Policy Statements

Non-Discrimination Statement

The College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, age, religion, ethnic or national origin, veteran status, or disabilities that do not interfere with performing the practice of nursing as a student of nursing. The College is not discriminatory in the administration of its admission, academic and financial aid policies, scholarship program, or any other programs. An applicant’s need for financial aid will not affect acceptance as a student to the College.

The College is an equal opportunity employer. It does not discriminate in the hiring practices of faculty and staff. The College complies with existing federal and state regulations concerning equal employment opportunities.

Any individual who believes that he or she has been discriminated against is encouraged to discuss such matters with the President/Dean of the College.

Title IX

Mount Carmel College of Nursing does not discriminate on the basis of gender in admission to or employment in its education programs or activities. Inquiries concerning the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations may be referred to the Mount Carmel Title IX Coordinator or to the Office of Civil Rights of the United States Department of Education (OCR).

Sexual/Verbal Harassment

Mount Carmel College of Nursing is committed to maintaining an institutional climate that fosters an open learning and working environment. The College understands that sexual/gender harassment is unacceptable behavior and will not be tolerated or condoned by the College. Violations of this policy will result in disciplinary action up to and including dismissal from the College. Additional details regarding reporting and investigation procedures can be found in the Student Handbook .

Student Records Privacy

The College complies with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), as amended, which is designed to provide privacy regarding a student’s educational record. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act affords students certain rights with respect to their education records. These rights include:

1. The right to inspect and review education records within 45 days of the day the College receives a request for access. Students should submit to the Director of Records and Registration written requests that identify the record(s) they wish to inspect. The Director will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the record may be inspected. If the record is not maintained by the Office of Records and Registration, the Director shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.
2. The right to request amendment of the student’s education record that the student believes is inaccurate. Students should write the College official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate. If the College decides not to amend the record as requested, the College will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of his/her right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.
3. The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. One exception, which permits disclosure without consent, is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the College in an administrative, supervisory, academic, research, or support staff position (including MCHS law enforcement unit personnel and Human Resources); a person or company with whom the College has contracted (such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent); a person serving on the Board of Trustees; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.
4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by Mount Carmel College of Nursing to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the Office that administers FERPA is:

Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-4605

Directory Information

At its discretion, the College may provide Directory Information in accordance with the provisions of FERPA. Directory Information is defined as that information which would not generally be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed.

Designated Directory Information at Mount Carmel College of Nursing includes the following: student name, address, telephone number(s), email address, date of birth, degree and major field of study, dates of attendance, class level, class schedule, expected date of graduation, full-time or part-time status, degrees and awards received (including honors), participation in officially recognized activities, and most recent previous educational institution attended.

Students may withhold the release of Directory Information by contacting the Director of Records and Registration to complete a FERPA Change of Information Form. Please note that withholding requests are binding for all information to all parties other than for those exceptions allowed under FERPA. Students should consider all aspects of a Directory Hold prior to filing such a request and be advised that doing so will make this important information unavailable to all who might inquire, including prospective employers, credit agencies, and others to whom students may want this information known or verified. It is recommended that students carefully consider whether privacy of Directory Information outweighs the potential inconvenience of having it withheld.

Title IV Compliance

The College is in compliance with its program responsibilities associated with the Higher Education Amendments of 1998 (HEA98) via publication in the Catalog and Student Handbook. In addition, information on Mount Carmel College of Nursing graduation rates for first-time, full-time, degree or certificate-seeking students is available upon request by contacting the office of the College President/Dean.

Voter Registration

Mount Carmel College of Nursing will distribute voter registration forms to all enrolled students no less than 60 days before the published voter registration deadline for any state or federal election.

Constitution Day

The College complies with legislation requiring all federally funded educational institutions to offer instruction pertaining to the United States Constitution each year in mid-September. Constitution Day commemorates the September 17, 1787, signing of the Constitution. If this date falls on a weekend, the observation will be held during the preceding or following week.

Publicity

The College is interested in publicizing academic and personal achievements by students, within FERPA guidelines. Students must sign a release of information and Information Resource Form before any non-directory information is released to newspapers or other sources.

