The University of Virginia (UVA) School of Nursing is a top-tier medical institution offering a variety of programs to suit nurses at every academic and professional stage. Graduating from the UVA School of Nursing places students in an opportune position to onboard in a premier residency program and continue building a successful career. However, nursing students are required to follow a strict set of rules that govern academics and professional behavior. Even minor instances of misconduct will be investigated and adjudicated harshly, potentially threatening a future in the nursing industry.
Whether you run into situations involving struggles to meet academic standards, accusations of unprofessionalism, or other allegations of misconduct, take each with the seriousness it deserves and retain help. The Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team is a resource for UVA School of Nursing students that will assist you in defense against school disciplinary action and keep you focused on your clinical goals. To begin your road to a better outcome, call the Lento Law Firm at 888-535-3686 or submit your case online.
Academic and Professionalism Standards for Nursing Students in Virginia
Nurses promote the healthcare and comfort of individuals through the systematic application of medical knowledge and professional discipline. To align with best practices, all graduate-level students enrolled in the UVA School of Nursing must be licensed by the state, as well as remain compliant with the following that include but are not limited to:
- Uniform policies
- Patient confidentiality guidelines
- Exam preparation programs
- Insurance requirements
- Clinical competencies
- Substance abuse policies
- Following all other university non-academic guidelines
Professionalism standards also govern enrolled nursing students in life off-campus. Inappropriate social media posts, criminal convictions, and other forms of behavior are in the administration's purview. In addition to their conduct in the clinical atmosphere, UVA School of Nursing students must also follow rigorous academic rules that support each student's responsibility to produce their own unique work. Subsequently, the school's academic integrity policy prohibits the following:
- Cheating
- Plagiarism
- Misrepresentation
The UVA School of Nursing expects “all students to meet established academic standards satisfactorily for all course requirements, including meeting learning objectives, clinical practice objectives, and professional standards of behavior for safe and quality practice. Faculty members like course professors or clinical instructors are responsible for assessing and monitoring each student's academic and professional progress. A student's failure to meet standards requires faculty implementation of an academic action plan”.
This process is intended to address "single instances of significant errors," like failing an exam or making a medication error for a patient. Students with three or more instances will be dealt with the following:
- Academic or professional remediation is required.
- Academic action plan review to determine alterations or student withdrawal.
If students seek to challenge informal disciplinary measures like those above or if rule violations may lead to a suspension or expulsion, they will be granted an official meeting with school officials. All grievances that are not directly related to a particular major or academic study will be handled by the University Judiciary Committee (UJC). Otherwise, UVA School of Nursing students will likely be more familiar with the institution's academic suspension decisions.
UVA School of Nursing Academic Suspension Decisions
UVA School of Nursing students may challenge academic suspension grievances. Students must file with the appropriate School Designated Official (SDO) in writing. Grievances must specify the following:
- The decision being contested.
- The basis for the grievance, including policy or procedure believed to have been violated.
- The student made informal efforts to resolve the concern.
- The requested resolution.
After receiving the written grievance, the SDO or the school's associate dean will adjudicate the case if necessary. Beginning with an investigation, the SDO will review all submitted documentation and meet separately with the student and the individual or committee who made the academic suspension decision. Within 30 calendar days, the SDO will communicate their decision to both parties in writing.
Students may request a further appeal of the SDO's decision, but only on the grounds of procedural errors or if new information not available at the time of the review became accessible.
Other Nursing Student Sanctions
If UVA School of Nursing students defend against other allegations of rule violations, the dean or UJC may hand down other punishments after adjudication through the proper channels. Among them are the following:
- “Admonition: An oral statement to a student underscoring the violation that occurred.
- Warning Notice: A written notice that "continuation or repetition" of wrongful conduct may be cause for more severe disciplinary action.
- Reprimand: A written censure of the violation included in the student's record, with the possibility of more severe disciplinary sanctions.
- Disciplinary Probation: Exclusion from participation in privileged or extracurricular activities for a period of time.
- Restitution: Reimbursement for damage to or misappropriation of property.
- Suspension: Exclusion from classes and other privileges or activities or from the University, as set forth in the notice of suspension, for a definite period of time.
- Suspension Held in Abeyance: A notice of suspension to be enforced should another violation occur.
- Expulsion: Termination for an indefinite period, with or without the ability to gain readmission.”
Much like academic suspension decisions, sanctions are contestable through the university's adjudication procedures. Results for appeals will take no longer than 30 days.
Hire an Experienced Nursing Student Defense Attorney
Although UVA School of Nursing students may have legal counsel attend hearings, they cannot actively participate. However, this doesn't mean retaining an attorney isn't a good option. Our team can help you understand your rights, coach you on mounting a compelling defense, and advise you on appeals.
The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team has defended nursing students throughout Virginia and across the country. Don't let allegations of misconduct, academic progression issues, or complaints harm your chances of graduating. The Lento Law Firm will advise you and provide valuable guidance to increase your chances for a favorable outcome. We can also engage in discussions with the school's Office of General Counsel to protect your status as a student. Call us at 888-535-3686 or submit your case online, and we will contact you.
