Undergraduate Student Handbook

The purpose of the Department of Bachelor of Science in Nursing Student Handbook is to supplement the information found at Student Policies.

It is the responsibility of the student to read, understand, and adhere to all student policies and which are found at SUNY Brockport Student Policies and in the Department of Bachelor of Science in Nursing Student Handbook, which is found on the Department of Bachelor of Science in Nursing website. The policies and procedures in the department are subject to change without prior notice and may be communicated via email, in writing or verbally.

This form will be reviewed and attested electronically and then be placed in your student file to verify that you have read the policies and nursing student handbook on the nursing program website. 

By attesting the above, it acknowledges that the student has read the policies of the Department of  Bachelor of Science in Nursing in the Student Handbook on the Department of Nursing website. The student acknowledges that they understand and agree to comply with the policies and procedures stated on the website.

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Department of Nursing Student Handbook for BSN Traditional & Accelerated Programs

The Department of Bachelor of Science in Nursing is a department within the School of Nursing. The upper division nursing program was initiated in 1968 and graduated its first class of three students in 1972 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The National League for Nursing granted initial accreditation to the nursing program in 1977. The baccalaureate degree in nursing at SUNY Brockport is currently accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Mission of the Department of Nursing

Our central mission is the preparation of exemplary professional nurses, nurse practitioners, nurse educators, and nurse leaders. Our graduates will utilize evidence- and systems-based practices to provide healthcare leadership, ensuring the best possible outcomes for the diverse populations we serve.

Program Vision Statement

Our exemplary graduates will make significant contributions to healthcare that will transform patients’ experiences.  

Values

Honesty, Integrity, Compassion, Curiosity, Accountability, Civility, Desire for Excellence

Department of Nursing Program Philosophy

Nursing is a profession that focuses on the care of individuals, families, communities, and populations to promote health, prevent disease, and provide support during illness, rehabilitation, and at the beginning and end of life. Patients and communities are viewed holistically throughout the lifespan. Nurses work autonomously and in collaboration with other health professionals in a world of emerging technology to promote social justice, health equity, and address systemic racism and pervasive inequities in health care.

The School of Nursing’s curriculum includes 10 domains representing the essence of professional nursing practice, with expected competencies included for each domain. The competencies within each domain are applicable across four spheres of care: health promotion/disease prevention, chronic disease management, regenerative/restorative care, and hospice/palliative care.
Nursing education utilizes knowledge drawn from nursing practice, the liberal arts, sciences, and the humanities. The School of Nursing faculty promotes the vision and mission of the University and the School through teamwork and collaboration.
Students are recognized as bringing diverse abilities and perspectives to the educational setting. Students are active, accountable, and responsible participants in the learning process. Accordingly, opportunities are provided that encourage each student to build on past knowledge and experience through a wide variety of active learning techniques.

The undergraduate nursing curriculum emphasizes the progressive development of knowledge, skills, and attitudes essential to critical thinking and exemplary nursing practice. The Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing is the foundation for healthcare leadership roles, graduate study, and continuing professional development.

The graduate curriculum provides the education necessary for advanced clinical practice and systemic change leadership. The curriculum strongly focuses on inclusive, equitable, evidence-based care. Advanced practice nursing graduates are well-prepared to inform nursing care through ethical, conceptual, and theoretical thinking.

4/28/2025

BSN Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

School of Nursing & Department of Bachelor of Science in Nursing Committees

Within the Department of Nursing there are a variety of committees, which are designed to conduct the business of the nursing program. Committees are a constructive way for students to voice their concerns and make suggestions for changes in the program. Student representatives are sought and welcomed to serve on departmental committees. If interested in participating on a committee, please contact any nursing faculty member about joining. Although faculty value individual student feedback, student representatives are expected to share concerns as reflected by feedback obtained from the class and not simply their own opinions.

Responsibilities of Student Representatives

1. Attend scheduled committee meetings (or ask an alternate to attend).
2. Bring student feedback to the committee and bring feedback from the committee to the student body.
3. Assist in the work of the committee.

The following is a brief description of each committee on which students may be invited to participate:

• Department of Bachelor of Science in Nursing Faculty Meeting:
  • The entire faculty and staff attend this meeting, which is held monthly. During this meeting, decisions are made regarding how the affairs of the Department of Nursing will be conducted.
• Program Meetings (Traditional, Accelerated):
  • These are held once or twice a month and are designed to deal with the issues and concerns of students within that level or program. Students are invited to be on this committee.
• Assessment, Evaluation, and Curriculum Committee:
  • This committee is responsible for matters pertaining to the continual improvement and refining of the overall curriculum of the traditional and accelerated nursing programs. This committee is also responsible for establishing, implementing, and revising items relevant to the evaluation of the nursing program and program outcomes. Meetings are held monthly.
• Leadership Team
  • This committee is responsible for long-range planning and goals for the department. Students are invited to be on this committee.
• Appointment, Promotion and Tenure Committee (APT):
  • This committee is responsible for establishing, implementing, and revising policies and procedures relevant to appointments, reappointments, and promotions of faculty.
• Student/Alumni Affairs Committee:
  • This committee is responsible for creating and fostering opportunities for student development, scholarships, and awards, updating and maintaining the student handbook, and overseeing selection of and policy regarding student uniforms. Students are invited to be on this committee.
• Traditional Program Admission and Progression Committee:
  • This committee is responsible for establishing, implementing, and revising criteria, policies, and procedures relevant to the traditional undergraduate program admissions, progression, and readmissions.
• Accelerated Program Admission and Progression Committee:
  • This committee is responsible for establishing, implementing, and revising criteria, policies and procedures relevant to accelerated undergraduate program admissions, progression, and course challenge requests and readmissions.
• Scholarship Committee:
  • This committee is responsible for disseminating scholarship information to students and guiding students to the Academic Works Scholarship Portal on the college website for all Brockport Foundation Scholarships.
• International Education Committee:
  • This committee is responsible for exploring, developing and evaluating international educational opportunities offered through the department.
• Omicron Beta Nursing Honor Society:
  • This committee is responsible for coordinating departmental efforts and induction of students in the Omicron Beta Nursing Honor Society.

The Excellence in Clinical Education and Learning (ExCEL) Center

The ExCEL Center located in the newly renovated Lathrop Hall provides students with numerous opportunities to practice nursing skills, develop critical thinking, and cultivate professional attitudes. SUNY Brockport provides nursing majors a state-of-the-art lab and simulation learning environment, which consists of a computer lab, a health assessment lab, a foundations lab, four simulation rooms, a medication room, and a debriefing room.

The computer lab in Room #105 has 32 seats, a printer, and 3 large wall mounted monitors for students’ use. This space has the capacity to allow students to work cooperatively in groups, provides a quiet place to study, and can be used as a classroom. It is open Monday through Friday exclusively for nursing majors.

The health assessment lab in room #204 is an 8-bed lab used primarily in the first semester of the junior year. Room #206 is a 12-bed foundations lab which simulates an acute healthcare facility. Practice lab time allows students the opportunity to practice nursing skills independently to provide quality safe patient care when they arrive at their clinical practice settings.

The nursing simulation labs, medication room and debriefing room are all part of the Department of Nursing’s simulation learning environment. These labs contain state-of-the-art medication dispensing equipment, high-fidelity simulators, computers and scanners for electronic documentation, and video and audio equipment. Our high-fidelity simulators include three adults, a child, and a newborn. Each of these simulators has a pulse, breath sounds, heart sounds and can verbally interact with the student. Our mother simulator can actually simulate a live birth. Students are placed in real life clinical situations in which they need to make nursing decisions based on clinical assessments. This environment allows students a safe environment to develop clinical judgment based on clinical decision-making.

