At the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) College of Nursing, students gain invaluable academic and clinical experience to create a foundation to build a bright career. However, successful entry into the healthcare field upon graduation hinges on maintaining a clean disciplinary record. Unfortunately, any form of sanctions can significantly impede graduation prospects and future career opportunities.
Students facing allegations of unprofessionalism, remediation, or other violations and barriers to graduation require guidance from a team of dedicated professionals. The Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team is poised to assist UNMC's College of Nursing students in defending against rigorous investigations, adjudications, and disciplinary actions imposed by school officials. To gain professional help now, call the Lento Law Firm at 888-535-3686 or submit your case online, and we will contact you.
Academic Standards for UNMC College of Nursing Students
Becoming a student at UNMC entails a four-year obligation to promote community welfare standards, with each individual tasked with being a professional and respecting the rights of others, whether in an academic, employment, or personal situation. All details relating to the workings of UNMC, including how the institutions manage rule violations, are located in the Code of Conduct, which is the source material for any administrative action.
One of the most significant parts of the program's integrity is managing academic integrity, and the university will address any instance of misconduct swiftly and harshly. The school identifies academic misconduct as any activity with the "effect or intention of interfering with education, pursuit of knowledge, or fair evaluation of a student's performance." Examples of such prohibited activities include but are not limited to the following:
- Cheating
- Fabricating or falsifying
- Plagiarism
- Multiple submissions
- Misrepresentation of academic records
- Facilitating academic dishonesty
- Unfair advantage
Along with being responsible for completing authentic work, UNMC College of Nursing students must also progress toward graduation at a predetermined rate in the course catalog. Undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students will have varying academic progression standards. Still, each level of education requires a minimum semester and cumulative grade point average, a minimum number of course credits passed, a number of clinical hours, and passing all medical exams.
If students fall below a certain threshold at the end of each semester, they risk adverse action through academic probation. In efforts to complete remediation tasks, nursing students can often fall behind further as they are required to pass through remediation in addition to carrying out normal coursework.
UNMC's Professionalism Standards for Nursing Students
Since nurses are public-facing professionals and program representatives, UNMC will hold nursing students accountable—just as licensing boards will upon graduation. The school's professionalism standards regulate student behavior in the classroom and through clinical hours, but the rules also follow nursing students outside campus and in their personal lives.
UNMC explains that appropriate professional conduct includes but is not limited to:
- Observing "appropriate standards of behavior" regarding professional appearance, demeanor, timely response, use of language, and others with patients, students, faculty, and staff members.
- Adherence to best practices of patient confidentiality.
- Treatment of patients and their families with dignity and respect.
- Promoting honesty in record keeping and during interactions with clinical and research colleagues.
- Respect for the limits of responsibility and activity set forth by UNMC faculty.
Unprofessional conduct allegations can come from UNMC College of Nursing faculty and staff, but they can also come from outside complaints, whether through the school or Nebraska's licensing authority. No matter the origin, you need to be prepared before allegations arise, as UNMC will not waste time initiating an investigation.
UNMC College of Nursing Misconduct Procedures
UNMC's discipline is enforced through clearly defined channels and will provide students with the following minimum procedural guarantees prior to any disciplinary action:
- The right to be informed of charges and to appear with an advisor.
- The right to be informed of evidence against the student.
- An opportunity to testify, present evidence, and cross-examine the complainant.
- The right to maintain status as a student while the case is pending.
- The right to be given a hearing before the university hearing board.
The burden of proof for substantiating allegations lies with UNMC disciplinary authorities. While students can have legal counsel advise them throughout the disciplinary process in the investigation and adjudication stages, they may not act as representation.
UNMC's hearing board will provide stages of the process wherein both the student respondent and the complainant may present their cases. Moreover, respondents may call any witnesses to testify and cross-examine those brought for the case against them.
Nursing Student Sanctions
Depending on the severity of the violation, academic sanctions can range from an assignment failure to removal from the nursing program. With non-academic misconduct, punitive measures can take many forms, from a loss of student privileges like housing to suspension or expulsion. If students are found responsible for violations, UNMC College of Nursing will support the following punishments for students at all levels of education:
- Written reprimand
- Privilege loss
- Probation
- Suspension
- Expulsion
Students may file appeals in misconduct cases, but only if certain criteria are met. Typically, the only grounds to challenge disciplinary decisions and punishments are the following:
- The procedures prescribed to manage discipline were not adhered to.
- Any member of the university hearing board can be proven to have had a bias.
- The sanctions imposed were excessive, or the charges do not support their enforcement.
- New information sufficient to alter the university hearing board's final determination became available.
Hire an Experienced Nursing Student Defense Attorney
You will find that the Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team is a valuable investment for UNMC College of Nursing students for many reasons. Our team of dedicated attorneys can help you comprehend your rights during the grievance process, help you build a defense strategy against academic or professional violations, and advise you on other options for redress. They will work tirelessly to ensure you remain aligned with your studies and can mitigate the creation of a disciplinary record.
The nationwide Lento Law Firm has helped nursing students navigate misconduct allegations and progression requirements, and we will provide you with guidance to promote a favorable outcome, including engaging the school's Office of General Counsel to protect your good standing. We will stand with you every step of the way; call us at 888-535-3686 or submit your case online, and we will contact you.
