mini´«Ă˝

mini´«Ă˝ (mini´«Ă˝)

Nursing Department

Policy: Attendance

If mini´«Ă˝ classes are officially cancelled, students will not be allowed or required to attend on campus class/lab/simulation/sessions.

Clinical instructors will provide final directives if mini´«Ă˝ classes are cancelled for reasons other than weather.

THEORY ATTENDANCE:

Students are strongly encouraged to arrive to class on time. Arriving late to class can be distracting to others in the classroom environment. Students are also strongly encouraged to remain in class for the entire class session until a break time is designated. Students leaving the classroom and then returning may be disruptive to others in the classroom.

Missed class sessions cannot be “made up”. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain notes and lecture material pertaining to any missed class time. Students missing class should refer to the Learning Management System and/or classmates to retrieve missed class materials or information.

Doors will be locked at the start of the class session on test days. If a student is late to the classroom or testing center on a test day, they will not be able to start the test and will need to make alternate testing arrangements with the instructor. Refer to the student testing policy.

Hybrid or Online Courses:

Since an online class does not physically meet, attending means "doing academic work." Therefore, it is important that the student completes work every week.

CLINICAL, LABORATORY, AND SIMULATION ATTENDANCE:

Attendance is required for these components of the nursing program. Students are expected to be on time and in attendance for the entire time period.

In the event a student missed clinical, lab or simulation time, students will be required to make up this time to ensure the student is able to meet the course objectives. In this case, make-up or lost time will be arranged by the instructor and appropriate coordinator (clinical, lab, or simulation).

Clinical/lab/simulation requirements for each nursing course are designed to provide students with the necessary time to develop appropriate competencies for safe, level-appropriate nursing practice. Therefore, it is critical that students attend all assigned clinical/lab/simulation hours. Students who arrive for clinical/lab/simulation assignments on time and prepared are demonstrating expected professional behaviors. Students may not jeopardize the health and safety of others or themselves by attending clinical/lab/simulation if they are ill. Students may be dismissed from clinical/lab/simulation at the discretion of the instructor and/or Clinical Coordinator for health reasons and/or being unprepared for clinical/lab/simulation expectations. This will result in a clinical/lab/simulation absence.

The following clinical/lab/simulation attendance policy has been adopted by the nursing program:  

·       The mini´«Ă˝ Nursing Program curriculum of study has a determined number of clinical/lab/simulation hours that are required of its students. It is the student’s responsibility to attend all assigned sessions. Students who do not meet the required hours will not meet the course objectives. Failure to meet the course objectives will result in a student being unable to progress in the program. 

·       In case of absence, it is the student’s responsibility to contact the appropriate clinical, lab, or simulation faculty member, and coordinator. Students are to notify the faculty member at least 1 hour prior to the start of the clinical/lab/simulation session. Failure to do so is considered unprofessional and unsafe practice resulting in unsatisfactory performance as outlined in the clinical grading criteria.

·       Missed clinical/lab/simulation sessions must be made up and will be arranged with the instructor and appropriate coordinator (clinical, lab, or simulation).

·       Students who fail to attend their scheduled validation time will forfeit their lab points for attendance and dress code that week. Students who miss or reschedule a make-up validation will incur a 2% deduction in their score each business day until their make-up validation is completed.

Clinical instructors will provide final directives if mini´«Ă˝ classes are cancelled for reasons other than weather.

Action taken when a student misses clinical/lab/simulation time:

1.     When a student has a clinical/lab/simulation absence, the absence will be documented on a clinical attendance roster. The attendance roster will follow students throughout the course of the nursing program.

2.     The faculty, appropriate coordinator (clinical, lab, or simulation), and student will arrange clinical/lab/simulation make-up time.

3.     There will be a $30/hour fee that the student will be charged for any clinical/lab/simulation missed time. All fees must be paid before a grade will be issued.

