Professional Practice Policies & Guidelines

Professional Behavior

All students in the University of Maine School of Nursing are expected to conduct themselves professionally and demonstrate safe, competent behavior, which includes the promotion of well-being and respect of all individuals, including patients, patient’s families, health team members, and self. These professional behavior requirements apply in all situations where a student has identified themselves as a UMaine School of Nursing student, including off-campus and “virtual” sites, such as online forums and social networking sites.

Students are expected to act with respect for human dignity and the uniqueness of each client, unrestricted by considerations of the client’s social or economic status, personal attributes, or the reasons they are present in the healthcare environment or are seeking healthcare services.

Students are expected to have behaviors that are consistent with the ANA Standards of Professional Practice and ANA Code of Ethics: American Nurses Association Code of Ethics for Nurses

Examples of Sample Behaviors:

Professional work ethic – punctuality, respectful to patients and staff, always “do the extra miles for everything”, a role model to other students, sets aside cell phone during clinical rotation.
Shows confidence with patient care. Willingness to speak up and ask for help when needed.
Maintains composure during daily practice and in difficult circumstances, honest to staff and preceptor/instructors, reports any error and always translates learning from errors to improve clinical practice
Uses therapeutic communication
Understands and follows HIPAA regulations

Social Media and Technology

Upon matriculation to UMaine, all students must agree to the Financial Terms and Conditions before they can be enrolled in classes. Below is a bullet point in the Financial Terms and Conditions.
- The University of Maine System corresponds electronically with all students through the UMS assigned @maine.edu email address. I am responsible for monitoring that e-mail account and for taking action on correspondence sent to that account.
- Under the UMS Financial Terms and Conditions, all nursing students are expected to check their email regularly during the academic semester as well as during breaks. There may be requirements to participate in clinical orientations, lab skills day, Research Learning Experiences etc. prior to the semester starting.
Social media can facilitate public education and provide health guidance and collegial communication among peers and health care professionals. Therefore, students are expected to adhere to the following standards regarding social media and the terms of use of UMaine email. Failure to do so may result in course failure, suspension, program dismissal, or failure to graduate.
Do not post or share confidential information about the university, faculty, staff, students, clinical facilities, patients, or others with whom one has contact in the role of a University of Maine School of Nursing student.
Follow all applicable laws and regulations, including patient privacy laws and regulations, for example, HIPAA and the Maine Confidentiality Law, which prohibit posting identifiable information concerning patients in any online forum or webpage.
A smartphone, tablet, or other devices may only be used only as authorized by faculty and facility policy during clinical and classes. Cell phones are to be turned off or muted during class, laboratory, and clinical sessions.
Electronic devices (for example, computers, smartphones, tablets, or notebooks) are restricted to note-taking, classroom activities, and testing as authorized by faculty.
Students may use video or audio recording devices during nursing courses only with the instructor’s express permission. In the case of guest lecturers, students are required to obtain permission from the guest lecturer. In addition, students may not record interactions with faculty without express permission.
Do not circulate class recordings, assignments, supplemental readings, or course discussions without written permission from the instructor.
The School of Nursing follows ANA’s Principles for Social Networking, requiring students to be responsible in their utilization of social media in a professional manner.

Professional Clinical Practice

The School of Nursing Professional Clinical Practice requirements are derived in part from the (1) National Student Nursing Association Student Conduct Code, (2) International Council of Nurses Code or Nurses, and (3) Law Regulating the Practice of Nursing for the State of Maine.

