The Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing Graduate Program follows the guidelines and procedures stated in https://gradschool.psu.edu/graduate-education-policies/gcac/gcac-800/gcac-805-academic-integrity.

All graduate students are expected to adhere to the Code of Conduct and Academic Standards as clarified by Graduate Council in the Graduate Degree Bulletin, at the Graduate School web site: http://gradschool.psu.edu/graduate-education-policies/gcac/gcac-800/gcac-801-conduct/.  

• GCAC-801 Conduct

• GCAC-802 Procedures for Resolution of Problems (CURRENT)

• GCAC-802 Procedures for Resolution of Problems (REVISED - Effective Fall 2025)

• GCAC-803 Procedures for Termination of the Degree Program of a Graduate Student for Unsatisfactory Scholarship (CURRENT)

• GCAC-803 Procedures for Discontinuation or Termination of the Degree Program of a Graduate Student for Unsatisfactory Scholarship (REVISED - Effective Fall 2025)

• GCAC-804 Termination of Assistantships Due to Inadequate Performance

• GCAC-805 Academic Integrity (NEW POLICY - Effective Fall 2025)

Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the University's educational programs. Every Penn State campus has an office for students with disabilities. The Student Disability Resources (SDR) website provides contact information for every Penn State campus: http://equity.psu.edu/sdr/campus-contacts. For further information, please visit Student Disability Resources: http://equity.psu.edu/sdr. 

In order to receive consideration for reasonable accommodations, you must contact the appropriate disability services office at the campus where you are officially enrolled, participate in an intake interview, and provide documentation: http://equity.psu.edu/sdr/guidelines. If the documentation supports your request for reasonable accommodations, your campus’s disability services office will provide you with an accommodation letter. Please share this letter with your instructors and discuss the accommodations with them as early in your courses as possible. You must follow this process for every semester that you request accommodations. 

 I. POLICY

The intent of this Policy is to offer assistance to those who are in need, while sending a clear message that all students enrolled in the Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing (“Nese CON”) at The Pennsylvania State University (“The University”) are strictly prohibited from possessing or being under the influence of alcohol or drugs while engaged in any Clinical Activities.

II. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND INTENTION

A. Students enrolled in the Nese CON at the undergraduate and graduate level engage in clinical rotations and training on the campus of The University and at various types of healthcare facilities, including, but not limited to, University skills or simulation laboratories, hospitals, private practice offices, long-term care facilities, clinics, schools, and community agencies.

B. Drug and alcohol use may adversely affect the educational process and the quality of care provided by students in the clinical setting. Drug and alcohol use may also pose serious safety and health risks to the students, patients and others.

C. The University and the Nese CON require all nursing students engaged in Clinical Activities be free from the influence of drugs and alcohol.

D. This Policy is enacted in accordance with a position statement on the subject of substance abuse in nursing education published by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, and the standards set forth in Pennsylvania’s Professional Nursing Law (63 P.S. § 224, et. seq.).

E. This policy is not intended to apply to the use or possession of prescribed or over-the-counter drugs and/or drug paraphernalia, if legally obtained, used for the purpose for which it was prescribed or manufactured, and if taken at the prescribed or authorized dosage; provided that use of the drug and/or drug paraphernalia does not violate any federal law or interfere with the safe and efficient performance of the Student’s Clinical Activities.

F. Penn State complies with the Federal Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989 ( https://policy.psu.edu/policies/ad87 ). Pursuant to this Act, all forms of marijuana, including medical marijuana, are classified as prohibited controlled substances. Additionally, alcohol, illegal drugs, and legal drugs obtained without a prescription, or which may impair a student’s ability to perform his/her educational responsibilities are strictly prohibited. Students are subject to drug screening as part of their required nursing compliances. A positive drug screening for marijuana will be deemed a positive test and may result in a student being dismissed from the program, even if the student has been lawfully certified to use medical marijuana and/or possesses a valid medical marijuana identification card issued in accordance with applicable state law.

