Student & Academic Codes of Conduct
It is expected that all School of Nursing students adhere to the Student and Academic Codes of Conduct put forth by the Board of Regents at the University of Minnesota.
Academic Standards
All nursing students are expected to exhibit the attributes of accountability, integrity, honesty, 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.
Nursing students will:
1. Assume personal responsibility for their nursing education.
Example: Actively participate in online courses; attend required in person class sessions and simulation experiences; complete practicum hours as assigned. Be prepared for classes and practicum experiences; initiate consultation with faculty about academic progress.
2. Demonstrate accountability in course work (didactic and practicum).
Example: Meet obligations for practicum experiences 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. Engage in the evaluation of one’s own educational process.
Example: Complete end of semester course and faculty evaluations; provide faculty with constructive feedback as appropriate or as requested; examine one’s progress in attaining the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to the role of nursing.
5. Maintain a professional demeanor and appearance in the classroom and the practicum setting. 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.
Technical Standards
Technical standards are a necessary component to the complex discipline of nursing, which all students must meet with or without reasonable accommodations. Students must demonstrate that they can meet these technical standards and continue to do so throughout their education program.
Behavior Standards
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, clients/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 the student is identified as a U of M student, including situations off-campus, as well as in "virtual" sites such as on-line social networking sites.
Professional conduct and demeanor is required of students in cyberspace in the same manner it is required in all other settings. Students must keep in mind that behavior that is illegal or in violation of U of M policy on campus will be illegal or violate U of M policy if it occurs and/or appears online. If a student identifies as a U of M 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.
Nursing students will:
1. Comply with the policies and procedures outlined in this handbook and the University of Minnesota Board of Regents Student Conduct Code (www1.umn.edu/oscai/index.html).
2. 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 setting free of alcohol or other judgment-altering substances.
3. Demonstrate integrity and honesty in all actions.
Example: Accurately and objectively record information in the client’s health record; preserve client health records; preserve educational materials.
4. Respect patients’/clients’ right to confidentiality.
Example: Confine conversation about patients/patients to designated places in the agency; share information about patients/clients only with those immediately concerned with the patient's /client’s care or with instructor or with peers in a conference setting; within statutory and agency guidelines on confidentiality, provide appropriate others with information about the patient /client and feedback about own experience with patient/client, follow HIPAA guidelines.
Example: Students may not discuss or provide information about patients/clients, practicum sites, and experiences in the practicum setting via social media (i.e. Facebook, Twitter)
Example: Students may not take photos or make any recordings of patients/clients/communities/organizations, even at the patient’s/client’s/community’s/organizations/ request. Students also cannot appear in any patient /client/community/organization photos.
Example: Students cannot post on Caring Bridge or other patient support websites.
5. Accurately represent self as a nursing student.
Example: Wearing the School of Nursing name badge in the practicum setting’; accurately and respectfully identify self as a student in nursing in all areas of practice.
6. Demonstrate respect toward patients/clients 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, marital status, public assistance status, veteran status, clinical diagnosis, or political beliefs.
7. Refrain from any unlawful conduct or unethical behavior, within or outside the University of Minnesota community, which impairs the student’s capacity to function as a healthcare professional.
Note: Examples for the behavioral standards are illustrative and not intended to encompass all specifically desired behaviors
Social Networking Standards
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).
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
1. Remember that standards of professionalism are the same online as in any other circumstance.
2. Do not share or post information or photos gained through the nurse-patient relationship.
3. Maintain professional boundaries in the use of electronic media. Online contact with patients blurs this boundary.
4. Do not make disparaging remarks about patients, employers or co-workers, even if they are not identified.
5. Do not take photos or videos of patients on personal devices, including cell phones.
6. Promptly report a breach of confidentiality or privacy.
Violation of any of these behavioral standards may result in immediate, temporary exclusion from the learning environment.
Student Misconduct & Academic Integrity
Every student attending the School of Nursing is expected to adhere to the Code of Conduct, as well as the Academic and Behavioral Standards when they accept an offer of admission to the School. Any violation of the above is considered an act of misconduct and warrants disciplinary action appropriate to the violation. A student has the right to contest any allegation of misconduct or disciplinary action. Whenever possible, allegations of misconduct should be settled at the lowest possible level—between the individuals involved. Allegations of misconduct should be resolved as quickly as possible.
When a faculty member believes that a student has engaged in misconduct or scholastic dishonesty, the faculty member will submit a report to the Office for Student Conduct and Academic Integrity (OSCAI). The student may then be required to meet with an OSCAI staff member to discuss the matter. If a student disagrees with the outcome of the case and does not wish to accept an informal resolution, the Campus Committee on Student Behavior composed of faculty and students will hear the case.
When students are found responsible for scholastic dishonesty, the sanctions can include but are not limited to the following options: failing grade on an assignment, failing grade in a course, completing a required assignment, being placed on disciplinary probation, being suspended, or being expelled.
Students can expect the severity of the sanction to be increased for a second offense.
Be advised that University policy prohibits withdrawing from a course to avoid a grade penalty of F or N due to scholastic dishonesty. The School of Nursing does not allow a student to withdraw from a class if accused of scholastic dishonesty.
A student has the right to a hearing and to appeal any disciplinary action. Records of academic misconduct are kept on file in the college office and in the Office for Student Conduct and Academic Integrity.
Writing Standards
Writing Standards
The SoN has adopted the writing standards from the American Psychological Association (APA). All written assignments must conform to the stylistic requirements outlined by the APA. All DNP students are REQUIRED to have a copy of the most recent edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association which describes correct stylistic formats.