The purpose of the Professional Clinical Practice requirements are to:

Clarify expectations of the School of Nursing and comply with licensure regulations and clinical site agreements
Identify students who need assistance and support them to succeed in the nursing program
Provide a framework to evaluate student nursing practice objectively
Identify minimal standards of practice, and promote nursing excellence while ensuring patient safety
Safe and professional clinical practice requires the student nurse to:
Practice within the evidence-based standards of care published by professional nursing organizations;
Adhere to the policies & procedures of the site to which they are assigned for clinical rotations;
Practice within the scope of the student nurse role (skills, procedures, etc.);
Promote & maintain patient rights, ensuring the client’s right to privacy;
Utilize social media in a professional manner that protects patients’ privacy and confidentiality and maintains the standards of professional nursing practice;
Promote and maintain a high standard of civil, respectful, and professional conduct in all academic, lab, and clinical interactions;
Safeguard the client and the public when health care and safety are affected by the incompetent, unethical, or illegal practices of any person;
Assume responsibility and accountability for individual nursing judgments and actions;
Abide by the ANA’s Code of Ethics for Nurses and the NSNA Student Conduct Code, State and Policies Governing Professional Practice;
Follow the policies and expectations as outlined in specific course syllabi; and
Abide by the rules and expectations as outlined in the University of Maine System Student Conduct Code, this University of Maine Undergraduate School of Nursing Student Handbook, and all applicable University of Maine academic policies.

Unsafe patient care may occur when the student practices outside of the role and standards of practice for a student nurse and places the safety of patients or their families at risk. Examples of unsafe patient care may include but are not limited to:

Lacking essential theoretical or psychomotor skills required for patient care
Providing medication administration or discontinuation without approval and supervision (including programming of pumps or silencing alarms)
Violating clinical site policies or procedures or state or federal laws or regulations (such as failure to report abuse, violating HIPAA, etc.)
Inaccurately recording, falsifying, or altering a client’s or agency’s record
Violation of academic standards: (falsification of assignments, cheating, plagiarism, etc.)
Physical or verbal abuse, harassment, or threatening behavior
Violation of laws, regulations, or standards of confidentiality
Theft or diversion of drugs, supplies, or property of clients or clinical sites
Substance use disorders, medical, or mental health conditions, or a combination of these that has resulted, or is likely to result, in the student practicing in a manner that endangers the health or safety of clients (see SON Substance Use Disorder Policy)
Utilization of social media in an unprofessional manner that jeopardizes patient privacy and confidentiality or violates the standards of professional nursing practice
Violations of professional or ethical standards (including but not limited to inappropriate behavior, incivility, poor communication, disrespect or disregard for instruction, instructors or peers, lack of honesty, routine tardiness, or absences)
There are times when a clinical agency requests that a student be removed from a clinical experience. If the faculty member concurs that the behavior warrants such action, attempts to secure another clinical placement will not be possible, and this will result in a failing grade for the clinical experience.
In the event that the ‘unsafe patient care’ is not due to the student, the Clinical Coordinator along with the Director of Nursing will work to secure a new clinical site for the student.
In an event where a student may be subjected to incivility, bullying, and/or unsafe patient care practices etc., the student is to contact their course coordinator within 24-48hrs of the incident. The student will be expected to email a detailed report of the incident to their course coordinator and the Associate Director of the School of Nursing within this time frame. A meeting will be required to discuss the event and next steps.

Clinical Requirements

HEALTH

Each student will submit a health history and undergo and submit a one time physical examination before entering the first clinical course in the program, NUR201. Health examination forms are located on the Brightspace platform UMaine School of Nursing Clinical Communication. This examination aims to verify the student is in a state of mental and physical health compatible with the responsibilities of nursing practice. Students are required to coordinate this with their provider. Documentation of physical examination and additional health requirements listed below are required to be submitted at least two weeks before the start of 201 and annually thereafter (for certain immunizations), by the deadline set by the clinical coordinator for new submissions or the expiration date of the current record. Expired records will result in an incident report (pg 38) and points deducted per the professionalism rubric within your course syllabus.

These items are the minimum requirements and clinical facilities may require further criteria for clinical eligibility.

Annual physicals are not required but any change in health status will require a renewal and up to date physical with documented clearance to return to clinical.

STUDENT ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES

The physical exam may also assess student needs for a reasonable accommodation for a disability. Any student with a disability is encouraged to make early contact with Student Accessibility Services to discuss the possibilities for reasonable accommodation.