ExCEL Center Mission Statement

In accordance with the mission of SUNY Brockport, Department of Nursing, the mission of the ExCEL Center is the preparation of exemplary professional nurses and nurse practitioners who utilize evidence-based practices and provide leadership within health care systems resulting in the best possible outcomes for the diverse populations we serve. The ExCEL Center provides opportunities for students to develop safe, effective, evidence based foundational and advanced practice physical assessment skills. A student centered, experiential philosophy is utilized to promote quality and safety in patient care. Critical thinking, therapeutic communication and confidence is developed utilizing human patient simulation within a supportive, supervised, and non-threatening environment.

ExCEL Center Vision Statement

The ExCEL Center provides innovative educational activities that augment clinical and classroom learning. Students will have access to simulation technologies that promote high quality patient care. The ExCEL Center will be recognized for collaboration and leadership within the academic and healthcare community.

Practice Lab Policy for Undergraduate Traditional and Accelerated Students

Nursing Deliberate Practice Session/Practice Lab Policies

• First and second semester undergraduate nursing students must spend a total of at least 3 hours in deliberate practice sessions (DPS) over the course of the semester. This is part of your NUR 347 and NUR 351 clinical requirement. Failure to complete the three hours of hands-on deliberate practice Sessions (DPS) time will result in failure of either NUR 347 or NUR 351.
• Third and fourth semester undergraduate nursing students must spend a total of at least 2 hours in deliberate practice sessions (DPS) over the course of the semester. This is part of your NUR 443 and NUR 447 clinical requirement. Failure to complete the 2 hours of hands-on deliberate practice Sessions (DPS) time will result in failure of either NUR 443 or NUR 447.
• It is the student’s responsibility to sign up for the required DPS. Students must be signed up for the DPS to attend the session. Students must email the coordinator of the DPS in order to change their session date or time.
• There will be a limit to the number of students per DPS. If enough students have not signed up prior to a DPS that session may be canceled at the desecration of the lab faculty.
• Students are expected to report to their scheduled DPS prepared to actively participate in all learning experiences with any prep work required completed prior to the beginning of each DPS.
• Professional conduct and communication are expected at all times.
• If you have practiced a skill in the lab, re-watched the skill video, reviewed the text, and are still having difficulty please contact an ExCEL faculty member to set up an appointment for additional help.

Nurse Practice Act (Effective 1995)

Education Law, Article 139 – Nursing, New York State Nurses Association.
Section 6902: Definition of the practice of nursing:

1. The practice of the profession of nursing as a registered professional nurse is defined as diagnosing and treating human responses to actual or potential health problems through such services as case finding, health teaching, health counseling, and provision of care supportive to or restorative of life and well-being, and executing medical regimens prescribed by a licensed physician, dentist or other licensed health care provider legally authorized under this title and in accordance with the commissioner’s regulations. A nursing regimen shall be consistent with and shall not vary any existing medical regimen.

ANA Statement on Artificial Intelligence in Nursing Practice (Effective 2022)

ANA statement on AI in Nursing

Guidelines for Suitability and Capacity to Enter the Profession of Nursing

The following are expectations of nursing intents and nursing majors and are used a guidelines for assessing suitability and capacity to enter the Profession of Nursing.
Students applying to and continuing in the Nursing Program at SUNY Brockport are expected to:

• Demonstrate honesty, integrity and ethical principles.
• Relate to people with warmth and empathy, communicating feelings appropriately.
• Have an accepting attitude toward their total selves, including responsibility for meeting physical and emotional needs.
• Be open to change in themselves and others.
• Be able to listen and receive feedback from faculty and clinical instructors.
• Be able to accept suggestions for improvement from faculty without being defensive, augmentative, or aggressive.
• Recognize the essential worth and dignity of all human beings.
• Appreciate the value of human diversity.
• Develop self-confidence and initiative in working with people.
• Identify personal strengths, limitations, and motivations, especially as related to a decision to work with people.
• Express thoughts with clarity in both written and verbal form.
• Relate with respect for all people regardless of unique characteristics—for example, those related to race, religion (or lack of religion), gender, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation, and value system.
• Refrain from imposing their own personal, religious, sexual, and political preferences on clients.
• Be accountable for his/her own actions.

If a faculty member identifies inappropriate behavior on the part of a student in the classroom, ExCEL center or the clinical area this behavior will be documented in the student’s permanent record in the form of a note, counseling memo and/or a contract. In addition, students will be required to complete the University’s ’s Felony Review Form annually and should be aware that a felony record may preclude taking certain courses in the major, graduating, and/or obtaining licensure in the profession. Questions regarding this process should be directed to the chairperson of the department.

Professional Behaviors Expected of Nursing Students

The following behaviors are essential for professional nursing practice. These behaviors are evaluated by clinical faculty throughout each clinical rotation. Students must demonstrate satisfactory behavior in each of the following areas, otherwise the student will be dismissed from the nursing program.

• Accountability
• Responsibility
• Preparedness
• Willingness to learn
• Attendance
• Punctuality
• Empathy
• Appropriate attitude
• Respect
• Appropriate behavior
• Appropriate appearance
• Honesty
• Sensitivity
• Genuineness
• Non-judgmental behavior
• Commitment Integrity
• Ethical principles
• Appropriateness in seeking assistance
• Openness to change in self and others
• Recognition of dignity of all human beings
• Social media professionalism
  • ANA Social Media Principles
    o National Council of State Boards of Nursing Social Media Guidelines
    o Students should review these links and general recommendations as they begin their nursing education and plan to enter this profession.

Nursing students are expected to demonstrate the highest standards of professionalism, both in academic settings and online platforms. This includes showing respect for faculty, staff, and all individuals who contribute to the nursing programs. Students should not spread rumors, gossip, or post disparaging remarks about faculty, staff, or peers on any social media platforms.

Such actions undermine the integrity of the nursing community and may result in disciplinary measures, including removal from the program. Students are encouraged to address concerns with peers, faculty, or staff directly with the appropriate individual or utilize designated faculty/administrative channels to ensure constructive and professional resolution.

American Nurses Association Code of Ethics

Nursing students at SUNY Brockport are expected to act in accordance of the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics. Students who do not act in accordance to the ANA Code of Ethics will be dismissed from the nursing program. The provisions are as follows:

1. The nurse practices with compassion and respect for the inherent dignity, worth, and unique attributes of every person.
2. A nurse’s primary commitment is to the recipient(s) of nursing care, whether an individual, family, group, community, or population.
3. The nurse establishes a trusting relationship and advocates for the rights, health, and safety of recipient(s) of nursing care.
4. Nurses have authority over nursing practice and are responsible and accountable for their practice consistent with their obligations to promote health, prevent illness, and provide optimal care.
5. The nurse has moral duties to self as a person of inherent dignity and worth including an expectation of a safe place to work that fosters flourishing, authenticity of self at work, and self-respect through integrity and professional competence.
6. Nurses, through individual and collective effort, establish, maintain, and improve the ethical environment of the work setting that affects nursing care and the well-being of nurses.
7. Nurses advance the profession through multiple approaches to knowledge development, professional standards, and the generation of policies for nursing, health, and social concerns.
   8. Nurses build collaborative relationships and networks with nurses, other healthcare and non-healthcare disciplines, and the public to achieve greater ends.
8. Nurses and their professional organizations work to enact and resource practices, policies, and legislation to promote social justice, eliminate health inequities, and facilitate human flourishing.
9. Nursing, through organizations and associations, participates in the global nursing and health community to promote human and environmental health, well-being, and flourishing.

ANA Position Statement: The Nurse’s Role in Addressing Discrimination: Protecting and Promoting Inclusive Strategies in Practice Settings, Policy, and Advocacy

ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses

Technical Standards for the Undergraduate Nursing Program

The School of Nursing’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing curriculum is designed to provide the education necessary for the practice of nursing at the baccalaureate level of preparation. Students build on the fundamental principles of nursing, acquire critical judgment skills grounded in education and experience, and develop the ability to apply these principles and skills wisely in decision-making and problem-solving related to the delivery of high-quality nursing services.
Students admitted to the School of Nursing’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs need intellectual and physical abilities to acquire the knowledge, behaviors and skills taught within the program of nursing. In addition to satisfactory academic performance in all coursework, students are expected to fulfill the essential non-academic functions of the curriculum in a reasonably independent manner.

