Appendix A - Notice of Investigation Form (Instructors)

Notice of Investigation Form (for Instructors) 

Appendix B - Finding of a Departure from Academic Integrity Form (Instructors)

Finding of a Departure from Academic Integrity Form (for Instructors)

Appendix C - Additional Policies and Guidelines

Policies and Guidelines for School of Nursing Procedures for Appeals and Regulation Waiver Request  

Senate Policies Related to Academic and Non-Academic Discipline

Please refer to Index of Policies for further information.

Policies and Guidelines Specific to Health Professionals

The Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA) is part of the legal framework for nursing as a self-regulating profession. The RHPA includes regulations concerning professional misconduct, the client relations program, the quality assurance program, and definition of scope of practice and controlled acts. 

The College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) is the regulating body for nurses in Ontario. CNO has created a set of practice standards and guidelines that apply to all nurses in Ontario regardless of their role, job description or area of practice. 

College of Nurses of Ontario. (2009). Legislation and regulation RHPA: Scope of practice, controlled acts model.  

Appendix D - Regulation Waiver Request and/or Appeal Form

Regulation Waiver Request and/or Appeal Form

Appendix E - SON Professional Student Policy

School of Nursing Professional Student Policy

1.0 - Background

1.1  - The School of Nursing at Queen’s University holds the values of professionalism as core obligations to patients, students, the health care community, and society at large. The achievement of the professionalism competencies found in the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) Entry-to-Practice Competencies are a necessary requirement for the granting of a Queen’s Bachelor of Nursing Science (BNSc) degree. It is recognized, in rare circumstances an individual’s behavior may be considered incompatible with continued education toward a future career in nursing and thereby prohibits the granting of a BNSc Degree.

2.0 - Scope

2.1 - This policy applies to all students upon acceptance to the School of Nursing at Queen’s University and includes:

2.1.1 -  All educational settings, including classrooms, field placements and examinations.

2.1.2 - All clinical settings that are part of the learning program including, but not limited to, hospitals, clinics, community health centres and ambulatory settings.

2.1.3 -  Conduct that has a real and substantial connection to the legitimate interests of the School of Nursing and or the members of the School of Nursing. These interests may include, but are not limited to, the operation, administration and reputation of the School of Nursing and its members.

2.1.4 -  Electronic communication.

2.1.5 - Any time a student is identified as a Queen’s University nursing student.

2.2 - Guiding Principles

2.2.1 - This student professionalism policy is based on the following definition of a profession:

“An occupation whose core element is work based upon the mastery of a complex body of knowledge and skills. It is a vocation in which knowledge of some department of science or learning or the practice of an art founded upon it is used in the service of others. Its members are governed by codes of ethics and profess a commitment to competence, integrity and morality, altruism, and the promotion of the public good within their domain. These commitments form the basis of a social contract between a profession and society, which in return grants the profession a monopoly over the use of its knowledge base, the right to considerable autonomy in practice and the privilege of self‐regulation. Professions and their members are accountable to those served and to society.” (Cruess et al., 2004, p. 74)

2.3 - Relevant Standards of Conduct

In evaluating the behavior of students who are studying to enter the nursing profession, this policy will be guided by the most recent version of the standards of conduct expected of the profession including, but not limited to, the following:

2.3.1 - The College of Nurses of Ontario

• Entry-to-Practice Competencies for Registered Nurses
• Code of Conduct
• Confidentiality and Privacy-Personal Health Information
• Therapeutic Nurse-Client Relationship
• Professional Misconduct

2.3.2 - The Canadian Nurses Association

• Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses

2.3.3 - The Queen’s University Student Code of Conduct

2.3.4 - The Codes of Conduct of the Queen’s University Teaching Hospitals

2.3.5 - Queen’s University Policies on Academic Integrity (including the six fundamental values of academic integrity: honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility, and courage [International Center for Academic Integrity])

3.0 - Classification of Professional Behavior

3.1 - Exemplary Professional Behavior
Exemplary professional behavior is about exhibiting an exceptional commitment to the principles of nursing professionalism, above and beyond standard expectations, that is recognized by peers, patients, family members, instructors, health care team members, members of the wider university community or a member of the public.

3.2 - Concerning Professional Behavior
Incidents that raise concern about professional behavior will be classified into the following levels of increasing severity. In assessing harm, consideration will be given to all forms of potential or actual harm, including harm to reputation [reference School of Nursing Professional Student Policy Section 2.3 for standards].

Level I
a. The first professionalism concern and
b. There is no or very minor direct or indirect past or ongoing harm to others (faculty, other students, patients, the public or institutions) and
c. The student acknowledges and accepts responsibility for their role in the incident and
d. The potential to be addressed with, but not limited to, education, apology and or reflection.

