNA Home Care of Mercer County - 609-695-3461
- Bayada Nurses - 609-219-9600
- Mercer Street Friends Nursing Services - 609-396-1507
Please note that space is not available in Student Health Services for the delivery of this care.
I live off-campus. Can I still use Student Health Services?
Yes.
What if I am too sick to come to Student Health Services?
For on-campus students: Have a friend call Campus Police at x2345 (non-emergency) or 9-1-1 from a campus telephone (emergency). A campus police officer and, if available, a member of Lions' EMS (student organization of certified and licensed first responders and emergency medical technicians) will be dispatched to assist you.
After-Hours Care
What if I need medical attention after-hours?
Generally, your only option is the emergency room. If you feel you have a condition that cannot wait until we open, but is not an "emergency", call Campus Police at 609-771-2345 or dial 9-1-1 from any campus phone. They will respond to your location with a member of Lions' EMS (student organization of certified and licensed first responders and emergency medical technicians). A Lions' EMS first responder/EMT will assess your condition and arrangements will be made to transport you by ambulance to the local emergency room.
Do I have to go by ambulance? Can't Campus Police take me to the emergency room.
Unless you have a friend with a car, ambulance transport is your only choice. Sometimes, an ambulance is your best choice especially for more severe injuries and illnesses. Campus Police does not transport sick or injured students.
I will not be living in campus housing. Do I still call Campus Police if I need medical assistance after hours?
No. Call 9-1-1 to activate your local emergency response system.
What if I have an emergency?
In the event of an emergency, dial 9-1-1 from any campus telephone to activate the campuses' emergency response. If using a cell phone, call 609-771-2167 or dial 9-1-1. If off-campus, call 9-1-1 for local (non-campus) response. For more information, click here.
What hospitals are in the area?
TCNJ is fortunate to have 5 hospitals within 10-30 minutes of the College:
• Capital Health System - Mercer Campus, 446 Bellevue Avenue , Trenton
Main number: 609-394-4000, Emergency Room: 609- 394-4010
• Capital Health System - Fuld Campus, 750 Brunswick Avenue , Trenton
Main number: 609-394-6000, Emergency Room: 609-394-6063
• Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital - Hamilton , One Hamilton Health Place , Hamilton
609-586-7900
• University Medical Center at Princeton , 253 Witherspoon St. , Princeton
609-497-4000
• St. Francis Medical Center, 601 Hamilton Avenue , Trenton
609-599-5000
I would rather not go to the emergency room. Is there somewhere else I can go when Student Health Services is closed.
Most local urgent care facilities in the Mercer County area are open the same or less hours as TCNJ Health Services. Call BEFORE going to inquire about current hours of operation. Please note that most emergency departments in hospitals have fast-track or urgent care services.
- Hamilton Medical Walk-In - 994 Whitehorse Avenue, Hamilton Twp. - 609-585-4100
- Princeton Primary & Urgent Care Center - 707 Alexander Road, Princeton - 609-919-0009
- Professional Health Care Services of Lawrenceville - 2500 U.S. Highway 1, Lawrenceville - 609-771-6660
- Quick Care Medical - 2279 State Hwy 33, Hamilton Twp. - 609-689-9001
Medication and Needle Disposal
Can I keep medicine in my room?
Yes. Consider your room your home away from home.
Can Student Health Services store my medicine for me?
For the exception of your allergy shot serum, no. It is the student's responsibility to store his/her own medicine.
Do you need to know about the medicine I keep in my room?
No. But we would like to know that you are taking medication. Please make sure you have noted it on your TCNJ Health Form.
I am a diabetic and take insulin. How do I dispose of used needles and other sharps?
In New Jersey, the regulations governing proper disposal of medical sharps at home also apply to your college residence hall room. The doctor ordering your supplies must provide you with a red rigid container for disposal of these items. Once the container is full, you must return it to your doctor's office. Your doctor will then issue you another container. Student Health Services is not permitted to dispose of any student's medical sharps or red rigid containers.
Please note that improper disposal of syringes or reusable hypodermic needles is regulated by State law. This Statute prohibits any person from discarding disposable or reusable syringes, needles and other sharps in public or private places which are accessible to other persons (including trespassers) without first destroying your needles and syringes, even when you visit other people. Violators of this State law can be fined up to $500,000 and/or imprisoned or both. You can also be sued by someone who was injured by your improper disposal of your needles and other sharps.
