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Nursing and Health Technologies
Nursing Programs
Student Handbook
2
The Nightingale Pledge
I solemnly pledge myself before God and
in the presence of this assembly, to pass
my life in purity and to practice my
profession faithfully. I will abstain from
whatever is deleterious and mischievous,
and will not take or knowingly
administer any harmful drug. I will do all
in my power to maintain and elevate the
standard of my profession, and will hold
in confidence all personal matters
committed to my keeping and all family
affairs coming to my knowledge in the
practice of my calling. With loyalty will I
endeavor to aid the physicians in their
work, and devote myself to the welfare
of those committed to my care.
This modified “Hippocratic” oath was composed in
1893 by Mrs. Lystra E. Gretter and a committee for
the Farrand Training School for Nurses, Detroit
Michigan. It was called the Florence Nightingale
Pledge as a token of esteem for the woman
credited as being the founder of modern nursing.
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Table of Contents
President’s Welcome ................................................................................................................................... 6
Vice President’s Welcome .......................................................................................................................... 8
Welcome to the Nursing Program ............................................................................................................. 9
Southeastern Community College Nursing and Health Technologies Organizational Chart.............. 9
An Introduction to the Nursing Programs Student Handbook ............................................................ 10
Southeastern Community College Associate Degree Nursing and Practical Nursing Programs
Statement of Philosophy ........................................................................................................................... 12
Mission ................................................................................................................................................... 12
Associate Degree Nursing and Practical Nursing Education ............................................................ 12
The Practical Nurse (PN)– Dependent Role in Nursing .................................................................... 13
The Associate Degree Nurse (ADN) – Independent Role in Nursing ............................................... 13
Conceptual Framework ........................................................................................................................ 14
The Conceptual Model ......................................................................................................................... 15
The NLN Education Competencies Model ......................................................................................... 16
Conceptual Framework Model Definitions: ....................................................................................... 17
Individual ........................................................................................................................................... 17
Healthcare System ............................................................................................................................ 17
Nursing ............................................................................................................................................... 17
Environment ...................................................................................................................................... 17
Health ................................................................................................................................................. 17
Quality of Life ................................................................................................................................... 18
Achievement of Potential .................................................................................................................. 18
NLN Core Competencies for Practical Nursing ............................................................................. 18
NLN Core Competencies for Associate Degree Nursing ............................................................... 18
Institute of Medicine Competencies ................................................................................................ 19
Student Learning/Educational Outcomes ............................................................................................... 20
Associate Degree Nursing Program ..................................................................................................... 20
Practical Nursing Program .................................................................................................................. 20
Program Outcomes for the Associate Degree Nursing and Practical Nursing Programs .................. 22
References .................................................................................................................................................. 23
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Nursing Programs Placement and Progression Criteria ....................................................................... 24
General Admission Criteria ................................................................................................................. 24
Students with Disabilities ..................................................................................................................... 25
Medical Records/Health Certification Forms .................................................................................... 25
Physical and Emotional Health ............................................................................................................ 26
Admission/Readmission Criteria by Program.................................................................................... 26
Dismissal from the Nursing Programs ................................................................................................ 26
Curriculum/Course Requirements for Graduation ........................................................................... 29
Associate Degree Nursing Program ................................................................................................. 29
Practical Nursing Program .............................................................................................................. 29
Application for RN/PN Licensure ....................................................................................................... 29
Nursing Programs Information and Student Responsibilities .............................................................. 30
Student Conduct.................................................................................................................................... 30
Incivility/Social Networking ................................................................................................................. 30
Confidentiality ....................................................................................................................................... 31
Honor Code............................................................................................................................................ 32
Attendance ............................................................................................................................................. 34
Messages and Announcements ............................................................................................................. 35
Cell Phones, Electronic Devices, and Personal Items ........................................................................ 36
Tobacco Use ........................................................................................................................................... 36
Student and Clinical ID Badges ........................................................................................................... 37
Inclement Weather ................................................................................................................................ 37
Emergency Notification System ........................................................................................................... 38
Classroom/Course Information and Responsibilities ............................................................................ 38
Grading .................................................................................................................................................. 38
Written Assignments ............................................................................................................................ 39
Testing .................................................................................................................................................... 40
Unit Tests ........................................................................................................................................... 40
Final Examinations ........................................................................................................................... 40
Test Tardiness or Absences .............................................................................................................. 40
Testing Environment ........................................................................................................................ 41
Test Review ........................................................................................................................................ 41
Standardized Examinations and ATI .............................................................................................. 42
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Early Alert Remediation ...................................................................................................................... 44
Clinical/Laboratory Information and Responsibilities.......................................................................... 45
Contractual Relationships with Clinical Agencies ............................................................................. 45
Criminal Background Checks.............................................................................................................. 45
Malpractice Insurance .......................................................................................................................... 45
Clinical Site Assignments ..................................................................................................................... 46
Transportation ...................................................................................................................................... 46
Dress Code ............................................................................................................................................. 46
Standard Precautions ........................................................................................................................... 49
Occurrence Reporting .......................................................................................................................... 49
Laboratory/Clinical Evaluations ......................................................................................................... 50
Midterm/Final Evaluations for Clinical .............................................................................................. 50
Action Plan ............................................................................................................................................ 51
Clinical Performance Rating................................................................................................................ 52
Clinical Core Competencies ................................................................................................................. 52
Open Simulation Lab Hours ................................................................................................................ 53
Guidelines for Simulation Clinical Experiences ................................................................................. 53
Miscellaneous Information ....................................................................................................................... 54
Regulatory Agencies ............................................................................................................................. 54
North Carolina Board of Nursing Decisions ....................................................................................... 55
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) ....................................................... 56
Pinning Ceremony Guidelines ............................................................................................................. 59
NCLEX .................................................................................................................................................. 61
Appendix A – Student Documents, Consents, & Releases .................................................................... 62
A-1 – Student Health Forms for Nursing and Health Technology Students ................................... 63
A – 1.1 – Immunization Guidelines ................................................................................................. 64
A – 1.2 – Immunization Record Checklist ...................................................................................... 66
A – 1.3 – Physical Examination Form ............................................................................................. 68
A – 1.4 – Hepatitis B / Varicella Form ............................................................................................ 69
A-2 – Permission for Release of Information Form ........................................................................... 70
A-3 – Essential Criteria, Functions, and Abilities Standards ........................................................... 71
A-4 – Confidentiality Certification, Receipt of Student Guidelines, Honor Code .......................... 74
A-5 – Honor Code Pledge ..................................................................................................................... 76
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A-6 – Instructor Employment/Educational Reference Waiver......................................................... 77
A-7 – Publicity Release Form ............................................................................................................... 78
A-8 – Simulation Lab Consents and Release ...................................................................................... 79
Appendix B – Classroom and Clinical Documents ................................................................................ 80
B-1 – Clinical Performance Rating ...................................................................................................... 81
B-2 – Clinical/Laboratory Unsatisfactory Report .............................................................................. 83
B-3 – Action Plan .................................................................................................................................. 85
B-4 – Early Alert Remediation ............................................................................................................ 86
B-5 – Student Self-Assessment ............................................................................................................. 88
B-6 – Request for Test Item Review .................................................................................................... 90
B-7 – Occurrence Report ...................................................................................................................... 91
Appendix C – Core Components and Competencies from Educational Competencies for Graduates
of Associate Degree Nursing Programs ................................................................................................... 94
Appendix D – Glossary of Terms........................................................................................................... 101
Appendix E – Code of Ethics for Nurses – Provisions and North Carolina Practice Information . 107
E-1 – Code of Ethics for Nurses – Provisions ................................................................................... 108
E-2 – North Carolina Nursing Practice Information ....................................................................... 109
Appendix F – Nursing Practice Act State of North Carolina .............................................................. 110
F-1 – Nursing Practice Act ................................................................................................................. 111
F-2 – Nurse Licensure Compact ........................................................................................................ 126
F-3 – Nurses Aides Registry Act ........................................................................................................ 147
President’s Welcome
Welcome to Southeastern Community College! We are glad that you made
Southeastern your choice to pursue your nursing career.
You made a great decision in choosing our nursing program. The nursing program at
Southeastern has a long history of providing the nursing profession with highly
qualified graduates who have built great careers in the nursing profession.
At Southeastern, our motto is Succeeding Together. We chose this motto to
communicate that we will partner with our students, our community, and within our
college to serve Columbus County and its surrounding areas. For you this means that
our faculty and staff are ready to partner with you for your success in the nursing
program. That does not mean that you will agree with every decision, every grade, or
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every policy or procedure. It does mean that we are committed to working with you
for your success.
You should be proud that you have been selected to join the nursing program at
Southeastern Community College. Nursing is a challenging program and profession,
but we have selected you because we believe that you have the capability of
completing the program and enjoying a great career in nursing.
We wish you the best as you begin this exciting journey.
Succeeding Together.
Dr. Anthony J. Clarke President
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Vice President’s Welcome
Dear Nursing Students,
Congratulations on being accepted into our nursing program. For both our Associate Degree Nursing
Program and our Practical Nursing program, admission is highly competitive. Your work to get into the
program demonstrates that you have what it takes to be successful! Success in nursing school will require
you to invest considerable time and energy into your education.
I encourage you to approach nursing school in much the same way you will approach your career as a
registered nurse. Nurses, and nursing students, are held to very high standards. The outcome to people’s
lives may literally rest in your hands. As such, you must be the ultimate professional in all aspects of
what you think and do. For example, you must work hard and be a life-long learner. I encourage you to
think of nursing school as the beginning of your professional learning journey. During your career,
science will advance healthcare tremendously, and you must keep up with new and changing practices to
ensure the well-being of those in your care. As another example, you must hold yourself and those you
work or study with to the highest ethical standards. You can learn more about our standards by this by
reading this handbook and ensuring you understand the policies and expectations described herein. For
example, when you witness unethical behavior as a student or a practicing nurse, it is your duty to report
the behavior to your faculty or supervisor. You are truly held to a higher standard.
You will be working with a strong group of nursing faculty, a faculty that I am proud of. They will
embrace you as equal partners in your learning journey. When you need help, I encourage you to talk
with your faculty. Their job is to help you learn, and they are good at it! Please take advantage of every
opportunity available to you. Your faculty will push you and challenge you to improve and expand your
thinking. You can always get better! It will not be easy; it is not supposed to be easy. You may get
frustrated. If this happens, I encourage you to embrace the frustration as a symptom of being challenged.
I assure you that these challenges will help mold you into a stronger nurse.
We are pleased that you have chosen Southeastern Community College. Our college makes our
community stronger. Upon graduation, you will be a great example of how we make our community
stronger because what you learn here will assist you in becoming a licensed nurse. As a nurse, you will
work in your community to improve the health of our citizenry. You will also earn high wages,
contributing to the economic success of the community. Finally, your education will position you to
make greater contributions to our democratic society. Southeastern Community College truly makes our
community stronger, one student at a time.
I wish you Godspeed. Please let me know when I can help you along the way.
Best,
Michael V. Ayers, A.A., A.S., B.S., M.A., D.M.
Vice President of Academic Affairs
Southeastern Community College
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Welcome to the Nursing Program
Southeastern Community College Nursing and
Health Technologies Organizational Chart
President
Vice President of Academic Affairs
Director of Nursing and Chair of Health
Technologies
Administrative Assistant
Associate Director of Nursing and Associate
Chair of Health Technologies
Lead Faculty/Course Coordinator
Course Specific Clinical Instructors (Full-time & Part-
time)
Course Specific Laboratory
Instructors (Full-time & Part-time)
Simulation Lab Coordinator
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An Introduction to the Nursing Programs Student Handbook
The Nursing Programs Student Handbook is intended as an informational guide for students
admitted to the nursing programs at Southeastern Community College. This handbook contains
guidelines and expectations to help develop and instill professional attitudes and encourage high
standards of conduct in nursing students. These guidelines and expectations comply with the
nature and legal responsibilities of nursing education and nursing practice. All students will be
held accountable for understanding and meeting the guidelines and expectations set forth in this
handbook at all times while enrolled in the nursing program. It is the expectation and
responsibility of each student admitted to the nursing programs to read this handbook carefully
and understand the information contained herein. Students that have questions pertaining to any
information within the handbook should direct questions regarding clarification to the lead
course instructor or program director. The Nursing Programs Student Handbook will be
reviewed during new student orientation in the first course of the nursing program. Student
failure to comply with the information and/or guidelines as outlined in this document is a
violation of the Nursing Programs Student Handbook.
Students who are in violation of the Nursing Programs Student Handbook will be subject to
disciplinary action up to and including dismissal from the nursing program. Students who fail to
follow the guidelines will receive a verbal and/or written warning that will become part of the
student’s file. Violations, consequences, and expectations will be discussed with the student by
the supervising instructor and may require additional discussions with the lead instructor or
program director.
The Nursing Programs Student Handbook contains information that is guided by current laws
and rules regulating nursing practice, institutional policies, clinical site policies, and best
practices in nursing (evidence-based practice, EBP). As these laws/rules, policies, and best
practices change, the information and guidelines contained within this handbook may also
require change. Therefore, Southeastern Community College and the nursing department
reserves the right to update, change, nullify, and/or add information to the Nursing Programs
Student Handbook. Should changes occur after publication of the handbook, the pertinent
information will be shared with students currently enrolled verbally and in writing. Once
students have been provided with the updated information and guidelines, failure to follow any
changes will be in violation of the handbook.
The Nursing Programs adhere to the guidelines and policies set forth by Southeastern
Community College. All students enrolled at Southeastern Community College are required to
acknowledge acceptance of these rules and should be familiar with SCC requirements and
expectations. The Southeastern Community College Student Handbook can be found on the
SCC website (https://sccnc.edu/student-handbook/). The Nursing Programs Student Handbook
will contain additional guidelines and expectations above the general college student handbook.
In the event that guidelines and/or expectations differ, the student should follow the Nursing
Programs Student Handbook.
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The purpose of the Associate Degree Nursing/Practical Nursing (ADN/PN) Programs at SCC is
to prepare associate degree and practical nurses to function safely and effectively as members of
the healthcare team in their respective roles as entry level practitioners. Criterion for graduation
is in accord with outcomes expected of an individual to practice as legally defined for licensure
level by the Nursing Practice Act for the state of North Carolina.
Both the ADN/PN Programs are regional programs. Graduates may be required to leave the
local area to find employment.
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Southeastern Community College Associate Degree Nursing and
Practical Nursing Programs Statement of Philosophy
Mission
The Associate Degree Nursing and Practical Nursing Programs (hereinafter referred to as the
nursing programs) support the mission of the North Carolina Community College System and
the mission of Southeastern Community College. The faculty is committed to providing
accessible high quality nursing education to meet the diverse and changing health-care needs of
the service area and to promoting the development of qualified graduates prepared for the
professional role of Registered Nurse (RN) and Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) at the entry
level. Graduates of the nursing programs meet the education requirements to take the National
Council Licensure Examination appropriate for program type (NCLEX-RN)/(NCLEX-PN).
The philosophy of the nursing programs is derived from statements about the health, quality of
life, achievement of potential, the individual, environment, health, nursing practice, and the
education of both the practical and associate degree nurse. Within this mission, the goal of
nursing faculty is to promote the highest quality of nursing care to the individual, families and
significant persons, and the community. The aim is to facilitate optimum health, quality of life,
and achievement of potential for the individual.
Associate Degree Nursing and Practical Nursing Education
Nursing education at both the practical and associate degree nursing levels, in the North Carolina
Community College System, is a process that facilitates changes in behavior through the
acquisition of knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to function in the role of an entry level
nurse. The curricula are conceptually based and founded on principles of adult and collaborative
learning. Basic assumptions include self-direction, utilizing adult experience, and problem-based
and activity-centered learning (Rachal, 2002).
The nursing programs curricula incorporate evidence-based nursing theory and practice, general
education, and the sciences in an environment conducive to learning. The organizing framework
contains content related to the individual, the health care system, and nursing. The conceptual
design defines the essential elements as the environment, health, quality of life, and
achievement of potential.
The nursing programs curricula are designed to use learning activities that accommodate various
learning styles and a student friendly learning environment. Acknowledging the existence of
different levels of nursing, the faculty are committed to promoting the concept of lifelong
learning and facilitating the ease of educational access from one level of nursing education to the
next higher level.
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The nursing programs at Southeastern Community College provide an education that is flexible,
progressive, and sensitive to the changing needs of the individual, families, significant support
person(s), and the community. Through these educational experiences, students will have the
opportunity to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills. Learning is a continuous
process that results in a change of behavior and occurs when the individual is challenged and
motivated to enhance personal knowledge. Teaching and learning is an interactive process
between teacher and learner. The responsibility of the faculty of Southeastern Community
College Nursing Programs is to facilitate the student’s understanding and ability to meet the
competencies for nursing practice through the design and evaluation of learning experiences. The
responsibility of the nursing student is to actively participate in learning experiences and develop
the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to provide quality individual-centered nursing care.
The Practical Nurse (PN)– Dependent Role in Nursing
The graduate of the Practical Nursing program at Southeastern Community College is prepared
to practice as an entry level nurse. The practice of the Licensed Practical Nurse, (LPN) is
directed toward meeting the health care needs of individuals throughout their lifespan. Their role
is supported by evidence-based clinical practice with the provision of care for individuals and
families in structured settings. The LPN functions in a dependent role under the supervision of
the registered nurse (RN) and other health care providers approved by North Carolina law. In
accordance with the North Carolina Board of Nursing Administrative Code 21NCAC 36.0225
Components of Nursing Practice for the Licensed Practical Nurse, the LPN accepts assignments
that can be safely performed and participates in assessing, planning, implementing and
evaluating the client’s response to healthcare interventions. The PN graduate is prepared to meet
the educational competencies identified by the National League of Nursing (2010), the National
Research Council (2003) and the Nursing Practice Act of North Carolina. The practical nurse
graduate is prepared to be a responsible life-long learner.
The Associate Degree Nurse (ADN) – Independent Role in Nursing
The graduate of the Associate Degree Nursing program at Southeastern Community College is
prepared to practice as an entry level nurse. The practice of the ADN nurse is directed toward
meeting the health care needs of individuals throughout their lifespan. Their role is characterized
by evidence-based clinical practice with the provision of care for individuals and families in
structured settings. The scope of RN practice is not defined by specific activities or tasks, but
rather as a process, and is identified as independent and comprehensive. In accordance with the
North Carolina Board of Nursing Administrative Code 21NCAC 36.0224 Components of
Nursing Practice for the Registered Nurse, the RN safely accepts assignments that include
assessing, planning and implementing nursing interventions and prescribed treatments for an
individual, group, or community; as well as to evaluate responses to nursing care and treatment,
and to collaborate with others as needed. The ADN graduate is prepared to meet the educational
competencies defined by the National League for Nursing (2010), the National Research Council
(2003) and the Nursing Practice Act of North Carolina. The associate degree nursing graduate is
prepared to be a responsible life-long learner.
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The associate degree nursing graduate demonstrates competencies that include professional
behaviors, communication, assessment, clinical decision-making, caring interventions, teaching
and learning, collaboration, and managing care inclusive of prioritization and delegation (see
Appendix H – Core Components and Competencies).
Conceptual Framework
The Conceptual Model provides a framework to prepare learners for new instruction and
motivates them by making a meaningful connection for the learner. The learner must attain
mastery of each domain of the framework in order to understand the complete curriculum
(Knowles, Holton, & Swanson, 2011). These domains include the individual, the healthcare
system, and nursing. Each domain provides the conceptual framework guiding the Practical
Nursing and Associate Degree Nursing curriculums. Concepts are organized within each of these
domains and learning occurs from simple to complex.
Outcomes and competencies of the graduate are based on the NLN 2010 Outcomes and
Competencies for Graduates of Practical Nursing and Associate Degree Programs. The
outcomes/goals that make up the four-part conceptual framework domains of the curricula
include: Human Flourishing, Nursing Judgment, Professional Identity, and the Spirit of
Inquiry. The domain of the Individual incorporates Human Flourishing. The domain of
Nursing incorporates Nursing Judgment and Professional Identity. The Healthcare domain
encompasses the Spirit of Inquiry.
The nursing programs also utilize additional professionally recognized sources to enhance the
curricula, program outcomes, and student competencies. The following sources provide
recognized competencies and core values that are threaded throughout the nursing programs
curricula:
Institute of Medicine competencies (IOM, 2003): using informatics, employing
evidence-based practice, providing client-centered culturally competent care, managing
client care, and participating in interdisciplinary teams.
NLN 2010 Core Values: caring, diversity, excellence, integrity, ethics, holism, and
patient centeredness.
15
The Conceptual Model was adopted from the NCCCS for ADN programs but also is
applicable to the Practical Nursing program with modification of scope of practice.
The Conceptual Model
16
The NLN Education Competencies Model
17
Conceptual Framework Model Definitions:
Individual The nursing faculty of Southeastern Community College believe that each individual is a
complex, multidimensional, unique, and significant being possessing inherent value and worth,
and a member of a family, community, and culturally diverse society. All individuals have
dynamic bio-physical, psychological, socio-cultural, spiritual, and developmental needs that
contribute to health, quality of life, and achievement of potential. Adaptation to the environment
requires the individual to change throughout the lifespan. Each individual has a right to
healthcare and to information that will assist him or her to participate actively in his or her health
care in order to achieve the highest level of wellness possible. All individuals should be cared
for, respected, nurtured, understood, and assisted in the endeavor to achieve maximum health
potential. In order to provide care and assistance, nurses must view the individual at the center of
any nursing activity.
Healthcare System
A system consists of the coming together of parts. The power comes from the energy of the
interconnection and the way the parts come together. The community healthcare system is a
macro-system and consists of a variety of parts or microsystems. Clinics, hospitals, pharmacies,
laboratories, long term care and Internet sites are microsystems that are connected by patients
and information to improve health (National Research Council, 2003).
Nursing
Nursing is defined as the science and art of integrating and assimilating knowledge and skills
derived from biological, sociological, and behavioral sciences and information technology to
deliver client-centered, culturally competent, holistic care. Through caring, empathy, ethics, and
the development of a therapeutic relationship with the individual and significant support
person(s), the nurse integrates the art of nursing with the scientific foundation for nursing
practice that utilizes the nursing process. Incorporating documented best practice, while the LPN
functions dependently, the ADN functions independently and collaboratively with the
interdisciplinary team to assist individuals to reach their maximum health potential through
assurance of quality client outcomes, promotion of wellness, prevention of illness, and
restoration of health or assistance in achieving a dignified death. Emphasis is also placed on cost-
effective care to facilitate the achievement of positive individual/organizational outcomes.
Environment
The individual is in constant interaction with a changing environment that consists of both
internal and external forces that varies throughout the lifespan and has the potential to cause
stress in the individual. The nurse can assist the individual to alter aspects of the environment
and to utilize his/her innate and learned coping mechanisms to adapt to these stressors.
Health
Health is defined as a dynamic, ever-changing state of mental, physical, and spiritual well-being
which exists on a continuum from optimal wellness to illness and ending in death. The
18
individual’s needs for healthcare are determined by his/her position on the continuum. Each
individual’s health is based on his/her cultural perceptions and beliefs of health and illness and
the ability to adapt to internal and external environmental forces. The individual is responsible
for and capable of identifying, learning, and practicing health behaviors that can promote
wellness, prevent illness, restore or maintain wellness, or achieve a dignified death.
Quality of Life
Quality of life involves five domains including physical, functional, psychological, social, and
spiritual well-being. The individual’s perception of and satisfaction with activities of daily living
contributes to their worth, meaning, or satisfaction. This empowers the individual to cope
successfully with the full range of challenges encountered in the real world. (Ignatavicius &
Workman, 2013).
Achievement of Potential
Achievement of potential is defined as the individual’s growth toward attaining one’s utmost
ability and quality of life. It is based on the individual’s choices, perceptions, personal goals, life
experiences, and holistic health.
NLN Core Competencies for Practical Nursing
Core competencies are the discrete and measurable skills essential for the practice of nursing
(NLN, 2010).
Human Flourishing: Promote the human dignity, integrity, self-determination, and
personal growth of patients, oneself, and members of the health care team
Nursing Judgment: Provide a rationale for judgments used in the provision of safe,
quality care and for decisions that promote the health of patients within a family context
Professional Identity: Assess how one’s personal strengths and values affect one’s
personal identity as a nurse and one’s contributions as a member of the health care team
Spirit of Inquiry: Question the basis for nursing actions, considering research, evidence,
tradition, and patient preferences
NLN Core Competencies for Associate Degree Nursing
Core competencies are the discrete and measurable skills, essential for the practice of nursing
(NLN, 2010).
Human Flourishing: Advocates for patients and families in ways that promote their
self-determination, integrity, and ongoing growth as human beings.
Nursing Judgment: Makes judgments in practice, substantiated with evidence, that
integrate nursing science in the provision of safe, quality care and promote the health of
patients within a family and community context.
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Professional Identity: Implements one’s role as a nurse in ways that reflect integrity,
responsibility, ethical practices, and evolving identity as a nurse committed to evidence-
based practice, caring, advocacy, and safe quality care for diverse patients within a family
and community context.
Spirit of Inquiry: Examines the evidence that underlies clinical nursing practice to
challenge the status quo, question underlying assumptions, and offer new insights to
improve the quality of care for patients, families, and communities.
Institute of Medicine Competencies
The five core competencies identified by the IOM for healthcare providers are: patient centered
care, interdisciplinary teams, evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and informatics.
(National Research Council, 2003)
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Student Learning/Educational Outcomes
Graduates should be prepared to promote and enhance human flourishing for patients, families,
communities, and themselves; to show sound nursing judgment; to continually develop their
professional identity; and to maintain a spirit of inquiry as they move into the world of nursing
practice, and beyond.
Associate Degree Nursing Program
Upon completion of the Associate Degree Nursing Program, the graduate will upon licensure:
Acknowledge the necessity for lifelong learning and educational attainment as a part of
personal and professional development and growth. (1)
Human Flourishing: Advocate for patients and families in ways that promote their
self-determination, integrity, and ongoing growth as human beings.
Nursing Judgment: Make judgments in practice, substantiated with evidence, that
integrate nursing science in the provision of safe, quality care and promote the health of
patients within a family and community context.
Professional Identity: Implement one’s role as a nurse in ways that reflect integrity,
responsibility, ethical practices, and an evolving identity as a nurse committed to
evidence-based practice, caring, advocacy, and safe, quality care for diverse patients
within a family and community context.
Spirit of Inquiry: Examine the evidence that underlies clinical nursing practice to
challenge the status quo, question underlying assumptions and offer new insights to
improve the quality of care for patients, families, and communities.
Practical Nursing Program
Upon completion of the Practical Nursing Program, the graduate will upon licensure:
Acknowledges the necessity for lifelong learning as a part of personal and professional
development and growth. (1)
Human Flourishing: Promotes the human dignity, integrity, self-determination, and
personal growth of patients, oneself, and members of the health care team.
Nursing Judgment: Provides a rationale for judgments used in the provision of safe,
quality care and for decisions that promote the health of patients within a family context.
Professional Identity: Assess how one’s personal strengths and values affect one’s
identity as a nurse and one’s contributions as a member of the health care team
(Professional Identity).
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Spirit of Injury: Questions the basis for nursing actions, considering research, evidence,
tradition, and patient preferences.
(1) This outcome reflects the college’s mission and goals related to life-long learning and
educational attainment.
Note: The 2010 NLN Educational Competencies for graduates of Practical Nursing and
Associate Degree Nursing Programs have been adopted by the faculty as the Educational
Outcomes for the SCC nursing programs. The educational outcomes developed by the
North Carolina Department of Community Colleges Curriculum Revision/Improvement
Projects are incorporated into the Educational Outcomes of the PN and the ADN Nursing
programs.
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Program Outcomes for the Associate Degree Nursing and Practical
Nursing Programs
The program outcomes of the Associate Degree Nursing and Practical Nursing Programs are the
standards for measurement of the effectiveness of the curriculum design.
1. Performance on licensure exam
Graduates will pass the licensure exam at or above the national mean.
(NCBON standard - The Practical Nursing and Associate Degree Nursing programs
shall maintain a three-year average at or above 95 percent of the national pass rate for
licensure level pass rate on the first writing of the licensure examination).
2. Program Completion
60% of students entering the program for the first time will graduate.
3. Program satisfaction
Graduates will achieve the following outcome expectations:
90% express satisfaction with the program of learning
90% demonstrate satisfactory nursing practice to their employers reflecting the programs
education outcomes.
4. Job Placement
90% of the students seeking employment will become employed as practical nurses or
registered nurses within one year after graduation.
5. Lifelong learning
100% of graduates will acknowledge the need for lifelong learning by participating in
professional development activities.
6. North Carolina Board of Nursing Program Approval Status
The Practical Nursing and Associate Degree Nursing programs will maintain full
approval status.
7. Compliance with regulatory standards of the North Carolina Community College
System and Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) The Practical Nursing and Associate Degree Nursing programs will be in compliance
with the regulatory standards of these agencies.
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References Berman, A. & Snyder, S. (2012). Kozier & Erb’s Fundamentals of Nursing:
Concepts, Process and Practices (9th Ed.). Upper Saddle Creek, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Finkleman, A. (2012). Teaching IOM: Implications of the Institute of Medicine report for
nursing education (3rd Ed.). Silver Spring, MD: American Nurses Association.
Giddens, J. (2013). Concepts for nursing practice. St. Louis: Elsevier Saunders.
Ignatavicius, D. & Workman, M. L. (2013). Medical-surgical nursing: Patient-centered
collaborative care (5th Ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Saunders.
Institute of Medicine (2001). Crossing the quality chasm: A new health care system for the 21st
century. Washington, D.C.: National Academy of Science. (Historical)
National League for Nursing (2000). NLN core competencies. Washington, DC: NLN
Publications. (Historical)
National League for Nursing (2007). NLN core values. Washington, DC: NLN
Publications. (Historical)
National League for Nursing (2010). Outcomes and competencies for graduates of
practical/vocational, diploma, associate degree, baccalaureate, master’s, practice doctorate,
and research doctorate programs in nursing. Washington, DC: NLN
Publications.
National Research Council (2003). Health professions education: A bridge to quality.
Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. (Historical)
Knowles, M., Holton, E., & Swanson, R. (2011). The adult learner. St. Louis: Elsevier
Saunders.
