12. Academic Progress

Student-Faculty Handbook

University of Detroit Mercy Graduate Program of Nurse Anesthesiology

Reviewed Aug 2001, Feb 2002, Mar 2003, Aug 2003, Jan 2004, Mar 2004, Aug 2004, Mar 2005, Apr 2006, Aug 2007

Guidelines for Clinical Probation

Definition

A clinical probationary status shall be assigned when it is determined that a student is failing to make satisfactory progress toward meeting clinical objectives. Directing a student to seek appropriate counseling during probation or leave of absence is within the purview of the Academic Progression Committee. A student may be placed on probation or dismissed without probation at any time for violation of the expectations for professional decorum and ethical behavior which are expressed elsewhere in this handbook.

Guidelines

Students must demonstrate safe practice in all areas. If a student's behavior is deemed unsafe in one area then he/she is considered unsafe in all areas. Consideration for progress will be based on a review of written student evaluations obtained in the clinical area. When students are having difficulty in the clinical area, they are counseled by program faculty, goals and objectives are identified, and a plan is formulated with input from the student.

If at any time, it is determined that the student is not consistently meeting clinical objectives, a probationary status will be considered. If a student's satisfactory progression is questionable, for example, if a site clinical coordinator requests that the student be reassigned to a different site, or serious questions about performance are raised in written evaluations, or critical clinical incidents occur, the student will be placed on probation. Emphasis will be on student performance in relation to clinical objectives for that level. A recommendation for probation from the Academic Progression committee will be presented by the chairperson to the program director or designee. The clinical grade of pass or fail will be recommended by the committee and additional clinical faculty will be consulted as necessary. Program administration will assign clinical probation status based on input from clinical faculty and the committee.

Letter of warning

A letter of warning is a written letter which may be sent to a student for unacceptable academic or clinical progress during the semester (usually at mid-semester). A warning may come from the course instructor, or the program chair on behalf of the course instructor, and its purpose is to make the student aware of impending academic jeopardy in time to take corrective action. Warnings are reported to the Academic Progression Committee and program chair for informational purposes.

Clinical Probation and the Evaluation Process

The student must obtain a passing grade in clinical in order to successfully complete the following courses: ANE 550, 551, 552 Advanced Principles of Nurse Anesthesia, and ANE570 Regional Anesthesia. All students must attain a passing grade in clinical following all semesters. A failing grade in clinical will result when a student does not complete a probationary period successfully. In order to receive a passing grade for clinical, the student must satisfactorily complete all clinically related assignments as required, i.e. journal club, seminar, clinical anesthesia conference, professional conferences, etc. All written or online self-evaluations, care plans, case records, clinical, didactic, or faculty evaluations, and other designated responsibilities must be completed, or a passing grade will not be given for clinical internship.

Faculty will review with the student their written evaluations at the time that a probationary status is assigned, noting specific areas needing improvement. The student will help develop a written plan for meeting the clinical objectives. While on probation, the student will meet with the Academic Progression committee chairperson or designee regularly to discuss the student's progress and review written evaluations received. This discussion will be summarized in writing after each meeting. Students will sign these minutes to indicate that they were reviewed with the student, and they are free to add written comments should they desire. Student signature on these minutes does not indicate agreement with them, only that the student has had the opportunity to review them. Students on probation will rotate to a clinical site chosen for quality of clinical instruction, and appropriate-level experiences, and not rotate to other sites. The clinical faculty will be notified of a student's probationary status.

While on clinical probation, the CRNA's that the student works with will be chosen by the clinical coordinator in consultation with the Academic Progression committee chairperson or designee.

Length of Probation

Probationary status can only be assigned once during the program. The period of clinical probation will last for up to four weeks . The probationary period can be shortened if the student's practice represents a clear danger to patient safety. At the end of the probationary period, the Academic Progression committee will make the recommendation to either lift the probationary status, or to give the student a failing grade for clinical. The committee will make a recommendation to the program director who will make the decision based on all data available. The student will be excused from the clinical area while this decision is pending. Any days missed while waiting for this decision will not count against the student's personal leave bank. If probation is lifted, the student will receive a passing grade for clinical. If not, the student will be dismissed (see "Dismissal").

Guidelines for Academic Probation

Didactic instructors will forward a copy of student grades to the program director at the midterm and at the end of each semester. To remain in good standing, students in the University of Detroit Mercy Graduate Program of Nurse Anesthesiology must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 computed on the basis of all courses attempted for graduate credit. A grade point average less than 3.0 will also affect financial aid awards. Quality points are listed in the UDM Graduate Catalog.

Students may receive a maximum of one course grade of C+ (2.3), or C (2.0) during the program. Academic probation will be assigned when either:

1. the cumulative grade point average falls below 3.0, or
2. a course grade of C+ (2.3) or C (2.0) is received

Students on probation for grade point average below 3.0 have one semester to raise the cumulative GPA to 3.0 or higher. If their cumulative grade point average is greater than or equal to 3.0 after this term, probation will be lifted (the student will be considered to be in good academic standing). If the student is not successful in bringing up their grade point average, they will be dismissed. At any time, the program director may require a student who is, or has been on academic probation to undergo additional testing or perform additional course work in order to ensure the student's mastery of the subject matter presented. Students on probation for one course grade of C+ or C remain on academic probation until a second C+ or C course grade is received, which will result in dismissal. If through their final term no further C+ or C grades are received, their standing will be converted to good academic standing and they will graduate in good standing.