4.     In the event that the clinical site cannot accommodate clinical make-up time, the student will be provided with alternative methods for making up the time. Alternative methods can include but are not limited to the following: simulation, written assignments, and/or an incomplete.

5.     When the clinical/lab/simulation make-up time is completed, this information will be added to the clinical attendance roster.

6.     If a student is absent for 2 or more clinical/lab/simulation sessions in a semester, the student will be contacted by the associated coordinator to discuss the absences. At the discretion of the associated coordinator, the student may be referred to the Director of Nursing for disciplinary action which may include probation up to and including termination from the program.

7.     If a student misses simulation the absence will be reflected in the course clinical evaluation tool.

Revised: 04/02/25 LC/TZ; 05/11/26 LC

mini´«Ă˝ (mini´«Ă˝)

Nursing Department

Policy: Academic Integrity  

We expect students to uphold the highest standards of academic integrity during their time in mini´«Ă˝â€™s Nursing program. Cheating and plagiarism are two of the most obvious violations of academic integrity. mini´«Ă˝â€™s nursing program adheres to the Code of Ethics of Nurses established by the American Nurses Association as well as the mini´«Ă˝ Code of Student Conduct. 

Standards of integrity expected:

Honest representation of required coursework.

1. Responsibility and accountability for individual judgments and actions.

2. Act to safeguard the patient and the public when health care and safety are affected by the incompetent, unethical, or illegal practice of another.

3. Uphold HIPAA and practice confidentiality within the college and health-care system.

4. Adhere to the mini´«Ă˝â€™s Code of Student Conduct found in the College Catalog.

Penalties:  

Academic integrity violations can result in a zero for an assignment/test, probation, suspension, or permanent dismissal from the nursing program. Fabrication of any documentation will result in disciplinary action.

Refer to Unsatisfactory Performance policy.

Revised: 04/02/25 LC/TZ; Reviewed 05/11/26 LC

mini´«Ă˝ (mini´«Ă˝)

Nursing Department

Policy: Behavior/Conduct

Student Code of Ethics:

Refer to the College Catalog for mini´«Ă˝â€™s Code of Student Conduct

In addition to the Code of Student Conduct:

1. Nursing students have the right to be treated with respect and are responsible to treat others with respect.

2. Students are expected to always conduct themselves honestly and with integrity. 

3. Fabrication of any documentation will result in disciplinary action.

4. Behavior which threatens the public’s health, welfare, and/or safety will constitute grounds for disciplinary action.

5. Behavior which jeopardizes our community partnership will constitute grounds for disciplinary action.

6. Nursing students have a right to quality education, review of formative evaluation and due process.

7. Nursing students have the right to fair academic and clinical evaluations of their performance.

8. Nursing students have the right to confidentiality of information concerning grades and performance.

9. Nursing students have the right to participate in course and faculty evaluation.

10. Nursing students have the right to awareness of self as an individual with varying physical, emotional and developmental needs.

11. Nursing students have the right to education in a school of nursing approved by the State Board of Nursing and clinical instruction at a qualified facility/setting.

12. Nursing students have the right to appeal disciplinary action related to the nursing program.

All patients deserve dignity and respect and are to be treated equally, compassionately, and professionally regardless of their illness, injury, race, beliefs, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, abilities, etc. Students who display discriminatory practices will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal from the nursing program.

Revised: 04/02/25 LC/TZ; Reviewed 03/30/26 LC

mini´«Ă˝ (mini´«Ă˝)

Nursing Department

Policy: Confidentiality & Privacy

All students in mini´«Ă˝â€™s nursing program are required to complete confidentiality training on admission and at periodic intervals as deemed necessary by the nursing department and/or clinical partners. All students are required to follow HIPAA federal regulations.

Students must:

• Always respect the rights of patients.

• Treat patients consistent with the standards of care and education they have been provided.

• Never release information about patients to anyone outside of the immediate health-care team currently caring for that patient.

