Section VII: Conduct Focused Policies and Procedures

Professional Conduct: Self/Individual

For the purpose of this policy, “on-site clinical” refers to clinical experiences in the simulation lab/Clinical Education Center (CEC); “off-site clinical” refers to clinical experiences involving direct patient care. In addition, even when not explicitly stated, references to “clinical” experience include also any internship experience.

STUDENT HONOR AND CONDUCT CODE (SHCC)

Policy Overview

The health professions are based on a high degree of trust. Members of the CU College of Nursing community, including faculty and students, accept the responsibility to maintain the highest standards of intellectual honesty and ethical and professional conduct. All CU College of Nursing students receive a copy of the guidelines and procedures for implementing the Student Honor and Conduct Code (SHCC) and Professional Role Behaviors (PRB) on admission. Students will indicate their willingness to adhere to the SHCC by signing and returning the acknowledgment form, which shall be electronically stored for reference as needed. Ignorance of the guidelines and procedures will not constitute an affirmative defense to a violation of the SHCC or PRB. All questions or concerns regarding the SHCC or PRB should be directed to the CU College of Nursing Associate Dean of Academic Programs.

Elements of the SHCC

All students who have entered health professional programs should have developed the qualities of honesty, ethical behavior, and integrity as described by the National Student Nurses Association Code of Academic and Clinical Professional Conduct, and the American Nurses Association (ANA) Code of Ethics (2015). CU Nursing students should apply and demonstrate these principles to both their academic careers and their subsequent professional nursing careers. All students are also expected to have achieved a level of maturity that always manifests in appropriate conduct.

Types of conduct that violate the SHCC include but are not limited to, the following:

• Academic Dishonesty. Examples of academic dishonesty include, but are not limited, to the following:
  • Complicity with academic dishonesty.
  • Plagiarism as defined by Plagiarism.org https://www.plagiarism.org/article/what-is-plagiarism
  • Cheating.
  • Fabrication and falsification.
  • Submission of the same papers more than once or for different classes.
  • Misuse of academic materials.
    
• Unprofessional Conduct. Unprofessional conduct denotes any conduct (either on- or off-campus) that interferes with the student's ability to perform professional duties or reflects poorly on the practice of nursing. Examples of unprofessional conduct include, but are not limited to, the following:
  • Disruptive or disorderly conduct in a classroom or clinical setting (on-site or off-site), such as disregarding rights of faculty and peers, threatening behaviors in any medium of communication, and sexual harassment.
  • Intoxication or being under the influence of drugs or alcohol in a classroom or clinical setting.
  • Violation of any CU or CU College of Nursing policy.
  • Violation of patient Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) (see PRB)
  • Violation of Online Communication Policy including Social Media Guidelines (see Online Communication Policy)
    

a. Relationship of Code to Local, State, and Federal Laws

CU adheres to all applicable local, state, and federal laws and cooperates with law officials in all matters. Any alleged violation of local, state, or federal laws will be referred to the appropriate law enforcement officials, and such laws have precedence over the provisions of this policy. Upon the completion of the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)/Affirmative Action (AA) Officer’s investigation, if recommendations are made, or those by the University Legal Counsel those recommendations shall be submitted to the CU College of Nursing Student Affairs Committee (SAC). Factors to be considered in determining what weight should be afforded to the recommendations of the EEO/AA Officer and the University Legal Counsel include but are not limited to, the thoroughness of the investigation, the experience of the investigator, and the amount of corroborating information. All matters referred to SAC shall be confidential to the extent practical and permitted by law.

b. Process for Cases of Suspected SHCC Violations

• General Duty to Report. Faculty, staff, and other students have the responsibility to report any reasonable suspicion of violation of the SHCC.
  
• Student Reporting. Students are required to report any reasonable suspicion of violation of the SHCC, as well as matters related to nursing practice/risk to patients that are covered by the American Nurses Association (ANA) Code of Ethics. The failure of a student to report an observed violation of the SHCC may itself constitute a violation of the SHCC and may subject the observer to referral to SAC. Charges must be submitted in writing (e.g., email, traditional postal mail) to the Director of Admissions and Student Affairs, who will convey the allegation to the SAC Chair. A student who reports an SHCC violation will be required to attend the SAC meeting to provide information regarding the violation.
  