Students must achieve a grade of B- (2.7) or better in certain courses or they cannot continue in the program (they will be dismissed without a warning or probationary period). These courses are:

• ANE 549 Basic Principles of Nurse Anesthesia
• ANE 550 Advanced Principles of Nurse Anesthesia I
• ANE 551 Advanced Principles of Nurse Anesthesia II
• ANE 552 Advanced Principles of Nurse Anesthesia III
• HLH 560 Pharmacology I
• HLH 561 Pharmacology II

Suspension

Suspension is defined as an involuntary, temporary separation from the University of Detroit Mercy for a definite or indefinite period of time. A student may be suspended by the program director if in the judgment of the faculty, a threat to patient safety, or student health or well-being exists. A suspension may also be imposed to allow time to make a determination as to whether such a threat exists. Suspension may or may not be preceded by the customary mechanisms of academic warning, or a probationary period. Days lost to clinical or classroom activities during suspension will not count against a student's personal leave bank. Suspension may include a requirement that the student obtain medical, psychiatric, or other consultation and treatment, or be subject to other appropriate requirements.

Dismissal

Dismissal from the program may be for academic, clinical, ethical, professional, or disciplinary reasons. Disciplinary reasons include violation of University rules and regulations and for unprofessional, unethical or illegal conduct related to professional practice. General guidelines for determining a violation of ethical or professional standards of conduct are found in the Standards and Guidelines for Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs. A copy is available in the Program office.

Clinical reasons for dismissal

1. failed criminal background check *
2. unsuccessful completion of the clinical probationary status; unsatisfactory performance of clinical objectives or poor performance necessitating changes in clinical assignments (including rotations)
3. falsification of documents including, but not limited to, the patient medical record, narcotic administration records, and clinical evaluation forms *
4. persistent tardiness, lateness or absenteeism necessitating change in clinical assignments, or patterned absence (i.e. before exams, weekends, holidays, etc)
5. personal leave bank use in excess of 20 days
6. unexplained absence *
7. leaving the clinical area without notification of supervising staff *
8. violation of policies, rules and regulations of the hospital or anesthesia department to which the student is assigned for clinical practice *
9. unethical or unprofessional conduct associated with clinical assignments including, but not limited to:
   • dishonesty
   • inappropriate behavior or language in the clinical setting
   • any violation of the substance abuse policy*
   • reporting for duty while under the influence of any substance which impairs the student's ability to perform his/her clinical tasks. *
     • The policies on substance abuse written by the clinical affiliate sites and UDM apply to nurse anesthesia students in the educational program. Further, the program will test students for cause, will test on enrollment (with successfully passing a drug screening as a condition of enrollment for all incoming students), and will demand accountability in administering controlled substances equivalent to that demanded of staff CRNAs. (See UDM Alcohol and Illicit Drugs Policy, and the program substance abuse policy).
     • Failure of the initial drug test and health screening, or refusal to cooperate with any aspect of the program substance abuse policy, or any hospital policy on substance abuse or narcotic accountability, will result in disciplinary action up to and including immediate dismissal, refusal of enrollment, and incident reporting to the Michigan State Board of Nursing.
10. insubordination *
11. failure to turn in monthly case records or clinical evaluation forms
12. failure to turn in completed written clinical evaluation forms for at least 70% of assigned clinical days
13. student employed as a nurse anesthetist by title or function while in the educational program *

Items above marked with an asterisk have the potential for immediate dismissal. Substance abuse is incompatible with learning or practicing nurse anesthesia, and is a severe threat to patient safety, therefore it may be grounds for immediate dismissal of a student.

Academic reasons for dismissal

1. unsatisfactory performance in the academic area as defined in University and program of anesthesia catalogs, syllabi, and brochures.
• A course grade of D (1.0), F (0.0) or U is received in any course. *
• A second course grade of C+ (2.3) or C (2.0) is received.
• Failure to achieve a cumulative grade point average greater than or equal to 3.0 after one semester of probation for cumulative grade point average below 3.0.
• A grade less than B- is received in the courses listed above (ANE 549, 550, 551, 552, HLH 560, HLH561) *
2. violation of CHP Honor Code
3. any dishonest act whose result or intent is a subversion of fair and accurate didactic evaluation, i.e. "cheating" on exams.
   • Instances of academic dishonesty or cheating will result in at least a score of zero on the assignment or examination, and thus, potentially a failing grade in a course. For any such instances, instructors shall notify the program director who shall impose appropriate discipline, up to and including dismissal from the program.
4. violation of program polices on professionalism and integrity, or ethical behavior *
5. false statements made, or false documents submitted, in the admissions process *

Items above marked with an asterisk have the potential for immediate dismissal.

Notification of Dismissal

Dismissal of a student will be recommended by the Academic Progression Committee. Such recommendations shall include documentation of the reason(s) for dismissal. The final decision for dismissal rests with the program director. Once the student is dismissed, they must turn in their case records and any hospital or University property to the director. A summarization of the student's performance to date and a description of the circumstances of dismissal will be placed in the student's file. The Dean of the College of Health Professions, the Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists, and various departments of the clinical site (Security, the administrator of the hospital loan program, or other departments that are applicable) will also be notified of the dismissal.

Withdrawal

Students contemplating withdrawal from the program are required to consult in person with program administration prior to finalizing the decision and submitting a written resignation. At the time of resignation, the student must state their intentions in writing and turn in their case totals and all hospital property to the director. A student may resign at any time during an academic or clinical probationary period, however the resignation must be made prior to the point where the Academic Progression Committee has made a final recommendation to the Director to dismiss (in other words, students are not allowed to resign in lieu of dismissal).

Students may resign with the intent of returning to the program later. If they do resign, there is no implied or expressed promise of readmission. They shall reapply for the next available enrollment date through the regular admissions process.

A summarization of the student's performance to date and a written description of the circumstances of resignation will be placed in the student's file. The hospital administrator, the Dean of the College of Health Professions and the Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists will also be notified of the resignation.

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