All information gained for and about patients at clinical sites is confidential. Students are not permitted to take pictures of patients, photocopy/scan any health care documents, or share any other information as it relates to the patient or institution’s setting. Information gained in any of the educational settings within the nursing program is not to be shared through any means or removed from the clinical site/setting. Any clinical documentation prepared by students must refer to patients without identifying factors.

A student's failure to adhere to this standard of confidentiality will result in disciplinary action up to and including dismissal from the nursing program. In addition, they will be prohibited from pursuing any other course or program of study at mini´«Ă˝ that requires a HIPAA release form.

Revised: 04/02/25 LC/TZ; 03/30/26 LC

mini´«Ă˝ (mini´«Ă˝)

Nursing Department

Policy: Dress Code

The clinical, lab, and simulation dress code is developed based on our clinical partners’ and mini´«Ă˝â€™s values, customs, cultures, and standards; however, the code may or may not correspond with your values, customs, cultures, or standards. It is essential that we demonstrate respect for the patients in our care and the institutions that are allowing us to “practice”. Therefore, the following dress code has been developed. 

NOTE: A clinical site dress code policy may deviate from the mini´«Ă˝ Nursing Program dress code.

Clinical, lab, and simulation instructors or their designee will perform nursing uniform inspections. Students who do not pass inspection in clinical will be dismissed from clinical that day and will be required to pay $30 per hour to make up the missed time. In the laboratory and simulation setting, students may be dismissed and/or receive point deductions for that day. Refer to the Skills Lab handbook and the course syllabi.

Students are expected to wear a mini´«Ă˝ approved nursing uniform purchased from the mini´«Ă˝ bookstore or Nye Uniform. The student must maintain a professional, clean, and neat appearance in the clinical setting. Some clinical partners may require different uniforms. In these instances, students are expected to conform to the institutional regulations. Clinical faculty will determine when the situation requires deviation from the college uniform and what will be acceptable. Uniforms purchased from other vendors will not be allowed.

Uniforms must fit properly and be of appropriate length for professional attire. Pants will not drag on the floor/ground. 

Appropriate undergarments must be worn and must not be visible. It is unacceptable to have tops that show cleavage or midriff when bending or moving. Students may wear a solid white, grey, or black short sleeve or long sleeve shirt (ex. no graphics, no holes, no stains) under their uniforms if needed for warmth.

1. Shoes should be clean with a solid upper. The color may be white, black, or brown in color. Minimal accent color may be permitted at the discretion of the Clinical Coordinator or their designee. Shoes must be enclosed with no open heels or open toes. Shoes should have no holes. The foot must be enclosed from toe to heel. Shoes and laces must be clean. Shoes cannot be canvas.  Socks or hose are required to be worn as part of the uniform.

2. mini´«Ă˝ Student Picture ID or agency required ID must be worn at all times during clinical rotations. No other pins, tags, or paraphernalia may be worn. Students are also required to wear their mini´«Ă˝ or agency issued badge reels and name tag holders.

3. No sunglasses and/or artificial intelligence (AI) glasses are permitted. Prescription tinted and transition lenses are acceptable, please inform faculty of such.

4. Cell phones cannot be visible in patient care areas including lab and simulation settings.

5. Students are expected to have appropriate body and dental hygiene as evidenced by bathing and teeth brushing as well as the use of deodorant.  

6. Hair must be clean, worn neatly, and secured up and off the shoulders with solid color, no graphics hair accessories. Hair color must be natural shades of blonde, brown, black, grey, or red. No partial head shaving, patterning, or spiking is permitted. Students are expected to keep facial hair clean and neatly trimmed with minimal length.    

7. Perfume, deodorant, hair spray, after-shave, or other body care products with strong scents are not permitted.

8. Tobacco products, marijuana products, vaping products, and electronic cigarettes are not permitted at mini´«Ă˝ or at any health-care facility.