IMMUNIZATIONS REQUIRED FOR UMAINE NURSING STUDENTS

Each student must comply with the Maine immunization law for post-secondary students and the University of Maine requirements for student immunizations. The list of immunizations below are required for entry into UMaine nursing. Students are required to submit documentation for all of the following items to Verified Credentials for clinical eligibility.

To be enrolled in the School of Nursing at UMaine, all students will be required to provide evidence that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in accordance with the highest requirement via the CDC, state, facility, and University. For more information, please click here to review Maine Law.

*Definition of fully vaccinated for COVID: “Fully Vaccinated: This is defined as completing the primary vaccine series doses in a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or completing a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine, such as Johnson &Johnson’s Janssen vaccine.
*Disclaimer: These are minimum requirements. Some hospitals may require an additional booster.

*Note: The University will accept vaccines that are fully approved by the FDA, or approved under the FDA emergency use authorization, or approved by the World Health Organization (WHO).”

Measles, Mumps and Rubella: 2 MMR’s OR evidence of immunity through documented titers for each, measles, mumps, and rubella. Documentation of prior infection is not accepted.
Varicella (Chicken Pox): 2 Varicella or evidence of immunity through documented titer. Documentation of prior infection is not accepted.Tetanus: (Td or Tdap): Documentation of immunization within 10 years.
Hepatitis B Series: The series of 3 doses are required to be initiated, if not complete, before NUR 201. Three dose series need to be completed prior to entry into NUR 306 clinical.
Influenza Vaccine: Clinical sites require annual influenza immunization. Students who decline influenza immunization must sign a declination form and understand this could affect their clinical placement opportunities. The declination form is available upon request.
COVID – 19 – Fully Vaccinated (Please see above)
Tuberculosis: Students are required to complete baseline screening for Mycobacterium tuberculosis
infection through one of the following:
- A two-step tuberculin skin test (PPD). Please look on the Brightspace clinical platform to learn what a two-step PPD requires.
- A single Blood Assay for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (BAMT). Two TB blood tests are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are available in the United States: the QuantiFERON®–TB Gold In-Tube test (QFT-GIT) and the T- SPOT®.TB test (T-Spot), or
- Documentation of previous positive testing for Mycobacterium Tuberculosis.
- Annual Follow-up Testing for Tuberculosis: Students are required to repeat the PPD or BAMT annually. Students who have a positive follow-up screening are required to be evaluated by a healthcare provider.

POSITIVE TESTS PPD OR BAMT

Any student who has a positive (current or previous) PPD or BAMT is required to complete a Tuberculosis symptom screening form (found on the Brightspace platform UMaine School of Nursing Clinical Communication) and be evaluated by a healthcare provider to rule out active tuberculosis disease. This may result in a blood test or chest X-ray. After an evaluation of a positive screening test, documentation about TB status needs to be submitted in writing by the health care provider. Students with previous positive tests are required to complete a Tuberculosis symptom screening form every year. Students with symptoms consistent with Mycobacterium tuberculosis must be evaluated by a health care provider and provide documentation clearing them for clinical participation. These are minimum requirements; individual clinical sites may have additional requirements.

STUDENT BACKGROUND CHECK

All students are still required to complete a Nursing Background Check prior to NUR 201.

The nursing background check process is through Verified Credentials. Students in NUR 106 will be required to create an account through scholar.verifiedcredentials.com/maine. Verified Credentials is the Compliance Tracking Software the School of Nursing uses for Health Exam, Immunization, CPR Certification, and Background Check Verification. Students must create their account on Verified Credentials and order the Background Check & Additional Requirements – BSN Program ($108) the semester prior to starting their clinical course NUR 201. A specific code will be shared with you through Brightspace by the Clinical Coordinator.

UMaine Nursing Background Check

Nationwide Sex Offender
County Criminal Search
Maine Statewide Search
Nationwide Criminal Search
Healthcare Exclusion List (OIG, GSA, OFAC Searches)

Background Check Approval

The student is responsible for initiating the background check during their NUR 106 course by the date designated by the Clinical Coordinator. Internal or external transfer students are responsible for initiating the CBC procedure during their first semester as a nursing major. Information will be provided to transfer students at time of admission. The student assumes all costs of the CBC.