Campus Security

Campus security is under the direction of the Safety and Security Department of Mount Carmel West Hospital. Policies promoting the safety and security of students are published in the Student Handbook  and on the College website (www.mccn.edu). Availability of the annual campus security report is distributed to students, faculty, and staff. The full report is published on the College website.

Smoking Policy

The Mount Carmel Health System and the College of Nursing maintain a smoke-free environment. Tobacco use/smoking is prohibited on any Mount Carmel property – indoors and out – including parking lots, sidewalks, garages, inside cars on Mount Carmel property, inside and outside the College and Resident Apartments including the sidewalks and grounds surrounding them. Further, students are prohibited from smoking anywhere while wearing their student uniform, lab coat, and/or student ID badge. Violators will receive one verbal warning. The consequences of continued non-compliance include progressive counseling and may result in dismissal from the Resident Apartments and/or College.

Cell Phone Policy

Personal cell phone use is prohibited in classrooms, laboratories, and in clinical experiences. Faculty and students must turn off and stow cell phones in purses or book bags before the start of class and during all exams. Cell phones should be turned off or quieted during meetings.

The College has provided education software for students and faculty for use on their personal handheld devices in situations including clinical areas. The devices are only to be used in clinical areas as an education resource in the provision of patient care. Any abuse of this policy will result in losing the privilege to use the electronic educational resources and mobile devices in clinical experiences and classroom settings. This policy applies to all students and faculty members at MCCN.

Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention

Mount Carmel College of Nursing complies with the Drug Free College and Communities Act Amendment of 1989 (Public Law 101-226), which is designed to prevent the use of illicit drugs and the abuse of alcohol by students and employees. The law requires all colleges and universities receiving federal funds or any other form of financial assistance, including participation in federally funded or guaranteed student loan programs, to adopt and implement a drug and alcohol abuse prevention program.

Standards of conduct prohibit the unlawful possession, use, and/or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students or employees while on College property or as part of any College sponsored activity. The College’s Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Policy is published in the Student Handbook . Copies of the College Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Policy and Campus Security Statement are distributed annually to students, faculty, and staff.

Substance Abuse Testing

All students entering Mount Carmel College of Nursing are tested for drug and substance abuse. This is a mandatory requirement of the College. The first failed test will result in progressive counseling and discipline. If a student refuses assistance, fails to successfully complete the recommended rehabilitation program, or has a second failed test, the student will be dismissed from the College. The fee for drug testing is charged to the student’s MCCN account.

Concealed Weapons

In accordance with State of Ohio law, Mount Carmel College of Nursing prohibits the possession, use, or storage of firearms or other dangerous weapons anywhere on the College or Mount Carmel Health campuses.

In addition, this policy applies to any College student or employee when functioning in any role, regardless of location, while representing the College.

Statement on Aids

Mount Carmel College of Nursing is committed to providing a healthy and caring environment. This commitment, as well as a College philosophy that respects the personal worth and dignity of each individual, undergirds the AIDS policy of the College.

It is the policy of the College that no one within the College community shall be discriminated against, based on the perception that an individual has AIDS or an AIDS related condition. Students, faculty, and staff with suspected or confirmed AIDS related conditions are entitled to equal access to College facilities and curricular and extra-curricular activities as long as their medical condition permits.

There is no pre-admission or routine AIDS testing of prospective or current students, faculty, or staff. Any AIDS testing is self-initiated and done on a voluntary basis.

Confidentiality

The confidentiality of the student with AIDS must be protected. No specific information concerning diagnosis shall be provided to any persons, including College administrators, faculty, or professional staff (other than the President/Dean or Associate Dean of the Undergraduate Program) without the express written consent of the student. No information can be released to another person, agency, insurer, or institution without the prior written consent of the student. The College will observe the public health reporting requirements for AIDS.

Additional information regarding the College’s policy on AIDS can be found in the Student Handbook .

Reporting Sexually Violent Predators

The Federal Government House Committee on Education and Workforce passed House Rule 4504, which covers all colleges and establishes a policy notifying parents and others on the availability of information about “sexually violent predators” enrolled or employed at the College.