• Faculty Reporting. When a faculty member has evidence (from direct observation or from an associated party such as a clinical instructor or staff member) that a student has violated the SHCC, the faculty member may meet with the student and associated party as necessary to discuss the issue. The faculty member may seek the counsel of a neutral party such as the Campus Ombudsperson, another professor, the Assistant Dean of the Undergraduate or Graduate Programs, the Associate Dean of Academic Programs, and/or the Student Affairs Committee (SAC). Faculty members may seek SAC counsel to determine both if the situation meets the criteria of an SHCC violation and, if so, what options are available. SAC recommendations to faculty members may include, but are not limited to, the following:
  • Take no action against the student based on a finding of no SHCC violation.
  • Issue a course failure for SHCC violation.
  • Require the student to complete additional didactic or clinical assignments.

After discussion with the student, neutral party, and associated party (as necessary), the faculty member of record will contact the student in writing via CU email, outlining the faculty decision and options (if necessary).

Consequences of SHCC violation: Consequences of SHCC violation include, but are not limited to, course failure or administrative course withdrawal, additional didactic or clinical assignment, academic dismissal, suspension, expulsion, or exclusion. Students have the opportunity to appeal against the SHCC violation if it affects student progression or involves a course or clinical failure, in which case the process for a SAC appeal will be used.

• Violations of local, state, or federal laws. Matters pertaining to alleged violations of local, state, or federal laws will not be referred to the SAC if the allegations are deemed not to fall within SAC purview. Instead, these matters will be referred to the Associate Dean of Academic Programs in consultation with the Assistant Dean of Undergraduate and Graduate Programs, the Director of Admissions and Student Affairs, and the CU College of Nursing Dean. Recommendations regarding matters of alleged violations of local, state, or federal laws may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Take no action against the student based on a finding of no violation.
• Place the student on Suspension.
• Dismiss the student permanently from CU College of Nursing
• Expel or exclude the student from CU.

• The CU College of Nursing Dean may reverse or modify the findings and recommendations of the SAC related to SHCC violations if the Dean concludes by a preponderance of the evidence that one of the following situations exists: (a) new information that was previously unknown to the student or the SAC is discovered regarding the student's alleged SHCC violation; (b) there was an error in the process that prevented the student from presenting relevant information to the SAC that could have materially changed the SAC’s decision; or (c) there is evidence that the SAC acted in an arbitrary or capricious manner.
  
• The decision of the Dean is final.

Original Date 8/26/02; Implemented 10/15/08; Revised by SAC 4/14/14; Approved by General Faculty 4/28/14

For the purpose of this policy, “on-site clinical” refers to clinical experiences in the simulation lab/Clinical Education Center (CEC); “off-site clinical” refers to clinical/practicum experiences involving direct patient care. In addition, even when not explicitly stated, references to “clinical” experience also include any internship experience. The expectations for professional behavior are consistent across all clinical practice/internship sites and within all nursing education settings.

Purpose

• To communicate commitment and strategies for the creation of a learning and practice environment that fosters long-term and lasting integrity and accountability in professional nursing education and
  
• To describe the critical elements of professional role behaviors expected of students, primarily in the clinical setting.
  
• To guide decisions for appropriate and consistent consequences for unprofessional

Policy Overview

The Policy Statement for Professional Role Behaviors (PRB) is consistent with the philosophy and rationale of the CU Nursing Student Honor and Conduct Code (SHCC), the Colorado Nurse Practice Act, and the assumptions inherent in ethical conduct outlined by professional nursing organizations, including the National Student Nurses Association Code of Academic and Clinical Professional Conduct and the American Nurses Association (ANA) Code of Ethics (2015). The Policy Statement is intended to complement the SHCC. Although a violation of the PRB may also be a violation of the SHCC, a violation of the PRB does not automatically constitute a violation of the SHCC. The PRB applies to all students enrolled at CU Nursing from admission to graduation.

