Section IV: Student Policies and Responsibilities

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is committed to providing equitable access to our programs for students with disabilities (e.g., psychological, attentional, learning, chronic health, sensory, and physical).

To engage in a confidential conversation about the process for requesting reasonable accommodations in the classroom and clinical settings please contact The Office of Disability, Access, and Inclusion at: disabilityaccess@cuanschutz.edu or begin the process via the Office & Disability Access & Inclusion website. Accommodations are not provided retroactively; therefore, students are encouraged to begin this process early.

CU College of Nursing recognizes that students admitted to one or more of its degree programs have both rights and responsibilities. Students are encouraged to develop the capacity for critical judgment and engage in a sustained and independent search for truth. The freedom of faculty members to teach and the freedom of students to learn are inseparable facets of academic freedom.

Students should exercise their freedoms in a responsible manner. This institution has a duty to develop policies and procedures, which provide and safeguard students' freedom to learn. The student body has clearly defined means to, and is encouraged to, participate in the formulation and application of institutional policy affecting academic and student affairs, i.e., through the CU College of Nursing's Student Affairs Committee (SAC), the CU AMC Student Senate, CU College of Nursing student organization membership, or representation on other CU College of Nursing committees.

The institution has an obligation to clarify those standards of behavior, e.g., Professional Role Behaviors (PRB) or the Student Honor and Conduct Code (SHCC), which it considers essential to its educational mission, its community life, or its objectives and philosophy.

Student Rights

• Under no circumstances will a student be denied admission to this institution for any factor of bias or discrimination including on the basis of race, creed, gender, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, political beliefs, economic status, geographic background, disabilities or other special needs, sexual orientation, or marital status.
• Students have protection through orderly procedures (e.g., appeal/petition procedure, SAC review) against prejudice or capricious academic evaluation.
• Information about student views, beliefs, political ideation, or sexual orientation that instructors acquire in the course of their work or otherwise are considered confidential and are not to be released without the knowledge and consent of the student or used as a basis of evaluation.
• Students have the right to have a responsible voice in curricular issues and may have a representative on the SAC, Undergraduate, and Graduate Curriculum and Evaluation Committees.
• Students and student organizations are free to examine and discuss all questions of interest to them, to express opinions publicly and privately, and to invite and to hear any person of their own choosing for furthering their education.
• Students have the right to belong or refuse to belong to any organization of their choice.
• Students have the right to personal privacy to the extent that the welfare and property of others are respected.

Student Responsibilities

Just as students enjoy rights/freedoms as citizens and members of an academic community, students are also responsible for being aware of their obligations as citizens of CU College of Nursing, the greater Anschutz Medical Campus (AMC) community, and the even-greater CU community.

• Students are free to take reasoned exceptions to the data or views offered in any course of study and to reserve judgment about matters of opinion, but they are responsible for learning the content of any course of study for which they are enrolled.
• While students have the protection of due process (e.g., appeal/petition procedure, SAC review), they are responsible for maintaining the standards of academic and clinical/internship performance established for each course in which they are enrolled.
• Disciplinary proceedings should be instituted only for violations of standards of conduct formulated with significant student participation and published in advance through such means as this Student Handbook or other generally available set of institutional regulations. It is the responsibility of the student to know those regulations. This Student Handbook, outlining appeal/petition procedures and the Student Honor and Conduct Codes (SHCC), and Professional Role Behaviors (PRB) is available to all students in either printed or electronic formats.
• While adequate safety precautions (e.g., adequate lighting, locks, security for electronic communications, and other safety measures as deemed necessary) will be provided by CU College of Nursing, students must also assume responsibility for their personal safety by utilizing shuttle and escort services, their powers of observation, and common sense when on campus, using technology, or in clinical settings.
• Students are responsible for taking care of both their personal physical and mental health. CU provides basic health insurance that includes coverage for both physical and mental health. All students enrolled for one-or-more credit hours in a degree program and/or in certain approved certificate-seeking programs are automatically enrolled in this Student Health Insurance plan unless a successful insurance waiver is submitted prior to the waiver deadline each academic year. Students have the responsibility for seeking out the help they may need to address physical and/or mental health concerns; including assistance with alcohol or drug dependency problems should they exist or develop during the course of a student’s academic program.
• Students are responsible for complying with the dress code, which has been established with community, student, and faculty input, taking into consideration safety, comfort, and practicality.
• Grading systems are reviewed periodically with students and faculty for clarification and better student-faculty understanding. Course grading policies are published in each course syllabus. Students have a responsibility to be aware of grading policies.
• Students are expected to be aware of procedures for responsible evaluation of nursing faculty and have the responsibility to provide input in the course- and faculty-evaluation process.
• Students must comply with the policies of CU College of Nursing, the campus, the CU Board of Regents, the City of Aurora, the City of Parker, and the State of Colorado.

