Annie Taylor Dee School of Nursing (SON) Student Handbook Academic Year 2025 - 2026

PART B: GENERAL POLICIES & PROCEDURES

• Section I: Annie Taylor Dee SON Requirements

  • A. General Requirements for all Annie Taylor Dee SON Students

    • Students must adhere to all policies in the Annie Taylor Dee SON Student Handbook and WSU Student Code found in the WSU Policies and Procedures Manual (PPM).
    • Any university community member must abide by the WSU Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct Policy (WSU PPM 3-32).
    • A student unable to meet the program’s essential requirements due to physical or functional limitations may request an academic adjustment through Disability Services (WSU PPM 3-34). NOTE: Latex and nitrile products are used in our laboratory, simulation, and clinical environments. We are not able to ensure a latex-free or nitrile-free environment.
    • Students must pay the required tuition and fees by the dates outlined in the WSU Catalog. NOTE: Failure to meet these established deadlines may result in the student losing their place in a specific nursing course/program.
    • Students MAY NOT register for courses scheduled on a different campus from the one they were formally accepted. Students with extenuating circumstances may request a campus change. Permission must be granted by the program director and depends on space availability in lab, sim, clinical, etc.
    • Students are covered by WSU liability/malpractice insurance once registered in a course. NOTE: Students may not attend/participate in any nursing courses before being admitted to WSU and registering for their nursing courses.
    • Upon entering the nursing program, each student is assigned a nursing faculty academic advisor. See the individual program student handbook for the advisement process.
    • WSU Annie Taylor Dee SON dates and deadlines override university, continuing education, online, or other published deadlines. NOTE: Prerequisites and support courses must be completed, and grades posted one (1) week before the start of the semester.
    • WSU and the Annie Taylor Dee SON expect that students study two to four hours per week for each credit hour of enrolled courses.

  • B. Essential Requirements for Student Success

    The WSU Annie Taylor Dee SON Essential Requirements act as a guide for students and faculty to understand and communicate the functions required for the nursing student. Students are required to meet all of these essential requirements. These requirements include functions necessary for starting, continuing, and graduating from WSU Annie Taylor Dee SON programs. Facilities retain the right to determine essential requirements of students for clinical rotations (i.e., denial of student placement in the clinical facility). These requirements apply to all courses, including Study Abroad electives.

    During the course of the specific program, if the student is unable to perform any of these functions for any reason, they will need to contact their instructor and be required to meet with the program director, which may delay program progression (See Handbook Part B, Section IV C).

    After reading and reviewing the essential requirements and before starting the program, the student must sign that they can meet the essential requirements throughout the program of study. The form is a permanent part of the student file. If a student is uncertain of their ability to comply with all of these essential functions, consult with the departmental Admissions and Advancements Committee.

    Essential Requirements of Intellect

    • Comparing: Judging observable functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people, or things.
    • Copying: Transcribing, entering, or posting data.
    • Computing: Performing arithmetic operations and reporting on and/or carrying out a prescribed action.
    • Compiling: Gathering, collating, or classifying information about data, people, or things, including reporting and/or carrying out a prescribed action relevant to the evaluation.
    • Analyzing: Examining and evaluating data and presentation of alternative actions in relation to the evaluation.
    • Coordinating: Determining time, place, and sequence of operations or action to be taken on the basis or analysis of data. This may include prioritizing multiple responsibilities and/or accomplishing the responsibilities simultaneously.
    • Judgment: Recognizing potentially hazardous materials, equipment, and situations and proceeding safely in order to minimize the risk of injury to patients, self, and nearby individuals.
    • Synthesizing: Combining or integrating data to discover facts and/or develop knowledge, creative concepts, and/or interpretations.
    • Negotiating: Exchanging ideas, information, and opinions with others to formulate policies and programs and/or jointly arrive at decided conclusions and/or solutions.
    • Adaptability: Ability to be flexible, creative, and adapt to professional and technical changes; the use of time and systematizing actions in order to complete professional and technical tasks within realistic constraints; and providing professional and technical services while experiencing the stresses of task-related uncertainty (e.g., receiving ambiguous directions, being assigned to an ambivalent preceptor), emergent demands (e.g., receiving “stat” test orders), and a distracting environment (e.g., experiencing high noise levels, crowding, complex visual stimuli).

    Essential Requirements of Observations

    • Near Acuity: Clarity of vision at 20 inches or less with or without correction.
    • Far Acuity: Clarity of vision at 20 feet or more with or without correction.
    • Depth Perception: Ability to see depth and breadth: Three-dimensional vision.
    • Color Vision: Ability to identify and distinguish colors.
    • Field of Vision: Ability to see an area from right to left or up and down while fixed on a singular point.
    • Fine motor skills: Picking, pinching, or otherwise working primarily with the fingers rather than with the entire hand or arm (e.g., as in “handling”).
    • Feeling: Perceiving attributes of objects (such as size, shape, temperature, or texture) by touching an object with the body’s skin, particularly using the skin of fingertips.
    • Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sounds, particularly when making fine discriminations in sounds (e.g., when making fine adjustments on running engines).

    Essential Requirements of Communication

    • Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Talking is important for those activities in which nursing students must impact oral information to patients or to the public and in those activities in which students convey detailed or important spoken instructions accurately, loudly, or quickly to other workers.
    • Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sounds, particularly in activities that require the ability to receive detailed information through oral communications and making fine discriminations in sounds.
    • Communicating: Talking with and/or listening to and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information, including giving/receiving assignments and/or directions.
    • Instructing: Teaching subject matter to others or training others through explanation, demonstration, and supervised practice; or making recommendations on the basis of technical nursing-specific knowledge.
    • Interpersonal: Relating to skills/behaviors used when dealing with individuals who have a range of moods and behaviors and relating in a tactful, congenial, and personal manner so as not to alienate or antagonize those individuals.
    • Confidentiality: Promoting, advocating for, and striving “to protect the health, safety, and rights of the patient” (ANA Code of Ethics, Provision 3, 2015) as a nursing student, including keeping information gathered in practice or clinical-learning environments (e.g., individual patient information, information from clinical facilities, fellow student information) as undisclosed in the nursing student’s personal and professional writings, social media, and general communications with others.

