Emergency Services
The Delta State Police Department operates 24 hours a day. Students may call the Delta State Police Department directly by dialing extension 4155 or by using the emergency telephone located at the front door of the School of Nursing building.
In case of a fire, activate the fire alarm system located nearest to the fire. Fire extinguishers are located throughout the building. Extinguishers are filled with dry chemicals that permit use for paper, grease, and/or electrical fires. Directions for operation are indicated on each extinguisher. Other emergency procedures for the University may be found in the DSU Student Handbook.
The University operates a 16-bed health care facility staffed with qualified healthcare personnel. Physicians staff the facility on a rotation basis during the weekdays. Services are available to full-time students (who live on and off campus). Student ID cards are to be presented at time of services. Expenses incurred for special care outside those provided by the University are the responsibility of the student.
Students enrolled in the School of Nursing must immediately report any pregnancy - as potential hazards to the pregnant woman or fetus may exist in clinical settings. The Release of Responsibility Form and Physician Form must be completed by the nursing student as soon as the pregnancy is confirmed. The student is to meet with the Student Navigator and complete/submit the release form and the physician’s form. Forms are available in the Student Navigator or SON office.
All motor vehicles parked on campus must be registered with the Delta State Police Department. Color-coded parking decals will be issued and cars are to be parked in designated areas. Cars parked in improper areas will be ticketed. Disabled students will need to obtain a special parking permit. Designated disabled parking is available on the SON north lot.
Delta State University is committed to maintaining a drug-free environment in conformity with state and federal laws set forth in the Union Controlled Substances Law of the State of Mississippi. For more information refer to the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Policy in the DSU Student Handbook.
School of Nursing Substance Policy and Procedure
Delta State University School of Nursing's intent is to maintain a learning and teaching environment that is drug and alcohol free in accordance with the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989. It is also the intent of the DSU School of Nursing that all nursing students be free of any chemical impairment during participation in any activities related to client care in the classroom, campus laboratory, and clinical settings. Therefore, possession and/or use of any substance/drug which may impair cognitive or psychomotor function by a nursing student in the DSU School of Nursing is strictly prohibited in the classroom, campus laboratory, clinical setting or on campus property/vehicle. Within the scope of this policy, students are prohibited from using, possessing, distributing, manufacturing, selling
or attempting to sell substance/drugs. During any time in the student’s course of study in the DSU School of Nursing, neutral selection (random) testing and/or reasonable suspicion testing may be performed as based on the following definitions.
Substance/Drug includes the following and is defined as:
· Illegal Drug is defined as any substance, other than alcohol, having psychological and/or physiological effects on a human being that is not a prescription or nonprescription medication.
· Alcohol is defined as ethyl alcohol.
· Prescription medication is defined as a drug prescribed by a licensed provider
Neutral Selection (Random) Testing is defined as a mechanism of student selection for drug testing at any time throughout the student’s course of study in the DSU School of Nursing.
Reasonable Suspicion Testing is defined as reasonable suspicion substance/drug testing based on the belief that a student enrolled in a course of study in the School of Nursing has been in violation of the Substance/Drug Policy according to the following: (1) observable phenomenon, such as direct observation of substance/drug use and/or the physical symptoms or manifestations of being under the influence; (2) abnormal conduct or erratic behavior such as absenteeism, tardiness, significant deterioration of performance, and/or verbal and physical aggression; (3) a report of substance/drug use provided by reliable and credible sources and which has been independently corroborated; (4) evidence that an individual has tampered with a substance/drug test while in a course of study in the School of Nursing; (5) information that a student has caused or contributed to an accident in the School of Nursing or its affiliated clinical agencies; (6) evidence that a student is involved in the use, possession, sale, solicitation or transfer of substance/drugs while in the School of Nursing or its affiliated clinical agencies; (7) evidence of an unaccounted drug loss when the student has had clinical access to those substance/drugs.
Clinical Agency is defined as any agency that has been contracted by the School of Nursing to provide learning opportunities for the nursing students.
The School of Nursing may test for the following in the Substance/Drug Policy: marijuana, cocaine, opiates, amphetamines, phencyclidine (PCP), or metabolites of any of these substances, alcohol (ethanol) and any other substance/drug for which the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has established an approved protocol and positive threshold and which has been adopted by the Mississippi State Department of Health.
Furthermore, should an incident occur in a clinical agency/agencies, the student will be subject to the policies of that agency governing use of substances/drug. Students who are engaged in clinical learning experiences in agencies that require mandatory drug testing are expected to comply.
Neutral Selection (Random) Testing
Students may be selected for substance/drug testing at any time throughout the student’s course of study in the Delta State University School of Nursing.