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Nursing Programs Placement and Progression Criteria
General Admission Criteria
The nature and legal responsibilities of nursing education and nursing practice require the
nursing department to adhere to strict admission standards. The number of students enrolled
must not exceed a level commensurate with the total resources available to the program.
Nursing admission criteria are based on the "best qualified" concept. Qualifications are
determined from the following measures: GPA (An SCC cumulative GPA of 2.5 is required to
meet application requirements). Students admitted to the program must maintain a 2.0 (“C” in all
nursing and selected college courses that relate to the nursing program) for continuation in the
program (see Catalog; also see the ‘Student Readiness Checklist” available on the SCC website).
Applicants must have completed high school requirements either by diploma or GED and meet
the Reading and Math pre-requisite requirements (see Catalog).
Enrollment and continuation in the nursing program are contingent upon the submission of the
required documentation on or before the date specified in the acceptance letter. This
documentation includes but is not necessarily limited to:
1. Completed health forms and consents.
2. Immunization proof that includes but may not be limited to:
Negative 2-Step PPD as the initial TB skin testing requirement or a
negative QuantiFERON Gold blood test
Three tetanus vaccines (one must be within the past 10 years, may
substitute Td/Tdap)
Two MMR vaccines or two Rubeola vaccines; one Rubella vaccine; and
one mumps vaccine or a positive blood titer
Seasonal Influenza Vaccine
3. Immunization proof, positive blood titer, or waiver required
Hepatitis A and B series (Twin Rex)
Two Varicella vaccines
4. Certification of ability to perform Essential Criteria, Functions, and Abilities
Standards.
5. Malpractice insurance (included in tuition/fees, copy of receipt required)
6. OSHA training (Wake AHEC Clinical Consortium Training)
7. Acceptable Criminal Background Check
8. Negative 12 Panel Drug Screen
Certification from the student’s healthcare provider that provides evidence the student meets the
conditions of physical and emotional health and capability at a level that is acceptable to and in
keeping with his/her ability to provide safe nursing care to the public (see Health Medical
Records and Health Certification Form).
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A person who perceives that he/she was treated unfairly in the admission process should see the
Director of Nursing and Health Technologies. Any student who feels they have been treated
unfairly for any reason during his/her association with SCC may make an appeal by following
the grievance procedure outlined in the Southeastern Community College Student Handbook.
The nursing faculty reserves the right to deny admission to a student who has demonstrated past
behaviors which conflicts with safety essential to nursing practice and/or academic dishonesty.
Students with Disabilities
The Nursing and Health Technologies department at Southeastern Community College does not
discriminate on the basis of disability in admission or access to any of its programs, services, or
activities to any individual who meets the essential eligibility requirements (see Essential
Criteria, Functions, and Abilities Standards in Appendix A-3). The Nursing and Health
Technologies department will provide reasonable accommodations for documented disabilities
for any individuals who are eligible to receive or participate in college programs or activities.
The American with Disabilities counselor has been designated to coordinate compliance with the
nondiscrimination requirements contained in the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) and
section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Information concerning provisions of the ADA
and the rights provided therein are available from the ADA counselor (information must be
updated each semester). Student Development Services provides an ADA counselor to assist
students in requesting disability-related accommodations.
Individuals who require reasonable accommodations for any disability are encouraged to make
this requirement known to the ADA counselor. The ADA counselor will provide the student with
written verification to be given to the course coordinator of the enrolled course. This must be
provided each semester reasonable accommodations are requested.
Medical Records/Health Certification Forms
Applicants to the nursing programs who are notified of acceptance will receive a Health Medical
Records and Health Certification Form with their acceptance letter. Health Certification forms
(See Appendix A) are due by the date specified in the letter. Students accepted into the program
will not be allowed to register until the completed and current medical records and Health
Certification forms are submitted.
Medical examination must have been completed within one calendar year of the semester the
student enters the nursing program. Immunizations must be current, as recommended by the
N.C. Department of Public Health and the Center for Disease Control. A completed and current
immunization record must be submitted prior to registering for nursing courses and
immunizations must remain current during progression through any nursing program.
Students who are pregnant or plan pregnancy within three months must consult their obstetrician
before receiving the vaccines (See Medical Records and Health Certification Form in Appendix
A).
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In addition to a complete and current health certification form, students in clinical courses will be
required to provide proof of a negative 12 panel drug screening with a urine creatinine prior to
participating in clinical practice. Students who demonstrate behaviors consistent with those
related to substance abuse may be asked to submit to additional unannounced testing
(unannounced testing will be at the student’s expense). This information will be communicated
to the student by the Course Coordinator or Director of Nursing and Health Technologies.
Refusal to submit to a reasonable request will result in immediate dismissal from the program.
Students who, for whatever reason, have not maintained continuous enrollment, or have been out
of the clinical setting for a period greater than one semester, are required to submit to a new drug
screen and background check.
Physical and Emotional Health
The student will be required to provide professional and personal certification to the Nursing
Department that he/she meets the conditions of physical health and/or physical capability on a
level that is acceptable to and in keeping with safe nursing practice. The student will also be
required to provide certification to the Nursing Department that he/she meets the conditions of
emotional health on a level that is acceptable to and in keeping with safe nursing practice.
Students accepted into the nursing program with previous physical, emotional, or behavioral
problems which conflict with the ability essential to provide safe and effective nursing care, or
who have charges pending, or previous criminal convictions of abuse, neglect, fraud, larceny and
drug/alcohol abuse must provide professional certification that appropriate treatment and/or
counseling has taken place and that the problem has been adequately accommodated.
Nursing faculty follow published college and nursing department policies and practices that
provide for identification and dismissal of students who are unable to meet the essential criteria
necessary for safe nursing practice.
Admission/Readmission Criteria by Program
Students seeking admission/readmission to nursing programs must meet current admission
requirements. The current policy regarding admission/readmission to the Associate Degree and
Practical Nursing Programs may also be found in the Southeastern Community College Catalog
(https://www.sccnc.edu/academics/college-catalogs/). Readmission to a nursing program is
contingent on space available in the program.
Readmission of a student who was dismissed from the nursing programs for drug use and/or any
physical, emotional or behavioral problems which conflict with the safety essential to nursing
practice is contingent on professional documentation that appropriate treatment and/or
counseling has taken place and that the problem has been adequately accommodated.
Dismissal from the Nursing Programs
A student may be dismissed from the nursing program at any time for either academic or
administrative reasons. Nursing faculty reserve the right to decide this on a
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case-by-case basis depending on the severity of the events, actions, or behaviors that lead to the
dismissal. A student who is dismissed may follow the SCC procedure for issuing a grievance as
outlined in the SCC Student Handbook (https://sccnc.edu/student-handbook/).
Dismissal of a nursing student from the SCC Nursing Program may result from, but not be limited
to, any of the following:
Administrative Reasons:
Excessive absence from class/lab/clinical (see SCC College Catalog)
Behavior which conflicts with safety essential to nursing practice.
Unsafe behavior in the class/lab or clinical setting which:
Conflicts with safety essential to nursing practice, or
Indicates an inability to make sound clinical decisions.
Such behavior is defined as failure to assess/rescue or act appropriately
on information that students at the same level of education/experience
would recognize as important to client health and safety. Any student who
requires an inordinate amount of the instructor’s time in the clinical
setting because of poor judgment, or poor decision-making ability, or
safety violation may be dismissed from the program
Unsafe clinical practice is defined as any deliberate or negligent clinical
practice or act of commission or omission which threatens the safety and
well-being of the public regardless of whether actual injury to the patient
has occurred.
A student who demonstrates behavior that conflicts with safety may be
dismissed from the nursing program regardless of whether treatment or
counseling has occurred.
One incident of gross unprofessional misconduct
( e.g., hitting or cursing a client, another student or health care team
member, or any act of overt violence) or 1 incident of gross unsafe clinical
behavior.
Gross misconduct related to professional nursing to include, but not limited to:
Substance misuse and or abuse: Presenting under the influence of alcohol,
illegal drugs, or any medications resulting in cognitive impairment while
in the clinical area, on school property or at a school sponsored activity,
or; Testing positive for alcohol, illegal drugs, or for legal drugs for which
the student does not possess a valid prescription. Dismissal can occur
regardless of treatment or counseling has occurred previously. Students
who refuse to submit to random drug testing by a clinical facility may be
dismissed immediately.
Abandonment
Breaching patient confidentiality: The student is legally (privilege
doctrine) and ethically (nurse’s code of ethics) obligated to maintain
confidentiality regarding any information concerning a client’s illness or
treatment which is obtained in the normal course of his/her professional
duty. No client information can be revealed without the client’s
permission. It is appropriate to discuss client condition/nursing care in a
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learning situation such as instructor-student conference with the
understanding that said discussion will not be repeated outside of the
conference setting.
Falsifying records
Academic dishonesty: This may be defined as receiving or acquiring any
information or materials regarding past, present, or future
test/exam/assignment items from any individual. This includes but is not
limited to theft of test/assignment items, sharing or receiving assistance
during a test, transcribing notes related to test/assignment items. Violation
of the academic dishonesty policy may result in immediate dismissal from
the nursing program.
Documented patterns of inappropriate, unprofessional, uncivil, or unsafe
behavior (Patterns of behavior are cumulative throughout the program.)
Violation of the SCC Student Code of Conduct (see SCC College Catalog
at https://sccnc.edu/academics/college-catalogs/)
Willful destruction of college or clinical agency property
Problems which conflict with safety essential to nursing practice and do
not respond to appropriate treatment/counseling/remediation within a
reasonable amount of time or that interferes with the successful
achievement of course objectives. These problems include, but are not
limited to physical, emotional, or behavioral problems.
Academic Reasons:
A student may be academically dismissed at any time for:
Earning a grade of less than C (77%) in any nursing required program
courses.
Failing to maintain a 2.0 GPA once admitted to the program.
Failing to achieve program academic and/or clinical performance
requirements.
Providing false information or failing to complete college records
Academic dishonesty/cheating on any unit or final exam.
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Curriculum/Course Requirements for Graduation
Associate Degree Nursing Program
General Education Requirements
Take 16 credits from…
BIO-168* Anatomy and Physiology I - 4.00
ENG-111* Writing and Inquiry - 3.00
ENG-112 Writing/Research in Disc - 3.00
PHI-240 Introduction to Ethics - 3.00
PSY-150* General Psychology - 3.00
Major Requirements
Take 28 credits from…
NUR-111 Intro to Health Concepts - 8.00
NUR-112 Health-Illness Concepts - 5.00
NUR-113 Family Health Concepts - 5.00
NUR-114 Holistic Health Concepts - 5.00
NUR-211 Health Care Concepts - 5.00
Generic Completion
Take 15 credits from…
NUR-212 Health System Concepts - 5.00
NUR-213* Complex Health Concepts - 10.00
Other Major Requirements
Take 10 credits from…
ACA-122* College Transfer Success - 1.00
BIO-169 Anatomy and Physiology II - 4.00
NUR-117* Pharmacology - 2.00
PSY-241 Developmental Psych - 3.00
Total Semester Hours Credit (SHC) 69.0
Practical Nursing Program
General Education Requirements
English
Take 3 credits from…
ENG-111* Writing and Inquiry - 3.00
Natural Sciences
Take 5 credits from…
BIO-163* Basic Anat & Physiology - 5.00
Major Requirements
Take 30 credits from…
NUR-101 Practical Nursing I - 11.00
NUR-102 Practical Nursing II - 10.00
NUR-103* Practical Nursing III - 9.00
Other Major Requirements
Take 2 credits from…
NUR-117* Pharmacology - 2.00
Other Requirements
Take 1 credit from…
ACA-122* College Transfer Success - 1.00
Total Semester Hours Credit (SHC)
41.00
Application for RN/PN Licensure
Candidate for NCLEX-RN/NCLEX-PN must have their credentials verified electronically to the
North Carolina Board of Nursing by the Director of the Nursing Programs. Verification is based
on satisfactory completion of the nursing courses/curriculum.
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Nursing Programs Information and Student Responsibilities
Student Conduct
All students are expected to behave in a socially acceptable manner at all times. A display of
disruptive, hostile, aggressive, rude and/or otherwise uncivil or unprofessional behavior on the
part of the nursing student is inexcusable. A student is expected to remain in control of his/her
emotions even under trying circumstances, conditions, and/or situations. The quality and tone of
the voice should be quiet, pleasant, and reassuring. Use of profane or obscene language intended
to denigrate or demean another person will not be permitted at any time. This is not an inclusive
list of inappropriate conduct. (See also Code of Ethics for Nurses – Provisions in Appendix E-1).
A student who does not adhere to required specific behaviors or characteristics as identified in
the Nursing and Health Technologies Nursing Programs Student Guidelines and/or in the SCC
Student Handbook will be asked to leave the clinical, laboratory, and/or classroom area or any
other school activity immediately as necessary. If the student is asked to leave the clinical area
due to violations related to student conduct, he/she may be dismissed from the nursing program.
See dismissal criteria in the Nursing and Health Technologies Nursing Programs Student
Guidelines. Refer to the SCC Student Handbook Code of Conduct at
https://sccnc.edu/handbook-code-of-conduct/.
Students shall address instructors, patients and family members in the classroom and/or clinical
area by an appropriate title and surname as requested by the party being addressed.
Incivility/Social Networking
According to Webster's New College Dictionary, incivility is defined as "the quality or state of
being uncivil or, any rude or discourteous act.
Incivility in any form, verbal, nonverbal, or written, will not be tolerated in the nursing
department or at the clinical facilities. It also includes bullying which may be defined as any
unwanted, aggressive behavior among individuals that involves a real or perceived power
imbalance. These rules also encompass any correspondence displayed for public viewing on any
social networking site (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) that describes events related to students, faculty,
or clients.
Students are reminded that confidentiality must be maintained in all areas, especially the internet.
Any breach of confidentiality or personal attacks against another individual will be considered a
serious infraction of the code of conduct for nursing students. Such acts may result in
disciplinary action.
Students who feel they have been bullied or treated unfairly/uncivilly by a faculty member
should provide a written complaint to the Director of Nursing and Health Technologies within 3
working days of the incident.
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The nursing faculty expects students to practice professional behaviors and follow legal and
ethical standards of nursing care. Students who use any web-based services that allow
individuals to construct a public or semi-public profile and form relationships with other users of
the same site who access their profile are expected to abide by the same principles online as they
would in person. Students are expected to always maintain confidentiality policies. References
of any kind on a student’s profile that is made concerning clinical sites, clients/families/visitors,
and/or staff/employees are prohibited. Failure to follow these expectations will result in
disciplinary action that may include dismissal from the nursing program.
Confidentiality
We believe in the uniqueness of each individual, and place a great value on our relationships
with all persons including coworkers, students, patients, friends, acquaintances and any other
person with whom we come in contact in our activities of daily living. Valuing relationships
with an individual or with a group of individuals is evidenced by the respect and care given to
that relationship. The basic component of a respectful, caring relationship is honesty. Honesty
implies trust. As nurses, we pledge to be trustworthy –“I will hold in confidence all personal
matters committed to my keeping and family affairs coming to my knowledge in the practice of
my calling.”* As nursing faculty, we pledge to maintain confidentiality and to help our students
develop and refine skills, including the skill of maintaining confidentiality in all situations.
We believe a nurse is effective only as long as he/she is trusted. Breaking a co-worker, friend, or
patient's trust and/or inappropriately revealing privileged information can result in harm to the
person and can also damage the reputation and career of the person who violated the trust. We
are committed to helping students recognize subtle and sometimes seemingly accepted situations
that devalue another human being by breaching confidential and/or privileged information.
The guidelines listed below are to be followed by all nursing students at Southeastern
Community College. Breaching one of these guidelines is a serious behavior and will result in
the immediate dismissal of the student from the nursing program at Southeastern Community
College.
1. We believe in the Patient's Right to Privacy - students will not be forced to take care of
patients that are so personally known that the patient, student, or faculty are made to feel
uncomfortable.
2. Personal information about the patient is limited to the assigned student/instructor and
health care personnel involved in the patient's care.
3. Students should not reveal personal information not related to nursing care during post
conference.
4. Discussion of patient, including diagnosis, sex, behavior, family, etc. in any public area
such as hallways, elevator, cafeteria, parking lot or elsewhere is a breach of
confidentiality.
5. Discussion of privileged information in public areas such as doctor/nurse conflicts,
conflicts between and among nursing and other staff, doctor/patient relationships,
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overheard hospital gossip, etc. is a breach in privileged confidentiality. Ethical and
philosophical concerns can be discussed with the instructor in the hospital setting or in
the private campus setting, and/or discussed through established hospital grievance
procedure.
6. Reading or reproducing charts, portions thereof, or requesting information on any patient
other than those in your care is a breach in the patient's right to privacy.
7. Using patient's name or room number on any written material except hospital records
requiring such name is a breach of the patient's right to privacy.
8. No audiotape, photograph, photocopy (Xerox), or videotape will be made of a patient or
the patient’s medical record. Cordless and cellular phones are not secure and talking
about privileged information over these telephones violates SCC Confidentiality
statement.
9. Transmission of electronic data regarding patients and/or other students is a
breach of the patient’s and/or student’s right to privacy.
10. Computer passwords are intended for use only by the person to whom they are assigned.
These passwords should never be shared with another person. When using computers,
screens should be positioned to ensure privacy, and active screens should never be left
unattended.
Nursing students are required to sign a confidentiality certification statement.
* Excerpt from the Florence Nightingale Pledge
Honor Code
Academic Integrity:
The nursing programs at Southeastern Community College (SCC) expect students to adhere to
the guidelines for academic integrity set forth in the SCC Student Handbook Code of Conduct
(https://sccnc.edu/handbook-code-of-conduct/). Ensuring honesty and competence in academic
work is the responsibility for both students and faculty. All students, staff, and faculty are
responsible for acquainting themselves with, adhering to, promoting, and enforcing policies
governing academic conduct. Students are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with
generally accepted standards of scholarship and morality.
In addition to the Code of Conduct expected of all students, SCC nursing students are expected
to recognize and accept their obligation as a member of the professional community of nursing.
The American Nurses Association Code of Ethics for Nurses (ANACEN) is recognized by the
professional world of nursing and the SCC nursing faculty as the gold standard of ethical
obligations and conduct becoming of a nurse. Nursing students are expected to adhere to these
same Code of Ethics for Nurses at all times while enrolled in the nursing programs and as they
embark on careers after graduation (See Appendix E-1). Furthermore, SCC nursing faculty
recognize and accept their obligation to create and maintain an environment which insures safe
and effective healthcare to the public. To that end SCC nursing programs have adopted an Honor
33
Code, the specific basis of which is found in the ANACEN, as a clear and concise statement of
the “special” obligation incumbent on nurses with respect to academic and professional conduct.
SCC nursing faculty believe that a commitment to upholding the Honor Code is a justifiable
condition of enrollment. Students will be required to affirm their commitment to this code by
signing and dating the attached Honor Code Pledge the first time they are enrolled in any nursing
course (courses with the NUR prefix). Students will be required to reaffirm commitment by
signing or initialing an abbreviated statement as a part of completion for any graded assignment
or examination.
Explanation of the Honor Code
The Honor Code is intended to be a systematic description of the basis for and description of
conduct that is deemed to be honorable for the student nurse. Honor, in general, is defined as a
commitment to excel in the achievement of virtue, to adhere to core values, and to do what is
“right”. The American Nurses Association (Provision 6.1 of the Code of Ethics for Nurses)
provides relevant background for the identification of habits of character that should be “central
values” for nurses and therefore can be said attributes of honor and virtue and are habits of
character that predispose persons to meet their moral obligation to do the right things – the
faculty at SCC extend these attributes to be essential for nursing students as well.
Students adhere to this Code by abstaining from dishonest, deceitful, or fraudulent conduct, and
by taking appropriate action to confront dishonest, deceitful, or fraudulent conduct when aware
of such behavior by others.
Honor Code Violation(s) include(s), but are not limited to the following:
Giving or receiving unauthorized aid on tests, examinations, or graded assignments.
Unauthorized aid may involve:
o Providing, developing or distributing recorded or written notes related to any
specific exam questions after taking the examination (this includes discussion
regarding the test questions on social media).
o Giving or receiving unauthorized assistance or working in groups while taking
on-line quizzes, exams, or other assignments (this includes, but is not limited to,
the use of unauthorized written notations or prompts of any sort, and of
unauthorized tactile, audio, or electronic memory prompts).
o Observing another student’s work or deliberately revealing one’s own work to
another student.
o Obtaining reproducing, in any form, and/or distributing a partial or full copy of
any assignment or examination without written consent from the faculty
o Using exam material received from others sources, inclusive of those available at
cost or free, from internet sources without faculty verification that the use of the
material has been approved.
Misrepresenting information includes:
o Plagiarism:
Plagiarism in any form will not be tolerated. Care plans and written assignments
must reflect the student's own work. Evidence of plagiarism will result in
disciplinary action. A handout that defines plagiarism and outlines ways to avoid
34
it is available from the “On-Line Writing Lab”, Purdue University at:
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/ or
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/research/r_apa.html
o Submitting work that was completed by another person or persons
o Falsifying or fabricating clinical experiences/hours
o Altering transcripts or university records
o Charting or reporting assessments, treatments or medications that were not
performed or administered
Any breech in a patient’s right to confidentiality (violating the Health Insurance
Portability and Accountability Act [HIPAA] includes copying or reproducing any part of
the patient’s medical record).
Reporting to the classroom, laboratory, or clinical area under the influence of any
substance, whether prescribed or illicit, that may interfere with the cognitive, emotional,
or physical ability to provide safe patient care.
Removal, destruction, or misuse of any college, clinical facility, or patient property.
***Read and sign Honor Code Pledge, Appendix A-5***
Attendance
Class, lab, and clinical are essential to the student’s learning experience. Absences from the
curriculum influence the ability of the student to successfully meet course objectives. It is
expected that students will be in attendance at every class, lab, and clinical. Students who are
absent for any reason assume full responsibility for any content, assignment, skills, competency
check offs, or objectives that were missed. Absences for class, lab, and clinical are counted on
an hour by hour basis, unless otherwise specified.
Students whose absences (excused or unexcused) exceed 5% of all scheduled contact hours will
receive a warning notice about excessive absences (either written or oral). Absences are counted
from the first course meeting of the semester. Students enrolled in nursing courses with 3 class
hours and 6 clinical hours (144 total contact hours), may only miss 7.2 hours for the course
before receiving an excessive absence warning. Once an excessive absence warning is received,
the student will be required to meet with a faculty panel to explain absences and discuss
continuance in the program. Students who accumulate excessive absences in the classroom,
nursing labs, and/or clinical area may be dropped from the course in accordance with SCC
policy.
Because reliability in attendance is highly valued in the nursing profession, it is also highly
valued in nursing education. Employers often inquire about the attendance patterns of students
during their nursing education. References provided, at the request of the student, will include
attendance and tardy behaviors for the program.
Classroom Attendance
Students are expected to be in attendance for the entirety of all scheduled nursing classes. If a
student is going to be absent or tardy for a class, the student should call and leave a voicemail for
35
the course lead instructor prior to the start of class. It is not acceptable to expect a classmate or
other instructor to pass along information regarding absences or tardiness.
Students who miss class due to participation in an official college function must notify the
instructor prior to the absence. (An official college function is one that has been approved by the
appropriate college vice president.) Under normal circumstances, the absence should not result in
the students’ total absences exceeding the maximum allowed by the course syllabus. If, however,
the absence would result in a violation of the class attendance policy, then students must obtain
written approval from the class instructor in order to be eligible to participate in the official
college function.
Laboratory Attendance
Students who are absent during nursing labs are held to the same standard of performance as
other students. It is the student’s responsibility to come to lab prepared to perform the required
skills as instructed by the course lead faculty. Students who are absent from scheduled lab hours
should contact the course lead faculty to determine if there is an opportunity to make up the
objectives missed. This is the student’s responsibility. Make up practice and/or checkoffs are
offered at the discretion of the course lead faculty and are not guaranteed.
Clinical Attendance
Students who must be absent from an assigned clinical day are expected to notify their clinical
instructor prior to the time they are to report to the clinical site. Students should call the clinical
site and leave notification for the instructor. Students who are scheduled to a “rotate-out” site
should leave a voice mail message for the course lead faculty and clinical instructor. It is not
acceptable to provide notification of absence or tardiness through another classmate or instructor.
Students who do not provide the appropriate notification will be counseled for unprofessional
behavior which may include an unsatisfactory. Clinical absences are counted on an hour by hour
basis unless otherwise specified.
Messages and Announcements
Student’s should check their SCC email and course specific Blackboard on a daily basis.
Updates and announcements will be communicated to students mainly through these systems,
outside of scheduled class time, unless the course lead faculty or clinical instructor advises
otherwise.
In the nursing profession, change happens often and quickly. Nursing students are expected to
stay informed and are held accountable for information distributed through school approved
systems. Therefore, it is imperative that students check the approved forms of communication
frequently, and no less than every day.
Messages and announcements from SCC or the Nursing and Health Technologies department
will be forwarded to the appropriate course lead faculty and will be distributed to students
accordingly.
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Students should remain in close communication with their course lead faculty, assigned clinical
instructor(s), and nursing advisor throughout the program. It is the student’s responsibility to
make appointments with faculty, instructors, and advisors to discuss progression in the program,
concerns, or to answer any questions.
Cell Phones, Electronic Devices, and Personal Items
The use of electronic devices (e.g. cell phones, laptops, netbooks, tablets, wearable devices, etc.)
for learning purposes are permitted in the classroom providing they do not disrupt the learning
environment or create an academic integrity issue. Nursing Faculty may, at their discretion,
prohibit the use of any electronic device, at any time, for any reason. Any student who does not
comply with such a request will be considered in violation of the Student Code of Conduct and
subject to disciplinary action.
Cell phones, laptops, and other electronic devices are often used in the classroom setting for
informational or class participation purposes. Use of these devices for personal issues is not
allowed. Students using any device (personal or college-owned) for purposes other than those
permitted will be asked to power down the device and may be asked to leave the classroom.
Due to confidentiality issues, audio or visual recording is not permitted without the expressed
permission of the instructor in any nursing class and never in any patient care area.
The Nursing and Health Technologies department is not responsible for lost or stolen personal
devices/items. It is the student’s responsibility to secure personal items in a safe location
whether in class, lab, or clinical.
Tobacco Use
Campus
Southeastern Community College (SCC) is committed to providing its employees and students
with a safe and healthful environment. Due to the detrimental effects of tobacco products on the
health and safety of students, staff, faculty and visitors, SCC maintains a tobacco free campus.
The use of tobacco products in any form are not permitted. Faculty, students, and visitors are
respectfully requested to follow the SCC Tobacco Free Campus Policy regarding tobacco use
(https://sccnc.edu/handbook-code-of-conduct/).
Clinical Sites
All clinical sites utilized by the nursing programs are tobacco-free campuses. Students are not
allowed to use tobacco products during clinical hours or while on the clinical site property. The
use of tobacco products is harmful to the health and safety of the clients and visitors on the
campus of the clinical facilities. Due to this fact, students are expected to refrain from using
tobacco products while on clinical site property or within a timeframe that this use may hinder
the care of clients. This expectation is also seen as an ethical obligation for nursing students to
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ensure the safety and health of their clients. Any student who uses tobacco products while at a
clinical site is subject to disciplinary action, up to and including, dismissal.
Student and Clinical ID Badges
Student ID Badge
All SCC students are required to obtain and display their SCC photo identification (ID) badge by
the third day of class/lab. The picture side of the ID badge must be displayed and must be worn
above the waist on the outer clothing. ID badges must be displayed at all times while on campus
and at other school functions. ID Badges should never be altered or loaned to another individual.
The badge may be required in order to participate in various student activities or events. After
the third day of class, students will not be allowed to participate in class or lab without the
appropriate ID badge.
Clinical ID Badge
Nursing students will be required to obtain a SCC Clinical ID badge that will identify them by
photo, program type, and first name only. These badges may be purchased from the Student
Center for an additional fee of $1.50. The SCC Clinical ID badge is the badge that nursing
students are required to wear to the clinical facilities. Students should not wear their SCC
Student ID Badge with first and last name identification when caring for clients.
Inclement Weather
To enhance the communication of inclement weather closings and ensure the safety of our
clinical participants, students who identify situations that may endanger them while traveling to
assigned clinical sites should notify their assigned clinical instructor. Clinical instructors will
notify the course coordinator of any inclement weather, natural disaster, or any other emergency
situation occurring in their area of residence that may endanger student travel to distant site
locations. The course coordinator will notify the director of nursing. Based on this, and any other
pertinent information, the director and instructor(s) will make a collaborative decision. The
decision may be to (a) proceed with clinical as scheduled, (b) to delay the clinical start time in
order to allow for further evaluation of the situation, or (c) reschedule clinical to a later date.
Rescheduling occurs automatically when public schools in a county where clinical is scheduled
are closed due to safety concerns related to inclement weather or other emergencies, or when
Southeastern Community College issues an announcement that the college is closed.
The course lead faculty will implement the faculty/student phone tree (or other method of
specified communication) to notify students and instructors of any decision to delay or
reschedule clinical.
Students and faculty affected by the rescheduled clinical day(s) do not report for work that day
even if the college remains open. Students will make up the missed clinical hours and faculty
will make up the missed workload contact hours on the rescheduled clinical day. Students not
affected will be expected to report to clinical assignments or on-campus classes as scheduled. In
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the event Southeastern Community College closes, classes will be rescheduled on the first or
second Saturday following the missed day.
Students are normally expected to follow the directions of the clinical instructor; however, no
student is ever expected to place him/herself in a position that endangers their personal health or
well-being. Ultimately, students must make a personal decision regarding personal safety. State
Highway and local authorities may be of assistance when making these decisions.
Emergency Notification System
In the event of an emergency on campus or college closings, a notification will be sent to the cell
phones and emails of registered students and employees. It is essential that students maintain
current contact information with the Registrar’s Office located in A-Building and any online
student information system (e.g. Aviso, Self-Service).
Classroom/Course Information and Responsibilities
Grading
The final numerical grade in all nursing courses will be computed based on unit tests and a final
examination, unless otherwise specified in the individual course syllabus. The final letter grade
for each course will be based appropriately according to the grading scale below. All nursing
courses must be completed each semester with a grade of “C” or better in order to progress.
