A. Evaluation and Grading

Regular Courses/Seminars and Practice

1. These courses are letter-graded with A = 4 points, B = 3 points, C = 2 points, and D = no graduate credit. At the discretion of the instructor, plus and minus marks may be used.
2. All graduate courses must be taken for a letter grade except for the CNL Capstone Clinical Immersion course, Clinical Practicums, Doctor of Nursing Practice Project courses, Research Practicum, Research Scholarship Role Development Seminar, Dissertation Research, Research Residency, and Independent Study Courses. Courses with one or more semester hours of registration will be graded with an S or U; courses with zero semester hours of registration will be graded with an R or W.
3. The grade of “I” is to be used only when a student’s work during a session cannot be completed because of illness, accident, or other circumstances beyond the student’s control, and it must be approved by the Associate Dean for Graduate Practice Programs for the DNP, CNL, NSA, and PGC programs, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs for the EIP program, or the Director of the PhD Program before assigning the grade. An Incomplete will automatically be converted to an “F” at the end of the next semester (summer and winter sessions are excluded), even if the student does not enroll after the session the “I” was posted. Courses may not be repeated to remove incompletes; removal of an “I” is accomplished only through the completion of the specific work for which the mark is given. Incompletes need to be resolved before the Graduate College can confer degrees. If an incomplete is not resolved, the student’s degree conferral will be moved to the next semester.

B. Good Standing

1. A graduate student is in good standing if, in the collective judgment of the faculty, the student has exhibited “satisfactory performance,” “normal progress,” and “appropriate professional conduct.”
2. Satisfactory Performance: Graduate College policies concerning academic standing, probation, and dismissal are in the Manual of Rules and Regulations of the Graduate College, Section IV.
   • Doctoral (PhD and DNP) Programs:
     1. A cumulative College of Nursing and Graduate College grade-point average of at least 3.0.
     2. A minimum grade of C is required in the advanced core and specialization courses for all students in practitioner programs.
     3. Clinical or practicum courses:
        • demonstration of safe practice
        • satisfactory progress towards course competencies
        • demonstration of professionalism
     4. Good or excellent performance in assistantship assignments, as reflected in written reports.
   • MSN Program:
     1. A cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.75.
     2. A minimum grade of C is required in the advanced core and practicum courses.
     3. Practicum courses:
        • demonstration of safe practice
        • satisfactory progress towards course competencies
        • demonstration of professionalism
3. Compliance: Students must be compliant in CastleBranch during clinical and practicum courses as well as courses that utilize the NCEC/simulation.
   • The items that need to be documented for compliance are on the following webpages:
     1. MSN-Health & Clinical Requirements
     2. DNP-Health & Clinical Requirements
   • If a student becomes non-compliant during their clinic/practicum rotation, they will not be allowed in the clinic/practicum site or to accumulate hours until they become compliant in CastleBranch.
   • If a student becomes non-compliant during a course that utilizes the NCEC, they will not be allowed in the NCEC until they become compliant in CastleBranch.

C. Writing Guidelines and Resources

1. Writing Guidelines, APA style

The College of Nursing has minimum writing competencies for all nursing students. It is expected that graduate students at the College of Nursing will write at a level that meets or exceeds these minimum competencies.

The College of Nursing asks that you write in “APA style.” This refers to the editorial style that many of the social and behavioral sciences have adopted to present written material in the field. Editorial style consists of rules or guidelines that a publisher observes to ensure clear and consistent presentation of written material. Editorial style concerns uniform use of such elements as:

• • punctuation and abbreviations
  • construction of tables
  • selection of headings
  • citation of references
  • presentation of statistics
  • other elements that are a part of every manuscript

APA’s style rules and guidelines are set out in a reference book called The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. The APA Publication Manual and website also provide style guidelines pertaining to citing electronic media (including URLs), general format for electronic reference, reference examples for electronic source materials, and citations in text of electronic material.

2. Writing Resources

The University of Iowa Writing Center

The Writing Center assists with all writing projects, including multimedia projects, at any stage of development. Their services are free and available to anyone in the University of Iowa community. Their job is to help you become a better writer, reader, and critical thinker.

The University of Iowa Graduate College Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Program

Here you can find formatting requirements and thesis templates, guidance on submitting your thesis, and information on what happens to your thesis after you graduate.

