Clinical Learning Policies

Students will have access to confidential medical/personal client and family information and to sensitive agency information as part of the clinical learning experience. It is of utmost importance that client/agency confidentiality is observed. Information concerning a client/family or agency is not to be discussed after leaving the clinical unit, agency or classroom. Violation of this policy may result in dismissal from the USI nursing program.

The clinical and skills lab experience is a scheduled part of the nursing courses where students have the opportunity to observe and apply knowledge of nursing. With the guidance and supervision of an instructor, students provide nursing care for selected clients. Student appearance and conduct must be appropriate to comply with the high standards of the profession.

• Students are to report to the instructor on the assigned clinical unit 10 minutes before the scheduled hour for clinical experience.
• The client's name must not be placed on information removed from their record. The client's initials may be placed on client care plans and other written assignments.
• Students are to remember the hospital/agency is a quiet area and should avoid loud behaviors when in the clinical area.
• Students going to the clinical unit to gather information for clinical assignments must be in proper attire (see Dress Code Policies) and should not give client care.
• Periodic meetings will be held to evaluate the student's clinical performance during the course. Student comments are encouraged. The student and faculty will share responsibility for evaluation of the student's progress during the course. The faculty are solely responsible for assigning the pass/fail grade to each student’s clinical performance.
• Students are required to abide by the policies and procedures of the agency in which they have clinical experience.
• In the event of a disaster, students on the clinical units will be free to participate in the implementation of the agency's disaster plan. Utilization of students will be based on the individual unit's needs and the clinical faculty's discretion.

Students shall provide their own transportation to any agency or institution included in curriculum requirements.

It is the College policy that all incidents occurring in clinical and skills laboratories be reported for the purpose of generating and maintaining a record of such incidents. This information is considered confidential and is retained only for the period of time a student is enrolled in the nursing program.

Students who participate in or observe an incident involving students and nursing program personnel must take responsibility for notifying the appropriate persons and submitting a report to the faculty responsible for the area. A student responsible for or a witness to an incident shall make out an agency incident report as appropriate.

Patient records may not be removed from a clinical agency, photocopied, or electronically transmitted. No computer-generated patient information may be removed from the unit. Any information that identifies a specific patient in the clinical setting must remain in that setting. No chart may be reviewed for personal reasons.

If for any reason a student suspects child abuse during any clinical experiences, the course/clinical coordinator and or the assigned clinical faculty should be notified immediately, and the policy of the institution will be followed.

Clinical rotations will be organized based on nursing unit or agency availability and course requirements. Preceptors and community partners may be used in selected nursing courses with faculty coordination. Input from preceptors and community partners will be an integral component of the clinical evaluation. Faculty are responsible for awarding the final pass or no pass for the clinical. Faculty may move students from one course section to another based on clinical site availability and on student progression.

Student Nurse Uniform

• The student is responsible for keeping all uniform items clean, neat, well-fitted and in good repair.
• The USI student nurse uniform includes:

1. 1. Approved red uniform top
   2. Navy uniform skirt or pants
   3. Navy lab jacket with USI logo
   4. Navy polo USI logo
   5. Approved khaki scrub pants
   6. Uniform and lab coat must be wrinkle free
   7. Socks should be black, white, or dark navy
   8. White, black, or navy leather shoes - no sandals, clogs, open-toed or sling back shoes
   9. Long sleeved shirts should not be worn under the uniform. White t-shirts cannot hang below any uniform apparel
   10. USI name badge with picture with no other name badges on display.

• In NURS 455 and NURS 363, uniforms are khakis and polos with USI name badge.
• The student is expected to be well groomed, hair should be secured so that it will not fall forward. Headbands should be a solid color of red, white, blue, brown or black; one inch or less in width; and hold hair in place to promote a professional appearance.

1. 1. Fingernails are to be short, clean and carefully filed. Only clear fingernail polish may be worn. No artificial nails.
   2. Perfumes and colognes must not be worn due to potential client/staff allergic response.
   3. Chewing gum is not permitted.
   4. Make up should be lightly applied, if used.

• Pierced body ornamentation is limited to two earrings per ear. The earrings need to be a small post, approximately the size of a typed letter “O.” No jewelry or body adornments outside of the ear are permitted including tongue studs, eyebrow, and/or nose rings/studs. Ornamentation that stretches or gauges the earlobe is not permitted. No rings except a single flat band to promote good aseptic technique and client safety are permitted. In some clinical settings, students may be required to remove all jewelry.
• Tattoos must not contain profanity or nudity. If an agency policy has more restrictions regarding tattoos, that agency’s policy will be followed.
• During clinical experience, the student should have a watch with a second hand, a black ball point pen, paper, penlight, and a stethoscope. NO smart watches may be worn during the clinical experience.
• Students are required to wear professional attire during all patient care experiences including simulation and anytime the student is representing USI as a nursing student unless directed differently by the instructor.
• Students will wear the required USI polo shirt and khaki pants to attend all required educational conferences and selected clinical experiences. All aspects of the dress code should be observed except hair may be worn down and the student may wear jewelry.
• The hems of the scrubs must have no frayed edges, and may not touch the floor.
• Students may be dismissed from clinical if not properly attired for their assignment at the discretion of the clinical instructor.

The University’s Student Rights and Responsibilities: Code of Student Behavior will be followed. 

Professional Agreement Form

Students are expected to review and sign a professional behavior agreement form each year. This form will be completed and uploaded through CastleBranch annually. Initials and signature on this form signifies the student understands the policies and understands that violation of those policies will result in disciplinary action, which may include dismissal from the program.

Professional Code of Conduct & Meeting Attendance Contract

The use of social media has grown exponentially in the last decade and continues to reshape how society communicates and shares information. Social media can have many positive uses in health care; it can be used to establish professional connections, share best practices in providing evidenced based care, and educate professionals and patients. However, communication about professional issues can cross the line and violate patients’ privacy and confidentiality, whether done intentionally or not.

Download the Social Media Policy for the Kinney College of Nursing and Health Professions