    Essential Requirements of Movement

    • Standing
    • Walking
    • Sitting
    • Climbing: Body agility is emphasized. It may be required to ascend or descend something, such as a fire escape, using feet and legs and/or hands and arms.
    • Balancing: Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling when performing feats of agility, such as assisting with the transfer of patients.
    • Squatting: Bending body downward and forward, requiring the full use of the lower extremities and back muscles.
    • Kneeling: Bending legs at the knees and coming to rest on the knee or knees.
    • Crouching: Bending downward and forward by bending legs and spine.
    • Crawling: Moving about on hands and knees or hands and feet.
    • Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
    • Handling: Seizing, holding, grasping, turning, or otherwise working with the hand or hands.
    • Physical Restraint: Seizing, holding, restraining, and/or otherwise subduing violent, assaultive, or physically threatening persons to defend themselves or prevent injury.
    • Able to lift/ transfer/ move up to 50 pounds independently.
    • Able to lift and move 51 to 100 pounds with the assistance of another person or by using mechanical lifting and moving devices.
    • Mechanical Ability: Able to safely and accurately operate mechanical or powered medical equipment and move and transfer equipment.

    Essential Requirements Related to the Learning Environment

    • Exposure to Extreme Weather: Students are expected to travel to the assigned clinical site, which may involve exposure to hot, cold, wet, humid, or windy conditions caused by the weather.
    • Extreme Heat and/or Cold Non-Weather-related: In the clinical setting, the temperature of the care environment may be adjusted for patient treatment, and students would be expected to follow facility policy for appropriate dress and behavior if assigned to these areas.
    • Wet and/or Humid: Contact with water or other liquids or exposure to non-weather-related humid conditions.
    • Atmospheric Conditions: Exposure to conditions such as noxious odors (e.g., patient-care products, body odors, some dust, powders, mists).
    • Hazards: Students may be exposed to situations with a definite risk of bodily injuries, such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, electrical current, radiation, and chemicals.
    • Confined/Restricted Working Environment: Clinical work is often performed in small patient-care areas. Some patient-care units or nursing facilities are closed or locked, providing safety and security for patients or fellow workers.
    • Noise: Able to function safely and professionally in a noisy and distracting environment.
    • Vaccination: Students are required to receive vaccination as an evidence based strategy designed to protect the health of the student and the health of others including fellow students, staff, patients, and the community.

  • C. Program Technology Requirements

    Technology requirements are essential for student success. Students must regularly check WSU email throughout the program for important updates and information. Students must have the following:

    • A computer is required for all programs, and we recommend a Windows or iOS operating system. A laptop, tablet, or other device may be recommended for specific courses.
    • A minimum Internet speed of 512kbps is required, but a high-speed internet connection is recommended.
    • Webcam & Microphone (for video conferencing and presentations).
    • The Google Chrome browser is the optimal internet browser for WSU multimedia.
    • Office 365 - MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, etc. (available for students for free through WSU).
    • Adobe Acrobat Reader (available for students for free through WSU).
    • Student Computing Device Guide

  • D. Student Documentation

    WSU Annie Taylor Dee SON utilizes secure document management systems to provide students with an organized process for the maintenance and compliance of student documentation. Students may also be required to utilize additional document management systems per facility requirements. Students are responsible for any associated costs. Students will be prompted to upload specific documents required by the WSU Annie Taylor Dee SON. Depending on program requirements, the package may include:

    • Immunizations
    • Annual Criminal Background Check
      • Nationwide Healthcare Fraud and Abuse
      • Nationwide Patriot Act
      • Nationwide Record Indicator with Sex Offender Investigation
      • Social Security Alert
      • Residency History
    • Drug Testing
    • Document Manager
      • OSHA
      • BLS for Healthcare Providers
        • See program handbooks for specific BLS provider requirements
      • License/Certifications
      • Physical Exam
      • Program-specific signed documents

    The WSU Annie Taylor Dee SON follows the current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for immunizations for health care providers. Students completing clinical, capstone, residency, or practicum hours are required to comply with CDC requirements for healthcare personnel. The hepatitis B vaccine and titer requirements (along with all other vaccination and titer requirements) reflect current CDC guidelines and will not be altered regardless of employer or practitioner recommendations. All immunization documentation must be uploaded to the document management system.

  • E. Mandatory Clinical Immunization Requirements (these requirements apply to any student completing clinical, capstone, residency, or practicum hours). These requirements may change during the program per clinical partner policies.