Ohio law requires that convicted sex offenders must register within the county in which they reside. In Franklin County, sex offenders register with the Franklin County Sheriff’s office for a designated time period. Sex offenders are classified as: 1) sexually oriented offenders, 2) habitual sex offenders, and 3) sexual predators.

The College’s complete policy regarding reporting sexual predators can be found in the Student Handbook  and on the College website (www.mccn.edu). In general, Mount Carmel College of Nursing will make available to the entire College constituency information on any sexual predator who enrolls in or is employed at the College.

Academic Appeals

The academic appeal process is established to provide a vehicle that insures due process, equitable management of student grievances, and provides adequate protection to the rights of all involved parties. The academic appeal process addresses grievances related to the student’s general academic performance.

A complete description of the academic appeal process is contained in the Student Handbook .

Academic and Professional Misconduct

Mount Carmel College of Nursing seeks to foster the intellectual, moral, and professional development of students. The faculty and staff believe that development evolves through a student’s own intellectual efforts. Academic and professional misconduct will not be tolerated.

Academic and professional misconduct are viewed as serious matters. Alleged acts of academic or professional misconduct will be investigated and all confirmed acts will result in academic sanctions.

Academic and professional honesty is determined by the student doing his/her own work throughout the program in either the classroom or clinical setting. This includes the student’s own work with drafts, reports, examinations, papers, clinical summaries, care plans, take home exams, online assignments, and other work as assigned in the course syllabus.

Academic and professional misconduct implies deception in fulfilling academic or professional requirements. Misconduct may take many forms and includes, but is not limited to: plagiarism, cheating during an examination, fabrication, or unprofessional behavior.

The Academic and Professional Misconduct Committee is charged with investigating allegations of misconduct and making recommendations to the Dean of the appropriate program. Students have the right to appeal the decision of the Dean and may do so by submitting an appeal in writing to the President/Dean of the College.

A complete description of the academic and professional misconduct policy is contained in the Student Handbook .

Professional Behavior

The nursing profession demands that the individual in nursing practice be responsible, accountable, self-directed, and professional in behavior. The process of becoming a professional person begins upon entering a professional education program. Opportunities to develop and practice these qualities exist in the student role. The College expects that students will demonstrate their professionalism by attending all classes and clinical experiences, by exhibiting courteous behaviors in the classroom, by being prepared for class and clinical assignments, and by being punctual for classes and College appointments. The College supports the “Code of Academic and Clinical Conduct” approved in 2001 by the National Student Nurses Association, Inc.

Student Conduct In The Nursing Care Of Clients

Students are governed by the following policy which is taken from the Ohio Board of Nursing Rules Promulgated from the Law Regulating Practice of Nursing, February 1, 2009, 4723-5-12 (B) (accessed from the OBN website 11/2012):

The policy, related to student conduct in providing nursing care, includes, but is not limited to the following:

1. A student shall, in a complete, accurate, and timely manner, report and document nursing assessments or observations, the care provided by the student for the client, and the client’s response to that care.
2. A student shall, in an accurate and timely manner, report to the appropriate practitioner errors in or deviations from the current valid order.
3. A student shall not falsify any client record or any other document prepared or utilized in the course of, or in conjunction with, nursing practice. This includes, but is not limited to, case management documents or reports, time records or reports, and other documents related to billing for nursing services.
4. A student shall implement measures to promote a safe environment for each client.
5. A student shall delineate, establish, and maintain professional boundaries with each client.
6. At all times when a student is providing direct nursing care to a client the student shall:
   
   1. Provide privacy during examination or treatment and in the care of personal or bodily needs; and
   2. Treat each client with courtesy, respect, and with full recognition of dignity and individuality
7. A student shall practice within the appropriate scope of practice as set forth in division (B) of section 4723.01 and division (B)(20) of section 4723.28 of the Revised Code for a registered nurse, and division (F) of section 4723.01 and division (B)(21) of section 4723.28 of the Revised Code for a practical nurse;
8. A student shall use universal blood and body fluid precautions established by Chapter 4723-20 of the Administrative Code;
9. A student shall not:
   
   1. Engage in behavior that causes or may cause physical, verbal, mental, or emotional abuse to a client;
   2. Engage in behavior toward a client that may reasonably be interpreted as physical, verbal, mental, or emotional abuse.
10. A student shall not misappropriate a client’s property or:
    
    1. Engage in behavior to seek or obtain personal gain at the client’s expense;
    2. Engage in behavior that may reasonably be interpreted as behavior to seek or obtain personal gain at the client’s expense;
    3. Engage in behavior that constitutes inappropriate involvement in the client’s personal relationships; or
    4. Engage in behavior that may reasonably be interpreted as inappropriate involvement in the client’s personal relationships.
       
