Nursing Program Student Conduct Policy

The nursing profession is one of the highest in distinction, honesty and integrity. These characteristics are essential for members of this profession. The TMCC Maxine S. Jacobs Nursing Program requires all students to comply with standards deemed appropriate for the nursing profession by the American Nurses’ Association, the National Student Nurses Association, and those contained in the Truckee Meadows Community College Student Code of Conduct.

Student Conduct

Conduct with respect to nursing students can be considered under two general headings: academic and professional. Misconduct involves a violation of academic or professional principles as viewed by students, faculty and colleagues. Violations within these areas will be processed by the Nursing Program without regard to the sex, race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, veteran status or disability of any of the participants.

See also: TMCC Student Conduct Policy.

Academic Misconduct

Academic misconduct is an offense generally defined as any action or inaction that is offensive to the integrity and honesty of the members of the academic community. This offense includes, but is not limited to, the following:

  • Seeking, acquiring, receiving, or giving information about the conduct of an exam knowing that the release of such information has not been authorized:
  • Plagiarizing;
  • Seeking, using, giving, or obtaining unauthorized assistance or information in any academic assignment or examination;
  • Intentionally giving false information to professors or instructors for the purpose of gaining academic advantage;
  • Breach of any duties prescribed by this Code;
  • Intentionally giving false evidence in any hearing or refusing to give evidence when requested by the Nursing Program.

Professional Misconduct

TMCC Nursing Students

Any action by students indicating dishonesty or lack of integrity in professional matters is considered a violation of professional ethics. The offenses include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Discriminating on the basis of race, religious creed, color, national origin, age, disability, ancestry or sex in the rendering of nursing services.
  • Performing acts beyond the scope of the practice of student nursing.
  • Assuming duties and responsibilities within the practice of student nursing without adequate training.
  • Assuming duties and responsibilities within the practice of student nursing if competency is not maintained or the standards of competence are not satisfied, or both.
  • Failing to conduct oneself with honesty and integrity, taking responsibility for one’s own actions.
  • Disclosing the contents of the examination before, during or after its administration.
  • Assigning or delegating functions, tasks or responsibilities to unqualified persons.
  • Failing to safeguard a patient from the incompetent, abusive or illegal practice of any person.
  • Practicing student nursing while, with or without good cause, his physical, mental or emotional condition impairs his ability to act in a manner consistent with established or customary nursing standard, or both.
  • Practicing student nursing if any amount of alcohol or a controlled substance or dangerous drug which is not legally prescribed is present in the body of the nurse as determined by a test of the blood, saliva, breath or urine of the nurse.
  • Having present in the body of the nurse or nursing assistant, alcohol or a controlled substance or dangerous drug that is not legally prescribed during a test of the blood, saliva, breath or urine of the student nurse or nursing assistant.
  • Failing to respect and maintain a patient's right to privacy.
  • Violation of a patient's confidentiality.
  • Failing to report the gross negligence of a licensee or holder of a certificate in the performance of his duties or a violation of the provisions of chapter 632 of NRS or this chapter.
  • Failing to document properly the administration of a controlled substance, including, but not limited to:
  • Failing to document the administration of a controlled substance on the Controlled Substance Administration Record, the patient's Medication Administration Record and the Nursing Progress Notes, including the patient's response to the medication;
  • Documenting as wastage a controlled substance and taking that controlled substance for personal or other use;
  • Failing to document the wastage of a controlled substance that was not legally administered to a patient;
  • Soliciting the signature on any record of a person as a witness to the wastage of a controlled substance when that person did not witness the wastage; or
  • Signing any record as a witness attesting to the wastage of a controlled substance which he did not actually witness.
  • Soliciting services or soliciting or borrowing money, materials or other property or any combination thereof, from a: patient; family member of patient; person with significant personal ties to a patient, whether or not related by blood; or legal representative of a patient.
  • Diverting supplies, equipment or drugs for personal or unauthorized use.
  • Aiding, abetting or assisting any person in performing any acts prohibited by law.
  • Inaccurate recording, falsifying or otherwise altering or destroying records.
  • Leaving an assignment without properly notifying the appropriate personnel or abandoning a patient in need of care.
  • Failing to collaborate with other members of a health care team as necessary to meet the health needs of a patient.
  • Failing to observe the conditions, signs and symptoms of a patient, to record the information or to report significant changes to the appropriate persons.
  • Failing to perform student nursing functions in a manner consistent with established or customary standards.
  • Causing a patient physical, mental or emotional harm by taking direct or indirect actions or failing to take appropriate actions.
  • Failing to report the unauthorized practice of nursing.
  • Endangering the safety of the general public, patients, clients or coworkers by making actual or implied threats of violence or carrying out an act of violence.
  • Abusing or neglecting a patient.
  • Misappropriating the property of a patient.
  • Practicing outside the ethical, legal, & regulatory frameworks of nursing & standards of professional nursing practice.
  • Demonstrating lack of accountability for nursing care given by self and/or delegated to others.
  • Engaging in the practice of nursing without a license or certificate issued pursuant to the provisions of 632 of NRS.
  • Failing to follow clinical instructions and policies.
  • Representing self as student or acting as a student outside of clinical hours listed in course syllabus.
  • Leaving clinical premises without permission.
  • Accepting gifts from patients or clients.
  • Academic Honesty & Conduct Policy

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