• All students have the right to be informed of the requirements for professional role behaviors and the responsibility to conduct themselves in accordance with those requirements.
  
• Values underlying professional role behaviors are mutual respect, civility, personal accountability, trustworthiness, and open communication.
  
• The principles of adult learning, including readiness, self-directedness, and active participation are also relevant to professional role behaviors.
  
• Formation of a professional nursing identity and socialization into the professional nursing and advanced practice roles should be facilitated for students during nursing Professional conduct during nursing education forms patterns of professional accountability essential for safe, credible, and successful practice.
  
• Faculty must consistently inform and implement requirements for PRB and consistently enforce consequences in the event of a violation of the PRB.
  
• Although intended to guide a high standard of professional behavior in the clinical setting, the PRB and the Critical Elements listed below are generally applicable to all aspects of student learning environments including, but not limited to, the classroom setting, the clinical education/simulation setting, and the online learning setting.
  
• The PRB applies to all BSN, Master’s, DNP, and Post-Graduate Certificate students enrolled in CU Nursing from admission to graduation.
  
• Violations of the PRB may result in course incomplete, course failure, probation, suspension, academic dismissal, administrative course withdrawal, expulsion or The student must accept responsibility for these PRB/Critical Element violations and their consequences (See Academic Policies and Procedures)

The American Nurses Association (ANA) Code of Ethics (2015) outlines principles of professional nursing behavior. The PRB policy supports and assures adherence to the ANA Code of Ethics by outlining how the Code is demonstrated by CU Nursing students.

The PRB was developed to assist in orienting, informing, and socializing students into professional nursing role behaviors and to support decision-making/action in the event that student behavior violates professional conduct requirements. The Student Affairs Committee (SAC), General Faculty, and faculty with graduate appointments endorse the PRB, assist in consistent PRB enforcement across courses and programs, and are responsible for evaluation and revision of Critical Elements and implementation protocols to assure PRB adequacy and appropriateness.

Critical Elements of Professional Role Behaviors (PRB)

The following Critical Elements of Professional Roles and Behaviors must be consistently demonstrated.

• Academic Integrity. See Student Honor and Conduct Code (SHCC) and Professional Role Behaviors (PRB).
  
• Communication. This Critical Element entails demonstrating in all forms of communication (verbal, electronic media, and nonverbal interaction) respect for others, active listening skills, appropriate self-advocacy, and professional Communication also entails using the English language in conversing, comprehending, writing, and documenting, as required by the CU Nursing Technical Standards.
  
• Preparedness. This Critical Element involves effective planning and effective use of The prepared student completes assignments prior to class, clinical, lab, and simulation in order actively to participate in learning activities.
  
• Attendance. This Critical Element requires taking the initiative to clarify and confirm schedules. For classes that indicate attendance is required, the student must be present without exception. Consequences for absences in classes that require attendance will be outlined in the course syllabi. The student must further be present without exception in orientation sessions, all on- and off-site clinical/internship experiences, and community-based assigned observations and
  • A clinical agency reserves the right to refuse a student placement or to remove a student from clinical placement should that student demonstrate unsafe or unprofessional behaviors during clinical preparation time or during the clinical rotation or internship
  • Note that an alternative assignment from clinical cannot be guaranteed and generally will NOT be arranged for PRB violations.
• Punctuality. This Critical Element involves consistently demonstrating promptness when meeting scheduled classes and clinical A punctual student demonstrates initiative, enthusiasm, and active engagement in learning assignments and clinical experiences. Students are expected to attend class regularly. Specific requirements for class attendance and consequences for tardiness/absences will be documented by faculty in course syllabi. In the clinical, lab, and simulated learning experiences, attendance, as scheduled, is required, and tardiness is unacceptable. Refer to the Undergraduate On-Site Clinical Attendance Policy and Undergraduate Clinical Make-Up Policy for further details.
• Dress. See Dress Code and Professional Appearance (DCPA)
  
• Equipment. Equipment necessary to administer patient care is a Critical Element. Students are required to have a stethoscope, a watch (with a second hand or other methods of counting seconds), a CU COLLEGE OF NURSING photo identification badge, and other items as specified by faculty/Specialty Director/course syllabi or clinical requirements.
  