D. Academic Integrity

1. Academic integrity is a commitment to the fundamental values of honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility, and courage. Students who adhere to these values create communities where integrity is the standard of behavior. The fundamental values inform decision making and performance in the academic community. A lack of academic integrity in any work devalues that work and the community in which it is produced.
2. The principles of academic integrity require that a student:
   • ensure that all work is the student’s own and created without the aid of impermissible materials or collaborations
   • acknowledge and cite all use of the scholarly work of others
   • acknowledge all contributors to a given piece of work
   • obtain all data or results by ethical means and report them accurately
   • uphold the ethical standards and professional code of conduct of the profession of nursing (https://www.nursingworld.org/ana)
3. Academic dishonesty is any activity that compromises the academic integrity of students, faculty, staff, and administrators of the college. Violations of academic integrity are serious offenses against the entire academic community. (The Code of Student Life, University of Iowa, Section E, https://dos.uiowa.edu/policies/code-of-student-life). Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, fabrication, participation in acts of dishonesty by others, submitting the work of another person, submitting work that has been previously used without permission, unauthorized use of artificial intelligence, or altering the academic work of others; inclusive of academic and clinical environments (program-specific).
   • Plagiarism involves the use of other people’s intellectual material and/or efforts in place of your own work and representing these materials/efforts as being your own work. In other words, “plagiarism occurs when a writer deliberately uses someone else’s language, ideas, or other original (not common knowledge) material without acknowledging the source.” (From “Defining and Avoiding Plagiarism” by the Council of Writing Program Administrators, obtainable at http://www.wpacouncil.org/positions/WPAplagiarism.pdf.) There are 2 types of plagiarism.
     1. Unintentional plagiarism, or misuse of sources, is the accidental appropriation of the ideas and materials of others due to a lack of understanding of the conventions of citation and documentation.
     2. Intentional plagiarism is an especially egregious offense since it, by definition, is committed deliberately, usually with an awareness that it violates academic integrity guidelines.
   • Cheating is the act of using dishonest means to obtain a favorable result; copying from another student, using prohibited materials during an exam, collaborating with another person when not allowed.
   • Fabrication is the act of making up data or information or creating sources that do not exist.
   • Falsification is the act of altering data or information, doctoring sources, manipulating data, accessing the grading system to alter your answers or grades.
   • Contract cheating is the act of paying someone else to do your work; paying another author to author a paper, complete an assignment, or take an exam.
   • Facilitation is the act of helping someone else to commit academic dishonesty: allowing another student to copy your work, provider another student with prohibited materials during an exam, collaborating with another student when you are not supposed to.
   • Submitted falsified documentation to excuse missing/late course work or attendance.
   • Clinical academic misconduct (program specific) is failure to meet accepted standards of care, student mentor judgement of compromised patient safety, violation of clinical site policy, failure to maintain required licensure/competencies/certifications, or falsified documentation of clinical hours. 1

E. Academic Misconduct and Code of Student Life

All students in the College of Nursing are expected to comply with professional and ethical standards in all aspects of student life – in classes, clinical experiences, as advisees, toward their peers, and toward faculty, staff, and administration. Students are also responsible for knowing their rights and complying with policies related to student life that may be found on the Student Life Policies and Procedures webpage. Note that, upon admission, you signed and uploaded the Code of Ethics and Declaration of Patient Information Confidentiality documents.

F. Grievance Procedure

Student complaints concerning actions of faculty members are pursued first through appropriate communication channels as outlined or with the assistance of the University Ombudsperson.

1. Informal Complaint Mechanism – Communication Channels

1.  The student should first attempt to resolve the issue with the faculty member involved.
2. Lacking a satisfactory outcome with the faculty member, the student may take the matter to the appropriate Program Director.
3. For DNP and MSN students, if a satisfactory outcome is not obtained, the student may take the matter directly to the Associate Dean for Graduate Practice Programs. For the EIP program the student may take the matter directly to the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs.
4. If a satisfactory outcome is not obtained, the student may take the matter directly to the Executive Associate Dean.
5.  Lacking a satisfactory outcome with the Executive Associate Dean, the student may take the matter to the Council on Student Affairs (COSA).
6. When a satisfactory outcome has not yet been obtained, the student may take the matter
   to the Dean of the College of Nursing.

2. Formal Complaint Mechanism

If a student complaint concerning faculty actions cannot be resolved through the informal mechanism available, the student may file a formal complaint that will be handled under the procedures established for dealing with alleged violations described in the statement on Professional Ethics and Academic Responsibilities as specified in section III, Chapter 15 of the University Operations Manual.

If your complaint involves sexual harassment, please see the information in Chapter 4 – Sexual Harassment and Sexual Misconduct of the University Operations Manual.