    Immunization	Documentation/Steps
    HEPATITIS B Students must comply with 1 of the following Hepatitis B requirements:	1. Documentation of a CDC-approved HepB immunization series, followed by a positive Hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb) titer. The following are CDC-approved HepB series Option A: Engerix-B or Recombivax HB (3 doses) HepB#1 – series start date HepB#2 – one month later HepB#3 – five months later HBsAb Titer – one to two months after 3rd dose Option B: Heplisav-B (2 doses) HepB#1 – series start date HepB#2 – one month later HBsAb Titer – one to two months after 2nd dose Documentation of a positive titer without documentation of immunization series will require a full repeated immunization series followed by another positive titer (see #3) 2. Documentation of a CDC-approved HepB series and a negative titer (must be uploaded together) HepB booster – immediate Repeat HBsAb titer six weeks after booster If the titer is again negative, complete the rest of the HepB series: HepB#2 – immediate HepB#3 – five months after HepB#2 Repeat HBsAb titer one to two months after HepB#3 3. No vaccination record, begin series: HepB#1 – immediate HepB#2 – one month later HepB#3 – five months later Repeat HBsAb titer – one to months after HepB#3-If negative, follow step #2 4. A non-responder is a person who has obtained two Hep B immunization series, each followed by a negative HBsAb titer. Students will need to upload both Hep B series and negative titers into the document management system. Students may consult with the Department Chair or Designee regarding additional recommended precautions. 5. In the process of vaccination, a student may learn that they are infected with Hepatitis B and may consult with Disability Services to request an accommodation.
    TB or QUANTIFERON Nursing students are required to test upon admission to the Annie Taylor Dee SON:	Students must obtain either a baseline 2-step TB (TST) test, Quantiferon, or T-Spot TB blood draw on admission. A 1-step TB (TST) test, Quantiferon, or T-Spot TB blood draw may be required annually, depending on clinical placement. See departmental or program handbooks for specific TB requirements. 1. Baseline 2-step TB (TST) PPD - TST cannot be completed earlier than 60 days prior to school start Step One: The PPD-TST #1 is reviewed 48 to 72 hours after placement Document TST #1 result (negative or positive) Step Two (only proceed if Step One has a negative result): Administer second TST one to three weeks after TST #1 placement The PPD-TST #2 is reviewed 48 to 72 hours after placement Document TST #2 result (negative or positive) If a 2-step TB was done within the past year, then a one-step TB test must be done within 60 days prior to school start. Upload all results to the document management system at the same time. 2. Quantiferon or T-Spot TB serum test Quantiferon or T-Spot TB blood draw must be within 60 days prior to school start. Upload blood draw results (and one-step TB results if applicable) to the document management system. Positive TB test: A prior positive TB test will require a chest X-ray within the last 6 months at admission, with an annual chest X-ray after. Upload the chest x-ray results to the document management system. International travel or previous international residence Traveled or lived internationally, which required a BCG (within the past ten years), proof of BCG is required. Obtain and/or provide the results of chest X-ray
    Measles, Mumps, & Rubella (MMR)	MMR titer or two MMR vaccinations required If two documented doses of MMR and blood test results are negative or equivocal for measles, mumps, and/or rubella, they should be considered to have presumptive evidence of immunity to measles, mumps, and/or rubella and are not in need of additional MMR doses unless instructed by the healthcare provider.
    TDAP	TDAP vaccine required Documented proof of TdaP within the last ten years. If over ten years, obtain a new TdaP. Other tetanus boosters outside of the TDAP are not accepted.
    VARICELLA	Varicella titer or two doses of varicella vaccine A doctor’s note stating chicken pox will NOT be accepted.
    FLU SHOT	The seasonal flu vaccine is required annually by October 31.
    COVID-19	COVID-19 immunization is no longer required, however, it is required to document whether or not students have received the COVID-19 vaccine.
    IMMUNIZATION EXEMPTIONS	All immunization exemption requests must go through the exemption request process by filling out this form. Students should be aware that exemption requests may take weeks to process and, therefore, may impede their ability to attend clinical sites. Students will be unable to attend clinical until the exemption has been granted. Students should be aware that some clinical partners do not accept immunization exemptions. Therefore, students should understand that the declination of any required vaccine, may, at a minimum, prolong the completion of the program and, at a maximum, result in the indefinite inability to successfully meet the requirements of completion for the program. In addition, exemptions may require alternative health/safety measures on a case-by-case basis, depending on the clinical placement and type of exemption.

  • F. Criminal Background Check (these requirements apply to any student completing clinical, capstone, residency, or practicum hours).

    • Purpose: The criminal background check screening process has been mandated by the WSU Annie Taylor Dee SON to more effectively protect the safety and well-being of patients, clients, and residents of those facilities. The WSU Annie Taylor Dee SON also enters into Affiliation Agreements with multiple healthcare facilities throughout the state. These agreements provide WSU Annie Taylor Dee SON students and faculty with authorized access to facility resources and patients. In response to stipulations contained within one or more of these Agreements, the WSU Annie Taylor Dee SON requires that students admitted to a nursing program submit to a national criminal background check.
    • Policy: Admission and progression in a WSU Annie Taylor Dee SON Program are contingent upon the submission of a satisfactory background check. If the background check reveals a history of criminal actions, the student may not be admitted to or allowed to progress within the nursing program. The student will not be entitled to any refund of tuition dollars or other fees. Students will be required to complete a satisfactory background check annually. When a student interrupts their progression in any nursing program of study that requires clinical assignment or the student is not continuously registered, then the student must repeat and pass the national criminal background check prior to enrolling in any nursing courses.
    • Procedures: All students who wish to apply for admission to a WSU Annie Taylor Dee SON program are informed in writing on the application that they are required to submit to a national criminal background check. The following written statements, as well as instructions for obtaining the criminal background check, are found in both the admission and acceptance packets:
      • “If the record reveals prior criminal convictions, it may affect eligibility to begin and/or remain in a nursing program. Actions that would preclude an individual from admission to or continuance in a nursing program include: aggravated assault, intimate-partner or child abuse, sexually predatory behavior, financially-related crimes such as identity theft, and the issue of moral turpitude (reference Utah Department of Professional Licensing). This list is not inclusive of all criminal convictions that will prevent program admission and/or progression, and the WSU Annie Taylor Dee SON reserves the right to review each student’s record on an individual basis.”
      • If a background check documents criminal actions, it may be required of the student to obtain official verification that the charge(s) have been expunged.
      • Persons convicted of felonies must refer to the Utah Nurse Practice Act (Utah Code-Title 58: Occupations and Professions, Chapter 31b: Nurse Practice Act, Section 302: Qualifications for licensure or certification, which can be found at http://le.utah.gov/) and may not be allowed to enter/progress in any of the Nursing programs.
      • If a student’s criminal background check reveals evidence of prior convictions, the criminal background check will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the Admission and Advancement Committee to determine if the student will be allowed to enter/progress in any of the nursing programs.
      • A student who has committed a felony and successfully petitioned to reduce the conviction to a misdemeanor charge will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the Admission and Advancement Committee to determine if the student will be allowed to enter/progress in a nursing program.
      • A student already progressing in a nursing program is required to report any pending criminal charge(s) at the time that any charge occurs (this reporting includes throughout the entirety of the student’s nursing educational program).
      • The WSU Annie Taylor Dee SON reserves the right to require a student with a pending criminal charge to withdraw from all nursing classes until the courts have made a decision regarding the criminal actions.
      • If criminal charge(s) are dismissed, a student may be considered for reentry.
      • If the courts determine that the charges are valid and a conviction is made, either misdemeanor or felony, a student’s criminal background check will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
      • Information obtained in the criminal background check will be disclosed on a need-to-know basis to instructors and administrators.

