To ensure a dynamic and respectful learning environment in the School of Nursing at Platt College have adopted these Standards of Conduct which outlines student expectations. This code is in accordance with federal and state law, professional nursing, and academic parameters that include:

• Colorado State Board of Nursing Regulations
• American Nurses Association Code of Ethics and Interpretive Statements
• American Nurses Association Scope and Standards of Practice
• Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) accreditation Standards
• Platt College Student Policies and Procedures

It is expected that every student adheres to these guidelines and maintains professional conduct in all academic and clinical settings. Specific behaviors include but are not limited to:

General:

• Professional Language/Respectful Communication: It is important to use respectful and professional language when interacting with faculty, staff, peers, patients, and others. Profanity and other disrespectful language will not be tolerated in the professional environment or via electronic communication medium including social media. All students are expected to comply with the verbal or written directions of any college employee acting in the performance of his/her duties and in the scope of his/her employment or resisting a security officer who is acting in the performance of his/her duties.
• Academic Integrity: All students are expected to adhere to the Platt College academic integrity policy. All work is expected to be original or properly attributed. Forgery, alteration, misuse or mutilation of college documents, records, identifications, education materials or property not be tolerated. Cheating or sharing of any information appearing on assignment, quiz and or exam is a violation of Policy 02:17:00 Academic Integrity.
• Civility in Professional Relationships: Civility is to be exercised in all professional, academic, and therapeutic relationships. Any form of incivility is unacceptable. Incivility is defined as disruptive, ill-mannered or offensive behavior contrary to the well-being of faculty, staff, peers, patients, and other individual. This includes all forms of sexual or racial discrimination or harassment of any kind, disrespect or disregard for instruction, the instructor or a fellow-student.
• Utilization of Electronic Devices: Use of electronic devices should not be disruptive to others. Electronic devices include, but are not limited to mobile phones, smart watches, laptop computers, tablets, laser pointers, Bluetooth devices, and music players.
• Substance Abuse: The possession, production, distribution, and/or use of illegal substances is prohibited at Platt College and within the nursing profession. The misuse of controlled substances will not be tolerated.
• Professional Attire: Students are expected to apply a certain amount of professional judgment in selecting clothing and to wear attire that best reflects the image of Platt College and the nursing profession. Dress and skirt length should be at a length in which you can sit comfortably in public and not be revealing. Any clothing that is short, tight, and overly revealing is inappropriate.
• Time and Attendance: Students are expected to be on time and to attend all Platt College functions: class, clinical, and other agreed upon commitments.
• Safe Learning Environment: Students are expected to provide a safe, healthy and secure learning environment. Acts of violence and threats of violence include but are not limited to: verbal (such as threats, harassment, abuse or intimidation), nonverbal (such as gestures and intimidation), written communication (such as notes, e-mail, text messages and social media content), physical (such as hitting, pushing, shoving, kicking, touching and assault), and other (such as arson, sabotage, vandalism and stalking). Students are not allowed to have a firearm or other weapon in their possession. A weapon Includes a device, instrument, material or substance used for, or can cause death or bodily injury, or damage to property. Possession includes, but is not limited to, the presence of a weapon on the student, in his/her motor vehicle, desk, lunch box, locker, a tool kit, bag, purse, cabinets, office, etc.
• Reporting Conviction for a Crime: Students are expected to report the filing of charges in civil or criminal courts involving an offense which is a misdemeanor and or felony. If it is administratively determined that the continued presence of the student would constitute a threat or danger to the college and clinical community, such student may be temporally suspended pending the trial outcome.
• Treatment of Facilities and Equipment: Students are expected to be respectful of all Platt College facilities and property.  It is the responsibility of all in the community to ensure that facilities are well-maintained, and that property is not abused or stolen.

In-Class:

• Utilization of Electronic Devices: If allowed while in class, electronic devices should only be used for academic purposes. Electronic devices are prohibited during a quiz and or exam including but not limited to cellular phones, all smart watches, iPods, iPads, notebooks, tablet computers and headphones of any kind.
• In-Class Behavior: While in class, students are expected to be respectful of the faculty and fellow students. Distractions caused by private conversations, electronic devices, etc. take away from the learning experience of others. Faculty may order the immediate and temporary removal or exclusion from the classroom of any student engaged in academic misconduct or academic dishonesty per Policy 05:09:00 Student Conduct in the Class.

Clinicals:

• Confidentiality and Patient Privacy: Patient privacy is governed by HIPAA. Information about patients and/or their circumstances will not be shared with others or appear on social media sites.
• Substance Abuse: Students are expected to maintain a safe practice environment for patients, colleagues, faculty, and staff. Attending class or clinical under the influence of controlled substances is a violation of Policy 03:07:00 Drug-Free Campus.
• Professional Attire: When participating in clinical, the Platt College uniform should be clean, pressed, and well- maintained. Students are expected to wear the uniform in its entirety unless otherwise directed.
• Time and Attendance: Punctuality is essential in the clinical environment. Missing a clinical is not acceptable –
  Emergencies must be reported to clinical faculty immediately.
• Patient Safety: A student who recognizes that s/he has made a clinical error is obligated to report the situation to their instructor immediately and to take necessary measures to ensure subsequent patient safety.

Procedure

The Associate Dean will informally investigate policy violation allegations. During the investigation phase all parties under investigation may be placed on temporary suspension. The student(s) is required to meet with the Associate Dean and provide a written statement of the situation under investigation. The student(s) will be notified of the investigation findings and discipline action if applicable though a Student Advising Record within 3 business days from the reported policy violation allegation.

Discipline

Violation of any of the expectations of the Student Standards of Conduct set forth may result in any of the following consequences:

• Disciplinary Warning
• Disciplinary Suspension
• Termination

This policy allows for the consideration of infractions on a case-by-case basis. Final actions depend on the seriousness of the infraction, the circumstances surrounding the case, and any prior policy violations. In accordance with Policy 02:16:00 Informal Complaint and Grievance, students may not submit an informal or formal grievance to reverse a course failure and/or termination due to violating student standards of conduct in accordance with Policy 02:26:00 and/or academic integrity in accordance with Policy 02:17:00.

Conditions for Readmission After Termination

Students who voluntarily withdraw may apply for readmission to the College. A student who has been permanently terminated from Platt College due to direct violation of college policies and procedures is not eligible to reapply for admissions entrance.

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