9. Uniforms, bodies, breath, and/or clothing will not have a tobacco/marijuana product odor.

10. Gum chewing is not permitted in clinical settings.   

11. Acceptable jewelry includes: a watch with a second hand, a banded ring, and only post earrings. No visible, facial jewelry is permitted.  Medical identification jewelry is allowed.

12. Any potentially offensive visible tattooing must be covered. 

13. Makeup may be worn in moderation. 

14. Fingernails are to be clean and no longer than the fingertip. Only clear nail polish may be worn. No artificial nails are permitted in the clinical setting.

Revised: 04/21/25 LC/TZ; 05/11/26 LC

mini´«Ă˝ (mini´«Ă˝) 

Nursing Department  

Policy: Re-Entry  

Nursing students have one opportunity to re-enter into the program if unsuccessful in one course. Re-entry is not guaranteed for a specific semester. Each course grade below the 78% benchmark, unsatisfactory performance (refer to the nursing department unsatisfactory performance policy), or each course withdrawal will count as one unsuccessful attempt. Students are permitted to defer their re-entry for one semester.  

The definition of an unsuccessful attempt is equal to one course failure.  

First Semester 

1. If a student is unsuccessful in one course in the first semester, please note the following steps for re-entry. 

   1. A grade audit will be completed. 

   2. The Director of Nursing will communicate detailed information regarding the re-entry process to the student by email within 2 weeks of the semester end date. 

   3. Student must complete re-entry requirements and submit the re-entry application by the deadline provided in the email from the Director of Nursing. 

   4. Upon return of a completed re-entry application, students will be placed on the re-entry tracking list. 

   5. At least two first semester re-entry students will be offered a seat in the program each semester as needed.  

   6. Once a seat becomes available a re-entry offer will be sent by email. Acceptance of that seat offer must be returned by the deadline provided in the email from the Administrative Assistant for Health and Community Partnerships. 

   7. Once the seat offer acceptance has been received by the Administrative Assistant for Health and Community Partnerships, a re-entry contract will be developed and sent by email to the student. 

   8. The student will review, complete, and sign the re-entry contract by the deadline provided on the contract. 

2. If a student is unsuccessful in two first semester courses, they must reapply to the nursing program. 

3. If a student is unsuccessful in the same course twice, the student must wait one year before reapplying to the program. 

4. A third application to the program can be pursued after a five-year waiting period. 

Second - Fourth Semester 

1. If a student has their first unsuccessful attempt during second, third or fourth semester, please note the following steps for re-entry. 

   1. A grade audit will be completed. 

   2. The Director of Nursing will communicate detailed information regarding the re-entry process to the student by email within 2 weeks of the semester end date. 

   3. Student must complete re-entry requirements and submit the re-entry application by the deadline provided in the email from the Director of Nursing.  

   4. Upon return of a completed re-entry application, students will be placed on the re-entry tracking list. 

   5. Once a seat becomes available a re-entry offer will be sent by email. Acceptance of that seat offer must be returned by the deadline provided in the email from the Administrative Assistant for Health and Community Partnerships. 

   6. Once the seat offer acceptance has been received by the Administrative Assistant for Health and Community Partnerships a re-entry contract will be developed and sent by email to the student. 

   7. The student will review, complete, and sign the re-entry contract by the deadline provided on the contract. 

2. If a student is unsuccessful in two or more different courses throughout the program, the student must wait one year before reapplying to the program. 

3. If a student is unsuccessful in the same course twice, the student must wait one year before reapplying to the program. 

4. If a student is unsuccessful in three courses in one semester, they must wait one year before reapplying to the program.  

5. A third application to the program can be pursued after a five-year waiting period. 

Failure to meet deadlines in the re-entry process will result in forfeiture of re-entry into the nursing program.  

Revised: 04/09/25 LC/TZ; 08/30/26 LC/TZ 

mini´«Ă˝ (mini´«Ă˝)

Nursing Department

Policy: Student Testing

To successfully pass all nursing courses at mini´«Ă˝ the student must meet all the following criteria.

