SAFE STUDENT PRACTICE IN CLINICAL SETTING
While in the clinical setting, each student will at all times demonstrate patterns of behaviors that follow the legal and ethical codes of nursing practice. Students who are not able to safely or correctly perform nursing skills or procedures will be required to complete a Clinical Incident Report, type a working plan for success, meet with the Department Chair, Nursing Programs and schedule/complete a remediation lab. A remediation lab is separate from a fundamental or medical surgical skills lab. The student must show competency in the remediation process before returning to the clinical setting. The clinical instructor reserves the right to remove a student from the clinical area in any instance when a patient’s safety is jeopardized by the student’s negligent actions or by demonstration of unethical or unprofessional behavior. A student whose pattern of behavior is found to be unsafe may be terminated from a clinical area at any time during the school term and receive a non-passing grade for the course. Unprofessional behavior includes but not limited to: refusing to follow directions from the instructor or nursing staff; arguing with the instructor or nursing staff; disrespect to the instructor or nursing staff; loud, rude, or disruptive behaviors/ discussions at the nursing station or anywhere at the clinical facility; disregard of the school, clinical, or facility policies; or noncompliance to Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) rules and regulations. All unprofessional or unethical behavior is subject to review by the Nursing Department Chair. A student whose pattern of behavior endangers a patient, client, peer, staff member, or clinical instructor’s safety will be given a verbal and written warning by the clinical instructor. The student will be required to complete a Clinical Incident Report (CIR) and submit it to the clinical instructor within 24 hours. The clinical instructor will request a meeting with the Department Chair, Nursing Programs to determine the action required for the student’s pattern of behavior, performance, or conduct. Based on the clinical issues and subsequent findings, the student could receive a failing grade for the course and be terminated from the clinical practicum, term, or program. Confidentiality As guests of any institution, facility, or clinical partner site we are expected to abide by their rules and regulations. We must also respect the confidentiality of patient client records and information concerning patients/clients, as is governed by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) Privacy and Security Rules. Do not discuss a patient/client’s diagnosis, prognosis, or anything
about a patient/client with anyone who is not involved in the direct care of the patient—which includes, but is not limited to fellow students, other nurses, or staff. These rules apply to the hospital, facility, clinical partner site, school, in your home, or in a social environment. Health care workers have had charges brought against them for these types of confidentiality breaches. The patient’s rights cannot be violated during the process of your learning experiences. You are liable for any information you give out verbally or in writing. For example: discussion of patient information in an elevator or cafeteria, during social conversations, or with anyone outside of the direct care of the patient/client is a violation of patient’s/client’s rights, which are protected by the Federal HIPAA Act of 2003. U.S. Government Health and Human Services (n.d.). Health Information Privacy. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. Retrieved from http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy Buddy System The clinical instructor will assign the students to work in pairs or small groups during the clinical day. The buddy system will allow the students to have help during client care, such as to assist with the repositioning or moving of a patient/client. Each student in the buddy system has equal responsibility for the patient’s or client’s care and safety. Examples of this include, but are not limited to, safe and caring nursing practice, safe medication administration, and safe patient transfer. Unsafe practice and medication errors will be attributed to both or all students in said buddy system. Leaving the Clinical Setting Prior to leaving the patient care unit, all assignments, including procedures, nursing interventions, and accurate documentation must be completed. A hand off report is to be given to the assigned nurse. If the clinical instructor agrees the responsibilities have been fulfilled, the student may then leave the patient care unit. Clinical Instructors will provide a post conference session for all students attending day shift clinical practicums. Other shifts may differ—see Conferences and Evaluations. At the conclusion of post conference, the clinical shift will be adjourned. If an emergency arises requiring a student to leave the clinical facility, the student must notify the clinical instructor. If the clinical instructor gives permission for the student to leave, the student must arrange for the patient(s) or client(s) to be reassigned to the designated staff prior to leaving leave the premises.
28 Sumner College Nursing Handbook
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