Nurse Education Policies

Academic Honesty and Exam ^top
The nursing faculty strongly believe Academic Honesty and examination security are essential to maintain the integrity of the entire community college, the nurse education program, course content, student-faculty relations and very importantly, student morale.

Academic dishonesty also includes, but is not limited to, students giving or receiving aid during examination or in completing laboratory assignments unless given explicit instructions by the instructor. This also includes discussion of examination content with or among individuals who have not taken the examination.

The following guidelines will apply:

Grades will be posted at a time and format determined by the team.
The option for make-up examinations is not guaranteed. It is the student’s professional responsibility to be present for all assignments and examinations. The team will make the final decision if a make-up examination opportunity will be granted.
Absences must be called in to the nursing secretary on the day of or prior to the day of the examination. Additional exam time will be allotted for tardiness at the discretion of the team.
Any students taking a make-up examination may receive a different test.
Students will be expected to take the make-up examination on the next scheduled class day after returning to campus.
No instructor or student will discuss any test content until all students have taken the examination.
Exam review with be conducted at the discretion of the faculty and when all students have taken the exam. The integrity of the exam will be maintained.

Refer to the “Statement on Academic Honesty” in the Massasoit Community College Student Handbook, Page 10. View/Download Handbook.

Students should refer to the Discipline Policy in the college student handbook which states, “The College reserves the right to dismiss a student for disciplinary reasons when it considers such action in the best interests of the College or the student.” Please see page 66 in the Massasoit Community College Student Handbook. View/Download Handbook.

Alcohol & Drug ^top
Please see page 13 of the Massasoit Community College Student Handbook: View/Download Handbook

Attendance ^top
The faculty believes attendance is a professional accountability issue and the responsibility of the student. It is expected that students will attend all regularly scheduled classes, clinical and laboratory sessions. It is the students responsibility to notify faculty prior to class, clinical, or lab of any absence. The program adheres to the college “Attendance and Discipline Policies” outlined in the Massasoit Community College Student Handbook, page 15. View/Download Handbook.

The faculty has determined that classroom attendance is crucial in order for students to fully comprehend the theoretical component of the Nursing curriculum. It is essential for safe and effective functioning in the clinical area. The student is responsible for all material presented in class. It is the student’s responsibility to sign the attendance sheet each day in class.

In addition, the faculty has determined regular attendance in clinical is essential to completing required course objectives. If the student has any clinical absences during the semester, he/she will be required to complete a mandatory alternative assignment determined by the team.

A “no show, no call” to clinical will result in a clinical warning and may result in clinical failure.

If it is determined by the faculty team that a student will be unable to meet course objectives due to clinical and/or classroom absences, as outlined in the preceding policy, he/she will be counseled accordingly. If a pattern of absence develops or excessive absences exist, the appropriate course team(s) as well as the Nursing Department will make a recommendation for the student to be dismissed from the program.

Audio-Taping, Photos & Videos ^top

Any audio or video taping of faculty lectures may be done only with the permission of the individual faculty member.
Any audio or video taping is only for the personal use of the student.
Any audio or video tapes of lectures may not be posted on the Internet.
Any pictures or videos taken in the lab or classroom must have the permission of the lab instructor or the faculty member and the people in the pictures.
Any pictures or videos taken in the clinical area are forbidden for legal reasons.
Any pictures or videos of faculty are only allowed with their permission.

Any violation of this policy will result in a letter of warning from the Department Chair and/or dismissal from the program for unprofessional behavior. Infractions of these policies and/or activities or any other policies and/or activities deemed unprofessional or non-conducive to proper patient care may result in disciplinary action, removal from the clinical site, and/or dismissal from the program.