• Conflict Management. See SHCC and PRB Policy Overview This Critical Element denotes the demonstration of collaborative problem-solving skills in the event that a conflict is relevant to the course, clinical, lab, or simulation experience Students of the CU COLLEGE OF NURSING are guests at affiliated clinical agencies or practice/internship sites. A positive working relationship between CU COLLEGE OF NURSING and affiliated clinical agencies is imperative to assuring continued quality placements in sufficient numbers for all students across all programs and clinical/practicum or internship courses. Conflict management skills include the following: engaging in timely and constructive dialogue with the immediate participants to clarify the issue; consulting in a timely fashion with an advisor, course faculty, Specialty Director, clinical scholar/instructor, or preceptor; accurately identifying negotiable and non-negotiable issues; determining an effective strategy to achieve mutual goals and follow through respectfully with the decision; and providing constructive feedback on effective teaching and learning strategies, as well as recommendations for course improvement.

Disrespectful behaviors, including making demands, blaming others for one’s own mistakes, or demeaning others, are considered unprofessional and are unacceptable in the context of a collaborative and positive learning environment. Unprofessional conduct, communication or behavior will be referred to the Graduate Specialty Director and/or appropriate Assistant Dean of Undergraduate or Graduate Programs or Program Director, who will consult with involved faculty, CU COLLEGE OF NURSING administration, and representatives from the affiliating clinical agency, as appropriate, to determine subsequent action, which may include referral to Student Affairs Committee (SAC), which may result in course failure or withdrawal, Dismissal, Suspension or Expulsion.

Deceleration, Suspension, inter-program transfer (Undergraduate Program), delay in academic progression, or Withdrawal are options for students who determine that clinical placements/schedules are unacceptable to them.

• Accountability. Students are accountable for all information sent by the Experiential Learning Team or Specialty Directors via CU email and must commit to checking for updated information as frequently as needed to identify new and changing
  • Once admitted, students are required to report any new convictions or pending Failure to do so will be in violation of the CU College of Nursing SHCC and will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal/termination, suspension, or expulsion.
    
• Obligation to the Client. This Critical Element entails accountability in accepting assignments for patient care and fulfilling responsibilities within designated time frames.
  • Obligation to the client means that CU College of Nursing students do not leave on-site or off-site settings without communicating their whereabouts (e.g., during breaks, lunch, and meetings) always assuring continuity of care.
  • Clinical judgment and self-assessment skills must be applied at all times to determine when assistance is needed in accepting an assignment or providing patient
  • Leaving the patient or clinical assignment without acknowledged communication constitutes patient abandonment and violation of the SHCC and PRB may warrant course failure and potential Dismissal or Expulsion.
• Respect. See SHCC. Courtesy, consideration, respect, and positive regard are conditions for learning. CU College of Nursing students must demonstrate attentiveness, professionalism, and consideration for others in all learning environments and with clients, peers, healthcare providers, faculty, and staff.
  • CU College of Nursing students must refrain from intruding, interrupting, distracting, or otherwise limiting others’ opportunities for learning.
  • Interactions with all others must always display respect, tolerance, and
  • Body language, nonverbal behaviors (including tone of voice), and personal opinion must at all times demonstrate professionalism and collegiality.
  • Students must demonstrate respect for diversity among clients, peers, and fellow care providers in terms of race, ethnicity, religion, political opinion, sexual orientation, gender, age, and socio-economic status.
• Emotional and Physical Readiness. CU College of Nursing students must engage in self-monitoring and demonstrate the emotional and physical health essential to learning and safe practice. If a student’s willingness or emotional/physical ability is deemed to be inadequate to maintain student and patient safety, the student will be dismissed from the learning or clinical environment by the clinical scholar/instructor or preceptor in consultation with the course faculty, Graduate Specialty Director, Assistant Dean of Graduate or Undergraduate Programs. Appropriate referral(s) may be made by the Director of Admissions and Student Affairs to the appropriate campus support service or health care provider. The student may not be permitted to return until an evaluation and recommended follow-up is complete.