Grading Scale:
Letter Grade Numerical Grade
A – Excellent 93-100
B – Good 85-92
C – Average 77-84
D – Below Average and Not Passing 70-76
F – Failure 69 or less
Students must achieve a minimum final average of 77 in the classroom, a final evaluation of
Satisfactory (“S”) in the laboratory and/or clinical portion of the course, and meet all course
objectives as outlined in the course syllabus to progress to the next nursing course. If a student
receives an Unsatisfactory (“U”) final evaluation in the laboratory or clinical areas, the final
course grade recorded will be a “D”, despite numerical grades from class. If the laboratory
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and/or clinical final evaluation is a “S”, but the classroom final average is a “D” or “F”, the final
course grade will be recorded using only the classroom final average. When the laboratory
and/or clinical final evaluation is a “S”, the final classroom average will translate into the final
course grade using the grading scale presented above.
All numerical grades (e.g. unit tests, final examinations, etc.) will be recorded into the SCC web-
based learning module system’s gradebook (e.g. Blackboard). Grades will be posted within 3
business days of collected assignments, tests, and/or examinations. Students should not contact
instructors regarding grades prior to this time. Grades will NOT be given over the telephone,
through text messaging, social media messaging, or in other manner except through the SCC
approved web-based learning system’s gradebook or in person. Grades will NOT be discussed
with any individual other than the student without the prior required appropriate documentation.
Grading System:
Assignment Percentage
Unit Tests Average 70%
Final Examination 30%
Final Course Average Unit Tests Average x 70% = X
Final Examination x 30% = Y
X + Y = Final Course Average
Numerical grades awarded for any assignment, including unit tests and final examinations, will
be computed through the second decimal place (hundredths place) when applicable. Rounding to
the next whole number will occur with the final course average only.
Extra credit assignments will not be given to students who do not meet the passing average for
nursing courses.
Written Assignments
Nursing is a professional practice. Therefore, all written assignments (graded or not) should be
presented in a manner that represents professional demeanor on all levels.
Unless otherwise specified, classroom/laboratory/clinical assignments should be presented with
the following guidelines in mind:
Use black ink when handwriting or computer printing assignments
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Use standard 8.5 x 11 inch paper, unless otherwise specified
Work must be neat and legible to professional standards
References must be credited when appropriate per the instructor’s guidelines
Correct spelling, punctuation, and grammar is expected
The student should keep in mind that a major part of professionalism includes timeliness. All
assignments are to be submitted by the deadline set. Any work submitted that is unprofessional
in any manner is subject to points deduction or an Unsatisfactory (“U”) grade. If the instructor
requests for an assignment to be re-written due to unprofessionalism and the student chooses not
to honor that request, he/she may receive a zero or Unsatisfactory for that assignment.
Testing
Unit Tests
Unit tests are designed as a tool for students and instructors to identify areas of strength and
weakness and as a measure of the student’s ability to recall and apply previously learned
principles and information.
Unit tests will consist of no less than 50 and no more than 75 questions per test. Questions may
be presented in a variety of alternative formats (e.g. select all that apply, identifying sounds,
identifying pictures, short answer, multiple response, scenarios, etc.). The number of unit tests
and number of questions per unit test may vary depending on the content and specific nursing
course.
Final Examinations
All students are required to take the final examination in all nursing courses. Final exams will
consist of no less than 75 and no more than 100 questions per test. “Make-up” final
examinations are not offered or considered unless prior arrangements were initiated with the
instructor by the student prior to the scheduled examination and there are extenuating
circumstances (e.g. serious illness, accident, death, etc.).
Final examinations are cumulative. Test Reviews or Request for Test Item Review forms will not
be accepted for final examinations. Students who fail to achieve a satisfactory score may review
their examination at the discretion of the instructor. Extra credit assignments/points are not
offered in any manner.
Test Tardiness or Absences
Tardiness
Students who are tardy on test/examination days will not be given any extra time to complete the
test/examination. Any student who has been granted additional time allotted for test-taking
purposes and fails to meet the start time established with his/her instructor is not guaranteed any
extra additional time passed the test stop time.
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Absences
Students are expected to be present in class for each scheduled test/examination. A
test/examination written in an alternate format, possibly with a different number of questions,
may be administered to students who are absent or required to test on an alternate date for other
reasons. Make-up tests will be administered on the first day the student returns to campus unless
otherwise specified by the course lead faculty. Make-up tests will not be administered during
regularly scheduled classroom/laboratory/clinical hours. It is the student’s responsibility to
contact the course lead faculty regarding test/examination make-up. Any student who is absent
for a scheduled make-up test/examination will receive an automatic zero for that
test/examination unless there are extenuating circumstances (e.g. serious illness, accident, death,
etc.).
Testing Environment
Due to the nature of nursing and the unpredictability of the healthcare environment, nursing
students are expected to be able to perform under reasonable degrees of stress. If at any time
during a testing period a student feels that he/she is unable to concentrate due to extraordinary,
unusual, superfluous activity/confusion in or around the testing area, the student should alert the
instructor immediately so the problem can be resolved. Students who are being evaluated in the
laboratory and/or clinical settings are expected to function within the environment and any
stressors that may be present.
During all tests/examinations students will not be allowed to bring any belongings into the
classroom. Keys will be left outside of the classroom in a designated, secure location. The
nursing department will not hold or secure any other student belongings other than keys (e.g.
phones, jewelry, wallets/pocketbooks, etc.). Any student who brings a phone, smartwatch, or
other electronic device into a testing environment will be subject to disciplinary action and
possible dismissal from the nursing program.
Students are not allowed to wear extra layers of clothing, hoodies, hats, or any type of arm
jewelry or watches into the testing environment. Instructors may ask to check glasses at the
door.
Students will be provided with pencils, a highlighter, calculator, and scrap paper after entering
the testing environment. Student seating during tests/examinations are randomized by the
instructor. Students are not allowed to choose their own seats.
Test Review
The course lead faculty will schedule test review after all students have taken the unit test that is
to be reviewed. Test reviews will not be conducted until all students have taken the test. Final
examinations are not eligible for test review.
Test reviews will not be scheduled during regular class hours. Instructors typically hold test
reviews immediately following class. Although test reviews are held outside of class hours it is
strongly recommended that students make every effort to attend. Provisions will be made for
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any student who contacts the instructor prior to the announced date and has a legitimate reason
for not attending the initial test review.
The test review environment will be conducted in the same manner as the testing environment.
Students are not allowed to bring any belongings into test review. No talking is allowed during
test review. Any students who are caught talking or with unpermitted belongings will be asked
to leave immediately and will be subject to disciplinary action.
During the test review the instructor will address all high miss questions. High miss questions
are those questions that are missed by greater than 40% of the class. Students are not allowed to
ask questions during test review.
Students who have questions or concerns regarding test items may request a personal meeting
with the course lead faculty during scheduled office hours. All questions or concerns should be
presented in a professional and civil manner. Students with unresolved questions or concerns
may fill out a Request for Test Item Review (see Appendix B-6) before leaving the meeting with
the course lead faculty. Students are allowed 15 minutes to complete the form. The Request for
Test Item Review will be presented to a faculty panel for thorough discussion. The student will
receive a response, verbally or in writing, stating the panel’s position and/or explanation
regarding the request for review within 5 working days. Students who leave test review early or
choose not to attend test review (without prior permission from the course lead faculty) are not
eligible to fill out a Request for Test Item Review at a later date.
Students who discover during test review that they may have circled the right answer on the
examination but inadvertently keyed it wrong on their answer sheet may not request a grade
adjustment.
Standardized Examinations and ATI
Both the ADN and PN programs at SCC use standardized examinations to provide an assessment
of the student’s performance compared with other students in other programs throughout the
nation. The Nursing and Health Technologies department utilize the standardized examinations
and electronic materials created by Assessment Technologies Institute ® (ATI) to provide these
services for both nursing programs. Payment of fees for ATI products and services are required
and included at the time tuition is paid each term.
ATI assignments are integrated throughout each nursing course to assist in preparing each
student for NCLEX. Research shows that students who utilize the products and services through
ATI as instructed throughout the programs are more likely to pass NCLEX on the first try.
Students are highly encouraged to utilize ATI appropriately and often.
ATI assignments and examinations are utilized for remediation and reinforcement of knowledge.
ATI examination scores are not used as a measurement of progression.
Standardized, proctored ATI examinations are scheduled throughout the curriculum for both
nursing programs. The student is expected to take these examinations as they are scheduled.
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Students should make an appointment with his/her faculty advisor and/or course lead faculty to
review performance on standardized examinations.
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Early Alert Remediation
Purpose:
The Early Alert Remediation process provides an opportunity for students to attain the required
skills/knowledge that will assist them in achieving a satisfactory level of academic, laboratory,
and/or clinical performance for the course/program.
Procedure:
Early Alert Remediation will be initiated for any student demonstrating the inability to meet a
satisfactory level of performance on any academic or clinical skill (inclusive of competency in
calculating medication dosages), unit test, or unit tests average. It is the student’s responsibility
to make an appointment with the instructor to initiate remediation. Early Alert Remediation is
strongly recommended. If a student chooses not to attend Early Alert Remediation or complete
the Early Alert Remediation plan, documentation of this choice will become part of the student’s
file. See Appendix B-4 for the Early Alert Remediation Form.
The student will:
1. Schedule an appointment with the instructor anytime his/her unit tests or average falls
below a 80%.
2. Initiate an Early Alert Remediation Form to include an academic study/learning plan.
3. Complete the remediation for any test score below 80% before taking any subsequent
test. Remediation might include, but is not limited to:
a. Submitting a detailed study plan.
b. Preparing an evidence-based or best practice research paper.
c. Completing an analysis of missed test content as designated by the nursing
instructor by writing sample questions for the misunderstood concept and/or
providing rationales for right and wrong answers.
d. Attending the required number of instructor facilitated (Simulation Lab) hours.
The instructor will assign the number of required hours, to be no less than 1 hour
per week.
e. Updating the individual learning plan as needed.
The faculty will:
1. Assist the student in identifying the need and areas requiring remediation.
2. Review (with the student) his/her academic or clinical performance status.
3. Assist the student in developing a mutually agreed upon remediation plan.
Reference
Nilson, L.B. (2003). Teaching at its best: A research based resource for college instructors. (2nd
ed.). San Francisco, CA: Josey-Bass.
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Clinical/Laboratory Information and Responsibilities
Contractual Relationships with Clinical Agencies
Contracts maintained between Southeastern Community College and participating clinical
agencies require that the college abide by the existing rules and regulations required by the
agency. Clinical agencies require acceptable criminal background checks and drug screens prior
to allowing students to practice clinical skills at that agency. The college agrees to follow agency
protocol requiring current drug screens and criminal background checks.
The College agrees not to assign, or to withdraw, any student not acceptable to the
clinical agency because of health or performance issues, or other reasonable causes that
include but are not limited to positive drug screens for illegal substances or criminal
background checks that show a pattern of felonious activity. Without access to the
clinical facilities, students will be unable to meet the requirements for satisfactory
completion of the course.
For further information, students should see the Drugs and Alcohol Policy in the SCC Code of
Conduct at https://www.sccnc.edu/handbook-code-of-conduct/.
At the discretion of participating clinical agencies students may be required (at their own
expense) to be tested for the suspected consumption of alcohol/drugs. Students may be required
to submit to testing after demonstrating behaviors or attitudes that may indicate the consumption
of illegal substances or alcohol that interfere with the student’s ability to provide safe and
effective care. Clinical agencies retain the right to refuse students who may be using/abusing
drugs/alcohol the right to practice in its facility. Criminal background checks and/or drug
screening requirements are communicated to students through the Director of Nursing and
Health Technologies or his/her assigned designee.
Criminal Background Checks
Nursing students in clinical courses are required to have a criminal background check prior to
attending/practicing at the clinical agency. Students who do not meet the allowable criteria to
practice at clinical agencies may not be allowed access to the patient care areas and consequently
may not be able to meet clinical objectives. The cost of a criminal background check will be at
the student’s expense and these fees are not included in tuition. Applicants for initial licensure in
North Carolina must have a criminal background check. Students with a felony conviction may
have limited licensure and employment opportunities.
Malpractice Insurance
The fee for liability insurance is included in the student tuition during the semester the student
enters the program. A new premium is payable each fall semester for ADN students and each
spring semester for PN students. The premium is for one year's coverage based on the school
year. Students who move between programs or re-enter a program at a time other than the fall
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semester for ADN and spring semester for PN may be subject to a premium payment at the time
of entry. Students will not be allowed to enter a clinical facility without liability insurance.
Proof of liability insurance is a clinical requirement and should be uploaded to the nursing
programs online clinical requirements and documentation tracking system (Castle Branch).
Clinical Site Assignments
Students are required to travel to assigned clinical sites or to specialty areas of practice. Changes
to these assigned clinical sites may be made during the semester as deemed necessary by the
course lead faculty. Clinical site assignments are made to provide optimal educational
opportunities and will not be changed for the convenience of the student.
Transportation
Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from clinical facilities. The student
assumes responsibility for any passengers he/she may transport in a private vehicle. Lack of
transportation is not an acceptable excuse for missed clinical/class time.
Dress Code
All nursing students are expected to appear in a manner that will reflect favorably upon
themselves, the college, and the nursing profession. This implies the need to be well groomed
and neatly attired and applies to attendance in the clinical facility and lab areas unless otherwise
specified by the instructor.
Appropriate personal hygiene includes, but is not limited to, the following:
Hygiene Students are expected to be neat, clean, and without body odor or halitosis. Lab
coats and uniforms should be clean, unwrinkled, and in good repair. Any skin
conditions (e.g. eczema, psoriasis, cracked/peeling skin, open sores, etc.) must be
covered appropriately.
Hair
Hair must be kept neat and clean without shocking colors or extreme styles (e.g.
Mohawks; purple, green, or orange hair, etc.). Any hair color must be of a
naturally occurring shade.
Hair must be styled up and pulled back off of the collar in a manner that does not
allow it to fall forward into the face or in front of the shoulders. Long bangs
should not fall forward into or over the eyes. Any adornments that present a risk
for infection are not to be worn. Navy blue, black/brown, or white headbands are
permitted and may be worn to assist in keeping hair appropriately styled for
patient care.
Students who are required to cover their head due to religious beliefs and
practices must use a white covering that is washed daily to prevent the spread of
infection.
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Male students must shave daily unless a mature beard is present. Sideburns,
mustaches, and beards are permitted provided they are kept trimmed, neat, and
clean.
Nails Fingernails should be clean and trimmed to prevent inadvertent injury to the
patient and reduce the risk of infection. Fingernails should be no longer than the
end of the fingertip. Fingernail polish, acrylic, gel overlays, or false nails are not
to be worn in the laboratory or clinical settings. Fingernails should remain in a
natural state in the clinical setting.
Uniforms Uniforms should be worn only in the clinical area or in transit to and from clinical.
No student should ever enter the clinical area in street clothes that are not
covered with an acceptable clinical lab jacket.
Required dress in the clinical and laboratory areas will follow these guidelines:
Male and female nursing students will wear the accepted uniform with a white lab jacket.
Patches are required for all uniform shirts and lab jackets. Patches will be attached to the left uniform shirt and lab jacket sleeves 3 inches from the shoulder seam. Patches are available in the SCC Bookstore.
Male nursing students are required to wear a round necked white T-shirt under the uniform top.
Uniform pants should be hemmed to just below ankle length without touching/dragging the floor. Dresses will be hemmed at knee-length or below.
Uniforms will be in good state of repair.
Sweaters are not to be worn in clinical areas. Only an approved white, hip-length lab jacket may be worn if an extra layer is desired.
Anytime a student is in the clinical area as an SCC student and not involved in patient care, a white, hip-length lab jacket and nametag must be worn over street clothes. Street clothes must be business-casual style. Jeans, shorts, tight pants, leather pants, spaghetti straps, low-cut tops, etc. are not appropriate.
Shoes All students must wear white, closed-toe, shoes with quiet soles. Heels/soles
should be no higher than two inches. Shoes must be kept clean and polished.
Clean, plain white leather tennis/nursing shoes are preferred. Brand Names and
logos may be displayed in color, but the majority of the shoe should be white. For
safety and infection control purposes, clogs, open-toed shoes, and sling backs are
inappropriate footwear, and may not be worn in the clinical areas.
Socks/Stockings Clean, white, above-the-ankle socks, stockings, or hose should be worn with a
pants uniform. Female students wearing a SCC dress uniform may only wear
white hose or stockings and they must be clean and free from runs. Male
students must wear clean, white, above-the-ankle socks.
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Jewelry Jewelry in the clinical area is limited to a watch only. The watch must be in
working condition and must include a second hand. No other jewelry (earrings,
necklaces, bracelets, rings, activity tracking devices, etc.) will be permitted.
Tattoos Any visible tattoos must be covered in the clinical area, whether the student is in
uniform or street clothes with a lab jacket. If tattoos must be covered with skin
makeup of some sort, that particular product may have to be approved by the
clinical facility’s infection control department. It will be the student’s
responsibility to obtain written approval for any such product if applicable.
Cosmetics Cosmetics should be applied sparingly, if worn at all. False eyelashes, perfume,
cologne, aftershave, and/or heavily scented lotions/hand sanitizers should not be
worn in the clinical areas.
ID Badges SCC Student ID badges should be worn at all times while attending any on-
campus class/lab/or simulation clinical.
SCC Clinical ID badges should be worn at any facility or off-campus clinical site
rotation. SCC Clinical ID badges may be obtained from the Student Center. SCC
Clinical ID badges should identify the student by photo, program, and first name
only.
Students should not wear their SCC Student ID badge displaying their first and last
names to the clinical facilities for their own safety.
Some clinical facilities may require that students wear an additional ID badge
provided by the facility. In that case, students should wear both the facility ID
badge and their SCC Clinical ID badge.
The SCC Clinical ID badge and/or additional facility ID badge if applicable must be
worn on the student’s left side at chest level.
Badge pulls must contain the SCC logo.
ID badges should not contain any extraneous pins, stickers, or cards unless
required by the clinical facility.
SCC Clinical ID badges are only good for one year and one program. Students
entering the second year of any program or changing programs must replace the
SCC Clinical ID badge. SCC Clinical ID badges must be replaced at the student’s
expense.
Pen A working, black ink pen is required in the laboratory/clinical areas. Felt-tipped
and/or gel pens that bleed are not acceptable.
Gum Chewing gum is not allowed in the laboratory/clinical areas.
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The clinical instructor will counsel any student that comes to school or the clinical area
displaying an unprofessional appearance. All nursing students will comply with the SCC dress
code and with the dress code for the clinical site in which they are practicing. Students not
complying with the dress code(s) will be sent home and the day will be counted as a clinical
absence. Repeat offenders will be subject to further disciplinary action.
Students must follow specific agency dress code and ID badge display policies during all clinical
rotations and while assigned to any specialty areas.
Standard Precautions
The nursing department at SCC adheres to standard precaution guidelines. The student is
responsible for knowing the guidelines and for using the precautions at all times.
Standard precautions are recommended by the Centers for Disease Control to avoid the
transmission of blood borne diseases such as viral hepatitis and HIV. In many cases, health care
providers may not know which patients carry an infectious disease. Therefore, ALL patients'
blood and body fluids are treated as if it were infectious. Standard precautions involve, but may
not be limited to:
1. Wearing gloves when there is a risk of coming into contact with blood or other body
fluids of any patient.
2. Wearing masks and protective eyewear during procedures that are likely to generate
droplets of blood or other body fluids to prevent exposure of the mucous membranes of
the mouth, nose, and eyes.
3. Wearing protective gowns during procedures that are likely to generate splashes of blood
or other body fluids.
4. Following special procedures for transporting specimens, changing bed linens, cleaning
equipment, and cleaning spills of blood or other body fluids.
5. Restricting a health care provider who has draining lesions or weeping dermatitis from
giving direct patient care until the condition resolves or an Employee Health Nurse or
physician feel he/she can resume his/her duties.
The SCC Nursing and Health Technologies department will follow clinical agency precautionary
guidelines when there is documented or potential exposure to HBV, HIV and other
communicable disease.
Occurrence Reporting
At any time that there is an accident or injury in the classroom, laboratory, and/or clinical setting
it should be dealt with and reported immediately. The SCC student and/or instructor must
complete an SCC occurrence report. If applicable, the SCC student and/or instructor must
complete the appropriate clinical facility occurrence report as well. The occurrence report(s)
should be completed as soon as possible immediately following the occurrence. The occurrence
should be reported to the course lead faculty and the course lead faculty should report the
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occurrence to the Director of Nursing and Chair of Health Technologies. See the Occurrence
Report Form in Appendix B-7.
Laboratory/Clinical Evaluations
Daily Evaluations:
Students will be evaluated daily on laboratory/clincial performance by his/her respective
laboratory/clinical instructor(s) using the ratings of Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory. These ratings
are defined as:
SATISFACTORY Practices safe and effective nursing care according to the guidelines set
forth in the Clinical Evaluation Tool/Course Syllabus.
UNSATISFACTORY Does not practice safe and effective nursing care according to the
guidelines set forth in the Clinical Evaluation Tool/Course Syllabus.
In the event of “Unsatisfactory” laboratory/clinical performance:
1. The student will receive a written notice with recommendations from the clinical
instructor (recorded on the Daily Assignment Summary or a Clinical Unsatisfactory
Form).
2. The student will be given a specified time during which he/she is responsible for
reviewing and/or practicing the identified behavior that resulted in an Unsatisfactory
Grade.
3. The student will be given an opportunity to perform the identified behavior(s)
satisfactorily on the next clinical day or at the earliest time the skill is available.
4. If the student is unable to consistently perform the identified behavior(s) satisfactorily, or
if a pattern of unsatisfactory or unsafe clinical behavior is identified, an Action Plan will
be initiated. This is an agreement that must be fulfilled to satisfactorily meet the
laboratory/clinical objectives in the course prior to a specified date. Students who
demonstrate a pattern of unsafe or unsatisfactory laboratory/clinical performance without
improvement may be dismissed in accordance with the dismissal policy. See
Clinical/Laboratory Unsatisfactory Report in Appendix B-2.
Midterm/Final Evaluations for Clinical
Any student enrolled in any nursing course with a clinical component will be evaluated at the
midterm and prior to taking the final course examination. A student, who receives an
Unsatisfactory at midterm may be allowed to continue in the course only when they have shown
the ability to provide safe and effective care as outlined in the Clinical/Laboratory Evaluation
Tool and are able to meet the guidelines set forth in the Action Plan, if applicable.
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SATISFACTORY Consistently practices safe and effective nursing care according to the
guidelines set forth in the Clinical Evaluation Tool/Course Syllabus.
UNSATISFACTORY Consistently unable to practice safe and effective nursing care
according to the guidelines set forth in the Clinical Evaluation
Tool/Course Syllabus.
Unsatisfactory clinical evaluations at the end of the semester will result in failure of the course
and dismissal from the program.
Action Plan
An Action Plan may be initiated for, but not limited to, any of the following reasons:
1. The student has demonstrated an inability to perform clinical or laboratory skills (core
competencies) in a consistent and satisfactory manner or performs in a manner that is
inconsistent with the principles of safe and effective nursing care.
2. The student demonstrates unsafe clinical practice or behavior that conflicts with safety
essential to nursing practice and/or a pattern of unsafe clinical behavior (see Dismissal).
3. The student cannot consistently function at the level as outlined in the Clinical Evaluation
Tool and Course Syllabus
4. The student demonstrates a recorded pattern of unsafe, unprofessional, or uncivil
behavior.
When any one or combinations of these circumstances exist, the Clinical/Laboratory instructor
will schedule a conference with the student and the course lead faculty to:
1. Outline and review the behaviors that have been identified as unsatisfactory.
2. Answer any questions the student may have and establish a goal.
3. Review with the student a recommended course of action intended to assist the student in
accomplishing his/her goal.
4. Establish an acceptable time frame and set a target date (the date the student will be
expected to demonstrate satisfactory performance, correct the unsafe clinical behavior, or
show the ability to function at the level outlined in the Clinical Evaluation Tool and/or
Course Syllabus.
Students must understand that the Action Plan is an agreement that must be fulfilled
satisfactorily within the specified time frame in order to meet the objectives of the course.
Action Plans that are not resolved by the target date, may result in dismissal from the nursing
program. In certain circumstances (see student dismissal), students may be dismissed
immediately. Target dates may never extend past the end of the semester in which they are
initiated.
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Following the target date, the Clinical/Laboratory instructor will schedule another meeting with
the course lead faculty and student to review the student’s behavior or performance. At that time
the goal of the Action Plan will either be declared as “Met” (Satisfactory) or “Unmet”
(Unsatisfactory) and the consequences and recommendations will be discussed with the student.
A copy of the Action Plan template that is recommended for use is included in Appendix B-3.
Clinical Performance Rating
The clinical performance of any student enrolled in a clinical nursing course will be evaluated at
midterm and prior to taking the final course examination. In order to receive a passing course
grade, students must achieve a satisfactory rating in the clinical component of the course and a
grade of 77% or better in the classroom section of the course.
Clinical performance will be evaluated on the student’s ability to perform core competencies
safely and effectively according to the guidelines set forth in the Clinical Evaluation Tool and
the course syllabus (includes the ability to demonstrate safety in medication calculation and
administration). A student is also evaluated on his/her ability to accurately, safely, effectively,
and consistently perform skills taught in previous semesters (See Clinical Core Competencies).
Any student with an Action Plan in progress will receive a rating of “Unsatisfactory” at the
midterm evaluation. Action Plans must be resolved by the target date.
A student may also receive a rating of “Unsatisfactory” at the midterm evaluation if the student
has any unresolved Unsatisfactory Clinical/Laboratory Performance. Any issue related to a
student’s inability to provide accurate, safe, effective, and consistent care as noted in any
Unsatisfactory Clinical/Laboratory Performance must be resolved prior to the final semester
evaluation, or in the case of an Action Plan, prior to the targeted performance date.
Clinical Core Competencies
Standards from the North Carolina Board of Nursing require that nursing faculty follow policies
and practices that provide for identification of physical, emotional and behavioral problems
which conflict with safety essential to nursing practice.
Students are expected to demonstrate, and maintain, throughout the program, a satisfactory level
of performance for previously learned clinical nursing core competencies. After initial
satisfactory core competencies check-off, subsequent performance of clinical nursing core
competency and performance, according to published nursing standards of care and based upon
previously satisfactory performance, is expected of every nursing student during subsequent
enrollment in any clinical nursing course in this program.
Students receive a list of core competencies upon entrance into the nursing program and specific
courses (e.g. Passport).
At the beginning of each semester, the instructor will review the list of competencies to be
performed by each student during that semester. The student is required to have this list of core
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competencies with him/her while in the lab/clinical setting. It is the responsibility of the student
to demonstrate satisfactory performance on required core competencies in the SCC lab and
assigned clinical sites. Core competencies marked with a double asterisk must be performed in
the clinical area prior to graduation. The completed list of core competencies becomes a
permanent part of the student's record.
Problems related to safety in nursing practice will be tracked by the course lead instructors along
with the prescriptive suggestions for improvement. Students who demonstrate the inability to
apply the principles of safe nursing practice will be dismissed from the program.
Students who conduct themselves in a manner that is consistent with physical or emotional
problems which do not respond to appropriate prescriptive suggestions for improvement and/or
treatment or counseling within a reasonable period of time will not be allowed to continue in the
program. Students should refer to the Clinical Evaluation and Dismissal Criteria in this
handbook for further information.
Open Simulation Lab Hours
In an effort to provide students the opportunity to improve their learning and develop/enhance
their skills, the Simulation Lab Coordinator will provide opportunities for questions and practice
during Open Sim Lab hours.
A calendar listing the days and times of open labs will be located outside of the R103 Simulation
Lab, as well as, a clipboard where students must sign up for their time in the lab. The Sim Lab
Coordinator is required to have a ratio of no more than 1 to 15 students in the lab at any given
time. When signing up for the lab, write on the sign in sheet what type of practice is needed.
This allows the Sim Lab Coordinator to have all necessary equipment or manikins available and
ready.
Students will need to bring their nursing supply bag for practice whenever attending Open Sim
Lab. It is highly recommended that students come with a partner(s) to practice, especially if
there is a need to practice vital signs or assessment skills.
Open Sim Lab hours will be consistent and available on a weekly basis; however, interruptions
do occur throughout the year for scheduled nursing course Simulation Clinical Experiences.
It is the student’s responsibility to check the calendar and sign up for any time needed in the lab
in a timely fashion when help is warranted.
Guidelines for Simulation Clinical Experiences
All nursing courses throughout the ADN and PN programs utilize Simulation Clinical
Experiences to enhance the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of students. These experiences give
students the ability to practice in a safe environment in order to improve educational outcomes
and patient care. Simulation Clinical Experiences are scheduled for each nursing course
throughout the programs. The following guidelines are applicable for these experiences:
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1. Students will be assigned a time to report to the simulation clinical by the course lead
faculty. Alterations in the schedule may not be made without prior approval of the course
lead faculty in consultation with the Sim Lab Coordinator.
2. Arrive on time and be dressed for clinical in accordance with the SCC Nursing and
Health Technologies Nursing Programs Student Handbook Dress Code.
3. Students may be required to answer, in writing, questions to a pre-clinical assignment. If
so, then students will present the assignment as an admission ticket to the lab that will
allow for participation in the simulation clinical experience.
4. Students should bring their Daily Sheets to Sim Clinical so the Sim Lab Coordinator or
clinical instructor can fill out the paperwork appropriately at the end of the clinical
simulation day.
5. The Sim Lab is a learning lab and provides an opportunity for students to self-evaluate
and improve nursing performance. Students are expected to be a safe, effective provider
of care at all times. Unsafe behavior will be documented in red ink on the student’s Daily
Sheet by the Sim Lab Coordinator or clinical instructor as a reminder of the need to
improve the particular behaviors evaluated.
6. OSHA Guidelines apply to the Simulation Clinical Lab. Therefore, students are not
allowed to have any food or drinks in the Simulation Clinical Lab area.
7. PLEASE DO NOT use an ink pen in or around iSTAN or any of the fidelity simulators
as it will deteriorate their skin (Pencil Only).
