Standards and Regulations

All nursing students are expected to exhibit the attributes of accountability, integrity, professionalism, regard for self, regard for others, respect, responsibility, safety, and theoretical competence. These attributes are described in the following academic standards and examples. Note that examples are illustrative and not intended to encompass all specifically desired actions.

As a nursing student, you will:

Assume personal responsibility for your nursing education.

Example: Attend classes and labs as assigned; be prepared for classes and practicums; initiate consultation with faculty about practicum/academic progress. You will attend classes and participate in courses in an active manner.

Demonstrate accountability in the practicum area and in coursework.

Example: Meet obligations for practicums as outlined in the course syllabus or by the teacher or agency policy; meet obligations for coursework as outlined in the course syllabus; communicate absence due to illnesses and other emergencies.

Maintain integrity in scholastic activities.

Example: Scholastic dishonesty can include the following: plagiarizing; cheating on assignments or examinations; engaging in unauthorized collaboration on academic work; taking, acquiring, or using test materials without faculty permission; submitting false or incomplete records of academic achievement; acting alone or in cooperation with another to falsify records or to obtain dishonestly grades, honors, awards, or professional endorsement; altering, forging, or misusing a university academic record; or fabricating or falsifying data, research procedures, or data analysis.

Base actions in the practicum area on a sound knowledge base.

Example: Know about the patient’s pathology; understand the meaning of lab values; understand the implications of the patient's treatment plan.

Seek appropriate assistance from faculty, staff, or peers when caring for patients.

Example: When in doubt about what to do, consult with faculty or staff nurse before intervening; follow agency procedures for collaboration.

Engage in the evaluation of your own educational process.

Example: Complete end of semester evaluations; provide faculty with constructive feedback as appropriate or as requested; examine your progress in attaining the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to the role of nursing.

Engage in appropriate self-care behaviors that would not place clients at risk.

Example: Remain home when ill; seek health care (physical and mental) as needed; get adequate sleep prior to practicums; serve as a model of healthy behaviors.

Be responsible for delineating and maintaining appropriate boundaries.

Example: Achieve a balance between student's educational needs and client's care needs.

Maintain a professional demeanor and appearance in the classroom and the practicum area. Maintain appropriate personal hygiene.

Example: Follow the dress code of the agency; use respectful, non-offensive language; communicate using appropriate spoken/written language and nonverbal communication as required by the profession.

Communicate in a professional manner in social media, email, and other electronic media.

In addition to maintaining the School of Nursing academic standards, University of Minnesota School of Nursing students are expected to be thoughtful and professional when interacting with faculty, patients and their families, nurses, physicians, preceptors, affiliated institutional staff, other students, the public and other members of the health care team. This professional behavior is to be maintained in any and all situations where you are identified as a U of MN student, including situations off-campus, as well as in virtual sites, such as online social networking sites.*

Professional conduct and demeanor is required in cyberspace in the same manner it is required in all other settings. You must keep in mind that behavior that is illegal or in violation of U of MN policy on campus will be illegal or violate U of MN policy if it occurs and/or appears online. If you identify as a U of MN, SoN student in an online forum, the SoN will hold them to the highest standards of professional conduct. While it is not the policy of the School’s staff and faculty to routinely monitor students’ postings on web sites or other social media tools, if inappropriate postings are brought to their attention, the school’s faculty and academic administration will investigate the report.*

These behavioral expectations are described in the following standards and examples. Allegations received regarding the non-compliance with these behavioral standards will result in an investigation to provide appropriate due process for the student. Violations of this code may result in sanctions including, but not limited to, a written warning, required compliance, probation, a probationary contract for continued coursework, mandatory leave of absence, and/or dismissal from the School of Nursing. Note that examples are illustrative and not intended to encompass all specifically desired actions.

*Adapted with permission from the University of Memphis, Loewenberg School of Nursing Professional Conduct and Comportment Policy.

As a nursing student, you will:

Comply with the policies and procedures outlined for the current year in this handbook, the University of Minnesota Undergraduate Catalog, and the University of Minnesota Board of Regents Student Conduct Code.

Refrain from the intake of any chemical substance that would impair judgment or result in disruptive/disorderly behavior within the University community.

Example: Come to the classroom and/or practicum area free of alcohol or other judgment-altering substances.

Demonstrate integrity and honesty in all actions.

