Behavior Standards

Behavior Standards

In addition to maintaining the School of Nursing academic standards, you are expected to be thoughtful and professional when interacting with faculty, 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 you are identified as a U of MN student, including situations off-campus, as well as in "virtual" sites, such as on-line social networking sites.

Professional conduct and demeanor is required in cyberspace in the same manner it is required in all other settings. You must keep in mind that illegal behavior or behavior in violation of U of MN policy on campus is illegal or violates University policy if it occurs and/or appears online. If you identify as a University of Minnesota School of Nursing student in an online forum, the SoN will hold you to the highest professional conduct standard. 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.

Allegations received regarding the non-compliance with these behavioral standards will result in an investigation to provide appropriate due process. 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. These behavioral expectations are described in the following standards and examples.

As a nursing student, you will:

1. Comply with the policies and procedures outlined for the current year in this handbook, the University of Minnesota Undergraduate Catalog, and the University of Minnesota Board of Regents Student Conduct Code ().

2. Refrain from the use 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 area free of alcohol or other judgment-altering substances.

3. Demonstrate integrity and honesty in all actions.

Example: Accurately and objectively record information in the patient's chart; preserve patient records; preserve educational materials.

4. Respect the patients’ right to confidentiality.

Example: Confine conversation about patients to designated places in the agency; share information about patients only with those immediately concerned with the patient's care, with instructor, or with peers in a clinical conference setting; within statutory and agency guidelines on confidentiality, provide appropriate others with information about the patient and feedback about own experience with patient.

Example: You will not discuss or provide information about patients, clinical sites, and experiences in the clinical setting via social media (i.e. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, etc.)

Example: You will not take photos or make any recordings of patients, even at the patient’s request. You also cannot appear in any patient photos.

Example: You cannot post on Caring Bridge or other patient support websites.

5. Accurately represent self as a nursing student.

Example: Wear School of Nursing photo ID badge in the clinical area; accurately and respectfully identify self as a student in nursing in all areas of practice.

Note: You cannot represent yourself as U of MN nursing student except during officially sanctioned U of MN events and required practicum rotations (i.e., if you choose to volunteer or job shadow outside of their formally assigned practicum rotations, you cannot wear U of MN scrubs, ID badges or otherwise identify yourself as being the U of MN as a nursing student).

6. Demonstrate respect toward patients 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, gender identity, marital status, public assistance status, veteran status, clinical diagnosis, or political beliefs. The School of Nursing endorses and adopts the Tri Council for Nursing’s Civility Proclamation and believes that faculty, staff, and students in the School of Nursing have an ethical, moral, and legal responsibility to create a healthy and safe work and learning environment for nurses and all members of the health care team, health care consumers, students, families, and communities. The School of Nursing has identified best practices for civility.

7. Refrain from any unlawful conduct or unethical behavior, within or outside the University of Minnesota community, which impairs your capacity to function as a healthcare professional.

Note: Examples for the behavioral standards are illustrative and not intended to encompass all specifically desired behaviors.