National Council of State Boards has video regarding this – A Nurses Guide to the Use of Social Media - View/Download Guide

Cell Phone Use/Social Media Devices ^top
The following are the policies for usage of social media:
The purpose of this policy is to promote the safety and privacy of students, faculty, staff and patients. The following are the policies for usage of social media devices for clinical experience and in the classroom. Students and faculty members must comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) when using social media. No students may post, release, or otherwise disclose photos, identifiable case descriptions, images or records related to the educational or clinical activities of school via social networking sites (eg. Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, etc.), non-educational blogs, message boards, internet websites, personal emails, or any other than standard professional means of query and/or dissemination. NO student may post statements about Massasoit Community College faculty, staff or students that are defamatory, obscene, threatening or harassing. Failure to comply with this policy may be a violation of legal, professional and ethical obligations. Violations will result in dismissal from the program. Privacy does not exist in the world of social media. Before each posting, students are encouraged to consider how the item may reflect both on the author of the post and the program. Something that would not be said in person should not be posted in social media. Students should NOT post as a representative of the program.

Failure to use professional judgment will result in disciplinary action.

The personal electronic device volume should be set to vibrate or turned off during class and clinical.
Cell phone conversations or texting are not allowed in class or in clinical.
In an emergency situation, cell phone use is allowed.
Cell phones or electronic devices are not allowed during an exam or test review.
Cell phones may not be used as calculators during an exam.
Devices may be used at the discretion of faculty and/or agency policy.

Clinical Emergency ^top

If a student refuses to seek medical treatment, this should be documented and signed by the student.
The Nurse Education Department at Massasoit Community College must be informed in writing by the clinical faculty.
Incident report on page 120.

Conduct ^top
As practice in a clinical agency is designed to be a rehearsal for the professional role, the student is expected to meet the same standards of conduct required when joining the work force. These include punctuality and satisfactory attendance, completion of assigned duties, honesty, responsibility for one’s actions and acceptance of agency policies. A professional respects and protects the right of others and maintains confidentiality with respect to information acquired while providing service.

Dress Code ^top
The first impression made upon others is visual. Therefore, the image of the professional nurse is enhanced by proper appearance. If the nurse looks neat and competent, she/he is more likely to be seen as competent by superiors, co-workers, and the patients who depend upon her/him. In the interest of professionalism and to be in compliance with the rules of most health institutions, the following dress code is to be followed by Massasoit Nursing students.

Street clothes will be worn to class on college campus.
Uniforms must be worn to clinical agencies except for designated agencies which require business casual attire.
The uniform consists of:
1. Green scrub top with school insignia on the left upper sleeve and green scrub pants to be purchased from the designated uniform supplier. May wear white scrub jacket with school insignia in the clinical area. Sweaters cannot be worn on clinical units.
2. White Shoes - Shoes should be polished and in good repair. Appropriate footwear is ALL WHITE leather shoes or sneakers with white hosiery or socks. No open back clogs.
3. Name pin, college photo ID, watch with sweep second hand, scissors, Kelly clamp, stethoscope, ball point black pen. All parts of the uniform should be clean, in good repair and fit properly.
Hair must be clean, controlled above the collar, and away from the face.
Make-up should be minimal and tastefully applied.
Fingernails should be clean and at an appropriate length. No nail polish or artificial nails.
No jewelry except one pair of small studs may be worn in ears only. A plain gold wedding band is acceptable.
No gum chewing is allowed in the clinical agency.
Personal hygiene must effectively manage body odors.
Personal hygiene products must be fragrance free, no cologne or perfume should be used.

Ebola ^top
Students in the Nursing Education, Respiratory Care, Medical Imaging, Dental Assisting, Medical Assisting and Phlebotomy Programs are matriculated in pre-licensure and
pre-certification programs. Care of patients suspected or diagnosed with the Ebola virus is out of the scope of practice of these students. No student or faculty member within the Nurse Education, Medical Imaging, Respiratory Care, Dental Assisting, Medical Assisting and Phlebotomy Programs of Massasoit Community College should directly participate in the diagnostic testing or care of a patient with suspected or actual contamination with the Ebola virus.

Failure of a Nursing Course ^top
The passing grade in all nursing courses is 78 (C+). Students who did not achieve 78 (C+) will not be able to continue in the program. Nursing grades include theory and clinical practice. Clinical practice grades are “Pass-Fail.” Students must “Pass” clinical practice and receive a minimum grade of 78 C+ in nursing theory in order to take the next level nursing course. Students must pass the semester specialty clinical rotations in order to pass the course. Each level of nursing is a prerequisite to the next level.