The School of Nursing’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs will consider for admission and advancement any individual able to perform pursuant to the standards which are used as guidelines. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to qualified individuals with a disability in accordance with applicable laws and policies, while maintaining the integrity of program standards at initiation of the didactic program.

Accommodations will be arranged on a case-by-case basis working in conjunction with the Office of Students with Disabilities. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing suggest that all students must be able to meet the following key technical requirements:

Key Technical Standards

• Practice scope: Registered nurses (RNs) must practice within the legal boundaries defined by the Nurse Practice Act and its accompanying rules.
• Patient surveillance: Nurses are responsible for observing and monitoring patients to identify changes in their health status and taking appropriate action when needed.
• Documentation: Accurate and thorough documentation of nursing care, patient condition changes, and other relevant information is a mandatory standard.
• Preventive care: Nurses must take preventive measures to protect themselves, the patient, and others.
• Delegation: When delegating tasks, nurses can only assign those that the delegate has the necessary skills and competence to perform safely.

Professional standards: These technical standards are part of a larger set of professional expectations that guide nursing practice, ensuring quality care and patient safety, as described by organizations like the American Nurses Association (ANA).

Legal framework: The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) standards are a critical component of the legal and regulatory framework governing nursing in the United States, which is enforced by state boards of nursing.

Disability Statement

Students with documented disabilities may be entitled to specific accommodation. SUNY Brockport’s ASC Student Accessibility Services makes this determination. Please contact this office at (585) 395-5291 or sasoffice@brockport.edu to inquire about the necessary evaluation for obtaining an official letter to the course instructor detailing approved accommodations. Faculty work as a team with the ASC Student Accessibility Services to meet the needs of students with disabilities. It is the student’s responsibility to establish eligibility and arrange accommodation through ASC.

Criminal Conviction Policy

In addition, students should be aware that some clinical sites require a full background check, and felony convictions may disqualify students from participating at certain clinical sites and/or jeopardize future licensure. Students are expected to comply with clinical site requirements. Questions regarding this process should be directed to the chairperson of the department.

Students are required to complete the University’s Felony Review Form annually and should be aware that a felony record may preclude taking certain courses in the program, graduating, and/or obtaining licensure in the profession. Questions regarding this process should be directed to the chairperson of the department.

Department of Bachelor of Science in Nursing Guidelines for Academic Dishonesty

The Department of  Bachelor of Science in Nursing supports the College Policy on Academic Honesty as outlined below.

General

1. An academic community functions most successfully when there is trust among all members, academic dishonesty is a serious breach of that trust which exists between a student, one’s fellow students and/or the instructor.
2. Academic dishonesty is a major violation of University policy, which can result in a range of disciplinary actions from a reprimand to suspension or expulsion from the institution. (To learn more about it you can take a look at Academic Dishonesty Policy). Any student suspected of such a violation will be subject to charges in accordance with the Student Council Regulations.
3. Violations of academic honesty include, but are not limited to, the actions described at Academic Dishonesty Policy. Established school, unity, and/or individual policies will address circumstances unique or specific to particular academic areas. When such policies are developed, they shall be forwarded to the President for approval and incorporation in this policy. this includes University policies related to artificial intelligence. 
4. Concern of academic dishonesty violations in any undergraduate/prerequisite courses will be subject to denying admission to the nursing program and result in dismissal during nursing program without ability to reapply.

Definitions

Academic dishonesty may be seen as including the following:

1. Presenting as one’s own: words, ideas, or products of another without providing a standard form of documentation such as footnotes, endnotes, or bibliographic documentation.
2. Fabricating facts, statistics, or other forms of evidence in papers, laboratory experiments, or other assignments.
3. Presenting someone else’s paper or material as one’s own work.
4. Writing or attempting to write an examination, paper, computer work or material for another student; allowing someone else to take one’s examination.
5. Buying and/or selling of examinations; possession of examinations or answers to examinations without the permission of the instructor. Taking screenshots of online exams, quizzes and/or case study materials, etc.
6. Using “cheat” sheets, looking onto another person’s paper or talking to someone other than the instructor or proctor during an examination without the instructor’s permission.
7. Failing to follow the rules of conduct for taking an examination as stipulated by the instructor prior to the examination or as stated by him or her in a written course syllabus.
8. Presenting work for which credit has already been received in a previous course, without the consent of the instructor.

AI Statement

The use of generative AI tools or apps for assignments in this course, including tools like ChatGPT and other AI writing or coding assistants, is prohibited unless otherwise noted in the specific course syllabi. Detection of the use of AI tools may result in disciplinary action following SUNY Brockport’s Academic Dishonesty Policy.

Adapted from: University of Toronto

Guidelines for Writing Papers within the Department of Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs:

All papers will be written in APA format, in professional paper format. Refer to the APA Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.) for assistance. Papers that do not comply with APA requirements will lose points from the grade for the paper and may be returned for the student for revision.

Approved 5/14/21 Reviewed 5/14/21 Reviewed 2/23/23

Guidelines for Writing Care Plans within the Department of Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs:

All assignments will be written utilizing only the most current NANDA-I nursing diagnoses and the current required care plan textbook per course syllabi.

Approved 5/24/23
Reviewed 6/24/25

Department of Bachelor of Science in Nursing Examination Guidelines

Students will be taking exams at various times in the different courses. The following general guidelines may be used by the faculty where appropriate. 

1. Students are expected to be present for all exams. In the event of an absence, the student must contact the professor prior to the exam. A note substantiating the reason for the exam absence may be requested of the student by the course faculty. Otherwise, an absent student will receive a grade of zero for that exam.
2. Exams will begin and end on time. Late students will be admitted at the discretion of the faculty.
3. Students with formal accommodations in place are responsible for making arrangements with the testing center to take their examinations.

All articles must be placed on the floor under the desk or in the designated area. All students are expected to maintain and adhere to the examination integrity policy requirements below. Once the exam has begun, no one will be allowed to leave the classroom until they have completed their exam.

If the test is being administered electronically, students are expected to keep their eyes on their own device. Students are expected to have properly functioning equipment that meets the technical requirements as stated in the course syllabi which includes all necessary updates.

Students are asked to avoid congregating in the hall outside the exam room, as it is very distracting to the students still taking an exam. Students may not reenter the classroom while students are still taking the exam.

Examination Integrity Policy

Students may not have any communications devices when completing any examination or quiz in any nursing course of the nursing program taken in a classroom or through SAS (unless documented as a testing accommodation through the SAS Student Accessibility Services). These devices include:

1. Cell phones
2. iPods and MP3 players
3. iPads, tablets, and other eReaders
4. Laptops, notebooks, or any other personal computing devices (unless directed to complete the exam on computer)
5. Cameras and personal scanning devices
6. Wearable devices/smart wearables, including smart watches and health wearables with a display
7. Headphones, headsets, or in-ear headphones such as earbuds
8. Any other device capable of recording audio, photographic, or video content, or capable of viewing or playing back such content, or sending receiving text, audio, or video message

All students are required to remove and securely store any communication devices during all in-class examinations. Students also need to remove hats during exams/testing.

If a student is found with any of these devices during an exam, the student will be dismissed from the exam/quiz and will receive a grade of zero for that assignment. The faculty member will complete the faculty report of Student Violation of the Academic Dishonesty Policy. Such an incident may be grounds for dismissal from the nursing program and potentially SUNY Brockport.

Department of Bachelor of Science in Nursing Programs Examination Achievement Policy Statement

Each student must achieve an average of at least 75% for examinations in each didactic course associated with a clinical course.

The one exception to the above policy is the NUR 328 Math for Safe Medication Administration. To receive a passing grade for NUR 328 the student will have two opportunities to score a minimum final exam grade of 90%. If 90% is not achieved on the second attempt, the student will not be able to progress in the nursing program. In addition, students must complete all assigned work and earn a course grade of 75 or higher to pass this course and remain in the nursing program.