1. Students must earn in each course, an average of 78% or above on all tests.

2. Students must pass all clinical/lab/simulation portions of nursing courses.

3. Points for assignments can make up 5% of the final grade in a course but will not be added unless a student earns an average of 78% or higher on all course tests.

4. Each full semester course will include at least three unit tests with a minimum of 40 items on each test and one cumulative final test with a minimum of 60 items.

5. Each half semester course will include at least two unit tests with a minimum of 40 items on each test and one cumulative final test with a minimum of 60 items.

6. Students will have 1.5 minutes per item on each test or quiz.

7. Students are required to bring forward knowledge from previous courses and may be tested on this content.

8. If a student requires testing accommodations, the student will be responsible for making these arrangements with the Testing Center and notifying the instructor. All students will be expected to test at the same time regardless of the location being tested.

9. Tests will be based on the course student learning outcomes.

10. Student testing blueprints will include the following information for each item:

    • Topic

    • Cognitive level

11. Similar to the NCLEX RN test plan, tests will include alternate item format questions. In order to gradually increase the numbers of alternate item format questions, each semester there will be an increase in the percentage of these items as follows:

    Semesters	1	2	3	4
    Alternate item format questions will be at least: (by the final exam)	10%	20%	30%	40%

    • Scoring for NextGen style testing questions will apply as follows: Points are earned by identifying and selecting the correct options. By contrast, points are subtracted when incorrect options are selected. This method is applied to multi-point items where students are free to select as many or few options that apply for the item (e.g., multiple response items in various NextGen formats). The total score for the item is the sum of the correct options endorsed minus the sum of the incorrect options endorsed by the student. All negative total scores are rounded up to zero.

    • Stand-alone select-all-that apply questions will receive partial credit (+/-) scoring.

12. By the end of each course, tests will assess the following cognitive levels

    Semesters	1	2	3	4
    Remembering/Understanding	50%	30%	15%	5%
    Application or higher	50%	70%	85%	95%
    Totals	100%	100%	100%	100%

13. There will be at least one math calculation item on each test.

14. No retake of tests is permitted.

Test Procedure:

Students found to be in violation of any of the following testing procedures will be subject to the consequences delineated in the Academic Integrity and Unsatisfactory Performance Policies.

1. Students must take tests with the rest of the class at the same date and time with the instructor or a proctor. If students have an accommodation (not including extended time) which allows for a test to be taken in the testing center all students will still take the tests on the same date, at the same time. If a student is receiving extended time accommodation the test will begin at the time designated by the instructor. If a student is absent or tardy the day of the test, they will be permitted to take the test in the testing center, but a 2% reduction in the test grade will be given for each day after the original test date. Students not taking the test on the same date as the original test may be given a different version of the test.

2. Students will only be allowed to take their tests in the testing center for the following reasons:

   • The student has met with Accessibility Services (AS) at mini´«Ă˝, and it has been determined that the student should take the test in the testing center apart from the students in the classroom. Written documentation of this requirement must be given to the instructor a minimum of 48 hours before being allowed to take the test in the testing center. After receiving documentation, the student must meet with AS every semester to discuss whether taking tests in the testing center is beneficial and to renew documentation. AS will also determine whether the student needs other special testing accommodations. This new documentation must be provided to all instructors, each semester, a minimum of 48 hours before being allowed to take tests in the testing center. If documentation is not received by the instructor 48 hours prior to the scheduled test time the student will take the test in the classroom. Refer to number one under “Test Procedure” related to late testing if student decides to wait 48 hours to take the test.

   • If a test is missed, the student must notify the instructor of the scheduled make-up date/time. The student must notify the instructor 12 hours prior to the scheduled makeup, or the test will not be placed in the testing center for make-up.

3. Students are required to enter the code once it is given and start the test when directed. The test will not be reset for students who do not enter the code and start the test when directed.