The results of the background check are shared with the Clinical Coordinator and the School of Nursing, upon student approval. A flagged report must be shared with the health care agency where the student was to be placed for their clinical experience.

The health care agency makes a determination regarding acceptance or denial of the student for clinical placement. A student whose CBC reveals convictions from the list below may be denied clinical placement at the assigned, or any, healthcare facility.

All felonies
Crimes against an individual(s): assault, battery, sexual assault, and other related crimes
Crimes involving theft
Crimes involving drugs
Misdemeanors that could compromise the care and safety of patients

New required items have been added at the request of our clinical partners. Our intent is for students to only have to complete this process once during their BSN Nursing Education, please note that students who slow their progression, may need to repeat the background check, based on facility requirements.

Child Protective Background Check

All students in NUR 306 will complete Child Protective Screening, prior to their Mental Health Clinical rotation. The cost of the CPS Background Check is $15 and is at the cost of the student. Detailed instructions for all Background Check procedures can be found on the Brightspace platform UMaine School of Nursing Clinical Communication.

CARDIO-PULMONARY RESUSCITATION (CPR) CERTIFICATION

All students are required to be certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) before enrolling in NUR 201 and maintain certification throughout the nursing program. Certification typically expires every two years. Certification is required to be at the health care provider level and provide hands-on training related to adult, child, and infant CPR. Online training programs without a hands-on demonstration and examination of correct techniques are not acceptable. Appropriate courses include the American Heart Association “Basic Life Support (BLS) for Health Care Providers.”

A copy of the CPR completion card is required to be uploaded to Verified Credentials two weeks before beginning NUR 201 and kept compliant before expiration of current record within Verified Credentials

INFECTION CONTROL AND BLOOD BORNE PATHOGENS

All students must demonstrate proficiency and understanding of universal infection control procedures and blood-borne pathogen policies before clinical placement in a health care setting. The School of Nursing provides this training through CCPS clinical modules. Instructions can be found on the Brightspace, UMaine School of Nursing Clinical Communication platform.

CLINICAL PLACEMENTS

Every effort is made to register students at their preferred times and geographic location for clinical experiences. However, because of the complexity involved in scheduling, the School of Nursing reserves the right to adjust clinical schedules as necessary.

Students are responsible for providing their transportation to and from all assigned clinical sites.

Students are not allowed to transport patients/clients in personal vehicles under any circumstance.

CLINICAL DRESS CODE

In all clinical settings, UMaine nursing students are required to attend to their hygiene, grooming, and attire to convey a professional appearance. We strive to honor and be inclusive of our students’ identities and traditions. Our policies are put in place to balance the safety and hygiene requirements of local clinical facilities. We always aim to keep you, the student, and patients safe. Students with specific uniform needs should contact your course coordinator or clinical coordinator for cultural and religious accommodations.

Please refer to the UMaine School of Nursing website for laboratory and clinical uniform requirements: https://umaine.edu/nursing/undergraduate/clinicals/

Required uniform items include:

Closed-toed white shoes
Watch
School Emblem Patch on the left sleeve of scrub top
Ceil Blue scrub top and Ceil Blue scrub pants
Navy School of Nursing Jacket
Khaki pants (NUR453)
White or navy shirt (NUR453)
Student name tags, identifying them as a University of Maine student, will be worn at all times in the lab and clinical settings. Name tags can be purchased in the UMaine Bookstore. Please review the three step process for name tags on the BrightSpace Clinical Communications Hospitals or healthcare centers may require an additional name badge. Hospitals or healthcare centers may require an additional name badge.
A ceil scrub top with ceil blue bottoms uniform are required in all NUR lab courses and clinical sites (with the exception of NUR106 where it is optional to wear scrubs, otherwise business casual will be accepted). Students are required to wear the UMaine School of Nursing Emblem on the left sleeve of the ceil blue scrub top, and the UMaine School of Nursing name tag by the left shoulder. Scrubs, when needed, such as in the OR and PACU, are available at individual hospitals. A hospital ID badge must be worn at all times and positioned above the waist. Students are to follow the clinical site dress code as well as the School of Nursing policies.

