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Roseman University — Clinical Education
Clinical Expectations
Professional standards and conduct for all clinical students
Applies to All Students: The expectations below are in effect for every student regardless of cohort or rotation site. Where expectations differ between Lifespan 2 and Lifespan 3, this is noted inline. When in doubt, contact your instructor by voice. Do not rely on text or email for urgent matters.
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Professional Conduct & Behavior

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  • ✅Maintain a professional, respectful attitude toward patients, staff, and fellow students at all times.
  • ✅Address patients by their preferred name and title. Introduce yourself as a student nurse/clinician.
  • ✅Demonstrate active listening and empathy in all patient interactions.
  • ✅Maintain strict confidentiality. Never discuss patient information outside of appropriate clinical settings.
  • ✅Respond promptly and professionally to communications from your clinical instructors.
  • ✅Demonstrate intellectual honesty. If you don't know something, say so and commit to finding the answer.
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Attendance & Punctuality

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Be on time. Lateness will not be tolerated. Clinical days are 12-hour shifts (06:00 to 18:00). We need everyone on the unit and nurses cannot be late for huddle/report. Review the student handbook for the late policy.
  • 🕐Arrive at the VA Education building by 06:00. Clinical runs until 18:00.
  • 🕐If you are running late or have an emergency, call your instructor by voice. Do not send a text or email and expect it to be seen in time.
  • 🕐Permission to leave early will not be granted. If you must stay late for an exceptional patient care event (CPR, a fall, or a rapid response called at end of shift), you may flex the following day. You may not flex for being late or leaving early.
  • 🕐Whether something qualifies as an exceptional patient care event is determined solely by the instructor.
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Uniform & Appearance

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  • 👕Arrive in your Roseman clinical uniform. Follow the student handbook regarding tattoos, piercings, nails, and hair.
  • 👕 You may not alter your uniform by wearing sweaters or other garments over your scrubs, even if they have Roseman branding.
    • ›On all days when you are on a medical unit of any type, your clinical uniform must be worn. Red scrub pants, white scrub top, white shoes.
    • ›On all days when you are on a mental health unit, your business casual uniform must be worn. Black slacks, Roseman polo, white shoes.
  • 👕Review school policy on piercings if you have any questions about which are appropriate.
  • 👕If you have an issue with your uniform, contact your instructor ahead of time.
  • 👕Wear comfortable shoes. These are 12-hour shifts and you will be on your feet most of the time. You may wish to consider wearing compression socks as well.
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Breaks, Meals & Hydration

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Break & Lunch Policy: You are given two 15-minute breaks to take when you feel is appropriate. You will have one 45-minute lunch that you will take at the same time as your student colleagues. You must be back on the unit at the time the clock reaches 45 minutes. This is not the time to start packing up and walking back from the break room.

Exception: If a student is stationed on 1 West, additional time may be granted so he or she may join his or her student colleagues for lunch due to how far away that unit is located. This must be discussed with the instructor beforehand.
  • 💧Bring water and stay hydrated throughout your shift.
  • 🥪You cannot leave the site for lunch. On weekdays the cafeteria is open. On weekends, bring your own food and snacks.
  • 😴Get plenty of sleep before each clinical day. You will be on your feet for 12 hours.
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VA Safety Rules

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  • 🆔Your nametag/badge must be on a breakaway lanyard or a holder that does not go around your neck.
  • 🩺Do not put your stethoscope around your neck. This is a strangulation hazard in the VA patient population.
Nothing Around Your Neck. You never know if a patient is mentally ill, confused, or violent. All patients at the VA have been trained for hand-to-hand combat in military service. You must prepare for the worst and anything around your neck is a strangulation risk. This is non-negotiable.
  • 📋Carry a copy of your scope-of-practice form at all times during clinical. Bring extra copies: one for your instructor and one for the nurse you are paired with. Physically hand a copy to your precepting nurse with the instructor's name and phone number written on it.
  • 🏢If no instructor is on the building or grounds for any reason, do not work, visit your unit, or interact with patients. All students must report to the Education building as a group and await telephone instructions.
  • 💼Do not bring valuables. If you must bring them, secure them on your person. You may be asked to leave bags in a breakroom or nurses station where you cannot maintain visual contact.
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Communication & Contact Policy

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  • 📞Call your instructor by voice if you are running late or have an emergency. Do not rely on text or email in urgent situations.
  • 🕕Dr. Reese is available 06:00 to 18:30 Pacific on every clinical day at 725-222-1701. Do not call overnight. Do not text or email with the expectation of an immediate response.
  • 💬 A group text will be created that includes Dr. Reese (725-222-1701). Each student must send a selfie and their name so the instructor knows who you are and has your phone number. The group text must be created and your names and selfies sent to the group prior to the first clinical day.
  • 📧Be cognizant of due dates and times. Check this site, your email, and your group text regularly.
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