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.