8. HIPAA Guidelines are applicable in the Simulation Lab. Sim Lab is a place to learn;
therefore, it must be a “safe space” when and if mistakes happen. Recognition of
mistakes and identification of preventive/corrective action allows the learner an
opportunity to critically think, problem solve, and learn from their actions/inactions. For
this reason, all students will sign a confidentiality statement (what happens in Sim stays
in Sim). Students will also sign a photography release and a fiction contract. The
Simulation Lab Coordinator will have these documents for signature during Simulation
Lab Orientation Day in NUR 111 or NUR 101. If for some reason, a student has not
completed these forms, it is the student’s responsibility to contact the Sim Lab
Coordinator and complete these requirements prior to the beginning of any Simulation
Clinical Experience.
***Please see Appendix A-8 for all Simulation Lab consents and releases***
Miscellaneous Information
Regulatory Agencies
Community College System and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools:
Southeastern Community College is a part of the North Carolina Community College System.
SCC receives its approval from the North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS) in
Raleigh and its accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS.) In
order to receive approval and/or accreditation, SCC must follow prescribed standards and
policies from both the NCCCS and SACS.
Approval of Southeastern Community College Nursing Programs:
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Both the Community College System and the North Carolina Board of Nursing approve the
Nursing Education Programs at Southeastern Community College. The nursing program policies
are based on the standards of nursing education established by the North Carolina Board of
Nursing to comply with the Nursing Practice Act of North Carolina.
Nursing Practice Act – The Student is Responsible for Reading the Nursing Practice Act.
On May 12, 1981 the General Assembly of North Carolina ratified a newly revised General
Statute or law: Chapter 90, Article 9, entitled `Nursing Practice Act.' This `Nursing Practice
Act' defined both what nursing is and what nurses can do in the state of North Carolina. The
General Assembly, in order to ensure that the `Nursing Practice Act' would be followed, said that
a Board would be established to interpret the law to the public and to write standards and
guidelines that all health care providers can use to guide their nursing practice.
Which Health Care Providers are Covered Under the Act?
According to the `Nursing Practice Act', a health care provider means any licensed health care
professional and any agent or employee of any health care institution, health care insurer, health
care professional school, or a member of any health profession. "For the purposes of this Article,
a person enrolled in a program to prepare him/her to be a licensed health care professional or a
health professional shall be deemed a health care provider."
North Carolina Board of Nursing Decisions
The Board prescribes standards intended to apply to nursing students, faculty, curricula,
facilities, resources, and administration of nursing programs. These standards are designed to
ensure that graduates of a nursing program meet the requirements to apply to take licensure
exam. (G.S. 90-171.38.)
The nursing faculty use the standards developed by the Board of Nursing to write polices and
guidelines for the nursing students at SCC. These standards are in accord with the requirements
of the North Carolina General Statutes, Chapter 90, and Article 9. The Board of Nursing
requires the standards to be met and maintained by each nursing program. The following student
standards (.0320) are one of the bases for evaluation and determination of the approval of a
nursing program.
21 NCAC 36 .0320 Students
(a) Students in nursing programs shall meet requirements established by the controlling
institution. Additional requirements may be stipulated by the nursing program for
students because of the nature and legal responsibilities of nursing education and nursing
practice.
(b) Admission requirements and practices shall be stated and published in the controlling
institution’s publications and shall include assessment of:
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(1) Record of high school graduation, high school equivalent, or earned credits from a
post-secondary institution;
(2) Achievement potential through the use of previous academic records and pre-entrance
examination cut-off scores that are consistent with curriculum demands and scholastic
expectations; and
(3) Physical and emotional health that would provide evidence that is indicative of the
applicant's ability to provide safe nursing care to the public
(c) The number of students enrolled in nursing courses shall not exceed the maximum number
approved by the Board as defined in 21 NCAC 36.0302 and 21 NCAC 36.0321 paragraph
(k) by more than 10 students.
(d) The nursing program shall publish policies in the nursing student handbook and college
catalog that provide for identification and dismissal of students who:
(1) Present physical or emotional problems which conflict with safety essential to nursing
practice and do not respond to treatment or counseling within a timeframe that
enables meeting the program objectives.
(2) Demonstrate behavior which conflicts with safety essential to nursing practice.
(3) Fail to demonstrate professional behavior, including honesty, integrity, and
appropriate use of social media while in the program of study.
(e) The nursing program shall maintain a three year average at or above 95 percent of the
national pass rate for licensure level pass rate on first writing of the licensure examination
for the calendar year ending December 31.
(f) The controlling institution shall publish policies in the nursing student handbook and
college catalog for transfer of credits or for admission to advanced placement and the
nursing program shall determine the total number of nursing courses or credits awarded
for advanced placement.
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
This information is adapted from institutional policies at New Hanover Regional Medical Center.
Students will need to be aware of institutional policy at whatever clinical site they are assigned.
What Does HIPAA Do?
HIPAA promotes privacy, confidentiality, and security of protected health information
(PHI) in all forms – electronic, written, oral, and any other.
It allows patients to find out how their information may be used and what disclosures of
their information have been made.
It generally limits release of information to the minimum reasonably needed for the
purpose of the disclosure.
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It gives patients the right to examine and obtain a copy of their own health records and
request corrections.
What information is protected by HIPAA?
Protected Health information (PHI) is any information about an individual’s current, past, or
future physical or mental health that is attached to demographic information that can identify that
person. In other words, if health information is linked with any of the following unique items, it
is PHI:
Name
Address, E-mail address, Telephone, or fax number
Social security or Driver’s license number
Patient identification number or health insurance plan identification number
What impact does HIPAA have on student nurses?
It means that you must (under the guidance and direct supervision of a nursing instructor):
Begin handling personal health information with care.
Upon request for personal health information, both internally and externally, obtain a
clear understanding of the purpose for the request and release only what is minimally
necessary to accomplish the intended purpose.
When sending personal health information by fax, make sure that the recipient knows to
expect it, and then verify that he/she received it.
Document all disclosures of protected health information.
Know the hospitals general duties under HIPAA (check institution policy)
Normally the hospital is obligated under HIPAA to; Keep protected health information private
and give notice of privacy practices, abide by the terms of notice currently in effect, obtain
written authorization to use or disclose protected health information for specified purposes other
than treatment, payment, or operation.
Know the patient’s rights under HIPAA
All patients have the right to: receive a copy of the hospital’s notice of privacy practices, request
restrictions on the use and disclosure of PHI, receive confidential communications of PHI,
inspect and copy PHI, amend PHI, and receive an accounting of disclosures of PHI.
Report all privacy and security breaches to the instructor
What are the penalties for violations?
Civil Penalties totaling $100 for each violation with a maximum total fine of $25,000 per
person for all identical violations in the same calendar year.
Criminal Penalties can be levied if it can be proven there was intent to sell, use for
commercial gain, or to cause malicious harm. In these instances the punishment may
result in significant fines, jail time up to 10 years, or both.
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59
Pinning Ceremony Guidelines
The following pinning ceremony guidelines direct the organization and supervision of pinning
ceremonies held for Southeastern Community College students completing degree requirements
in the Nursing Programs.
Purpose:
The purpose of the pinning ceremony is to provide faculty the opportunity to honor and
recognize the achievements of graduating students. The SCC pin marks the individual’s entry
into the health care profession. This ceremony will be professional and respectful of the
profession of nursing in all ways. The ceremony should not replace student participation in the
SCC commencement exercises.
Planning:
The planning process for the pinning ceremony involves both faculty and student representatives
along with guidance by program and department administration. The faculty role includes the
preservation of tradition and assurance that the ceremony will favorably represent the SCC
Nursing and Health Technologies department and maintain the professionalism expected of
nurses. Class officers should represent the class in the decision making process.
The planning process will include and should occur as follows:
1. Each class has the option to request a pinning ceremony. This request is decided by
majority vote of the students. A faculty advisor will survey the class members for this
decision.
2. The pinning planning committee will be comprised of the class officers and appointed
faculty to make joint decisions concerning the pinning ceremony.
3. Appointed faculty will facilitate the class in electing officers who will serve on the
pinning planning committee. Any additional students, if any, that serve on the committee
alongside the class officers, will be selected by class vote.
4. The pinning planning committee will make decisions by consensus.
5. Student committee members should survey the entire class for recommendations on
decisions to be made about the ceremony and attempt to represent class recommendations
to the pinning planning committee accurately.
The following traditions should remain intact for every pinning ceremony:
1. All students are required to wear a white uniform and nursing cap for pinning. Hair may
be worn styled down, if the student chooses, but extreme hair colors/styles are not
permitted. See Dress Code. Students may wear jewelry, but not in excess. Tattoos must
remain covered during the pinning ceremony.
2. Each student will receive a Lamp of Learning and candle to be lit during the ceremony.
These are provided by the school.
3. Each student will receive a single rose.
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4. All students will participate in and take the Nightingale Pledge.
5. Pinning ceremony invitations will be developed and provided by the school but students
are responsible for mailing or giving these invitations out. The number of invitations
may be limited per student depending upon the location/facility.
6. Pinning programs will be developed and provided by the school.
7. The school has chair covers, table clothes, and a table runner available to use for standard
decoration. Any decorations beyond this must be approved and will be at the cost of the
students.
8. Marshalls are chosen by faculty from the underclassmen.
Committee Decision Making:
The faculty-student pinning planning committee will make decisions concerning the following
information:
1. Decorations
a. Decorations may be recommended by the committee, but must be approved by
department administration. Any extra decorations, other than those provided by
the school, will be at the cost of the students.
2. Location –
a. Scheduling of a facility for the pinning should occur early in the process.
i. ON-CAMPUS : The SCC Auditorium is an available on campus facility
that has traditionally been used for pinning. Use of the facility for pinning
is free of charge but must be scheduled through appropriate college
representatives and has a limited amount of seating.
ii. OFF-CAMPUS: Any off-campus locations/facilities used for the pinning
ceremony need prior approval from department administration. If an off-
campus location/facility is used, there will be no charge to the college.
Students will be responsible for any costs/charges.
3. Fundraising
a. Any fundraising activities to offset pinning ceremony costs must be approved
through appropriate college channels prior to beginning.
4. Music
a. Any music played during the pinning ceremony must be approved by the
committee and department administration.
b. When using a pianist, students should confirm participation in a timely manner.
5. Slideshow
a. If a slideshow of photographs is to be used at the ceremony, it is the responsibility
of the class to put together the slideshow in ample time that it can be reviewed
and approved by department administration.
b. Students should keep in mind that pining ceremony is a reverent event and
pictures should be representative of this time.
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c. The slideshow must be in a format that is accessible and compatible with the AV
system in place at the location/facility being used.
6. Selection of Speaker/Participants
a. Recommendation of a speaker is done by request of the students. Department
administration must approve the speaker.
b. Faculty participants in the ceremony are also by recommendation and request of
the students. Faculty members must agree to participation roles requested by the
students.
c. Students are responsible for asking for the participation of outside speakers and/or
faculty member participation. Students are responsible for solidifying individual
requests and plans prior to the ceremony in a timely manner, allowing approval by
department administration and preparation time for requested participants.
7. Student Eligibility
a. The Nursing and Health Technologies department will determine eligibility of
students to participate. Any questions concerning students who may not be
completing requirements on time will require approval by the Director and
college.
8. Time and Date
a. A proposed time and date should be given to faculty several months in advance
for approval. Agreement of the time and date should be a mutual decision
between students and faculty. Site availability, scheduled college activities, and
other end of the year ceremonies should be considered when making this decision.
Department administration will have final approval of the date and time.
NCLEX
Upon successful completion the Associate Degree Nursing program or the Practical Nursing
program, students are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN or the NCLEX-PN. The best way for
students to prepare for the exam is to study and understand the course content presented
throughout the programs. Standardized test results are a great tool that will help students identify
areas in which they need improvement. Utilizing these individual results is a highly
recommended study technique. Preparation for the NCLEX is the student’s responsibility and
faculty can help guide this process. Participation in a review course is strongly recommended.
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Appendix A –
Student
Documents,
Consents, &
Releases
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A-1 – Student Health Forms for Nursing and Health Technology Students
Nursing and Health Technology Programs
STUDENT HEALTH FORM
For Nursing and Health Technology Students
Name: _____________________________________________________________________________
Address: ___________________________________________________________________________
Student ID: ______________________________ Phone #: _____________________________
It is very important that you read and follow all directions in this packet.
Make sure information is complete before returning this packet to the Nursing
Office.
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A – 1.1 – Immunization Guidelines
Name: ________________________________________ Student ID Number: ___________________________
GUIDELINES FOR COMPLETING IMMUNIZATION RECORD The immunization requirements must be met; or according to NC law, you will be withdrawn from classes without credit.
Acceptable records of your immunizations may be obtained from any of the following sources: (Be
certain that your name, date of birth, and ID Number appear on each sheet and that all forms are
mailed together. The records must be in black ink and the dates of vaccine administration must
include the month, day, and year. KEEP A COPY FOR YOUR RECORDS.
High School Records – These may contain some, but not all of your immunization information. Contact Student Services for help if needed. Your immunization records do not transfer automatically. You must request a copy.
Personal Shot Records – Must be verified by a doctor’s stamp or signature or by a clinic or health department stamp.
Local Health Department Military Records or WHO (World Health Organization Documents) Previous College or University – Your immunization records do not transfer automatically.
You must request a copy.
Immunizations According to Age:
Adapted from the CDC Recommendations (2016)
Age
If You Are
Td/Tdap
Tetanus,
diphtheria,
pertussis
MMR
Measles,
mumps, rubella
Chicken Pox
Varicella
Hepatitis A Hepatitis B Flu
19-21
22-26
27-49
50-59
60-64
65+
Additional
Information
You should get a
Td booster every
ten years. You also
need one dose of
Tdap. Pregnant
women should get
a Tdap vaccine
during every
pregnancy to
protect the baby
Adults born prior
to 1957 are
normally
considered
immune
Yearly
1. DTP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis), Td (Tetanus, Diphtheria): One Td booster within the last ten years. Adults
with an unknown or incomplete history of an initial 3 dose vaccination series with Td containing vaccines should begin or complete the primary series including a Tdap
You should get these if you were not vaccinated during childhood
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2. Measles: One dose on or after 12 months of age; second at least 30 days later. Must repeat Rubeola (measles) vaccine if received even one day prior to 12 months of age. Two measles doses if entering college for the first time after July 1, 1994.
3. One dose on or after 12 months of age. Only laboratory proof of immunity to rubella or mumps disease is acceptable if the vaccine is not taken. History of rubella or mumps disease, even from a physician, is not acceptable.
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A – 1.2 – Immunization Record Checklist Southeastern Community College Nursing and Health Technologies
Required Immunization Checklist
Name: _______________________________________ Student ID Number: ________________________________
A complete immunization record from a physician, Clinic, or Health Department must be attached to
this form.
Tuberculosis Screening: Required Documentation of a 2-step TST or IGRA blood assay
TB Skin Test #1 Date Placed: Date Read: Reading: _____mm induration (even if 0)
TB Skin Test #2 Date Placed: Date Read: Reading: _____mm induration (even if 0)
IGRA blood assay Date: Results:
History of positive Skin Test? Date: Reading: _____mm induration
Chest X-ray Date: Results
Treatment with INH or other TB Medication No: _____ Yes: _____ Length of Treatment: _________________
Pertussis: One Tdap vaccination required
Initial Series completed: Dates #1_________________ #2________________ #3_________________
Tdap (Boostrix or Adacel) Date:
Varicella (Chicken Pox): Two Vaccines Required or Positive Quantitative IgG Titer
Varicella Vaccine #1 #2
Varicella Titer (copy of IgG lab report required) Date: Titer Result
Measles, Mumps, Rubella: Two Vaccines Required or Positive Quantitative IgG Titers
MMR Combination Vaccine #1 #2
Measles (Rubeola) Vaccine #1 #2
Mumps Vaccine #1 #2
Rubella Vaccine #1 #2
Measles Titer (copy of IgG lab report required) Date: Titer Result:
Mumps Titer (copy of IgG lab report required) Date: Titer Result:
Rubella Titer (copy of IgG lab report required) Date: Titer Result:
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Hepatitis B: (if using titer option, copy of Hep B surface Antibody Titer lab report is required)
Hepatitis B Vaccine #1 #2 #3
Hepatitis B Surface Antibody Titer Date: Titer Results:
Hepatitis B Vaccine (2nd series if indicated) #1 #2 #3
Hepatitis B Surface Antibody Titer
(or Titer Declination)
Date: Titer Results:
Influenza: Seasonal Vaccination Mandatory October (or when available)
Influenza Vaccination (NOT nasal flu mist) Year #1 Year #2
Signature or Clinic Stamp REQUIRED: ____ ___________________________
Signature of Physician/Physician Assistant/Nurse Practitioner Date ____________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________
Print Name of Physician/Physician Assistant/Nurse Practitioner Area Code/Phone Number _____________________________________________ _________________ _____________________________ Office Address City State Zip Code
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A – 1.3 – Physical Examination Form
Name: _____________________________________________ Student ID Number: ________________________________
PHYSICAL EXAMINATION
Height Weight TPR __ / / BP /
VISION Corrected Right 20/ __________ Left 20/ __________ or Uncorrected Right 20/ __________ Left 20/ __________
Color Vision ____________________________________
HEARING (gross) Right ____________ Left ____________
15 ft. Right ____________ Left ____________
Are there abnormalities? Normal Abnormal DESCRIPTION (attach additional sheets if necessary)
1. Head, Ears, Nose, Throat
2. Eyes
3. Respiratory
4. Cardiovascular
5. Gastrointestinal
6. Hernia
7. Musculoskeletal
8. Metabolic/Endocrine
9. Neuropsychiatric
10. Skin
Is student under treatment for any medical or emotional condition? Yes No Explain
Is student physically and emotionally healthy? Yes No Explain
Based on my assessment of this student’s physical and emotional health on this date, he/she appears able to participate in the activities required of a health professional in a clinical setting in order to provide safe care to the public. YES _______ NO _______ if No, please explain
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________ Signature of Physician/Physician Assistant/Nurse Practitioner / Date
_______________________________________________________ ________________________________ Print Name of Physician/Physician Assistant/Nurse Practitioner Area Code/Phone Number ______________________________________________ _____________________ _________ _________ Office Address City State Zip Code
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A – 1.4 – Hepatitis B / Varicella Form
HEPATITIS B
ONLY FILL OUT PART A or PART B, NOT BOTH
Please read the following documents prior to signing below: Hepatitis B General Fact Sheet http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/HBV/PDFs/HepBGeneralFactSheet-BW.pdf and Hepatitis B Vaccine sheet http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/downloads/vis-hep-b.pdf Part A – Compliance I, (printed name) _____________________________________________________________________________, in compliance with
OSHA guidelines, agree to receive the Hepatitis B vaccine series. I have read the Hepatitis B General Fact Sheet and Hepatitis B Vaccine
sheet and understand that I am at risk of contracting Hepatitis B due to my job or clinical related activities. I have discussed these options
with my nursing advisor or my family physician and have been given the opportunity to ask questions and understand the risk factors
involved.
_______________________________________ ______________________________________ Student Signature/Date Witness Signature/Date
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Part B – Waiver
I, (printed name) _____________________________________________________________________________, in compliance with
OSHA guideline, have read the Hepatitis B General Fact Sheet and Hepatitis B Vaccine sheet and understand that I am at risk of
contracting Hepatitis B due to my job or clinical related activities. . I have discussed these options with my nursing advisor or my family
physician and have been given the opportunity to ask questions and understand the risk factors involved. I am refusing to receive the
Hepatitis B vaccine series, and agree to release and hold Southeastern Community College harmless from any claims or actions that
may arise should I contract Hepatitis A or B. I also realize that by signing this declination some clinical facilities may not allow me to
attend clinical rotations thereby making it impossible for me to complete the clinical objectives necessary to successfully complete the
course.
_______________________________________ ______________________________________ Student Signature/Date Witness Signature/Date
Varicella (Chickenpox) Vaccine Declination Form
I, (printed name) _____________________________________________________________________________, understand that I am
at risk for contracting chickenpox because of my exposure to high-risk patients in the clinical setting. I understand that if there is no known
immunity, the varicella vaccine is highly recommended for any student enrolled in an allied health program.
I have discussed these options with my nursing advisor or my family physician and have been given the opportunity to ask questions and
understand the risk factors involved. I am refusing to receive the Varicella vaccine, and agree to release and hold Southeastern
Community College harmless from any claims or actions that may arise should I contract chickenpox I also realize that by signing this
declination some clinical facilities may not allow me to attend clinical rotations thereby making it impossible for me to complete the clinical
objectives necessary to successfully complete the course.
_______________________________________ ______________________________________ Student Signature/Date Witness Signature/Date
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A-2 – Permission for Release of Information Form
Release of Information to SCC by Healthcare Provider(s)
I hereby give permission for my healthcare provider(s) to release to Southeastern Community
College any information they may have concerning my Medical Records, Health Certification
Form, and/or any existing medical or emotional health condition(s) as it relates to my ability to
provide safe and effective nursing care.
Release of Information to Clinical Agencies by SCC
I hereby give my permission for Southeastern Community College to release any information as
it relates to my ability to provide safe and effective nursing care to the clinical agencies at which
I may be assigned.
The Release of Information to SCC by Healthcare Provider(s) and the Release of Information to
Clinical Agencies by SCC will remain in effect indefinitely unless I contact the Nursing and
Health Technologies Department and request, in writing, that it be cancelled.
A photocopy of this release shall be accepted the same as a signed original.
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
Student Signature / Date Witness Signature / Date
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A-3 – Essential Criteria, Functions, and Abilities Standards
An applicant seeking admission to the nursing programs at Southeastern Community College must meet
the Essential Criteria, Functions, and Abilities Standards required for the safe delivery of nursing care to
the public. According to the nature of the work required in nursing practice and the educational
requirements of the nursing programs curricula, students must be able to meet these standards as defined
for admission and successful progression through the nursing programs. The standards established are in
compliance with the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act.
The practice of nursing requires that members of the discipline have the cognitive, sensory, affective, and
psychomotor skills necessary to provide safe and effective nursing care to the public. Nursing students
and nursing faculty should possess and be able to demonstrate the following Essential Criteria, Functions,
and Abilities Standards (examples are not all inclusive):
Standards
Critical thinking ability sufficient for clinical
judgment in all healthcare environments, including
emergent situations.
Interpersonal abilities sufficient to interact with
individuals, families, and groups from a variety of
social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual
backgrounds.
Communication abilities sufficient for interaction
with others in verbal and written form.
Physical abilities sufficient to stand for long periods
of time, move from room to room, and maneuver in
small spaces.
Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to provide
safe and effective nursing care.
Auditory ability sufficient to monitor and assess
health needs.
Visual ability sufficient for physical assessment,
performance of nursing procedures and maintenance
of environmental safety.
Tactile ability sufficient for physical assessment and
performance of nursing procedures.
Emotional stability and mental alertness in
performing client care.
Examples of Necessary Abilities (not all inclusive)
Identify cause and effect relationship in clinical
situations; develop nursing care plans/concept maps.
Establish rapport with clients, families, and
colleagues.
Collect assessment data. Explain treatment
procedures. Initiate health teaching, document
teaching. Interpret and document nursing actions and
client and family responses.
Move around in client’s room, workspaces and
treatment areas; administer cardio-pulmonary
procedures; able to lift/maneuver 50/>100 pounds.
Move, calibrate, use equipment and supplies; lift,
transfer, and position mobile and immobile clients.
Hears monitor alarm, emergency signals, auscultatory
sounds, cries for help.
Observes client responses, such as skin color, facial
expressions. Monitors vital signs. Reads records.
Perform palpitation, functions of physical
examination and/or those related to therapeutic
intervention (e.g., catheter insertion)
Maintaining a calm and efficient manner in high
stress/pressure situations with clients, families, staff,
supervisors and colleague
If a student feels that he/she cannot meet one of more of these standards without accommodations or
modifications, the college must determine, on an individual basis, whether or not the necessary
accommodations or modifications can be reasonably made without placing the public at risk. More
detailed information regarding standards are provided in the handbook.
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Essential Criteria, Functions, and Abilities Standards
Certification of Ability to Meet the Essential Criteria, Functions, and Abilities Standards
I certify that I am in good health and that I am both physically and emotionally able to withstand
the rigors and stress of the nursing program.
I have read the Essential Criteria, Functions, and Abilities Standards for nursing students and I
feel that I can meet the standards as described. If at any time, after admission to or progression
within the nursing programs, I cannot meet the Essential Criteria, Functions, and Abilities
Standards, I will immediately notify the Director of Nursing. I acknowledge the necessity of this
notification requirement in order to protect the individuals that are under my care as a student.
I understand that Southeastern Community College maintains no healthcare facilities and offers
no college-paid healthcare insurance for its students. The responsibility for any medical services
or costs incurred as a student rests with me and my parents/guardians/or head of household. This
includes any care due to accidents or illnesses incurred while functioning in the role as a student
nurse. I understand that if I am not currently insured as a rider on an existing policy, I am
strongly encouraged to carry my own healthcare insurance.
Student with Disabilities
Southeastern Community College does not discriminate on the basis of disability in application,
admission, or access to its programs, services, or activities or individuals who meet the Essential
Criteria, Functions, and Abilities Standards requirements. The college will provide reasonable
accommodations for documented disabilities of individuals who are otherwise eligible to receive
or participate in college programs, services, or activities.
The Vice President of Academic Affairs has been designated to coordinate compliance with the
nondiscrimination requirement contained in the Americans Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section
504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Information concerning provision of the ADA and the
rights provided thereunder are available from the ADA counselor located in the Advising and
Counseling office. The ADA counselor is provided to assist students in requesting disability-
related accommodations.
Individuals who want to receive reasonable accommodations for a disability should make this
request known to the ADA counselor. Individuals accompanied by a personal assistant while on
campus must provide the ADA counselor with documentation that includes sufficient reason
related to medical/physical need for the assistance.
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
Student Signature / Date Witness Signature / Date
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A-4 – Confidentiality Certification, Receipt of Student Guidelines,
Honor Code
CONFIDENTIALITY CERTIFICATION
I certify that I have read and understand the confidentiality statement of the Nursing and Health
Technologies Department at Southeastern Community College. I understand that confidentiality
is necessary to ensure the confidential nature of both patient and privileged information. I
further understand the liability of persons with access to confidential information and hereby
agree to protect and preserve the confidential nature of all patient and privileged information to
which I may have access. I understand that failure to meet the guidelines in this policy is a
serious behavior and will result in my immediate dismissal from the nursing program at
Southeastern Community College.
Date _____________ Student Signature _______________________
RECEIPT OF STUDENT GUIDELINES
I certify that I have received a copy of the Southeastern Community College Nursing and Health
Technologies Nursing Programs Student Handbook and that I am responsible for reading,
knowing and adhering to its contents while I am a nursing student at Southeastern Community
College.
Date _____________ Student Signature _______________________
HONOR CODE
I hereby affirm my knowledge and acceptance of the SCC Honor Code for nursing students as
being consistent with the ethical obligations of nursing and solemnly pledge to uphold the Honor
Code by abstaining from dishonesty, deceit, or fraud in my personal, academic, and professional
conduct. I understand and accept that my adherence to the Honor Code is an appropriate requisite
for enrollment and participation in the nursing program.
Date _____________ Student Signature _______________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
Student Signature / Date Faculty Witness Signature / Date
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A-5 – Honor Code Pledge
The Student acknowledges and accepts the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics for
Nurses (ANACEN) as:
A “succinct statement of the ethical obligations and duties of every individual entering
the profession of nursing.”
The “non-negotiable ethical standard of the profession.”
“An expression of nursing’s own understanding of its commitment to society.”
The Student Nurse accepts the imperative that academic conduct be consistent with the ethical
obligations and duties of the profession, in general, as specified in the ANACEN:
Provision 3 – “take appropriate action regarding any instances of incompetent, unethical,
illegal, or impaired practice,”
Provision 4 – “accept and retain accountability and responsibility for the quality of
practice and conformity to the standards of care,”
Provision 5 – “preserve integrity and safety, maintain competence, preserve wholeness of
character, and continue personal and professional growth.”
The student acknowledges that a consequence of academic misconduct may expose patients to
unsafe and incompetent care from an unqualified individual.
The student accepts that academic conduct involving dishonesty, deceit, or fraud is contrary to
the guidelines of the ANCEN and the characteristics expected of SCC nursing students and that
such conduct may jeopardize continued enrollment in the program.
The student pledges to abstain from dishonest, deceitful, or fraudulent academic conduct and to
report suspected observation or knowledge of such conduct to the faculty immediately.
I hereby affirm my knowledge and acceptance of the SCC Honor Code for nursing students as
being consistent with the ethical obligations of nursing and solemnly pledge to uphold the Honor
Code by abstaining from dishonesty, deceit, or fraud in my personal, academic, and professional
conduct. I understand and accept that my adherence to the Honor Code is an appropriate requisite
for enrollment and participation in the nursing program.
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
Student Signature / Date Witness Signature / Date
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A-6 – Instructor Employment/Educational Reference Waiver
Instructions
1. Complete this form using black ink when requesting an instructor reference.
2. Return the completed form to the appropriate instructor at the time of reference
requests.
3. Print your complete name in the blank on the first line of the statement.
4. Sign your complete name on the signature line at the bottom.
5. Print the correct date on the line provided.
6. If you are not 18 years of age, your parent/guardian must also sign the form.
I, ____________________________________, hereby waive my right to
educational and/or employment confidentiality and authorize Southeastern
Community College’s employee, ________________________________, to
discuss with the agents of my potential employer or educational institution my
performance at Southeastern Community College for the purposes of being hired
or for admissions into an educational program. I understand that I may revoke this
waiver at any time, in writing, to the employee listed above.
I also release Southeastern Community College and its employees from any and all
claims based on the release of such information and agree to hold Southeastern
Community College harmless from any and all claims.
________________________________
____________________________
Student/Parent/Guardian Signature Date
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A-7 – Publicity Release Form
Southeastern Community College regularly seeks students and alumni to feature in marketing
and promotion materials. Thank you for agreeing to represent Southeastern Community College.