Responsibility of Students:

• Students are responsible for knowing the policy on academic dishonesty and failure of an individual faculty member to remind the student as to what constitutes academic dishonesty shall not obviate this responsibility.
• Students should take care not to provide opportunities for other students to engage in academic dishonesty.
• Students should inform the faculty member of academic dishonesty taking place.

Policy on the Use of Alcohol, Drugs and Other Mood-Altering Substances

All students are required to read the following policy on the Use of Alcohol, Drugs and other Mood-Altering Substances, and to adhere to it.

Chemical use, as well as abuse, can interfere with your classroom and clinical performance. Even small amounts of mood-altering substances can affect your judgment and perceptions and therefore endanger the lives of your patients. The following departmental policy on alcohol, drugs and mood-altering substance use has a two-fold purpose:

1. To ensure the safety of your patients.
2. To help you recognize if your actions are problematic and to assist you in seeking help.

The faculty of the School of Nursing will not tolerate the presence of students in the classroom and clinical settings who are under the influence of alcohol/drugs and other mood-altering substances. The School of Nursing faculty’s concerns are not limited to illegal drugs. The School of Nursing policy absolutely forbids students to participate in the clinical setting with even the smell of alcohol on their breath or if exhibiting any behavioral manifestations indicative of mood-altering substance use, even where the substance is a legally prescribed medication. Any student who is taking a prescribed medication or who has a medical problem that may cause them to appear to be under the influence of alcohol/drugs or other mood-altering substances must inform the faculty prior to starting any clinical rotation. The use of alcohol several hours before clinical or heavy use the night before can result in the smell of alcohol on your breath, which is unacceptable. Some substances have a long half-life (such as marijuana) and would show up on the screen one month after use. Students also should be cognizant of any odor associated with these substances if they are surrounded by its use and may not attend class or clinical if this is noted.

The procedure that will be followed by faculty in dealing with students with the smell of alcohol/drugs on their breath/person or who are under the influence of alcohol/other mood-altering substances is as follows:

In the Classroom Setting:

The student will be spoken to by the faculty member. The departmental policy regarding the use of alcohol and other mood-altering substances will be reviewed. This conversation will be documented in the department’s confidential file and will be shared with the other nursing faculty.

In the Clinical Setting:

Both the patient’s and your personal safety will be taken into consideration.

• No further patient contact will be allowed, and the student will be asked to leave the clinical facility.
• The student will be directed to get an immediate blood alcohol level test or to use a breathalyzer or have an immediate drug screen. It will be the student’s responsibility to pay for the costs involved, and to provide proof of the time and the date the testing was done.
• The student will be dismissed from the program if test results indicate the presence of alcohol/drugs or other mood-altering substances or if the student refuses to take the required test. The student may be dismissed from the program if test results indicate the presence of a prescribed medication that was not previously declared with the faculty.

The Department of Bachelor of Science in Nursing Programs is in full compliance with the college policies found at Policies by Category.

Attendance Policy: Class and Clinical

Attendance Policy:

Class attendance is expected, and absences will be dealt with according to the College’s Attendance Policy.

Classroom:

The student is responsible for all assigned course work in the course syllabi and cannot be absolved of this responsibility. When enrolled in a particular course, the student is obligated to complete all of the work assigned. Punctual and regular attendance is vital to the discharge of this obligation. Absences, excused or not, do not alter this responsibility.

Absences will be excused for (a) documented illness, (b) official representation of the college, (c) death of a close relative, (d) religious holiday and (e) other circumstances beyond the control of the student. The substantiation of excused absences is the responsibility of the student. Excuses for official representation of the college must be obtained from the official supervising that activity or event.

NOTE: Documented illness: student must notify the instructor prior to a class missed because of illness either by phone message or by email. If there are more than 2 absences per class, the student must then provide health care provider documentation of illness. If this does not occur, any further absences from class will be deemed unexcused. Per College Policy, absences that exceed 15% of the scheduled classes will result in a lowered grade (by one letter grade) for the course.

If a student misses an exam because of illness, the student must notify the instructor prior to class and must provide health care provider documentation of illness.
Regulations more restrictive than those stated above, but not in conflict with them, may be established by the instructor for any course.

Instructors are responsible for distributing this attendance policy, and any additions in writing, during the first class meeting. You can learn more about the attendance policy at College Attendance Policy

Clinical:

Attendance in clinical experience is mandatory. Absences will be excused only at the discretion of the instructor however the clinical hours will need to be made up on the designated make up day unless other arrangements are able to be made at the discretion of the instructor and if possible, depending on the clinical institution.. Allowable reasons for absence from a clinical experience include unsafe weather conditions, documented illness (documentation of illness from a health care provider) and the death of a close relative. 

An unexcused absence from clinical will result in failure of clinical. Missing clinical prior to an exam may be subject to a 5-point deduction on the scheduled examination.

Absences that are not made up will result in assignment of a grade of U for the clinical component of the course. This will result in an unsatisfactory didactic course grade.

Program Continuation

Based on the professional judgment of School of Nursing faculty, there are rare occasions when a nursing student is dismissed from the nursing program without an opportunity to remediate. These situations occur for reasons such as the following:

1. A grade of less than 75% on the exam component of any course with a clinical component in the nursing major constitutes grounds for dismissal. If this is the first course failure, the student may re-apply to the Nursing Department. Re-admission is not guaranteed. If re-admitted, a contract will be in place before starting any nursing courses that clearly denotes what the student needs to accomplish to be successful in nursing. Failure of a second nursing course with a clinical component will result in dismissal from the program and the student will not be considered for re-admission to nursing.
2. If a student fails either a didactic course or a clinical course in the nursing program and is readmitted both the didactic and clinical courses must be repeated successfully. If a student fails a clinical course and the associated didactic course, then the student will be removed from the program without the opportunity to reapply.
3. Failure to provide safe care to patients as outlined on clinical evaluation instruments.
4. Academic dishonesty such as cheating on an examination, theft of an examination, or plagiarism. (Refer to College Policy on Student Academic Dishonesty)
5. Lack of commitment to the values of the nursing profession as evidenced through behavior and attitudes expressed in the classroom or clinical site. (Refer to the Guidelines for Suitability and Capacity to Enter the Profession of Nursing.)
6. Severe maladaptation to the educational process as described in the Student Nursing Handbook.
7. Blood levels and/or urinalysis results indicating the presence of any alcohol or mood-altering substances or refusal to obtain the requested evidence when alcohol or drug use are suspected in the clinical setting. Any violation of the Student Nursing Handbook for the Policy on Alcohol, Drugs and other Mood-Altering Substances could result in dismissal.

If a student who is in the nursing program is suspended from SUNY Brockport for any reason, and requests readmission, the student will need to reapply, submit a letter requesting readmission, and program specific faculty will vote to determine readmission. Students will be considered on par with other applicants if offers are GPA based. If a student is readmitted, a contract will be in place before starting any nursing courses that clearly denotes what the student needs to accomplish to be successful in nursing.

Within a Course:

A student who has performance deficiencies and/or behaviors exhibited that conflict with the Guidelines for Suitability and Capacity to practice document in the clinical, lab, or class setting will receive a “contract” which will delineate the behaviors that must be exhibited to earn a satisfactory grade in the course. This contract must be signed by both the instructor and the student. If a student fails to sign a contract, a second faculty member will witness the conversation related to the contract and will document this on the contract. A lack of signature will not nullify the contract.

Within a Level:

A student with performance weaknesses, and/or behaviors exhibited that conflict with the Guidelines for Suitability and Capacity to practice document in the clinical, lab or class setting, may be allowed to progress, at the instructor’s discretion, from one course to another, with a clinical contract. This means that the student must fulfill the terms of the contract in order to pass the new course. Contracts may be issued for courses without a clinical component.