Students who fail any nursing semester cannot continue in the Nursing Program at the College. If they wish to stay at the College and take non-nursing courses, they must change their program of study through the Registrar’s Office. If a student wishes to repeat the failed nursing course, he/she must request readmission to the Nursing Program through the Admission’s Office. All applications for readmission to the Nursing Program are on a space available basis.

Any student who has failed any nursing course twice, or has failed two nursing courses, will not be readmitted to any of the nursing program options at Massasoit Community College. If a student withdraws from a nursing course the department will review academic progress and advise the student.

Students who fail will receive written notification and will meet with the nursing department chair.

Any time that a student is judged to be a danger to themselves, patients, other students or professionals while in the clinical area by his/her instructor, that instructor will temporarily terminate the student’s clinical experience pending careful review by the appropriate team with the department chairperson. Further action, up to and including dismissal from the Nursing Program will be determined by the course team in consultation with the department chair and division dean. Students will have the right to appeal the decision through the department and/or division dean. The student grievance procedure is also available as an avenue of appeal. Students who have failed the clinical component of a nursing course will not be eligible to seek readmission.

Hazardous Materials ^top

To comply with federal regulations issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration regarding hazardous communication, all Nurse Education students will complete the computerized clinical placement orientation modules.

Students should report a spill of a hazardous chemical to the appropriate department personnel and should not be involved with the clean-up of the spill.

If a student is known or suspected to have been exposed to a hazardous material, and is in need of medical attention, the student will follow the protocol of the clinical agency. The student will then follow the Allied health Division’s Exposure Incident Management Protocol as to the follow-up.

Program officials should be notified immediately and an incident report must be completed by the clinical instructor, signed by the student and then mailed or faxed to the Department Chairperson.

Incomplete Grades in Nursing ^top
Each nursing course must be completed with a minimum grade of 78 (C+) prior to progression to the next level of nursing, i.e. Nursing I must be satisfactorily completed before the student can take Nursing II and/or Nursing III.

If the student receives a grade of INCOMPLETE for the semester, that grade must be completed before the student can take the next level nursing course. Each level of nursing is a prerequisite to the next level of nursing. Students who do not make up the incomplete prior to the beginning of the next level nursing course may have until the next semester in which to complete the grade; but must withdraw from the Nursing Program. Incomplete grades that are not resolved will automatically change to an F as defined by the college policy. When the incomplete is made up, the student will then need to reapply to the Nursing Program, through the Admissions Office, in order to enroll in the next higher level course. See readmission guidelines below.

READMISSION GUIDELINES
Nursing students who fail a nursing course may seek readmission to the nursing program. Students who fail a nursing course must withdraw from the nursing program. Students who have two nursing course failures in the nursing program are not eligible for readmission into the nursing program. Students who have failed the clinical component of a nursing course will not be eligible to seek readmission.

Applications for readmission must be completed no later than February 1, or as determined by the Admissions Department.
Students who have failed more than one nursing course will not be readmitted to the nursing program.
If more than two years have elapsed since the student failed a nursing course the applicant for readmission must repeat or successfully challenge prior nursing course work.
All requests for readmission will be reviewed by the Department Chairperson or Director of the evening nursing option depending upon which option the student is deciding to re-enter.
There is no guarantee the student will be allowed re-entry into the nursing program. Re-entry depends upon space availability.

The return of the students is also based upon the student’s completion of the following:

Submit a letter explaining why the student was unsuccessful in their previous attempt, and what has changed to allow the student to be successful this time.
Submit a detailed plan of academic readiness describing what remediation has been completed during the student’s absence from the program, and outline a strategy of how the student plans to be successful if readmitted to the program.
The student must demonstrate theoretical knowledge and skill competency through prescribed remedial activities by faculty.
Purchase or obtain current required textbooks and any additional supplies for the course which is being repeated.