  • G. Drug Screen (these requirements apply to any student completing clinical, capstone, residency, or practicum hours).

    • Purpose: The drug-screening process has been mandated by the WSU Annie Taylor Dee SON in an effort to more effectively protect the safety and well-being of the patients, clients, and residents of those facilities.. The WSU Annie Taylor Dee SON also enters into Affiliation Agreements with multiple healthcare facilities throughout the state. These agreements provide WSU Annie Taylor Dee SON students and faculty with authorized access to facility resources and patients. In response to stipulations contained within one or more of these Agreements, the WSU Annie Taylor Dee SON requires students admitted to a nursing program to submit to a urine drug screen analysis for the presence of mind-altering substance(s).
    • Policy: Admission and progression in a WSU Annie Taylor Dee SON program is contingent upon submission of a urine drug-screen analysis. If the urine drug screen reveals any substances (prescribed or non-prescribed), the student may not be admitted to or allowed to progress within the nursing program. The student will not be entitled to any refund of tuition dollars or other fees. When a student interrupts their progression in any nursing program of study that requires clinical assignment or the student is not continuously registered, then the student must repeat and pass the drug screening prior to enrolling in any nursing courses. NOTE: Medical marijuana cards are not accepted due to clinical affiliation agreements.
    • Procedure: All students who apply for admission to WSU Annie Taylor Dee SON programs are informed in writing that they are required to submit to, and pass, a urine drug screen (takes place after admission). The following written information and instructions are found in both the admission and acceptance packets:
      • “If drug test reveals the presence of controlled substances (prescribed or non-prescribed), it may affect eligibility to enter as and/or remain a student in a WSU Annie Taylor Dee SON program.”
      • Students are provided instructions for obtaining the urine drug screen at an approved testing facility.
      • If a student’s results return indicating a “dilute” sample, testing must be repeated at the student’s expense.
      • A second “dilute” test result will be interpreted as a positive screen, and the student may not be allowed to enter and/or continue in the nursing program.
      • A student who refuses to submit to the urine drug screen or who does not have the screening performed by the date indicated on the admission form may forfeit their position in the nursing program.
      • Positive drug screen results are automatically sent to a Medical Review Officer (MRO) for further evaluation and clearance. Failure to proceed with the MRO process or not providing the information requested by the MRO may result in dismissal from the nursing program.
      • The WSU Annie Taylor Dee SON reserves the right to ask any student to submit to additional drug testing. This request will occur if there is reasonable suspicion of drug use or if a student appears to be impaired, intoxicated, or under the influence of drugs, narcotics, or chemicals. Nursing faculty or instructors, in consultation with program administrators and/or additional healthcare professionals, are authorized to make this determination. If it is determined that a student is impaired, the student will be required to leave the classroom, lab, or clinical setting in order to avoid a potential threat or risk to public health, safety, or welfare. Students may not be readmitted to the classroom, lab, or clinical setting until the results of the drug screen are reviewed. Arrangements will be made to ensure the safety of the impaired student. The cost of additional drug screens will be the responsibility of the student.
      • A student who wishes to file a grievance in response to the WSU Annie Taylor Dee SON’s decision based on the results of the drug screen is referred to WSU Policy Section 6-22, Student Code.

  • H. Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

    • OSHA Regulations 
      • Students may be exposed to bloodborne pathogens in the fulfillment of program-required clinical practice. The use of standard precautions (current with CDC guidelines) is a requirement for practice and is expected of all students in the clinical setting. 
      • All students are required to comply with OSHA regulations and follow the WSU Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan.

  • I. Student Health & Wellness Requirements

    • Clinical partners require students to be enrolled in a personal health insurance plan in order to participate in clinical experiences. As such, students completing clinical, capstone, residency, or practicum hours must submit appropriate proof of health insurance to the document management system. WSU does not offer health insurance.
    • WSU Annie Taylor Dee SON does not accept responsibility for injury or illness that occurs while the student is enrolled in a WSU nursing program. 
      • Students are considered interns (guests) while in clinical settings. As such, students are “volunteer workers” of the sponsoring institution of higher education (WSU) and are eligible to receive Workers’ Compensation benefits for bloodborne pathogen exposures acquired during clinical experiences in accordance with applicable law and the agreement with the clinical facility. 
    • If a student is injured during a clinical experience or has their health endangered (such as exposure to bloodborne pathogens) during a clinical experience, the student should report the situation immediately to the student’s instructor and the appropriate cooperating clinical facility/agency personnel. 
      • The appropriate incident report(s) will need to be filed. 
      • Students are responsible for any expenses not covered by Workers’ Compensation due to injury or illness in the college or clinical area. 
    • A student missing a class/lab/clinical experience for any health-related issue may be required to submit a release from their healthcare provider prior to attending further class/lab/clinical experiences. The release does not need to contain details regarding the student’s condition, but must provide substantiation for absence. Refer to Section I.A if accommodations are requested related to a disability.

