Policies and Procedures

Policies and procedures of the Department of Nursing

Communication

All student-faculty communication should follow this format:

• Student first discusses issues and concerns with course lecturer and/or clinical instructor
• If additional information clarification is needed, the student will speak with the designated course coordinator
• If additional information clarification is needed course coordinator will speak with Program Director and\or Department Chairperson

Clinical Course Requirements

Prior to every semester:

• CPR (American Heart Association) certification: Students in clinical courses are required to be certified in CPR (adult/child and AED) and provide documentation of this to the Nursing Office prior to registration.
• Malpractice Insurance: The City University of New York now covers the malpractice for nursing students actively enrolled in clinical courses located at York College approved clinical sites. Please come to the Nursing Office with any questions.
• Health Clearance: All students in clinical courses are required to have annual health clearance. The York College Medical-Physical and Nursing Student immunization forms must be completed by a physician (signed and stamped by the physician) and uploaded to the website of our new partner CastleBranch Compliance Tracking Solutions for a fee of $65.00. The fee includes the tracking of your compliance with our health requirements ($30.00) and the required 10-panel drug test ($35.00). This is a mandatory requirement for all students. Generic students MUST bring all required documents to the nursing office by the third week of July for fall semesters and RN-BSN students by the fourth week of November for spring semesters. If students do not have health clearance they will not be able to attend clinical courses for that semester.

Please Note: The Department of Nursing requires a specific detailed physical examination that exceeds the college requirements for physical examination and immunizations. These requirements comply with the New York State Department of Health and clinical site regulations and must include immunization titers. Students must be free from addiction to drugs, alcohol, or other behavior-altering substances; able to stand, walk, bend, push, grasp, and lift without restriction; and have normal sight, hearing, and speech (with correction). Required forms

Retention in the Department of Nursing

• Earn a grade of "C" in all of the pre or co-requisite courses.
• Earn a minimum of "C+" in all nursing program courses.
• Students earning less than a "C+" grade in a nursing program course may repeat the course one time and must attain a grade of "C+" or better.
• Failure of two nursing courses with a grade of less than a C+ will result in dismissal from the Nursing Program.
• Clinical performance is graded as pass/fail. Students must pass both clinical and theory components to pass the course.
• All students will be required to fulfill York's Writing Intensive course requirements.
• Students who are dismissed from any nursing program may be eligible to apply for another major in the college.
• Students have the right to appeal the dismissal decision.

Attendance

This Attendance Policy promotes professionalism, accountability, and excellence in patient care by ensuring nursing students attend all scheduled classes, clinical rotations, and other required educational activities. Consistent attendance is essential for the development of clinical skills, mastery of nursing knowledge, and the ability to work as part of a healthcare team. Absence from lecture, lab, or clinical are NOT permitted and may result in failure of the course.

• Clinical/Campus Labs: Absence from clinical and campus labs are NOT permitted. Absence of clinical and lab will result in failure of the course. Students can submit a letter of appeal to the Nursing Appeals, Progression and Retention (APR) Committee and the student must submit proof of the event.
• Lecture: Absences are NOT permitted. In the event of an absence, it is the student's responsibility to obtain all content covered. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class period. The student will be marked absent if they are NOT present when the attendance is taken.
• All assignments are to be submitted on the due date.
• All cell phones, pagers etc. must be turned off while in the classroom. Participation in class discussion is essential to achieving the course outcomes. It is expected that each student will engage in critical reading, critical thinking and problem solving.

Lateness:

• Punctuality is an integral part of the nursing profession as nursing is a 24-hour care service. Lateness will not be tolerated during academic formation or in the workforce. Attendance, punctuality, and professionalism are key elements in the role of a Registered Professional Nurse.
• Students must be on time, this includes lectures, lab and clinical.
• The student will not be admitted to lectures, labs or clinicals if they are late. This will result in an absence for the day.
• Please do not schedule outside appointments during class, lab, or clinical hours.
• If there is a medical emergency on the day of the lecture, lab or clinical, and this will cause lateness, a doctor’s note is required for admittance.