ID ^top
All students must have a Massasoit Student ID on their person when on the premises of Massasoit Community College. The Brockton and Canton Student Life Offices issue photo IDs to all students during regular office hours. The ID is required for use as a library card, admittance to athletic facilities, to sell used books to the College bookstore and to receive discounts or free admission to events sponsored by the College. Students requiring a replacement ID will be charged $5.00. Please see Massasoit Community College Student Handbook, page 19: View/Download Handbook.

Latex Sensitivity & Allergy ^top
Latex products may be encountered in the medical environment. Allergic responses to latex can range from irritation and allergic contact dermatitis to the possibility of life threatening anaphylactic shock. These guidelines have been established at Massasoit Community College to provide information to potential allied health and nursing program applicants/students who are sensitive to latex. It is the students responsibility to self-disclose this allergy.

Latex free environments may not be available in either clinical or academic settings. Therefore, an individual with a latex allergy/sensitivity wearing alternative vinyl or nitrile gloves is still exposed to latex residue of others working in the area or to latex present in the equipment, models and mannequins. Although latex gloves are the most prominent source of latex allergen, many other products contain latex including, but not limited to:

Blood pressure cuffs, medication vials, syringe connectors and wound drains
Stethoscopes, catheters, respirators, and goggles
Oral and nasal airways, surgical masks, and electrode pads
Endotracheal tubes, syringes, IV tubing, and tourniquets

Any student who has or develops symptoms consistent with latex allergy/sensitivity is advised to consult a qualified allergist for evaluation prior to enrollment in the Nurse Education Program. If a student is already admitted to a health science program, he/she must consult a qualified allergist for evaluation of latex allergies should signs and symptoms develop. All such evaluations are at the student’s expense. If it is determined that a student suffers from a latex sensitivity/allergy and the student desires an academic adjustment, including auxiliary aids or service, or reasonable accommodation due to this condition, the student must contact the College’s Disability Counselor.

As with all matters related to one’s health, the utmost precautions should be taken by the student to reduce the risk of exposure and allergic reactions. This may include the carrying of an epi-pen by the individual or other precautions as advised by the student’s health care provider. It is the responsibility of the student with a latex sensitivity to understand and acknowledge the risks associated with continued exposure to latex during a clinical education, fieldwork, and healthcare career, even when reasonable accommodations are made and to regularly consult with his/her health care provider.

In an effort to minimize the presence of latex in the lab facilities, Massasoit Community College will provide latex-free and powder/free gloves in all College lab facilities. Should a clinical agency site NOT provide latex-free gloves, the College will provide latex-free gloves for clinical use. Additionally, the College is taking the following steps to minimize latex in its lab facilities:

replacement of all gloves in use by faculty and students with nitrile or vinyl gloves
maintaining an inventory of products/equipment and supplies in the nursing program that contain or could contain latex
future purchasing of latex-safe supplies and equipment whenever possible.

As with all students in the Nurse Education Program, a student with a latex sensitivity or allergy is required to satisfactorily complete all requirements and technical standards of the program to which they have been accepted.

Math Competency Related to Clinical Calculations ^top
Certain math skills are basic to nursing. These include the ability to multiply and divide simple fractions and decimals as well as the ability to convert between the metric, apothecary and household systems of measurement. These skills are essential when calculating medication dosages and I.V. drip rates to ensure the delivery of safe nursing care.

Freshman Year:
A math test will be administered at the beginning of the selected courses. Referrals to the Academic Resource Center (ARC) and attendance at math tutoring sessions is advised for all students who do not demonstrate competency in any of the skills mentioned above.

A clinical calculation test including fractions, decimals, and conversions will be administered. The student must pass with ninety percent (90%) or better.

All students who are unsuccessful in achieving the passing criteria will be required to attend tutoring sessions at the ARC on their own time. The students will be given the opportunity to retake the exam. During this interim, students will not be allowed to administer medications in the clinical area. Students must achieve a passing score (90% or better) in clinical calculations in order to administer medications in the clinical area. Administering medications in the clinical area is a required behavior.

Sophomore Year:
At the beginning of the semester, a clinical calculations test will be administered to assure the students’ continuing ability to perform these calculations. The students must pass with one hundred percent (100%) in order to administer medications in the clinical area.