• Documentation of the student’s emotional and physical readiness to return to school and clinical practice will be required to address the imperative of patient safety (See medical clearance form).
  
• If an alternative assignment time cannot be negotiated with the student, clinical agency, and faculty, a grade of incomplete or a course withdrawal will be necessary, and a plan for progression in the program will be revised accordingly, as necessary with the Specialty Lead Advisor for the Undergraduate Program, Graduate Specialty Director, or Graduate Student Advisor. See On-Site Clinical Attendance Policy and Undergraduate Clinical Make-Up Policy for further details.
  
• Students suspected of abusing alcohol, drugs, or illegal substances will be subject to immediate removal from the learning or clinical area and referred for screening diagnostics. Institutional policies related to substance abuse will be enforced (See Drug Testing Policy). Pursuant to the Student Honor and Conduct Code (SHCC), immediate action may be taken when the welfare and safety of others is threatened.
  
• Constructive Use of Time: Electronic Devices. Students must (a) manage time constructively, (b) show self-directedness/initiative in locating or requesting meaningful learning experiences, (c) creatively seek resources to support individual learning needs, (d) think critically about what the immediate experience may offer in integrating knowledge and skills, and (e) avoid inappropriate use of their phones for personal calls/texting in work areas.
  • Smartphones, tablets, and other electronic devices may be used in the clinical agency sites and lab/simulated environments only as permitted/defined by the agency policy, clinical scholar/instructor, preceptor, clinical coordinator, and faculty in each individual setting.
• Confidentiality: HIPAA. This Critical Element calls for respect for patient confidentiality both within and outside the clinical Students must maintain patient confidentiality in all communication, including the use of electronic and social media.
  • The CU COLLEGE OF NURSING prohibits relaying of information about clinical experiences in any social networking medium (e.g., Twitter, Facebook).
  • Students may not reference any clinical information that could identify people, places, or specific events. Even well-intentioned online postings/communications can jeopardize patient privacy and a student’s professional standing if perceived as violating ethical and legal parameters of confidentiality, patient privacy rights, and health privacy laws.
• Patient Safety: PHI. When exposed to protected health information, the student is expected to follow the Minimum Necessary Principle and the agencies’ policies concerning Protected Health Information (PHI).

Patient information is to be disclosed only as needed to provide care for that patient. The Minimum Necessary Principle dictates that any posting or communication related to PHI is prohibited from being discussed on social media networks.

Protected Health Information is defined as individually identifiable health information that is transmitted by or maintained in the electronic health record or transmitted or maintained in any other form or medium and includes, but is not limited to, the following: name, address (i.e., physical, e-mail), relevant patient-related dates (e.g., birthday, date of admission), and relevant patient-related numbers (e.g., phone, Social Security, medical record, health plan account).

“Individually identifiable health information” held or transmitted by a covered entity or its business associate (in any form or media, whether electronic, paper, or oral) may include the following:

• The individual’s past, present, or future physical or mental health
• The provision of health care to the
• The past, present, or future payment for the provision of health care to the
• Any data that identifies the individual or provides a reasonable basis for identifying the

Any failure to comply with patient privacy or prudent use of information or electronic devices warrants failure of the clinical/internship, lab, simulation, and/or course, or even Dismissal from the program/Expulsion from CU.

• Institutional Policy and Procedure. Students must participate in scheduled orientation (clinical agency and computer-focused) to acquaint themselves with relevant policies and procedures and ensure adherence to relevant policies and procedures throughout the clinical/internship Examples of relevant policies and procedures include standards of patient care, nursing assessment, and interventions, delegation, documentation, and student role.