Your image and/or words may be used in print and electronic media for Southeastern. This
includes, but is not limited to, newspaper and magazine publications, billboards, radio, television
advertisements, the college website, and the Internet. Please complete and sign this release form:
I, _______________________________________________________, hereby authorize
Southeastern Community College to use my image and/or words for any use the college deems
appropriate in the promotion and marketing of Southeastern Community College. I understand
that my image and/or words may be used for, but not limited to, newspaper and radio
advertisements, billboards, the college website and the Internet. I understand that my words may
be edited for content but will not deter from the true spirit of the testimony. I understand that my
image may be altered (blemishes removed, red-eye reduction, etc.). I understand that my name
and identity may be revealed. I fully discharge Southeastern, the North Carolina Community
College System, affiliated companies and the respective officers, directors, trustees, employees,
agents of each, including subcontractors, from any and all claims, monetary and otherwise, that I
may have against Southeastern, its parent, affiliates or subcontractors, arising out of the use of
my image or words. I understand there is no financial or other remuneration for this photograph
and/or testimony. If a current student, I declare that I have read the Southeastern Community
College Student Code of Conduct, and that I will do my best to uphold the Code and exhibit
behavior that portrays a positive image as a Southeastern Community College student.
SIGNATURE*:
________________________________
____________________________
Student/Parent/Guardian Signature Date
*(Note: Applicants under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian sign for them.)
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A-8 – Simulation Lab Consents and Release
The Simulation Lab is designed for students to develop nursing skills, improve clinical judgment,
reasoning, and critical thinking as they care for simulated patients utilizing realistic scenarios.
FICTION CONTRACT
Realistic patient care situations will be created using simulators, simulation teaching techniques, and
application of realism to the best of our ability. The Simulation Lab Coordinator and Instructor promises
to provide:
1. Goal-oriented simulations based upon measureable learning outcomes/objectives derived from
your course syllabus.
2. Provide enough realism that provides clues to assist you in identifying and solving problems.
3. Engage you in discussions that helps foster reflective practice.
4. Help you identify performance gaps and help close the gaps.
The simulated environment and patient does have certain limitations for mirroring real life exactly.
Student responsibilities during simulation experiences include:
1. A willingness to suspend judgment of realism for any simulation.
2. Provide the same care and respect to the simulated patient(s) as you would an actual patient(s).
3. Maintain a genuine desire to learn even when you experience difficulty in your suspension of
disbelief.
________________________________
____________________________
Student/Parent/Guardian Signature Date
CONFIDENTIALITY STATEMENT
Southeastern Community College Nursing Patient Simulation Lab (NPSL) is considered a clinical
education site for students. Students are expected to keep all events, procedures, and information used in
conjunction with the patient(s) simulation(s) strictly confidential. This includes information obtained
prior to the actual simulation, as well as information obtained and used in the pre/post conferences.
Students are not allowed to share their simulation experience(s) with other students who did not
participate in their clinical group for the lab.
Any breach of confidentiality is a violation of the code of conduct and ethical behavior identified in the
SCC Nursing Programs Student Handbook and the SCC Student Handbook.
I, _________________________________, have read the above statement and understand it. I agree to
keep all information in the NPSL confidential as outlined above.
PHOTOGRAPHY RELEASE
I give Southeastern Community College permission to use my image (photograph or video) recorded
during the NPSL for training purposes.
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________________________________
____________________________
Student/Parent/Guardian Signature Date
Appendix B –
Classroom and
Clinical
Documents
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B-1 – Clinical Performance Rating
Associate Degree and Practical Nursing Programs
Clinical Performance Rating
Course Title & Number: "[Type Course Number and Name and Semester]"
Student Name: "[Type Student Name Here]"
CLINICAL PERFORMANCE AT MID-TERM:
□ Satisfactory □ Unsatisfactory
Instructor Comments:"[Type Instructor Comments Here]"
Student Self-Evaluation at Mid-Term:
________________________________
____________________________
Instructor Signature / Date Student Signature / Date
If Unsatisfactory, Clinical Action Plan is issued: Date Issued: ________________________
Copy of Action Plan must be attached Date Resolved: ______________________
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CLINICAL PERFORMANCE AT THE END OF THE SEMESTER:
□ Satisfactory □ Unsatisfactory
Instructor Comments: "[Type Instructor Comments Here]"
Student Self-Evaluation at End of Semester:
________________________________
____________________________
Instructor Signature / Date Student Signature / Date
Please note, signature of student indicates he/she has read the comments and not necessarily that
he/she agrees. Students may attach additional comments
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B-2 – Clinical/Laboratory Unsatisfactory Report Nursing and Health Technologies
Unsatisfactory Clinical/Laboratory Performance
Student Name: ____________________________ Course Number: _______________________
Course Name: _____________________________ Date/Time: ___________________________
Unsatisfactory Clinical/Laboratory Performance related to the following areas of practice:
Individual Nursing Healthcare System Core Competency-Skill Performance
Instructor provides specific information in the space provided to the right.
Prior to: _________________, the
student will:
Review appropriate units in text (refer to course syllabus)
Watch the corresponding videos (refer to course syllabus)
Arrange practice time as needed Arrange for a nursing tutor
(call 642-7141, ext. 367) Student Accountability, Self-Evaluation & Comments: (Student’s Plan) _____________________________________ _____________________________________ Student Signature Date Instructor Signature Date
Follow-Up Performance: Satisfactory Unsatisfactory If “Unsatisfactory,” initiate new form or
make appropriate recommendations.
Recommendations:
One on one supervision in the clinical setting
Meet with Clinical/Lab Instructor for further evaluation
Clinical/Lab Instructor will schedule meeting with Student and Lead Instructor to initiate Clinical Action Plan
White Copy - Clinical/Lead Instructor, Yellow Copy – Student
Student Signature Date
Clinical/Lab Instructor Date
Lead Instructor Date
84
Revised/Updated July 2018
85
B-3 – Action Plan
To: [Click here and type name]
CC: [Click here and type name]
From: [Click here and type name]
Date: 1/2/2020
Subject: [Click here and type subject]
Identified “Unsatisfactory” Performance: "[Click here and type text]"
Student Goals Necessary for Satisfactory Performance: "[Click here and type text]"
Plan of Action: "[Click here and type text]"
Consequences if Established Goals are not met: "[Click here and type text]"
__________________________ __________________________ __________________________ Student Signature/Date Clinical/Lab Instructor/Date Lead Instructor Signature/Date
Outcome of Clinical Action Plan:
□ Satisfactory - Goal(s) Met □ Unsatisfactory – Goal(s) Not Met
"[Click here and type text]" Decision/Recommendations: "[Click here and type text]"
__________________________ __________________________ __________________________ Student Signature/Date Clinical/Lab Instructor/Date Lead Instructor Signature/Date
Associate Degree and Practical Nursing Programs
Action Plan
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B-4 – Early Alert Remediation
Student Name: ____________________________ Course Number: _______________________
Course Name: _____________________________ Date/Time: ___________________________
Identified need for Early Alert Remediation:
Test score/average Below 77% Core Competency-Skill Performance Medication Calculation Competency Excessive Absenteeism
Instructor provides specific information in the space provided to the right.
The student will:
Review appropriate units in text (refer to course syllabus)
Watch the corresponding videos (refer to course syllabus)
Attend a minimum of 1 hour in the Simulation Lab
Present a detailed/written Study Plan Prepare an EBP paper (as assigned) Research and write ______ test questions Other (as specified by instructor)
Recommendations/Actions:
Removed from Early Alert Remediation Remain on Early Alert Remediation
Nursing and Health Technologies
Early Alert Remediation
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White Copy - Clinical/Lead Instructor, Yellow Copy – Student
Revised/Updated July 2018
88
B-5 – Student Self-Assessment
Student Name: ______________________________
Course Number: _____________________________
Course Name: _______________________________
Assess your practice based on the organizing Framework for your program (see student guidelines).
Collect Feedback from others if available to help you identify strengths and opportunities for further development.
Feedback may be verbal or written information you have received about your practice – examples may be comments
from instructors, patients, or peers.
Assessment of Strengths:
Assessment of Identified/Perceived Opportunities to Strengthen Practice: (Present and Ongoing)- Must include a summary of any previously identified areas needing improvement
Learning Plan: (May use additional sheets)
Review the self-assessment data and feedback to help you identify strengths in your practice and areas that you would
like to improve or strengthen. Establish one or more personal goals and a “how-to” plan (learning activity) that will assist
you in meeting your goal(s) and maintaining continued competency.
□ Submitted to and reviewed by the Lead/Clinical Instructor at the end of the semester
________________________________
____________________________
Student Signature / Date Instructor Signature / Date
□ Reviewed by Lead/Clinical Instructor at Midterm of the following semester
Associate Degree and Practical Nursing Programs
Student Self-Assessment
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________________________________
____________________________
Student Signature / Date Instructor Signature / Date
90
B-6 – Request for Test Item Review
Student Name: Click or tap here to enter text.
Date: Click or tap to enter a date.
Course Number:
Click or tap here to enter text.
Course Name:
Click or tap here to enter text.
Test Name/Number:
Click or tap here to enter text.
Question Number:
Click or tap here to enter text.
Required Response:
Click or tap here to enter text.
Student Response:
Click or tap here to enter text.
Rationale: (Why do you believe the required response is incorrect)
Reference: (Provide a reference quote, with page number, to support your rationale from the course
text or required article)
Faculty Panel decision:
Associate Degree and Practical Nursing Programs
Request for Test Item Review
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Date reviewed by Faculty Panel: Click or tap to enter a date.
Signatures of Faculty Panel
B-7 – Occurrence Report
Date of Occurrence:
Click or tap to enter a date.
Time of Occurrence:
Click or tap here to enter text.
Location of Occurrence:
Click or tap here to enter text.
Check any of the following that apply:
☐Damage to property ☐Personal injury
☐Unauthorized person on campus ☐Facility security
☐Motor vehicle accident ☐Safety hazard
☐Theft or missing property ☐Other (explain in remarks)
☐Disorderly conduct
Witnesses (if applicable):
Click or tap here to enter text.
Remarks: Click or tap here to enter text.
Individuals Involved:
Name:
Click or tap here to enter text.
Name:
Click or tap here to enter text.
Address:
Click or tap here to enter text.
Address:
Click or tap here to enter text.
Phone: Phone:
92
Click or tap here to enter text. Click or tap here to enter text.
Cell:
Click or tap here to enter text.
Cell:
Click or tap here to enter text.
Name:
Click or tap here to enter text.
Name:
Click or tap here to enter text.
Address:
Click or tap here to enter text.
Address:
Click or tap here to enter text.
Phone:
Click or tap here to enter text.
Phone:
Click or tap here to enter text.
Cell:
Click or tap here to enter text.
Cell:
Click or tap here to enter text.
Report Submitted by:
Name:
Click or tap here to enter text.
Address:
Click or tap here to enter text.
Phone(s):
Click or tap here to enter text.
________________________________
____________________________
Signature Date
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94
Appendix C –
Core Components
and Competencies
from Educational
Competencies for
Graduates of
Associate Degree
Nursing Programs
95
Core Components and Competencies From Educational
Competencies for Graduates of Associate Degree Nursing Programs
(2000)
Professional Behaviors:
Professional behaviors within nursing practice are characterized by a commitment to the
profession of nursing. The graduate of an associate degree nursing program adheres to standards
of professional practice, is accountable for his/her own actions and behaviors, and practices
nursing within legal, ethical, and regulatory frameworks. Professional behaviors also include a
concern for others, as demonstrated by caring, valuing the profession of nursing, and
participating in ongoing professional development.
Graduates of the program will be expected to:
Practice within the ethical, legal, and regulatory frameworks of nursing and
standards of professional nursing practice.
Report unsafe practices of healthcare providers using appropriate channels of
communication.
Demonstrate accountability for nursing care given by self and/or delegated to
others.
Use standards of nursing practice to perform and evaluate client care.
Advocate for client rights.
Maintain organizational and client confidentiality.
Practice within the parameters of individual knowledge and experience.
Describe political processes as they affect agency specific healthcare.
Participate as a member of professional organizations.
Serve as a positive role model within healthcare settings and the community at
large.
Recognize the impact of economic, political, social, and demographic forces on
the delivery of healthcare.
Participate in lifelong learning.
Develop and implement a plan to meet self-learning needs.
Delineate and maintain appropriate professional boundaries in the nurse-client
relationship.
Communication:
Communication in nursing is an interactive process through which there is an exchange of
information that may occur verbally, non-verbally, in writing, or through information
technology. Those who may be included in this process are the nurse, client, significant support
person(s), other members of the healthcare team, and community agencies. Effective
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communication demonstrates caring, compassion, and cultural awareness, and is directed toward
promoting positive outcomes and establishing a trusting relationship.
Therapeutic communication is an interactive verbal and nonverbal process between the nurse and
client that assists the client to cope with change, develop more satisfying interpersonal
relationships, and integrate new knowledge and skills.
Graduates from the program will be expected to:
1. Utilize therapeutic communication skills when interacting with clients and significant
support person(s).
2. Communicate relevant, accurate and complete information in a concise and clear manner.
3. Report and document assessments, interventions, and progress toward client outcomes.
4. Protect the confidentiality of information.
5. Utilize information technology to support and communicate the planning and provision
of client care.
6. Utilize appropriate channels of communication to achieve positive client outcomes.
Assessment:
Assessment is the collection, analysis, and synthesis of relevant data fro the purpose of
appraising the client’s health status. Comprehensive assessment provides a holistic view of the
client which includes dimensions of physical, developmental, emotional, psychosocial, cultural,
spiritual, and functional status. Assessment involves the orderly collection of information from
multiple sources to establish a foundation for the provision of nursing care, and includes
identification of available resources to meet client needs. Initial assessment provides a baseline
for future comparisons that can be made in order to individualize client care. Ongoing
assessment and reassessment are required to meet the client’s changing needs.
Graduates from the program will be expected to:
1. Assess the interaction patterns of the individual client or significant support person(s).
2. Assess the impact of developmental, emotional, cultural, religious, and spiritual
influences on the client’s health status.
3. Assess the client’s health status by completing a health history and performing a physical,
cognitive, psychosocial, and functional assessment.
4. Assess client and significant support person(s) for learning strengths, capabilities,
barriers, and educational needs.
5. Assess the client’s response to actual or potential health problems.
6. Assess the client’s response to interventions.
7. Assess the client for changes in health status and identified needs.
8. Assess the client’s ability to access available community resources.
9. Assess the environment for factors that may impact the client’s health status.
10. Assess the strengths, resources, and needs of clients within the context of their
community.
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Clinical Decision Making:
Clinical decision making encompasses the performance of accurate assessments, the use of
multiple methods to access information, and the analysis and integration of knowledge and
information to formulate clinical judgments. Effective clinical decision making results in finding
solutions, individualizing care, and assuring delivery of accurate, safe care that moves the client
and significant support person(s) toward positive outcomes. Evidence-based practice and the use
of critical thinking provide the foundation for appropriate clinical decision making.
Graduates from the program will be expected to:
1. Make clinical judgments and management decisions to ensure accurate and safe care.
2. Analyze and utilize assessment and reassessment data to plan care.
3. Evaluate the effectiveness of care provided in meeting client outcomes.
4. Modify client care as indicated by the evaluation of outcomes.
5. Participate in problem identification and data collection for research, quality control, or
improvement processes to meet client outcomes.
6. Use evidence-based information, collected electronically or through other means, to
support clinical decision-making.
Caring Interventions:
Caring interventions are those nursing behaviors and actions that assist clients in meeting their
needs. These interventions are based on a knowledge and understanding of the natural sciences,
behavioral sciences, nursing theory, nursing research, and past nursing experience. Caring is the
“being with” and “doing for” that assist clients to achieve the desired results. Caring behaviors
are nurturing, protective, compassionate, and person-centered. Caring creates an environment of
hope and trust where client choices related to cultural values, beliefs, and lifestyle are respected.
Graduates from the program will be expected to:
1. Protect and promote the client’s dignity.
2. Identify and honor the emotional, cultural, religious, and spiritual influences on the
client’s health.
3. Demonstrate caring behavior towards the client, significant support person(s), peers, and
other members of the healthcare team.
4. Provide accurate and safe nursing care in diverse settings.
5. Implement the prescribed care regimen within the legal, ethical, and regulatory
framework of nursing practice.
6. Perform nursing skills competently.
7. Provide a safe physical and psychosocial environment for the client.
8. Assist the client and significant support person(s) to cope with and to adapt to stressful
events and changes in health status.
9. Assist the client to achieve optimum comfort and functioning.
10. Prepare the client and significant support person(s) for intervention, treatment modalities,
and self care.
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11. Support the client and significant support person(s) when making healthcare and end-of-
life decisions.
12. Adapt care in consideration of the client’s values, customs, culture, and/or habits.
Teaching and Learning:
Teaching and learning processes are used to promote and maintain health and reduce risks, and
are implemented in collaboration with the client, significant support person(s), and other
members of the healthcare team. Teaching encompasses the provision of health education to
promote and facilitate informed decision-making, achieve positive outcomes, and support self-
care activities. Integral components of the teaching process include the transmission of
information, evaluation of the response to teaching, and modification of teaching based on
identified responses. Learning involves the assimilation of information to expand knowledge and
change behavior.
Graduates from the program will be expected to:
1. Develop an individual teaching plan based on assessed needs.
2. Provide the client and significant support person(s) with the information to make choices
regarding health.
3. Teach the client and significant support person(s) the information and skills needed to
achieve desired learning outcomes
4. Evaluate the progress of the client and significant support person(s) toward achievement
of identified learning outcomes.
5. Modify the teaching plan based on the evaluation of progress toward meeting identified
learning outcomes.
6. Provide assistive personnel with relevant instruction to support achievement of client
outcomes.
Collaboration:
Collaboration is the shared planning, decision making, problem solving, goal setting, and
assumption of responsibility by those who work together cooperatively, with open professional
communication. Collaboration occurs with the client, significant support person(s), peers, other
members of the healthcare team, and community agencies. The nurse participates in the team
approach to holistic, client-centered care across healthcare settings. The nurse functions as
advocate, liaison, coordinator, and colleague as participants work together to meet client needs
and move the client toward positive outcomes. Collaboration requires consideration of client
needs, priorities and preferences, available resources and services, shared accountability, and
mutual respect.
Graduates from the program will be expected to:
1. Coordinate the decision-making process with the client, significant support person(s), and
other members of the healthcare team.
2. Work cooperatively with others to achieve client and organizational outcomes.
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3. Collaborate with the client, significant support person(s), and other members of the
healthcare team to evaluate progress toward achievement of outcomes.
4. Interact creatively and openly with others to solve problems to achieve client goals and
outcomes.
5. Collaborate to bring about fair solutions that balance differing needs, values, and
motivation for the purpose of achieving positive client outcomes.
Managing Care:
Managing care is the efficient use of human, physical, financial, and technological resources to
meet client needs and support organizational outcomes. Effective management is accomplished
through the process of planning, organizing, directing, and controlling. The nurse in
collaboration with the healthcare team, uses these processes to assist the client to move toward
positive outcomes in a cost efficient manner, to transition within and across healthcare settings,
and access resources.
Graduates from the program will be expected to:
1. Prioritize client care.
2. Coordinate the implementation of an individual plan of care for clients and significant
support person(s).
3. Facilitate the continuity of care within and across healthcare settings.
4. Delegate aspects of client care to qualified assistive personnel.
5. Supervise and evaluate the activities of assistive personnel.
6. Adapt the provision of client care to changing healthcare settings and management
systems.
7. Assist the client and significant support person(s) to access available resources and
services.
8. Implement nursing strategies to provide cost efficient care.
9. Demonstrate competence with current technologies.
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Appendix D –
Glossary of
Terms
102
Glossary of Terms
Caring: “Caring is promoting health, healing, and hope in response to the human condition” (NLN,
2007).
Client: Any human being, regardless of sex or age. A person, family (or significant other), or
community who enters the health care delivery system for assistance in meeting health needs.
The recipient of care provided by health care providers including the practical nurse and the
registered nurse. The term client denotes one who is a participant or collaborator in health care
decisions affecting self or significant other(s).
Collaboration: Participation in, or with, an interdisciplinary health care team to promote safe effective care and
positive client outcomes.
Communication: Interactive process involving the exchange of information that may occur verbally, nonverbally,
or through information technology.
Community: A group of people who reside in a specific locality, share government, and often have a common
cultural, historical heritage, a social, religious, occupation, or other group sharing common
interests or a common heritage, the public, or society.
Competency: A demonstrated cognitive, affective, and/or psychomotor capability derived from the activities of
a nursing student in the various roles of the practice setting. Stated in broad performance terms, a
competency is the integration of specific behaviors.
Concept: A concept is an organizing principle, or a classification of information (Giddens, 2013).
Core Competencies: The discrete and measurable skills, essential for the practice of nursing, that are developed by the
faculty in schools of nursing to meet established program outcomes.
Core Values: Those beliefs or ideals which form the foundation for the work of a governing organization
and/or nursing program.
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Critical Thinking: Identifying, evaluating, and using evidence to guide decision making by means of logic and
reasoning.
Culture: Comparative study and analysis of different cultures and subcultures in the world with respect to
their caring behavior, nursing, care and health-illness values, beliefs, and patterns of behavior.
Differentiated Practice: The assignment of roles, functions, and work of nurses according to education, clinical reference,
and defined competency and decision-making skills.
Diversity: Diversity means recognizing the differences among persons, ideas, values, and ethnicities while
affirming the uniqueness of each (NLN, 2007).
Education: The process of imparting knowledge or skill through systematic instruction and the obtaining of
knowledge or skill through such a process.
Ethics: Ethics in nursing integrates knowledge with human caring and compassion, while respecting the
dignity, self-determination, and worth of all persons (NLN, 2007).
Evidence-based practice: Actions, processes, or methodologies that are grounded in and flow from the translation of
substantive and current research that integrate best research with clinical expertise and patient
values for optimum care, and participate in learning and research activities to the extent feasible
(Finkleman, 2012).
Excellence: Commitment to continuous growth, improvement, and understanding (NLN, 2007).
Exemplar: Exemplars of a concept are specific examples that illustrate the broader concept and present
alterations from the “normal.”
Holism: All living organisms are seen as interacting, unified wholes that are more than the sums of their
parts (Berman and Snyder, 2012).
Human Flourishing: Encompasses the uniqueness, dignity, diversity, freedom, happiness, and holistic well-being of
the individual within the larger family, community, and population (NLN, 2010).
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Informatics: “Communicate, manage knowledge, mitigate error, and support decision making using
information technology” (Finkleman, 2012).
Institute of Medicine Competencies: The five core competencies identified by the IOM for healthcare providers are; patient centered
care, interdisciplinary teams, evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and informatics
(National Research Council, 2003).
Integrity: Respecting the dignity and moral wholeness of every person without conditions or limitations
(NLN, 2007).
Interdisciplinary Team: A group of health care providers from a variety of disciplines, who cooperate, collaborate,
communicate and integrate client care and health promotion.
Learning: A continuous process that results in a change of behavior and occurs when the individual is
challenged and motivated to enhance personal knowledge. Teaching and learning is an
interactive process between teacher and learner. Learning is a lifelong process.
Life Span: The normal expected stages of growth and development from conception through advanced old
age.
Managing Care: Integration of resources focusing on coordination of client care and supervision of nurses in the
delivery of quality care.
NLN Core Competencies: The eight core competencies outlined by the NLN are: professional behaviors, communication,
assessment, clinical decision making, caring interventions, teaching and learning, collaboration,
and managing care (NLN, 2000).
NLN Core Values: The core values as outlined by NLN are: caring, diversity, excellence, integrity, and ethics (NLN,
2010).
NLN Outcomes/Competencies: The outcomes/competencies for graduates of Practical Nursing and Associate degree programs
include: human flourishing, nursing judgment, professional identify and sprit of inquiry (NLN,
2010).
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Nursing Judgment: Encompasses three processes; 1. Critical thinking, 2. Clinical judgment, and 3. The integration of
best evidence into practice (NLN, 2010).
Nursing Process: A problem-solving approach to the identification of a client’s needs and the utilization of nursing
interventions designed to promote adaptation in maintaining, restoring, and supporting health
status. The major components of the process are assessment, analysis/diagnosis, planning,
implementation, and evaluation.
Objectives: Specific, measurable behaviors. A hierarchy of objectives including educational
objectives/outcomes, level objectives, course objectives, unit objectives, and specific learning
objectives are used in the Southeastern Community College nursing programs as a guide for
attaining desirable behaviors essential for the practice of nursing. The educational outcomes
describe desirable behaviors in broad terms, while learning objectives are very specific.
Patient-centered: Patient-centeredness is an orientation to care that incorporates and reflects the uniqueness of an
individual patient’s background, personal preferences, culture, values, traditions, and family.
Patient-centeredness supports the respectful, efficient, safe, and well-coordinated transition of
the patient through all levels of care (NLN, 2010).
Patient Needs: Something essential for the physical and psychological well-being of humans. Categories of
client needs are described as: safe, effective care environment, physiological integrity;
psychosocial integrity, and health promotion/maintenance in accordance with the NCLEX-PN
and RN Test Plan.
Professional Identity: Involves the internalization of core values and perspectives recognized as integral to the art and
science of nursing (NLN, 2010).
Program Outcomes: Indicators that reflect the extent to which the purposes of the nursing education unit are achieved
and by which program effectiveness is documented. Program outcomes are measurable,
consumer-oriented indexes designed to evaluate the degree to which the program is achieving its
mission and goals. Examples include but are not limited to: program completion rates, job
placement rates, licensure/certification exam pass rates, graduate satisfaction, and employer
satisfaction.
Quality Improvement: Systematic processes to measure client outcomes, identify hazards and errors, and develop
changes to improve client care.
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Scholarship: Activities that facilitate the enhancement of expertise and achievement of the goals and
outcomes of the nursing education unit. This may include, but are not limited to: application of
knowledge, teaching, service, practice, and research.
Significant Other: A person or group of people likely to have influence on and/or a close relationship with the
client.
Society: The system or condition of living together as a community.
Spirit of Inquiry: Persistent sense of curiosity that informs both learning and practice (NLN, 2010).
Structured Setting: An environment in which the policies, procedures, and protocols for provision of health care are
established.
Student Learning Outcomes (Educational Outcomes): Statements of expectations written in measureable terms that express what a student will know,
do, or think at the end of a learning experience; characteristics of the student at the completion of
a course and/or program. Learning outcomes are measurable, learner-oriented abilities that are
consistent with standards of professional practice.
Teaching/Learning: Facilitator/facilitation of the acquisition of knowledge through learning.
Technology: A combination of equipment and software, used to meet educational outcomes, and to assist with
instruction and learning experiences within the classroom.
Values: Assumptions, convictions, or beliefs about the manner in which people should behave and the
principles that should govern behavior.
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Appendix E –
Code of Ethics for
Nurses –
Provisions and
North Carolina
Practice
Information
108
E-1 – Code of Ethics for Nurses – Provisions
In 1950 the American Nurses Association developed a Code of Ethics for Nurses to guide the
practice of nurses in their profession. “The Code” has been updated and adopted throughout the
years by the ANA in response to changes in healthcare and the policies that govern healthcare.
The Code of Ethics for Nurses contain nine provisions with interpretative statements that guide
nurses in decision making and conduct throughout their participation in the profession. Nursing
students are expected to adhere to the Code of Ethics as they apply to the profession of nursing.
More information about the ANA Code of Ethics may be accessed at
https://www.nursingworld.org/coe-view-only. The following is an excerpt of the Code of Ethics
for Nurses containing the Nine Provisions:
1. The nurse practices with compassion and respect for the inherent dignity, worth, and
unique attributes of every person.
2. The nurse’s primary commitment is to the patient, whether an individual, family, group,
community, or population.
3. The nurse promotes, advocates for, and protects the rights, health, and safety of the
patient.
4. The nurse has authority, accountability, and responsibility for nursing practice; makes
decisions; and takes action consistent with the obligation to promote health and to
provide optimal care.
5. The nurse owes the same duties to self as to others, including the responsibility to
promote health and safety, preserve wholeness of character and integrity, maintain
competence, and continue personal and professional growth.
6. The nurse through individual and collective effort, establishes, maintains, and improves
the ethical environment of the work setting and conditions of employment that are
conducive to safe, quality health care
7. The nurse, in all roles and settings, advances the profession through research and
scholarly inquiry, professional standards development, and the generation of both nursing
and health policy.
8. The nurse collaborates with other health professionals and the public to protect human
rights, promote health diplomacy, and reduce health disparities.
9. The profession of nursing, collectively through its professional organizations, must
articulate nursing values, maintain the integrity of the profession, and integrate principles
of social justice into nursing and health policy.
Reference:
American Nurses Association. (2015). Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements.
Retrieved from https://www.nursingworld.org/coe-view-only on July 1, 2019.
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E-2 – North Carolina Nursing Practice Information
Students are asked to become familiar with the Administrative Code as they progress throughout
the nursing programs. Students are encouraged to access the North Carolina Board of Nursing
website frequently, be familiar with the Nursing Practice Act, and stay current and informed on
practice issues as well as any legislation pending that will have an impact on future practice in
the profession of nursing. In addition, students are encouraged to be an active participant in
student and professional organizations related to the nursing profession. Student may be held
accountable for information in some NUR courses.
Students may access the Administrative Code at https://www.ncbon.com/laws-rules-overview
and then by selecting the appropriate link for the information being sought.
Additional information related to practice of the RN and LPN may be accessed at
https://www.ncbon.com/practice-overview and then by selecting the appropriate link for the
information being sought.
Scope of Practice and delegation information related to the RN and LPN practice may be
accessed at https://www.ncbon.com/practice-position-statements-decisions-trees and then by
selecting the appropriate link for the information being sought.
The North Carolina Nursing Practice Act, Nurse Licensure Compact, and Nurses Aides Registry
Act may be accessed at https://www.ncbon.com/laws-rules-nursing-practice-act-nursing-
practice-act and then by selecting the appropriate link for the information being sought.
Students may opt to access and print a hard copy of any of the above information for personal
use and educational purposes.
For your convenience, a copy of the most current North Carolina Nursing Practice Act, Nurse
Licensure Compact, and Nurses Aides Registry Act has been included in its’ entirety as
Appendix F.
110
Appendix F –
Nursing
Practice Act
State of North
Carolina
Copied from the NCBON website June 27th, 2019
Includes the Nurse Licensure Compact and Nurses Aides Registry Act
https://www.ncbon.com/laws-rules-nursing-practice-act-nursing-practice-act
111
F-1 – Nursing Practice Act
Article 9
Nurse Practice Act
§ 90-171.19. Legislative findings. The General Assembly of North Carolina finds that mandatory licensure of all who engage in the
practice of nursing is necessary to ensure minimum standards of competency and to provide the public safe
nursing care. (1981, c. 360, s. 1.)
§ 90-171.20. Definitions.
As used in this Article, unless the context requires otherwise:
(1) "Board" means the North Carolina Board of Nursing.
