The Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Nursing (TTUHSC-SOL) is a public nursing school part of the Texas Tech University System. It offers multiple nursing programs, including the Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing, Post-Graduation Certificates, Interprofessional Certificates, and Doctor of Nursing Practice degrees. TTUHSC-SOL's goal is to provide comprehensive nursing education to prepare students for a flourishing career in the nursing practice. Upon graduation, you can expect multiple career opportunities in nursing that help you flourish and grow. But to remain enrolled and benefit from the nursing school's many opportunities, you must demonstrate professional and ethical behavior and keep up with your peers.
As a nursing student, you may already know the rigors and standards that nursing schools impose on students to shape them into well-rounded professionals. However, the pressure to succeed and keep up with your peers sometimes leads to actions that you may regret later. Whether losing your cool with medical teams or committing lapses in judgment, you deserve a fair adjudication process and a shoulder to rely on to get through the process with minimal impact. If you face issues at TTUHSC and may experience a hearing or sanctions, don't wait until it's too late. Call the Student Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm at 888-535-3686 or send the Student Defense Team a message to plan your next steps.
Conduct and Academic Standards
The two most important parts of your training at nursing school are maintaining proficient progress and acceptable, professional behavior befitting your future role. The world of nursing is multifaceted, and you must know what you are doing and how you are doing it to work with vulnerable patients and medical teams correctly. Because this role is a position of public trust, maintaining ethical behavior and professional values is essential to your role as a nurse. However, no matter how ethical and professional you are, you cannot graduate if you do not keep up with your peers. These expectations help shape your personality and professional mindset, and the training starts in medical school. The Nursing School Student Handbook lists the academic requirements that students must abide by, including possible sanctions for not meeting the standards. These sanctions include probation, censure, a written warning, and academic dismissal.
Professional Behavior and Civility
According to the Student Handbook at TTUHSC-SOL, the nursing school upholds ideals of civility that include respect, making others feel valued, and contributing to mutual respect, effective communication, and team collaboration. Thus, all students accepted at the School of Nursing must uphold these ideals:
- Adhere to nursing professional values when interacting with peers, colleagues, and professors
- Displaying collegiality
- Communicating courteously and honestly in face-to-face and electronic environments
- Treating all individuals fairly and justly
- Fostering a diverse school community
- Refraining from bullying and harassment
- Not using vulgar or offensive language
- Respecting the diverse cultures of others and their points of view
Moreover, the handbook prohibits all forms of disruptive conduct like excessive or disruptive tardiness, chronic distractive behavior during class presentations, using electronic devices for activities unrelated to class or the instruction provided, and distractive or inappropriate behavior in online discussion boards. The code states that students engaging in this behavior may face sanctions, including suspension and dismissal.
According to the Code of Professional Conduct, any students who engage in the following actions are subject to disciplinary action: Using intoxicants, possessing firearms, weapons, and explosives, theft and unauthorized use, taking hostile actions against members of the university community, gambling, wagering or bookmaking, false alarms, and terrorist threats, financial irresponsibility, unauthorized possession, entry, or use, and failure to comply to reasonable requests made by university officials. Other issues include failure to present student identification, abuse, misuse, or theft of university electronic data, providing false, misleading, or untrue statements, the misuse of records, academic misconduct, violation of university policies, and abuse of the discipline system.
Adjudication Process and Sanctions
Anyone part of TTUHSC-SOL who believes a nursing student committed a violation may file a complaint to the Associate Dean of the School of Nursing. Per the grievance policy, the deans of all schools at the university have the final authority to resolve academic and non-academic issues. The Assistant Provost for Student Affairs may ask for a meeting with the student to resolve the matter and propose a solution. If the student disagrees with these suggestions, they may file a hearing request explaining the remedy they seek. A student may bring witnesses and supporting evidence to strengthen their case before the panel during the hearing.
After the hearing ends, the Hearing Committee meets in a closed session, decides on a sanction, and makes a written recommendation. Once the student receives it, they may appeal to the Vice Provost if unsatisfied with the outcome. The Provost reviews the complaint resolution and renders a decision within five working days. Their decision is final, and no further chances of appeal are possible.
The possible sanctions for violating academic and professional standards include:
- Receiving a failing grade or cancellation of credit
- Censure
- Placement on probation
- Loss of privileges
- Restitution
- Discretionary sanctions
- Non-academic dismissal
- Suspension
- Expulsion
- Revocation of admission or degree
- Withholding degree
- Miscellaneous sanctions determined by the panel
With so much that can go wrong, call the Lento Law Firm as soon as you receive word of a possible hearing or sanctions against you. The longer you wait, the less likely your case will receive a positive outcome.
Hiring a Student Defense Team
Being a nursing student comes with multiple highs, but it also has a few lows that may lead you to commit mistakes. Whether unintentional or were lapses in judgment, you deserve fair and balanced treatment and a stellar Student Defense Tam from the Lento Law Firm.
The Student Defense Team has years of experience working with nursing students nationwide facing allegations of professional or academic issues. With their knowledge, compassion, and their passion for justice, they are your shoulder to rely on when all seems lost.
If you or someone you care for face allegations of academic or professional issues at TTUHSC-SOL, don't wait until it's too late to take action. Call the Lento Law Firm today at 888-535-3686 or contact the Student Defense Team here for a comprehensive discussion about the next steps.