All required orientations scheduled by the clinical agency are mandatory for continuing in the clinical/internship rotation. A student who is absent from a mandatory orientation will forfeit their clinical placement and be placed on a space-available basis on an Individual Program Plan (IPP) for progression. It is the students’ responsibility to be informed of new and changing orientation schedules conveyed by the Experiential Learning Team or Graduate Specialty Director by checking routinely their CU email accounts.

• Requirements for Clinical/Internship Placement. Students must take the initiative to complete all requirements for OSHA, HIPAA, immunizations, drug screening, CPR, and other mandatory/regulatory documentation prior to the onset of clinical/internship student work, according to the instructions of the Experiential Learning Team, clinical agencies’ published policies/deadlines detailing specific requirements, and affiliation agreements.
  • Students are responsible for the cost of required
  • Student clinical placements for which compliance is necessary include traditional clinical experiences, student internships, and doctoral practicum experiences.
  • Students must provide copies of verifying documentation as specified by the clinical placement team in a timely manner and continue to be able to show verifying documentation upon request by the clinical agency.
  • The CU COLLEGE OF NURSING requires all students to (a) be compliant with all requirements one month in advance of a semester in which clinical/internship experience(s) will occur and (b) maintain compliance throughout the ensuing clinical
  • If compliance with any requirement is expected to expire within an upcoming clinical semester, the student is expected to update that compliance one month in advance of that clinical
  • Failure to do so will result potentially in a forfeiture of the clinical/internship placement, which in turn yields the potential for a delay in progression/graduation.
    
• Online and Tele-Conference Courses. Students must (a) follow the necessary rules of "netiquette" in courses using educational technology, such as interactive video or computer-mediated communication and (b) be alert and sensitive as to how classroom conduct (e.g., facial or body language) or written expressions are being communicated electronically to others. In online communication, students are required to demonstrate consideration of others’ opinions and refrain from aggressive/inflammatory statements or “shouting (i.e., excessive use of capital letters).” In online communication, students must (a) convey an ability to listen and comment respectfully and

(b) carefully consider whether they are using the appropriate medium for communicating an issue or concern. Public matters may be communicated in a group forum or conference center; private email to a classmate or faculty should be used for confidential issues; phone calls or face-to-face communication is appropriate for problem-solving and conflict management. Students are required to follow the CU COLLEGE OF NURSING Student Email Policy and use their student email address for all communication with CU College of Nursing.

Processes to Facilitate Student Adoption of Professional Role Behaviors (PRB)

• Orientation. PRB will be used proactively prior to class, clinical, lab, and simulated learning experiences to orient students, faculty, clinical scholars/instructors, and preceptors to the professional behaviors expected of students. During incoming student orientation, students will be provided (a) copies of the PRB and (b) a PRB overview by the faculty. The student should retain a copy of the PRB for reference throughout the program of study. The student will be required to sign a document verifying receipt and acceptance of the PRB, which will be electronically stored for potential future reference. The course faculty or Specialty Directors will provide (to faculty involved with the course) orienting course materials (e.g., assessment tools) and reinforce the use of the PRB.
  
• Instruction. PRB will be used during class, clinical, lab, and simulated learning experiences to reinforce expected professional behaviors and provide feedback to the student regarding met expectations and areas of needed improvement.
  

The course faculty, clinical scholar, Specialty Director, or other preceptors for each clinical/internship experience will reinforce expected professional behaviors using the PRB during the course orientation session and may include the PRB in course materials. Minimally, all course syllabi should include the text of the PRB, explain its relevance to the course, and state that it will be enforced.

Throughout the clinical/internship experience, clinical faculty will provide feedback to the student via a clinical evaluation tool that will outline (a) what clinical expectations are being met, (b) what clinical expectations need attention, and (c) what clinical expectations are not being met with respect to the student’s clinical performance.