• Section II: Academic Standards

  A. Academic Grading Standards
   

  Grading Scheme

  A	A-	B+	B	B-	C+	C	C-	D+	D	D-	E
  100% to 94.5%	<94.5% to 89.5%	<89.5% to 86.5%	<86.5% to 82.5%	<82.5% to 80.0%	<80.0% to 77.0%	<77.0% to 73.0%	<73.0% to 70.0%	<70.0% to 67.0%	<67.0% to 63.0%	<63.0% to 60.0%	<60.0% to 0.0%

  Any score under 80% will NOT be rounded. All grades above 80% will be rounded to the nearest tenth.

  • Students must have an 80% (B-) or higher in order to pass any nursing course to continue in the nursing program. In the Nursing Department, course failure is defined as any final grade <80% (B-).
  • Students must pass all prerequisite and support courses with a letter grade of “C” or better.
  • A student must achieve at least an 80% average on the combined unit and final exam scores. Failure to achieve an average examination score of 80% or higher in a course at the conclusion of the semester will result in a failing course grade.

  B. Evaluation Incentive

  Each semester, course and faculty evaluations will be available online. Students who complete both course and faculty evaluations will receive a 1% completion incentive that will be added to their final grade. Any student who is not passing the course will not be awarded the 1% evaluation incentive.

• Section III: Professional Conduct & Behavior

  A. General Professional Behavioral Expectations

  In addition to content knowledge, it is important for nursing students to develop professional behaviors, attitudes, and values to provide quality nursing care to vulnerable populations. As such, the development of these behaviors, attitudes, and values will be part of the earned grade in all nursing courses. Inability to meet these standards may negatively impact course grades and may result in the student failing the course.

  For patient safety, students should not work the night shift prior to any laboratory, simulation, or clinical experience or work the previous day shift prior to an evening or nighttime clinical experience. This requirement must also be followed during the entire residency and capstone experience. In addition, students are expected to be unimpaired, attentive, and engaged in the classroom, laboratory, simulation, and clinical settings.

  Cell phones, tablets, and laptops in the laboratory, simulation, and clinical setting are not acceptable unless approved by the facility or faculty.

  B. Annie Taylor Dee SON Behavioral Competencies

  WSU Annie Taylor Dee SON Competency information is aligned with the End of Program Student Learning Outcomes. These are examples of professional behaviors. However, this is not a comprehensive list of behaviors that, if violated, may result in disciplinary action.

  Person-Centered Care

  • Respect and encourage patient values.
  • Seek learning opportunities with patients who represent all aspects of humankind.
  • Support person-centered care for individuals and groups whose values differ from their own.
  • Recognize boundaries of therapeutic relationships.
  • Show courtesy to patients, faculty, healthcare team members, and others.
  • Exhibit a positive attitude, including enthusiasm, motivation, dedication, commitment, showing initiative, and an appropriate sense of humor.
  • Appropriately empower patients and families.

  Quality & Safety

  • Value own and others’ contributions to outcomes of care.
  • Identify gaps between local and best practices.
  • Seek supplemental learning opportunities.
  • Demonstrate effective use of technology to support safety and quality.
  • Consistently use strategies to reduce the risk of harm to self and others.
  • Comply with the administrative authority of the assigned clinical faculty while practicing in the clinical setting.

  Evidence-Based Practice

  • Use current best practices to care for people, families, and communities.
  • Implement national guidelines and reliable sources of information in nursing care.
  • Value the need for continuous improvement in clinical practice based on new knowledge.
  • Acknowledge the student’s own limitations in knowledge and clinical expertise.
  • Seek appropriate help as needed.

  Social Determinants of Health

  • Advocate for individual and societal well-being.
  • Respect all individuals and backgrounds.
  • Provide and encompass fair delivery of healthcare.

  Information Literacy

  • Document and plan patient care using an electronic health record where utilized.
  • Protect confidentiality, including ALL patient information.
  • Maintain confidentiality within the student learning environment, including lab, simulation, and clinical settings.
  • Identify and evaluate sources of information to improve healthcare delivery and communication.

  Teamwork & Collaboration

  • Demonstrate awareness of your own strengths and limitations as a team member.
  • Value perspectives and expertise of all health team members.
  • Value different styles of communication used by patients, families, and peers.
  • Contribute to the resolution of conflict and disagreement.
  • Be open to ideas, feedback, and constructive criticism.
  • Demonstrate professional interpersonal skills.
  • Take responsibility for the student’s own academic performance.
  • While in the classroom, laboratory, and clinical settings, be respectful toward faculty and classmates.

  Professionalism

  • Demonstrate a professional identity, including civility in all interactions with faculty, staff, students, patients, and clinical partners.
  • Display integrity in communication and when completing coursework.
  • Respect differing viewpoints and assume best intent.
  • Adhere to expectations of professional appearance.
  • Communicate effectively in tone and demeanor.
  • Maintain respectful verbal and written communication..

