School of Healthcare Sciences
Ysgol y Gwyddorau Gofal lechyd
Standards for Professional Conduct and Behaviour
Undergraduate Pre-Registration Programmes
Student Agreement
This document sets out the expected standards for professional conduct and behaviour of Nursing
and Midwifery students within the School of Healthcare Sciences.
In signing this document you agree to abide by the School of Healthcare Sciences’ standards stated
here and in your student handbook, which is also available on Learning Central.
You should also refer to the University’s Student Handbook. Signing this document also confirms
that you have read and agree to abide by all the standards in the University Academic Regulations
Handbook. This includes information on the Student Fitness to Practise Procedure and the Student
Disciplinary Procedure.
All Nursing and Midwifery students, on successful completion of their programmes, will be eligible
to apply to join the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) professional register.
Students will be expected to comply with the NMC Guide for Students of Nursing and Midwifery:
protecting the public through professional standards and the NMC The Code: Standards of conduct,
performance and ethics at http://www.nmc-uk.org
Nursing and Midwifery students, in caring for patients and clients, are expected to abide by this
code.
The following agreement sets out in a convenient supplementary format some of the additional
duties and requirements which apply to you as a student aspiring to a nursing or midwifery
qualification. It is in addition to the academic and other requirements referred to above. This is an
agreement between the School of Healthcare Sciences and students of Nursing and Midwifery. It
does not constitute a contract of employment. Its purpose is to outline the responsibilities of the
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25 February 2009 last updated 14 January 2015
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National Health Service (NHS), non-NHS placements, the University and students who are
undertaking pre-registration Nursing or Midwifery programmes. It seeks to clarify our expectations
of students when on University and NHS, other organisations’ or agencies’ premises or involved in
NHS or other organisations’ business for educational purposes. These expectations are now
addressed individually:
1.
MEDICAL CLEARANCE AND CRIMINAL RECORDS CHECK
1.1
As part of your successful application to the School of Healthcare Sciences, you will have
completed a medical questionnaire or undergone a medical examination prior to commencing
the programme.
You may also, at any time during your programme, be required to undergo a further medical
examination if, in the opinion of the NHS and/or University, this is necessary.
1.2
You are required to meet NHS requirements for all medical vaccinations.
At the
commencement of the programme you will be required to attend the Occupational Safety
Health and Environment Unit (OSHEU) in order for them to verify your vaccination status.
Failure to attend any appointments without either notifying the University or OSHEU may lead
to disciplinary action which could result in your removal from the programme
1.3
You are required to consent to a criminal record (DBS) check prior to the commencement of
the programme. You will also be asked to sign a declaration at the end of each year that your
record is up to date and that it contains no further offences since commencing the course.
Should it emerge that false information has been provided in connection with the check, this
may lead to disciplinary action being taken or discontinuation from the programme.
2.
ATTENDANCE
2.1
Attendance requirements are incorporated into the progression arrangements (see Student
Handbook). Attendance is required at all arranged teaching and clinical skills sessions within
the School and a register of attendance will be maintained for all sessions. Some of these
sessions are mandatory where attendance is required by regulation, e.g. manual handling,
basic life support. Any absence from class should be by prior arrangement and mandatory
sessions will need to be re-arranged.
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25 February 2009 last updated 14 January 2015
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2.2
You are required to attend all practice placements as planned and indicated by the
placements list provided by the school. If for any reason you are unable to attend any practice
placements, you are required to inform your placement and the Programme Support Team
before commencement of your shift (see Student Handbook).
2.3
Any employment undertaken by a student is secondary to the requirements of the programme
and should not compromise the expected attendance in School or placements, nor
commitment to the programme.
2.4
Students who choose to engage in employment whilst undertaking the nursing or midwifery
programmes should be aware that they are exercising their individual right to do so and
should not claim to have particular nursing or midwifery skills as a result of being a student
of the University. Uniforms provided by the University must not be worn when engaged in
extracurricular employment or activities.
3.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
3.1
You have a legal responsibility to ensure that you abide by the safe practices and codes
prepared by the University and NHS or other organization or agency in which you are working
and have a responsibility, together with management, for maintaining safe working practices.
You are expected to complete the annual on-line Health, Safety and Environment Learning
Package which can be accessed via:https://healthcaresciences.cf.ac.uk/handbook/the-basics/health-safety-security/
http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/secty/resources/Personal%20Safety%20Guide.pdf
4.
FIRE SAFETY
4.1
It is a requirement that you will familiarise yourself with the policies and practices of the
University, NHS organisations and Independent sector, for dealing with fires and the safe
evacuation of patients, staff and fellow students. It is mandatory to attend the annual
University Fire Lecture.
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25 February 2009 last updated 14 January 2015
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5.
CONFIDENTIALITY
5.1
In the course of your work, you will come into possession of information regarding
patients/clients and their circumstances. Such information must be regarded as confidential
and should be divulged to other individuals / agencies only if the patient consents, or when
required to do so by law.
