The faculty at Monroe College is committed to academic honesty. Consequently, any form of academic dishonesty is considered to be a serious violation of academic policies. The faculty believes that academic honesty is the truthful expression of knowledge learned by the individual student to demonstrate competence in nursing.

1. The most common form of academic dishonesty is plagiarism. To plagiarize, according to Webster’s New World Dictionary of the American Language (1984), is “to take (ideas, writings, etc.) from (another) and pass them off as one’s own”. Reproducing someone’s work without quotation marks or appropriate citation is plagiarism.
2. The highest standards of academic honesty must guide the students in their preparation of all assignments and writing of all examinations. The following rules will apply in all cases:

• Each student’s work shall be the result of the student’s own effort.
• Each student shall cite appropriately the ideas and work of others when it is incorporated into the writing of papers.
• Each student will follow the directions of the instructor with regard to permissible materials in a room at the time of examinations.
• No student shall give or receive any assistance whatsoever or communicate in any way with another student during an examination.
• No student shall attempt to obtain or disseminate the content of an examination prior to or after distribution by the instructor.
• No student may submit the same work to more than one instructor without the prior approval of the instructor involved.
• No student shall act in a way that endangers the academic integrity of the College.
• Any student who has information about or observes any form of academic dishonesty is expected to bring the information forth to the Chairperson of the nursing department or faculty member of choice.

A. If a faculty member has evidence that a student/s has engaged in some form of academic dishonesty the following will apply:

1. The student/s will be confronted in a prompt manner by the faculty identifying the observed specific dishonest behavior. The conference and recommended action to be taken by the faculty member will be documented and forwarded to the VP for Academics, the Dean of Allied Health Professions, and the Chairperson of the Nursing department. If the observed actions are upheld as cheating once the evidence has been reviewed, the student/s may be given a failing grade for the work in question and possibly for the entire course.
2. At any time, if the integrity of an examination is in question, the faculty reserves the right to eliminate the examination in question and retesting of any or all student/s can occur.
3. Upon review by the VP of Academics and on approval of the Dean of Allied Health Professions, and the Chairperson, the student will be notified in writing of the nature of the violation and the resulting action to be taken. All services to the student may be suspended during this period. The student will have 5 business days to appeal in writing to the VP of Academics. If the student chooses to respond, the response will be considered by the VP of Academics and the student will be notified of the final action when the investigation is completed. The Chairperson of the Nursing department and/or the Dean of Allied Health Professions reserves the right to take any of the following actions against a student who has engaged in academic dishonesty:
   • • The student may be dismissed from the program and an F for that course will be recorded on the transcript
     • Student will be notified that their transcript will be permanently annotated to reflect the action taken.
     • All services previously available to the student will be terminated including forfeiture of the right to request a refund of any monies.
4. A student who has been dismissed due to violation of the Academic Honesty Policy may not petition for readmission to the Nursing program.

B. A student who has been exonerated of allegations of violation of the Academic Honesty Policy will have clinical make up fees waived for missed clinical due to suspension of services during the investigation. Students are required to make up any missed exams and clinical that occurred during the time of suspension.

I. Schedule

• Day classes are generally scheduled between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Clinical practice may begin as early as 7:00 a.m. Time changes for classes and learning assignments are made with advance planning and notification by the instructor.

II. Attendance and Punctuality

Regular and prompt attendance is necessary for students to meet course objectives.

1. Regular and prompt attendance at all classes, labs and clinical practice sites is required. Lateness is defined as greater than 15 minutes after the class begins. Attendance is taken by the instructor for each clinical and class session to confirm presence and insure accuracy in implementing this policy. Attendance is taken by the theory instructor for each session of the theory class. Attendance records are maintained by the classroom instructor in the electronic registration system.
2. Students are responsible for missed class material.
3. Class/Theory absences are a serious matter and are weighted accordingly

• One absence

i.Excused without penalty or need to make up in each course per semester.

ii.The student is responsible to notify both the Nursing Office (718-933-6700 ext. 8391) and the individual professor at least ½ hour before the scheduled class starting time.

• Two absences

i. A second class absence may indicate a problem with commitment to the program and/or make it impossible for the student to meet the course objectives. Accordingly, a second absence will necessitate a review by the professor to determine the student’s ability to meet the course objectives under these circumstances, and may result in a failure (U) for the class. Each situation will be reviewed on an individual basis.

ii. Class lateness may also indicate a problem with commitment to the program. Besides being rude to faculty and peers, lateness is also unprofessional. Two lateness will be equal to one absence.

