General College Policies

Functional Abilities and Performance Standards

Mount Carmel College of Nursing believes that certain essential functional abilities and performance standards are necessary for the safe practice of professional nursing and the successful participation in completion of a nursing education program

Students (and prospective students) are encouraged to review these Functional Abilities and Performance Standards. Students will need to demonstrate satisfactory application of these functional abilities and performance standards, with or without reasonable accommodations or academic adjustments, during their course of study in nursing.

The essential functional abilities and performance standards include:

• Sensory:  The ability to gather accurate and complete data from the physical environment using vision, touch, and hearing. Ability to accurately distinguish between colors and see changes in colors; discriminate, visually, at the millimeter level between technical markings and small type fonts; ability to hear device and overhead alarms, communicate via telephone and other electronic modes of communication, and use a stethoscope to auscultate sounds within the human body; tactile ability to sense changes in the temperature of an object, including the skin of another person, perceive pulsatile forces (such as produced in an artery by the contraction of the heart), and to detect the presence of abnormal bumps, nodules, or masses upon palpation of skin and tissues.
• Communication:  The ability to communicate verbally and non-verbally with other people, including through the use of telecommunication technologies such as phones, computers, and intercoms. Ability to interpret common non-verbal expressions indicating pain, discomfort, anxiety, and other behavioral states. Effectiveness in communication using both written and spoken English. Ability to give and provide information accurately, quickly, and efficiently. The ability to enter text using a standard computer keyboard and print text and place a signature, in a legible fashion, on paper and other surfaces.
• Cognitive:  Ability to process multiple sources of information, develop an understanding, make judgments and decisions, and take actions based on this information. Ability to read and understand electronic and paper documents, including technical medical and clinical documents, in English. Ability to develop increasingly complex understandings of cultural, social, scientific, and interpersonal concepts necessary for making sound professional nursing judgments. Ability to take measurements, communicate and describe the physical environment quantitatively, perform advanced arithmetic and numerical operations (such as is necessary for calculating medication dosages and rates), and interpret graphical displays of scientific and real-time physiologic data.
• Motor:  Fine and gross motor skills sufficient to operate common clinical equipment such as IV pumps, suction devices, and floor lifts; ability to perform a physical assessment or examination on clients across the lifespan; ability to carry out delicate and/or emergency clinical procedures such as airway suctioning, intravenous line insertion, and giving injections. Ability to lift up to 40 pounds independently. Stamina required to completely satisfy nursing work requirements of during a “shift” of 10 consecutive hours.
• Behavioral and emotional:  Ability to work in teams of diverse providers in a positive, non-threatening, and non-discriminatory manner. Ability to develop effective therapeutic relationships with clients. Ability to effectively perform professional duties in stressful situations and under significant time pressures. Ability to regulate emotions in times of stress, anger, or upset. Ability to adhere to and apply ethical and professional codes of conduct and all applicable laws and regulations. Openness to new experiences, revision of existing attitudes, and positive regard for uncertainty and change in work and study settings.

Executive Privilege

The President 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, except that violations under the College’s Title IX Policy or the Anti-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy will be handled according to those policies.

Code of Conduct

It is understood that the Mount Carmel College of Nursing administration, faculty, staff, and student body share in the responsibility of upholding the College Mission and Core Values. The Code of Conduct strives to:

• ensure the integrity of the nursing and allied health professions;
• create an academic and professional environment that reflects the College’s Mission and Core Values;
• reflect the policies of the College on standards of conduct; and
• follow the policies on nursing practice from the Ohio Board of Nursing. 

In accordance with the above the administration, faculty, staff, and students will commit to the following Code of Conduct:

Academic Excellence

1. Achieving the highest level of academic excellence that I can through honesty and integrity both in and out of the classroom and in clinical settings.
2. Striving to embody excellence and provide the highest quality work in the academic and in the clinical settings.
3. Acting in a professional manner while in the College of Nursing and in all activities, functions, and clinical sites associated with the College and the profession of nursing.

Respect

1. Contributing to creating a safe, respectful, and supportive atmosphere for teaching and learning.
2. Regarding privacy and confidentiality as essential obligations.
3. Communicating with peers, staff, and faculty in a professional and respectful manner.
4. Taking responsibility for my words and actions.

Compassion

1. Demonstrating a commitment to the attributes of compassion, empathy, altruism, responsibility, and tolerance.
2. Demonstrating caring behaviors at all times.
3. Respecting individual diversity through a non-judgmental attitude and approach.
4. Working to become a creative problem solver.