Please understand that punctuality is an integral part of the nursing profession as nursing is a 24-hour care service. Tardiness will not be tolerated during academic formation or in the workforce. Attendance, punctuality, and professionalism are key elements in the role of a Registered Professional Nurse.

Clinical Expectations for all clinical nursing courses

• Proof of current physical exam, up-to-date immunization titers, and a current American Heart Association CPR card must be submitted to the Nursing Program.
• Students are expected to arrive on time and be in the proper York College uniform.
• Students may be removed from the clinical area and/or the nursing program for demonstrating unsafe, unprofessional, and /or irresponsible behavior. This includes, but is not limited to, administering medications without the clinical instructor present; failure to follow the instructions of the instructor or any situation where patient safety was compromised.
• All nursing students perform their clinical work subject to the rules and regulations of the external health care agency and will be expected to comply with all requirements set forth by the agency, including their code of conduct. The agency holds the exclusive right, at their sole discretion, to prevent entry or request withdrawal from the clinical site for any student the agency believes constitutes a risk of harm to patients, visitors, or employees or who fails to follow the agency's policies and procedures. Students will be advised that misconduct resulting in removal from a clinical setting will result in further disciplinary action, including dismissal from the program. Subject to appropriate procedural requirements pursuant to Department and College rules, and/or CUNY Bylaws.

The Department of Nursing adheres strictly to the American Nurses Association Standards and Scope of Practice.

Highlighted below is Standard 7. Ethics

The registered nurse practices ethically:

• Practices with compassion and respect for the inherent dignity, worth, and unique attributes of all people.
• Endorses the understanding that the primary commitment is to the healthcare consumer regardless of setting or situation.
• Maintains therapeutic relationships and professional boundaries.
• Safeguards the privacy and confidentiality of healthcare consumers, others, and their data and information within ethical, legal, and regulatory parameters.
• Advocates for the rights, health, and safety of the healthcare consumer and others.
• Demonstrates professional accountability and responsibility for nursing practice.
• Maintains competence through continued personal and professional development.
• Demonstrates commitment to self-reflection and self-care.
• Contributes to the establishment and maintenance of an ethical environment that is conducive to safe, quality health care.
• Advances the profession through scholarly inquiry, professional standards development, and the generation of policy.
• Collaborates with other health professionals and the public to protect human rights, promote health diplomacy, enhance cultural sensitivity and congruence, and reduce health disparities.
• Articulates nursing values to maintain personal integrity and the integrity of the profession.
• Integrates principles of social justice into nursing and policy.

Professionalism

Professionalism is the foundation upon which our program is built, and the York College Nursing Department is committed to maintaining high standards of practice.  Each student will be evaluated for professionalism during each clinical and lab session using the following attached criteria.

Uniform Policy

Uniforms are required for all on-campus labs and clinical experiences

• Uniform: White uniform with the York College Department of Nursing student patch on the left shoulder, white hosiery/ socks; clean white nursing shoes. All garments worn under the uniform should be white.
• RN-BS students may wear a white York College uniform top and black scrub pants when on clinical rotations.
• RN-BS students will wear a clean white lab coat in N 203 on-campus labs.
• Grooming should reflect an understanding of professionalism, asepsis, and safety.
• In keeping with the various agency policies and maintaining student and patient safety:
• Hair should be pulled back, away from the face, and off the shoulders
• Makeup should be minimal
• No hanging or dangling jewelry (small post earrings are permitted)
• Nails should be trimmed with clear/ pale polish; no nail enhancements/extensions
• Refrain from the use of perfume
• No hats/ head coverings unless for religious purposes.
• Tattoos must be covered by clothing.
• No visible facial piercings; however a waiver may be granted based on religious beliefs upon student request.
• York College photo identification badge should be visible at all times

Failure to comply with these uniform policies will result in a clinical absence

Academic Integrity

By enrolling in this course, students agree to act with honesty and integrity. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, collusion, sabotage, and falsification of records. It is prohibited in The City University of New York and is punishable by penalties, including failing grades, suspension, and expulsion. For definitions and an explanation of specific policies, see the College's Academic Integrity Policy. Should the instructor become aware of any suspicious dishonest activity, the instructor is required by College policy to submit a report of suspected academic dishonesty (cheating, plagiarism, damage to lab materials, etc.) to the Department Chair and the Dean of Students office. This report becomes part of your permanent file and may result in serious penalties.

