Nursing Student Defense – Drexel University College of Nursing

Drexel University College of Nursing is tasked with preparing nurses and health professionals for successful careers through experiential learning and interprofessional research supporting greater health equity in Philadelphia and worldwide. Graduates enjoy the benefits of a high-quality education, along with access to top-tier residency programs and employment at leading hospitals across the country. However, nursing students risk serious consequences to their future with even the smallest misstep, as administration officials will investigate, adjudicate, and discipline rule violations swiftly and harshly. 

Nursing students who encounter unfair standards with academic requirements, accusations of unprofessional conduct, or other allegations of wrongdoing need professional assistance to remain aligned with their clinical studies. LLF Law Firm's Student Defense Team stands ready to help Drexel University College of Nursing students defend against school disciplinary action or other situations that become a barrier to graduation. For professional help, call the LLF Law Firm at 888-535-3686 or submit your case online, and we will contact you. 

Academic Standards for Drexel Nursing Students  

All students enrolled in Drexel University are required to abide by the institution's code of conduct. Maintaining a strict academic integrity policy is key to fulfilling student success; therefore, the school will punish the following instances of academic misconduct: 

• Plagiarism: Using another's work without recognition, copying essay answers from another student, submitting previous work, and unauthorized collaboration. 
• Cheating: Copying from another student's exam, unauthorized use of academic materials, inappropriate accessing materials, possessing prepared materials to gain an unfair advantage on an assignment. 
• Fabrication: Incorrect documentation of sources, citing unused sources, distorting the true nature of data or evidence, and other forms of scientific misconduct. 
• Academic misconduct: Selling or distributing exam answers, computer misuse, altering grades, failure to comply with exam or assignment parameters. 

Breaching academic integrity standards will invoke an unforgiving response from the school. Often, students are dismissed for committing acts of plagiarism, cheating, fabrication, and other forms of academic misconduct. 

Along with being responsible for engaging in their own work, Drexel nursing students must also make academic progress at a pre-determined rate. Academic progression standards for undergraduate and graduate students are slightly different, but each requires the following: 

• Minimum number of credit hours passed per semester. 
• Minimum semester and overall grade point average. 
• Not repeat a course more than twice. 
• Pass all medical licensing exams. 

Violating one of the above stipulations will cause a student to fall out of good academic standing. Consequences begin with mandated meetings with an advisor but can quickly lead to probation and even dismissal in as little as one semester. 

Drexel's Professionalism Standards for Nursing Students  

Since nurses are public-facing professionals, Drexel will hold nursing students to a higher criterion. The school's professionalism standards explain that disorderly conduct is any “behavior that disturbs the peace, academic study, or sleep of others both on or off campus.” Some of the prohibitions include the following: 

• Inappropriate social media posts 
• Lewdness 
• Making personal insults 
• Interfering with one's freedom of expression. 
• Persistently interfering with the learning environment. 

Considering nursing students must abide by Pennsylvania licensing requirements, unprofessional conduct claims can often come from outside complaints. Whenever a student is alleged to have committed wrongdoing, the school will begin looking into it immediately. 

Drexel University College of Nursing Misconduct Procedures  

For violations of Drexel's academic integrity policy, students will be notified by a faculty member and will be required to meet with them for a further discussion about the allegations within two days of the notice. Decisions will be made within seven calendar days with one of the following outcomes if the faculty member has reason to believe the violation occurred: 

• The student agrees that a violation has occurred, and the faculty member will determine the appropriate academic sanctions. Students still have the right to appeal. 
• The student disagrees that a violation has occurred, and the faculty member may levy academic sanctions. If separation from the college is a potential punishment, the case is sent to Student Conduct and Care (SCC). 

If members of the SCC determined by a “preponderance of the evidence” that misconduct has occurred during their initial inquiry, the student will be asked to appear at a pre-hearing conference to discuss methods of resolution, the range of appropriate sanctions, and appeal procedures. Respondents have the choice to accept responsibility or deny responsibility for any or all violations while presenting evidence or witness statements to a Conduct Case Administrator. The Administrator will make a determination regarding the need for a University Hearing. 

Carried out by the University Conduct Board (UCB), the hearing process will commence as follows: 

1. The UCB will read a “Statement of Honesty” to the parties. 
2. The Respondent and the university representative will introduce witnesses and advisors. 
3. Witnesses are asked If they wish to challenge the objectivity of any UCB members. 
4. Respondents will then reply to UCB members and their questions and present their case. 
5. The university representative will then respond to the UCB and present their case against the student. 
6. The Chairperson of the UCB will ask for final input and then allow both parties to make a closing statement. 

The UCB will make a determination of responsibility by majority vote, then recommend the finding to the Hearing Advisor. In conjunction with the SCC, the Hearing Advisor will sign off on the sanctions or adjust them and notify the student within 14 calendar days.   

Nursing Student Sanctions  

Depending on the severity of the violation, the sanction can range from an assignment failure to removal from the nursing program. If students are found responsible for misconduct, Drexel will support the following sanctions: 

• Disciplinary probation 
• Revocation of student privileges 
• Suspension 
• Expulsion 

Fortunately, students may file appeals, but only under certain circumstances. The following are the only grounds to challenge disciplinary decisions and punishments: 

• Unduly harsh sanctions levied. 
• New information becomes available. 
• Improper procedures followed. 
• The UCB acted on insufficient information. 

Although Drexel University College of Nursing students may retain the assistance of a Student Conduct Advisor through the school, it's essential that you get professional assistance to protect your status. When your nursing degree is on the line, trust a team with a dedicated passion for defending students. 

Hire an Experienced Nursing Student Defense Attorney  

The LLF Law Firm's Student Defense team can be an invaluable resource to Drexel College of Nursing students for a myriad of reasons. Our team can help you understand your rights during the disciplinary process, coach you on building a convincing defense, and advise you on further options to mitigate sanctions. 

The LLF Law Firm has defended nursing students from allegations of misconduct, academic progression issues, and complaints that harm their chances of graduating. We will provide beneficial guidance to increase your chances for a favorable outcome, including engaging the school's Office of General Counsel to protect your good standing as a student. Call us at 888-535-3686 or submit your case online, and we will contact you.