All students who are unsuccessful in achieving the passing criteria will be required to attend mandated tutoring sessions in the ARC on their own time. During this interim, students will not be allowed to administer medications in the clinical area.

The students will be given an opportunity to retake the exam. Students must achieve a passing score of one hundred percent (100%).

Pregnancy ^top
If during the course of a clinical practicum of the Nurse Education program a student becomes pregnant or thinks they may be pregnant the following policies designed to protect the student will apply:

The Student will immediately let the Program Dean and the Department Chair know they are pregnant or think they may be pregnant.
The student will immediately let their clinical instructor or clinical preceptor know they are pregnant or think they may be pregnant.
The student voluntarily accepts any and all risks associated with continuing in the Nurse Education program while pregnant both to themselves and to the fetus.
The student will comply with any and all safety precautions that may be required by the Nurse Education program or the clinical facility. This may include being assigned other duties than those initially scheduled. These safety requirements may change as the student progresses through their clinical rotations depending on the particular risks that may be associated with each particular clinical setting.

The student must comply with these changes whether given verbally or in writing even if they were not initially included in the requirements given to the student. Because of the significant safety risks to both the fetus and the mother associated with some aspects of the student nurse’s daily duties, the program understands that some students may not want to subject themselves or their fetus to these risks and may wish to withdraw from the program during this time. The program will allow these students to reapply to the program and will grant preferential status to these student’s applications for the next class.

If a student has a baby during the school semester, the student must provide written documentation from their physician stating that they are cleared to return to the clinical setting.

School Cancellation ^top

If mandatory college closing (classes cancelled) is required prior to the start of scheduled clinical, the student will not be required to attend clinical for the duration of the cancellation.
If mandatory college closing (classes cancelled) during the day, after the student has arrived at the clinical site, the student is required to complete the assigned procedures prior to leaving the site. The student must ensure patient safety is not compromised and documentation is completed.
If mandatory college closing (classes cancelled) is required, and is more than one day during a semester, the student may have to make up hours/time in order to fulfill program requirements.
If classes are not cancelled, but there is questionable weather, the student will use their own discretion as to their ability to travel safely to and from clinical site. Should the student decide that travel is not prudent, they are to follow the program’s attendance policy regarding absence from clinical.

CANCELLATION OF CLASSES
To view school cancellations, visit the Massasoit website www.massasoit.edu . When cancellation of school and classes is necessary due to inclement weather, announcements will be
made at approximately 6:00 a.m. on the following radio & TV stations: WPLM FM(99.1), WCTK FM (98.1), WCVB-TV (Ch. 5), WBZ-TV (Ch. 4), WBZAM (1030) WHDH-TV (Ch. 7 & 56), WFXT-TV (Ch. 25).

** Note that each campus may be independent of the other in regard to class cancellations in an emergency situation. Evening school cancellations are broadcast over the same stations beginning at approximately 3:00 p.m.

Please do not call the College.

For individual class cancellations and class room changes please view digital monitors located in each building on the Brockton Campus and on the Canton Campus in the student commons, outside the ARC.

Please see the Massasoit Community College Student Handbook, page 38: View/Download Handbook

State of Emergency – A State of Emergency Declaration by the Governor automatically cancels all events, classes and closes the college.

Sexual Harassment/Harassment ^top

Sexual harassment is any verbal, non-verbal, or physical behavior of a sexual nature that has the effect of interfering with a student’s education status or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment. Sexual harassment of a student, employee of the college or a clinical instructor is unlawful, impermissible and intolerable. It is against the policy of Massasoit Community College for any member of the College community to harass sexually another student of the College or a student to harass or be harassed by an employee of the College or by a clinical education employee. The College is committed to providing a working and educational environment that is free from any and all forms of abusive, harassing or coercive behavior and conduct.