III. DEFINITIONS

A. “Alcohol” means beer, wine and all forms of distilled liquor containing ethyl alcohol.

B. “Clinical Activities” shall refer to those duties or activities required of Nese CON students, whether on the campus of The Pennsylvania State University or at an outside Host Facility, which involve direct patient care or interaction with a patient or research subject for purposes of medical care, treatment, or testing, and/or as part of a Clinical Program.

C. “Clinical Program” shall refer to the assignment of Nese CON students to healthcare facilities, University skills or simulation laboratories, etc., for the purpose of gaining practical experience and/or engaging in patient care, in fulfillment of degree or course requirements.

D. “Drug” means hallucinogenic or narcotic drugs or other drugs/substances which tend to impair judgment or coordination including, but not limited to, substances controlled by State or Federal laws.

E. “Drug Paraphernalia” means all equipment, products, and materials of any kind, which are used for injecting, ingesting, inhaling or otherwise introducing a drug into the human body. This includes, but is not limited to, all equipment, products and materials prohibited or controlled by State or Federal laws.

F. “Host Facility” shall mean any place other than a campus of The Pennsylvania State University where a student is engaged in Clinical Activities in fulfillment of degree or course requirements, including but not limited to healthcare facilities, hospitals, physician offices, long-term care facilities, clinics, schools and community agencies.

G. “Student” is an undergraduate or graduate student enrolled in the Nese CON.

H. “Clinical Instructor/Supervisor” is the person the Nese CON assigned to oversee a student while engaged in performance of a Clinical Program and/or while engaged in Clinical Activities. Clinical Instructors are faculty employed by Penn State Nese CON. Supervisors are employees of the facility at which a Clinical Program takes place.

Note: Defined terms are capitalized herein.

IV. DRUG AND ALCOHOL POSSESSION AND USE

A. Prohibitions. Except as provided in paragraph C below:

1. No Student engaged in Clinical Activities shall use, consume, transport, possess or sell Alcohol, Drugs or Drug Paraphernalia while on the site of a Clinical Program, or while engaged in Clinical Activities.

2. No Student may report to the premises of a Clinical Program or remain on duty, or engage in any Clinical Activities, while under the influence of or impaired by Alcohol or Drugs, to any degree. This is a zero-tolerance policy.

3. This policy is not directly applicable to Students who are in traditional classroom/ lecture situation; however, all Students of The University are prohibited from being under the influence of Alcohol or Drugs while taking part in on-campus activities and violations of this nature may be subject to sanctions under the Student Code of Conduct and/or other University or Nese CON rules and regulations.

B. Exceptions. The following circumstances may constitute exceptions to this Policy:

1. Prescribed and over-the-counter drugs. The use or possession of prescribed or over-the-counter drugs and/or drug paraphernalia is not prohibited by this Policy, if legally obtained, used for the purpose for which it was prescribed or manufactured, and if taken at the prescribed or authorized dosage; provided that use of the drug and/or drug paraphernalia does not violate any federal law or interfere with the safe and efficient performance of the Student’s Clinical Activities.

2. Legitimate distribution of medications. The prohibitions set forth in this Policy do not apply to legitimate distribution of medication as may be an assigned duty in a Clinical Program.

C. Students who participate in Clinical Programs at outside facilities are subject to the rules and regulations of the Host Facility and the Nese CON. This may include drug and/or alcohol testing. Testing for illegal drugs or alcohol may be required by the Host Facility prior to commencement of a clinical program, on a random basis, following an accident, or upon observation of conduct which may be indicative of drug or alcohol use. Neither the University nor the Nese CON has control over the manner in which testing is carried out by a Host Facility. If a test indicates the presence of illegal drugs or alcohol, and if the test results are provided to the Nese CON, this information will be utilized in the manner set forth herein.

V. PROCEDURES

A. Failure to cooperate with the procedures set forth herein may result in termination of a Student’s clinical program, which will carry with it serious consequences for the Student’s ability to complete their course of study in the Nese CON.