Examples of positive professional role behaviors will be noted (a) for Baccalaureate students on the clinical evaluation tool (CPE or CET; see information below) and (b) for Graduate students on a clinical performance evaluation. Students will be provided with feedback minimally at mid-rotation and completion of the clinical rotation, and as necessary throughout the clinical rotation.

In the event that performance is sub-standard, the faculty, clinical scholar/instructor, Graduate Specialty Director, or preceptor who observes the behavior is responsible for discussing the concern directly with the student in a timely manner. 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 Graduate Student Advisor or Undergraduate Program Manager and to the appropriate Assistant Dean of Undergraduate, Graduate, as well as DNP and PhD programs. One of the above will then notify the student’s faculty advisor.

Policy Overview

CU College of Nursing at the CU Anschutz Medical Campus requires all matriculated students in programs with clinical and/or internship components to submit to a drug test. For non-degree seeking students and students enrolled in the DNP program, a drug test will be required for courses with a clinical and/or internship component.

A drug test is required to ensure the safety and well-being of patients. In addition, student drug tests are mandatory to meet accreditation standards, licensure issues, contractual obligations, and liability issues.

Although marijuana is legal in the State of Colorado, marijuana is a Schedule 1 substance under federal law and continues to be an illegal substance for purposes of this policy.

Standard Procedure

As a part of the admission process into the nursing program, all students must satisfactorily pass a drug test. Upon admission, students will receive information regarding the location of designated drug testing sites, deadlines for compliance, results reporting, and associated fees. Students are responsible for the cost of the required drug test.

Results of the drug test will be reported electronically to the CU College of Nursing’s Office of Admissions and Student Affairs. Review of drug test results will be conducted by the Medical Director of the designated vendor to determine a passing or failing level. The student may review the information reported by the designated vendor for accuracy and completeness and request that the designated vendor verify that the drug test results are correct. Prior to making a final determination that may adversely affect the student, the program will inform the student of this information, how to contact the designed vendor to challenge the accuracy of the report, and the role of the designated vendor in any decisions made by the program.

If required by a specific clinical/internship training site, a student may be required to submit to additional drug testing based on the contractual agreements with those sites. Students are responsible for the cost of all required drug tests.

For Cause/” Reasonable Suspicion” Testing

If CU College of Nursing has reasonable suspicion that a student is using illegal drugs or is improperly under the influence of drugs or alcohol while engaged in CU-related activities, the program may immediately require the student to report for testing at a designated vendor. The program is responsible for identifying and providing safe travel to and from the designated vendor for the testing. If a student refuses to submit to a reasonable suspicion alcohol or drug test, the refusal may be considered a presumptive positive.

For purposes of this policy, “illegal drugs” means illegal use of controlled or illegal (i.e., prohibited) substances. It does not mean prescription drugs prescribed by a licensed health care professional that are lawfully being taken by a student when the student is under the direct medical care of the licensed health care professional. Again, although marijuana is legal in the State of Colorado, marijuana is a Schedule 1 substance under federal law and continues to be an illegal substance for purposes of this policy. In addition to other illegal drugs as described above, the overuse and/or abuse of alcohol in the learning environment is prohibited under this policy.

To determine reasonable suspicion, the following factors may be considered, but they do not constitute an exhaustive list of factors justifying a drug or alcohol test:

• Physical symptoms or manifestations of drugs or alcohol use and impairment such as altered or slurred speech or repeated incoherent statements, dilated or constricted pupils, flushed skin, excessive sweating, excessive drowsiness, or loss of consciousness.
  
• Unexplained, abrupt, or radical changes in behavior, such as violent outbursts, hyperactivity, extreme suspiciousness, and frequent and/or extreme fluctuations of mood swings without explanation.
  
• Inability to walk steadily or in a straight line or perform normal manual functions essential to clinical treatment without reasonable explanation.
  
• Accidents or “near misses” in a clinical environment that appear related to unexplained sensory or motor skill malfunctions.
  
• Perceived odor of alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs.
  
• The direct observation of drug or alcohol use.
  
• A report of reasonable suspicion provided by a reliable and credible source.
  