A faculty advisor will be assigned to each student upon entering the academic program. Students in the undergraduate program will be advised by a faculty member in addition to their academic advisor from the Office of Admissions and Student Affairs, and the Specialty Lead Advisor when a potential or actual interruption in the student’s original program plan is identified. Students in the graduate program will be advised by the Graduate Student Advisor and the appropriate Graduate Specialty Director or Program Director. Each student will be given the name of their advisor via their student portal. In the MS program, the Specialty Directors will serve as student advisors along with the Graduate Student Advisor in the Office of Admissions and Student Affairs. DNP students will have a faculty advisor.

Advisors will first refer a student to course faculty should a student have concerns in a specific course. If the concern involves a course grade, the advisor will refer the student to the Course Failure and/or Academic Progression Appeals Policy or the Grade Appeal Unrelated to Progression Policy. If the student feels the issue is not resolved with course faculty or the academic advisor, the advisor will refer the student to the Assistant Dean of Undergraduate, Graduate, DNP, and PhD Programs, or Graduate Specialty Director.

Advisors are available to assist students as they progress through the academic program, but each student is ultimately responsible for their own education and for contacting their advisor as needed. Students are responsible for knowing and completing all curricular requirements and assuming the following responsibilities:

• Knowing the degree requirements and policies as printed in the Student Handbook.
• Making the initial contact with the faculty advisor and/or Graduate Specialty Director by email or phone and meeting with the advisor for Plan of Study review/advice if the student is failing a course or encountering difficulties that might affect academic progression. A student experiencing academic difficulty should immediately seek out both the course instructor and faculty advisor or Graduate Specialty Director.
• At any time during a course, an instructor may initiate a Student Advising Notice (SAN) for a student. If a student receives such a notice, the student should immediately make an appointment with the course instructor and advisor.
• Contact the faculty advisor, Assistant Dean of Undergraduate or Graduate Programs, or Graduate Specialty Director regarding a possible Leave of Absence (LOA) from the program for situations that may require medical clearance or other situations that may affect academic progression.
• Contact the faculty advisor, course faculty, Experiential Learning Team, or graduate specialty directors regarding clinical placement issues or performance in the clinical area that may arise through the program.

In the event that performance is not meeting program or course outcomes, the faculty, clinical scholar/instructor, Graduate Specialty Director, preceptor or appropriate Assistant Dean who observes the behavior or concerning performance is responsible for discussing it directly with the student in a timely manner. In the case of clinical performance, the specific behavior and action for required improvement will be clearly conveyed using the clinical evaluation tool. In some cases, this discussion will be accompanied by the completion of a Student Advising Notice (SAN). The student's understanding of the concern and commitment for improvement will be verified. A specific action plan will be documented, including criteria and timeframes for improvement or continuation in the clinical, consequences for continued violation, and the potential for suspension from the clinical setting.

Meetings and discussions with students should be documented on a SAN. The SAN should be completed by the faculty and shared with the student, and the SAN must include a plan for course success. Copies of the SAN will be sent electronically to the Undergraduate or Graduate Program Manager and to the appropriate Assistant Dean. The program manager will file the SAN in the On-Base (CU Nursing’s student records system).

The SAN is used as a summative and formative tool to evaluate professional behavior as related to course and program outcomes. In addition, the SAN is used to determine appropriate recommended consequences of unprofessional conduct, including action plans for continuation in class, clinical, lab, and simulated learning experiences. An inability to meet elements outlined in the SAN may result in Suspension or Dismissal from the program, course failure or recommendation for course withdrawal, required additional assignment, or consultation or referral as appropriate.