B. In order to assure compliance with this Policy and as a condition of continuing to participate in Clinical Activities and/or a Clinical Program, Students are required to cooperate with the procedures outlined herein, including Drug and Alcohol testing. Such tests may be administered upon a finding of reasonable suspicion that a Student has used Drugs or Alcohol while engaged in Clinical Activities. Reasonable suspicion shall be determined by the Clinical Instructor/Supervisor, based upon various factors, including but not limited to observation of signs or symptoms commonly associated with intoxication, such as: impaired mental ability, inability to maintain balance, odor of alcohol, boisterous or slurred speech, drowsiness, dilated pupils, staggering, awkward movements or erratic behavior. In making a determination of reasonable suspicion, the Clinical Instructor/Supervisor may take into account observations of lay persons, other staff or faculty of the Nese CON and/or healthcare professionals.

C. When finding reasonable suspicion is made, the following steps will be implemented by the Nese CON.

1. If the student appears to be medically unstable (i.e. is obtunded, falling down, lashing out at people, etc.), the student will be sent to the nearest emergency room. If no emergency room is in the clinical site, an ambulance will be called.

2. If the student appears medically stable, the clinical instructor/supervisor shall instruct the student to leave the clinical area and will address the student in private to discuss the behavior(s) observed. If the supervisor is a non-Penn State preceptor or supervisor, contact the course or clinical instructor assigned to the student.

3. If at any time during this process, the clinical instructor is not able to adequately manage other students in the clinical group, the other students should be dismissed, citing an emergency situation that requires the Clinical Instructor’s attention. 

4. The Clinical Instructor will specifically inquire about whether the student has used drugs or alcohol and if so, the details of such use. 

5. The Clinical Instructor shall consult with the campus director for undergraduate nursing education for undergraduate students or the graduate option director, for graduate students, as practicable, and shall make a determination as to whether to refer the Student for Drug and Alcohol testing. If the campus director for undergraduate nursing education is not available, the clinical instructor will consult with another nursing administrative person or faculty member at the Nese CON or campus. The decision to send the student for testing will preferably be made with consultation of at least one other administrative person who has assessed the student face-to-face or has consulted via phone. In the event that another person is not available, the clinical instructor will make the decision independently.

6. If the decision is made to send the Student for testing, the Student shall be notified that the student will be tested for the presence of Drugs and/or Alcohol. The Nese CON will incur costs associated with the initial testing only. A student who refuses to undergo testing shall be presumed to have violated this policy. Transportation for both the student and the faculty person to and from the location for testing (see Urine Drug Screen Clinic Sites) will be arranged and paid for by the Nese CON. The Student will be accompanied by two Nese CON representatives at all times during transportation to the off-site testing facility.

7. Each location will determine appropriate safe travel arrangements keeping in mind that two Nese CON representatives must be in the vehicle with the student. 

8. After testing is completed, the Nese CON will arrange for the student to be transported home or to the home of a family member or friend. The student will be counseled against driving and encouraged to arrange to be accompanied by a family member or friend. If the student is unable or unwilling to call a family member or friend to transport them home, transportation will be arranged and paid by the Nese CON. The Nese CON representative will remain with the student until transportation is obtained.

9. Tests shall be accomplished via urine sample, or other reliable methods. The testing process will be carried out pursuant to the testing protocols of the clinical agency or the University’s Office of Occupational Medicine. Samples shall be collected by the clinical agency or the designated screening clinic of the University’s Office of Occupational Medicine. A split sample shall be collected. Test results will be interpreted by the University’s Medical Review Officer, who shall verify documentation of appropriate chain of custody and shall make the determination of whether a test is positive for the presence of Drugs or Alcohol. A negative result on a test will not necessitate further testing and no further action shall be taken. In the case of a positive test, the Student shall be contacted by the Medical Review Officer, who shall determine whether there is any legitimate explanation for the positive test. If no legitimate explanation can be verified by the Medical Review Officer, the Student shall be given the option of having the second sample tested, at the expense of the Student. If testing of the second sample yields a negative result, no further action shall be taken. The Medical Review Officer shall advise the appropriate Associate Dean of the Nese CON of testing results. NOTE: If testing is necessary during a time that the screening clinic is closed, testing will be done at the Clinical agency, if possible, and results will be obtained by the University’s Office of Occupational Medicine.