• Contracts will remain in place throughout the program.
• If a behavior, which had previously been addressed in a clinical contract, resurfaces at another Level, dismissal from the program will be considered.

Progression Policy

For students matriculated in the prelicensure nursing programs, the following grade scale will be utilized:

Faculty will review students’ clinical and didactic performance at the end of each course and/or whenever deemed necessary using the Guidelines for Suitability and Capacity to Enter the Profession of Nursing and clinical evaluation forms.

Satisfactory progress and continued progression through the prelicensure nursing program requires passing all courses within the nursing major. Students will not be allowed to withdraw from a course after the University withdrawal period if they are failing that course. Students must have a 2.75 GPA to be successful in the program.

Any student who withdraws or drops a prelicensure nursing course, while earning a failing average in the course, will only be allowed to repeat that course after signing a contract with the Department of Nursing’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. This contract will be developed by the instructor for the course and will include the criteria required to achieve a passing grade. While repeating the course, withdrawing, or dropping the course will be considered the equivalent of failing the course. If there is a corequisite course students will withdraw from both courses at the same time. 

When students need to stop clinical as a result of an injury or failure, they should also stop and withdraw from the concurrent class if other arrangements cannot be made. If students come out of clinical, they do not attend any further labs or simulations.

If there is an injury that impacts the ability to attend clinical or class, the student will need to withdraw from those classes and repeat clinical and classes that the student needs to withdraw from.

If a traditional student is not successful in their program, they may reapply to the traditional program when able to reapply. They may not join the accelerated class.

If an accelerated student is not successful in their program, they may reapply to the accelerated program when able to reapply. This student will not join the traditional class, except for a failure in NUR 442 in the spring semester. That student may join the traditional class to retake NUR 442 in the fall after that spring failure, if they are successful in all summer courses.

Both co-requisite didactic and clinical courses (i.e. NUR 342/343) must be completed successfully to progress to the next course or level. In case of failure of either, the student will be dismissed from the program. If readmitted to the program, both didactic and clinical co-requisite courses must be completed successfully in order to progress to the next course or next level.

Level I

The required courses, which comprise the nursing major in Level One of the curricula, are:

• NUR 328 Math for Safe Medication Administration
• NUR 342 Foundations for Professional Practice
• NUR 343 Foundations for Professional Practice Clinical (prerequisite for NUR 347, co-requisite to NUR 342))
• NUR 344 Health Assessment
• NUR 345 Health Assessment Clinical (prerequisite for NUR 347, co-requisite to NUR 344))
• NUR 346 Medical Surgical I
• NUR 347 Medical Surgical I Clinical (co-requisite to NUR 346)
• PRO 310 Research Process

*Each course in Level I must be successfully completed before the student may progress to Level II.

Level II

The required courses, which comprise the nursing major in Level II of the curriculum, are:

• NUR 321 Pharmacology
• NUR 348 Childbearing Family and Women’s Health
• NUR 349 Childbearing Family and Women’s Health Clinical (co-requisite to NUR 348)
• NUR 350 Medical Surgical II
• NUR 351 Medical Surgical II Clinical (co-requisite to NUR 350)
• NUR 360 Nursing Care of the Older Adult

*Each course in Level II must be successfully completed before students may progress to Level III.

Level III

The required courses, which comprise the nursing major in Level III of the curriculum, are:

• NUR 440 Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing
• NUR 441 Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Clinical (co-requisite to NUR 440)
• NUR 442 Critical Care Nursing
• NUR 443 Critical Care Nursing Clinical (co-requisite to NUR 442)
• NUR 444 Community Health Nursing
• NUR 445 Community Health Nursing Clinical (co-requisite to NUR 444)
• NUR 446 Pediatric Nursing
• NUR 447 Pediatric Nursing Clinical (co-requisite to NUR 446)
• NUR 451 Issues in Management and Leadership
• NUR 495 Senior Nursing Seminar

*Students who fail a level III course and would like to apply for readmission must reapply before the end of the semester before they can begin classes again.

Incomplete Grade Contracts

In accordance with university-wide policy, if a faculty member approves a grade of Incomplete because of unusual circumstances, the faculty member will complete a student contract. Both the faculty member and the student will sign this contract. The contract shall state the work to be completed, the date by which it must be completed, and the alternate grade to be assigned if the work is not completed as stated. The contract is forwarded to the department Chairperson for approval and is filed with the registrar.

Dismissal Policy

Students are continuously evaluated by the nursing faculty during their professional baccalaureate nursing education at SUNY Brockport. Students can be dismissed from the program at any time during their junior or senior year based on the following criteria:

1. Failure of any course within the nursing major. (Please see readmission policy for criteria to reapply.)
2. Failure to provide safe care to patients as outlined on clinical evaluation instruments for Levels I-III.
3. Academic dishonesty such as cheating on an examination, theft of an examination, or plagiarism of assignments from any printed source or the work of others. (Refer to University Policy on Student Academic Dishonesty including the use of AI and course syllabus)
4. Lack of commitment to the values of the nursing profession as evidenced through behavior and attitudes expressed in the classroom or clinical placement site. (Refer to Guidelines for Suitability and Capacity to Enter the Profession of Nursing.)
5. Severe maladaptation to the educational process as evidenced by:
   1. Student’s lack of ability to participate productively in a classroom and/or clinical situation.
   2. A consistent pattern of inadequate class preparation.
   3. A consistent pattern of late completion of assignments.
   4. Irresponsible behavior in class or clinical placement site
   5. A consistent pattern of absence and/or tardiness from class or clinical.

Students will receive written notification from their nursing instructor of impending dismissal due to unsafe behavior in a clinical setting. Students may be asked to leave a clinical site immediately in the event of unsafe behavior. Written notification will follow.

Students will be given the opportunity to be heard. In the event of dismissal from the program, the student will be informed of the right to appeal which may be found at Grade Appeal Policy.

Readmission Policy

The program specific faculty of the Department of Nursing’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing makes readmission decisions. There needs to be an available seat in the program. The department reserves the right to refuse readmission to the undergraduate nursing program. A student may be readmitted, at the program’s discretion, after having failed one course. However, a student who fails a course is at serious risk for not being readmitted and losing his/her previous position in the nursing department. Readmission is on a competitive basis. Students are evaluated on par with the other current applicants. If a student fails either a didactic course or a clinical course in the nursing program and is readmitted both the didactic and clinical courses must be repeated successfully. If a student fails a clinical course and the associated didactic course, then the student will be removed from the program without the opportunity to reapply to the nursing major.

If a student is readmitted and fails the course, he/she is repeating or any other course within the nursing major, the student will be dismissed and will not be considered for readmission again.

Those applying for readmission to the prelicensure nursing program must re-apply to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Department and meet the current application deadline. Students who have been dismissed from the Nursing major will have conditions and requirements of readmission spelled out in a contract described in their letter of re-admission. The timeframe to fulfill any conditions will also be included in this letter. Readmission is not guaranteed.

Baccalaureate Degree Graduation

Preparation for Graduation

Although graduation is a joyous time, there are many administrative tasks to be completed. One of these tasks is the “Degree Progress Check” done during the last semester of the junior year. This involves meeting with your faculty advisor and going over your academic record to help ensure that you have the correct number of credits and the appropriate coursework for graduation. You should remember that the final responsibility for meeting all graduation requirements for the Baccalaureate Degree rests with the student. Another task is to file an “intent to graduate document”. Please refer to the Registration and Records website to apply for graduation.

Requirements for RN Licensure

Completion of the Nursing Program does not ensure admission to attempt the licensure examination. Graduates of the Traditional and Accelerated Programs meet the education requirements for admittance to the RN licensure exam; however, there is a requirement that the applicant be of “good moral character”, and a fee must be paid for the test. On the application for the test, the applicant is required to truthfully answer the following questions:

• Have you ever been convicted of a crime (felony or misdemeanor) in any state or country?
• Are charges pending against you for a crime (felony or misdemeanor) in any state or country?
• Have you ever been found guilty of professional misconduct, unprofessional conduct or negligence in any state or country?
• Are charges pending against you for professional misconduct, unprofessional conduct or negligence in any state or country?
• If the answer to any of the questions is yes, the applicant must offer full explanation and establish his/her good moral character with the State Education Department.

