School of Nursing Safe Practice Police

Within the context of a positive learning environment, the faculty believes that performance progresses in a dynamic and sequential manner. The faculty’s role is to provide guidance and direction through the learning experience to ensure safe, competent care of clients.

The Nursing faculty at SUNY Delhi recognizes that learning is a continuum which progresses from simple to complex. We acknowledge that students require opportunities to perform skills that have already been learned and practiced in the lab. The Clinical Instructors will provide assistance in developing client/patient care procedures. However, it is essential that the student be well prepared when performing patient care. There is a safe baseline of performance which all students must demonstrate at all times. The clients must receive a safe standard of care.

When a student’s performance/progress is not at the level of faculty expectation, a Student Occurrence Form will be completed. The purpose of a Student Occurrence Form is to assist the student to recognize areas that need improvement (performance or written work) in order to implement safe, effective patient care

• The Student Occurrence Form will be initiated by the Clinical Instructor, and discussed with the student as soon as possible after the occurrence. One copy of this form will go into the student’s clinical folder, one copy to the clinical Instructor, and one copy to the student
• If the student requires remediation, the Instructor may elect to coordinate the remediation in the clinical setting or a referral will be made to the Nursing Learning Lab. If a lab referral is required, the Clinical Instructor will complete a Laboratory Referral Form and send to the IST. Remediation necessary to assist in clinical performance will be clearly identified in the referral and discussed with the student.
• The student will be responsible to schedule an appointment with the IST and complete the specified remediation by the identified date.
• The IST will complete the referral form. The Clinical Instructor will be notified by the IST that the referral is completed and the signed form will be placed in the Clinical Coordinator’s mail file.
• If a lab referral is not completed by the student within the specified time, the student will not be able to return to clinical until remediation is completed.
• A Clinical Awareness form may be initiated by the Clinical Coordinator or the Clinical Instructor when a student is not achieving satisfactory competency in the clinical component and therefore is unlikely to be successful without completion of a remedial plan. The remedial plan is specified on the form.
• Occurrences may be related to:
1. lack of utilization of the six rights of medication administration.
2. failure to record care or medications
3. inadequate monitoring/administration of IV fluids.
4. lack of awareness of purpose or potential adverse reactions of medications, IV therapy, care procedures.
5. failure to or incorrect use of medical/surgical asepsis, isolation procedures, or standard precautions.
6. any unsafe action or lack of appropriate action which affects client safety.
7. inappropriate communication techniques or lack of appropriate communication of client assessment or other information in a timely manner.
8. inadequate preparedness or lack of preparedness.
9. inability to function related to inappropriate use of medications or alcohol.
10. lack of critical thinking/inadequate paperwork.
11. lack of ethical/professional behavior such as breach of client confidentiality.

Please note that this is NOT an all-inclusive list. These are examples given for your information and guidance.

At the faculty’s discretion, an occurrence that is repeated, and/or deemed to be serious may result in an awareness form and /or faculty meeting to determine the student’s ability to continue in direct client care.