At the University of Minnesota (UMN) School 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 UMN's School of Nursing students in defending against rigorous investigations, adjudications, and disciplinary actions imposed by school officials. To gain professional help, call the Lento Law Firm at 888-535-3686 or submit your case online, and we will contact you.
Academic Standards for UMN School of Nursing Students
Becoming a student at UMN entails an obligation to uphold strict academic integrity standards, and the Student Conduct Code provides guidelines for all UMN's divisions, the School of Nursing included. Since nursing students often conduct work outside the traditional classroom, UMN's "academic environment" extends to online courses, off-campus laboratories, and testing in the field in the U.S. and even abroad. Therefore, the university's disciplinary body will have jurisdiction to manage academic rule violations anywhere, and it will consider any of the following as "scholastic dishonesty" subject to punishment:
- Cheating: Using the clinical, examination, or study materials of another without permission from the instructor.
- Falsification: Any attempt to falsify academic records or misrepresent data or results in any procedure or examination.
- Plagiarism: Representing the "words, creative work, or ideas" of another person as one's own work without the appropriate acknowledgment, citation, or documentation.
- Unauthorized Collaboration: Working with any other person or student without "express permission" from an instructor.
Parallel to managing nursing students' academic integrity, UMN also maintains academic progression standards. Pre-licensure, graduate, and doctoral students will have varying thresholds of what UMN considers sufficient evaluation for a student to pass through the program. Some common requirements are the following:
- Minimum grade point average (semester and cumulative)
- Minimum number of course credits (attempted and passed).
- Minimum number of clinical hours recorded.
- Passed all examinations and remained compliant with evaluations.
If nursing students fail to meet the university's academic progression standards, they risk probation. Typically, instructors will handle progression management and often pave a path with remediation. Yet, students must complete remediation tasks along with carrying out normal coursework, potentially causing them to fall further behind. Fortunately, students may appeal academic discipline.
UMN's Professionalism Standards for Nursing Students
Since nursing students are representatives of UMN's program and public-facing professionals, they must demonstrate appropriate conduct and "possess the ability to reason morally and practice nursing in an ethical manner." Some of the attributes the UMN School of Nursing deems professional conduct within their technical standards are the following:
- Altruism
- Compassion
- Empathy
- Integrity
- Honesty
- Responsibility
- Tolerance
Students must be able to provide healthcare to a variety of individuals in a clinical setting. However, UMN's guidelines for professional conduct will follow students outside the normal campus setting and into their private lives. Nursing students will be held to the same standard as state license holders; therefore, inappropriate social media postings, criminal convictions, and other events can quickly derail plans for graduation.
UMN School of Nursing Misconduct Procedures
When a violation of the student conduct code is reported to the Office for Community Standards (OCS), the accused student may receive an email directing them to schedule an informal meeting. At the meeting, an OCS staff member will proceed with the following:
- Provide an overview of rights during the disciplinary process.
- Review and discuss the report that was submitted regarding a violation or misconduct allegation.
- Hear the student's account of what occurred and answer questions.
- Discuss resolution options.
The OCS may recommend sanctions for the alleged misconduct, and the student respondent may accept them. However, if the student wishes to challenge the allegations or if the OCS recommends suspension or expulsion as a punishment, a formal hearing is available.
The Hearing Board will notify the student of the time, date, and place of the hearing. Moreover, students are given the following opportunities during the grievance process:
- Presenting their case in front of the Hearing Board.
- Calling witnesses and submitting evidence to support their case.
- Hear all evidence and testimony against them, with the chance to cross-examine.
- Being accompanied or represented by an advisor, including an attorney.
To determine responsibility for the alleged conduct or academic violations, the university has the burden of proof and relies on the preponderance of the evidence. If a nursing student is found to have violated one of UMN's guidelines, they will receive a disciplinary decision that includes the chance to appeal.
Nursing Student Sanctions
Depending on the severity of the violation, academic sanctions can start at an assignment failure and quickly move to remediation or even removal from the program. Punitive measures can take many forms with non-academic misconduct, from losing student privileges to expulsion. If students are found responsible for violations, UMN School of Nursing will enforce the following punishments:
- Written reprimand
- Privilege loss
- Probation
- Suspension
- Expulsion
Students may file appeals in misconduct cases. However, the only grounds to challenge disciplinary decisions and punishments at UMN are the following:
- Significant procedural errors affected the outcome.
- University rules were "misapplied, misinterpreted, or contrary to law."
- New evidence that was not previously available exists and is sufficient to affect the outcome.
- The sanctions can be proved to be "grossly disproportionate to the offense."
- The determination was not made on "substantial information."
Disciplinary action is typically implemented prior to appeal. However, if the determination changes the student's status, the sanction will be stayed during the appeals process.
Hire an Experienced Nursing Student Defense Attorney
The Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team is a worthwhile investment for UMN School of Nursing students. Our team of attorneys can help you exercise your rights during the grievance process, build a defense strategy to challenge allegations, and even engage the school's Office of General Counsel to protect your good standing.
The nationwide Lento Law Firm assists nursing students in navigating misconduct allegations and progression violations. We will guide you and promote a favorable outcome and will stand with you every step of the way. Call us now at 888-535-3686 or submit your case online, and we will contact you.