• Self-disclosure by the student of impairment in the classroom or clinical setting.

Students who have a medical condition, are injured, or are taking any substance that impairs judgment (e.g., prescription medications, medical marijuana, and alcohol) may not meet CU Nursing’s Technical Standards and therefore may not be suitable for the clinical/internship environment, where patient safety is the utmost concern.

Positive Drug Test Results/Sanctions

All students must satisfactorily pass any required drug test at the time of admission as well as when requested by the program for cause/” reasonable suspicion.” A refusal to undergo a drug test will be considered a presumptive positive. A student whose test results are in a “negative dilute” or an insufficient sample will be required to be retested immediately. Multiple retests resulting in a negative dilute may be considered a presumptive positive and handled as such. Any costs required by any additional testing are the responsibility of the student.

Students who do not pass a required drug test may face disciplinary action, including rescinding of their admission, administrative withdrawal from courses, placement on a leave of absence, or dismissal from the academic program. Students may also be referred to Peer Assistance Services for evaluation and treatment. Any costs incurred or required as part of a treatment program or ongoing monitoring are the responsibility of the student.

Revised by SAC 4/15/15; Implemented 4/27/15

Policy Overview

The CU Anschutz Medical Campus (AMC) strives to maintain a safe and productive educational, clinical, research, and employment environment. All prospective students seeking clinical and/or internship opportunities must, therefore, consent to and pass a criminal background investigation prior to any final program acceptance. Background checks are also required for new employees, volunteers, and trainees who will have direct, ongoing contact with other students, patients, or visitors or who will have direct access to CU resources such as facilities, equipment, funds, or other property. Anyone subject to a criminal background check in accordance with this policy is referred to as an “applicant." All appointments and promotions are contingent upon the applicant passing the necessary criminal background investigation. Students are responsible for the cost of the required background check.

Standard Procedure

• New applicants must be informed that they will be subject to a criminal background check and consent to the criminal background investigation as a condition of submitting such applications.
  
• New applicants must be informed that a positive background check may impact their ability to be placed in a clinical agency for required clinical experiences, thus resulting in a delay in program admission, progression, or graduation.
  
• An applicant who refuses to consent to any form of required background investigation, refuses to provide information necessary to conduct the background investigation, or provides false or misleading information regarding the background investigation will not be considered further for acceptance into a program of study.
  
• Any applicant who has been matriculated and is subsequently found to have provided false or misleading information related to the background investigation is considered to be in violation of the CU COLLEGE OF NURSING SHCC and will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal/termination, suspension or expulsion.
  
• Disagreements with information found in the background investigation and requests for reconsideration will be handled as follows:
  • Applicants who disagree with the accuracy of the information found in the background investigation process may submit additional information in writing to the Director of Admissions and Student Affairs. Additional information from the applicant must be received by email within five (5) business days after they have been notified of their status.
  • Applicants who do not pass the background investigation and who believe there are extenuating circumstances about their criminal convictions or pending charges that should be considered by the Office of Admissions and Student Affairs may submit a written request for reconsideration.
    
• The criteria for assessing criminal background information are based on convictions as well as pending charges. A “conviction” means a verdict, a guilty plea, or a Nolo Contendere ("No Contest") plea. An applicant will be considered to have passed the criminal background investigation if the applicant meets all the criteria listed below:
  • No felony convictions for drug use or distribution in the ten (10) years immediately preceding the submission of the student’s application to the CU Anschutz Medical Campus.
  • No felony convictions for serious or violent felonies including, but not limited to, homicide or sexual assault (no time limit).
  • In all other circumstances where convictions are found, the relatedness of the convictions will be determined by the Office of Admissions and Student Affairs. The criteria to be considered in this analysis include, but are not limited to, the following:
    • Whether the convictions or pending charges were disclosed on the application form and what the nature/gravity of the offense(s) is.
    • The time that has elapsed since the conviction, pending charges, and/or the completion of the sentence and any other remediation.

Approved by SAC 12/12/16; Implemented 12/12/16