Social Responsibility

1. Refusing to tolerate discrimination, disrespect, or bullying.
2. Committing to bring any discrimination, disrespect, or bullying to the attention of the Chairperson of the Academic and Professional Misconduct Committee or the Director of Student Life.
3. Refusing to tolerate incidents of dishonesty or lack of integrity.
4. Committing to bring incidents of dishonesty or lack of integrity to the attention of the Chairperson of the Academic and Professional Misconduct Committee or the Director of Student Life.

Cell Phone Use 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.

Change of Address/Phone/Email

Students should report in a timely manner any change of address, telephone number(s), or personal email address to the Office of Records and Registration (Rm. 201, Marian Hall). Name changes require additional documentation. Accurate contact information will ensure that the College can reach students as needed.

Children on Campus

Students are not permitted to bring children to class. Students violating this policy will be asked to leave class. Also, babysitting is not permitted in the College of Nursing. In addition to the issue of liability, the presence of infants and children in the College is not conducive to study and relaxation.

Communication with Students

Information is frequently transmitted to onsite students through Nightingmail/student email (http://mail.mccn.edu), the CARMELink student portal, the College newsletter (Carmel Rapper), and bulletin board notices. Onsite Students are expected to check their email, CARMELink and Canvas accounts frequently. The Marian Hall bulletin board across from the first floor elevators is used for general College announcements.

Information is frequently transmitted to online students through student Nightingmail/student email (http://mail.mccn.edu), Canvas (http://mccn.instructure.com) and CARMELink (http://carmelink.mccn.edu/ICS/). Online students are expected to check their Nightingmail, Canvas and CARMELink accounts frequently, at a minimum of every 48 hours, as they will be held responsible for updates and new information contained in email communication and courses.

Copyright Infringement

Copyright is the legal protection of all forms creative expression on any form of media.

Students should be aware of the limits of the fair use of intellectual property, which is protected under copyright law in cyberspace as well as the real world.

Protected Property

To the general public, intellectual property, in the form of computer software and digitized entertainment, is a highly tempting target for reproduction and distribution. But intellectual property is protected under copyright law in cyberspace as well as the real world, and students need to be aware of the limits of fair use. Illegal duplication, file-sharing or use of any type of intellectual property constitutes copyright infringement and could be subject to College disciplinary action and civil and criminal penalties, including fines.

Creators Own Exclusive Rights

Copyright law generally gives authors, artists, composers, and other such creators the exclusive right to copy, distribute, modify, and display their works or to authorize other people to do so. Additionally, creators’ works are protected by copyright law from the very moment that they are created — regardless of whether they are registered with the Copyright Office and regardless of whether they are marked with a copyright notice or symbol. That means that virtually every email message, posting, web page, or other computer work you have ever created - or seen -  is copyrighted.

Limited Use

You may reproduce copyrighted materials only if one of these four instances apply:

• The owner has given you permission
• The work is in the “public domain”
• It falls under “fair use”
• You have an “implied license” to do so.

Admittedly, the latter three require more explanation than can be given in this overview, so users are strongly urged to conduct additional research regarding copyright law.

Please note: copying material in digitized form is easy to do, but that doesn’t make it legal. Do not reproduce copyrighted material in any form and on any media, unless you are given permission to do so.

Piracy

Piracy is the popular term for the illegal activity that is more correctly known as copyright infringement. Software piracy involves the violation of license agreements and occurs when you download, copy, file-share, install, or distribute digitized material in the form of computer software programs and entertainment media without authorization from the owner/creator.

License Not Ownership

The purchase of a computer program or any form of entertainment or artistic expression on any type of media that includes, but is not limited to, CD, DVD, mp3 file, video, or audiotape, simply gives you a license to use your personal copy; purchase does not constitute ownership of the “intellectual property” on the media. The U.S. Copyright Act expressly protects the intellectual property contained on these media and grants the creators exclusive rights to copy, adapt, distribute, rent, and publicly perform and display their works.

Reasonable people would agree that shoplifting any of these products in stores is theft, yet some don’t extend that logic to digitized formats. But when you use your personal copy for any purpose beyond what is expressly permitted by the license, you could be committing a federal offense and may be subject to civil and criminal prosecution as well as College disciplinary action.

Hidden Costs

The rationalization that “just one copy can’t hurt” multiplies exponentially if thousands or millions of people think that way. When you pirate any creative material, you are stealing more from the manufacturers than the cost of a single copy. Consider the resources that go into producing intellectual property. Companies invest millions to employ creative teams, manufacture, distribute, advertise and market product. Anyone employed at any stage along the line, including the retail store clerk, loses when you copy or share illegally.