If a student is found guilty of Academic dishonesty and received a penalty, the grade affected by this penalty can not be dropped.

On Campus Laboratory Learning Experience

Generic nursing students are expected to participate in mandatory college laboratories weekly. Students must pass all skills performance tests to receive a passing grade in the course. Failure to demonstrate competency in selected skills will result in a failing grade for the course, even if the students have a passing grade in the didactic component of the course. Students must demonstrate professionalism and will have weekly case study/ reflective question assignments that must be brought to the on-campus laboratory each week. Weekly evaluation on professionalism will be conducted. On-campus lab practicum is rated as satisfactory (S) or unsatisfactory (U).

Clinical Performance

Clinical laboratory learning experiences will include the provision of comprehensive nursing care to multi-cultural client systems in a variety of settings (Ambulatory care, acute in-patient, and long-term care settings). Students are expected to successfully meet the objectives and requirements of both the theory and the clinical laboratory components of the course in order to receive a satisfactory grade for the entire course. Clinical performance is graded as satisfactory (S) or unsatisfactory (U).

Weekly concept maps will be expected for each clinical laboratory client encounter. Concept maps will be graded satisfactory or unsatisfactory based on specific written guidelines. A minimum concept map average grade of "C+" is required for a satisfactory clinical grade.

Performance Requirements to be a clinical nursing student:

Infection Control / Standard Precautions

Standard Precautions are expected to be implemented by all students in the clinical setting.

• Exudative lesions, weeping dermatitis, or other possible communicable conditions should be brought to the attention of the clinical instructor prior to giving care.
• Appropriate barrier precautions should be implemented to prevent skin and mucous-membrane exposure when contact with blood or other body fluids is anticipated.
• Exposure to blood or body fluids must be reported to the clinical instructor, in a timely manner.

Confidentiality

Confidentiality of all information and records related to client care is a patient right in New York State and mandated by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).

Students who fail to maintain the patient's right to confidentiality will receive a course grade of F and will not be permitted to return to the clinical site.

No recorders, beepers or cellular phones are permitted in clinical agencies.

Accidents/ Injury/ Incidents During Clinical Experiences

If a student is injured during a clinical agency experience they must be examined and treated in the emergency room and/or by their private physician. Health clearance must be obtained from the Office of Health Services before the student can return to the clinical agency.

Relevant incident reports for the agency and York College must be completed by the faculty and student. Students who have any change in their health status during the semester (due to injury, illness, pregnancy/ childbirth) are required to submit documentation to the Office of Health Services. Students must receive clearance from this Office prior to returning to clinical agency experience.

Course Auditing

The nursing program does not permit auditing of nursing courses.

Student Resources

Textbooks

To help students save money on their textbook purchases, CUNY has created a web page and flyer called "How to Save Money on Textbooks." This resource provides links to websites that sell discounted new and used books, eBooks, open-source materials, and rental options.

Clinical Advisement

Consultation with the Nursing faculty is a crucial step when planning one's academic program. Formal advisement is available during the period scheduled by the college. Please refer to the York College Academic Calendar. Appointments can be scheduled through the Department of Nursing secretary. At other times, individual conferences can be scheduled with the Nursing Program faculty. To ensure that your advisor has adequate time to answer your concerns, make an appointment. When you "drop in" for advice, remember that your advisor may have other responsibilities or tasks planned for that hour.

Placement in Clinical course sections varies each semester based on agency availability. Students who are employed in a health care agency cannot be assigned to that agency for clinical classes. Students who have special needs (i.e., work schedule) must submit a request for consideration in writing to the Director of Nursing Programs and\or Chairperson no later than December 15 (for spring placement) and June 15 (for fall placement). Every effort will be made to accommodate the request. However, there are limited clinical agency sites and days available; students may need to make other accommodations.