The Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College maintains a nationally recognized program tasked with improving nursing education, practice, and patient care. Graduating from Goldfarb puts budding nurses in a position to acquire a top-tier residency program that will be the foundation of a bright career. However, there are numerous issues that can threaten a nursing student's chances of graduating on time and even leave them without a future in the healthcare industry.
Failure to meet academic thresholds, maintain professional standards, and other allegations of misconduct can quickly derail graduation plans. Even minor rule violations can lead to harsh consequences that can seriously stunt your academic standing and significantly impact your life going forward.
Even though you have options for redress, your expertise is in the medical field, not in administrative disciplinary proceedings. Fortunately, the Lento Law Firm is a valuable resource for student defense at Missouri's Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College. To help you obtain the best outcome, call us at 888-535-3686 or submit your case online.
Academic and Professionalism Standards for Nursing Students in Missouri
Like all nursing programs, the Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College holds its students to high standards. According to its Student Handbook, Goldfarb is “dedicated to creating and maintaining an environment of civility.” Students, including faculty, staff, and administrators, are committed to the school's essential tenets that include:
- Creating a respectable environment upholding individual student values.
- Encouraging the tolerance of divergent opinions and constructive conflict resolution.
- Embracing the community's multi-faceted culture.
- Acting responsibly, honestly, and courteously.
- Valuing the “dignity, rights, and freedoms of every community member.”
- Respecting the “intellectual and physical property of others” and “college property, including both public and private spaces.”
The Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College Student Handbook prohibits numerous behaviors. Although it's not an exhaustive list, some common violations include the following:
- Cheating: Knowingly assisting another student or using unauthorized materials in an act of academic dishonesty. Infractions can also include dependence upon sources outside the instructor and altering any school documents for personal gain.
- Unprofessional conduct: Failure to perform duties in a “thoughtful and professional manner” that may include a lack of concern for patient health, inability to maintain confidentiality, frequent tardiness, and others.
- Misrepresentation: Students are required to uphold the integrity of the school, and even policy breaches that are not directly related to the commission of official nursing duties can warrant misconduct charges.
Since nursing is a public-centered profession, students at the Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College must be accountable in their private lives off-campus, too. For example, the Student Handbook details that posting anything on social media that is unbecoming of the student or reflects negatively on the college will garner discipline. Additionally, Goldfarb reserves the right to “address other inappropriate behavior that does not clearly fall within the identified standards of conduct.” The school “may suspend, dismiss or otherwise discipline any student whose conduct violates the college's policies and standards.”
Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College Misconduct Procedures
Faculty members who identify a violation of the student integrity standards may provide written notice of the violation to the student and proceed in one of two ways:
- Impose an appropriate sanction: This may include giving a “0” grade on an assignment, redoing the assignment, or failing the course.
- Refer the matter to the Dean of the College, who may schedule a formal hearing.
Regarding sanctions levied by faculty members, students have the right to accept the recommended punishments or reach out to the Dean to request a formal hearing within three business days. Unless a complaint or allegation invokes harassment or discrimination, the disciplinary process will be handled by the Student Affairs Committee (SAC).
All parties involved in the hearing—the student, faculty member or complainant, and members of the SAC—have the right to present witnesses and cross-examine. While parties may present evidence pertinent to the case, all are accepted at the discretion of the chairperson.
The SAC will decide by majority vote whether it believes the student has violated the school's standards. Its determination will be based on “whether it is more likely than not that the accused student committed the violation.”
Nursing Student Sanctions
The SAC will submit its written findings and the sanctions imposed on the student, with a copy to the Dean. If the SAC determines a violation has occurred, they may impose sanctions including, but not limited to, the following:
- A score of “0” on the assignment.
- Mandated course repetition.
- Academic probation or loss of official responsibilities.
- Suspension from the college.
- Dismissal from the college.
Sanctions are effective immediately. Nevertheless, students have the option to appeal.
Appeals Process for Goldfarb Nursing Students
Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College students may appeal disciplinary decisions or the sanctions imposed. The Dean must receive appeals within three business days of the student's receipt of the SAC's decision and must contain a brief description of the charge, the sanctions imposed, and the student's grounds for the appeal.
Students can't appeal for any reason, however. Only appeals on one or more of the following bases will be considered:
- The information presented at the hearing was insufficient to support the final decision.
- New information that was not available prior to the hearing is able to be presented.
- Sanctions issued were “capricious and not consistent with the policy violated.”
Once the Dean issues their decision, it is the final determination for the case. If a student dismissed from the college has exhausted their right to appeal, they aren't eligible for readmission.
Hire an Experienced Nursing Student Defense Attorney
Goldfarb's Student Handbook states that students may “bring someone of his/her choosing as a support person during the hearing.” Students are allowed to have legal counsel attend hearings, but they may not participate in them. However, this doesn't mean you can't benefit from having an attorney to help you understand your rights, teach you how to present a compelling appeal, and advise you on further legal recourse. Take every opportunity you have to fight allegations and reduce or eliminate the sanctions you received.
The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team has defended nursing students throughout Missouri and across the country. Considering the enormous stress nursing students are under to provide life-saving care to patients, mistakes and short lapses in judgment can happen. But don't let allegations of wrongdoing harm your chances for success and undermine your progress. The Lento Law Firm will advise you and provide invaluable counsel to increase your chances for a favorable outcome. If you're a Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College student defending against allegations, call us at 888-535-3686 or submit your case online, and we will contact you.