The Office of the University Ombudsperson (Third Floor Jefferson Building, 319-335-3608) responds to problems and disputes brought forward by all members of the University community, students, staff, and faculty – that appear irresolvable through existing channels. Before consulting the ombudsperson, ordinarily an attempt should be made to resolve problems by following the procedures described above.

G. Final Course Grade – Policy and Procedure

Policy

Students are responsible for meeting the standards of academic performance established for each course in which they are enrolled. The establishment of the criteria for grades and the evaluation of student academic performance are the responsibilities of the instructor. Students are encouraged to communicate with the instructor first to resolve any discrepancy surrounding an assigned grade (Informal Appeal). If the student is not satisfied with the outcome of the informal appeal, thentheymay pursue the Formal Grade Appeal Procedure. The burden of proof is on the student in a grade appeal procedure. The College of Nursing and the student should cooperate to follow the established timelines to reduce the extent to which a grade appeal procedure affects student progression and financial aid status. If an appeal involves a course designated as a prerequisite for the next course in a plan of study, student progression might be affected while the appeal is pending.

This grade appeal policy and procedure applies only to final course grades and not to individual assignment discrepancies. Grade appeals in the College of Nursing must be initiated within seven (7) business days after a grade is posted or they will be dismissed as untimely. The appeal should provide adequate evidence that capricious grading has occurred. Capricious, as that term is used here, comprises any of the following:

• The assignment of a final grade to a particular student on some basis other than that student’s performance in the course.
• The assignment of a final grade to a particular student according to more exacting or demanding standards than were applied to other students in the course.
• The assignment of a final grade by a substantial departure from the instructor’s previously announced standards.

When a grade appeal is NOT appropriate:

• To challenge course design.
• To challenge quality or nature of instruction. These may be legitimate concerns but are more appropriately addressed by the College of Nursing Administration.
• To challenge grading applied to all students in the course.

Formal Grade Appeal Procedure

Step #1:

The student will use the Grade Appeal Form which MUST state why they believe capricious grading occurred. The student must identify which reason(s), and all future correspondence should focus on that/those rationale(s). The Grade Appeal Form and any associated supporting documentation must be received by the designated College of Nursing Administrator within seven (7) consecutive business days of the final grade posting.

This form is then given to the appropriate Administrator as follows:

• Undergraduate (BSN) students submit the form to the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs
• DNP and MSN students submit the form to the Associate Dean for Graduate Practice Programs*
• PhD students submit the form to the Director of the PhD Program

*The Associate Dean for Graduate Practice Programs may provide a copy of the form to the appropriate program director at this point.

Step #2:

The Administrator forwards the written grade appeal to the instructor who assigned the grade for written response. The instructor responds to the appeal within two (2) business days from receipt of the appeal from the Administrator. The Administrator may facilitate resolution at this point in the process. If resolved, the form is then returned to the Administrator who will send the written decision to the student electronically within two (2) business days, with a return receipt requested.

Step #3:

If the student is not satisfied, the student has two (2) business days from the receipt of this letter to continue the appeal. If the student wishes to pursue the appeal, they/ provide written notification to the appropriate Administrator (as defined in Step #1). The Administrator informs the Executive Associate Dean(EAD) and provides all appeal materials to the EAD for review/decision-making. The EAD will consider the appeal within five business days and communicate a final decision in writing to the student, the instructor, and the appropriate Administrator. The process concludes with the final decision of the EAD.

H. Honor Code

Honesty, integrity, and high ethical standards are central to the practice of professional nursing. Professional nursing recognizes and addresses the health care needs of a global society, communities, and their members. Professional nursing education encompasses a humanistic orientation and a dedication to basic ethical principles. Nursing education requires immersion in the values of nursing: caring, compassion, confidentiality, collaboration, discipline, evidence-based practice, critical thinking, respect, and dedication to the highest standards of ethical behavior. As a professional nurse, standards of behavior are expressed in the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics for Nurses. These values are central to patient-centeredness, patient advocacy, and providing care that leads to the best patient outcomes.

Participation in the Honor Code provides evidence to the University of Iowa College of Nursing community that the integrity of its members is unquestioned and accepted by those in the academic, clinical, and research communities. Participation in the Honor Code confers upon graduate students the responsibility to respect and protect the integrity of the University of Iowa College of Nursing. It also provides evidence that the learning environment is safe and equitable regardless of the graduate student’s gender, race, religion, or sexual orientation. Graduate students and faculty together establish, maintain, and protect trust in these beliefs.