4. Once a test has started there will be no breaks permitted.

5. Once a test has started the time starts for all students. There are no exceptions for students who are tardy. If the student is tardy, they will not be allowed to start the exam. If a student 2 arrives to class without a testing device, they will not be allowed to start the exam. Please refer to number one for further guidance.

6. Students are required to provide their own device that meets minimum system requirements for the nursing program testing software. Students are required to maintain software updates prior to coming to class on exam day. Students will not be allowed to start the exam if updates are required. Please refer to number one for further guidance.

7. The test administration software will display a timer while the student is testing. In the Learning Management System (LMS) when the student has two minutes left, an alert will flash on their screen to notify them that they have two minutes remaining of their total test taking time. In the Clinical Judgment Exams (CJEs) there will be no alert, just a running timer. If the student wants to adjust their timers this option is available within the test administration software tools.

8. No tests can be taken early and if a test is missed, the instructor will not place the test in the testing center until the next day.

9. Test scores for any tests taken on time or late will be given to the student a maximum of one week following the date the test was taken unless otherwise noted by the instructor. Additionally, a make-up test may contain different questions.

10. Use of cellular phones or electronic devices is prohibited during any type of test. These devices must also be off or silenced during the test.

11. All personal items, including beverages, are prohibited from being on the table during a test and will be placed in an instructor designated area within the room.

12. Smart devices including, but not limited to, watches and artificial intelligence glasses are not permitted to be worn during the test.

13. Students can use the calculator that is built into the test administration software.

14. Please be aware that backwards navigation is not an option.

15. Students may use a blank sheet of paper and pencil provided by the instructor. The un-erased sheet of paper and pencil needs to be returned to the instructor upon completion of the test. A mini´«Ă˝ provided white board and dry erase marker may be used in lieu of blank paper at the discretion of the instructor.

16. Students may utilize the tools that are enabled within the test administration software.

17. Only mini´«Ă˝ issued headphones or earplugs will be allowed during tests.

18. During testing, students will be monitored, which may include video surveillance.

19. During testing students will be prohibited from asking the proctor questions that are unrelated to technical issues.

20. Students need to remain quiet and free from distracting behaviors and/or vocalizations.

21. During testing, devices being utilized to test must be kept on the desk/table with the screen always facing the tester.

22. Once a student has completed their test, they must exit the room and not return until the time specified by the instructor.

23. Students are strictly prohibited from copying, writing down, photographing, sharing, or reposting any test questions in any format. This includes during and after the exam. Doing so is considered a violation of the Academic Integrity policy and may result in disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal from the program.

24. All grades are final ten academic calendar days after the date the grade was posted.

25. After the exam has been completed by all students in the course and grades have been posted, students may utilize instructor office hours for test content review. However, they will not be allowed to review specific exam questions.

NurseThink:

Clinical Judgement Benchmark Exams (CJEs)/Retention Exams are a component in various nursing courses. Students are encouraged to complete a remediation process for the CJE Benchmark Assessments that are scheduled in specific courses. Please refer to individual course syllabi. The CJE Benchmark Assessments are worth up to five points (this excludes NADN 290, please see below for further details). Refer to the CJE grading rubric in the LMS. These points are considered a test score. The remediation process points will be added after successfully achieving 78% in the course. See CJE grading rubric (based on the annually updated RN cut score grading grid). You will take the following steps to complete the remediation process:

1. The strengths and opportunities (S & O) report titled Individual Exam Details Report is available under the Clinical Judgment Exams RN Comprehensive link in the LMS. To access the report, click the link and select the results tab located on the left-hand navigation menu. Students can then view their individual exam report.

2. Students will complete the student remediation contract based on their S & O report. A link to this contract can be found in the LMS.

3. Students will follow the directions on the remediation contract as to what assignments and how much time is required to complete the remediation.

4. Once students have completed the remediation and contract, they will upload the completed contract document into the appropriate folder in the LMS by the required due date.