  C. Annie Taylor Dee SON Expected Professional Conduct & Dress Code

  These are examples of professional behaviors, conduct, and dress. However, this is not a comprehensive list of behaviors that, if violated, may result in disciplinary action.

  Expected Professional Conduct and Behaviors

  • Attend all clinical, labs, simulations, and classes on time;
  • Do not leave the clinical site without faculty authorization.
  • Complete assignments on time.
  • Keep cell phones turned off in didactic, lab, simulation, and clinical.
  • Assume personal responsibility for actions and consequences.
  • No pictures will be taken while in a school setting, and are not legally allowed to be uploaded to any social media. This requirement includes no picture-taking in classes, clinical, lab, or of other classmates. Any pictures taken while in a WSU student role or setting require a signed photo release.

  Plagiarism Guidelines

  • The WSU Annie Taylor Dee SON has a no-tolerance plagiarism policy. All student work is expected to be their own work and referenced correctly.
  • When using the WSU Annie Taylor Dee SON internet-based plagiarism tool to analyze student work, evidence of plagiarism will necessitate one of the following two actions:
    • Based on the course/assignment details, the student may take the opportunity to read the plagiarism report and rewrite the assignment in order to lower the plagiarism percentage;
      OR
  • Based on the results of the internet-based plagiarism tool, faculty or instructor may proceed with the Academic Integrity Policy on violations and consequences.

  Online Netiquette Guidelines

  During online discussions or emails, students are expected to observe the rules of “online netiquette” as follows:

  • Whenever posting a message to discussion boards, chat rooms, or email, use only professional language. Profanity or reference to inappropriate visual material is not considered professional or appropriate.
  • Verbal attacks and or threatening references to other students and or faculty via email, discussion boards, chat rooms, or social media are unacceptable.
  • Use humor with extreme caution. Without face-to-face communication, joke(s) may be viewed as an attack or criticism.
  • Use of the course websites for solicitation, promotion of businesses or products, posting of offensive messages or jokes, and other activities unrelated to the course are prohibited.
  • When working online, refrain from using it as a forum to complain about other students, faculty, or the nursing program.
  • Do not use hostile, attacking, or demeaning comments when reviewing the work of peers.

  Violation of netiquette guidelines will be discussed with the student at the discretion of the instructor and may result in a verbal and or written warning (non-separable violation Section IV). Continuation of problematic online etiquette by the student may result in probation and or subsequent dismissal from the program (separable violation Section IV).

  Professional Dress Code

  • Maintain professional attire, including appropriate uniform, shoes, etc. All uniforms must be neat and clean.
  • When appropriate, all students, while in university-sponsored clinical activities, will wear the required uniform designated by the WSU Annie Taylor Dee SON. Even when nurses in the facilities do not comply with facility expectations, students must comply with both the WSU Annie Taylor Dee SON Program and facility expectations. If a discrepancy exists between WSU Annie Taylor Dee SON policies and facility policies, the student must conform to the facility policies. See applicable program handbook for more details.
  • The officially designated picture ID name tag is required as part of the uniform and must be purchased by students. Some facilities require facility IDs to be worn in addition to WSU Annie Taylor Dee SON IDs.
  • Name tag(s) must be visible and placed on the top half of the chest while in the clinical setting.
  • Students wishing to wear a shirt under their scrub top must comply with the following guidelines:
    • The shirt color must be solid white, purple (WSU approved), grey, or black. 
    • The shirt must not have any logos or printing on it. 
  • Students are not permitted to wear sweatshirts or hoodies over their nursing uniforms.
  • OSHA requires shoes that can be wiped clean in the event of exposure, or the shoes must be covered with impermeable shoe covers. No open-toed, open-backed shoes or shoes with holes will be permitted.
  • Grooming and personal hygiene are an essential part of professional behavior. Physical appearance is to be neat and clean. A student may be asked to leave the facility at the discretion of the faculty or instructor for any issues concerning grooming or hygiene.
  • Clothing should not have any holes, rips, or tears.
  • Do not wear perfume or cologne.
  • Visible tattoos and body piercings must be covered while in clinical if required by the facility or per hospital policy.
  • Hairstyles and hair color must be conservative, clean, neat, and natural-looking (for example, no blue, pink, purple, neon, etc.). Hair should not inadvertently come in contact with patients.
    • Hair must be securely pulled back (above the shoulders) when attending clinical.
    • Mustaches and beards should be short, clean, and neatly trimmed.
  • Students may opt to wear scrub caps in the clinical setting. The cap must be solid white, purple (WSU approved), grey, or black, and not have any logos or printing on it. Caps must be cleaned before each shift. 
  • Religious head coverings must be tucked into the scrub top to avoid contact with patients and equipment. Head coverings must be cleaned before each shift.
  • Students should maintain short, clean fingernails. Fingernails must be free from artificial nails (gel, acrylic, powder, wraps, etc.) or polish (any type).
  • No jewelry, including permanent jewelry, is permitted from the wrist to the elbow, with the exception of watches. Students are not allowed to wear any jewelry that may come into contact with patients or become caught in equipment. This includes, but is not limited to, large rings, necklaces, and bracelets.
  • Additionally, students may not be permitted in the clinical setting if wearing hand braces, casts, walking boots, or any other devices that interfere with proper hand hygiene or the ability to perform essential patient care tasks.

  D. Unprofessional Conduct Related to Student Practice of Nursing

  Students are also held responsible for professional behavior as set forth by the Utah Nurse Practice Act (Utah Code-Title 58: Occupations and Professions, Chapter 31b: Nurse Practice Act).