The program abides by the College’s Sexual Harassment Policy located on page 27 in the Massasoit Community College Student Handbook: View/Download Handbook

Use of Social Media by Nurses and Massasoit Returning Students ^top

Web-based communication platforms and applications such as email, text messaging, personal blogs, online chat rooms, network forums, and photo and video-sharing sites are playing an increasingly prominent role in health care. Nurses as well as health care providers as well as health care organizations and professional nursing associations use Facebook®, LinkedIn®, Twitter, and other forms of social and electronic media to promote patient and consumer health and education, enhance communication with patients, foster collaborative relationships and facilitate continuing professional education. The below regulations are required of nursing students enrolled in the Massasoit Community College Nurse Education Program.

Social and electronic media, whether for a professional or personal purpose, every nurse licensed by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing (Board), must consider professional practice concepts that include, but are not limited to: privacy, confidentiality, dignity, respect, professional boundaries, and trust of the profession. The Board reminds all licensed nurses that they should be aware of and consider and comply with the boards regulations whenever using social and electronic media. These regulations require a nurse to:

Safeguard a patient’s dignity and right to privacy (244 CMR 9.03 [17] Patient dignity and privacy).
Safeguard patient information from any person or entity, or both not entitled to such information and to share appropriate information, only as required by law or for the protection of the patient (244 CMR 9.03 [16] Patient confidential information).
Establish and observe professional boundaries with respect to any patient with whom he or she has a nurse/patient relationship and to continue to observe professional boundaries with his or her former patients who may be vulnerable by virtue of emotional status, age, illness, or cognitive ability (244 CMR 9.03 [24] Professional boundaries).
Comply with M.G.L. c. 112 §§ 74-81C, as well as with any other laws and regulations related to licensure and practice. This includes the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the Massachusetts Fair Information Practices Act (FIPA) and their corresponding regulations as applicable to health care providers and other federal and state laws concerning the protection of confidential or personal information (244 CMR 9.03[6]: Compliance with Laws and Regulations Related to Nursing).
Engage in the practice of nursing in accordance with accepted standards of practice. (244 CMR 9.03 [5]: “Adherence to Standards of Nursing Practice).
Be responsible and accountable for his or her nursing judgments, actions, and competency (244 CMR 9.03 [9] Responsibility and Accountability).

To assist nurses and nursing students in appropriately using social and electronic media, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, adapted from White Paper: A Nurse’s Guide to the Use of Social Media (2011), has identified the following guidelines:

Nurses must recognize that they have an ethical and legal obligation to maintain patient privacy and confidentiality at all times.
Nurses are strictly prohibited from transmitting by way of any electronic media any patient-related image. In addition, nurses are restricted from transmitting any information that may be reasonably anticipated to violate patient rights to confidentiality or privacy, or otherwise degrade or embarrass the patient.
Do not share, post or otherwise disseminate any information, including images, about a patient or information gained in the nurse-patient relationship with anyone unless there is a patient care related need to disclose the information or other legal obligation to do so.
Do not identify patients by name or post or publish information that may lead to the identification of a patient. Limiting access to postings through privacy settings is not sufficient to ensure privacy.
Do not refer to patients in a disparaging manner, even if the patient is not identified.
Maintain professional boundaries in the use of electronic media. Like in-person relationships, the nurse has the obligation to establish, communicate and enforce professional boundaries with patients in the online environment. Use caution when having online social contact with patients or formers patients. Online contact with patients or former patients blurs the distinction between professional and personal relationship.
Be aware and comply with college, program and agency policies regarding use of their computers, cameras and other electronic devices.
The use of personal devices at the college/agency are addressed in the student handbook.
Do not make disparaging remarks about peers, faculty or staff. Do not make any threatening, harassing, profane, obscene, sexually explicit, racially derogatory, homophobic, bullying or offensive comments.
Do not post content on any site or otherwise speak on behalf of the program, college or agency unless authorized to do so. You must follow all applicable policies.

Any violation of this policy will result in a letter of warning from the Department chair and/or dismissal from the program for unprofessional behavior. Infractions of these policies and/or activities or any other policies and/or activities deemed unprofessional or non-conducive to proper patient care may result in disciplinary action, removal from the clinical site, and/or dismissal from the program.