Punishment

If the negative impact on the economy and fellow workers isn’t enough reason to stay legal, keep in mind that some companies in the entertainment and computer software industries have prosecuted individual offenders in civil courts and sought monetary damages. The U.S. government can impose fines or imprisonment, or both. So the next time you’re tempted, ask yourself, “is it worth it?” Resolve to purchase a legal copy instead.

Audio Entertainment

RIAA, Recording Industry Association of America, the trade group representing U.S. sound recording companies, is the force behind the prosecution of individuals for copyright infringement through downloading or uploading of music through illegal peer-to-peer networks and CD piracy. The RIAA ask consumers to support the industry by downloading music from legitimate sites such as those on the list at musicunited.org instead of engaging in piracy.

Video and Film Entertainment

MPAA, Motion Picture Association of America, works to prevent piracy of film and video products. The MPAA estimates that piracy of video content costs the industry more than $3 billion annually in potential revenue in the U.S., not including Internet losses, which are difficult to calculate.

The MPAA lists many types of materials subject to pirating: Optical Disc, which includes Laser Discs (LD), Video Compact Discs (VCD) and Digital Versatile Discs (DVD); Internet, videocassette and broadcast; downloadable media; hard goods; streaming media; circumvention devices; camcording; screeners; back-to-back copying; signal theft; and public performance.

Computer Programs

BSA, Business Software Alliance, which describes itself as the voice of the world’s commercial software industry, estimates that the U.S. has lost billions of dollars annually in wages and tax revenues, and thousands of individuals have lost jobs. The BSA describes the following scenarios for software piracy:

• using one licensed copy to install a program on multiple computers
• copying disks for installation and distribution
• taking advantage of upgrade offers without purchasing a legal copy of the version to be upgraded
• acquiring academic or other restricted or non-retail software without a license for commercial use
• swapping disks with others
• downloading software from various Internet sources such as pirate websites, peer-to-peer networks, and auction sites that offer counterfeit software

The BSA also notes that pirated computer software doesn’t save you much when you consider the problems associated with illegal copies: defective software, little or no documentation or technical support, no warranties, a greater exposure to viruses, and ineligibility for software upgrades.

Course and Faculty Evaluations

Student completion of course and instructor evaluations is an expectation of each course. Students are expected to complete the appropriate evaluations during the last two weeks of the course. Data from these evaluations are used as part of the College’s regular continuous quality improvement efforts. Therefore, students are encouraged to provide constructive, accurate, and professional feedback during the course evaluation process.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Requirement

Graduate students must be certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Students who fail to meet this requirement will not be permitted to attend clinical/practicum experiences.

• Onsite students must present CPR documentation (CPR certification card and a photocopy of the card) to the Office of Records and Registration upon initial certification and upon each re-certification.
• Online students must upload a copy of the CPR documentation to their Certified Portfolio (CastleBranch).

The responsibility to keep CPR certification current rests solely with the student. The student’s CPR certification must be in effect throughout the official start/end dates of the specific nursing course (16-week semester or 8-week term); the expiration date cannot occur before the official end date of the course. Students who fail to meet this requirement will be administratively withdrawn from the course. A list of non-compliant student names and expiration dates will be provided to faculty, and non-compliant students will not be permitted to enter the nursing course on the first day. There is no grace period.

Students are required to comply with this policy; non-compliance may result in less than full-time enrollment and will delay the student’s graduation date.

Requirements are that any new certification or re-certification must be acquired exclusively through one of the following providers:

American Heart Association

1. BLS for Health Care Providers or
2. Instructor/Trainer/Faculty
3. Go to http://www.americanheart.org to find a class.

American Red Cross

1. CPR for the Professional Rescuer or
2. BLS for Health Care Providers or
3. Instructor/Trainer/Faculty
4. Go to http://www.columbus.redcross.org to find a class.

“HeartSaver CPR” or other training does not meet the College CPR requirement for nursing students.

Criminal Background Check

The law regulating the practice of nursing states that the Ohio Board of Nursing may deny a convicted felon a license or the privilege of sitting for the licensing examination (Section 4723.28 of the Revised Code). In addition, several of the agencies utilized for nursing clinical studies may require students to undergo criminal record checks and may deny clinical access to persons convicted of felonies or specific misdemeanors.

State and federal criminal records check is a mandatory annual requirement for all enrolled graduate students.

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) students must order and pay for fingerprinting through CastleBranch and follow directions on their website. Results will be uploaded to the student’s Certified Profile record.