• Section IV: WSU Annie Taylor Dee SON Academic Integrity & Behavioral Violation Policies

  A. General Guidelines for Academic and Behavioral Violations

  The WSU Annie Taylor Dee SON has strict policies for academic integrity and behavioral violations. Any violation may be subject to an appropriate sanction or penalty. Academic integrity and behavioral violations at WSU Annie Taylor Dee SON are classified into two levels: non-separable and separable. Non-separable violations are less severe violations for which the possible consequences do not include dismissal from the WSU Annie Taylor Dee SON; separable violations are more severe violations for which the possible consequences include dismissal from the program. Whether a given violation is classified as non-separable or separable depends on a number of factors, including the nature and importance of the academic exercise; the degree of premeditation or planning; the extent of dishonest or malicious intent; the academic experience of the student; and whether the violation is a first-time or repeat offense. WSU Student Code and the WSU Annie Taylor Dee SON have a no-tolerance policy for cheating. Students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner free from any suspicion of dishonesty or cheating.

  A confidential, cumulative record (file) is kept on each student. Records of individual student conferences, warnings, disciplinary actions, and other relevant documents will be maintained in the student’s confidential cumulative record. These documents will be read and signed by the student and faculty before each record becomes a part of the student’s cumulative record. The student’s signature does not establish an agreement with the information recorded on the form. However, it does indicate that the student has read and understands the information, the conditions of the warning and/or discipline, as well as the department response if conditions related to warning and/or disciplinary action are not fulfilled by the student.

  Students seeking access to the confidential, cumulative file are referred to the student records section of the WSU Student Code and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974. Further information can be obtained from the Registrar’s Office.

  B. Levels of Violations and Consequences

  Non-separable Violations

  • Non-separable violations are less serious violations of academic integrity. They may occur because of inexperience or lack of understanding of the principles of academic integrity and are often characterized by a relatively low degree of premeditation or planning and the absence of malicious intent on the part of the student committing the violation. These violations are generally quite limited in extent, occur on a minor assignment or quiz, or constitute a small portion of a major assignment and/or represent a small percentage of the total coursework.
  • Here are a few examples of violations that are most often considered to be non-separable. This list is not exhaustive, and the classification of a given violation as separable or non-separable is heavily dependent on the specific facts and circumstances of the violation.
    • Persistent improper citation without dishonest intent
    • Plagiarism on a minor assignment or a very limited portion of a major assignment
    • Unpremeditated cheating on a quiz
    • Unauthorized collaboration with another student on a homework assignment
    • Citing a source that does not exist or that the student has not read for a minor assignment
    • Making up a small number of data points on a laboratory exercise
    • Signing in for another student via attendance sheet or electronic check-in when tracking attendance
    • Bringing children or family members to classes, labs, or clinical facilities
    • Minor professional/behavioral misconduct
  • An alleged second non-separable violation may be treated as an alleged separable violation.
  • Consequences for non-separable violations include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following, and do not include dismissal from the program.
    • Required participation in a noncredit workshop or seminar on ethics or academic integrity
    • An assigned paper or research project related to ethics or academic integrity
    • A make-up assignment that meets the outcomes of the original assignment
    • Redoing the assignment with no credit earned for the assignment redo
    • A failing grade on the assignment
    • A failing grade for the course
    • Disciplinary warning or probation

  Separable Violations

  • Separable violations are very serious violations of academic integrity that affect a more significant portion of the coursework compared to non-separable violations. Separable violations are often characterized by substantial premeditation or planning and clearly dishonest or malicious intent on the part of the student committing the violation.
  • Here are some examples of violations that are most often considered separable. Again, the list is not exhaustive, and the classification of a given violation as separable or non-separable is heavily dependent on the exact facts and circumstances of the violation.
    • Any violation of the Nurse Practice Act
    • Any violation of the ANA Code of Ethics
    • Copying another student’s work
    • Plagiarism
    • Copying exam questions and/or answers during an exam or exam review
    • Removing any exam items or scratch paper from the testing location
    • Obtaining exam questions and/or answers from another student
    • Providing exam questions and/or answers to another student
    • Copying or using unauthorized materials, devices, or collaboration
    • Having a substitute take an examination
    • Making up or falsifying evidence, data, or other source materials for any assignment, including falsification by selectively omitting or altering data that does not support one’s claims or conclusions
    • Facilitating dishonesty with another student on any exam or assignment
    • Intentionally destroying or obstructing another student’s work
    • Knowingly violating research or professional ethics
    • Any violation involving potential criminal activity
    • Any illicit drug use or inappropriate prescription drug use
    • Egregious professional/behavioral misconduct
    • Recurring professional/behavioral misconduct
    • Transporting patients via private vehicle
  • Consequences for separable violations may involve dismissal from the nursing program.
  • The recommendations for consequences at each level are not binding but are intended as guidelines for WSU Annie Taylor Dee SON. For both non-separable and separable violations, the severity of the sanction imposed should be proportional to the severity of the violation committed.

  C. Documenting and Reporting Violations

  All consequences, whether non-separable or separable, will be documented and reported.

  • Non-separable
    • First Offense: The student and faculty member will meet. The faculty will identify violation(s), help the student identify ways to improve, and provide required documentation to the student and program director via email.
    • Second Offense (whether a repeat of the previous violation or as a result of a new violation(s)): The student, faculty member, and program director will meet. The faculty will identify and document the violation(s) using the WSU Annie Taylor Dee SON Academic/Behavioral Contract Form. The contract will identify ways to improve, as well as consequences and timelines. The contract will be provided to the student, program director, and department chair, and a copy will be placed in the student’s file.
    • Third Offense (whether a breach of behavioral contract or a result of new concerns): Follow the separable violation documentation and reporting process.
  • Separable
    • The student, faculty member, and program director will meet. Faculty will document the violation using the WSU Annie Taylor Dee SON Academic/Behavioral Contract Form, which will be maintained in the student file.
    • The program director consults with the department chair to determine a plan of action.
    • The program director or department chair notifies the student of the decided consequences.
    • The department chair will notify the Annie Taylor Dee SON Associate Dean and the WSU Dean of Students.

