Performance Requirements

Academic Standards

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. Details of the relevant policies regarding satisfactory academic progress, academic dismissal, and academic probation are found in the policies section of this handbook. Violations of these standards 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: Examples are illustrative and not intended to encompass all specifically desired actions.

As a nursing student, you will:

1. Assume personal responsibility for your nursing education.

• Example: Attend classes and labs as assigned and be an active participant; be prepared for classes and practicum; initiate consultation with faculty about practicum/academic progress.

2. Demonstrate accountability in the practicum area and in coursework.

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

3. Maintain integrity in scholastic activities

• Example: Scholastic dishonesty means 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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 practicum; serve as a model of healthy behaviors.

8. Be responsible for delineating and maintaining appropriate boundaries.

• Example: Achieve a balance between your educational needs and the client's care needs.

9. Maintain a professional demeanor and appearance, including personal hygiene, in the classroom and the practicum area.

• 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.

Behavior Standards

In addition to maintaining the School of Nursing academic standards, you 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 on-line 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 illegal behavior or behavior in violation of U of MN policy on campus is illegal or violates University policy if it occurs and/or appears online. If you identify as a University of Minnesota School of Nursing student in an online forum, the SoN will hold you to the highest professional conduct standard. 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.

Allegations received regarding the non-compliance with these behavioral standards will result in an investigation to provide appropriate due process. 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. These behavioral expectations are described in the following standards and examples.

As a nursing student, you will:

1. 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 ().
2. Refrain from the use 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.
3. Demonstrate integrity and honesty in all actions.
   Example: Accurately and objectively record information in the patient's chart; preserve patient records; preserve educational materials.
4. 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 clinical 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 will not discuss or provide information about patients, clinical sites, and experiences in the clinical setting via social media (i.e. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, etc.)
   
   Example: You will 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.
5. Accurately represent self as a nursing student.
   Example: Wear School of Nursing photo ID badge in the clinical 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 student 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 the U of MN as a nursing student).
6. Demonstrate respect toward patients and with peers, staff, faculty and others.
   Example: Work cooperatively and collaboratively with others regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, religious preference, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, public assistance status, veteran status, clinical diagnosis, or political beliefs. The School of Nursing endorses and adopts the Tri Council for Nursing’s Civility Proclamation and believes that faculty, staff, and students in the School of Nursing have an ethical, moral, and legal responsibility to create a healthy and safe work and learning environment for nurses and all members of the health care team, health care consumers, students, families, and communities. The School of Nursing has identified best practices for civility.
7. 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.
8. Note: Examples for the behavioral standards are illustrative and not intended to encompass all specifically desired behaviors.

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.

In addition to the above Behavioral Standards, the University of Minnesota, School of Nursing upholds the American Nurses Association (ANA) Principles for Social Networking (2011).

Technical standards are a necessary component to the complex discipline of nursing, which you must meet with or without reasonable accommodations. You must demonstrate you can meet these technical standards and continue to do so throughout their education program. Please see the technical standards webpage for complete information.

The University's mission is to provide optimal educational opportunities for all students, including those with disabilities. The University recognizes that 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 at the University and making their needs known. One of the first places to seek assistance is the Disability Resource Center (DRC). This office is part of the Office of Equity and Diversity and aims 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. The Disability Resource Center has an Academic Health Center Liaison. The DRC Academic Health Center Liaison provides direct assistance such as securing documentation of disability conditions, determining and implementing reasonable accommodations, referral, and consultation for enrolled and prospective students. The Academic Health Center Liaison also provides consultation and training for faculty and staff to ensure access to their programs, facilities and services.

All services are confidential and free. For more information, or to arrange reasonable accommodations, contact the DRC Academic Health Center Liaison located in the McNamara Alumni Center, Suite180, 612-626-1333 (voice or TTY).

Link to view the DRC Orientation Module video (9 minutes long, captioned)