Students will be directed to complete this process the semester of graduation.

Student Health Issues

In light of the demands, actual and potential, of the clinical settings for nursing courses, it is prudent that clinical faculty are aware of health issues that could affect student’s performance and/or patient care. Students are to inform clinical faculty if any such conditions exist or arise during clinical courses. If a student is unable to meet requirements to safely perform in clinical, then a medical clearance letter may be requested before resuming clinical duties. If a student is unable to complete their clinical due to a health issue or injury they will also withdraw from the associated didactic course and plans will be made to resume coursework when the student receives clearance and the program is able to arrange for completion of this work. This may mean there is a delay in original anticipated graduation date.

Revised and Approved 5/4/18 Reviewed 5/14/21 Reviewed 2/23/23 Reviewed 6/24/25

Policy and Procedure for Student Complaints That Do Not Involve Discrimination

• A faculty member who receives a complaint that does not involve discrimination, from a student about another faculty member should encourage that student to first speak directly with the person concerned, to resolve differences and feelings. If requested by the student, arrangements will be made for another faculty member or level coordinator to be present as well for the discussion.
• If the student’s concerns persist, the student then should speak to the level coordinator or the director of the individual program, to hopefully resolve differences and feelings.
• If the student’s concerns persist, the student should then speak with the chairperson of the nursing program.
• The chairperson of the nursing program will discuss the situation with the student and attempt to make a resolution.

Policy and Procedure for Student Complaints That Involve Discrimination

The School of Nursing has zero tolerance for discrimination of any kind. If a student has a concern the following procedure should be followed:

• If the student complaint is regarding discrimination of any kind, the student should be referred directly to the chairperson of their nursing program.
• The chairperson will inform the student of the discrimination complaint procedures in effect on the campus.
• If the complaint is against the chairperson, the student should be referred directly to the dean for general complaints and to the Affirmative Action Director for complaints about discrimination.

Gender Discrimination and Sexual Harassment Policy

Gender discrimination and sexual harassment are prohibited in class. Title IX legislation requires the University to provide gender equity in all areas of campus life. If you or someone you know has experienced gender discrimination, sexual harassment, or sexual assault, we encourage you to seek assistance and to report the incident through resources available at Title IX. Confidential assistance is available at Hazen Center for Integrated Care. For these and other regulations governing campus life, please see all of our Student Polices.

Policy on Electronic Devices and Social Media

Course instructors and staff of university facilities may place restrictions on the use of wireless communication devices and electronic devices in their classroom or facilities. Ringing cellular telephones and laptop computers used for instant messaging, game playing, Internet surfing, and other such activities are considered disruptive. After an initial warning, students who do not comply with the policy of the classroom/facility may be asked to leave for the remainder of the class/day. If students are asked to leave class because of such a disruption, instructors are not obligated to allow makeup of missed work. Having a wireless communication device in hand or using earphones connected to one during examinations will be grounds for charges of academic dishonesty. Using devices with video or photo features may result in charges of violating laws on intellectual property rights or invasion of privacy.

While in the clinical setting, use of cell phones and other electronic devices are prohibited. Faculty will provide specific information regarding the use of electronic devices for each clinical site. Violations of the policy will not be tolerated and will result in written counseling memo or a contract. Further information on Disruptive Behaviors, Academic Dishonesty, and Codes of Student Conduct, including potential sanctions, processes and rights to appeal may be found at Student Policies.

Social Networking Ethics Policy

Any statement made or posting of any material, pictures or information within any venue of social networking (Facebook, Instagram, twitter, etc.) which can cause actual or potential harm or injury to another person or defamation of the School of Nursing and/or SUNY Brockport itself will be considered  grounds for dismissal from the nursing program.

Using social networking to contact preceptors or faculty is not an acceptable means of professional communication and will not be tolerated.

As a reminder, it is a violation of HIPAA policies to ever discuss any aspect of clinical care on social networking. Violation of HIPAA policy is subject to federal prosecution.

Policy on Student Access to Records

Students have the right to access their own files in the School of Nursing office. These files are stored electronically in Teams. Students may review their student file with a faculty member or faculty advisor present.

Policy on Electronic Medical Record Access

Students MUST access Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) only with student-generated accounts. Students must never access the EMR when in clinical with an employee generated EMR account. Such access is a HIPPA violation and is grounds for dismissal from the nursing program.

HIPAA Compliance Policy

1. Clinical faculty will sign the HIPPA confidentiality agreement at clinical agencies as required.
2. All students will receive a Notice of Information Practices, Uses and Disclosures of Health Information. Students will sign an acknowledgement of receipt of this notice during orientation to the program.

ACEMAPP

ACEMAPP is a collaborative platform for healthcare education, compliance, and recruitment that SUNY Brockport and the Rochester Area Health Systems have contracted with for clinical placements and student compliance. This is where we will request clinical sites, assign clinical rotations, and store compliance data. Students will receive an email from ACEMAPP to set up an account with them. Students should respond to any emails from ACEMAPP ASAP.

SUNY Brockport and ACEMAPP are serious regarding the security of your data. ACEMAPP prioritizes security, using robust measures like SSL-2048 bit encryption, HIPAA compliance, and SSAE-16 certification to secure data. They also employ 2-factor authentication and non-reversible password hashing. Additionally, ACEMAPP conducts regular penetration testing, vulnerability checks, and malware/virus scans.

Students will submit their health form directly through ACEMAPP Student health information will be maintained securely. Student health information will not be able to be accessed after graduation.

Notice of Information Practices

 

Uses and Disclosure of Health Information

Student health information is obtained and kept on file in the School of Nursing. This is being done to fulfill the terms of the written agreements between the School of Nursing and clinical agencies with whom the department affiliates for clinical experiences. In general, a written authorization to release information is required from you to share health information with any third party not involved in your medical care. If students choose to sign an authorization to disclose information, the student can later revoke that authorization to stop any future uses and disclosures.

Identifiable health information about students may be disclosed without their authorization to these affiliating agencies only to document that legal health requirements have been met.

Individual Rights

In most cases and according to New York State Medical Records law, students have the right to review or receive a copy of their health information. Students also have the right to receive a list of instances where we have disclosed health information about students for reasons other than related administrative purposes. If a student believes that information in their record is incorrect or if important information is missing, students have the right to request a correction of the existing information or add the missing information.

Our Legal Duty

The School of Nursing is required by law to protect the privacy of students’ health information, provide this notice about the information practices, and follow the information practices that are described in this notice.

If students have questions or complaints, please contact the Chairperson of the Department of Nursing.

ExCEL Center Confidentiality Agreement

(Students will sign this form electronically at orientation)

As a nursing student at SUNY Brockport, I will participate in clinical laboratory simulations. I understand that the content of these simulations will be kept confidential to maintain the integrity of the learning experience for my fellow students and me. I also understand that in working side by side with my fellow students I may be witnessing their performance. It would be unethical for me to share information regarding student performance with people outside the laboratory.
I acknowledge that I fully understand that the unauthorized release, inappropriate exchange, or mishandling of confidential information is prohibited, and serious consequences may occur if I violate this agreement. I will exemplify the nursing values of integrity, human dignity, and confidentiality.
Signature _____________________________________________Date___________________
Photo/Video Release

I, (please print your name) _______________________________________________________, give SUNY Brockport permission to video/photograph my performance in clinical laboratories, practice lab sessions, and clinical simulations. These recorded sessions will be used to provide debriefing opportunities with the appropriate faculty, staff, and students. These videos may also be used for skill performance evaluations. I understand that the videos will only be used for educational purposes and that a Confidentiality Agreement will be signed by fellow students to protect my privacy and discourage inappropriate discussion of the video contents or my performance in the simulation or lab scenarios. I give permission for SUNY Brockport School of Nursing to use the video for future review by appropriate faculty, staff, and students. All student recordings will be stored securely for one year post graduation. Recordings will then be destroyed or downloaded and archived securely within the School of Nursing for up to seven years.
Signature __________________________________________Date_____________________

Policy on Clinical Incident/Variance Reporting

The following procedure will be reviewed with the students during orientation at each clinical site.

