Lakeview College of Nursing -

Policy for SAFE PRACTICE and PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIOR

Students will demonstrate patterns of professional behavior which reflect the professional values as described in The Essentials of Baccalaureate Nursing Education (2008), the ANA Standards of Clinical Practices (2003), the ANA Nursing Scope & Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements (2001) and the Illinois Nurses Practice Act (2008); promote the actual or potential well being of clients, health care workers and self; demonstrate accountability in preparation, documentation, communication and continuity of care; and show respect of the human right of all peoples. Students are expected to follow the Lakeview Student Code of Conduct as found in the current Lakeview College of Nursing College Catalog/Student Handbook.

The faculty member has the responsibility to evaluate students based upon the above expected patterns of professional behavior.

A student whose pattern of behavior is found to be unprofessional or unsafe may be:

Asked to leave the clinical setting
Refused admission to a clinical agency/classroom
Terminated from the course

If the behavior is identified before the college withdraw date, the student will be directed to withdraw from the course and receive a grade of "W”. If the withdraw date has passed the student will receive a grade of “F” for the course. A student who has been terminated from a course due to unsafe behavior may retake the course as allowed by policy and should be referred to sources for remediation. A student who has been terminated from a course due to unprofessional behavior may be terminated from the program (see current Lakeview College of Nursing College Catalog/Student Handbook: Non-Academic/Social Probation and Sanctions. A student has the right to appeal for readmission to the program as applicable by the readmission policy described in the handbook. (see current College Catalog/Student Handbook: Hearing Process for Violations of the Honor Code Policy or Social/Non-Academic Conduct Policy)

An instructor may remove a student from the clinical area or deny access to the clinical area because of an unprofessional appearance, inadequate preparation or unsafe practice on that day. Inability to participate in clinical will result in a grade of unsatisfactory for the day and be considered an unexcused absence. If the same student needs to be removed from the clinical area more than one time, the student may be removed from the course due to unsafe or unprofessional behavior.

1. Guidelines for Evaluating Safe Practice and Professional Behavior:

a. The student's practice meets the needs of the client from a biological, psychological, sociological, and cultural standpoint and promotes the continuity for care for clients:

Unsafe practice and unprofessional behavior: displays mental, physical, and/or emotional behaviors which may negatively affect others well being, acts of omission or commission in the care of the client, towards peers, faculty and staff. Unsafe practice is further defined as any nursing action inconsistent with the Illinois Nurse Practice Act (2008) or the ANA Standards of Clinical Practice (2003) or the current Lakeview College of Nursing College Catalog/Student Handbook.

b. The Student's practice demonstrates consistency in the responsible preparation, performance of skills, documentation, and communication in the classroom or clinical areas:

Unsafe practice and unprofessional behavior: dishonesty, attempting activities without adequate preparation or assistance, inaccurate, incomplete, or misleading communication. Unprofessional conduct is further defined as any nursing action inconsistent with the ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements (2001) or the Lakeview College of Nursing College Catalog/Student Handbook.

c. The student practices within the boundaries of the Illinois Nurse Practice Act, the guidelines of the courses syllabus, policies of the School of Nursing, and the rules and regulations of health care agencies:

Unsafe practice or unprofessional behavior: does not maintain confidentiality, dishonesty, ignoring unethical behavior of peers and other health care workers, verbal or aggressive acts but especially against others of different culture, race, sex, or religion, inappropriate presentation; uniform is incomplete, dress code not followed. Unsafe practice is further defined as any nursing action inconsistent with the Illinois Nurse Practice Act or the ANA Nursing: Scope & Standards of Practice or the Lakeview College of Nursing College Catalog/Student Handbook.

d. The Student takes responsibility for his/her learning and professional growth:

Unsafe practice or unprofessional behavior: is not adequately prepared for class or clinical; includes (but not limited to) readings, practice, chart review, and the completion of assignments, not seeking out or taking advantage of experiences that will enhance learning, not accepting constructive suggestions for improvement, Unprofessional conduct is further defined as any nursing action inconsistent with the Illinois Nurse Practice Act or the ANA Nursing: Scope & Standards of Practice or the Lakeview College of Nursing College Catalog/Student Handbook.

2. Academic Dishonesty:

Lakeview College of Nursing is designed to provide a liberal and professional educational foundation, which is essential for practicing with ethical judgment. Integrity is one of the core values. Therefore, academic integrity is a critical aspect of the educational process and any violation is considered unprofessional behavior. All students are held responsible for their own academic honesty, as well as for maintaining the integrity of a sound academic environment. Should there be a violation in the integrity of the academic environment; students will be disciplined under the College Catalog/Student Handbook: Student Code of Conduct as described in the Lakeview College of Nursing Student Handbook with the appropriate sanction.

3. Procedure

a. A student whose behavior endangers a client’s, peer’s, faculty or staff members’ safety will first be given a verbal and written warning by the primary faculty member as soon as the behavior is evident. A sanction may be enacted as a consequence for the behavior.

b. If the student’s behavior is repeated, it will be considered a pattern of behavior and the student must meet with the faculty member(s) again to complete the Unsafe/Unprofessional Behavior Report” and outline a plan for correction of the behavior. The original will be placed in the student‘s file and copies forwarded to the student, the student’s advisor, the Course Coordinator, the Dean of Nursing, and any other personnel deemed appropriate.

c. If the behavior is repeated a third time the student will again meet with faculty to complete the Unsafe/Unprofessional Behavior Report” and the report will be processed in the same manner but the student will need to appear before the Student Affairs Committee and present solid rationale why s/he should be retained in the program. The faculty will vote as to whether or not the student will be immediately withdrawn from the class &/or dismissed from the program or identify the plan to be followed if the student is retained. The Dean will notify the student of the decision made and may have the final decision if s/he desires.

d. If the student is not allowed to complete the course then the grade issued will be a “W” if the withdraw date has not passed, an “F” if the withdraw day has passed.

e. If the student’s behavior is unsafe, the student may only be terminated from the course and receive a “W” if the withdraw date has not passed, an “F” if the withdraw day has passed. If the student’s behavior has been determined to be unprofessional the student may be dropped from the course and the program.

4. Faculty Responsibilities:

a. Provide instruction, guidance, and interpretation of course objectives during the theory or clinical experience.

b. Document patterns of behavior related to attainment of the course and/or clinical objectives. (Documentation may include direct observation by the faculty, peer, staff, other health care personnel, the client and/or their family. Comments from the above listed persons may also be used as long as they are written and signed by the person making comment.) Documentation may take place on the course evaluation or in anecdotal notes of faculty. Written work also serves as documentation.

c. Provide at least one verbal warning, documented through the course evaluation form or anecdotal notes

d. Meet with the student to discuss concerns. Develop an academic improvement plan to address the areas of concern with corrective actions. Develop a plan for ongoing evaluation. Give student a copy of the plan.

e. If behavior does not improve then faculty will complete the Unsafe/Unprofessional Behavior Report, documenting specifically the nature of the behavior. If the problem continues after this report has been completed the report will be completed again and the student will not be allowed to continue in clinical practice until the review process has been completed by the faculty organization.

5. The student may appeal the decision according to the process outlined in the current Lakeview College of Nursing College Catalog/Student Handbook.

October 12, 2009