The Clinical Evaluation Tool (CET; Baccalaureate students) or Competency Preceptor Evaluation tool (CPE; graduate students) for every course will include standardized reference to the Critical Elements of PRB as an outcome competency.

Appropriate consequences of unprofessional conduct will be consistently determined, using the PRB. The process for using the SAN is as follows:

• A SAN may be completed at any time in the course or program to alert a student who is not meeting the competencies of the course/program; the SAN represents an attempt to obviate further academic difficulty and provide additional advising/support if necessary.
• The student and course faculty with the Clinical Scholar/Instructor, Specialty Director, or clinical preceptor as needed will meet with the student to discuss concerns regarding academic or professional conduct.
• An action plan will be completed using the SAN form, with follow-up after the course is completed.
• Once the SAN is initiated, it will be distributed to the appropriate CU Nursing leadership member(s) as outlined on the SAN form.
• Students may complete a written response to the concerns outlined in the SAN; the response will be attached to the original SAN form.
• Should the student not meet course outcomes at any time after the SAN has been initiated, and should it then be determined that a student has experienced a course or program failure, a course failure form will be completed.
• The completed SAN is placed in the student’s file for 5 years in the Office of Academic Programs.

The Board of Regents and the CU College of Nursing accrediting agencies require each unit to conduct student evaluations of courses and instructors. Feedback from students is taken seriously at CU Nursing as we work to improve our courses, curriculum, and mentorship of our faculty. All CU College of Nursing students are asked to complete an anonymous online evaluation of each course and instructor at the end of the instructional period. Students will receive instructions on accessing the evaluations through their CU email account.

DRESS CODE AND PROFESSIONAL APPEARANCE (DCPA) POLICY

The CU College of Nursing is committed to ensuring all students promote an appearance that is professional in order to instill confidence, trust, and respect in patients and their families. It is important that nurses dress in a professional and appropriate manner and are clearly identified as health care professionals.

This policy applies to all CU College of Nursing students who provide direct patient care in off-site or on-site clinical areas. The purpose of this policy is to provide standards of practice as it pertains to professional dress and appearance. Clinical sites may have additional requirements that students must follow. If students are unsure about a clothing choice, they should seek the advice of their course coordinator. Course and clinical faculty are responsible for communicating, interpreting, and adhering to this policy, and determining appropriateness of attire and appearance for their specific course and clinical facility. In addition, students are expected to apply a certain amount of professional judgment in selecting their attire.

Students who fail to adhere to this policy may be asked to leave the clinical area. Make-up time for missed clinical hours associated with leaving the clinical site may not be available. Multiple violations of this policy may result in a course failure.

Undergraduate Scrub Policy – Students are required to wear a specific scrub style as approved by CU College of Nursing. Scrubs must be purchased through the campus bookstore and ordered at orientation. All scrubs are required to have the CU College of Nursing logo embroidered on the upper left area of the scrub top. Students are required to wear CU College of Nursing scrubs when obtaining patient assignment data for clinical preparation.

The following guidelines apply to all students while performing patient care activities at onsite or offsite clinical sites:

Clothing -- Clothing should fit properly, be clean, pressed, in good condition, and of a length and style that does not interfere in performing job duties.

Examples of inappropriate clothing items include, but are not limited to:

• Denim, sweatpants, exercise pants, shorts of any kind, bib overalls, leggings, tank tops, and any spandex or other form fitting pants such as those worn for biking.
• Bare midriff, low-cut necklines, sun dresses, and spaghetti straps are inappropriate and therefore prohibited.
• Undergarments should not be visible through clothing.
• Students are permitted to wear shirts underneath scrub tops. These shirts must be black, white, or gray and be free from any designs or writing.
• Hats, except for those worn for religious purposes, are not permitted. For further information, please see the AMC Title IX Policy.
• Jackets other than scrub jackets are not permitted for infection concerns (i.e., fleece jackets or vests or similar).

For safety purposes, scrub tops or bottoms may not have any zippers, rings, or other accessories directly attached to the scrubs that may be pulled or accessed by patients.