10. The University will make reasonable efforts to maintain confidentiality in the administrative handling of matters relating to Student Drug and Alcohol testing.

11. The Clinical Instructor/supervisor will prepare a written report documenting the observed Student behaviors and submit same to the campus director for undergraduate nursing education for undergraduate students or the graduate option director, for graduate students, and the appropriate Associate Dean of the Nese CON.

D. A student who has been sent for a drug and alcohol test shall be suspended from participation in clinical activities until the results are returned. Test results shall be provided by the Medical Review Officer to the appropriate Associate Dean of the Nese CON. If the results are negative, the student shall be permitted to resume regular clinical activities immediately. If the test results are positive for the presence of drugs or alcohol, or if the student refused to submit to testing, the following steps shall be followed.

1. A meeting will be held, within a reasonable period of time, with the student, the Clinical Instructor involved and the campus director for undergraduate nursing education for undergraduate students or the graduate option director, for graduate students to discuss the incident, allow all parties to provide any relevant information, and to discuss sanctions and/or academic consequences related to the alleged violation. Sanctions may include suspension from all Clinical Programs, a failing grade for a given course, or dismissal from the Nese CON.

2. The student will execute a written agreement to seek an initial drug and alcohol consultation at Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) and/or a drug and alcohol evaluation with a certified or licensed professional capable of providing this service. The Student must sign an informed consent form to allow release of the evaluation results to be provided to the appropriate Associate Dean of the Nese CON. The Student shall be required to follow any treatment plan which may be recommended as a result of the substance abuse evaluation. Refusal to undergo substance abuse evaluation or failure to comply with any recommended treatment may result in the Student’s dismissal from the Nese CON. Following successful completion of any such treatment plan and/or upon certification by an appropriate substance abuse counselor that the Student is fit to return to Clinical Activities, the Student shall be permitted to resume full participation in the Nese CON curriculum.

3. The fact of a positive test result shall be conveyed by the Nese CON to the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response for evaluation of whether the behavior has violated the Student Code of Conduct. The Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response will investigate and process the matter in accordance with standard University procedures and the Student Code of Conduct. The Designee or staff from the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response will investigate the allegation and when it appears that a violation may have occurred, the Student will be subject to the University’s disciplinary process. The Nese CON will be notified of the outcome of this process.

4. Any student who has a positive drug screen confirmed is encouraged to contact the Nurses’ Health Program (NHP) as part of the evaluation process. If the student is diagnosed with abuse or dependence of a substance as a result of the evaluation, the student is required to enroll with NHP monitoring, consent to coordination with the Associate Dean or designee and follow all NHP regulations. All NHP screening requirements will be completed through a designated vendor and at the student’s expense.

VI. APPEALS

A. A Student may appeal sanctions by sending a written statement of the basis for the appeal to the appropriate Associate Dean of the Nese CON, within ten (10) business  days after the action which is being appealed. The Student’s written appeal shall succinctly set forth the basis for the appeal, with supporting documentation, as appropriate.

B. Within ten (10) business days after the filing of an appeal, the appropriate Associate Dean of the Nese CON shall convene a meeting with the Student in an attempt to amicably resolve the matter. If no resolution can be reached, the appropriate Associate Dean of the Nese CON shall convene a hearing committee, consisting of three (3) faculty members from the Nese CON, one of whom shall serve as committee chair. The hearing shall be convened as soon as practicable. The following rules shall apply to the hearing:

1. The purpose of the hearing is one of fact finding.

2. The committee shall have full authority to conduct the hearing in a manner that is fair, efficient, and respectful.

3. Formal rules of evidence do not apply, but irrelevant, immaterial or unduly repetitious evidence may be excluded at the discretion of the committee.

4. In light of the nature and spirit of the proceeding, representation by legal counsel is prohibited.

5. The hearing shall be closed, meaning that no one beyond the persons involved in the hearing will be admitted.

6. Participants shall include the Student and the Clinical Instructor who observed or was involved in the incident in question. Others with knowledge of the circumstances in question may be permitted to participate, with the permission of the chair of the committee.

