9.6b School of Nursing Policy

The School of Nursing reserves the right to dismiss (withdraw) students from the nursing program at the University of Northwestern - St. Paul. Immediate program dismissal is reserved for the most serious acts of professional misconduct and violations of professional ethics (policies, etc.) such as stealing, violating honesty/integrity or confidentiality, or causing intentional harm to another person.

Procedure:

1. The faculty, student, or other reporting person will file a complaint of the alleged misconduct to the Chief Nurse Administrator. The complaint should describe circumstances surrounding the incident and cite witnesses if applicable. The complaint should be submitted in writing and signed by the complainant.

2. Depending on circumstances and the nature of the allegation, the Chief Nurse Administrator will exercise reasonable care to protect clients and others from the possibility of harm or threat of harm.

3. The Chief Nurse Administrator will conduct an investigation to substantiate the complaint, including a review of evidence and interviews with witnesses. The individual subject of the complaint may or may not be included in this process at the discretion of the Chief Nurse Administrator.

4. The Chief Nurse Administrator will impose possible actions, including but not limited to:

   1. dismissal of the student from the nursing program with no possibility for readmission,

   2. dismissal of the student from the nursing program with the possibility for readmission/re-enrollment.

   3. other intermediary corrective action, or

   4. dismissal of the case for lack of substantiation or other reasons.

5. Any student dismissed from the nursing program will be notified in writing with notification to the Registrar’s Office.

6. Student appeals on dismissal must be filed in writing by the student to the Registrar’s office within three weeks of the dismissal.