Footwear -- Professional style shoes must be worn in areas where patients are present. Shoes should be clean, well-polished, in good repair, and dedicated to the work setting. Safety, comfort, appearance, and quietness should be the prime considerations in the selection of appropriate footwear.

• Shoes must be closed-toe, flat, or heels less than 2 inches, made of sturdy material that will not absorb body fluids or potentially hazardous materials, and be of a neutral color.
• Thongs, flip-flops, hiking boots, Crocs, beach sandals, and Five Fingers (or similar footwear) are prohibited.
• Tennis shoes may be worn but must be made of sturdy material that will not absorb body fluids or potentially hazardous materials, clean, and in good repair. Mesh topped tennis shoes are not permitted due to safety concerns.

Jewelry -- Jewelry must not interfere with job performance or safety. Jewelry in the clinical setting should not come in contact with patients, the work area, or pose a danger of becoming caught in machinery or equipment.

• Ear piercings, including studded earrings and small hoops, must be discreet and not create a safety hazard. Gauged or plug earrings must be less than 1/4 inch in diameter.
• No more than 3 items may be worn in an ear at any one time. Nose studs are not allowed.
• Any other visible jewelry worn in piercings is prohibited, including the tongue.
• Pins, buttons, jewelry, emblems, or insignias may be prohibited by agencies and therefore, not allowed.
• Medic alert and wristwatches are not considered jewelry.

Grooming -- Students should exhibit good personal hygiene at all times. This means clean nails, teeth, hair, shoes, body, and clothes. Students must remain free of odors or scents that might be offensive or unhealthy to others, including, but not limited to, cigarette smoke, body odor, bad breath, and excessive use of perfume or cologne.

• Fragrances are not permitted in patient care areas.
• Artificial nails, extenders, or wraps are not permitted. Nails with decals are not permitted. Fingernails should be kept clean, and of an appropriate length to safely perform patient care.
• Hair must be neat, clean, and styled appropriately. Hair should not fall over the eyes or on patients. Hair color or style must be professional and suitable for the clinical environment. Long hair must be secured off the shoulders and face.
• Sideburns, beards, and mustaches must be short, neat, clean, well-trimmed, and follow the contours of the face for sanitary and safety purposes.
• Heavy use of makeup is not acceptable.

Tattoos -- Visible tattoos must be covered.

Identification Badge -- A CU College of Nursing identification badge must be worn and remain visible to patients and staff at all times while a student is in the facility.

• Badges should be unaltered, worn at the waist or above, and either clipped to clothing or around the neck with a break-away lanyard.
  
• Badges need to be easily read by patients and should not be covered by items that obstruct the legibility of names and or photographs. Pins, buttons, or stickers may not be directly attached to the identification badge.
• Off-campus agencies may require students to obtain agency-specific ID badges to be worn. If required, the first agency issued-ID badge is free to the student. Lost, misplaced, or stolen agency issued-ID badges must be reported to the agency and the student will incur a replacement cost. Agency-issued ID badges must be returned to the agency, as indicated by agency policy. Any questions regarding agency-issued ID badges can be directed to the Experiential Learning Team, the clinical instructor, or the course faculty.

Accommodations -- Students may request a dress or grooming accommodation, if necessary, through the University or applicable clinical site.

CU use of email. Email is an official means of communication within CU College of Nursing. CU Nursing employs the practice of sending communications to students via email and expects that those communications will be received and read in a timely fashion. All use of email, including use for sensitive or confidential information, will be consistent with the Administrative Policy Statement on Use of Electronic Mail.

Standard Procedures

CU use of email. Email is an official means for communication within CU Nursing. CU Nursing employs the practice of sending communications to students via email and expects that those communications will be received and read in a timely fashion.

Assignment of the student email address. Information Systems will assign all students an official CU email address. It is to this official address that CU College of Nursing will send email communications; this official address will be the address listed in the CU global address list.

CU email cannot be electronically redirected to another email address. Please contact the Student Email Coordinator or go to the Health Sciences Library for information on how to set up your computer to receive multiple email accounts. Neither CU nor CU Nursing is responsible for the handling of emails by outside vendors.

Not reading email does not absolve a student from the responsibilities associated with communication sent to their official email address. Students are expected to check their official email addresses on a frequent and consistent basis. Students have the responsibility to recognize that certain communications may be time critical.