CLINICAL AND LABORATORY ATTENDANCE

You are expected to arrive at the clinic and be prepared to begin at the designated time. You should allow ample time to commute to the clinical site and find parking. If you will be late, contact your instructor before the start of the clinical shift. Any tardiness may result in an incident report. However, 30 minutes or more tardiness may result in dismissal from the clinical site for the remainder of the day and an unexcused absence requiring clinical makeup hours based on availability.

Attendance is mandatory for all scheduled clinical and laboratory experiences to meet the required hours established by the School of Nursing and approved by the national accreditation agency, the Commission on Collegiate Education, and the Maine State Board of Nursing. Absences will be individually addressed for each missed clinical and laboratory experience. Clinical and laboratory schedules should be prioritized; appointments, work, meetings, and/or other personal events should be scheduled outside lab and clinical hours. Excused absences will be granted in extraordinary circumstances and do not release the student from completing the required hours and experiences. Students who must miss a clinical or laboratory experience are expected to notify the instructor and/or preceptor and course coordinator before the clinical or laboratory start time. Missing a clinical or laboratory experience without advanced communication may lead to an inability to meet the course objectives and the ability to meet the passing standards established for the course. Any decision to cancel clinical experience due to inclement weather will be determined by University guidelines and announced by the University administration. Call 581-SNOW for updates.

If a student’s clinical performance is unsafe, the student will be sent home from the clinical area. This will be considered an unexcused absence and will be reflected in the students professionalism grade as defined in their course syllabus.

A member of any religious group may, without penalty, absent themselves from class, clinical or lab as required in compliance with their religious obligations. Given the diverse religious faiths represented at the University of Maine School of Nursing and acknowledging the non-sectarian nature of the School of Nursing, this policy is intended to apply equitably to all religious groups and to provide opportunities for individuals to meet their religious obligations.

The student who anticipates the need to be absent to accommodate his other religious practice are required to notify faculty in advance of such anticipated absence. This notice should be provided at least one week in advance. Clinical and lab makeup shall comply with the expectations as stated in each Clinical and Lab syllabi.

No adverse or prejudicial effect shall result to any student who avails themselves of the above policy. If a faculty member has any questions about the request to be absent for a religious accommodation, inquiries may be directed to the University’s Office of Equal Opportunity at 581-1226.

Make up Opportunities for Clinical

Make-up shifts may need to occur over finals week. It is our goal to communicate make-up plans to students as soon as possible for coordination of your schedule.
Students will stay in their cohort and makeup time with clinical group. Individualized plans will be made in extenuating circumstances.
We’ll work with classroom scheduling to ensure there are no additional final exam conflicts.

The Four P’s for Professionalism (Prepared, Present, Presentable, and Participate

If a student does not meet the expectation for the professional “P“ of being present, the student receives a grade of 77% for professionalism at the time of the incident. Any additional infractions of professionalism will further subtract from the grade.
Please note that any violations of professionalism may or may not warrant an incident report.
No call no show to clinical yields an automatic 23 point deduction (77% maximum grade). Additional violations of the professionalism rubric will result in the additional 10 point deduction per offense.

Off term (Winter/May) Clinical Opportunities

If a student is interested in taking an off term clinical (e.g. NUR201 during winter break), students will be expected to adhere to registration deadlines. Once registered, students will be considered committed to attend.
Off-term clinicals are required to have a minimum number of students enrolled to run. There is a possibility that the off term clinical could then be canceled if not enough students are enrolled and/or the clinical site becomes unavailable. If this happens, the UMaine SON Clinical Instructor will work with you and your advisor on options.