(2) "Health care provider" means any licensed health care professional and any
agent or employee of any health care institution, health care insurer, health care
professional school, or a member of any allied health profession. For purposes
of this Article, a person enrolled in a program that prepares the person to be a
licensed health care professional or an allied health professional shall be
deemed a health care provider.
(3) "License" means a permit issued by the Board to practice nursing as a registered
nurse or as a licensed practical nurse, including a renewal thereof.
(4) "Nursing" is a dynamic discipline which includes the assessing, caring,
counseling, teaching, referring and implementing of prescribed treatment in the
maintenance of health, prevention and management of illness, injury, disability
or the achievement of a dignified death. It is ministering to; assisting; and
sustained, vigilant, and continuous care of those acutely or chronically ill;
supervising patients during convalescence and rehabilitation; the supportive
and restorative care given to maintain the optimum health level of individuals,
groups, and communities; the supervision, teaching, and evaluation of those
who perform or are preparing to perform these functions; and the administration
of nursing programs and nursing services. For purposes of this Article, the
administration of required lethal substances or any assistance whatsoever
rendered with an execution under Article 19 of Chapter 15 of the General
Statutes does not constitute nursing.
(5) "Nursing program" means any educational program in North Carolina offering
to prepare persons to meet the educational requirements for licensure under this
Article.
(6) "Person" means an individual, corporation, partnership, association, unit of
government, or other legal entity.
(7) The "practice of nursing by a registered nurse" consists of the following 10
components:
a. Assessing the patient's physical and mental health, including the
patient's reaction to illnesses and treatment regimens.
b. Recording and reporting the results of the nursing assessment.
c. Planning, initiating, delivering, and evaluating appropriate nursing acts.
d. Teaching, assigning, delegating to or supervising other personnel in
implementing the treatment regimen.
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e. Collaborating with other health care providers in determining the
appropriate health care for a patient but, subject to the provisions of G.S.
90-18.2, not prescribing a medical treatment regimen or making a
medical diagnosis, except under supervision of a licensed physician.
f. Implementing the treatment and pharmaceutical regimen prescribed by
any person authorized by State law to prescribe the regimen.
g. Providing teaching and counseling about the patient's health.
h. Reporting and recording the plan for care, nursing care given, and the
patient's response to that care.
i. Supervising, teaching, and evaluating those who perform or are
preparing to perform nursing functions and administering nursing
programs and nursing services.
j. Providing for the maintenance of safe and effective nursing care,
whether rendered directly or indirectly.
(8) The "practice of nursing by a licensed practical nurse" consists of the following
seven components:
a. Participating in the assessment of the patient's physical and mental
health, including the patient's reaction to illnesses and treatment
regimens.
b. Recording and reporting the results of the nursing assessment.
c. Participating in implementing the health care plan developed by the
registered nurse and/or prescribed by any person authorized by State law
to prescribe such a plan, by performing tasks assigned or delegated by
and performed under the supervision or under orders or directions of a
registered nurse, physician licensed to practice medicine, dentist, or
other person authorized by State law to provide the supervision.
c1. Assigning or delegating nursing interventions to other qualified
personnel under the supervision of the registered nurse.
d. Participating in the teaching and counseling of patients as assigned by a
registered nurse, physician, or other qualified professional licensed to
practice in North Carolina.
e. Reporting and recording the nursing care rendered and the patient's
response to that care.
f. Maintaining safe and effective nursing care, whether rendered directly
or indirectly. (1981, c. 360, s. 1; 2001-98, s. 1; 2013-154,
s. 1(d).)
§ 90-171.21. Board of Nursing; composition; selection; vacancies; qualifications; term of office;
compensation. (a) The Board shall consist of 14 members. Eight members shall be registered nurses. Three
members shall be licensed practical nurses. Three members shall be representatives of the public. (b) Selection. - The North Carolina Board of Nursing shall conduct an election each year to fill
vacancies of nurse members of the Board scheduled to occur during the next year. Nominations of
candidates for election of registered nurse members shall be made by written petition signed by not less
than 10 registered nurses eligible to vote in the election. Nominations of candidates for election of licensed
practical nurse members shall be made by written petition signed by not less than 10 licensed practical
nurses eligible to vote in the election. Every licensed registered nurse holding an active license shall be
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eligible to vote in the election of registered nurse board members. Every licensed practical nurse holding
an active license shall be eligible to vote in the election of licensed practical nurse board members. The list
of nominations shall be filed with the Board after January 1 of the year in which the election is to be held
and no later than midnight of the first day of April of such year. Before preparing ballots, the Board shall
notify each person who has been duly nominated of the person's nomination and request permission to enter
the person's name on the ballot. A member of the Board who is nominated for reelection and who does not
withdraw the member's name from the ballot is disqualified to participate in conducting the election. Elected
members shall begin their term of office on January 1 of the year following their election. Nominations of persons to serve as public members of the Board may be made to the Governor or the
General Assembly by any citizen or group within the State. The Governor shall appoint one public member
to the Board, and the General Assembly shall appoint two public members to the Board. Of the public
members appointed by the General Assembly, one shall be appointed by the General Assembly upon the
recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and one shall be appointed by the General
Assembly upon the recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Board members shall be commissioned by the Governor upon their election or appointment. (c) Vacancies. - All unexpired terms of Board members appointed by the General Assembly shall
be filled within 45 days after the term is vacated. The Governor shall fill all other unexpired terms on the
Board within 30 days after the term is vacated. For vacancies of registered nurse or licensed practical nurse
members, the Governor shall appoint the person who received the next highest number of votes to those
elected members at the most recent election for board members. Appointees shall serve the remainder of
the unexpired term and until their successors have been duly elected or appointed and qualified. (d) Qualifications. - Of the eight registered nurse members on the Board, one shall be a nurse
administrator employed by a hospital or a hospital system, who shall be accountable for the administration
of nursing services and not directly involved in patient care; one shall be an individual who meets the
requirements to practice as a certified registered nurse anesthetist, a certified nurse midwife, a clinical nurse
specialist, or a nurse practitioner; two shall be staff nurses, defined as individuals who are primarily
involved in direct patient care regardless of practice setting; one shall be an at-large registered nurse who
meets the requirements of sub-subdivisions (1) a., a1., and b. of this subsection, but is not currently an
educator in a program leading to licensure or any other degree-granting program; and three shall be nurse
educators. Minimum ongoing employment requirements for every registered nurse and licensed practical
nurse shall include continuous employment equal to or greater than fifty percent (50%) of a full-time
position that meets the criteria for the specified Board member position. Of the three nurse educators, one
shall be a practical nurse educator, one shall be an associate degree or diploma nurse educator, and one
shall be a baccalaureate or higher degree nurse educator. All nurse educators shall meet the minimum
education requirement as established by the Board's education program standards for nurse faculty.
Candidates eligible for election to the Board as nurse educators are not eligible for election as the at-large
member. (1) Except for the at-large member, every registered nurse member shall meet the
following criteria:
a. Hold a current, unencumbered license to practice as a registered nurse
in North Carolina.
a1. Be a resident of North Carolina.
b. Have a minimum of five years of experience as a registered nurse.
c. Have been engaged continuously in a position that meets the criteria for
the specified Board position for at least three years immediately
preceding election.
d. Show evidence that the employer of the registered nurse is aware that
the nurse intends to serve on the Board.
(2) Every licensed practical nurse member shall meet the following criteria:
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a. Hold a current, unencumbered license to practice as a licensed practical
nurse in North Carolina.
a1. Be a resident of North Carolina.
c. Have a minimum of five years of experience as a licensed practical
nurse.
d. Have been engaged continuously in the position of a licensed practical
nurse for at least three years immediately preceding election.
e. Show evidence that the employer of the licensed practical nurse is aware
that the nurse intends to serve on the Board.
(3) A public member appointed by the Governor shall not be a provider of health
services or employed in the health services field. No public member appointed
by the Governor or person in the public member's immediate family as defined
by G.S. 90-405(8) shall be currently employed as a licensed nurse or been
previously employed as a licensed nurse.
(4) The nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist, nurse midwife, or clinical nurse
specialist member shall be recognized by the Board as a registered nurse who
meets the following criteria:
a. Has graduated from or completed a graduate level advanced practice
nursing education program accredited by a national accrediting body.
b. Maintains current certification or recertification from a national
credentialing body approved by the Board or meets other requirements
established by rules adopted by the Board.
c. Practices in a manner consistent with rules adopted by the Board and
other applicable law. (e) Term. - Members of the Board shall serve four-year staggered terms. No member shall serve
more than two consecutive four-year terms or eight consecutive years after January 1, 2005. (f) Removal. - The Board may remove any of its members for neglect of duty, incompetence, or
unprofessional conduct. A member subject to disciplinary proceedings shall be disqualified from Board
business until the charges are resolved. (g) Reimbursement. - Board members are entitled to receive compensation and reimbursement as
authorized by G.S. 93B-5. (1981, c. 360, s. 1; c. 852, s. 1; 1987, c. 651, s. 2; 1991, c.
643, s. 1; 1991 (Reg. Sess., 1992), c. 1011, s. 3; 1997-456, s. 27; 2001-98, s. 2;
2003-146, s. 1; 2004-199, s. 26(a); 2006-264, s. 47.)
§ 90-171.22. Officers.
The officers of the Board shall be a chair, a vice-chair, and any other officers the Board considers
necessary. All officers shall be elected annually by the Board for terms of one year and shall serve until
their successors have been elected and qualified. (1981, c. 360, s. 1; 2003-146, s. 2.)
§ 90-171.23. Duties, powers, and meetings.
(a) Meetings. The Board shall hold at least two meetings each year to transact its business.
The Board shall adopt rules with respect to calling, holding, and conducting regular and special
meetings and attendance at meetings. The majority of the Board members constitutes a quorum.
(b) Duties, powers. The Board is empowered to:
(1) Administer this Article.
(2) Issue its interpretations of this Article.
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(3) Adopt, amend or repeal rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out
the provisions of this Article.
(4) Establish qualifications of, employ, and set the compensation of an executive
officer who shall be a registered nurse and who shall not be a member of the
Board.
(5) Employ and fix the compensation of other personnel that the Board determines
are necessary to carry into effect this Article and incur other expenses necessary
to effectuate this Article.
(6) Examine, license, and renew the licenses of duly qualified applicants for
licensure.
(7) Cause the prosecution of all persons violating this Article.
(8) Establish standards to be met by the students, and to pertain to faculty,
curricula, facilities, resources, and administration for any nursing program as
provided in G.S. 90-171.38.
(9) Review all nursing programs at least every eight years or more often as
considered necessary by the Board or program director.
(10) Grant or deny approval for nursing programs as provided in G.S. 90-171.39.
(11) Upon request, grant or deny approval of continuing education programs for
nurses as provided in G.S. 90-171.42.
(12) Keep a record of all proceedings and make an annual summary of all actions
available.
(13) Appoint, as necessary, advisory committees which may include persons other
than Board members to deal with any issue under study.
(14) Appoint and maintain a subcommittee of the Board to work jointly with the
subcommittee of the North Carolina Medical Board to develop rules and
regulations to govern the performance of medical acts by registered nurses and
to determine reasonable fees to accompany an application for approval or
renewal of such approval as provided in G.S. 90-8.2. The fees and rules
developed by this subcommittee shall govern the performance of medical acts
by registered nurses and shall become effective when they have been adopted
by both Boards.
(15) Recommend and collect such fees for licensure, license renewal, examinations
and reexaminations as it deems necessary for fulfilling the purposes of this
Article.
(16) Adopt a seal containing the name of the Board for use on all certificates,
licenses, and official reports issued by it.
(17) Enter into interstate compacts to facilitate the practice and regulation of
nursing.
(18) Establish programs for aiding in the recovery and rehabilitation of nurses who
experience chemical addiction or abuse or mental or physical disabilities and
programs for monitoring such nurses for safe practice.
(18a) Establish programs for aiding in the remediation of nurses who experience
practice deficiencies.
(19) Request that the Department of Public Safety conduct criminal history record
checks of applicants for licensure pursuant to G.S. 143B-940.
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(20) Adopt rules requiring an applicant to submit to the Board evidence of the
applicant's continuing competence in the practice of nursing at the time of
license renewal or reinstatement.
(21) Proceed in accordance with G.S. 90-171.37A, notwithstanding G.S. 150B-
40(b), when conducting a contested case hearing in accordance with Article 3A
of Chapter 150B of the General Statutes.
(22) Designate one or more of its employees to serve papers or subpoenas issued by
the Board. Service under this subdivision is permitted in addition to any other
methods of service permitted by law.
(23) Acquire, hold, rent, encumber, alienate, and otherwise deal with real property
in the same manner as a private person or corporation, subject only to approval
of the Governor and the Council of State. Collateral pledged by the Board for
an encumbrance is limited to the assets, income, and revenues of the Board.
(24) Order the production of any records concerning the practice of nursing relevant
to a complaint received by the Board or an inquiry or investigation conducted
by or on behalf of the Board. (1981, c. 360, s. 1; c. 665, s. 2; c.
852, s. 4; 1995, c. 94, s. 28; 1997-491, s. 1; 1999-291, s. 1;
2001-98, s. 3; 2001-371, s. 3; 2003-146, s. 3; 2005-186, s. 1;
2007-148, s. 1; 2009-133, s. 1; 2014-100, s. 17.1(jj).)
§ 90-171.24. Executive director.
The executive director shall perform the duties prescribed by the Board and serve as secretary/treasurer
to the Board. (1981, c. 360, s. 1; 1993, c. 198, s. 1; 2009-133, s. 2.)
§ 90-171.25. Custody and use of funds.
The executive director shall deposit in financial institutions designated by the Board as official
depositories all fees payable to the Board. The funds shall be deposited in the name of the Board and shall
be used to pay all expenses incurred by the Board in carrying out the purposes of this Article. (1981, c.
360, s. 1; 1993, c. 198, s. 2; c. 257, s. 4; 1995, c. 509, s. 41.)
§ 90-171.26. The Board may accept contributions, etc.
The Board may accept grants, contributions, devises, and gifts which shall be kept in a separate
fund and shall be used by it to enhance the practice of nursing. (1981, c. 360, s. 1; 2011-
284, s. 63.)
§ 90-171.27. Expenses payable from fees collected by Board.
(a) All salaries, compensation, and expenses incurred or allowed for the purposes of carrying out
this Article shall be paid by the Board exclusively out of the fees received by the Board as authorized by
this Article, or funds received from other sources. In no case shall any salary, expense, or other obligation
of the Board be charged against the treasury of the State of North Carolina. All moneys and receipts shall
be kept in a special fund by and for the use of the Board for the exclusive purpose of carrying out the
provisions of this Article. (b) (See editor's note for initial fee) The schedule of fees shall not exceed the following rates:
Application for examination leading to certificate and license as registered
nurse.............................................................................................................
........ $75.00
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Application for certificate and license as registered nurse by endorsement........
150.00 Application for each re-examination leading to certificate and license as
registered
nurse.............................................................................................................
. 75.00 Renewal of license to practice as registered nurse (two-year period)..................
100.00 Reinstatement of lapsed license to practice as a registered nurse and renewal
fee................................................................................................................
..... 180.00 Application for examination leading to certificate and license as licensed
practical nurse by
examination.................................................................................... 75.00 Application for certificate and license as licensed practical nurse by
endorsement.................................................................................................
.................... 150.00 Application for each re-examination leading to certificate and license as
licensed practical
nurse............................................................................................... 75.00 Renewal of license to practice as a licensed practical nurse (two-year period)...
100.00 Reinstatement of lapsed license to practice as a licensed practical nurse and
renewal
fee................................................................................................................
180.00 (See editor's note for initial fee) Application fee for retired registered nurse
status or retired licensed practical nurse status
………………………………………50.00 Reinstatement of retired registered nurse to practice as a registered nurse or a
retired licensed practical nurse to practice as a licensed practical nurse
(two-year
period).........................................................................................................
100.00 Reasonable charge for duplication services and materials.
A fee for an item listed in this schedule shall not increase from one year to the next by more than twenty
percent (20%). (c) No refund of fees will be made. (d) The Board may assess costs of disciplinary action against a nurse found in violation of the North
Carolina Nursing Practice Act. (1947, c. 1091, s. 1; 1953, c. 750; c. 1199, ss. 1, 4; 1955,
c. 1266, ss. 2, 3; 1961, c. 431, s. 2; 1965, c. 578, s. 1; 1971, c. 534; 1981, c. 360,
s. 1; c. 661; 1987, c. 651, s. 1; 1997-384, s. 1; 2003-29, s. 2.)
§ 90-171.28. Nurses registered under previous law.
On June 30, 1981, any nurse who holds a license to practice nursing as a registered nurse or licensed
practical nurse, issued by a competent authority pursuant to laws providing for the licensure of nurses in
North Carolina, shall be deemed to be licensed under the provisions of this Article, but such person shall
otherwise comply with the provisions of this Article including those provisions governing licensure
renewal. (1953, c. 1199, s. 1; 1965, c. 578, s. 1; 1981, c. 360, s. 1.)
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§ 90-171.29. Qualifications of applicants for examination. In order to be eligible for licensure by examination, the applicant shall make a written application to
the Board on forms furnished by the Board and shall submit to the Board an application fee and written
evidence, verified by oath, sufficient to satisfy the Board that the applicant has graduated from a course of
study approved by the Board and is mentally and physically competent to practice nursing. (1947, c.
1091, s. 1; 1953, c. 750; c. 1199, ss. 1, 4; 1955, c. 1266, s. 2; 1961, c. 431, s. 2;
1965, c. 578, s. 1; 1973, c. 93, s. 4; 1981, c. 360, s. 1.)
§ 90-171.30. Licensure by examination.
At least twice each year the Board shall give an examination, at the time and place it determines, to
applicants for licensure to practice as a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse. The Board shall adopt
rules, not inconsistent with this Article, governing qualifications of applicants, the conduct of applicants
during the examination, and the conduct of the examination. The applicants shall be required to pass the
examination required by the Board. The Board shall adopt rules which identify the criteria which must be
met by an applicant in order to be issued a license. When the Board determines that an applicant has met
those criteria, passed the required examination, submitted the required fee, and has demonstrated to the
Board's satisfaction that he or she is mentally and physically competent to practice nursing, the Board shall
issue a license to the applicant. (1947, c. 1091, s. 1; 1953, c. 1199, s. 1; 1965, c. 578, s.
1; 1981, c. 360, s. 1; 1991, c. 643, s. 2; 1993, c. 198, s. 3.)
§ 90-171.31. Reexamination.
Any applicant who fails to pass the first licensure examination may take subsequent examinations in
accordance with the rules of the Board. (1981, c. 360, s. 1; 1993, c. 198, s. 4.)
§ 90-171.32. Qualifications for license as a registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse without
examination. The Board may, without examination, issue a license to an applicant who is duly licensed as a registered
nurse or licensed practical nurse under the laws of another state, territory of the United States, the District
of Columbia, or foreign country when that jurisdiction's requirements for licensure as a registered nurse or
a licensed practical nurse, as the case may be, are substantially equivalent to or exceed those of the State of
North Carolina at the time the applicant was initially licensed, and when, in the Board's opinion, the
applicant is competent to practice nursing in this State. The Board may require such applicant to prove
competence and qualifications to practice as a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse in North
Carolina. (1947, c. 1091, s. 1; 1953, c. 1199, s. 1; 1961, c. 431, s. 2; 1965, c. 578,
s. 1; 1981, c. 360, s. 1.)
§ 90-171.33. Temporary license.
(a) Until the implementation of the computer-adaptive licensure examination, the Board may issue
a nonrenewable temporary license to persons who are applying for licensure under G.S. 90-171.30, and
who are scheduled for the licensure examination at the first opportunity after graduation, for a period not
to exceed the lesser of nine months or the date of applicant's notification of the results of the licensure
examination. The Board shall revoke the temporary license of any person who does not take the
examination as scheduled, or who has failed the examination for licensure as provided by this act. (b) Upon implementation of the computer-adaptive licensure examination, no temporary licenses
will be issued to persons who are applying for licensure under G.S. 90-171.30. (c) The Board may issue a nonrenewable temporary license to persons applying for licensure under
G.S. 90-171.32 for a period not to exceed the lesser of six months or until the Board determines whether
the applicant is qualified to practice nursing in North Carolina. Temporary licensees may perform patient-
care services within limits defined by the Board. In defining these limits, the Board shall consider the
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ability of the temporary licensee to safely and properly carry out patient-care services. Temporary licensees
shall be held to the standard of care of a fully licensed nurse. (1981, c. 360, s. 1; 1991, c. 643, s.
3; 1993, c. 198, s. 5.)
§ 90-171.34. Licensure renewal.
Every unencumbered license, except temporary license, issued under this Article shall be renewed for
two years. On or before the date the current license expires, every person who desires to continue to practice
nursing shall apply for licensure renewal to the Board on forms furnished by the Board and shall also file
the required fee. Failure to renew the license before the expiration date shall result in automatic forfeiture
of the right to practice nursing in North Carolina until such time that the license has been
reinstated. (1981, c. 360, s. 1; 1993, c. 198, s. 6; 2009-133, s. 3.)
§ 90-171.35. Reinstatement.
A licensee who has allowed license to lapse by failure to renew as herein provided may apply for
reinstatement on a form provided by the Board. The Board shall require the applicant to return the
completed application with the required fee and to furnish a statement of the reason for failure to apply for
renewal prior to the deadline. If the license has lapsed for at least five years, the Board shall require the
applicant to complete satisfactorily a refresher course approved by the Board, or provide proof of active
licensure within the past five years in another jurisdiction. The Board may require any applicant for
reinstatement to satisfy the Board that the license should be reinstated. If, in the opinion of the Board, the
applicant has so satisfied the Board, it shall issue a renewal of license to practice nursing, or it shall issue a
license to practice nursing for a limited time. (1981, c. 360, s. 1; 1993, c. 198, s. 7.)
§ 90-171.36. Inactive list.
(a) When a licensee submits a request for inactive status, the Board shall issue to the licensee a
statement of inactive status and shall place the licensee's name on the inactive list. While on the inactive
list, the person shall not be subjected to renewal requirements and shall not practice nursing in North
Carolina. (b) When such person desires to be removed from the inactive list and returned to the active list
within five years of being placed on inactive status, an application shall be submitted to the Board on a
form furnished by the Board and the fee shall be paid for license renewal. The Board shall require evidence
of competency to resume the practice of nursing before returning the applicant to active status. If the person
has been on the inactive list for more than five years, the applicant must satisfactorily complete a refresher
course approved by the Board or provide proof of active licensure within the past five years in another
jurisdiction. (1981, c. 360, s. 1; 1993, c. 198, s. 8.)
§ 90-171.36A. Retired nurse status; reinstatement.
(a) After a registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse has retired, upon payment of the one-time
fee required by G.S. 90-171.27(b), the Board may issue a special license to a registered nurse or licensed
practical nurse in recognition of the nurse's retired status. (b) If a retired registered nurse or licensed practical nurse wishes to return to the practice of nursing,
the retired nurse shall apply for reinstatement on a form provided by the Board and satisfy any requirements
the Board deems necessary to reinstate the license. (2003-29, s. 1.)
§ 90-171.37. Revocation, discipline, suspension, probation, or denial of licensure.
The Board may initiate an investigation upon receipt of information about any practice that might
violate any provision of this Article or any rule or regulation promulgated by the Board. In accordance with
the provisions of Chapter 150B of the General Statutes, the Board shall have the power and authority to: (i)
refuse to issue a license to practice nursing; (ii) refuse to issue a certificate of renewal of a license to practice
nursing; (iii) revoke or suspend a license to practice nursing; and (iv) invoke other such disciplinary
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measures, censure, or probative terms against a licensee as it deems fit and proper; in any instance or
instances in which the Board is satisfied that the applicant or licensee: (1) Has given false information or has withheld material information from the
Board in procuring or attempting to procure a license to practice nursing.
(2) Has been convicted of or pleaded guilty or nolo contendere to any crime which
indicates that the nurse is unfit or incompetent to practice nursing or that the
nurse has deceived or defrauded the public.
(3) Has a mental or physical disability or uses any drug to a degree that interferes
with his or her fitness to practice nursing.
(4) Engages in conduct that endangers the public health.
(5) Is unfit or incompetent to practice nursing by reason of deliberate or negligent
acts or omissions regardless of whether actual injury to the patient is
established.
(6) Engages in conduct that deceives, defrauds, or harms the public in the course
of professional activities or services.
(7) Has violated any provision of this Article.
(8) Has willfully violated any rules enacted by the Board. The Board may take any of the actions specified above in this section when a registered nurse approved
to perform medical acts has violated rules governing the performance of medical acts by a registered nurse;
provided this shall not interfere with the authority of the North Carolina Medical Board to enforce rules and
regulations governing the performance of medical acts by a registered nurse. The Board may reinstate a revoked license, revoke censure or probative terms, or remove other
licensure restrictions when it finds that the reasons for revocation, censure or probative terms, or other
licensure restrictions no longer exist and that the nurse or applicant can reasonably be expected to safely
and properly practice nursing. (1981, c. 360, s. 1; c. 852, s. 3; 1987, c. 827, s. 1; 1991,
c. 643, s. 4; 1991 (Reg. Sess., 1992), c. 1030, s. 22; 1995, c. 94, s. 29; 2001-98, s.
4; 2009-133, s. 4.)
§ 90-171.37A. Use of hearing committee and depositions.
(a) The Board, in its discretion, may designate in writing three or more of its members to conduct
hearings as a hearing committee to take evidence. A majority of the hearing committee shall be licensed
nurses. (b) Evidence and testimony may be presented at hearings before the Board or a hearing committee
in the form of depositions before any person authorized to administer oaths in accordance with the
procedure for the taking of depositions in civil actions in the superior court. (c) The hearing committee shall submit a recommended decision that contains findings of fact and
conclusions of law to the Board. Before the Board makes a final decision, it shall give each party an
opportunity to file written exceptions to the recommended decision made by the hearing committee and to
present oral arguments to the Board. A majority of the qualified members present and voting of the full
Board shall issue a final decision. (2007-148, s. 2.)
§ 90-171.38. Standards for nursing programs.
(a) A nursing program may be operated under the authority of a general hospital, or an
approved post-secondary educational institution. The Board shall establish, revise, or repeal
standards for nursing programs. These standards shall specify program requirements, curricula,
faculty, students, facilities, resources, administration, and describe the approval process. Any
institution desiring to establish a nursing program shall apply to the Board and submit satisfactory
evidence that it will meet the standards established by the Board. Those standards shall be designed
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to ensure that graduates of those programs have the education necessary to safely and competently
practice nursing.
(b) Any individual, organization, association, corporation, or institution may establish a
program for the purpose of training or educating any registered nurse licensed under G.S. 90-
171.30, 90-171.32, or 90-171.33 in the skills, procedures, and techniques necessary to conduct
examinations for the purpose of collecting evidence from the victims of first-degree forcible rape
as defined in G.S. 14-27.21, second-degree forcible rape as defined in G.S. 14-27.22, statutory
rape of a child by an adult as defined in G.S. 14-27.23, first-degree statutory rape as defined in
G.S. 14-27.24, statutory rape of a person who is 15 years of age or younger as defined in G.S. 14-
27.25, first-degree forcible sexual offense as defined in G.S. 14-27.26, second-degree forcible
sexual offense as defined in G.S. 14-27.27, statutory sexual offense with a child by an adult as
defined in G.S. 14-27.28, first-degree statutory sexual offense as defined in G.S. 14-27.29,
statutory sexual offense with a person who is 15 years of age or younger as defined in G.S. 14-
27.30, attempted first-degree or second-degree forcible rape, attempted first-degree statutory rape,
attempted first-degree or second-degree forcible sexual offense, or attempted first-degree statutory
sexual offense. The Board, pursuant to G.S. 90-171.23(b)(14), shall establish, revise, or repeal
standards for any such program. Any individual, organization, association, corporation, or
institution which desires to establish a program under this subsection shall apply to the Board and
submit satisfactory evidence that it will meet the standards prescribed by the Board. (1981, c.
360, s. 1; 1987, c. 827, s. 1; 1991, c. 643, s. 5; 1997-375, s. 1; 2003-146, s.
4; 2009-133, s. 5; 2015-181, s. 37.)
§ 90-171.39. Approval.
The Board shall designate persons to survey proposed nursing programs, including the clinical
facilities. The persons designated by the Board shall submit a written report of the survey to the Board. If
in the opinion of the Board the standards for approved nursing education are met, the program shall be
given approval. (1981, c. 360, s. 1.)
§ 90-171.40. Ongoing approval.
The Board shall review all nursing programs in the State at least every eight years or more often as
considered necessary. If the Board determines that any approved nursing program does not meet or maintain
the standards required by the Board, the Board shall give written notice specifying the deficiencies to the
institution responsible for the program. The Board shall withdraw approval from a program that fails to
correct deficiencies within a reasonable time. The Board shall publish annually a list of nursing programs
in this State showing their approval status. (1981, c. 360, s. 1; 2003-146, s. 5.)
§ 90-171.41. Baccalaureate in nursing candidate credits.
Every graduate of a diploma or associate degree school of nursing in this State who has passed the
registered nurse examination shall, upon admission to any State-supported institution of higher learning
offering baccalaureate education in nursing, be granted credit for previous experience in the diploma or
associate degree school of nursing on an individual basis by the utilization of the most effective method of
evaluation to the end that the applicant shall receive optimum credit and that upon graduation the applicant
will have earned the baccalaureate degree in nursing. (1969, c. 547, s. 1; 1981, c. 360, s. 1.)
§ 90-171.42. Continuing education programs.
(a) Upon request, the Board shall grant approval to continuing education programs upon a finding
that the program offers an educational experience designed to enhance the practice of nursing.
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(b) If the program offers to teach nurses to perform advance skills, the Board may grant approval
for the program and the performance of the advanced skills by those successfully completing the program
when it finds that the nature of the procedures taught in the program and the program facilities and faculty
are such that a nurse successfully completing the program can reasonably be expected to carry out those
procedures safely and competently. (1981, c. 360, s. 1; 1991, c. 643, s. 6.)
§ 90-171.43. License required.