Educational uses of email. Faculty will determine how email will be used in their classes. If faculty have email requirements/expectations, they will be specified in course syllabi.

All use of email, including use for sensitive or confidential information, will be consistent with the Administrative Policy Statement on Use of Electronic Mail.

All CU students are expected to be familiar with and act in accordance with CU System Social Media Guidelines. Social networks are not to be used for posting or communicating anything related to clinical agency patients, patient condition, patient care, or the activities of providers. Any posting or communication on social networks is a violation of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

Additionally, students are expected to follow the guidelines for social media use as outlined in the American Nurses Association Social Media Principles and the National Council of State Boards of Nursing White Paper on the use of Social Media.

Children in the Workplace and/or Classroom

Overview

The workplace and the classroom are typically not appropriate places for non-student, minor children to be present on a frequent or continuing basis. Children will not be allowed in the CU College of Nursing classrooms on the Anschutz Medical Campus (AMC) or the Legacy Campus (South Denver) Location. This policy exists for the safety of the minor, as well as to foster respect for those students in the classroom attempting to participate in class activities without disruption. The CU College of Nursing ascribes to the CU Boulder policy regarding children in the workplace and/or classroom.

Standard Procedure

• If a student has an emergent circumstance (e.g., illness, school closing) that affects childcare, the student should notify the instructor by phone, email, and/or Canvas messaging as soon as possible.
• The student should meet with course faculty regarding missed content, exams, or assignments or obtain missing content from a classmate.

Overview

CU College of Nursing understands that under certain extreme weather conditions, students cannot and should not attempt to travel to campus or clinical sites. We recognize the Anschutz Medical Campus (AMC) rarely closes due to the nature of its education, practice, and research obligations that emphasize keeping the campus open. Please refer to the AMC-wide policy.

When there is inclement weather:

• All students are expected to exercise individual judgment regarding their ability to travel safely to campus when inclement weather is in the area.
• Students are not expected to prioritize class attendance or clinical experience above personal safety.
• Students must assume responsibility for deciding if weather conditions are too hazardous to permit safe driving.
• Students must notify their appropriate course instructor(s)/preceptor/supervisor or Specialty Director as soon as possible if not attending class or clinical.

If a faculty member needs to cancel a class or clinical session due to inability to get to campus:

• The faculty member will make every attempt to notify all students in that course as early as possible via Canvas or email.
• Students will be responsible for checking their email or Canvas platform for information.
• It is the faculty member's responsibility to provide a reasonable opportunity for students to obtain the missed content, complete assignments or examinations missed due to inclement weather.
• Faculty members have discretion in determining whether additional classes will be added for the missed class or if additional work will be assigned due to a closure or delayed opening.

Standard Procedure—AMC/Legacy Campus

CU College of Nursing will officially close if the AMC closes. Should this occur:

• Students are not expected to attend on-site or off-site clinical/internship assignments.
• Students are expected to contact the appropriate on-site or off-site clinical/internship supervisor prior to the clinical experience to notify the supervisor of their absence.
• Students are not expected to attend in-person or online classes (see policy overview above).
• It is the faculty member's responsibility to provide a reasonable opportunity for students to complete assignments or examinations missed due to inclement weather.
• Faculty members have discretion in determining whether additional classes will be added to the class or if additional work is assigned due to a closure or delayed opening.

If the AMC delays opening, CU College of Nursing will delay opening, as well. The following guidelines apply:

• Students are expected to follow local media, the CU website, and the Anschutz Medical Campus Alerts to find the specific time of opening.
• Students are expected to report to their regularly scheduled classes when the campus opens unless the student deems weather conditions are too hazardous for travel to campus.
• All classes scheduled prior to the set time of opening are canceled for the day.

Volunteer work allows students the opportunity to gain experience in the clinical and healthcare environment as well as contribute to the community. The CU College of Nursing supports the participation of its students in University approved and community volunteer activities. The purpose of this policy is to set forth the volunteer activities that are covered by the University's Malpractice Insurance Trust, and the conditions students must meet in order to participate in University approved volunteer activities.

This policy applies to volunteer activities in which the student is representing themselves as a CU College of Nursing student.