7. The Clinical Instructor will address the committee first, followed by the Student. The committee may ask questions of the Clinical Instructor and the Student. The Clinical Instructor or faculty member and the Student may also ask questions of each other, in a polite and respectful manner.

8. Requests for additional information may be made by the committee to the faculty member and the Student.

9. At the conclusion of the hearing, the committee shall dismiss the participants and deliberate in private. The committee members shall then vote on the outcome of the hearing, with each member having one vote. The chair of the committee will inform the Student of committee’s decision within one business day after the hearing.

10. The decision of the committee shall be final.

VII. REINSTATEMENT TO CLINICAL PROGRAM/ACTIVITIES

Refer to Reinstatement Following Drug Screening Violation in the student handbook https://www.nursing.psu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/General-Bachelor-of-Science-Nursing-Student-Handbook-07.01.24.pdf

VIII. ASSISTANCE TO STUDENTS WITH DRUG OR ALCOHOL PROBLEMS

Students with drug or alcohol problems, whether or not engaged in Clinical Activities, are encouraged to voluntarily seek assistance through University’s Center for Counseling & Psychological Services. Professors, instructors and advisers in the Nese CON will assist Students with referrals, as requested.

NOTE: Any situation that may arise that does not fall within the policy guidelines will be addressed on a case-by-case basis, in consultation with the Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing, University Occupational Medicine and University Risk Management.

Approved Fall 2005

Revised Fall 2009; Spring, 2013; 1/2018; 10/2021; 4.10.24 (NHP); 4/14/25

A. POTENTIAL BEHAVIORAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF CHEMICALLY IMPAIRED STUDENTS

BEHAVIORAL PHYSIOLOGICAL

Irritability Flushed face

Mood Swings Red eyes

Isolation or avoidance/withdrawal from group work Pervasive odor of alcohol

Absenteeism; frequently leaving clinical area or classroom Awkward, ineffective, inaccurate psychomotor skills

Pattern of tardiness Unsteady gait

Decreased clinical and academic productivity Fine motor tremors (trembling hands)

Fluctuating clinical and academic performance Abnormal papillary dilation or constriction

Change in dress or appearance Declining health

Inappropriate responses Persistent rhinorrhea

Elaborate excuses for behavior Slurred or rapid speech

Suspiciousness

Nervousness

Decreased Alertness

Dishonesty

FACULTY QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE FOR IMPLEMENTING THE IMPAIRED STUDENT NURSE POLICY

Protocol:

E. When finding of reasonable suspicion is made, the following steps will be implemented by the Nese CON.

a. If the student appears to be medically unstable (i.e. is obtunded, falling down, lashing out at people, etc.), the student will be sent to the nearest emergency room. If no emergency room is in the clinical site, an ambulance will be called.

b. If the student appears medically stable, the clinical instructor/supervisor shall instruct the student to leave the clinical area and will address the student in private to discuss the behavior(s) observed. If the supervisor is a non-Penn State preceptor or supervisor, contact the course or clinical instructor assigned to the student.

c. If at any time during this process, the clinical instructor is not able to adequately manage other students in the clinical group, the other students should be dismissed, citing an emergency situation that requires the Clinical Instructor’s attention. 

d. The Clinical Instructor will specifically inquire about whether the student has used drugs or alcohol and if so, the details of such use. 

e. The Clinical Instructor shall consult with the campus director for undergraduate nursing education for undergraduate students or the graduate option director, for graduate students, as practicable, and shall make a determination as to whether to refer the Student for Drug and Alcohol testing. If the campus director for undergraduate nursing education is not available, the clinical instructor will consult with another nursing administrative person or faculty member at the Nese CON or campus. The decision to send the student for testing will preferably be made with consultation of at least one other administrative person who has assessed the student face-to-face or has consulted via phone. In the event that another person is not available, the clinical instructor will make the decision independently.