CLINICAL AND LABORATORY PREPARATION

PRE CLINICAL DOCUMENTATION

Students are expected to complete all pre-clinical requirements prior to the semester start date. Documentation includes but is not limited to: the annual code of conduct, clinical ticket(s) for each clinical assignment, site specific clinical paperwork (if applicable), site specific computer training (if applicable), and fit testing for N95 mask PPE. This list is subject to change based on the clinical site requirements and updated requests will be communicated to students with a submission deadline.

Students are expected to be prepared for their clinical and laboratory experience. Students who are unprepared or demonstrate unsafe behavior will not be allowed to remain on the site. Clinical assignments may be posted on the day before the clinical experience. Students are responsible for individual preparation, including any extra assignments as determined by their instructor. Appearance is required to be professional at all times.

Students are required to wear the UMaine School of Nursing jacket, ceil blue top and pants with a name tag and school emblem patch when researching their patient assignment before the clinical shift. Jeans, sweat pants, yoga pants, shorts, bare feet, sandals, and/or sneakers are not acceptable examples of attire. Students will be asked to leave the site if not dressed professionally.

Each student is expected to utilize the Open Lab hours in the Skills Lab in order to become proficient in all skills. Clinical courses require the demonstration of proficiency in particular skills and are graded.

Each student is expected to utilize their lab kit when practicing in Open Lab sessions.

Faculty may request that the student return to the clinical laboratory for practice to gain proficiency. Inability to demonstrate proficiency in an assigned skill during return demonstrations may result in the student being excluded from the associated clinical experience and/or failing to meet the course objectives.

Important Safety Notice: The equipment, solutions and drugs in the skills laboratory and in the student lab kits are not sterile. These items are for simulation manikin use only and should never be used on a human.

Failure to provide the required documentation by the clinical start date will result in removal of enrollment from the clinical course and potentially delay progression.

ARMY ROTC PARTNERSHIP REQUIREMENTS (NUR 455)

The UM senior nursing student matriculated as a U.S. Army ROTC Nurse Cadet and met the criteria listed below may reduce NUR 455 partnership hours by 20% (38 hours) to acknowledge prior learning through a military clinical experience.

CRITERIA:

UM BSN student/U.S. Army ROTC Nurse Cadets are required to complete a (3-4 week) summer training for Nurse Cadets in the semester before their senior year.

Student cadets are required to achieve a final summative rating of Proficient or higher by their Military nurse preceptor.

Students must provide a copy of the final clinical evaluation by their military nurse preceptor, which includes a checklist of specific accomplishments and indicates their overall rating of proficient, excellent, or outstanding performance.

The student will provide a copy of the above evaluation to their academic advisor for placement in their student file. In addition, the academic advisor will inform the NUR 455 faculty that the student nurse Cadet has met the criteria for reducing the clinical hour requirements.

NUR 455 will remain a 4-credit course, but with a reduction of 38 hours to acknowledge prior learning.

Nursing students are also required to adhere to the University of Maine Alcohol Beverage and Drug Policies specified in the University of Maine Student Handbook.

Sex Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, Relationship Violence, Stalking and Retaliation

The University of Maine is committed to making campus a safe place for all students. Because of this commitment, if you tell a professor about an experience of sexual assault, sexual harassment, stalking, relationship abuse (dating violence and domestic violence), sexual misconduct or any form of gender discrimination, your professor is required to report this information to the campus Office of Sexual Assault and Violence Prevention or the Office of Equal Opportunity. You may visit this website for more information: umaine.edu/eo/bias-harassment/

If you want to talk in confidence to someone about an experience of sexual discrimination, please contact these resources:

For confidential resources on campus: Counseling Center: 1.207.581.1392 or Cutler Health Center: 1.207.581.4000.
For confidential resources off campus: Rape Response Services: 1-800-871-7741 or Partners for Peace: 1.800.863.9909.
The resources listed below can offer support but may have to report the incident to others who can help:
For support services on campus:
- Title IX Student Services: 1.207.581.1406
- Office of Community Standards 1.207.581.1409
- University of Maine Police: 1.207.581.4040 or 911.
- Or see the OSAVP website for a list of services umaine.edu/osavp/