Level II
a. A previous Level I concern and or
b. A minor direct or indirect past or ongoing harm to others (faculty, other students, patients, the public or institutions). Includes reputational harm and
c. The student has insight into the concerns raised by the incident and
d. The potential to be addressed through, but not limited to, education, apology, reflection, and/or formal course of study.

Level III
a. A previous Level I or II concern(s) and or
b. There is significant, or potential for significant, direct or indirect past or ongoing harm to others (faculty, other students, patients, the public or institutions) and or
c. The student may show limited insight into the concerns raised by the incident and
d. The potential to be addressed through a formal program and reassessment.

Level IV
Any one of the following:
a. Previous professionalism concerns raised and or
b. Egregious, or potential for egregious harm to others (e.g., faculty, other students, patients, the public or institutions) and or
c. Professional behavior inconsistent with a future career in nursing (refer to section 2.3 on standards).

4.0 - Procedures

4.1 - Reporting Exemplary Behavior

4.1.1 - Incidents of exemplary student professional behavior will be submitted in writing to the Associate Director, Undergraduate Programs.

4.2 - Reporting Concerning Professional Behavior

4.2.1 - Reports of professionalism concerns will be received by the Associate Director, Undergraduate Programs, by way of:

• A report from a Course Professor/Course Coordinator/Clinical Lead/Clinical Instructor, Preceptor
• A communication by faculty or other students
• A report from the community, a hospital or other agency
• Any other means

4.2.2 - Information about the concern is then gathered by the Associate Director, Undergraduate Programs, for review and determination if additional information is needed.

4.2.3 - If additional information is needed from the individual(s) involved, the Associate Director, Undergraduate Programs, may elect to meet with the individual(s) or obtain additional information.

4.3 Disposition

4.3.1 - Exemplary Behavior
Incidents of exemplary student professional behavior will be documented in the student’s file.

4.3.2 - Concerning Professional Behavior
The Associate Director, Undergraduate Programs, will determine the level of finding the matter/incident is classified.

4.3.2.1 - If the Associate Director, Undergraduate Programs, determines there are no grounds to continue, then the matter is closed and there is no documentation on the student’s file.

4.3.2.2 - Incidents that are resolved as Level I concerns will be documented and communicated to the involved student but are not noted on the student file and carry no burden of disclosure by the student unless new issues (i.e., either different concerns and or additional information about the initial concern) arise during the student’s time in the nursing program. They are documented in the Undergraduate Nursing Student Professionalism Policy folder solely for reference in the event further concerns and or additional information comes to light.

4.3.2.3 - Level II, III and IV will be noted on the student’s file.

4.4 Outcomes

4.4.1 - The outcomes in regard to professionalism concerns will take into account the following and will align with the:

• The level at which the lapse is classified;
• The history of previous concerns of professional behavior by the student;
• The level of responsibility shown by the student; and
• Any extenuating and mitigating circumstances.

4.4.2 - Level I to III professionalism concerns are viewed first as an opportunity for education and remediation. The intent is to provide opportunities for students to become conscious of their professional obligations and learn how to alter their behavior accordingly. Whenever possible, consequences should reflect this intent.

4.4.3 - The Associate Director, Undergraduate Programs, will determine the classification and outcomes of professionalism concerns to the student. Further, at their discretion, they may establish an ad hoc time-limited committee, with appropriate representation, for additional guidance and support in managing professional behavior concerns Levels II-IV.

4.4.4 - Level IV concerns will result in the student being required to withdraw from the Queen’s nursing program. The determination of the Level IV concern will be made by the Associate Director, Undergraduate Programs, in consultation with the Director, School of Nursing.

4.4.5 - The recommendation(s) of the Associate Director, Undergraduate Programs, will be communicated to the student in writing. The student will be informed of their option to appeal to the School of Nursing Undergraduate Academic Progress and Graduation Committee based on procedural and or extenuating circumstances.

Appendix F - Academic Integrity Appendices

Instructor Process Flowchart

Appeal Process Flowchart

Faculty/School Levels of Appeal

Faculty of Arts and Science

First Level of Appeal: Associate Dean (Academic)
Second Level of Appeal: Academic Integrity and Conduct Panel

Faculty of Education

First Level of Appeal: Associate Dean (Teacher Education)

Second Level of Appeal: None

Faculty of Health Sciences (BHSC)

First Level of Appeal: Associate Director (Studies)

Second Level of Appeal: Board of Studies

Faculty of Health Sciences - Medicine

First Level of Appeal: Dean, FHS

Second Level of Appeal: Student Appeal and Discipline Board

Faculty of Health Sciences - Nursing

First Level of Appeal: Undergraduate Academic Progress and Graduation Committee

Second Level of Appeal: Faculty of Health Sciences Student Appeal Board

Faculty of Law

First Level of Appeal: Associate Dean (Academic)

Second Level of Appeal:  Academic Standing and Policies Committee

School of Graduate Studies

First Level of Appeal: Associate Dean (SGS)*

Second Level of Appeal:  Academic Appeal Board

*  Appeals of instructors’ decisions for students in SGS begin with the Department Head and follow with 2 levels of appeal in the School.