1) Upon selection, the student will be transported to the contracted agency for screening within one hour of notification.
2) Upon receipt of a “non-negative/positive” screening report:
A. The student will be notified by the Chair of Academic Programs (COAP) and assigned in a non-clinical activity until a report of confirmation is received.
B. A student interaction form will be completed by the COAP.
C. The COAP will notify the Instructor of Record (IOR) of any clinical course.
3) Upon receipt of the confirmation screening report:
A. If the report is negative, the student will be notified by the Chair of Academic Programs (COAP) of the results and the student will resume
scheduled clinical activities.
B. If the “non-negative/positive” report is confirmed, the student will be notified in writing of official dismissal from the School of Nursing and probationary status from the University.
Reasonable Suspicion Testing
When a nursing faculty member observes a student exhibiting behavior indicative of chemical abuse or dependency, the following procedure will be initiated:
1) The faculty member in the course and another faculty member will discuss with the student the behavior observed.
2) If the student admits to use of a substance/drug:
A. The Chair of Academic Programs (COAP) will be notified.
B. The student will be immediately dismissed from the nursing program
C. A student/faculty interaction form related to the conduct or behavior observed will be prepared and signed by the faculty member(s) and Instructor of Record (IOR) within 24 hours of the occurrence and a copy will be placed in the student’s confidential file.
D. The student will be notified in writing of official dismissal from the School of Nursing and of probationary status from the University.
3) If the student denies substance/drug use:
A. The faculty member (preceptor/facilitator) will immediately request an observed urine and/or blood sample for the testing of alcohol or performance of a drug screen with the most available contracted agency.
B. The student will not be allowed to participate in clinical activities pending laboratory results.
C. Upon receipt of a “non-negative/positive” screening report:
1. The student will be notified by the COAP and assigned in a non-clinical activity until confirmatory report is received.
2. A student interaction form will be completed by the COAP.
3. The COAP will notify the IOR of any clinical course(s).
D. Upon receipt of the confirmation screening report:
1. If the report is negative, the student will be notified by the COAP of the results and the student will resume scheduled clinical activities.
2. If the “non-negative/positive” report is confirmed, the student will be notified of official dismissal from the School of Nursing and probationary status from the University.
3. If a test is non-negative or positive, the student will be responsible for the costs of the confirmation testing. The School of Nursing will assume the cost for any confirmation drug screens that are negative.
E. If the student refuses to submit a specimen as requested:
1. The COAP will be notified.
2. A student/faculty interaction form will be prepared and filed.
3. The student will be immediately dismissed from the nursing program.
If dismissed from the School of Nursing, the student may apply for a probationary readmission to the School of Nursing with written evidence of successful completion of an approved Chemical Dependency program and compliance with After-Care monitoring requirements that are outlined below. The School of Nursing will require that any applicant for readmission must meet the same standards as any current applicant for initial admission to the School of Nursing; as well as any additional standards and conditions that the School of Nursing may impose related to assurance that the applicant is not chemically dependent, a chemical abuser, or in violation of any law. If probationary readmission is granted, after-care monitoring will be required for the duration of the student's course of study. Failure to abide by after-care monitoring requirements and/or evidence of continued substance/drug abuse or dependency will be grounds for permanent dismissal from the School of Nursing without opportunity for application for readmission.
After-Care Monitoring Requirements:
1. The following documentation will be submitted by the nursing student to the COAP:
A. Monthly written progress reports that will include the following information:
1. Copies of results from all random urine and/or blood drug screens.
2. Information regarding the student's refusal to furnish a urine and/or blood specimen for the purpose of a drug screen.
3. Verification of attendance for counseling sessions.
4. Information regarding the student's failure to attend counseling sessions
5. Incidence of alcohol and drug use
B. Copies of all new prescriptions and refills.
All information, reports, statements, memoranda, and test results requested or received by the School of Nursing in accordance with the Substance/Drug Policy are confidential communications and may not be used except as allowed by the student or court order.
The School of Nursing has been designated as a smoke-free block. Therefore, the use of tobacco products is prohibited on the School of Nursing block. The School’s perimeters are 4th and 3rd Avenues, Oak Street and the alley street that frames the north parcel of land. Also, refer to the smoking policy in the Delta State University Student Handbook.
Students at Delta State are expected to behave in keeping with generally accepted principles of our society and the University community. The regulations and disciplinary process for the University are located in the DSU Student Handbook. Student conduct includes the practice of personal and professional integrity and thus, is respectful of the dignity, rights, and property of self, other students, faculty, staff, clients/patients, and visitors on University property or non-University property used for nursing students' educational experiences. Student conduct affects the University and the School, the members of the University academic community, and the fulfillment of the University and School’s mission. The School of Nursing faculty and administration believe that it is important to develop the utmost ethical standards among the students of the School of Nursing. The School of Nursing also expects the highest standard of conduct from its students.
