Although nursing students and faculty are increasing their use of personal technology in the clinical setting, inappropriate use of technology can violate the rights of clients and others. The following guidelines have been established to prevent inappropriate use of technology or disclosures of confidential information in the classroom or clinical setting:
Students may not take personal video or audio devices to the clinical setting (unless otherwise specified by course faculty). Should personal video/audio devices be allowed within a specific clinical setting, they may not be used during pre and post conference areas where client data may be discussed. Students are not allowed to video faculty lectures, but the student may audio record lectures with the instructor's permission.
Students may never use a personal device to take photographs or videos in the clinical setting. If photographs are necessary to document aspects of the client's condition, the agency's camera must be used and the student must have express permission of the client and the clinical instructor to take any photographs or videos. No copies of any such photographs or videos may be removed from the facility.
The use of electronic devices is allowed at the discretion of the faculty or instructor for course assignments and practicum experiences. Students may not use these devices in any instructional areas which include: all classrooms, practicum assignment areas, conference rooms, and lecture halls during instructional sessions, workshops, and/or meetings. Under no circumstances can electronic devices be used to record conversations (recordings of lecture with permission of faculty only) or take pictures that do not pertain to course lecture. Students must adhere to clinical agency policies. Students may not download or record client data into these devices.
For violation of this policy, consequences are as follows: