Nestled in the picturesque town of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's School of Nursing has consistently ranked among the top nursing schools in the United States for almost 50 years. The school's academic programs cater to a diverse range of aspiring healthcare leaders, including degrees in Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees. The degrees are designed to provide a comprehensive education that blends compassionate patient care with the school's well-known research and clinical education programs.
As a University of North Carolina student at Chapel Hill School of Nursing ("School of Nursing"), you have worked hard to gain admittance into the school's competitive program. However, failure to adhere to the school's strict academic, professional, and ethical standards can result in severe disciplinary consequences. Suspensions, dismissals, and other academic sanctions can have a long-lasting impact on your academic success and professional reputation. Disciplinary records can quickly intensify, resulting in legal and personal repercussions that bar you from working in the healthcare industry.
If you face disciplinary threats at the School of Nursing, don't fight these allegations alone. You have worked too hard for too long to approach your future with anything less than a strategic plan. Our national Student Defense Team of attorneys at the Lento Law Firm has experience navigating the bureaucratic processes at nursing schools. Contact us today at 888-535-3686 or by filling out our online contact form.
Academic, Ethical, and Professional Requirements for Nursing Students
The School of Nursing has policies to ensure nursing students demonstrate cognitive and clinical competencies consistent with minimum practice standards. Within the school's Essential Standards of Admission, Progression, and Graduation, students are held to rigorous standards that require them to engage in "diverse and complex experiences directed at the acquisition and practice of essential nursing knowledge, skills, and function to attain and maintain appropriate professional licensure." These standards hold students accountable for maintaining their health, protecting themselves and clients from communicable/infectious diseases, and attaining and maintaining competency with identified practice standards. Finally, students must display integrity, honesty, and fairness ideals and advocate for patients' rights while maintaining patient confidentiality.
Professional and Ethical Behavioral Requirements
The School of Nursing has specific policies to address inappropriate and prohibited behavior, and students must abide by the school's guidelines on personal conduct to gain admission and continuation in the school's programs. Some key provisions of the school's policies demand the following from students:
- The capacity to relate to peers, superiors, and patients with honesty and integrity in a non-discriminatory manner.
- The ability to develop "mature, compassionate, respectful, sensitive, and effective therapeutic relationships" with patients and their families.
- An openness to personal attitudes, perceptions, and stereotypes that may "negatively affect patient care and professional relationships."
- The ability to work constructively in stressful and changing environments.
- The ability to communicate, ask questions, and receive answers with accuracy, clarity, efficiency, and effectiveness with staff, peers, superiors, patients, and their families.
- The ability to use appropriate expressive and receptive non-verbal communication and appropriately determine non-verbal communication, facial expressions, and body language.
A student's behavior may be classified as unethical or unprofessional if they depart from these standards. Examples of other prohibited conduct include criminal behavior, illegal substance abuse, and sexual misconduct. Sexual misconduct allegations, however, are addressed through a separate grievance policy guided by federal legislation known as Title IX.
Inappropriate and Prohibited Behavior
Although the School of Nursing adheres to the University's policies and procedures regarding disciplinary conduct, the school describes additional conduct that falls within its policies on inappropriate and prohibited behavior. Interpersonal aggression is not permitted because inappropriate and prohibited behavior can serve as a warning sign of potential hostility or violence toward patients. Specific examples of prohibited conduct include:
- Unwelcome name-calling.
- Nonverbal aggression such as slamming doors, blocking pathways, obscene actions, and throwing objects.
- Verbal aggression such as disparaging comments, using vulgar or obscene words through voice, tone of voice, email, etc.
- Touching another employee in an intimidating, malicious, or sexually harassing manner.
Suppose a faculty member, peer, or superior observes hostile behavior. In that case, the school has a confidential formal reporting process that allows the reporting party to speak with the Assistant Dean of Student Faculty Services without fear of retaliation or discrimination from reporting the incident(s).
Disciplinary Procedures
Suppose a nursing student departs from the school's required ethical, academic, or professional requirements. In that case, the University's disciplinary policies dictate that the University's chancellor shall "exercise full authority in the regulation of student affairs and student conduct and discipline." Although the University does not publish an in-depth look at what this typically looks like, they share that the chancellor may choose to appoint faculty committees or agencies of student government to act on the chancellor's behalf. The University carefully notes that any university personnel working on behalf of the chancellor's duties must ensure that every student receives "due process."
What is Due Process?
Due process is a legal concept that ensures an accused person has the right to be notified of the allegations against them and present their side of the story before a neutral decision-maker. Due process in the context of a student disciplinary hearing that could result in possible sanctions, suspensions, or dismissals at the university level means that the student has the right to be treated fairly and an opportunity to defend themselves appropriately. Due process not only requires universities to establish fair policies and procedures when addressing disciplinary concerns but safeguards student's rights by ensuring that they are not unfairly punished or deprived of their education without a proper and fair procedure.
Facing a Possible Sanction, Dismissal, or Expulsion?
If you are facing or appealing disciplinary sanctions, dismissals, or expulsions from the School of Nursing, you may wonder what to expect logistically. Although both the School of Nursing and the University do not publish their specific disciplinary policies and procedures, general principles of Due Process require the University to investigate and review disciplinary matters fairly and equitably. Typically, the University will thoroughly investigate the case to determine whether they should proceed to a formal disciplinary review. If they do, the University should allow students to present their side of the story before a neutral panel of administrators, faculty, or peers, who will then issue a formal decision. If a nursing student chooses to challenge a panel's decision to sanction, suspend, or expel them, they can appeal the decision to another board.
It is essential to understand that student disciplinary hearings must be taken extremely seriously. Although you may feel prepared to represent yourself throughout the process, your case may require an in-depth understanding of state and federal laws and the University's policies and procedures. The Student Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm can help you build a strong defense and navigate legal technicalities while ensuring that you are treated fairly and equitably.
Hire the Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team
The Student Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm has defended nursing students throughout North Carolina and nationwide. Our compassionate, skilled, and available Student Defense Team will help you evaluate your unique circumstances so you can strategically approach your academic career at UNC Chapel Hill. Contact us today by calling 888-535-3686 or by using our online contact form.
