It's not easy earning a nursing degree. Nothing worthwhile is ever easy. Courses at the Adelphi College of Nursing are tough, and the faculty can be demanding. You're required to pass every single course if you're going to earn your degree. And success isn't just about keeping your GPA up. Your personal and professional behavior is under constant scrutiny.
None of this is to suggest that you should give up on your dream. There's a reason Adelphi is so tough—the College of Nursing wants you to be the best nurse you can possibly be. And you're definitely up for the challenge. You're smart, and you're hardworking.
It will be a challenge, though, and sometimes it's nice to know that someone has your back in case you find yourself a little lost. That's where we come in. The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team is focused on helping students get where they're going. We're attorneys, and we know how to build a defense if you should find yourself accused of making a mistake. You don't have to be in trouble, though, to call on us. Need to get tested to see if you have a learning disability? We know how to do that. Need to know who to call when you need to miss class to attend a funeral? We know that as well. A university can be a complicated bureaucratic system. We can help you navigate it.
What can we do for you? Call 888-535-3686 to find out, or take time right now and fill out our online questionnaire.
Nursing Standards at AU College of Nursing
It goes without saying that your primary job as a nursing student is to master the principles of nursing. You face a difficult set of classes. Before you even start work on the College of Nursing (CON) curriculum, you've got courses in biology, chemistry, and anatomy, and it's important you do well in those courses if you want to get into the CON in the first place. Once you do make it in, things get even more challenging. Pharmacology, microbiology, and pathophysiology will definitely put you to the test.
Then, there is the clinical experience component of your education. It's not enough to know the theory behind nursing. You've also got to learn how to put that theory into practice, and because you're working with actual patients with actual health problems, you're expected to meet the highest standards of professionalism.
What does all of this mean in concrete terms? The catalog description of the nursing program notes that you must earn a minimum C+ (77 percent) in all nursing and science courses. Anything lower means the CON places you on academic probation. You're required to retake the course. Fail that course again, or fail any other nursing or science course, and you're dismissed from the program entirely.
Issues of Misconduct
Succeeding academically at the AU CON is tough. Meeting behavioral expectations can be just as tough, if not tougher. Nurses are in a position of trust. Nurses are expected to be above reproach, both personally and professionally. Those expectations start in school.
Like every other AU undergraduate, you're held accountable to three conduct policies.
- Code of Academic Integrity: First, you're expected to earn your degree honestly. Cheating, plagiarism, and any other actions that might tend to give you an unfair advantage in the classroom are all explicitly prohibited under the AU Honor Code.
- Student Code of Conduct: Outside the classroom, your behavior is governed by the Student Code of Conduct. Here, you'll find rules and regulations dealing with issues like underage drinking, drug usage, weapons possession, hazing, and theft.
- Title IX Sexual Misconduct Policy: You're also responsible for following AU's sexual misconduct policy. This policy is mandated by federal law under Title IX, and it covers everything from simple verbal sexual harassment to more serious offenses such as stalking, dating violence, and rape.
Beyond these basic standards of conduct, though, as a nursing student, you're held accountable for certain standards of professionalism. The CON catalog talks generally about "core values" such as integrity, excellence, diversity, and respect. In a practical sense, the nursing program expects you to:
- Treat every patient with respect and compassion
- Communicate effectively with other members of healthcare teams
- Scrupulously abide by HIPAA and other patient confidentiality guidelines
- Maintain a professional attitude and demeanor at all times
Other programs and departments at AU don't require this much of their students. They don't drug test students, and they don't require students to report interactions they might have with law enforcement. The CON does.
Sanctions
College of Nursing requirements aren't just polite suggestions. Find yourself struggling to meet academic expectations or get caught cheating on an exam, and you face serious consequences. Sanctions vary widely, but because you're held to the highest standards, you can expect more severe punishments.
- Warnings
- In-class punishments such as lowered grades on assignments and lowered course grades
- Educational assignments, including seminars and classes
- Academic probation
- Suspension of privileges
- Restitution
- Mandated counseling
- Suspension
- Dismissal
- Withdrawal or revocation of degree
Keep this in mind as well: any sanction, even a warning, can have severe repercussions on your nursing career. Again, we as a society expect a great deal of nurses as professionals. A warning for cheating that shows up on your permanent record could make a prospective employer think twice about hiring you. It could give graduate schools doubts about your honesty. Certainly, when you go to apply for your nursing license, you'll be asked to report any misconduct from your undergraduate years.
The bottom line is that you have to take every allegation against you seriously. That means mounting a defense and having someone in your corner who understands the process and can help guide you through it. No one is better equipped to do that than the attorneys at the Lento Law Firm.
Administrative and Judicial Processes
We've spent a lot of time explaining what can go wrong in your nursing program. There is some good news, though. Adelphi can't simply punish you without cause. In fact, you're always entitled to due process—a fair chance to demonstrate your innocence. What happens can depend, though, on what type of charge you're dealing with.
- Academic Sanctions: If you're struggling to pass your courses, you can face academic probation and even dismissal. However, those outcomes don't happen overnight. You have an opportunity to explain your situation, to ask for help, and even to appeal sanctions once they are applied. If, for instance, you've been dealing with a serious bout of depression, you can ask for more time to improve. Your Lento Law Firm attorney can help walk you through the process.
- Misconduct Sanctions: Similarly, just because someone has accused you of cheating or some other form of misconduct doesn't mean you'll be found "Responsible" (guilty). The school must investigate the allegations. It must give you a fair hearing—the chance to offer evidence and call witnesses. In fact, AU CON is required to give you the benefit of the doubt. You are "Not Responsible" (innocent) until proven otherwise.
The trick to successfully avoiding serious sanctions at AU CON is understanding how these processes work. You have rights, for instance, but you have to know how to use them effectively. No matter what kind of issue you're facing, you can count on the Lento Law Firm to work with you to come up with a solution. We understand the challenges you face every day as a nursing student, and we want to help make your journey a smoother one.
Trust the Lento Law Firm to Handle Your Case
The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team has defended hundreds of students from all types of issues—from rape charges to cheating scandals. We are always on your side, ready to fight for your rights, and determined to get you the best possible resolution to your case.
For more information on what we can do for you, call us today at 888-535-3686 or click on our online form and tell us about your problem.