f. If the decision is made to send the Student for testing, the Student shall be notified that the student will be tested for the presence of Drugs and/or Alcohol. The Nese CON will incur costs associated with the initial testing only. A student who refuses to undergo testing shall be presumed to have violated this policy. Transportation for both the student and the faculty person to and from the location for testing (see Urine Drug Screen Clinic Sites) will be arranged and paid for by the Nese CON. The Student will be accompanied by two Nese CON representatives at all times during transportation to the off-site testing facility.

g. Each location will determine appropriate safe travel arrangements, keeping in mind that two NESE CON representatives must be in the vehicle with the student. 

h. After testing is completed, the Nese CON will arrange for the student to be transported home or to the home of a family member or friend. The student will be counseled against driving and encouraged to arrange to be accompanied by a family member or friend. If the student is unable or unwilling to call a family member or friend to transport them home, transportation will be arranged and paid by the Nese CON. The Nese CON representatives will remain with the student until transportation is obtained.

i. Tests shall be accomplished via urine sample, or other reliable method. The testing process will be carried out pursuant to the testing protocols of the clinical agency or the University’s Office of Occupational Medicine. Samples shall be collected by the clinical agency or the designated screening clinic of the University’s Office of Occupational Medicine. A split sample shall be collected. Test results will be interpreted by the University’s Medical Review Officer, who shall verify documentation of appropriate chain of custody and shall make the determination of whether a test is positive for the presence of Drugs or Alcohol. A negative result on a test will not necessitate further testing and no further action shall be taken. In the case of a positive test, the Student shall be contacted by the Medical Review Officer, who shall determine whether there is any legitimate explanation for the positive test. If no legitimate explanation can be verified by the Medical Review Officer, the Student shall be given the option of having the second sample tested, at the expense of the Student. If testing of the second sample yields a negative result, no further action shall be taken. The Medical Review Officer shall advise the appropriate Associate Dean of the Nese CON of testing results. NOTE: If testing is necessary during a time that the screening clinic is closed, testing will be done at the Clinical agency, if possible, and results will be obtained by the University’s Office of Occupational Medicine.

j. The University will make reasonable efforts to maintain confidentiality in the administrative handling of matters relating to Student Drug and Alcohol testing.

k. The Clinical Instructor/supervisor will prepare a written report documenting the observed Student behaviors and submit same to the campus director for undergraduate nursing education for undergraduate students or the graduate option director, for graduate students, and the appropriate Associate Dean of the Nese CON.

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION:

Consider contacting PSU Occupational Medicine at 814-863-8492 for guidance with reasonable suspicion drug or alcohol testing prior to going to one of the locations below. PSU Occ Med is available weekdays from 7:30 am -4:00pm. The list below is informational only and subject to change. Below are possible testing sites based on campus location. Current as of Feb 2025.

• University Park Campus:

• PSU Occupational Medicine 1850 E Park Ave, Suite 310 State College PA 16803 Phone 814-863-8492

• Behrend Campus (Erie):

• Occupational Health Center 2501 W 12th St Erie PA 16505 Phone 814-452-7879

• Altoona Campus:

• Refer to PSU Occupational Medicine 1850 E Park Ave, Suite310, State College PA 16803 Phone 814-863-8492

• Harrisburg Campus:

• Concentra Swatara Sq Shopping Plaza 6301 Grayson Rd Harrisburg PA 17111 Phone 717-920-5910

• Hershey Campus:

• Concentra Swatara Sq Shopping Plaza 6301 Grayson Rd Harrisburg PA 17111 Phone 717-920-5910

• Fayette Campus:

• Occupational Medical Center of the Washington Hospital 95 Leonard Avenue Washington, PA 15301 Bldg. 1, Suite 401 Phone 724.223.3528

• Mont Alto Campus:

• Summit /Wellspan Occupational Health 1610 Orchard Drive Chambersburg, PA 17201 Phone 717.261.0929

• Scranton Campus:

• MID-STATE M Occupational Health Services Medical Plaza 1000 Meade Street , Dunmore, PA 18512 Phone 570.209.7160

Reviewed, revised and approved Spring 2025

CLINICAL AGENCIES

A.     Clinical agencies utilized by the Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing for clinical practice experiences are to have written infection control plans designed to minimize or eliminate exposure to infectious disease.