NON-DISCRIMINATION

The University of Maine is an EEO/AA employer, and does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender expression, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, genetic information or veteran’s status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non- discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 101 Boudreau Hall, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5754, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

Reporting Bias-Related Incidence or Hate Crimes

If a student experiences any bias-related incidents or hate crimes (including, but not limited to, any acts of discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship status, age, ability, genetic information, or veteran’s status). The student is encouraged to report the incident to the UMaine Bias Response Team or Dean of Students Office. This enables the university to provide resources and assistance to those individuals.

PROFESSIONAL OR CLINICAL VIOLATION

Faculty, adjunct faculty, or staff will document any violation of professional, clinical, course, or laboratory standards using an electronic Student Incident Report (SIR). The SIR will outline the specific incident, location of the incident, time/day of the incident, and any communication or evidence surrounding the incident. The SIR will be sent electronically to the Associate Director.
The Associate Director will notify the academic advisor and associated course coordinator in which the incident occured to schedule a meeting with the student. During the meeting, the course coordinator and student will review the incident. The student will have an opportunity to provide input or data regarding the incident from their perspective. The course coordinator will discuss potential implications (failure to pass a skill competency assessment, removal from lab or clinical site, dismissal from the program, remediation plan, etc.). The course coordinator may invite the academic advisor and/or Associate Director of the School of Nursing to this meeting
The student will receive a formal letter from the course coordinator via email that outlines violations of the Student Handbook and associated consequences, if applicable, along with the appeal process.
1. The School of Nursing may remove students from the class, lab, or clinical rotation and recommend dismissal from the program for any student who engages in unsafe practice, illegal or unethical conduct.
2. Students identified as deficient in knowledge or skills will be required to complete remediation and demonstrate competency prior to returning to the clinical practice site. The SIR will also outline the remediation process and activities to address the identified concerns with a timeline for completion.
3. Students who have a previous remediation for unsafe patient care and then commit the second act of unsafe patient care are at risk for immediate dismissal from the program.
When violations and associated consequences cannot be resolved with the mechanism listed above, the student may file an appeal to the Policy Advisory Committee.
The course coordinator will meet with the student and can invite the AD and/or the academic advisor to join.
Students who wish to appeal the formal letter can submit an appeal letter via email to the Associate Director within 7 days of the meeting between the course coordinator and student. The committee reviews all academic and professional conduct cases within the school. The committee consists of two academic advisors, the Undergraduate Program Coordinator, the Graduate Program Coordinator, and two additional faculty members voted by the full faculty. The committee consists of two SON faculty voted by the full faculty, Coordinator of Admissions, and the Director of the School of Nursing, who is the Chair and a non-voting member. Next, the committee will discuss the case. Finally, the committee will vote on the outcome adhering to Roberts Rules. The Director of the School of Nursing is the committee chair and doesn’t have voting privileges to maintain equity. The student’s academic advisor will notify the student of the outcome within 24hrs of the hearing. The student will receive a formal letter from the committee that outlines the outcome.
School of Nursing Incident Report Progressive Action Plan
1. Purpose: The purpose of the Incident Report Progressive Action Plan is as follows:
2. Establish disciplinary steps and corrective action for violating policies in the School of Nursing Undergraduate and Graduate Student Handbooks.
3. Define discipline based on the circumstances, seriousness, and number of violations.
4. Student incident reports (SIR) will be completed for handbook violations as outlined in the student handbook, page 35. Incidents will be classified as minor or major based on circumstances of the event.
5. The table below is intended to classify common handbook violations. However, it is not a comprehensive list. Classification of incidents not included below is at the discretion of the course coordinator.