Clinical absences are serious matters and are weighted accordingly:

• One absence

i.Excused without penalty or need to make up in each course per semester.

ii.The student is responsible to notify both the Nursing Office (718-933-6700 ext. 8391) and the individual clinical instructor at least ½ hour before the scheduled experience starting time.

• Two absences:

i.A second clinical absence may indicate a problem with commitment to the program and/or make it impossible for the student to meet the clinical objectives of the course. Accordingly, a second absence will necessitate a review by the instructor to determine the student’s ability to meet the course objectives under these circumstances, and may result in a failure (U) for the clinical. Clinical failure automatically means failure in the course.

ii.According to the health policy of the institution, after any three consecutive day absence, the student must receive clearance from a physician prior to returning to class.

A student may be dismissed form the clinical setting if the absence or lateness makes it impossible for the student to meet the clinical objectives of the course.

III. Clinical Practice

• Clinical experiences are arranged by Monroe College through contractual agreements with the agencies that are committed to nursing education. Monroe College does not pay the agencies nor do the agencies pay Monroe College. Monroe College must abide by the rules and regulations of the agency. Therefore, agency policies and accepted professional standards of conduct for nurses must be followed.
• Students may care for patients under the supervision of an instructor only when the student is adequately prepared for the experience. The preparation ensures that the students understands the assigned material and can implement safe and effective care. Failure to prepare for clinical as directed may result in a dismissal from the clinical day and is considered a clinical absence.
• Repeated episodes of lack of preparation for clinical practice may result in course failure and must be documented by the instructor.
• If a student is dismissed from clinical for any reason, the rationale must be documented and the student’s performance will be reviewed and officially noted first by the instructor. If further action is needed, referral will then be made to the Chairperson of the Nursing department who will make a second review with comments or recommend any further action to the VP of Academics.
• In clinical courses where medications are administered, students must give medications under the supervision of Monroe College faculty. Staff nurses may not supervise students with medication administration.

1. Rating scale (see Monroe College Student Handbook).
2. Missed Examinations / Course Work

• A missed test or assignment will result in a grade of zero (0). All exams quizzes will be administered ONLY in the scheduled time. There will be no make-up exam/quizzes except in the cases of (1) death or funeral arrangements of an immediate family member (parent, sibling, spouse, child, grand parent); (2) documented hospitalization of the student; or (3) documented court appearance. Make-up exams/quizzes for these circumstances will be allowed up to one week following the missed exam/quiz. Arrival after any student in the class has completed an exam, constitutes missing the exam. There will not be an extension of time for students arriving late. No one will be allowed to take a computerized exam if they arrive after the instructions for that exam have been given.
• All due dates for assignments must be adhered to. NO late assignments will be accepted. E-mail your instructor immediately upon missing or anticipating missing class to arrange for make-ups. Abuse of this privilege gives the instructor cause to refuse make-up work.

3. Computation of course grade

• The weight for each course requirement is determined by the course faculty and published in the course syllabus. Students are informed of the weight of the course requirements at the beginning of each course.
• Clinical Achievement - Directions for clinical assignments and experiences are included in each course and given to each student. A final grade of satisfactory must be obtained to pass the course.

4. Standardized Tests

• Proctored standardized testing is utilized to determine the learner’s mastery of course content.

1. Academic Achievement: Students are evaluated on their academic and clinical achievement according to the following standards:
2. A student is considered to be in good academic standing when they have a GPA of 2.5 (C+) or better for PN students or a GPA of 3.0 (B) or better for RN students.
3. Students must pass every required course, achieve a satisfactory clinical grade in each clinical nursing course and maintain a minimal GPA of 2.5 (C+) or better for PN students, or a GPA of 3.0 (B) or better for RN students.
4. An unsatisfactory clinical grade in a nursing course results in an automatic failure of the course, which will be recorded as an F.
5. Students may appeal a grade in writing to the Chairperson of the Nursing department and to the VP for Academics.
6. The student may be allowed to repeat a failed nursing course ONLY once.
7. A second failure in any nursing course will result in permanent dismissal from the Nursing program
8. The student must achieve a grade of C+ or better in any repeated course plus a satisfactory clinical grade if there is a clinical component.
9. Clinical Achievement:
10. Each nursing course with the exception of NS 104, NS 220 and NS 200 has objectives for expected performance in the clinical area. Each nursing course has an evaluation form on which the instructor documents the student’s ability to meet the behavioral outcomes. The student must receive a satisfactory grade in clinical to pass the course.
11. To meet clinical objectives, the following are skills essential for sound clinical judgment and competent nursing care needed in diverse clinical settings:
    • Knowledge Base:
    • Knowledge is acquired through instruction, demonstration, study, research and experience.
    • Concepts that include nursing, anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, psychopathology, growth and development, cultural and spiritual beliefs as related to health, illness, birth and death.
      • Clinical Skills
      • Clinical skills as acquired through demonstration and practice include cognitive, psychosocial and psychomotor skills, and are based on scientific principles.
      • The ability to perform tasks and procedures in a safe, organized and proficient manner.
      • Safe administration of medications. Prior to the start of each clinical course students must take a dosage calculation exam and pass with a minimum grade of 90%.
      • Satisfactory completion of the Critical Elements for each nursing course, except NS 104, NS 220, NS 200, is required by the end of the semester to receive a passing grade for the clinical experience.
12. Clinical Practice Evaluation forms are kept on a continuous basis by the clinical instructor. The evaluation forms have achievement levels that can be used as often as weekly to document a student’s progress.
13. For students experiencing difficulty in clinical work, an anecdotal record is kept by the instructor and a learning contract will be put in place if the student receives an achievement level of “Improvement Needed” at midterm. The student is encouraged to provide feedback at evaluation conferences. The nature of the difficulty and any other recommendations may be shared with the student(s) advisor and Chairperson of the Nursing department. It is the responsibility of the instructor to determine if clinical objectives and behavioral outcomes can be met in order to pass the course.