5. The following week in class (as provided in the course calendar) time will be spent reviewing these contracts/remediation activities. If a student is absent for the contract/remediation review, they will not be eligible to receive any of the remediation points. Refer to the CJE grading rubric.

CJE Benchmark Grading Rubric

Exam Score Points

CJE remediation points (3 points) will be added after the student successfully achieves a 78% average course test score and after completing the remediation process.

NADN 290 Clinical Judgement Benchmark Exams and the remediation process for each are required components for successful completion of the course. No points will be awarded for these exams.

Clinical Judgement Open Check Exams (CJEs) are a recommended component in various nursing courses to assist in preparing students for the NCLEX.

NADN 290 Clinical Judgement Open Check Exams are required components for successful completion of the course.

Please be aware that backwards navigation is not allowed in a CJE to reflect the NCLEX exam format.

Grading System Utilized

The nursing program has adopted the following grading scale for all nursing courses: 

Revised: 01/08/26 LC/TZ; 08/04/26 LC/TZ

mini´«Ă˝ (mini´«Ă˝)

Nursing Department

Policy: Unsatisfactory Performance

Purpose: It is expected that all students will follow the code of ethics for nursing practice in providing safe, evidence-based care to all patients.

Below are examples of unsatisfactory performance that may lead to probation, suspension, or dismissal. This list is non-inclusive of all scenarios.

1. Unsafe, or potentially unsafe clinical nursing practices.

   • Errors in medication administration or calculation.

   • Violation of nursing principles resulting in actual or potential patient harm.

   • Failure to safely adapt nursing skills to actual patient care.

   • Failure to demonstrate adequate preparation for the clinical experience.

   • Failure to demonstrate sound judgment.

   • Performing a procedure without the guidance of a qualified individual (instructor or designee).

2. Failure to establish effective working relationships with health team members in providing patient care.

   • Not reporting off to the nurse in charge of your patient.

   • Failure to notify the health team of pertinent changes in the patient’s health.

   • Ineffective or inappropriate communication with health team members, including faculty, staff, or peers.

3. Failure to establish effective therapeutic relationships with patients.

   • Willfully or unintentionally do physical and/or mental harm to a patient.

   • Exhibiting careless or negligent behavior in connection with the care of a patient.

   • Refusing to assume assigned care of a patient.

   • Inability to establish effective communication with a patient, patient's family, patient’s visitors, the staff, faculty, or a peer.

4. Failure to maintain confidentiality of patient information.

   • Using the name of a patient in written assignments.

   • Discussing confidential information in inappropriate areas (including but not limited to: public areas, and via email/social networks/instant messaging).

   • Discussing confidential information about your nursing educational experience (including, but not limited to: patients, clinical settings, practitioners) with third parties who do not have a legitimate need to know.

   • Seeking information on patients when it is not necessary in your role as a student.

   • Leaving the clinical setting with any records or documents related to a patient including paperwork which contains identifying information about a patient.

5. Dishonesty

   • Falsifying patient records or fabricating client experiences or nursing actions.

   • Failing to report omission of/or error in treatments or medications.

   • Dishonesty in any setting with faculty and/or staff.

   • Violations of established Nursing Codes of Ethics:

     • The Code of Ethics for Nurses

     • American Nurses Association Standards of Professional Performance

6. Failure to assume the student responsibilities in the nursing program.

   • Repeat tardiness or absence.

   • Inappropriate personal appearance.

   • Inappropriate behavior.

   • Unethical or immoral behavior.

   • Failure to submit required written work or repeated lateness in submitting work.

   • The use of vulgar language.

   • Behaviors that jeopardize the program and clinical partner’s affiliation.

   • Any illegal activity or behaviors which would result in professional discipline/sanctions for licenses nurses.

   • Any display of disrespect for any group including race, culture, sexual orientation, gender, or other characteristics.

Student misconduct can result in probation, suspension, or permanent dismissal from the nursing program.