       For the purpose of this paragraph, the client is always presumed incapable of giving free, full, or informed consent to the behaviors by the student set forth in this paragraph.
11. A student shall not:
    
    1. Engage in sexual conduct with a client
    2. Engage in conduct in the course of practice that may reasonably be interpreted as sexual;
    3. Engage in any verbal behavior that is seductive or sexually demeaning to a client;
    4. Engage in verbal behavior that may reasonably be interpreted as seductive, or sexually demeaning to a client.
       
       For the purpose of this paragraph, the client is always presumed incapable of giving free, full, or informed consent to sexual activity with the student.
12. A student shall not, regardless of whether the contact or verbal behavior is consensual, engage with a patient other than the spouse of the student in any of the following:
    
    1. Sexual contact, as defined in section 2907.01 of the Revised Code;
    2. Verbal behavior that is sexually demeaning to the patient or may be reasonably interpreted by the patient as sexually demeaning.
13. A student shall not self-administer or otherwise take into the body any dangerous drug, as defined in section 4729.01 of the Revised Code, in any way not in accordance with a legal, valid prescription issued for the student.
14. A student shall not habitually indulge in the use of controlled substances, other habit-forming drugs, or alcohol or other chemical substances to an extent that impairs ability to practice.
15. A student shall not have impairment of the ability to practice according to acceptable and prevailing standards of safe nursing care because of habitual or excessive use of drugs, alcohol, or other chemical substances that impair the ability to practice.
16. A student shall not have impairment of the ability to practice according to acceptable and prevailing standards of safe nursing care because of a physical or mental disability;
17. A student shall not assault or cause harm to a patient or deprive a patient of the means to summon assistance;
18. A student shall not obtain or attempt to obtain money or anything of value by intentional misrepresentation or material deception in the course of practice;
19. A student shall not have been adjudicated by a probate court of being mentally ill or mentally incompetent, unless restored to competency by the court.
20. A student shall not aid and abet a person in that person’s practice of nursing without a license, practice as a dialysis technician without a certificate issued by the board, or administration of medications as a medication aide without a certificate issued by the board.
21. A student shall not prescribe any drug or device to perform or induce an abortion, or otherwise perform or induce an abortion;
22. A student shall not assist suicide as defined in section 3795.01 of the Revised Code.
23. A student shall not submit or cause to be submitted any false, misleading or deceptive statements, information, or document to the nursing program, its administrators, faculty, teaching assistants, preceptors, or to the board.

Effective: 02/01/2012;
R.C. 119.032 review dates: 10/13/2011 and 10/15/2016
Promulgated Under: 119.03; Statutory Authority: 4723.07; Rule Amplifies: 4723.06

Executive Privilege

The President/Dean of Mount Carmel College of Nursing reserves the right, as deemed necessary, to discipline a student for violation of College policies and standards, up to and including dismissal from the College.

College Assessment

In order to continuously strive for academic excellence in nursing education, Mount Carmel College of Nursing has a College Assessment Plan which acquires relevant feedback in reference to curriculum, support services, governance, and quality of teaching/clinical instruction. This ongoing process necessitates occasional surveys and tests which, although not a part of the instructional program, are designed to collect the feedback essential to the assessment process. All information derived as a part of these instruments is kept in strictest confidence. In most instances, only aggregate, summarized reactions, comments, and performance are reported to appropriate committees of the College.

To ensure as complete data as possible in these processes, completion of surveys and tests, when part of the College’s assessment plan, are expected of all students, faculty, and professional staff as a part of their professional responsibilities.