Example: Accurately and objectively record information in the patient's chart; preserve patient records; preserve educational materials.

Respect the patients’ right to confidentiality.

Example: Confine conversation about patients to designated places in the agency; share information about patients only with those immediately concerned with the patient's care, with instructor, or with peers in a practicum conference setting; within statutory and agency guidelines on confidentiality, provide appropriate others with information about the patient and feedback about own experience with patient.

Example: You may not discuss or provide information about patients, practicum sites, and experiences in the practicum setting via social media (i.e. Facebook, Twitter)

Example: You may not take photos or make any recordings of patients, even at the patient’s request. You also cannot appear in any patient photos.

Example: You cannot post on Caring Bridge or other patient support websites.

Accurately represent yourself as a nursing student.

Example: Wear School of Nursing photo ID badge in the practicum area; accurately and respectfully identify self as a student in nursing in all areas of practice.

Note: You cannot represent yourself as U of MN nursing students except during officially sanctioned U of MN events and required practicum rotations (i.e., if you choose to volunteer or job shadow outside of their formally assigned practicum rotations you cannot wear U of MN scrubs, ID badges or otherwise identify yourself as being there in their role as U of MN nursing student).

Demonstrate respect toward patients and with peers, staff, faculty and others.

Example: Work cooperatively and collaboratively with others regardless of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, political beliefs, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

Refrain from any unlawful conduct or unethical behavior, within or outside the University of Minnesota community, which impairs your capacity to function as a healthcare professional.

Illegal conduct that violates HIPAA includes, but is not limited to, disclosure of patient information, including discussions with other persons and/or posting online photographs of patients. Violations of the HIPAA may result in sanctions up to and including dismissal from the nursing program, as well as federal prosecution, fines, and imprisonment.

The University of Minnesota, School of Nursing upholds the American Nurses Association (ANA) Principles for Social Networking (2011). For more information, visit the ANA's page on Social Media at the link.

The ANA principles and tips to avoid problems are listed below:

1. Nurses must not transmit or place online indi­vidually identifiable patient information.

2. Nurses must observe ethically prescribed professional patient—nurse boundaries.

3. Nurses should understand that patients, colleagues, institutions, and employers may view postings.

4. Nurses should take advantage of privacy settings and seek to separate personal and professional information online.

5. Nurses should bring content that could harm a patient’s privacy, rights, or welfare to the attention of appropriate authorities.

6. Nurses should participate in developing institutional policies governing online conduct.

To Avoid Problems:

• Remember that standards of professionalism are the same online as in any other circum­stance.

• Do not share or post information or photos gained through the nurse-patient relationship.

• Maintain professional boundaries in the use of electronic media. Online contact with patients blurs this boundary.

• Do not make disparaging remarks about patients, employers or co-workers, even if they are not identified.

• Do not take photos or videos of patients on personal devices, including cell phones.

• Promptly report a breach of confidentiality or privacy.

References

American Nurses Association. (2011). Principles for social networking and the nurse. Silver Spring, MD

National Council of State Boards of Nursing. (2011, August). White Paper: A nurse’s guide to the use of social media. Chicago, IL

Technical standards are a necessary component to the complex discipline of nursing, which all students must meet with or without reasonable accommodations. You must demonstrate that they can meet these technical standards and continue to do so throughout their education program.

Visit the School of Nursing's technical standards webpage for a list of technical standards and further information on each.

Services for Students with Disabilities

The University's mission is to provide optimal educational opportunities for all students, including those with disabilities. Reasonable accommodations may be necessary for students with disabilities to have access to campus programs and facilities. In general, University policy calls for accommodations to be made on an individualized and flexible basis. Students are responsible for seeking assistance and making their needs known.

One of the first places to seek assistance is the Disability Resource Center (DRC). This office is provided by the University of Minnesota to promote access, which means ensuring the rights of students with disabilities (e.g., physical, learning, psychiatric, sensory or systemic) and assisting the University in meeting its obligations under federal and state statutes.

The Disability Resource Center has Academic Health Center Liaisons, one of whom serves as the School of Nursing's dedicated Access Consultant. The DRC Academic Health Center Liaisons provide direct assistance such as: securing documentation of disability conditions, determining and implementing reasonable accommodations, referral, and consultation for enrolled and prospective students. All services are confidential and free. To begin the process of registering for accommodations, visit the DRC's page on How to Register.