B.     The clinical agency’s infection control plan shall include:

1. A schedule and method of implementing the infection control plan.

2. A schedule for reviewing and updating the plan to reflect significant changes in tasks, policies, and procedures.

3. A method of dealing with and documenting occupational exposure.

C.     Clinical agencies are required to make the infection control plan available to the Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing administration for examination and copying. 

STANDARD PRECAUTIONS AND ISOLATION PRACTICES

All students will follow standard precautions and second tier isolation practices as defined by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the agency policy and procedures to minimize exposure to infectious disease.

ACCIDENTAL EXPOSURE, POST EXPOSURE, AND FOLLOW-UP

A.    Clinical agencies utilized by the Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing for clinical practice experiences are to have written post-exposure plans including follow-up of the exposed faculty or student including antibody or antigen testing, testing of the source patient, counseling, illness reporting, and safe and effective post exposure prophylaxis according to standard CDC recommendations and Pennsylvania State Law.

B.    In the event of significant exposure to blood or body fluid, defined by the CDC as: "a percutaneous injury (e.g., needle stick or cut with a sharp object) or contact of mucous membrane or non-intact skin (e.g., exposed skin that is chapped, abraded, or with dermatitis) with blood, saliva, tissue, or other body fluids that are potentially infectious."

The nursing student will:

1.  Immediately and thoroughly wash or rinse (if mucous membrane) the exposed area.

2. Report the incident to the clinical instructor.

The clinical instructor will:

1.  Report the incident immediately to the appropriate representative at the clinical facility.

2. Facilitate completion of the steps for follow up as outlined by the policies and procedures at the clinical facility. 

Note: All testing and/or treatment after exposure will be at the student's expense.

Revised November 2006.

Infection Risk and General Guidance

Students participating in classroom instruction or clinical/practicum placements may be exposed to infectious diseases, including COVID-19 and its variants. To help reduce infection risk and prevent the spread of transmissible illnesses, students are expected to stay informed and follow all relevant University and clinical site policies.

Resources:

• University information on Respiratory Symptoms

• CDC Guidance on Respiratory Illnesses

• CDC Guidance on COVID-19

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements

• The University no longer requires COVID-19 vaccination.

• As of August 4, 2023, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) no longer mandates COVID-19 vaccination for healthcare workers.

• Clinical sites may still require students to provide proof of vaccination per current CDC recommendations. Lack of proof may impact a student’s ability to complete clinical coursework at specific sites.

Religious Accommodation for Clinical Placement

• Students seeking religious accommodation must comply with clinical site policies.

• The University no longer processes religious accommodation requests for clinical placement purposes.

• For questions, contact:

  • Lonnie Allbaugh at lja5276@psu.edu

  • Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at oeoa@psu.edu

Precautions If You Are Sick (COVID-19, Flu, or Respiratory Viruses)

1. Stay Home if you have symptoms (e.g., fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue).

2. Resume normal activities only after 24 hours of:

   • Improving symptoms, and

   • No fever without the use of fever-reducing medications.

3. For the following 5 days:

   • Wear a well-fitting mask

   • Maintain distance from others

   • Consider testing to guide your decisions

4. If symptoms worsen or fever returns, restart precautions.

Contact and Support

• Contact University Health Services, your campus nurse or your healthcare provider as needed.

• Notify instructors of absences due to illness.

• Nursing students must meet annual compliance requirements as outlined in the Student Handbook.

• COVID-19 vaccination documentation may still be required by some clinical sites. Refer to the Nese College of Nursing (CON) compliance package for details.

Policy approved: July 24, 2025

Talking over your ideas and/or soliciting comments on your papers from faculty and students are not examples of plagiarism. Taking someone’s published or unpublished work or ideas and using them or calling them your own is plagiarism (this includes work done by individuals who have previously completed a course in which you are enrolled). 

Referencing others’ works is extremely important. Direct quotes need to be placed in quotation marks and the page from where the quote was taken documented. All other works used in the development of the paper need to be cited in the reference list. It is considered plagiarism if these procedures are not followed. 

