MN: Implementation of the Essential Behaviors

Potential students will be advised of the Essential Behaviors for Admission, Continuation, and Graduation by including this information in the application packets. Incoming students will be alerted to the Essential Behaviors expectations during program orientation and told where to locate them. The Essential Behaviors will be placed on the School's web site or student handbook under policies for academic programs.

If and when a student does not meet expectations for the essential behaviors, the following will occur:

1. Problematic behavior documented. Problematic behavior will be documented by faculty in the student's record.
2. Problematic behavior results in Warning letter and a Performance Improvement Plan. If a pattern of problematic behavior or a single, very serious lapse in the essential behaviors becomes evident, the steps below should be followed so that the student is apprised of a Warning letter indicating that the student's continuation in the program is in jeopardy.
   1. Composing the Performance Improvement Plan. The student's faculty advisor in consultation with an official of the academic program will prepare an individual student Performance Improvement Plan that must accompany the Warning letter identifying what needs to be demonstrated in order to meet the essential behaviors and thus remain in the program.
   2. The appropriate Nursing Program Committee approves the Performance Improvement Plan. The individual student Performance Improvement Plan is reviewed and approved by the Program Committee. The documentation of the lapses in the essential behaviors must accompany the Performance Improvement Plan.
   3. Student apprised of Warning letter and given the Performance Improvement Plan. An official of the academic program (the Director) and the chair of the Program Committee meet with the student to present the Warning letter and individual student Performance Improvement Plan. After the student reads and signs the Warning letter (signature indicates that the student has read it), the letter is placed in the student's academic record.
3. Performance Improvement Plan monitored quarterly by Program Committee. If the Performance Improvement Plan is not upheld by the student, the student will be dismissed.

Campus resources

Student Counseling Center

offers free, confidential counseling to currently enrolled students. You, as a student, can seek counseling for a variety of concerns. Examples of these concerns can be depression, academic difficulties, grief, relationship difficulties or stress. For more information for an appointment, call 253-692-4400

Office of the Ombudsman

provides client-focused services for preventing, managing and resolving conflict among students, staff, and faculty of the University. Through active participation in the mediation process, clients develop competencies for preventing, managing, and resolving future conflict. For further information or an appointment, call 253-692-4476.

Approved by MCC on 2-12-01
Approved by UW Tacoma Nursing Faculty on 3-7-01; Resources added 1-10-03; Editorial changes 10-28-03

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