Student Responsibilities and Standards of Professional Conduct
While in attendance at Denver College of Nursing, students must adhere to the College’s Standards of Profession Conduct and have the responsibility to:
- Attend classes regularly.
- Make the most out of their educational experience.
- Maintain satisfactory grades.
- Know and observe Denver College of Nursing’s rules and regulations governing conduct.
- Become informed and express their opinion.
- Not to discriminate against any other person because of race, age, sex, sexual orientation national origin, or handicap.
- Discuss grievances informally with the persons involved before invoking formal grievance action - formal grievance action is outlined in this catalog.
- Respect persons and the property of others.
- Adhere to Denver College of Nursing’s dress code.
At all times, all personal property is the sole responsibility of the student; Denver College of Nursing does not assume liability for any loss or damage. Clothing and other small items should be marked clearly with the student's name and address. Vehicles should always be locked to avoid theft.
Standards of Student Professional Conduct – Academic Integrity
Participation in programs at Denver College of Nursing carries with it the obligation of students and faculty to aspire to the highest standards of academic integrity and ethical behavior in all classroom, laboratory, simulation, clinical/experiential learning, and online environments, as well as other College activities. Aspiring to the highest standards is critical to the success of our academic programs and the success of graduates in their chosen profession.
Students are expected to aspire to the same high level of ethics and professionalism that is demanded of licensed professionals in nursing. This requires students to conduct themselves as professionals and to engage in the learning process by fully preparing for classes and participating in course discussions and activities.
Violations of these expectations by students may be found whenever a student has, or has attempted to, gain an unfair academic advantage. Such activities may include, but are not limited to:
- Cheating.
- Plagiarism:
- submission of the work of another person for credit
- failure to properly cite references for any work which is not original to the student
- intentional sharing - providing access of student’s work with the intention of another student to use it as their own
- unintentional sharing - if a student shares their work with another student, because it is unknown if it will be copied or misused, they may still face consequences (students are encouraged to be cautious when sharing their work with others)
- copying one’s own previously submitted work without the appropriate citation and references (i.e., self-plagiarism)
- Unauthorized use of notes electronic devices, or materials in exams, including talking to other students.
- Forging or altering assignments, legal documents, or health provider documents.
- Unpermitted collaboration, giving or receiving aid on a take home exam, or other academic assignment under circumstances in which a reasonable person should have known that such aid was not permitted.
- Sharing or obtaining answers to test questions or assignments before other students have completed their own work.
- Having someone else do your required work regardless if paid to do so.
- Inappropriate use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered language models (e.g., ChatGPT).
- Submitting an assignment that has been previously submitted in that course or another course.
- Submitting the work of another for credit to include online help resources that provide academic papers and tests.
- Misrepresentation of identity.
Any administrative staff, faculty member, or student who observes a violation of College academic policies must report the incident immediately to any College official. Student violations of these policies may result in sanctions ranging from a warning to dismissal from the program.
Students in violation of any College policy during class, laboratory, simulation, experiential learning assignment, or clinical time will be excused immediately from the classroom or off-site location and will have their violations reviewed which will determine whether the actions are subject up to and including termination from the College.
Standards of Student Professional Conduct – General Conduct
As students interact with their fellow students, staff and faculty, and the business community, they are expected to act in a professional, respectful manner that is complimentary to the learning process and the academic environment associated with their education and training.
A list of forms of misconduct can only be used as a reference - it is not all-inclusive. Examples of conduct that may lead to disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal, include but are not limited to:
- Knowingly furnishing false information to Denver College of Nursing.
- Theft, damage, forgery, alteration, misuse, or mutilation of Denver College of Nursing’s documents, records, identification, educational materials, or property.
- Interfering with the right of others to an education.
- Violation of safety and security rules.
- Bringing animals or children into class.
- Hazing on or off Denver College of Nursing property (also see Anti-Hazing policy).
- Discourteous, disruptive or disrespectful behavior towards fellow students, faculty, and staff on or off campus.
- Physical or verbal abuse of any person or engaging in conduct which threatens or endangers the health or safety of others.
- Unauthorized entry or use of facilities.
- Intentional or unauthorized interference with a right of access to Denver College of Nursing facilities or freedom of movement or speech of any person on the premises.
- Use or possession of firearms, ammunition, or other dangerous weapons or substances prohibited by law.
- Disorderly, lewd, indecent, obscene, or sexually harassing conduct or expression.
- Violation of federal, state, or local ordinances including, but not limited to, those covering alcoholic beverages, narcotics, gambling, sex offenses, or arson, of which violation occurs on Denver College of Nursing property or at a Denver College of Nursing function (please refer to the Drug Free Policy established by Denver College of Nursing for further information).
- Unauthorized solicitation of students, staff, or faculty on-ground or online for any product or service.
- Misuse of electronic equipment, copiers, faxes, email accounts, or Internet services, including viewing any material or sending any message that is obscene, harassing, or threatening to any individual.
- Aiding, abetting, encouraging, or participating in a riot.
- Failure to comply with the verbal or written directions of any Denver College of Nursing officials acting within the scope of their authority.
- Resisting any security officers performing their duties.
- Aiding, abetting, or inciting others to commit any act of misconduct.
- Unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol on campus or during any student activities. If a student appears to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol in a clinical, class, or laboratory experience, that student will be removed from the learning experience. A student thought to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol will be mandated to have a Rapid Drug Screen and/or a Breath Alcohol level performed within 45 minutes of being removed from the learning experience. These tests will be at the student's expense.