No person shall practice or offer to practice as a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse, or use the
word "nurse" as a title for herself or himself, or use an abbreviation to indicate that the person is a registered
nurse or licensed practical nurse, unless the person is currently licensed as a registered nurse or licensed
practical nurse as provided by this Article. If the word "nurse" is part of a longer title, such as "nurse's aide",
a person who is entitled to use that title shall use the entire title and may not abbreviate the title to "nurse".
This Article shall not, however, be construed to prohibit or limit the following: (1) The performance by any person of any act for which that person holds a license
issued pursuant to North Carolina law;
(2) The clinical practice by students enrolled in approved nursing programs,
continuing education programs, or refresher courses under the supervision of
qualified faculty;
(3) The performance of nursing performed by persons who hold a temporary
license issued pursuant to G.S. 90-171.33;
(4) The delegation to any person, including a member of the patient's family, by a
physician licensed to practice medicine in North Carolina, a licensed dentist or
registered nurse of those patient-care services which are routine, repetitive,
limited in scope that do not require the professional judgment of a registered
nurse or licensed practical nurse;
(5) Assistance by any person in the case of emergency. Any person permitted to practice nursing without a license as provided in subdivision (2) or (3) of this
section shall be held to the same standard of care as any licensed nurse. (1981, c. 360, s. 1; 1993,
c. 198, s. 9; 1999-320, s. 2.)
§ 90-171.43A. Mandatory employer verification of licensure status.
(a) Before hiring a registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse in North Carolina, a health care
facility shall verify that the applicant has a current, valid license to practice nursing pursuant to G.S. 90-
171.43. (b) For purposes of this section, "health care facility" means:
(1) Facilities described in G.S. 131E-256(b).
(2) Public health departments, physicians' offices, ambulatory care facilities, and
rural health clinics. (2003-146, s. 6.)
§ 90-171.44. Prohibited acts.
It shall be a violation of this Article, and subject to action under G.S. 90-171.37, for any person to: (1) Sell, fraudulently obtain, or fraudulently furnish any nursing diploma or aid or
abet therein.
(2) Practice nursing under cover of any fraudulently obtained license.
(3) Practice nursing without a license. This subdivision shall not be construed to
prohibit any licensed registered nurse who has successfully completed a
program established under G.S. 90-171.38(b) from conducting medical
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examinations or performing procedures to collect evidence from the victims of
offenses described in that subsection.
(4) Conduct a nursing program or a refresher course for activation of a license, that
is not approved by the Board.
(5) Employ unlicensed persons to practice nursing. (1981, c. 360, s. 1;
1991, c. 643, s. 7; 1993, c. 198, s. 10; 1997-375, s. 2.)
§ 90-171.45. Violation of Article.
The violation of any provision of this Article, except G.S. 90-171.47, shall be a Class 1
misdemeanor. (1981, c. 360, s. 1; 1993, c. 539, s. 632; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s.
14(c).)
§ 90-171.46. Injunctive authority.
The Board may apply to the superior court for an injunction to prevent violations of this Article or of
any rules enacted pursuant thereto. The court is empowered to grant such injunctions regardless of whether
criminal prosecution or other action has been or may be instituted as a result of such violation. (1981, c.
360, s. 1.)
§ 90-171.47. Reports: immunity from suit.
Any person who has reasonable cause to suspect misconduct or incapacity of a licensee or who has
reasonable cause to suspect that any person is in violation of this Article, including those actions specified
in G.S. 90-171.37(1) through (8), G.S. 90-171.43, and G.S. 90-171.44, shall report the relevant facts to the
Board. Upon receipt of such charge or upon its own initiative, the Board may give notice of an
administrative hearing or may, after diligent investigation, dismiss unfounded charges. Any person making
a report pursuant to this section shall be immune from any criminal prosecution or civil liability resulting
therefrom unless such person knew the report was false or acted in reckless disregard of whether the report
was false. (1981, c. 360, s. 1; 1991, c. 643, s. 8; 1993, c. 198, s. 11.)
§ 90-171.48. Criminal history record checks of applicants for licensure.
(a) Definitions. - The following definitions shall apply in this section:
(1) Applicant. - A person applying for initial licensure as a registered nurse or
licensed practical nurse either by examination pursuant to G.S. 90-171.29 or
G.S. 90-171.30 or without examination pursuant to G.S. 90-171.32. The term
"applicant" shall also include a person applying for reinstatement of licensure
pursuant to G.S. 90-171.35 or returning to active status pursuant to G.S. 90-
171.36 as a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse.
(2) Criminal history. - A history of conviction of a State crime, whether a
misdemeanor or felony, that bears on an applicant's fitness for licensure to
practice nursing. The crimes include the criminal offenses set forth in any of
the following Articles of Chapter 14 of the General Statutes: Article 5,
Counterfeiting and Issuing Monetary Substitutes; Article 5A, Endangering
Executive and Legislative Officers; Article 6, Homicide; Article 7B, Rape and
Other Sex Offenses; Article 8, Assaults; Article 10, Kidnapping and Abduction;
Article 13, Malicious Injury or Damage by Use of Explosive or Incendiary
Device or Material; Article 14, Burglary and Other Housebreakings; Article 15,
Arson and Other Burnings; Article 16, Larceny; Article 17, Robbery; Article
18, Embezzlement; Article 19, False Pretenses and Cheats; Article 19A,
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Obtaining Property or Services by False or Fraudulent Use of Credit Device or
Other Means; Article 19B, Financial Transaction Card Crime Act; Article 20,
Frauds; Article 21, Forgery; Article 26, Offenses Against Public Morality and
Decency; Article 26A, Adult Establishments; Article 27, Prostitution; Article
28, Perjury; Article 29, Bribery; Article 31, Misconduct in Public Office;
Article 35, Offenses Against the Public Peace; Article 36A, Riots, Civil
Disorders, and Emergencies; Article 39, Protection of Minors; Article 40,
Protection of the Family; Article 59, Public Intoxication; and Article 60,
Computer-Related Crime. The crimes also include possession or sale of drugs
in violation of the North Carolina Controlled Substances Act in Article 5 of
Chapter 90 of the General Statutes and alcohol-related offenses including sale
to underage persons in violation of G.S. 18B-302 or driving while impaired in
violation of G.S. 20-138.1 through G.S. 20-138.5.
(b) All applicants for licensure shall consent to a criminal history record check. Refusal to
consent to a criminal history record check may constitute grounds for the Board to deny licensure
to an applicant. The Board shall ensure that the State and national criminal history of an applicant
applying for initial licensure as a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse either by examination
pursuant to G.S. 90-171.29 or G.S. 90-171.30 or without examination pursuant to G.S. 90-171.32
is checked. The Board may request a criminal history record check for applicants applying for
reinstatement of licensure pursuant to G.S.90-171.35 or returning to active status pursuant to G.S.
90-171.36 as a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse.
The Board shall be responsible for providing to the North Carolina Department of Public
Safety the fingerprints of the applicant to be checked, a form signed by the applicant consenting
to the criminal record check and the use of fingerprints and other identifying information required
by the State or National Repositories, and any additional information required by the Department
of Public Safety. The Board shall keep all information obtained pursuant to this section
confidential.
(c) If an applicant's criminal history record check reveals one or more convictions listed
under subsection (a)(2) of this section, the conviction shall not automatically bar licensure. The
Board shall consider all of the following factors regarding the conviction:
(1) The level of seriousness of the crime.
(2) The date of the crime.
(3) The age of the person at the time of the conviction.
(4) The circumstances surrounding the commission of the crime, if known.
(5) The nexus between the criminal conduct of the person and the job duties of the
position to be filled.
(6) The person's prison, jail, probation, parole, rehabilitation, and employment
records since the date the crime was committed.
(7) The subsequent commission by the person of a crime listed in subsection (a) of
this section.
If, after reviewing the factors, the Board determines that the grounds set forth in subsections (1),
(2), (3), (4), (5), or (6) of G.S. 90-171.37 exist, the Board may deny licensure of the applicant.
The Board may disclose to the applicant information contained in the criminal history record
check that is relevant to the denial. The Board shall not provide a copy of the criminal history
record check to the applicant. The applicant shall have the right to appear before the Board to
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appeal the Board's decision. However, an appearance before the full Board shall constitute an
exhaustion of administrative remedies in accordance with Chapter 150B of the General Statutes.
(d) Limited immunity. - The Board, its officers and employees, acting in good faith and in
compliance with this section, shall be immune from civil liability for denying licensure to an
applicant based on information provided in the applicant's criminal history record check. (2001-
371, s. 2; 2009-133, s. 6; 2012-12, s. 2(ii); 2014-100, s. 17.1(o); 2015-181,
s. 47.)
§ 90-171.49. Reserved for future codification purposes.
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F-2 – Nurse Licensure Compact Article 9G.
Nurse Licensure Compact.
§ 90-171.80. (For repeal, see editor's note) Entering into Compact.
The Nurse Licensure Compact is hereby enacted into law and entered into by this State with
all other states legally joining therein, in the form substantially as set forth in this Article. (1999-
245, s. 1; 2017-140, s. 1.)
§ 90-171.81. (For repeal, see editor's note) Findings and declaration of purpose.
(a) The General Assembly of North Carolina makes the following findings:
(1) The health and safety of the public are affected by the degree of compliance
with and the effectiveness of enforcement activities related to states' nurse
licensure laws.
(2) Violations of nurse licensure and other laws regulating the practice of nursing
may result in injury or harm to the public.
(3) The expanded mobility of nurses and the use of advanced communication
technologies as part of our nation's health care delivery system require greater
coordination and cooperation among states in the areas of nurse licensure and
regulation.
(4) New practice modalities and technology make compliance with individual
states' nurse licensure laws difficult and complex.
(5) The current system of duplicative licensure for nurses practicing in multiple
states is cumbersome and redundant to both nurses and states.
(b) The purposes of this Compact are to:
(1) Facilitate the states' responsibility to protect the public's health and safety.
(2) Ensure and encourage the cooperation of party states in the areas of nurse
licensure and regulation.
(3) Facilitate the exchange of information between party states in the areas of nurse
regulation, investigation, and adverse actions.
(4) Promote compliance with the laws governing the practice of nursing in each
jurisdiction.
(5) Through the mutual recognition of party state licenses, grant all party states the
authority to hold nurses accountable for meeting all state practice laws in the
states in which their patients are located at the time care is rendered. (1999-
245, s. 1; 2017-140, s. 1.)
§ 90-171.82. (For repeal, see editor's note) Definitions.
The following definitions apply in this Article:
(1) Adverse action. - A home or remote state action.
(2) Alternative program. - A voluntary, nondisciplinary monitoring program
approved by a nurse licensing board.
(3) Compact. - This Article.
(4) Coordinated licensure information system. - An integrated process for
collecting, storing, and sharing information on nurse licensure and enforcement
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activities related to nurse licensure laws that is administered by a nonprofit
organization composed of and controlled by state nurse licensing boards.
(5) Current significant investigative information. -
a. Investigative information that indicates a licensee has committed more
than a minor infraction.
b. Investigative information that indicates a licensee represents an
immediate threat to public health and safety.
(6) Home state. - The party state that is the nurse's primary state of residence.
(7) Home state action. - Any administrative, civil, equitable, or criminal action
permitted by the home state's laws that is imposed on a nurse by the home state's
licensing board or another authority. The term includes the revocation,
suspension, or probation of a nurse's license or any other action that affects a
nurse's authorization to practice.
(8) Licensee. - A person licensed by the North Carolina Board of Nursing or the
nurse licensing board of a party state.
(9) Licensing board. - A party state's regulatory agency that is responsible for
licensing nurses.
(10) Multistate licensure privilege. - Current official authority from a remote state
permitting the practice of nursing as either a registered nurse or a licensed
practical or vocational nurse in that state.
(11) Nurse. - A registered nurse or licensed practical or vocational nurse as those
terms are defined by each party state's practice laws.
(12) Party state. - Any state that has adopted this Compact.
(13) Remote state. - A party state, other than the home state, where the patient is
located at the time nursing care is provided. In the case of the practice of nursing
not involving a patient, the term means the party state where the recipient of
nursing practice is located.
(14) Remote state action. - Any administrative, civil, equitable, or criminal action
permitted by the laws of a remote state that are imposed on a nurse by the remote
state's nurse licensing board or other authority, including actions against a
nurse's multistate licensure privilege to practice in the remote state. The term
also includes cease and desist and other injunctive or equitable orders issued by
remote states or their nurse licensing boards.
(15) State. - A state, territory, or possession of the United States, the District of
Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
(16) State practice laws. - The laws and regulations of individual party states that
govern the practice of nursing, define the scope of nursing practice, and create
the methods and grounds for disciplining nurses. The term does not include the
initial qualifications for licensure or the requirements necessary to obtain and
retain a license, except for qualifications or requirements of the home
state. (1999-245, s. 1; 2017-140, s. 1.)
§ 90-171.83. (For repeal, see editor's note) General provisions and jurisdiction.
(a) A license to practice registered nursing that is issued by a home state to a resident in
that state shall be recognized by each party state as authorizing a multistate licensure privilege to
practice as a registered nurse in each party state. A license to practice practical or vocational
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nursing that is issued by a home state to a resident in that state shall be recognized by each party
state as authorizing a multistate licensure privilege to practice as a licensed practical or vocational
nurse in each party state. In order to obtain or retain a license, an applicant must meet the home
state's qualifications for licensure and license renewal as well as all other applicable state laws.
(b) Party states may, in accordance with each state's due process laws, revoke, suspend, or
limit the multistate licensure privilege of any licensee to practice in their state and may take any
other actions under their applicable state laws that are necessary to protect the health and safety of
their citizens. If a party state takes an action authorized in this subsection, it shall promptly notify
the administrator of the coordinated licensure information system. The administrator shall
promptly notify the home state of any actions taken by remote states.
(c) Every licensee practicing in a party state shall comply with the state practice laws of
the state in which the patient is located at the time care is rendered. The practice of nursing is not
limited to patient care, but shall include all nursing practice as defined by the state practice laws
of a party state. The practice of nursing in a party state shall subject a nurse to the jurisdiction of
the nurse licensing board and the laws and the courts in that party state.
(d) The Compact does not affect additional requirements imposed by states for advanced-
practice registered nursing. A multistate licensure privilege to practice registered nursing granted
by a party state shall be recognized by other party states as a license to practice registered nursing
if a license to practice registered nursing is required by state law as a precondition for qualifying
for advanced-practice registered nurse authorization.
(e) Persons not residing in a party state may continue to apply for nurse licensure in party
states as provided for under the laws of each party state. The license granted to such persons shall
not be recognized as granting the privilege to practice nursing in any other party state unless
explicitly agreed to by that party state. (1999-245, s. 1; 2017-140, s. 1.)
§ 90-171.84. (For repeal, see editor's note) Application for licensure in a party state.
(a) Upon receiving an application for a license, the licensing board in a party state shall
ascertain through the coordinated licensure information system whether the applicant holds or has
ever held a license issued by any other state, whether there are any restrictions on the applicant's
multistate licensure privilege, and whether any other adverse action by any state has been taken
against the applicant's license.
(b) A licensee in a party state shall hold licensure in only one party state at a time. The
license shall be issued by the home state.
(c) A licensee who intends to change his or her primary state of residence may apply for
licensure in the new home state in advance of the change. However, a new license shall not be
issued by a party state until after the licensee provides evidence of a change in his or her primary
state of residence that is satisfactory to the new home state's licensing board.
(d) When a licensee changes his or her primary state of residence by moving between two
party states and obtaining a license from the new home state, the license from the former home
state is no longer valid.
(e) When a licensee changes his or her primary state of residence by moving from a
nonparty state to a party state and obtaining a license from the new home state, the license issued
by the nonparty state shall not be affected and shall remain in full force if the laws of the nonparty
state so provide.
(f) When a licensee changes his or her primary state of residence by moving from a party
state to a nonparty state, the license issued by the former home state converts to an individual state
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license that is valid only in the former home state. The license does not grant the multistate
licensure privilege to practice in other party states. (1999-245, s. 1; 2017-140, s. 1.)
§ 90-171.85. (For repeal, see editor's note) Adverse actions.
(a) The licensing board of a remote state shall promptly report to the administrator of the
coordinated licensure information system any remote state actions, including the factual and legal
basis for the actions, if known. The licensing board of a remote state shall also promptly report
any current significant investigative information yet to result in a remote state action. The
administrator of the coordinated licensure information system shall promptly notify the home state
of any such reports.
(b) The licensing board of a party state may complete any pending investigation of a
licensee who changes his or her primary state of residence during the course of the investigation.
It may also take appropriate action against a licensee and shall promptly report the conclusion of
the investigation to the administrator of the coordinated licensure information system. The
administrator of the coordinated licensure information system shall promptly notify the new home
state of any action taken against a licensee.
(c) A remote state may take adverse action that affects the multistate licensure privilege to
practice within that party state. However, only the home state may take adverse action that affects
a license that was issued by the home state.
(d) For purposes of taking adverse action, the licensing board of the home state shall give
to conduct reported by a remote state the same priority and effect that it would if the conduct had
occurred within the home state. The board shall apply its own state laws to determine the
appropriate action that should be taken against the licensee.
(e) The home state may take adverse action based upon the factual findings of the remote
state if each state follows its own procedures for imposing the adverse action.
(f) This Compact does not prohibit a party state from allowing a licensee to participate in
an alternative program instead of taking adverse action against the licensee. If required by the party
state's laws, the licensee's participation in an alternative program shall be confidential information.
Party states shall require licensees who enter alternative programs to agree not to practice in any
other party state during the term of the alternative program without prior authorization from the
other party state. (1999-245, s. 1; 2017-140, s. 1.)
§ 90-171.86. (For repeal, see editor's note) Current significant investigative information.
(a) If a licensing board finds current significant investigative information as defined in
G.S. 90-171.82(5)a., the licensing board shall, after giving the licensee notice and an opportunity
to respond if required by state law, conduct a hearing and decide what adverse action, if any, should
be taken against the licensee.
(b) If a licensing board finds current significant investigative information as defined in
G.S. 90-171.82(5)b., the licensing board may take adverse action against the licensee without first
providing the licensee notice or an opportunity to respond to the information. A hearing shall be
promptly commenced and determined. (1999-245, s. 1; 2017-140, s. 1.)
§ 90-171.87. (For repeal, see editor's note) Additional authority of party state nursing
licensing boards.
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Notwithstanding any other powers, party state nurse licensing boards may do any of the
following:
(1) If otherwise permitted by state law, recover from licensees the costs of
investigating and disposing of cases that result in adverse action.
(2) Issue subpoenas for both hearings and investigations that require the attendance
and testimony of witnesses and the production of evidence. Subpoenas issued
by a nurse licensing board in a party state for the attendance and testimony of
witnesses or the production of evidence from another party state shall be
enforced in the other party state by any court of competent jurisdiction
according to the practice and procedure of that court. The issuing authority shall
pay any witness fees, travel expenses, mileage, and other fees required by the
laws of the party state where the witnesses or evidence are located.
(3) Issue cease and desist orders to limit or revoke a licensee's authority to practice
in the board's state.
(4) Adopt uniform rules and regulations that are developed by the Compact
administrators as provided in G.S. 90-171.89(c). (1999-245, s. 1; 2017-140, s.
1.)
§ 90-171.88. (For repeal, see editor's note) Coordinated licensure information system.
(a) All party states shall participate in a cooperative effort to create a coordinated data base
of all licensed registered nurses and licensed practical or vocational nurses. This system shall
include information on the licensure and disciplinary history of each licensee, as contributed by
party states, to assist in the coordination of nurse licensure and enforcement efforts.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, all party states' licensing boards shall
promptly report to the coordinated licensure information system any adverse action taken against
licensees, actions against multistate licensure privileges, any current significant investigative
information yet to result in adverse action, and any denials of applications for licensure and the
reasons for the denials.
(c) Current significant investigative information shall be transmitted through the
coordinated licensure information system only to party state licensing boards.
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, all party states' licensing boards
contributing information to the coordinated licensure information system may designate
information that shall not be shared with nonparty states or disclosed to other entities or individuals
without the express permission of the contributing party state.
(e) Any personally identifiable information obtained by a party state licensing board from
the coordinated licensure information system shall not be shared with nonparty states or disclosed
to other entities or individuals except to the extent permitted by the laws of the party state
contributing the information.
(f) Any information contributed to the coordinated licensure information system that is
subsequently required to be expunged by the laws of the party state contributing the information
shall be expunged from the coordinated licensure information system.
(g) The Compact administrators, acting jointly and in consultation with the administrator
of the coordinated licensure information system, shall formulate necessary and proper procedures
for the identification, collection, and exchange of information under this Compact. (1999-245, s.
1; 2017-140, s. 1.)
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§ 90-171.89. (For repeal, see editor's note) Compact administration and interchange of
information.
(a) The executive director of the nurse licensing board of each party state or the executive
director's designee shall be the administrator of this Compact for that state.
(b) To facilitate the administration of this Compact, the Compact administrator of each
party state shall furnish to the Compact administrators of all other party states information and
documents concerning each licensee, including a uniform data set of investigations, identifying
information, licensure data, and disclosable alternative program participation.
(c) Compact administrators shall develop uniform rules and regulations to facilitate and
coordinate implementation of this Compact. These uniform rules shall be adopted by party states
as authorized in G.S. 90-171.87(4). (1999-245, s. 1; 2017-140, s. 1.)
§ 90-171.90. (For repeal, see editor's note) Immunity.
A party state or the officers, employees, or agents of a party state's nurse licensing board who
act in accordance with this Compact shall not be liable for any good faith act or omission
committed while they were engaged in the performance of their duties under this Compact. (1999-
245, s. 1; 2017-140, s. 1.)
§ 90-171.91. (For repeal, see editor's note) Effective date, withdrawal, and amendment.
(a) This Compact shall become effective as to any state when it has been enacted into the
laws of that state. Any party state may withdraw from this Compact by enacting a statute repealing
the Compact, but the withdrawal shall not take effect until six months after the withdrawing state
has given notice of the withdrawal to the Compact administrators of all other party states.
(b) No withdrawal shall affect the validity or applicability of any report of adverse action
taken by the licensing board of a state that remains a party to the Compact if the adverse action
occurred prior to the withdrawal.
(c) This Compact does not invalidate or prevent any nurse licensure agreement or other
cooperative arrangement between a party state and a nonparty state that is made in accordance
with this Compact.
(d) This Compact may be amended by the party states. No amendment to this Compact
shall become effective and binding upon the party states unless and until it is enacted into the laws
of all party states. (1999-245, s. 1; 2017-140, s. 1.)
§ 90-171.92. (For repeal, see editor's note) Dispute resolution.
If there is a dispute that cannot be resolved by the party states involved, the following
procedure shall be used:
(1) The party states shall submit the issues in dispute to an arbitration panel that
shall consist of an individual appointed by the Compact administrator in the
home state, an individual appointed by the Compact administrator in the remote
states involved, and an individual appointed by the Compact administrators of
all the party states involved in the dispute.
(2) The decision of a majority of the arbitrators shall be final and binding. (1999-
245, s. 1; 2017-140, s. 1.)
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§ 90-171.93. (For repeal, see editor's note) Construction and severability.
This Compact shall be liberally construed so as to effectuate the purposes as stated in G.S. 90-
171.81(b). The provisions of this Compact shall be severable and if any phrase, clause, sentence,
or provision of this Compact is declared to be contrary to the constitution of any party state or of
the United States, or if the applicability thereof to any government, agency, person, or
circumstance is held invalid, the validity of the remainder of this Compact and the applicability
thereof to any government, agency, person, or circumstance shall not be affected. If this Compact
shall be held contrary to the constitution of any party state, the Compact shall remain in full force
and effect as to the remaining party states and in full force and effect as to the party state affected
as to all severable matters. (1999-245, s. 1; 2017-140, s. 1.)
§ 90-171.94. (For repeal, see editor's note) Applicability of compact.
This Article is applicable only to nurses whose home states are determined by the North
Carolina Board of Nursing to have licensure requirements that are substantially equivalent or more
stringent than those of North Carolina. (1999-456, s. 25; 2017-140, s. 1.)
§ 90-171.95. (For effective date, see editor's note) Findings and declaration of purpose.
(a) The party states make the following findings:
(1) The health and safety of the public are affected by the degree of compliance
with and the effectiveness of enforcement activities related to state nurse
licensure laws.
(2) Violations of nurse licensure and other laws regulating the practice of nursing
may result in injury or harm to the public.
(3) The expanded mobility of nurses and the use of advanced communication
technologies as part of our nation's health care delivery system require greater
coordination and cooperation among states in the areas of nurse licensure and
regulation.
(4) New practice modalities and technology make compliance with individual state
nurse licensure laws difficult and complex.
(5) The current system of duplicative licensure for nurses practicing in multiple
states is cumbersome and redundant for both nurses and states.
(6) Uniformity of nurse licensure requirements throughout the states promotes
public safety and public health benefits.
(b) The general purposes of this Compact are as follows:
(1) Facilitate the states' responsibility to protect the public's health and safety.
(2) Ensure and encourage the cooperation of party states in the areas of nurse
licensure and regulation.
(3) Facilitate the exchange of information between party states in the areas of nurse
regulation, investigation, and adverse actions.
(4) Promote compliance with the laws governing the practice of nursing in each
jurisdiction.
(5) Invest all party states with the authority to hold a nurse accountable for meeting
all state practice laws in the state in which the patient is located at the time care
is rendered through the mutual recognition of party state licenses.
(6) Decrease redundancies in the consideration and issuance of nurse licenses.
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(7) Provide opportunities for interstate practice by nurses who meet uniform
licensure requirements. (2017-140, s. 2.)
§ 90-171.95A. (For effective date, see editor's note) Definitions.
As used in this Compact:
(a) Adverse Action. - Any administrative, civil, equitable, or criminal action
permitted by a state's laws which is imposed by a licensing board or other
authority against a nurse, including actions against an individual's license or
multistate licensure privilege such as revocation, suspension, probation,
monitoring of the licensee, limitation on the licensee's practice, or any other
encumbrance on licensure affecting a nurse's authorization to practice,
including issuance of a cease and desist action.
(b) Alternative Program. - A nondisciplinary monitoring program approved by a
licensing board.
(c) Coordinated Licensure Information System. - An integrated process for
collecting, storing, and sharing information on nurse licensure and enforcement
activities related to nurse licensure laws that is administered by a nonprofit
organization composed of and controlled by licensing boards.
(d) Current Significant Investigative Information. - Both of the following:
(1) Investigative information that a licensing board, after a preliminary
inquiry that includes notification and an opportunity for the nurse to
respond, if required by state law, has reason to believe is not groundless
and, if proved true, would indicate more than a minor infraction.
(2) Investigative information that indicates the nurse represents an
immediate threat to public health and safety regardless of whether the
nurse has been notified and had an opportunity to respond.
(e) Encumbrance. - A revocation or suspension of, or any limitation on, the full
and unrestricted practice of nursing imposed by a licensing board.
(f) Home State. - The party state which is the nurse's primary state of residence.
(g) Licensing Board. - A party state's regulatory body responsible for issuing nurse
licenses.
(h) Multistate License. - A license to practice as a registered or a licensed
practical/vocational nurse (LPN/VN) issued by a home state licensing board
that authorizes the licensed nurse to practice in all party states under a multistate
licensure privilege.
(i) Multistate Licensure Privilege. - A legal authorization associated with a
multistate license permitting the practice of nursing as either a registered nurse
(RN) or LPN/VN in a remote state.
(j) Nurse. - RN or LPN/VN, as those terms are defined by each party state's
practice laws.
(k) Party State. - Any state that has adopted this Compact.
(l) Remote State. - A party state, other than the home state.
(m) Single-State License. - A nurse license issued by a party state that authorizes
practice only within the issuing state and does not include a multistate licensure
privilege to practice in any other party state.
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(n) State. - A state, territory, or possession of the United States and the District of
Columbia.
(o) State Practice Laws. - A party state's laws, rules, and regulations that govern
the practice of nursing, define the scope of nursing practice, and create the
methods and grounds for imposing discipline. "State practice laws" do not
include requirements necessary to obtain and retain a license, except for
qualifications or requirements of the home state. (2017-140, s. 2.)
§ 90-171.95B. (For effective date, see editor's note) General provisions and jurisdiction.
(a) A multistate license to practice registered or licensed practical/vocational nursing
issued by a home state to a resident in that state will be recognized by each party state as
authorizing a nurse to practice as a registered nurse (RN) or as a licensed practical/vocational nurse
(LPN/VN), under a multistate licensure privilege, in each party state.
(b) A state must implement procedures for considering the criminal history records of
applicants for initial multistate license or licensure by endorsement. Such procedures shall include
the submission of fingerprints or other biometric-based information by applicants for the purpose
of obtaining an applicant's criminal history record information from the Federal Bureau of
Investigation and the agency responsible for retaining that state's criminal records.
(c) Each party state shall require all of the following for an applicant to obtain or retain a
multistate license in the home state:
(1) Meets the home state's qualifications for licensure or renewal of licensure as
well as all other applicable state laws.
(2) Either of the following:
a. Has graduated or is eligible to graduate from a licensing board-approved
RN or LPN/VN prelicensure education program.
b. Has graduated from a foreign RN or LPN/VN pre-licensure education
program that (a) has been approved by the authorized accrediting body
in the applicable country and (b) has been verified by an independent
credentials review agency to be comparable to a licensing board-
approved pre-licensure education program.
(3) Has, if a graduate of a foreign pre-licensure education program not taught in
English or if English is not the individual's native language, successfully passed
an English proficiency examination that includes the components of reading,
speaking, writing, and listening.
(4) Has successfully passed an NCLEX-RN/R or NCLEX-PN/R Examination or
recognized predecessor, as applicable.
(5) Is eligible for or holds an active, unencumbered license.
(6) Has submitted, in connection with an application for initial licensure or
licensure by endorsement, fingerprints or other biometric data for the purpose
of obtaining criminal history record information from the Federal Bureau of
Investigation and the agency responsible for retaining that state's criminal
records.
(7) Has not been convicted or found guilty, or has entered into an agreed
disposition, of a felony offense under applicable state or federal criminal law.
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(8) Has not been convicted or found guilty, or has entered into an agreed
disposition, of a misdemeanor offense related to the practice of nursing as
determined on a case-by-case basis.
(9) Is not currently enrolled in an alternative program.
(10) Is subject to self-disclosure requirements regarding current participation in an
alternative program.
(11) Has a valid United States Social Security number.