• Section V: Leave of Absence; Reapplication; Dismissal from Program

  A. Leave of Absence

  • Leave of absence from the WSU Annie Taylor Dee SON may include, but is not limited to, the following, with approval from the program director and Admissions and Advancement Committee:
    • Illness
    • Family matters
    • Active-duty military assignment
    • Financial difficulties
  • Students are required to complete their designated program of study within 150-200% (depending on the program) of the initial semester start, regardless of the reason for withdrawal/leave of absence. Failure to do so may result in program dismissal and/or repetition of coursework. Requests will be reviewed by the program director and the Admissions and Advancement Committee.
  • A student experiencing a non-disciplinary Leave of Absence will be permitted, upon resolution of circumstances that prompted the non-disciplinary Leave of Absence, to resume program progression at the earliest opportunity (progression based on space availability).
  • Students enrolled in nursing programs that require clinical assignments who exit a nursing program will need to repeat the drug screen and background check prior to readmission.

  B. Reapplication/Readmission to a Nursing Program

  • Students who have officially withdrawn from a nursing program in good standing may be considered for readmission by applying during the next admission cycle.
  • Students seeking readmission who have been dismissed from any program for any reason must submit a letter to the program director requesting readmission before submitting an application. The letter requesting consideration for readmission must be emailed to the current program director and department chair, and it will be reviewed by the departmental Admissions and Advancement Committee. Each case is considered individually, and a student is not guaranteed readmission.
  • Students who are given permission from the Admissions and Advancement Committee to reapply to the program must reapply through the standard application process.

  C. Dismissal from the Nursing Program

  • Dismissal from the WSU Annie Taylor Dee SON may include, but is not limited to, the following:
    • Failure of two or more courses in a program. A course failure is defined as:
      • Failure of a course as described in Section II-A
      • An unofficial withdrawal (UW)
      • Withdrawal (W) from a class in poor standing (not passing the course at the time of withdrawal)
    • Separable Violation

  D. WSU Student Due-Process Policy (PPM 6-22)

  • The purpose of due process is to afford students all rights guaranteed to citizens by the Constitution and laws of the United States and the state of Utah. Students are obliged to obey these laws as well as the rules and regulations of WSU and recognized standards of the program and profession for which they are being educated.
  • Problems between a student and the University generally are in the areas of academics or misconduct. Students should refer to the WSU Policy & Procedure Manual (6-22) when confronted with concerns about their rights and the appropriate due process procedure.
  • Students are encouraged to consult with their faculty and follow the chain of command when they are having problems meeting nursing program goals, objectives, or academic requirements.

  E. Process of Resolution

  • The WSU Policy & Procedure Manual (6-22) provides students the opportunity to appeal decisions concerning clinical/academic performance consequences and/or misconduct warnings.
    • Informal Resolution:
      • Initial conference with faculty
      • If no resolution can be reached, referral of problem to the program director
      • If no resolution can be reached, referral of problem to the department chair
      • If no resolution can be reached, referral of problem to the Annie Taylor Dee SON Associate  Dean
      • If an informal resolution cannot be reached, any party in the dispute may request a formal appeal
      • Formal Appeal:
        • Contact the Due Process Officer and initiate the hearing process. See WSU Policy & Procedure Manual

• Section VI: Resources for Student Support

  A. Available Resources

  These resources are available to all WSU Annie Taylor Dee SON students. Outreach student access is provided through cooperative agreements with local educational and/or community resources. Student communication and/or information exchange is available to all students via the Internet.

  • WSU Wildcat Email Account
    • All students are assigned a computer Wildcat email account. It is the student’s responsibility to choose a confidential password for the account immediately. Communication from the nursing program and individual faculty to the student will occur through the Wildcat email account only unless associated with coursework.
    • Due to FERPA regulations, personal email addresses will not be recognized. However, a student can forward emails from the student’s Wildcat mail to their personal email account.
  • Learning Management System (LMS)
    • Communication related to coursework is conveyed through the online learning management system.
    • Additional resources to enhance learning are embedded in courses.
  • Financial Aid/Scholarships
    • All WSU nursing students, no matter the campus location, obtain Financial Aid from the WSU Financial Aid Office. Instructions on how to apply for FAFSA and financial aid and scholarships, as well as application.
    • In order to be eligible for any WSU or nursing scholarships, students must complete the FAFSA and WSU Financial Aid and Scholarship applications every academic year. Students can apply for financial aid anytime. However, to ensure that funding is available for the beginning of the semester, students should apply by the established deadlines. Students will not be considered for any scholarships if the FAFSA and WSU Scholarship applications have not been completed.
    • If students are awarded a scholarship, notification will be made by the Financial Aid/Scholarship Office through the student's Wildcat email account.
    • Any questions regarding WSU Annie Taylor Dee SON scholarships should be sent to the scholarship administrative specialist.
  • Nursing Organizations and Activities: All students are strongly encouraged to participate in professional activities and join their respective professional organizations:
    • ADN: National Student Nurses Association (NSNA) and Utah Student Nurses Association (USNA)
    • RN to BSN: National Student Nurses Association (NSNA), Utah Student Nurses Association (USNA), and Sigma Theta Tau International
    • MSN and Post-Masters DNP-ExL – Professional Organization of choice, such as American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL), National League for Nursing (NLN), and Sigma Theta Tau International
    • DNP FNP & PMHNP – American Association of Nurse Practitioners and Sigma Theta Tau International