Formal mechanisms are in place to resolve student problems in the classroom, outside the classroom, and regarding grade disputes. Concerns about course grades and grading should be handled between the student and his or her instructor as outlined in the University Faculty Senate Policies 47-00, 48-00, and 49-00. To view the policies, visit the University Faculty Senate home page at http://senate.psu.edu/.  

Procedures for resolution of problems can be found in the Graduate Degree Programs Bulletin: http://gradschool.psu.edu/graduate-education-policies/gcac/gcac-800/gcac-802-procedures-for-resolution-of-problems/. 

Fostering successful interactions among faculty, administrators, and graduate students. 

This document suggests examples of recommended practices in each of three core areas for all of the key participants in graduate student education. Programs use these as a set of recommended practices that meet the needs of their students. More information can be found on: https://gradschool.psu.edu/faculty-staff/policies/recommended-practices-in-graduate-education

The Social Media policy provides Penn State Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing (CON) students with rules to participate in social media, including Penn State Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing social media and in non-Penn State CON social media. 

Definition: Social Media is a conventional term of electronic communication through which users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages, email, or video hosting sites.

First and foremost, all nursing students must recognize their ethical and legal obligation to maintain patient privacy and confidentiality. As a nursing student, it is important to represent Penn State Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing in a fair, accurate and legal manner while protecting the College’s reputation.

1. Students may be held personally liable for proprietary, defamatory, or libelous material posted on any form of social media. 

2. Students will face sanctions for posting of materials that is defamatory, profane, threatening, harassing, hateful or humiliating to patient, students, hospital staff, mentors, nurses, Penn State faculty and staff, employers and co-workers included. Sanction will be determined by the University Office of Student Conduct, the Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing Academic Integrity Committee, or the appropriate Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing Academic Administrator. 

3. Improper use of social media may result in being sued for defamation, invasion of privacy or harassment.   

4. Occurrences of inappropriate use of social and electronic media may be submitted to the State Board of Nursing, which may affect licensure or eligibility for licensure. 

5. The use of pseudonymous email addresses or online identities can be investigated and traced, so their use does not protect the student from responsibility and any liabilities related to posting online materials and or social media. 

6. Students must promptly report any identifiable breach of confidentiality of privacy in regard to self, other nurses and /or other nursing students. 

7. Students must be knowledgeable of hospital and health care institution policies, relevant state and federal laws and professional standards regarding patient privacy and confidentiality and their application to social and electronic media. 

8. The Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing may take action to dismiss any student from the Nursing program who violates the Social Media Policy.   

9. Students may not transmit any electronic media of any patient-related information or image that violates patient rights to confidentiality or privacy or to otherwise degrade or embarrass the patient and/or families. 

10. Students must not share, post or otherwise disseminate any information (including images) about a patient or information gained in the nurse-patient relationship with anyone, unless there is care-related need to disclose the information or other legal obligation to do so. 

11. Students must not use social media during clinical hours or at any time on the clinical agency’s equipment or property.
    
    

University Policy; Approved by Administration June 2013

References: 

ANA, (2011). Principles for social networking and the nurse. 

ANA (2011). Six tips for nurses using social media. 

Carlow University College of Nursing, Social Media Policy (with permission) 

National Council State Board of Nursing (2011). White paper: A nurse’s guide to the use of social media.

Use of the official Penn State (University Park) and/or Ross and Carol Nese Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing logo is restricted to Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing faculty and students. All students who use official logos for posters and oral presentations must have their presentation approved by their academic adviser. Once a student has graduated, official Penn State logos may only be used when a Penn State faculty person is listed as a co-presenter and has approved the presentation. 

GSAD-940 Protection of Gradaute Student Publication Rights policy is to define the conditions under which graduate students may work on research projects that have associated confidentially clauses, non-disclosure agreements and/or publication restrictions.  Students, and advisors should refer to GSAD-940 for details and procedures. 

Procedure:

P-1 Procedure for Protection of Graduate Student Publication Rights