 Probation, suspension, or permanent dismissal will be based on unsafe and/or unprofessional conduct toward students, faculty, patients, agency personnel, or staff. These components are instituted, when necessary, by the faculty member in collaboration with the Director of Nursing or their designee. Consistent with agency affiliation agreements, the clinical agency has the right to request the College to terminate and withdraw any student whose work or conduct may be unsatisfactory to the clinical agency.  

Written Warning:

Defined as a documented formal conversation between an instructor and a student about not meeting a clinical objective.

1. Student’s inability to meet course clinical objectives and to demonstrate responsible, ethical, and safe behavior will be evaluated by instructors.   

2. Instructors will inform students when their performance is unsatisfactory in meeting course clinical objectives. Instructors and students will arrange an individual conference to specify a written advisement plan to assist the student in correcting or improving their performance.

3. If the unsatisfactory performance is not corrected, the next step is probation.

4. Students can immediately be placed on probation, suspended, or permanently dismissed from the program based on the clinical evaluation rubric and/or specific circumstances.

Probation:

Defined as a procedure that informs students that they are not meeting clinical objectives. The probation procedure is available to help assist a student to focus on meeting clinical objectives that will allow progression in the nursing program.

The steps in the probation process are as follows:

1. The probation form will be completed by the instructor.

2. The student and instructor will discuss and review the probation terms.

3. The student and instructor will sign the probation form.

4. A copy of the probation form will be given to the student and the clinical coordinator. The original signed form will be submitted to the Administrative Assistant for Health and Community Partnerships to be maintained in the student’s permanent file.

5. The instructor and student will meet as determined in the probation form to evaluate progress and determine if the terms of probation have been met.

   • If the terms of probation have been met, the student is able to continue onto the next course.

     • The student and instructor will sign the re-evaluation of probation form.

     • A copy of the re-evaluation of probation form will be given to the student and the clinical coordinator. The original signed form will be submitted to the Administrative Assistant for Health and Community Partnerships to be maintained in the student’s permanent file.

   • If the terms of probation have not been met, the student is suspended from the nursing program.

A student must meet the probationary terms to be taken off the probation status. Probation may carry over from one semester to the next if deemed appropriate by the instructor in collaboration with the Director of Nursing. The amount of time the student is on probation is to be determined by the instructor and the Director of Nursing.

Suspension:

Suspension is defined as a temporary interruption in progression within the nursing program.

Nursing students may be suspended for unsatisfactory achievement of any nursing program objectives. This includes but is not limited to the following:

1. Inability to achieve the minimum 78% average on theory tests.

2. Inability to achieve the minimum 78% average in lab components of theory courses.

3. Unsatisfactory probation.

4. Academic dishonesty.

A student is permitted one suspension with a corresponding re-entry. Refer to the re-entry process for details.

Dismissal:

Dismissal is defined as a permanent removal from the nursing program.

Nursing students may be dismissed from the program for any of the following reasons:

1. Any action resulting in actual or potential physical or mental harm to a patient.

2. Performing a procedure without the guidance of a qualified individual (instructor or designee).

3. Failure to maintain confidentiality of patient information as defined by HIPAA.

4. Dishonesty in the clinical setting, such as:

   • Falsifying patient records or fabricating patient experiences or nursing actions.

   • Failing to report omission of or an error in treatments.

5. Any other action or behavior that would put our partnership with a clinical agency at risk.

Steps for dismissal process:

1. The instructor will meet with the Director of Nursing.

2. The student will meet with appropriate mini´«Ă˝ staff to discuss dismissal.

3. The student will have the opportunity to defend actions through a face-to-face meeting or written communication.

4. mini´«Ă˝ staff will evaluate the student’s defense and facts related to the dismissal and return a decision.

5. The final decision will be sent via mini´«Ă˝ student email.

6. If a student is dismissed, the student is ineligible to return to the nursing program.

Revised: 04/02/25 LC/TZ; 05/11/26 LC