• Any incident involving a patient will be reported immediately to the clinical instructor.
• The clinical instructor will ensure that agency personnel and physicians are notified.
• The instructor will oversee the completion of the incident report following the agency policy and format for reporting of clinical incidents.
• The student is not to answer questions regarding and/or discuss the incident except in the presence of the clinical instructor.

Dress Code

Prelicensure students: The student uniform of the Department of Bachelor of Science in Nursing student uniform indicates your affiliation with SUNY Brockport. As a representative of the program during your clinical experiences, you have the responsibility of maintaining a professional appearance at all times. The following is a list of requirements for your attire during your clinical experiences:

Hospital and Other Health Care Facilities

Prelicensure Nursing Students must wear the School of Nursing’s designated green scrub top and green scrub pants to clinical unless noted otherwise. 

• The SUNY Brockport Nursing emblem must be sewn on the left sleeve
• Uniforms must be clean and free of wrinkles
• Plain socks should be worn

Plain, all white leather shoes/sneakers

• No open toes or heels
• These can be nursing shoes or walking shoes manufactured by sports companies
• Shoes and laces must be clean at all times.
• No clogs or open back shoes are allowed.
• No canvas or nylon shoes are permitted (essentially any shoe material that body fluids can soak through is not allowed).
• Ankle socks and knee socks should be worn with pants.
• Shoes are reserved for clinical use only

Students are required to buy the designated SUNY Brockport Nursing green polo to wear to outside nursing experiences (anywhere that does not require the nursing scrub uniform such as community health and psych clinical experiences). 

A long sleeve plain white shirt may be worn under the green Brockport uniform scrub top or the polo shirt for warmth unless restricted by the clinical site.

SUNY Brockport student ID pictures must be worn to all clinical experiences and updated annually. Students will be sent home if they arrive without their Brockport ID. Some clinical sites also require an additional site specific ID card which will be provided to the student.

In addition, students in all clinical settings must have the following:

• Watch with second hand
• Stethoscope. A sphygmomanometer
• Black pens
• Penlight

All students must maintain a professional appearance, which also requires:

• Good personal hygiene
• Short, clean fingernails with no polish or enhancements
• Hair that is clean, neat and off the collar of the uniform
• No perfume or cologne
• Minimal makeup
• No chewing gum
• Beards and mustaches must be short and well groomed
• Long hair must be worn up and secured well with plain band or clip
• Students may wear a head covering for religious, cultural or medical reasons ONLY. The head covering should be solid in color and must be clean and secured away from the face to prevent it from impeding vision or creating an infection control hazard.
• Tobacco and vaping is a health risk. Therefore, students may not vape, smoke or chew tobacco in any clinical setting.

Jewelry Policy:

The wearing of jewelry should be considered in the context of patient and student safety as well as projecting a student’s professional appearance.

• A watch and ring (i.e. band) that do not have edges or prongs are acceptable.
• Students may wear studs ONLY in piercings. Necklaces, bracelets, bangles and other items are not allowed for safety and infection control purposes.

Body Piercing & Tattoo Policy:

While SUNY Brockport practices inclusivity, values diversity and recognizes that personal appearance is an important part of a person’s individuality and expression, the expectation is that professionalism and safety must be maintained both in the classroom and clinical site.

Please note, if a clinical site requires a more stringent policy, the student will be expected to follow the policy of the facility they are at for clinical.

Body Piercings:

• Ear lobe piercings and small stud/post style earrings are acceptable. Hoop earrings are not permitted in the ear lobes. Upper ear and cartilage piercings are permitted but a student may be required to discreetly cover them with a properly sized bandage as a safety consideration; clear plastic retainer styles may also be worn as an alternative. Solid gauge posts that are of neutral color and matching skin tone are to be worn if a student has gauged earlobes.
• Facial and oral piercings are not permitted with the exception of a single nose (nostril only) piercing. Nose piercings must be stud style, minimal in size and unobtrusive. Nose hoops are not permitted. Other facial piercings must preferably be removed or discreetly covered with a properly sized bandage; clear plastic retainer styles may also be worn as an alternative.

Tattoos:

• Tattoos may be visible if the images or words do not convey violence, discrimination, profanity or sexually explicit content, and as agency policy allows. Tattoos containing such messages must be covered with bandages, clothing or cosmetics. Bandages must be kept clean, dry and intact, and must not interfere with student’s ability to perform tasks. SUNY Brockport School of Nursing Student Affairs Committee faculty reserve the right to make a decision about whether or not a student’s visible tattoo is appropriate. Students may not use hospital materials to cover tattoos.

Artificial enhancements:

• No artificial nails are permitted particularly since they harbor staph bacteria (per CDC).
• No nail polish.
• Hair color should be natural tones.
• According to the research on professional appearance – people acquire a perception of you that translates into perceived care.

Noncompliance to the dress code will lead to disciplinary action by the supervising faculty member and depending on the seriousness of the infraction, could result in probation or dismissal from the program.

Policy on Student or Faculty Injury at Clinical or Exposure to Blood or Bodily Fluids

According to the contracts that are issued between the schools of nursing and the hospitals, should a student or faculty member be injured during clinical, “The hospital agrees to make available medical care at the request and expense of faculty and students who may become ill or may be injured while on duty. Upon written requests from the faculty or student, reports of such illness or accident will be sent to the college/university.” The student or faculty member may be seen in the emergency department, by employee health, or may choose to see his/her own primary care provider, based on the extent and severity of illness or injury.
If a student or faculty member sustains a needle stick injury, blood or body fluid splash, cut from any device used in a patient, etc., the department manager/nursing should be contacted urgently. He/she will advise the student and/or faculty member on how to proceed and cleanse the area as noted in the facility’s blood/body fluid exposure policy.

Some exposures may be true medical emergencies depending on the source of the patient’s medical problems or the type of injury that occurred. Therefore, the nursing supervisor/ department manager may then refer the student or faculty member to Employee Health Service or the Emergency Department if indicated.

Again, students and faculty are responsible for their own medical expenses, including the urgent/emergent care received at the hospital site. The student or faculty member may need to obtain ongoing follow-up care with their Primary Care Provider and take post-exposure prophylactic treatment, which can be costly. The expenses incurred by the ongoing follow-up care will also be the responsibility of the student or faculty member. Faculty members who are injured while teaching in a clinical setting should follow appropriate guidelines from human resources and may need to file an accident report available at SUNY Brockport.

Health Requirements for the School of Nursing

Physical Examination:

All students must submit required health forms that include a completed physical examination on the appropriate form as designated by the nursing program by a date determined by that individual program. The provider must verify that the student is physically and emotionally capable of participating in a full program of study in clinical nursing. Failure to submit this verification of physical and emotional health will prevent participating in the clinical experience. 

If a student is unable to complete the clinical requirements, they will be unable to complete the program requirements and be dismissed. 

Vaccination Policy:

Before beginning the nursing program, all students must comply with current clinical/program-specific vaccination requirements as follows: 

PPD Screening:

Students will complete an annual Tuberculosis (Tb) screening questionnaire and complete initial PPD testing within 6 months prior to starting the program and repeated if they are symptomatic or exposed (or if there is a lapse in the program). Students are strongly encouraged to complete the QuantiFERON blood test as their baseline screening though a negative 2-Step PPD test is also acceptable (this may be more time consuming to complete since it requires four visits for the two placements and two readings). Some facilities may require a negative chest x-ray. Please note some health care facilities are more rigid and students may be asked to update status beyond their initial testing.