5.2
Breaches of confidentiality may result in termination in your participation in the programme.
All breaches of confidentiality will be investigated and may lead to disciplinary action by the
University.
5.3
Students are required not to divulge information to the media regarding events that take place
within the NHS, other organisations or agencies, or the School of Healthcare Sciences. Any
enquiries by the media should be referred to the Programme Manager / University
Communications and Marketing department (CAIRD) / the Head of School.
6.
PERSONAL EFFECTS
6.1
Your attention is drawn to the fact that your personal effects are not covered by any University
insurance policies. The University, NHS, and other organizations and agencies accept no
liability for loss or damage arising from fire, theft or any other loss of any personal property
belonging to students on University or NHS premises or grounds. You are advised to cover
your personal possessions by an appropriate insurance policy.
You must also obtain
business travel on your car insurance if you intend to use your car during any of your clinical
placements.
7.
CONDUCT
This section addresses your responsibilities as a student of the School of Healthcare
Sciences.
Students of Cardiff University are subject to the disciplinary jurisdiction of Senate and are
expected to conform fully to the University regulations both on and off campus.
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Failure to comply with any of the following conditions may lead to disciplinary action and
jeopardise your future on the programme.
7.1
The NHS, other organisations and agencies, and the University expect all students to act
responsibly and to maintain appropriate standards of personal behaviour at all times in
accordance with the expectations laid down within the NMC The Code: standards of conduct,
performance and ethics for nurses and midwives (2008). Any event of misconduct will be
investigated by the University.
7.2
The University expects students to act responsibly and to maintain appropriate standards of
personal behaviour at all times. This relates to your time in University, on clinical
placements and in your free time. It also relates to information about the University,
its staff and students, and images posted on social web sites such as Facebook,
Twitter, and Youtube.
When using IT Facilities you will need to comply with the University IT Regulations and
Acceptable Use Policy. Anyone found in breach of the regulations will be subject to the
appropriate disciplinary code. Further guidance on IT use can be found in your student
handbook and at www.cardiff.ac.uk/insrv/it/help/safe/protect.html
7.3
Students whose behaviour is deemed to bring the profession or the University into disrepute
will have their actions investigated and it may lead to disciplinary action being taken. The
Student Disciplinary Code and Students’ Fitness to Practice Procedure can be found in the
Academic Regulations Handbook. Your personal and professional conduct may impact
on your ability to continue on the programme and on your fitness to practise.
7.4
The use of bad or abusive language or aggressive behaviour towards other students or staff
will not be tolerated and disciplinary action will result. This includes any communications that
appear in the public domain, including social web sites.
7.5
You must inform the School immediately if there has been a change to your criminal record.
If you fail to notify the School, this may result in you being discontinued from your programme.
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7.6
Students, who unduly or repeatedly disrupt classes following reasonable requests to desist,
will be asked to leave the room and their conduct reported to the Programme Manager, who
may refer to a senior academic. Disciplinary action may be implemented.
7.7
Whilst engaged in any tutorial, teaching session or undertaking examinations all mobile
phones, personal pagers or any device which can emit a disturbing noise must be switched
off.
7.8
The School of Healthcare Sciences does not permit those under the age of 18 who are not
registered as Cardiff University students into timetabled teaching, clinical skills or tutorial
sessions.
7.9
As required by law, smoking is prohibited within all placement and University premises,
except in designated areas.
7.10
When in the University and on clinical placement, a student found to be under the influence
of alcohol will be subject to fitness to practise or disciplinary procedures.
7.11
At any time any student found to be under the influence, in possession of, or dealing in illegal
drugs will be subject to the fitness to practise procedure. The Police will also be notified.
8.
GRATUITIES
8.1
It is against The Code (NMC 2008) to accept monies or gifts from a patient or relative. If you
are offered a gift or money you must politely refuse or seek advice from your personal tutor.
9.
UNIFORM
9.1
You will be expected to adhere to the Uniform Policy with regard to the standard of dress
whilst in clinical practice (see Appendix 1 - Programme Handbook). Body piercing should be
removed while in uniform; this applies to ‘fixed’ body piercing which should be removed prior
to commencement of the programme. Uniforms provided by the University must not be worn
when engaged in extracurricular employment or activities. Failure to comply with the uniform
policy may result in disciplinary action.
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25 February 2009 last updated 14 January 2015
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Please sign below. A copy will be retained in your student file.
School of Healthcare Sciences
Standards for Professional Conduct and Behaviour
Student Declaration of Agreement
As a student of the School of Healthcare Sciences, I agree to abide by the conditions laid out in this
document and have read and agree to abide by the NMC and Cardiff University regulations.
Failure to sign, agree or comply with any of these conditions or regulations may lead to withdrawal
from the programme.
Signed: (Student)
…………………………………
Date:
Print Name:
Intake:
Signed: (University)
…………………………………
Chair’s Action Board of Studies
25 February 2009 last updated 14 January 2015
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