Student Code of Conduct
Learning and the exchange of ideas may take place in many settings, including the formal classroom. When students and faculty come together, the expectation is always that mutual respect will prevail to ensure that every student has the optimum opportunity to learn and that each faculty member has the best opportunity to teach.
It is the expectation of the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing that ALL students enrolled in graduate level courses be respectful of others when interacting with faculty, staff, and colleagues, in the classroom, online, and while representing the College of Nursing in clinical settings.
The College of Nursing follows the University Code of Conduct for Students.
Differences of opinions or concerns related to the class are welcomed if presented in a mutually respectful manner. The challenging of viewpoints is part of the academic experience but should occur in a manner that promotes dialogue and embodies anti-racist, gender-affirming, accessible, and emancipatory nursing praxis.
Academic Integrity Statement
Since the integrity of the academic enterprise of any institution of higher education requires honesty in scholarship and research, academic honesty is required of all students at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Academic dishonesty is prohibited in all programs of the University. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, and facilitating dishonesty. Appropriate sanctions may be imposed on any student who has committed an act of academic dishonesty. Instructors should take reasonable steps to address academic misconduct. Anyone who believes a student has committed academic dishonesty should bring such information to the appropriate course instructor as soon as possible. Instances of academic dishonesty not related to a specific course should be brought to the attention of the appropriate department head or chair. Since students are expected to be familiar with this policy and the commonly accepted standards of academic integrity, ignorance of such standards is not normally sufficient evidence of lack of intent.
Update with new statement: UMass Amherst is strongly committed to academic integrity, which is defined as completing all academic work without cheating, lying, stealing, or receiving unauthorized assistance from any other person, or using any source of information not appropriately authorized or attributed. As a community, we hold each other accountable and support each other’s knowledge and understanding of academic integrity. Academic dishonesty is prohibited in all programs of the University and includes but is not limited to: Cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, lying, and facilitating dishonesty, via analogue and digital means. Sanctions may be imposed on any student who has committed or participated in an academic integrity infraction. Any person who has reason to believe that a student has committed an academic integrity infraction should bring such information to the attention of the appropriate course instructor as soon as possible. All students at the University of Massachusetts Amherst have read and acknowledged the Commitment to Academic Integrity and are knowingly responsible for completing all work with integrity and in accordance with the policy.
University Academic Honesty Policy
It is the expressed policy of the University that every aspect of graduate academic life, related in whatever fashion to the University, shall be conducted in an absolutely and uncompromisingly honest manner by graduate students. The Elaine Marieb College of Nursing abides by the University Academic Honesty Policy.
A student identified by an instructor, or another student as having committed a breach of the academic honesty regulations has the right to appeal before any penalty can be imposed. Do not share papers or other work done in previous classes with other students in your program, as this is a violation of the academic honesty code. Students are required to follow the guidelines of the American Psychological Association Publication Manual 7th edition guidelines for citation of works in their assignments.
Appeals must be filed within ten days of notification by the instructor who suspects dishonesty. Information on the appeal process can be found in the Academic Honesty Policy or requested from the Ombuds Office, where appeals are filed.
The American Nurses Association Code of Ethics
The College of Nursing abides by and adheres to the Code of Ethics for Nurses and the ANA Nursing Standards, which are set forth by the American Nurses Association as it relates to the professional conduct of nurses. The full code and interpretative statements can be viewed, read, and purchased at: https://codeofethics.ana.org/home
The Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements (The Code) was developed as a guide for carrying out nursing responsibilities in a manner consistent with quality in nursing care and the ethical obligations of the profession.
Provisions of the Code of Ethics
- The nurse practices with compassion and respect for the inherent dignity, worth, and unique attributes of every person.
- A nurse’s primary commitment is to the recipient(s) of nursing care, whether an individual, family, group, community, or population.
- The nurse established a trusting relationship and advocates for ts the rights, health, and safety of recipient(s) of care.
- Nurses have authority over nursing practice and are responsible and accountable for their practice consistent with their obligations to promote health, prevent illness and provide optimal care.
- The nurse has moral duties to self as a person of inherent dignity and worth including an expectation of a safe place to work that fosters flourishing authenticity of self at work, and self-respect through integrity and professional competence. .
- Nurses, through individual and collective effort, establish, maintain, and improve the ethical environment of the work setting that affects nursing care and the well-being of nurses.
- Nurses advance the profession through multiple approaches to knowledge development, professional standards, and the generation of policies for nursing, health and social concerns.
- Nurses build collaborative relationships and networks with nurses, other healthcare and non-healthcare disciplines, and the public to achieve greater ends.
- Nurses and their professional organizations work to enact and resource practices, policies, and legislation to promote social justice, eliminate health inequities, and facilitate human flourishing.
- Nursing, through organizations and associations, participates in the global nursing and health community to promote human and environmental health, well-being, and flourishing.
Source: American Nurses Association. (2025). Code of ethics for nurses with interpretative statements. Silver Spring, MD: Author. Retrieved from https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/nursing-excellence/ethics/code-of-ethics-for-nurses/.
Guidelines for Conduct in Clinical Settings
It is expected that each student will understand and act in accordance with the mission, vision, and goals of the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing, The Code of Nursing Ethics as promulgated by the American Nurses Association, and the Academic Honesty Policy of the University. Failure to do so will constitute cause for dismissal regardless of academic standing. Please see previous section on professional conduct. Confidentiality (HIPAA) of information related to clinical experiences and the anonymity of patients and families are to be preserved. Professional accountability and responsibility include timely attendance at all scheduled clinical experiences, being adequately prepared for the respective experiences, and always maintaining safety in clinical practice. It is imperative that each student communicate respectfully in collaboration with the health care team and patients.
Clothes and lab coats must be neat and clean. Students must wear their UMass Student Name tag and abide by the dress code at their assigned clinical agencies.