Vaccination Status

MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella)
Immunization status and compliance with the State of NY MMR regulations are also required. MMR vaccination dates or proof of immunity.

Varicella
Documentation of varicella vaccinations or proof of immunity

Tdap (Tetanus, Diptheria and Pertussis)
Documentation of current Tdap vaccination

Hepatitis B Series
There must be documentation of the dates of administration of the 3-part vaccine against Hepatitis B or a signed declination.

Meningococcal Vaccination
Documentation of administration or declination per University policy

Influenza
All nursing students must be vaccinated for influenza annually. Medical exemptions are the only vaccination exemptions recognized in NYS for influenza. Students with a documented medical exemption are required to submit the medical exemption form before any clinical courses are taken. The medical exemption form may be obtained from the Nursing Program Chairperson.. This form must be completed by a New York State licensed physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or licensed midwife. Documentation must include verification of the specific medical contraindication. The form will be reviewed by the Program Director and a determination of acceptance or lack of acceptance for the exemption will be made. Students may be required to produce additional documentation if a sound exemption is not established. If the medical exemption is not accepted the student has the right to appeal the decision to the Chairperson of the Department.

Influenza is a serious respiratory disease. Each year in the United States, influenza kills thousands of people and causes hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations. Influenza vaccination is required of all HCWs in New York State to protect staff and patients from influenza, its complications and death. Influenza can be shed and transmitted for 24 or more hours before symptoms appear. Nurses infected with influenza or COVID-19, even with mild or non-existent symptoms can spread the virus to others who may be immunocompromised leading to severe illness or death. The ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses supports nurses having appropriate flu and COVID-19 vaccination, including Provision 3, which states, “The nurse promotes, advocates for and protects the rights, health and safety of patients.”

In the event that a clinical site refuses placement of an unvaccinated student, the student will not be able to complete their clinical requirements. The inability of a student to complete their assigned clinical hours may result in course dismissal/failure and dismissal from the program since they will not be able to progress in the program.

CPR Requirements
BLS for the Healthcare Provider training through the American Heart Association is required prior to initiating clinicals. Students are typically certified for two years and may need to update if this expires before they complete the program. Students must submit verification to the nursing department before they can participate in clinicals.

Respirator Fit Testing:
Students are required to be tested annually while in the program. This needs to be completed prior to attending clinical.

Vaccination Policy

Students are responsible for ensuring their vaccination status is updated throughout the program. Failure to do so may result in an inability to complete the clinical and course requirements in the program and lead to program dismissal.

Malpractice Insurance

SUNY’S Malpractice insurance coverage is sufficient to cover students and faculty. Students have a $21 fee assessed on each off campus clinical course. This is a required charge mandated by SUNY.

Course Fees

Course fees are assessed on various nursing courses and are essential for academic and lab purposes. A listing of course fees may be found at: Course Fees: SUNY Brockport

Kaplan Nursing Resource

The Kaplan program is being utilized each semester throughout the traditional undergraduate and accelerated nursing programs. Students are required to purchase this product EACH semester. This program will include an NCLEX review course, and the materials will be available for three months after program graduation as students prepare to take their licensing examination. Students are required to purchase this product through the bookstore EACH semester with their designated med/surg, critical care or pediatric course.

Transportation Policy

Transportation to and from all clinical sites is the student’s responsibility. Clinical sites may be at various locations within the Western New York Region. Public transportation is not readily available to reach sites outside of the Brockport community. We are not able to guarantee clinical sites that are accessible without regular access to a reliable vehicle. The cost of transportation to clinical sites and parking at clinical sites is the responsibility of the student and varies depending on the distance and options available.

Prelicensure students need to have transportation to and from alternative experiences that they will be assigned individually during BOTH the junior and senior years. It is in the student’s best interest to have their driving license and a vehicle to meet student nursing clinical expectations both years of the undergraduate program. Not having transportation available to reach a clinical site may result in failure of a clinical course due to the inability to meet all course objectives without the included clinical experience.

Communication Policies

Advisors

All students should have a nursing advisor that they see at least once every semester to plan course schedules. This is especially important for TRANSFER students who need very careful advisement to ensure all requirements for graduation are met. It is ultimately the responsibility of the students to review their degree requirements and ensure that all campus course requirements and credit hours needed are met.

The administrative assistant facilitates registration of classes for each class.

Nursing advisors will also be available to assist students with any difficulties that may arise in the classroom and clinical arena. Please contact the nursing department administrative assistant and request an advisor as needed. Students are encouraged to meet with their advisor for mentoring and advisement regarding their nursing career as they progress through the program.

Faculty Availability

Students may communicate with faculty by email or by office phone. Course faculty will make every attempt to respond within 24 hours during weekdays. Faculty are not expected to respond to student messages over weekends and holidays. In case of emergencies, students may contact faculty using the phone numbers given at orientation. Nursing faculty have regular office hours when they are available to see students. Individual appointments may also be made by making an appointment with the department administrative assistant on the faculty’s advisement schedule.

Brightspace/Microsoft Outlook/Microsoft Teams

It is critical that nursing students check email, Microsoft Teams and Brightspace frequently. Students are expected to respond to faculty emails within 48 hours during the semester. It is also expected that students will check email at least weekly during semester breaks, as emails may be sent to students at this time also.

Leave of Absence Policy

Students in good academic standing may request a leave of absence (LOA) from the Traditional Undergraduate or Accelerated Programs during their course of study. Students on academic probation are not eligible for a LOA. Students who leave in good academic standing will return in good academic standing; students who leave on contract will return on contract. It is recommended that students discuss their LOA request with their advisor or program director prior to submission. Please review the University’s leave of absence policy for important details.

A leave of absence may be granted for compelling reasons such as illness, military duty, or parental leave (maternity or paternity). Requests for a LOA to gain work experience or because of work schedule conflicts will not be granted. Leaves are ordinarily granted for no more than 6 months. Documentation from a health care provider must accompany a request for a medical LOA.

If medical leave is granted, it is expected that students will be actively engaged in a course of medical treatment that leads to recovery.

Prior to re-enrollment, students will need to demonstrate the condition which precluded enrollment during their leave has resolved sufficiently to allow student to return to clinical and coursework. Students are required to provide a letter from their healthcare provider indicating they are able to resume all aspects of the program.

The effective withdrawal date of a LOA is the date that all required paperwork is submitted to the Office of Student Services. This date determines the amount of tuition reimbursement (if applicable). Students withdrawing from term courses should also review the Withdrawal Policy.

While on an approved LOA, students are not permitted to enroll in courses, be involved in student groups or College-affiliated activities or spend time on campus during leave.

After a Leave of Absence, failure to enroll in the designated term and year results in the automatic withdrawal of the student by the College.

Curriculum and/or program plans are subject to change while a student is on an LOA, such as but not limited to graduation and course requirements, credit load and course term offerings, and enrollment status. Students are responsible for keeping in contact with their Program Director while on leave to ensure they are aware of and understand any new academic changes.

Students returning after a leave of absence from the program that exceeds six months will be required to complete assessment(s) to ensure students are prepared to provide safe, quality nursing care. Students must contact the ExCEL Center director to arrange time to meet assessment requirements prior to the start of the semester they return. The assessment(s) will include:

1. Successful demonstration of Foundational skills (NUR 343).
2. Successful completion of a head-to-toe assessment (NUR 344) with a score of 85 or greater.
3. Completion of medication calculation assessment (NUR 328).

Based upon each student’s performance on the above assessments, students will be provided one opportunity to remediate and re-demonstrate. An individual action plan for improvement will be developed, if necessary, to assist the student to successfully re-integrate into the undergraduate program; all students are expected to fully comply with any individual action plan. Failure to meet these competencies will prevent progression and may result in dismissal from the nursing program.

Clinical courses will need to be repeated if a leave is approved for greater than 1-year. Required coursework will be at the discretion of the program director and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Students are encouraged to contact their program director prior to, as well as upon return of leave.

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All policies in this handbook have been reviewed and approved 6.24.25