• Master’s students have the opportunity to be fingerprinted on campus at the start of each academic year and at other selected times throughout the year.
• Results will be forwarded to Mount Carmel College of Nursing from the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCII) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Results from the BCII and FBI are valid for one year and filed with the student’s College record.
• Each student must present a valid Ohio Driver’s License or a state-issued ID in order to complete the application form at the time of fingerprinting.
• The fee for this service, when performed on campus, will be added to the student’s Mount Carmel account. No portion of this amount is retained by the College.
• Students not completing the required annual fingerprinting on campus will be solely responsible for updating this requirement and ensuring that the results are forwarded to the Office of Records and Registration at the beginning of each academic year. Click here to find a location to schedule a fingerprinting appointment. Click here for the registration form you must take with you to the appointment.
• Students entering the College in Spring Semester or Summer Session must complete the requirement prior to beginning classes. All costs incurred in completing this requirement are the responsibility of the student.

Failure to complete the required annual criminal records check will result in the student being unable to begin any nursing clinical course. Non-compliance may result in less than full-time enrollment and will delay the student’s graduation date. A hold will be placed on student records with expired criminal background checks.

A criminal record check that indicates evidence of a felony conviction (or certain misdemeanor convictions) may result in action including, but not limited to, dismissal from Mount Carmel College of Nursing.

Dress Code

Failure to comply with the dress code may result in disciplinary actions including, but not limited to, dismissal from the classroom or clinical site. Any adaptations to this policy due to cultural or health reasons are to be negotiated with the Associate Dean.

The student dress code is enforced with the goal to assure a high standard in professional self presentation. It is important for Mount Carmel students to recognize their role as representatives of the College and the profession of nursing in all settings. Appearance and self presentation must be commensurate with professional expectations

College Identification (ID) Badge

On campus graduate students are issued identification (ID) badges as part of the first semester registration process. Badges serve a number of functions, including identifying students in the College and providing access to College services.

Students must wear ID badges at all times while in the role of a Mount Carmel student, following these guidelines:

1. Badges must be attached to a badge holder and worn at chest level.
2. Badges and badge holders must be free of pins, keys, stickers, or other ornamentation.
3. Lanyards are not acceptable as badge holders.
4. If a student does not have an ID badge, a temporary ID badge must be obtained from the Office of Safety and Security.

Badges must be returned to the Director of Records and Registration if a student withdraws from the College or takes a leave of absence. Lost ID badges can be replaced (for a fee) at the Mount Carmel West Safety and Security Office.

Dress Code – College Areas/Hospital Campus

Students should present a positive, businesslike, and professional image through dress and actions. In classrooms, main lounge, first floor of the College, the pedestrian mall, cafeteria, and library, all students are expected to wear clothing that is neat, clean, and appropriate for the setting. The style of clothing must not be unduly revealing; proper undergarments are to be worn and not visible. Short shorts, mini-skirts, tank tops, house slippers, and pajamas are not permitted. Leggings or tights can only be worn if covered by a top, tunic, or jacket that extends two inches above the knees. The length of dresses and skirts must be no shorter than two inches above the knees. Jeans/denim must be intact throughout, without rips or holes in them. 

Exposure of abdomen, cleavage and/or buttocks, and bare feet are not permitted. Sunbathing is not permitted on the hospital and/or College campus.

Student Attire – Non-uniform Clinical Sites

Students must be professionally dressed in clinical areas. College identification badges must be clearly displayed. Student dress must be consistent with standards and requirements of the clinical environment and expectations of the faculty and preceptors.

Student Lab Coat Policy

The clean, pressed lab coat must be worn over street clothes when students enter the clinical area to study clients’ charts, check assignments, or visit clients. The lab coat is to be worn over professional and neat clothing. The length of dresses or skirts must at least come to the top of the knees. No hats, jeans, shorts, Capri pants, sweats, sandals, or flip-flops are permitted. The College ID badge must be evident at chest level on the lab coat.

Adult Health Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nursing Administration and Nursing Education Student Lab Coat

Master’s students in the Adult Health Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nursing Administration and Nursing Education tracks have the option to wear the Graduate Lab Coat. The link to Roberts Medical Uniforms is: www.robertsmed.com. Enter the Uniform Program Login Code “mc13grad” in the upper right corner (case sensitive).

When ordering your graduate lab coats, please make sure you tell Roberts Medical Uniforms your credentials and where to place commas between credentials. For most of you, this should be “BSN, RN” or, for those with a master’s degree, “MSN, RN”. The degree always stays closest to your name.