• Student clinical performance is closely monitored for two reasons:
  • • To ensure safe practice of nursing.
    • To determine progress in demonstrating competence in nursing skills and behaviors.

• A student may be dismissed from the clinical setting for the following reasons:
  • • Incomplete preparation for the clinical assignment.
    • The requirement of a disproportionate amount of instructor time due to insufficient preparation, failure to master basic nursing skills, or inability to apply theory to practice.
    • Student behavior is inappropriate and may suggest: impairment of judgment and or cognition, extreme emotional distress, the use of alcohol, or other substance abuse.
    • The clinical instructor assesses the student’s performance to be unprofessional or unsafe.
    • The nursing staff of the agency determines that the student is unsafe or unprofessional.
    • Absences or lateness that make it impossible for the student to meet the course objectives.

• Students must exhibit the following components of personality suitable for nursing:

1. Attitude - a state of mind which is reflected in behavior or conduct, verbal or nonverbal.

• • • accepts constructive guidance and acts on it.
    • reacts to situations in a non-judgmental way.
    • actively interested in learning.
    • open to new ideas.
    • behaves in an emotionally mature and stable manner.

2. Interpersonal skill - the ability to respond to another's needs - stated or unstated, with understanding, compassion, respect and individuality.

Collaborates with patients and families by:

• • • actively listening.
    • using therapeutic communication skills.
    • conveying interest.
    • showing empathy.
    • controlling own anxiety.

3. Critical Thinking:

• • • the exploration of problems, situations, issues or beliefs by using knowledge, reflection, reasoning and logic.
    • translating knowledge, observations, experience into a prioritized plan ofnursing action.
    • planning nursing actions to attain patient goals.

4. Caring:

• • • the ability of the student to respect and accept individuals (clients/patients)as they are and to promote satisfaction of their needs.
    • the ability to combine knowledge, clinical skills, interpersonal skills,critical thinking skills, and multidisciplinary, wholistic, and comprehensiveapproach for excellence in nursing practice, as demonstrated by BettyNeuman’s Systems Theory.

5. Physical and Mental health:

All students are expected to maintain sufficient physical and mental health to successfully complete the requirements of this program. Referral to the Office of Student Services may occur when students are identified as demonstrating behaviors that include:

• • • inability to set and achieve goals
    • difficulty in problem solving
    • inconsistency
    • recurrent absences
    • repeated illness
    • impaired judgment
    • impaired cognition
    • depressed mood
    • inappropriate responses
    • excessive fatigue
    • underachievement or decreasing achievement when circumstances are unchanged

A student will progress according to the Levels of Progression from one semester to the next with a minimum GPA of 2.5 for the PN program, and a minimum GPA of 3.0 for the RN program. To progress from the LPN Certificate program to the RN program a student must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0, meet all other admission requirements, and pass the NCLEX-PN exam

A student is expected to complete the LPN certificate program within three (3) years from the time of admission into the Nursing program.

A student is expected to complete the RN associate degree program within three (3) years from the time of admission into the Nursing program.

Candidates who have satisfactorily completed the requirements of the educational program in accordance with College objectives and met all financial obligations to the College are recommended by the Chairperson of the Nursing department for graduation to the Dean of Allied Health Professions and VP for Academics for final approval.

The Chairperson of the Nursing department will certify all students upon completion of the education program when financial obligations and evidence of successful completion of the curriculum requirements have been met.