A student enrolled in the School of Nursing is expected to adhere to the Student Nurse Code of Ethical Conduct.
The behavior of the School of Nursing student is furthermore governed by the American Nurses’ Association Code for Nurses.
1. The nurse, in all professional relationships, practices with compassion and respect for the inherent dignity, worth, and uniqueness of every individual, unrestricted by considerations of social or economic status, personal attributes, or the nature of health problems.
2. The nurse’s primary commitment is to the patient, whether an individual, family, group, or community.
3. The nurse promotes, advocates for, and strives to protect the health, safety, and rights of the patient.
4. The nurse is responsible and accountable for individual nursing practice and determines the appropriate delegation of tasks consistent with the nurse’s obligation to provide optimum patient care.
5. The nurse owes the same duties to self as to others, including the responsibility to preserve integrity and safety, to maintain competence and to continue personal and professional growth.
6. The nurse participates in establishing, maintaining, and improving health care environments and conditions of employment conducive to the provision of quality health care and consistent with the values of the profession through individual and collective action.
7. The nurse participates in the advancement of the profession through contributions to practice, education, administration, and knowledge development.
8. The nurse collaborates with other health professionals and the public in promoting community, national, and international efforts to meet health needs.
9. The profession of nursing, as represented by associations and their members, is responsible for articulating nursing values, for maintaining the integrity of the profession and its practice, and for shaping social policy.
(2001 American Nurses Association)
The School of Nursing reserves the right to dismiss, to deny admission, registration, readmission or graduation to any student who in the judgment of the School of Nursing is determined to be unsuited for the study or practice of nursing.
Student Rights and Responsibilities
Students are members of the academic community and citizens of the local community. As citizens, students enjoy the same freedom of speech, peaceful assembly, and right of petition that all citizens enjoy. Students have the responsibility to know and obey the laws of the United States, the State of Mississippi, and the local government.
Students are accountable for their behavior at all times. Students who demonstrate a lack of accountability for their own behavior will be liable to sanctions as outlined in the Delta State University Bulletin, DSU Student Handbook, and the Nursing Student Handbook.
Students are responsible for knowing and using appropriate channels of communications as described in the Delta State University Bulletin, DSU Student Handbook and the Nursing Student Handbook. Students have the right to freedom from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or national origin.
Students have protection from prejudiced or capricious academic evaluation through orderly procedures directed by the University and the Dean of the School of Nursing and implemented by the faculty. Students have the right to be informed in writing of the expected behaviors and standards by which they are evaluated before participating in clinical and classroom activities. Students have the right to academic evaluations that are based on stated course requirements.
As constituents of the academic community, students are free, individually or collectively, to voice constructive criticism through identified channels on issues of institutional policy, curriculum, and on matters of general interest to the student body without fear of reprisal.
Students have the responsibility to evaluate a faculty member’s performance and courses through the established mechanisms. Students have the responsibility to attend student body/class meetings and to participate in student body activities. Students have a responsibility to serve on faculty/student committees or to volunteer service when needed.
Students are accountable for their behavior in the clinical areas. Students also have the right to negotiate participation in clinical situations that they feel are threatening to personal health or safety.
Under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX) and its implementing regulations, no individual may be discriminated against on the basis of sex in educational programs receiving Federal financial assistance. Sexual harassment is a form of prohibited sex discrimination when the harassing conduct creates a hostile environment. Thus, unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitutes sexual harassment when the conduct is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive to limit a student’s ability to participate in or benefit from the education program, or to create a hostile or abusive educational environment. For more information, refer to the DSU Student Handbook.
Public Law 93-380, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (Buckley Amendment), requires educational agencies or institutions to provide parents of students and eligible students access to the educational records of such students with certain limitations. The Act transfers this right from the parent to the student who is enrolled in a post-secondary institution.
This institution must provide access to official records related to the student and an opportunity to challenge such records on the basis of accuracy.
Under law, letters or statements of recommendation submitted in confidence prior to January 1, 1975, may not be seen by students. However, students, may but are not required to, waive the right of access to future confidential recommendations in the areas of administration, job placement, and receipt of awards. While the student does not have access to medical, psychiatric, or comparable records if these are used solely for treatment purposes, he/she may designate another professional to examine these records. Parent’s financial records submitted to the institution may not be examined by the student. These records may be challenged only on accuracy not as to judgments. The school is prohibited from permitting access to education records, or personally identifiable information other than directory information about the students without written consent, except to specific agencies and persons such as school officials and certain federal or state authorities. A record must be kept of all persons to whom personal information is supplied.
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