(d) All party states shall be authorized, in accordance with existing state due process law,
to take adverse action against a nurse's multistate licensure privilege such as revocation,
suspension, probation, or any other action that affects a nurse's authorization to practice under a
multistate licensure privilege, including cease and desist actions. If a party state takes such action,
it shall promptly notify the administrator of the coordinated licensure information system. The
administrator of the coordinated licensure information system shall promptly notify the home state
of any such actions by remote states.
(e) A nurse practicing in a party state must comply with the state practice laws of the state
in which the client is located at the time service is provided. The practice of nursing is not limited
to patient care but shall include all nursing practice as defined by the state practice laws of the
party state in which the client is located. The practice of nursing in a party state under a multistate
licensure privilege will subject a nurse to the jurisdiction of the licensing board, the courts, and the
laws of the party state in which the client is located at the time service is provided.
(f) Individuals not residing in a party state shall continue to be able to apply for a party
state's single-state license as provided under the laws of each party state. However, the single-state
license granted to these individuals will not be recognized as granting the privilege to practice
nursing in any other party state. Nothing in this Compact shall affect the requirements established
by a party state for the issuance of a single-state license.
(g) Any nurse holding a home state multistate license, on the effective date of this
Compact, may retain and renew the multistate license issued by the nurse's then-current home
state, provided that:
(1) A nurse, who changes primary state of residence after this Compact's effective
date, must meet all applicable requirements in subsection (c) of this section to
obtain a multistate license from a new home state.
(2) A nurse who fails to satisfy the multistate licensure requirements in subsection
(c) of this section due to a disqualifying event occurring after this Compact's
effective date shall be ineligible to retain or renew a multistate license, and the
nurse's multistate license shall be revoked or deactivated in accordance with
applicable rules adopted by the Interstate Commission of Nurse Licensure
Compact Administrators ("Commission"). (2017-140, s. 2.)
§ 90-171.95C. (For effective date, see editor's note) Applications for licensure in a party
state.
(a) Upon application for a multistate license, the licensing board in the issuing party state
shall ascertain, through the coordinated licensure information system, whether the applicant has
ever held, or is the holder of, a license issued by any other state, whether there are any
encumbrances on any license or multistate licensure privilege held by the applicant, whether any
adverse action has been taken against any license or multistate licensure privilege held by the
applicant, and whether the applicant is currently participating in an alternative program.
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(b) A nurse may hold a multistate license, issued by the home state, in only one party state
at a time.
(c) If a nurse changes primary state of residence by moving between two party states, the
nurse must apply for licensure in the new home state, and the multistate license issued by the prior
home state will be deactivated in accordance with applicable rules adopted by the Commission.
The following apply to nurses changing primary state of residence by moving between two party
states:
(1) The nurse may apply for licensure in advance of a change in primary state of
residence.
(2) A multistate license shall not be issued by the new home state until the nurse
provides satisfactory evidence of a change in primary state of residence to the
new home state and satisfies all applicable requirements to obtain a multistate
license from the new home state.
(d) If a nurse changes primary state of residence by moving from a party state to a nonparty
state, the multistate license issued by the prior home state will convert to a single-state license,
valid only in the former home state. (2017-140, s. 2.)
§ 90-171.95D. (For effective date, see editor's note) Additional authorities invested in party
state licensing boards.
(a) In addition to the other powers conferred by state law, a licensing board may do all of
the following:
(1) Take adverse action against a nurse's multistate licensure privilege to practice
within that party state.
a. Only the home state shall have the power to take adverse action against
a nurse's license issued by the home state.
b. For purposes of taking adverse action, the home state licensing board
shall give the same priority and effect to reported conduct received from
a remote state as it would if such conduct had occurred within the home
state. In so doing, the home state shall apply its own state laws to
determine appropriate action.
(2) Issue cease and desist orders or impose an encumbrance on a nurse's authority
to practice within that party state.
(3) Complete any pending investigations of a nurse who changes primary state of
residence during the course of such investigations. The licensing board shall
also have the authority to take appropriate action(s) and shall promptly report
the conclusions of such investigations to the administrator of the coordinated
licensure information system. The administrator of the coordinated licensure
information system shall promptly notify the new home state of any such
actions.
(4) Issue subpoenas for both hearings and investigations that require the attendance
and testimony of witnesses as well as the production of evidence. Subpoenas
issued by a licensing board in a party state for the attendance and testimony of
witnesses or the production of evidence from another party state shall be
enforced in the latter state by any court of competent jurisdiction, according to
the practice and procedure of that court applicable to subpoenas issued in
proceedings pending before it. The issuing authority shall pay any witness fees,
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travel expenses, mileage, and other fees required by the service statutes of the
state in which the witnesses or evidence are located.
(5) Obtain and submit, for each nurse licensure applicant, fingerprint or other
biometric-based information to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for criminal
background checks, receive the results of the Federal Bureau of Investigation
record search on criminal background checks, and use the results in making
licensure decisions.
(6) If otherwise permitted by state law, recover from the affected nurse the costs
of investigations and disposition of cases resulting from any adverse action
taken against that nurse.
(7) Take adverse action based on the factual findings of the remote state, provided
that the licensing board follows its own procedures for taking such adverse
action.
(b) If adverse action is taken by the home state against a nurse's multistate license, the
nurse's multistate licensure privilege to practice in all other party states shall be deactivated until
all encumbrances have been removed from the multistate license. All home state disciplinary
orders that impose adverse action against a nurse's multistate license shall include a statement that
the nurse's multistate licensure privilege is deactivated in all party states during the pendency of
the order.
(c) Nothing in this Compact shall override a party state's decision that participation in an
alternative program may be used in lieu of adverse action. The home state licensing board shall
deactivate the multistate licensure privilege under the multistate license of any nurse for the
duration of the nurse's participation in an alternative program. (2017-140, s. 2.)
§ 90-171.95E. (For effective date, see editor's note) Coordinated licensure information
system and exchange of information.
(a) All party states shall participate in a coordinated licensure information system of all
licensed registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical/vocational nurses (LPNs/VNs). This
system will include information on the licensure and disciplinary history of each nurse, as
submitted by party states, to assist in the coordination of nurse licensure and enforcement efforts.
(b) The Commission, in consultation with the administrator of the coordinated licensure
information system, shall formulate necessary and proper procedures for the identification,
collection, and exchange of information under this Compact.
(c) All licensing boards shall promptly report to the coordinated licensure information
system any adverse action, any current significant investigative information, denials of
applications (with the reasons for such denials), and nurse participation in alternative programs
known to the licensing board regardless of whether such participation is deemed nonpublic or
confidential under state law.
(d) Current significant investigative information and participation in nonpublic or
confidential alternative programs shall be transmitted through the coordinated licensure
information system only to party state licensing boards.
(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, all party state licensing boards
contributing information to the coordinated licensure information system may designate
information that may not be shared with nonparty states or disclosed to other entities or individuals
without the express permission of the contributing state.
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(f) Any personally identifiable information obtained from the coordinated licensure
information system by a party state licensing board shall not be shared with nonparty states or
disclosed to other entities or individuals except to the extent permitted by the laws of the party
state contributing the information.
(g) Any information contributed to the coordinated licensure information system that is
subsequently required to be expunged by the laws of the party state contributing that information
shall also be expunged from the coordinated licensure information system.
(h) The Compact administrator of each party state shall furnish a uniform data set to the
Compact administrator of each other party state, which shall include, at a minimum, all of the
following:
(1) Identifying information.
(2) Licensure data.
(3) Information related to alternative program participation.
(4) Other information that may facilitate the administration of this Compact, as
determined by Commission rules.
(i) The Compact administrator of a party state shall provide all investigative documents
and information requested by another party state. (2017-140, s. 2.)
§ 90-171.95F. (For effective date, see editor's note) Establishment of the Interstate
Commission of Nurse Licensure Compact Administrators.
(a) Creation. - The party states hereby create and establish a joint public entity known as
the Interstate Commission of Nurse Licensure Compact Administrators.
(1) The Commission is an instrumentality of the party states.
(2) Venue is proper, and judicial proceedings by or against the Commission shall
be brought solely and exclusively in a court of competent jurisdiction where the
principal office of the Commission is located. The Commission may waive
venue and jurisdictional defenses to the extent it adopts or consents to
participate in alternative dispute resolution proceedings.
(3) Nothing in this Compact shall be construed to be a waiver of sovereign
immunity.
(b) Membership, Voting and Meetings. -
(1) Each party state shall have and be limited to one administrator. The head of the
state licensing board or designee shall be the administrator of this Compact for
each party state. Any administrator may be removed or suspended from office
as provided by the law of the state from which the Administrator is appointed.
Any vacancy occurring in the Commission shall be filled in accordance with
the laws of the party state in which the vacancy exists.
(2) Each administrator shall be entitled to one vote with regard to the promulgation
of rules and creation of bylaws and shall otherwise have an opportunity to
participate in the business and affairs of the Commission. An administrator shall
vote in person or by such other means as provided in the bylaws. The bylaws
may provide for an administrator's participation in meetings by telephone or
other means of communication.
(3) The Commission shall meet at least once during each calendar year. Additional
meetings shall be held as set forth in the bylaws or rules of the commission.
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(4) All meetings shall be open to the public, and public notice of meetings shall be
given in the same manner as required under the rule-making provisions in
G.S. 90-171.95G.
(5) The Commission may convene in a closed, nonpublic meeting if the
Commission must discuss any of the following:
a. Noncompliance of a party state with its obligations under this Compact.
b. The employment, compensation, discipline or other personnel matters,
practices or procedures related to specific employees, or other matters
related to the Commission's internal personnel practices and procedures.
c. Current, threatened, or reasonably anticipated litigation.
d. Negotiation of contracts for the purchase or sale of goods, services, or
real estate.
e. Accusing any person of a crime or formally censuring any person.
f. Disclosure of trade secrets or commercial or financial information that
is privileged or confidential.
g. Disclosure of information of a personal nature where disclosure would
constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.
h. Disclosure of investigatory records compiled for law enforcement
purposes.
i. Disclosure of information related to any reports prepared by or on behalf
of the Commission for the purpose of investigation of compliance with
this Compact.
j. Matters specifically exempted from disclosure by federal or state
statute.
(6) If a meeting, or portion of a meeting, is closed pursuant to this provision, the
Commission's legal counsel or designee shall certify that the meeting may be
closed and shall reference each relevant exempting provision. The Commission
shall keep minutes that fully and clearly describe all matters discussed in a
meeting and shall provide a full and accurate summary of actions taken, and the
reasons therefor, including a description of the views expressed. All documents
considered in connection with an action shall be identified in such minutes. All
minutes and documents of a closed meeting shall remain under seal, subject to
release by a majority vote of the Commission or order of a court of competent
jurisdiction.
(c) Bylaws. - The Commission shall, by a majority vote of the administrators, prescribe
bylaws or rules to govern its conduct as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes
and exercise the powers of this Compact, including the following:
(1) Establishing the fiscal year of the Commission.
(2) Providing reasonable standards and procedures for both of the following:
a. Establishment and meetings of other committees.
b. Governing any general or specific delegation of any authority or
function of the Commission.
(3) Providing reasonable procedures for calling and conducting meetings of the
Commission, ensuring reasonable advance notice of all meetings and providing
an opportunity for attendance of such meetings by interested parties, with
enumerated exceptions designed to protect the public's interest, the privacy of
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individuals, and proprietary information, including trade secrets. The
Commission may meet in closed session only after a majority of the
administrators vote to close a meeting in whole or in part. As soon as
practicable, the Commission must make public a copy of the vote to close the
meeting revealing the vote of each administrator, with no proxy votes allowed.
(4) Establishing the titles, duties, authority, and reasonable procedures for the
election of the officers of the Commission.
(5) Providing reasonable standards and procedures for the establishment of the
personnel policies and programs of the Commission. Notwithstanding any civil
service or other similar laws of any party state, the bylaws shall exclusively
govern the personnel policies and programs of the Commission.
(6) Providing a mechanism for winding up the operations of the Commission and
the equitable disposition of any surplus funds that may exist after the
termination of this Compact after the payment or reserving of all of its debts
and obligations.
(d) The Commission shall publish its bylaws and rules, and any amendments thereto, in a
convenient form on the Web site of the Commission.
(e) The Commission shall maintain its financial records in accordance with the bylaws.
(f) The Commission shall meet and take such actions as are consistent with the provisions
of this Compact and the bylaws.
(g) The Commission shall have all of the following powers:
(1) To adopt uniform rules to facilitate and coordinate implementation and
administration of this Compact. The rules shall have the force and effect of law
and shall be binding in all party states.
(2) To bring and prosecute legal proceedings or actions in the name of the
Commission, provided that the standing of any licensing board to sue or be sued
under applicable law shall not be affected.
(3) To purchase and maintain insurance and bonds.
(4) To borrow, accept, or contract for services of personnel, including, but not
limited to, employees of a party state or nonprofit organizations.
(5) To cooperate with other organizations that administer state compacts related to
the regulation of nursing, including, but not limited to, sharing administrative
or staff expenses, office space, or other resources.
(6) To hire employees, elect or appoint officers, fix compensation, define duties,
grant such individuals appropriate authority to carry out the purposes of this
Compact, and to establish the Commission's personnel policies and programs
relating to conflicts of interest, qualifications of personnel, and other related
personnel matters.
(7) To accept any and all appropriate donations, grants and gifts of money,
equipment, supplies, materials, and services, and to receive, utilize, and dispose
of the same; provided that at all times the Commission shall avoid any
appearance of impropriety or conflict of interest.
(8) To lease, purchase, accept appropriate gifts or donations of, or otherwise to
own, hold, improve, or use any property, whether real, personal, or mixed;
provided that at all times the Commission shall avoid any appearance of
impropriety.
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(9) To sell, convey, mortgage, pledge, lease, exchange, abandon, or otherwise
dispose of any property, whether real, personal, or mixed.
(10) To establish a budget and make expenditures.
(11) To borrow money.
(12) To appoint committees, including advisory committees comprised of
administrators, state nursing regulators, state legislators or their representatives,
and consumer representatives, and other such interested persons.
(13) To provide and receive information from, and to cooperate with, law
enforcement agencies.
(14) To adopt and use an official seal.
(15) To perform such other functions as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve
the purposes of this Compact consistent with the state regulation of nurse
licensure and practice.
(h) Financing of the Commission. -
(1) The Commission shall pay, or provide for the payment of, the reasonable
expenses of its establishment, organization, and ongoing activities.
(2) The Commission may also levy on and collect an annual assessment from each
party state to cover the cost of its operations, activities, and staff in its annual
budget as approved each year. The aggregate annual assessment amount, if any,
shall be allocated based upon a formula to be determined by the Commission,
which shall promulgate a rule that is binding upon all party states.
(3) The Commission shall not incur obligations of any kind prior to securing the
funds adequate to meet the same; nor shall the Commission pledge the credit of
any of the party states, except by, and with the authority of, such party state.
(4) The Commission shall keep accurate accounts of all receipts and
disbursements. The receipts and disbursements of the Commission shall be
subject to the audit and accounting procedures established under its bylaws.
However, all receipts and disbursements of funds handled by the Commission
shall be audited yearly by a certified or licensed public accountant, and the
report of the audit shall be included in and become part of the annual report of
the Commission.
(i) Qualified Immunity, Defense, and Indemnification. -
(1) The administrators, officers, executive director, employees, and representatives
of the Commission shall be immune from suit and liability, either personally or
in their official capacity, for any claim for damage to or loss of property or
personal injury or other civil liability caused by or arising out of any actual or
alleged act, error, or omission that occurred, or that the person against whom
the claim is made had a reasonable basis for believing occurred, within the
scope of Commission employment, duties, or responsibilities; provided that
nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to protect any such person from
suit or liability for any damage, loss, injury, or liability caused by the
intentional, willful, or wanton misconduct of that person.
(2) The Commission shall defend any administrator, officer, executive director,
employee, or representative of the Commission in any civil action seeking to
impose liability arising out of any actual or alleged act, error, or omission that
occurred within the scope of Commission employment, duties, or
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responsibilities, or that the person against whom the claim is made had a
reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of Commission
employment, duties, or responsibilities; provided that nothing herein shall be
construed to prohibit that person from retaining his or her own counsel; and
provided further that the actual or alleged act, error, or omission did not result
from that person's intentional, willful, or wanton misconduct.
(3) The Commission shall indemnify and hold harmless any administrator, officer,
executive director, employee, or representative of the Commission for the
amount of any settlement or judgment obtained against that person arising out
of any actual or alleged act, error, or omission that occurred within the scope of
Commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, or that such person had a
reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of Commission
employment, duties, or responsibilities; provided that the actual or alleged act,
error, or omission did not result from the intentional, willful, or wanton
misconduct of that person. (2017-140, s. 2.)
§ 90-171.95G. (For effective date, see editor's note) Rule making.
(a) The Commission shall exercise its rule-making powers pursuant to the criteria set forth
in this Article and the rules adopted thereunder. Rules and amendments shall become binding as
of the date specified in each rule or amendment and shall have the same force and effect as
provisions of this Compact.
(b) Rules or amendments to the rules shall be adopted at a regular or special meeting of
the Commission.
(c) Prior to promulgation and adoption of a final rule or rules by the Commission, and at
least 60 days in advance of the meeting at which the rule will be considered and voted upon, the
Commission shall file a notice of proposed rule making in both of the following locations:
(1) On the Web site of the Commission.
(2) On the Web site of each licensing board or the publication in which each state
would otherwise publish proposed rules.
(d) The notice of proposed rule making shall include all of the following:
(1) The proposed time, date, and location of the meeting in which the rule will be
considered and voted upon.
(2) The text of the proposed rule or amendment and the reason for the proposed
rule.
(3) A request for comments on the proposed rule from any interested person.
(4) The manner in which interested persons may submit notice to the Commission
of their intention to attend the public hearing and any written comments.
(e) Prior to adoption of a proposed rule, the Commission shall allow persons to submit
written data, facts, opinions, and arguments, which shall be made available to the public.
(f) The Commission shall grant an opportunity for a public hearing before it adopts a rule
or amendment.
(g) The Commission shall publish the place, time, and date of the scheduled public
hearing.
(1) Hearings shall be conducted in a manner providing each person who wishes to
comment a fair and reasonable opportunity to comment orally or in writing. All
hearings will be recorded, and a copy will be made available upon request.
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(2) Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring a separate hearing on
each rule. Rules may be grouped for the convenience of the Commission at
hearings required by this section.
(h) If no one appears at the public hearing, the Commission may proceed with
promulgation of the proposed rule.
(i) Following the scheduled hearing date, or by the close of business on the scheduled
hearing date if the hearing was not held, the Commission shall consider all written and oral
comments received.
(j) The Commission shall, by majority vote of all administrators, take final action on the
proposed rule and shall determine the effective date of the rule, if any, based on the rule-making
record and the full text of the rule.
(k) Upon determination that an emergency exists, the Commission may consider and adopt
an emergency rule without prior notice, opportunity for comment, or hearing; provided that the
usual rule-making procedures provided in this Compact and in this section shall be retroactively
applied to the rule as soon as reasonably possible, in no event later than 90 days after the effective
date of the rule. For the purposes of this provision, an emergency rule is one that must be adopted
immediately in order to do one or more of the following:
(1) Meet an imminent threat to public health, safety, or welfare.
(2) Prevent a loss of Commission or party state funds.
(3) Meet a deadline for the promulgation of an administrative rule that is required
by federal law or rule.
(l) The Commission may direct revisions to a previously adopted rule or amendment for
purposes of correcting typographical errors, errors in format, errors in consistency, or grammatical
errors. Public notice of any revisions shall be posted on the Web site of the Commission. The
revision shall be subject to challenge by any person for a period of 30 days after posting. The
revision may be challenged only on grounds that the revision results in a material change to a rule.
A challenge shall be made in writing, and delivered to the Commission, prior to the end of the
notice period. If no challenge is made, the revision will take effect without further action. If the
revision is challenged, the revision may not take effect without the approval of the
Commission. (2017-140, s. 2.)
§ 90-171.95H. (For effective date, see editor's note) Oversight, dispute resolution, and
enforcement.
(a) Oversight. -
(1) Each party state shall enforce this Compact and take all actions necessary and
appropriate to effectuate this Compact's purposes and intent.
(2) The Commission shall be entitled to receive service of process in any
proceeding that may affect the powers, responsibilities, or actions of the
Commission and shall have standing to intervene in such a proceeding for all
purposes. Failure to provide service of process in such proceeding to the
Commission shall render a judgment or order void as to the Commission, this
Compact, or promulgated rules.
(b) Default, Technical Assistance, and Termination. -
(1) If the Commission determines that a party state has defaulted in the
performance of its obligations or responsibilities under this Compact or the
promulgated rules, the Commission shall do both of the following:
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a. Provide written notice to the defaulting state and other party states of
the nature of the default, the proposed means of curing the default, or
any other action to be taken by the Commission.
b. Provide remedial training and specific technical assistance regarding the
default.
(2) If a state in default fails to cure the default, the defaulting state's membership
in this Compact may be terminated upon an affirmative vote of a majority of
the administrators, and all rights, privileges, and benefits conferred by this
Compact may be terminated on the effective date of termination. A cure of the
default does not relieve the offending state of obligations or liabilities incurred
during the period of default.
(3) Termination of membership in this Compact shall be imposed only after all
other means of securing compliance have been exhausted. Notice of intent to
suspend or terminate shall be given by the Commission to the governor of the
defaulting state and to the executive officer of the defaulting state's licensing
board and each of the party states.
(4) A state whose membership in this Compact has been terminated is responsible
for all assessments, obligations, and liabilities incurred through the effective
date of termination, including obligations that extend beyond the effective date
of termination.
(5) The Commission shall not bear any costs related to a state that is found to be
in default or whose membership in this Compact has been terminated unless
agreed upon in writing between the Commission and the defaulting state.
(6) The defaulting state may appeal the action of the Commission by petitioning
the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia or the federal district in
which the Commission has its principal offices. The prevailing party shall be
awarded all costs of such litigation, including reasonable attorneys' fees.
(c) Dispute Resolution. -
(1) Upon request by a party state, the Commission shall attempt to resolve disputes
related to the Compact that arise among party states and between party and
nonparty states.
(2) The Commission shall promulgate a rule providing for both mediation and
binding dispute resolution for disputes, as appropriate.
(3) In the event the Commission cannot resolve disputes among party states arising
under this Compact:
a. The party states may submit the issues in dispute to an arbitration panel,
which will be comprised of individuals appointed by the Compact
administrator in each of the affected party states and an individual
mutually agreed upon by the Compact administrators of all the party
states involved in the dispute.
b. The decision of a majority of the arbitrators shall be final and binding.
(d) Enforcement. -
(1) The Commission, in the reasonable exercise of its discretion, shall enforce the
provisions and rules of this Compact.
(2) By majority vote, the Commission may initiate legal action in the U.S. District
Court for the District of Columbia or the federal district in which the
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Commission has its principal offices against a party state that is in default to
enforce compliance with the provisions of this Compact and its promulgated
rules and bylaws. The relief sought may include both injunctive relief and
damages. In the event judicial enforcement is necessary, the prevailing party
shall be awarded all costs of such litigation, including reasonable attorneys'
fees.
(3) The remedies herein shall not be the exclusive remedies of the Commission.
The Commission may pursue any other remedies available under federal or state
law. (2017-140, s. 2.)
§ 90-171.95I. (For effective date, see editor's note) Effective date, withdrawal, and
amendment.
(a) This Compact shall become effective and binding on the earlier of the date of legislative
enactment of this Compact into law by no less than 26 states or December 31, 2018. All party
states to this Compact, that also were parties to the prior Nurse Licensure Compact superseded by
this Compact ("Prior Compact"), shall be deemed to have withdrawn from said Prior Compact
within six months after the effective date of this Compact.
(b) Each party state to this Compact shall continue to recognize a nurse's multistate
licensure privilege to practice in that party state issued under the Prior Compact until such party
state has withdrawn from the Prior Compact.
(c) Any party state may withdraw from this Compact by enacting a statute repealing the
same. A party state's withdrawal shall not take effect until six months after enactment of the
repealing statute.
(d) A party state's withdrawal or termination shall not affect the continuing requirement of
the withdrawing or terminated state's licensing board to report adverse actions and significant
investigations occurring prior to the effective date of such withdrawal or termination.
(e) Nothing contained in this Compact shall be construed to invalidate or prevent any nurse
licensure agreement or other cooperative arrangement between a party state and a nonparty state
that is made in accordance with the other provisions of this Compact.
(f) This Compact may be amended by the party states. No amendment to this Compact
shall become effective and binding upon the party states unless and until it is enacted into the laws
of all party states.
(g) Representatives of nonparty states to this Compact shall be invited to participate in the
activities of the Commission, on a nonvoting basis, prior to the adoption of this Compact by all
states. (2017-140, s. 2.)
§ 90-171.95J. (For effective date, see editor's note) Construction and severability.
This Compact shall be liberally construed so as to effectuate the purposes thereof. The
provisions of this Compact shall be severable, and if any phrase, clause, sentence, or provision of
this Compact is declared to be contrary to the constitution of any party state or of the United States,
or if the applicability thereof to any government, agency, person, or circumstance is held invalid,
the validity of the remainder of this Compact and the applicability thereof to any government,
agency, person, or circumstance shall not be affected thereby. If this Compact shall be held to be
contrary to the constitution of any party state, this Compact shall remain in full force and effect as
to the remaining party states and to all severable matters. (2017-140, s. 2.)
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§ 90-171.96. Reserved for future codification purposes.
§ 90-171.97. Reserved for future codification purposes.
§ 90-171.98. Reserved for future codification purposes.
§ 90-171.99. Reserved for future codification purposes.
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F-3 – Nurses Aides Registry Act
Article 9C.
Nurses Aides Registry Act.
§ 90-171.55. Nurses Aides Registry.
(a) The Board of Nursing, established pursuant to G.S. 90-171.21, shall establish a Nurses
Aides Registry for persons functioning as nurses aides regardless of title. The Board shall consider
those Level I nurses aides employed in State licensed or Medicare/Medicaid certified nursing
facilities who meet applicable State and federal registry requirements as adopted by the North
Carolina Medical Care Commission as having fulfilled the training and registry requirements of
the Board. The Board may not charge an annual fee to a nurse aide I registry applicant. The Board
may charge an annual fee of twelve dollars ($12.00) for each nurse aide II registry applicant. The
Board shall adopt rules to ensure that whenever possible, the fee is collected through the employer
or prospective employer of the registry applicant. Fees collected may be used by the Board in
administering the registry. The Board's authority granted by this Article shall not conflict with the
authority of the Medical Care Commission.
(b) (1) Each nurses aide training program, except for those operated by (i) institutions
under the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina, (ii)
institutions of the North Carolina Community College System, (iii) public high
schools, and (iv) hospital authorities acting pursuant to G.S. 131E-23(31), shall
provide a guaranty bond unless the program has already provided a bond or an
alternative to a bond under G.S. 115D-95. The Board of Nursing may revoke
the approval of a program that fails to maintain a bond or an alternative to a
bond pursuant to this subsection or G.S. 115D-95.
(2) When application is made for approval or renewal of approval, the applicant
shall file a guaranty bond with the clerk of the superior court of the county in
which the program will be located. The bond shall be in favor of the students.
The bond shall be executed by the applicant as principal and by a bonding
company authorized to do business in this State. The bond shall be conditioned
to provide indemnification to any student, or his parent or guardian, who has
suffered a loss of tuition or any fees by reason of the failure of the program to
offer or complete student instruction, academic services, or other goods and
services related to course enrollment for any reason, including the suspension,
revocation, or nonrenewal of a program's approval, bankruptcy, foreclosure, or
the program ceasing to operate.
The bond shall be in an amount determined by the Board to be adequate to
provide indemnification to any student, or his parent or guardian, under the
terms of the bond. The bond amount for a program shall be at least equal to the
maximum amount of prepaid tuition held at any time during the last fiscal year
by the program. The bond amount shall also be at least ten thousand dollars
($10,000).
Each application for a license shall include a letter signed by an authorized
representative of the program showing in detail the calculations made and the
method of computing the amount of the bond pursuant to this subdivision and
the rules of the Board. If the Board finds that the calculations made and the
method of computing the amount of the bond are inaccurate or that the amount
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of the bond is otherwise inadequate to provide indemnification under the terms
of the bond, the Board may require the applicant to provide an additional bond.
The bond shall remain in force and effect until cancelled by the guarantor.
The guarantor may cancel the bond upon 30 days notice to the Board.
Cancellation of the bond shall not affect any liability incurred or accrued prior
to the termination of the notice period.
(3) An applicant that is unable to secure a bond may seek a waiver of the guaranty
bond from the Board and approval of one of the guaranty bond alternatives set
forth in this subdivision. With the approval of the Board, an applicant may file
with the clerk of the superior court of the county in which the program will be
located, in lieu of a bond:
a. An assignment of a savings account in an amount equal to the bond
required (i) that is in a form acceptable to the Board; (ii) that is executed
by the applicant; (iii) that is executed by a federally insured depository
institution or a trust institution authorized to do business in this State;
and (iv) for which access to the account in favor of the State of North
Carolina is subject to the same conditions as for a bond in subdivision
(2) of this subsection.
b. A certificate of deposit (i) that is executed by a federally insured
depository institution or a trust institution authorized to do business in
this State (ii) that is either payable to the State of North Carolina,
unrestrictively endorsed to the Board; in the case of a negotiable
certificate of deposit, is unrestrictively endorsed to the Board; or in the
case of a nonnegotiable certificate of deposit, is assigned to the Board
in a form satisfactory to the Board; and (iii) for which access to the
certificate of deposit in favor of the State of North Carolina is subject to
the same conditions as for a bond in subdivision (2) of this
subsection. (1989, c. 323, s. 1; 1989 (Reg. Sess., 1990), c. 824, s. 5;
1999-254, s. 1; 2017-25, s. 1(h).)
§ 90-171.56. Medication aide requirements.
The Board of Nursing shall do the following:
(1) Establish standards for faculty and applicant requirements for medication aide
training.
(2) Provide ongoing review and evaluation, and recommend changes, for faculty
and medication aide training requirements to support safe medication
administration and improve client, resident, and patient outcomes. (2005-276,
s. 10.40C(b); 2007-148, s. 3.)
§ 90-171.57. Reserved for future codification purposes.
§ 90-171.58. Reserved for future codification purposes.
§ 90-171.59. Reserved for future codification purposes.
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