Duke University in North Carolina offers a variety of nationally recognized academic programs, including its top-tier School of Nursing. If you are lucky enough to get into this prominent nursing school, you want to do all you can to ensure you graduate.
However, any number of nursing school issues can arise that can jeopardize your chances of graduating—or at least graduating on time. Issues such as poor academic performance and allegations of misconduct can derail your plans and lead to harsh consequences that can adversely affect your academic standing. What's worse, you can even face criminal charges for certain offenses, which can significantly impact your life going forward.
Although you have options to address these issues and mitigate potential penalties, you probably lack the time, energy, or knowledge to handle the matter properly. Luckily, you have a resource in the form of a North Carolina nursing student defense team that possesses the knowledge, experience, and resources to help you obtain the best outcome.
Academic and Professionalism Standards for Nursing Students in North Carolina
Duke University School of Nursing (DUSON) holds its students to high standards—and rightly so. Thus, nursing students can expect some sort of consequence if they fail to meet or adhere to these standards. According to the School of Nursing Student Handbook, DUSON regards nursing students as “representatives of both the School and of the nursing profession.” The handbook defines DUSON's Personal Integrity Policy (PIP) to promote “intellectual honesty, professionalism, trust, and integrity.”
Nursing students must pledge not to lie, cheat, or steal in their “academic endeavors,” conduct themselves honorably, and adhere to the School's standards.
Behaviors DUSON's Student Handbook prohibits include:
- Cheating, which includes “giving unauthorized aid to another student,” falsifying test information, and failing to “adhere to an instructor's specific directions” regarding academic honesty and integrity.
- Plagiarism, which is submitting someone else's work as your own without proper citation, or a “reckless disregard for proper scholarly procedure.”
- Stealing, which is the “act of intentionally taking” someone else's property.
DUSON's Student Handbook also defines the School's expectations for a student's professional integrity. This includes treating patients and their families with respect and dignity and always conducting yourself professionally, but also knowing when you've reached your limitations and not compromising patient care or your relationships with your patients (including having sexual or romantic relationships with them).
DUSON also expects nursing students to always have respect for others and treat everyone “in accordance with Duke University policies of nondiscrimination and non-harassment.”
Nurses must also adhere to Duke University's alcohol and drug policy and not abuse substances, especially when attending classes, training, or caring for patients.
Duke University School of Nursing Rules and Procedures Regarding Personal Integrity Policy Violations
All members of the DUSON community have an obligation to ensure everyone is performing their duties professionally, honestly, and within the rules of the School's Personal Integrity Policy.
Therefore, the School allows concerned parties to report suspected PIP violations in one of three ways:
- A faculty member may report a student who allegedly committed a violation.
- A student may report another student if they suspect that the student committed a violation.
- A staff member, such as an exam proctor, may report a suspected violation.
If the alleged violation occurred within the scope of a course, the initial step is to have the faculty member responsible for teaching the course discuss the issue with the accused student.
If the violation occurred outside of a course, the concerned party should submit a report directly to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs (ADAA).
Sanctions
Students found in violation should receive sanctions “commensurate with the violation.” Those responsible for investigating and prosecuting alleged PIP violations include the faculty member, the Program Director, and the appropriate Associate Dean.
Before determining sanctions, authorized individuals must consider the type of offense and how many times the student was previously found in violation of the policy (if any).
The handbook defines sanctions for plagiarism, cheating, misrepresentation, and complicity with another student's violation. Sanctions can range from documentation of reprimand and a score of “0” on an assignment to failure of the course or dismissal from the program. Students may also face harsh disciplinary action from the School if arrested and convicted of certain crimes.
Convening of Judicial Board and Conduct of Hearing
A student may dispute the sanction by submitting a written request to the Chair of the Faculty Governance Association (FGA) that includes:
- Why the student is disputing the charge or sanction.
- Their version of what occurred.
- Why the judgment is unwarranted.
The FGA Executive Committee will determine whether a hearing is warranted and take one of two actions within 10 days of receiving the student's petition:
- Notify the student in writing that no action will be taken
- Convene a judicial hearing and notify the student of the date and time.
The Associate Dean must report the judicial board's findings within 10 days of the hearing and report them to the student. The board's decision is final except in the following situations:
- New information comes to light that would have changed the outcome of the hearing.
- Some sort of violation (or perceived violation) occurred in the judicial procedure.
In either of these events, the Executive Vice Dean and FGA will determine if ground exists for a new hearing. If so, the FGA will work with the Judicial Board to convene a new hearing.
DUSON's policy states that the student may have an advisor present, but no one with legal training may participate in the proceedings. However, this does not mean you can't benefit from having an attorney to help you understand your rights, coach you as to how to present the most compelling appeal possible, and advise you on other legal recourse you may have to fight the charges and reduce or eliminate the sanctions you received.
Hire an Experienced Nursing Student Defense Attorney
The Student Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm has defended nursing students throughout North Carolina and across the country. You worked hard to get where you are, and you have a genuine passion for helping others and making a difference in the world. Considering the enormous stress you are under and the pressures you face to excel and provide the utmost care to your patients, you are bound to have lapses in judgment or make mistakes.
Do not let accusations of suspected wrongdoing harm your chances for success and undermine what you have sacrificed so much to achieve already. Even if the evidence is strong against you, don't despair—you have options and a dedicated ally to help you through these trying times.
The Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team will act quickly to review your case and do all we can to help you create the strongest defense possible. We have vast resources available that may open channels you never considered, and we can offer advice and provide counsel when allowed to increase your chances for a favorable outcome.
Call the Lento Law Firm today at 888-535-3686 to discuss your Duke University School of Nursing discipline issue with our team. You can also submit your case online. We're available around the clock to take your call or online submission.