Smith Engineering

First Level of Appeal: Associate Dean (Academic)

Second Level of Appeal: Faculty Operations Committee

Smith School of Business 

First Level of Appeal: Academic Integrity Panel
Second Level of Appeal: Academic Appeal Committee

Appendix G - Dismissal of Investigation Form (Instructors)

Dismissal of Investigation Form (for Instructors) 

Appendix H - Sanction of a Referred Departure from Academic Integrity Form (AI Leads)

Sanction of a Referred Departure from Academic Integrity Form (for AI Leads) 

Appendix I - Appeal of a Finding of a Departure from Academic Integrity Form (Students)

Appeal of a Finding of a Departure from Academic Integrity Form (for students) 

Appendix J - Involuntary Student Placement Withdrawal Policy

School of Nursing, Involuntary Student Placement Withdrawal Policy

1.0 - Background

1.1 - The School of Nursing at Queen’s University is committed to facilitating optimal education opportunities for students. A component of this commitment is ensuring all students meet all requirements for the provision of safe client care. There may be times when students are subject to involuntary withdrawal from a specific course. This includes the following:

1.1.1 - The student did not complete pre-placement requirements as per the School of Nursing and/or the placement agency.

1.1.2 - The student is unable to commence and/or complete a placement within a time frame to demonstrate successful completion of course competencies and outcomes.

2.0 - Scope

2.1 - This policy applies to all students upon acceptance into a program within the School of Nursing at Queen’s University.

3.0 Protocol

The involuntary withdrawal, as per the relevant scenarios, will occur according to the following protocol.

3.1 - The student did not complete pre-placement requirements as per the School of Nursing and/or the placement agency.

3.1.1 - Students will be notified of pre-placement requirements within the Undergraduate Nursing Portal that is housed on onQ.

3.1.2 - Students will be provided with a firm deadline for pre-placement requirement clearance within the Undergraduate Nursing Portal.

3.1.3 - Students who require an exemption for any pre-placement requirements will contact the Clinical Placement Coordinator to discuss the next steps a minimum of 2 months prior to the deadline.

3.1.4 - Students who fail to meet the deadline for pre-placement requirements will be involuntarily withdrawn from the clinical course.

3.1.5 - The Clinical Placement Coordinator will notify the Associate Director, Undergraduate Nursing Programs, of the student’s status, who will provide written notification to the student of their involuntary withdrawal from the clinical course.

3.1.6 - The Associate Director, Undergraduate Nursing Programs, will notify the applicable Course Coordinator of the student’s involuntary withdrawal.

3.1.7 - After written notification has been sent to the student, an Academic Advisor will meet directly with the student to discuss program progression.

3.1.8 - The Clinical Placement Coordinator will notify the placement agency of the placement cancellation as needed or required.

3.2 - The student is unable to commence a placement and/or complete a placement within a time frame to demonstrate successful completion of course competencies and outcomes.

3.2.1 - The student will communicate with the Course Coordinator any issues that may prevent them from starting or completing a clinical placement. If required, the student’s accommodation requirements are noted on Ventus and accessible by the Course Coordinator.

3.2.2 - The Course Coordinator will notify the Clinical Placement Coordinator and Clinical Lead of the student’s inability to start or complete the placement as planned.

3.2.3 - If required, the Clinical Placement Coordinator will notify the placement agency of the student’s inability to start or complete the placement.

3.2.4 - If applicable, the Academic Advisor and/or Course Coordinator will notify the Clinical Placement Coordinator and Clinical Lead when the student has identified a date of possible return.

3.2.5 - Students who have missed more than 15% of clinical time (at any point within the term) will not be eligible to return to the clinical setting, regardless of when they started and will be involuntarily withdrawn from the clinical course.

3.2.6 - Students who miss less than 15% of clinical time may be subject to review if they have been unable to meet the course outcomes and clinical competencies.

3.2.7 - The Course Coordinator will inform the Associate Director, Undergraduate Nursing Programs, of any student who meets the criterion of 3.2.5, who will inform them in writing of their involuntary withdrawal from the course.

3.2.8 - After written notification has been sent to the student, an Academic Advisor will meet directly with the student to discuss program progression.

3.2.9 - The Clinical Placement Coordinator will notify the placement agency of the placement cancellation as needed or required.