When you study at the College of Nursing, you join a conversation among scholars, professors, and other graduate students, one that helps sustain both the intellectual community here and in the larger world of nurse-scholars. The tests you take, the papers you write, the clinical experiences you participate in – all these are ways in which you contribute to this conversation.

The College of Nursing presumes that your work for any course or any experience is your own contribution to that scholarly conversation, and it expects you to take responsibility for that contribution. This means that you should only present ideas that are your own, or, if you present the ideas of others, that they are properly attributed. Failure to do so constitutes academic dishonesty.

Graduate students at the University of Iowa College of Nursing are expected to demonstrate honesty and integrity in the preparation of academic work and to behave in a manner consistent with that of a professional nurse.

I. Code of Ethics/Behavior Confirmation

The Code of Ethics/ Behavior Confirmation form is signed and submitted upon acceptance of admission.

It is expected that students in the College of Nursing at the University of Iowa represent themselves, the College, the University, and the nursing profession in an ethical and professional manner. Several guidelines, policies, and regulations have been outlined by the various units to communicate what is expected as a student/representative of each entity.

It is my responsibility to know and adhere to the policies. My signature below indicates that I have read all documents outlining the policies, procedures, and regulations. In addition, as long as I am a student in the University of Iowa College of Nursing I will abide by all policies, procedures, and regulations as outlined.

• The University of Iowa Policies and Regulations Affecting Students
• The College of Nursing Graduate Student Handbook
• The American Nurses Association Code of Ethics
• The College of Nursing Honor Code

J. Guiding Principles for Nursing Students in the Use of Social Media

1. Internet social networks

Internet sites such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, and others enable students to interact with an extensive number of people and to connect with friends and family. Postings by students on their profiles, groups, and chat rooms, and their communications to others are in the public domain and are easily accessible by anyone including reporters, parents, faculty members, law enforcement, predators, potential employers, and graduate school admissions officers. Even after it has been deleted, information once posted on a website can sometimes be retrieved by persons with sufficient technical computer skills.

2. College of Nursing Policy

Attendance at the University of Iowa College of Nursing and participation in the care of others is a privilege that imposes certain obligations on students, including the responsibility of behaving in a professional and ethical manner. This means students must present a professional and positive image of the profession, the College, and themselves. Nursing students are expected to conduct themselves with honesty, dignity, and professionalism. The College of Nursing believes in protecting the students’ rights of freedom of speech, expression, and association, including their right to use Internet social networks. The College of Nursing also believes in protecting the rights of patients with whom students interact, the rights of faculty members (particularly to their intellectual property), the rights of other students, and the public at large. Students are expected to monitor their own Internet use and post only statements and images that appropriately represent them, the College, and the profession to the public.

The College of Nursing reserves the right, under the Student Code of Conduct, to investigate and take disciplinary action against any student whose posting of material on an Internet site violates University policies, College of Nursing policies or the Honor Code, HIPAA rules, or state or federal statutes. Internet postings that violate these principles include, but are not limited to, sharing of confidential information, images or language that represent partial or total nudity, sexual activity or misconduct, underage alcohol consumption, illegal acts, use of illegal drugs or other controlled substances, hazing activities, tobacco use, obscene gestures, and cheating. Also prohibited is information about peers, faculty, other professionals, or clinical sites that is insulting, derogatory, negative, or could be construed as “bullying.”

3. Recommended Action

It is recommended that students review and monitor Internet sites on which they have posted to ensure that inappropriate material does not appear. Students are encouraged to monitor their preferred sites/postings and assist their classmates/colleagues in monitoring their sites/postings to prevent personal or professional damage to themselves, other students, the College of Nursing, the University of Iowa, and the profession of nursing.

For reasons of safety and privacy, it is recommended that students refrain from posting and remove any personally identifiable information such as telephone number, address, class schedule, and places frequented. Students should check tagged photos and monitor electronic photo albums to avoid posted photos that would be considered inappropriate.

Students should be cautious in joining social networking groups and be sure they want to be associated with each group they join. Students should refrain from creating or joining a group that is obviously inappropriate for nursing students or is malicious. Students should also understand that, once they become group members, they are linked to the online discussion that takes place within that group and only the group’s administrator will be able to remove them from group membership or remove postings made to the group site.

Understand that failure to abide by these principles by posting inappropriate material that violates this, other College of Nursing, University of Iowa, or UIHC policies may result in sanctions under Category II Misconduct as outlined in the College of Nursing Student Code of Conduct. Students may also refer to the University of Iowa Policy on Social Media Use on the Internet.