Nurse Practitioner Student Lab Coat

All nurse practitioner students must wear the Graduate Lab Coat. The link to Roberts Medical Uniforms is: www.robertsmed.com. Enter the Uniform Program Login Code “mc13grad” in the upper right corner (case sensitive).

When ordering your graduate lab coats, please make sure you tell Roberts Medical Uniforms your credentials and where to place commas between credentials. For most of you, this should be “BSN, RN” or, for those with a master’s degree, “MSN, RN”. The degree always stays closest to your name.

Food in Classrooms

Students who bring food/beverages into classrooms are expected to clean up after themselves and deposit trash in appropriate receptacles. Courteous behavior such as this will enable students in subsequent classes to enjoy a clean environment. It is everyone’s responsibility to keep campus facilities clean and neat.

Inclement Weather

During inclement weather conditions, the College President or designee may declare a weather emergency. A weather emergency is defined as any weather condition or the effects thereof which, in the opinion of the President, necessitates the cancellation or delay of classes or other scheduled College activities or necessitates the closing of the College.

Every situation in handled on a case-by-case basis. Faculty and students need to use good judgment in determining whether to travel to campus since conditions vary depending on the commute involved.

The College President or designee, is responsible for the decision to cancel or delay class or clinical. Faculty will communicate with the President before canceling classes or clinical due to a weather emergency.

Makeup class/clinical schedule and/or experiences will be determined by program faculty.  

Columbus Campus

Communication procedure:  The decision to delay opening, cancel classes, or close will be announced through:

• MCCN Communications Alert
• Disaster Information Hotline
• Local TV and Radio stations

When a decision to close the College is made the day of closure, the decision will be made by 5:30 a.m. and will affect all College activities between 6:00 a.m. that day and 6:00 a.m. the next day. Early class dismissal or early closure will be announced if unsafe conditions arise or worsen during the day.

Photocopying

Photocopiers are available for students in the Health Sciences Library at a minimal charge per page.

Publicity

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

Smoking Policy

Mount Carmel is a tobacco and smoke-free facility. Use of tobacco products, including, but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, and pipes is prohibited within all Mount Carmel facilities, on all Mount Carmel owned property, or any College student residence facilities. The College complies fully with all federal, state, city, and Mount Carmel Health System regulations regarding the possession and consumption of alcohol, drugs, and tobacco on campus, including the residence apartments.

Further, students are prohibited from smoking anywhere while wearing the 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. 

Survey and Research Subject Access

Each year, there are many requests from those within and outside the College for access to students, faculty, and staff for the purposes of surveys or research projects. When potential survey respondents are overloaded with survey requests, they may experience “survey fatigue,” resulting in low response rates for very important surveys the College conducts as a part of its educational and organizational assessment efforts.

Because of the need to limit the burden on students, faculty and staff in responding to these requests, all requests for access to members of the College community for recruitment to research studies or to distribute non-research suveys must be approved beforehand.

All requests for access to faculty, staff, or students for the purposes of human subjects research - thus requiring IRB approval or exemption - must specify the plan for obtaining IRB approval and supply documentation of the approval to the College prior to commencing study-related activities.

Procedure

1. Requests for access to students, faculty, or staff for the purposes of research or surveys should be directed to the Director, Scholarship and Institutional Effectiveness at evaluation@mccn.edu - at least two weeks before the start of the project.
2. Requests should include the timeframe for the project, a copy of the survey tool or research proposal, and any other information helpful in evaluating the request. The criteria for evaluation include, primarily: 1) alignment with MCCN mission, vision, and purpose, 2) appropriateness of topic, methods, and procedures, and 3) lack of interference with regular College assessment activities.
3. Approvals will be returned via email within 3 business day to the applicant with notifications to appropriate College faculty or staff impacted by the research or survey activity.

Transcript Request

A transcript is a copy of the student’s permanent academic record. All requests for official transcripts should be made to Office of Records and Registration (Rm 201, Marian Hall), using the Transcript Request Form . A student’s signature is required to release a transcript. Transcripts are provided at no charge.

Transcripts will be denied to any graduate, current or former student with indebtedness to Mount Carmel College of Nursing.

Transportation, Travel and Liability

Students are responsible for providing their own transportation for all educational activities, including clinical experiences. Students are also responsible for securing personal auto liability insurance.

The College of Nursing is not responsible for liability incurred in travel, either as required by the curriculum or as the result of the student’s participation in College sponsored activities, including cultural immersion trips. All travel is the responsibility of the student. Students are not permitted to transport patients for any reason.