The University of Rochester School of Nursing (Rochester SON) is a private nursing school established in 1925 in Rochester, New York. The nursing school is part of the University of Rochester, offering multiple degree options like RN, BS, MS, and doctoral programs for aspiring nursing students. With its rich legacy and commitment to innovation, research, diversity, and excellence, students can expect a high-caliber learning environment with professional impacts far beyond graduation. But to remain enrolled at Rochester SON and benefit from its programs and reputation, you must abide by the code of conduct, maintain ethical and professional behavior, and keep up with your program requirements. Failure to do so leads to issues, including sanctions and possible dismissal for repeated or egregious violations.
As a nursing student at Rochester SON, you are investing your time and effort to become a professional with many responsibilities after graduating. But those responsibilities also start while you train as a student, and they come with pressure to succeed and stress. While you did not plan on deliberately making mistakes, slip-ups happen, with some having heavier effects on your education than others. However, some mistakes may cause more issues than you expected, like reputation damage, inability to enroll in another nursing school, and professional obstacles. With so much that can go wrong, you need the help of the Student Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm to stand by you when sanctions threaten your future. Contact the Student Defense Team through the online portal today or call 888-535-3686.
Academic and Behavioral Standards
Rochester SON expects nursing students to maintain satisfactory academic progress and behavior fitting of a future nurse. According to the Student Handbook, students must earn a minimum of a “C” grade in all courses. Any grade lower than a “C” leads to probation and the creation of an improvement plan by an advisor and the Student Success Coach. Repeated academic issues lead to a failure of the assignment, a class, or permanent dismissal. However, maintaining your grades is not the only requirement, as behavioral expectations are equally prioritized at Rochester SON. The handbook states that students must behave in a way that is conducive to the learning environment. These expectations include maintaining ethical behavior, adhering to the principles of integrity and professionalism, and promoting honesty, respect, and responsibility in clinical and academic work.
Violations of Professionalism and Integrity
Rochester SOM expects all students to maintain professionalism and integrity to reflect the school's commitment to equal opportunity and fairness. Students must not partake in activities that give them an unfair advantage over their peers, such as:
- Plagiarism by failing to cite works or submitting purchased papers
- Fabrication or falsification by altering or inventing information, citations, and data, forging signatures, making false claims, and inventing references
- Cheating by fabricating data, taking an exam, or completing an assignment for another student, unauthorized use of assistance, materials, information, or technology
- Collusion by working with other persons during an independent test or academic assignment
- Engaging in professional misconduct by compromising or violating ethical standards, engaging in discrimination, breaching confidentiality, engaging in disrespect towards others, and lack of truthfulness
Per the handbook, the Committee on Academic and Professional Integrity upholds compliance for these violations. It investigates allegations of professional and academic misconduct.
Adjudication Process and Sanctions
Any person who believes that a nursing student at Rochester SON committed a professional or behavioral violation must report the incident to the SON Assistant Dean for Student Affairs. The latter reviews the violation and determines whether to dismiss the charges or to schedule a formal hearing. If a hearing takes place, the student must attend and have an opportunity to defend against allegations. Once the hearing ends, the committee makes a sanctions decision based on the type of allegation. These include:
- Grade reduction, retaking of an assignment or exam
- Failure of exam or course
- Placement on academic probation
- Sending the student a letter of concern or advice placed in the student's record
- Remedial or disciplinary action
- Dismissal from the program
- Permanent expulsion with no chance to reapply
Fortunately, you may appeal the panel's sanction recommendation under three grounds: the emergence of new evidence, a procedural error, or the severity of the sanction does not match the violation. To do so, you must send a letter within seven business days to the Associate Dean for Education and Student Affairs. Once they receive this request, they review the hearing findings and any new evidence presented. They then issue a final decision and send it to the Provost, who notifies the Dean and the student. After this request, students do not have another chance to re-appeal.
Contacting the Student Defense Team
Being a nursing student comes with many opportunities and benefits, but it also has its downsides, pressure, and stress. Facing violation allegations makes the matter worse, distracting you from finishing your program and leaving a mark on your reputation and progress. When you face possible sanctions, never take on the issue alone. The Student Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm understands what is at stake and helps you every step of the way.
The Student Defense Team has years of experience working with nursing students nationwide. Their knowledge and compassion help you through the adjudication process, providing clear steps to navigate complex issues with greater confidence. Whether your reputation or degree is in danger, the Student Defense Team fights for you, decreasing the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome.
You put time, effort, and money into your program and passed a competitive admissions process. Don't let a mistake end your path and dreams of becoming a nurse. If you or someone you love face allegations of misconduct, progression issues, or ethical violations, every minute counts. Call the Student Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm at 888-535-3686 or contact the team here for more information.