• The University of Colorado is self-insured against medical malpractice claims through the University of Colorado’s Self-Insurance Trust (“Trust”). The Trust provides malpractice insurance for health care practitioners-in-training (students) who are enrolled and matriculated in a University of Colorado program for acts or omissions that occur within the course and scope of the individual’s responsibilities as a student.
• The Trust does not provide malpractice insurance coverage for student activities or actions that are outside the course and scope of the student’s academic program responsibilities as approved by the University. The University does not assume responsibility for the willful or wanton actions or its students or for any punitive or exemplary damages awarded against students.

The purpose of this policy is to set forth the parameters regarding when student volunteer activities are covered by the Trust and therefore permissible.

 

---

 

Clinical Volunteer Activities by Nursing Students

Clinical volunteer activities performed by students representing themselves as CU Nursing students enrolled at CU Nursing are covered by the Trust if they fall within the scope of the individual’s responsibilities as a nursing student and are approved activities within the official nursing curriculum (see below for a list of approved activities). Students participating in approved volunteer activities may or may not be awarded course credit, however, these activities are covered by the Trust.

Non-approved volunteer activities:

All non-approved volunteer activities must be approved, in writing, by the Assistant Dean of Undergraduate or Graduate Programs, or their designee. The exception to this is shadowing and observation activities which do not need to be approved.

Process for approval:

The student will submit a request for approval of the event via email to the Assistant Dean of Undergraduate or Graduate Programs, Specialty Director, or their designee 72 hours in advance of the event. The request must contain the following information:

• Name of Event
• Date of Event
• Location of the Event
• Activities performed at the event by the student
• Supervision (if any) of the event
• If the event involves several students, provide the names of each student

In determining whether a non-approved volunteer activity will be approved, consideration will be given to such factors as: a) whether the volunteer activity incorporates aspects of the College of Nursing curriculum; b) the level of supervision provided to the student. Decisions regarding requests for non-approved volunteer activities will be communicated by the Assistant Dean of Undergraduate or Graduate Program, or the Specialty Director to the student via email within 24 hours of receiving the request for approval.

Pre-approved clinical activities:

The CU Nursing has pre-approved a limited number of volunteer activities/locations for student participation. Students who chose to volunteer at these locations will be covered by the Trust for malpractice purposes provided they notify the Assistant Dean of Undergraduate or Graduate Programs or the Associate Dean of Academic Programs prior to their participation.

The approved CU Nursing volunteer activities/locations are:

• Dedicated to Aurora's Wellness Needs (DAWN) Clinic
• National Western Stock Show
• 9News Health Fair at Sheridan Clinic
• 9News Health Fair at University of Colorado Hospital, Aurora
• Flu Shot Clinic at the University of Colorado Hospital, Aurora
• Flu Shot Clinic at Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora

Shadowing and Observation Activities by Nursing Students

Shadowing and observation activities include activities designed to promote clinical skill observation or career exploration and may be carried out under the supervision of licensed healthcare professionals. Shadowing is defined as observing a physician, nurse, therapist, technician, and other healthcare providers as they care for patients or perform their day-to-day duties (from UCH Educational Observation Program website: https://www.uchealth.org/give-to-uchealth/volunteer/)

Shadowing and observation activities performed by CU Nursing students are covered by the Trust if they fall within the scope of the individual’s responsibilities as a student (see Professional Role Behaviors and Honor and Conduct Code in Student Handbook). Prior approval is not required for shadowing or observation activities.

Conditions of Participating in Volunteer or Shadowing Activities

Students must comply with the following criteria in order to participate in CU Nursing volunteer activities:

• Students must be in good academic standing. Students on suspension or probation are not eligible to participate.
• Students may only perform clinical activities that they are qualified to perform based on their progression in the nursing program, and within their scope of practice as a student.
• Students must identify themselves as a CU Nursing student and must wear their University of Colorado name badge.
• Students must abide by the College of Nursing Student Honor and Conduct Code and Professional Role Behaviors and all other University of Colorado policies and procedures.

Failure to comply with the above criteria may result in dismissal, suspension, or expulsion from the Nursing program or referral to the Student Affairs Committee.