Minor Violations
Dress code violation in clinical or lab
Tardiness of fewer than 15 minutes to clinical or lab
Inappropriate use of technology (such as accessing a cell phone when prohibited during a clinical rotation)
Failure to submit required clinical documentation, such as immunizations and background checks, before the established deadline

Major Violations
Unexcused absence from lab or clinical
Unexcused tardiness of more than 1 hr to clinical
Plagiarism or cheating
Unsafe patient care is defined in the student handbook on page 29 (currently).
Violation of HIPPA
Violation of lab confidentiality agreement
More than one minor offense in the same semester

The student must meet with the course faculty for each incident.

The advisor may be present at the discretion of the student and course faculty.

The first minor incident will result in a written warning and a letter placed in the student file. The second minor incident or first major incident will result in a review by Policy Advisory Committee (PAC)

Any subsequent incident will result in a review by the Policy Advisory Committee.

Please note that the priority for a missed clinical is to complete make – up hours in person. This schedule will be planned based on instructor and unit availability. Make – up opportunities may not be consistent across clinical groups and will be determined on a case by case basis. If an in person clinical make up is not feasible, the Course Coordinator may assign a virtual simulation as a last resort.

Procedure for Documenting Unsafe Clinical Practice/Behavior

If a clinical preceptor, staff, or faculty member identifies unsafe student behavior in basic knowledge and skills, attitude, professionalism, and communication, the following process is required:

If a student’s clinical performance is unsafe, the student will be sent home from the clinical area. This will be considered an unexcused absence and will be reflected in the student’s professionalism grade as defined in their course syllabus.
The clinical instructor/preceptor in consultation with the lead faculty, will write a Performance Improvement letter using the Student Incident Report (SIR) site, which will include a detailed account of events, unmet course objectives, remediation and performance improvement plan, and any other pertinent information. The lead faculty/course coordinator will email the Performance Improvement letter and Action Plan to the Associate Director of the SON within 24-48 hours. After review, the lead faculty will email the final Performance Improvement plan to the student, clinical preceptor/instructor, academic advisor and Associate Director. All documentation is filed in the student’s nursing record.
A face-to-face meeting is coordinated by lead faculty involving the following people: student, clinical faculty, and lead faculty. The student’s Academic Advisor and Program Director(s) can be requested to attend these meetings.
The student will review and sign the Performance Improvement Plan attesting to understanding the note, process, and remediation requirements. Students are encouraged to write their own report discussing events that occurred.
The student is required to complete remediation requirements and the Performance Improvement Plan in a timely manner. Required assignments are turned into clinical and lead faculty.
Any student who receives two or more incident reports in one semester or more than two in one clinical course will be reviewed by the Policy Advisory Committee. However, a student may still not pass a course if the faculty member determines that the clinical or classroom performance or behavior warrants a non-passing grade, regardless of the number of incident report(s) and remediation(s) plans.

Academic Requirements

GRADES

The School of Nursing follows the University of Maine Grades and Grading Policy located on the Office of Student Records website. Grades and other student information is confidential and protected by University of Maine policy and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Additional information regarding FERPA is available from the University of Maine Department of Student Records.

Grades are assigned as whole numbers and not rounded up. This applies to individual quiz and exam scores, course assignments, and final course grades.

Appealing assignment or course grades: The University of Maine has formal procedures by which students may appeal the assignment of grades by an instructor, accusations of cheating or plagiarism, or certain aspects of classroom procedure. The details of these appeal processes are on the Office of Student Records website.

WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS

Grading criteria for course assignments are described in each course syllabus. All assignments in nursing courses are due on the date designated in each course syllabus. Assignments received after the designated date and time may be subject to late penalty as specified in the course syllabus. Exceptions to the due date will be made only under extraordinary circumstances and should be negotiated with faculty in advance if possible. School of Nursing adheres to the guidelines of the most recent edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

The School of Nursing adheres to The University of Maine policy on Academic Integrity. Violations of academic integrity such as cheating or plagiarism may result in a failing grade for an assignment or an entire course and may be subject to action under The University of Maine System Student Conduct Code. University faculty use Safe Assign, a program for the detection of plagiarism.