Definitions of Unacceptable Behavior
Unacceptable student behaviors most commonly occur within three functional areas: Academic, Clinical, and Personal. The following are examples of violations of the GSON Professional Standards and Behaviors Code. This list is not all-inclusive and does not purport to include all violations of the Student Code.
Academic Misconduct
The following identifies components of academic misconduct and examples that include but are not limited to:
• Plagiarism – Taking credit for another person's work or ideas regardless of the medium, appropriating other's results or methods, copying the writing of others (including content from electronic sources) without properly citing the source; or taking false credit in any other manner.
• Cheating – Using unauthorized study aids, technology, or information from another person on an exam, report, paper, or other evaluative document; Using or attempting to use unauthorized notes, completing work in partnership with others without permission to do so; during online testing using the internet to search for unauthorized answers; providing/accepting online testing code when not in class, unauthorized altering of a graded work, then submitting it for regrading; allowing another person to do all or part of one's work and to submit the work under one's own name; using notes or texts for an on-line exam, unless explicitly allowed by the faculty. Violating instructions regarding completion of assignments or recycling one’s own.
• Fabrication or Falsification of data – Fabrication is making up data or results and recording or reporting them. Falsification is manipulating research materials, equipment, processes, or changing or omitting data or results such that the research is not accurately represented in the research record. Dishonesty in reporting results, ranging from blatant fabrication of data, improper adjustment of results and gross negligence in collecting and analyzing data, to selective reporting or omission of conflicting data for deceptive purposes.
• Aiding and abetting dishonesty – Providing material, information or assistance to another person with the knowledge or reasonable expectation that the material, information, or assistance would be used to commit an act that would be prohibited by the Student Code.
• Falsification of academic record and official documents – Without proper authorization, altering documents affecting academic records, forging signatures of authorization, or falsifying information on an official academic document, form, grade report, letter of permission, clinical record or any other official document.
Personal Misconduct
Students will adhere to the standards of professional nursing by treating peers, faculty, colleagues, and clients with compassion, integrity, and respect. The personal character and conduct of nursing students have an impact on perceptions of the nursing profession as a whole. The following examples represent unacceptable violations of professional standards.
• Commission of a crime – Engaging in illegal, criminal, or a violent activity that would impact the student's ability to care for vulnerable populations, obtain or maintain a professional license, or secure employment in the nursing profession. Students are required to report all pending criminal and Human Services related charges to the Associate Dean of Student Experience and Development within 48 business hours of the incident.
• Sexual misconduct or harassment – GSON adheres to the college standards for sexual misconduct and harassment as outlined in Title IX. This includes repeatedly sending uninvited emails, making phone calls or transmitting documents that are uninvited and unwanted, making threats, and any other inappropriate interpersonal behaviors that frighten, intimidate, or interfere with the work or study of any other person.
• Incivility or bullying – ANA defines incivility as “one or more rude, discourteous, or disrespectful actions that may or may not have a negative intent behind them” (ANA https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/work-environment/violence-incivility-bullying/). Incivility behavior may also include emails that are hostile, demanding, accusatory or threatening are examples of incivility. Bullying is described as “repeated, unwanted, harmful actions intended to humiliate, offend, and cause distress in the recipient” (ANA). Therefore, the intentional use of any words, gestures, social actions or activities to isolate, “other”, demean or demoralize another person is in violation of Professional Standards and Behavior Code.
• Disruptive behavior – This includes obstructing or disrupting classes, team projects, talks or other presentations, or any other activities or programs sponsored by GSON.
• Impaired / Drugs and Alcohol – Students shall not participate in classroom and clinical activities while under the influence of alcohol or any psychoactive substances, unless the use of such a substance is under the orders of a physician and the student does not manifest impairment. This includes using prescribed, over the counter or illicit substances in a manner that is inconsistent with prescribed use.
• Obstructing a GSON investigation – This includes altering, eliminating, or deleting relevant documents and any other act that obstructs or hinders an investigation.
Clinical Misconduct
In the clinical setting, students are expected to demonstrate professionalism, competence, integrity, accountability, and safety. These expectations extend across all aspects of the clinical experience, including interpersonal interactions, teamwork, communication, and practice.
• Failure to prepare for the clinical experience – Students must complete all onboarding requirements of the clinical site, as directed, prior to the start of their clinical. Students are also required to develop a foundational set of practice skills, competencies, and knowledge for safe participation in the clinical. Failure to complete onboarding requirements or adequately prepare for participation in the clinical may result in removal from the course.
• Engaging in irresponsible, unsafe, or harmful practice - This includes but is not limited to:
o negligence, carelessness, and failure to prepare
o failure to complete nursing care or nursing tasks as assigned in a competent and thorough manner
o intentionally carrying out a procedure without prior approval or adequate supervision
o doing physical or mental harm to a client
o abandonment of care responsibilities
o refusing to assume the assigned and necessary care of a patient under supervision
o failure to comply with syllabus policies regarding engaging in risky behavior during a public health emergency.
• Failure to report – This includes failure to report an error, incident, or omission in care to the appropriate people, including nursing staff on the unit and clinical instructor.
• Failing to document care accurately and completely – This includes falsifying patient records or fabricating information in healthcare records, written documents, and oral reports within the clinical area as well as college of nursing.
• Failures to communicate effectively or collaborate with colleagues, contribute to teamwork, or respect the work of others.
• Violating requirements of HIPAA or patients’ rights to privacy – This includes using identifiable information about a client in written assignments outside of the clinical area, accessing health records of patients not assigned to students, discussing confidential information in areas outside of the clinical site, sharing confidential information about a patient or organization with parties who do not have a clear and legitimate need to know; and referencing or discussing any details from the clinical setting on social networking sites and devices.
• Unexcused absences or multiple incidences of tardiness – Students are expected to attend all scheduled classes, simulations, and complete all clinical hours to meet objectives for each clinical course.
• Fabrication, alteration, or exaggeration of the duties performed, number of hours completed, or preceptor feedback pertaining to student performance in the clinical practicum.