Appropriate Chain of Escalation for Student Communication - Nursing Programs

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In addition to the requirements of the Student Complaint policy, the following policies and procedures also apply to WGU nursing programs.
 
Students are expected to use appropriate channels to resolve concerns or issues prior to initiating the formal grievance process. Students should start the escalation process at step one for the appropriate concern. The following table addresses the various chains of communication and escalation for student concerns, based on the issue type:

 Prelicensure Students (BSPRN and BSRN programs)

Academic Issues or Concerns	BSPRN/BSRN Skills Lab Issues or Concerns (not related to scheduling)	BSPRN/BSRN Skills Lab Scheduling Issues or Concerns	BSRN Clinical Intensive Issues or Concerns (not related to scheduling)	BSRN Clinical Scheduling Issues or Concerns
Step 1: Program Mentor/Course Instructor	Step 1: Lab instructor and Program Mentor	Step 1: Health Scheduling Team	Step 1: Clinical Coach and Clinical Instructor	Step 1: Health Scheduling Team (Before the clinical begins) Clinical Instructor (After the start of clinical)
Step 2: Nursing Program Faculty Manager	Step 2: Lead Lab Instructor or State Director of Nursing Designee	Step 2: Manager, Health Scheduling	Step 2: State Clinical Faculty Supervisor (if applicable) and Program Mentor	Step 2: Health Scheduling (if not already notified in step 1)
Step 3: Senior Manager of Prelicensure Nursing	Step 3: State Director of Nursing	Step 3: State Lab Supervisor (if applicable)	Step 3: State Director of Nursing. (If clinical extension is needed SDON or Designee will notify Health Scheduling)	Step 3:  Manager Health Scheduling
Step 4: State Director of Nursing (SDON)		Step 4: State Director of Nursing		Step 4: State Clinical Faculty Supervisor (if applicable)
				Step 5: State Director of Nursing

WGU nursing students are to adhere to the WGU Nursing Programs Standards of Professional Conduct and Process for Dispositional Disciplinary Ac... in addressing concerns in a professional manner, as illustrated in the following excerpt:
 

• Collaborative Professional: Evidence of a willingness or attempt to work collaboratively with an interdisciplinary team in a professional environment. 

Failure to follow appropriate channel of communication and to act in a professional manner may result in referral to the Nursing Dispositions committee.

Discrimination and Harassment

If a complaint involves any type of alleged discrimination or harassment in violation of the WGU Discrimination, Harassment, Sexual Misconduct, Stalking and Retaliation policy or students wish to remain anonymous, they may immediately make a formal complaint to the Title IX coordinator per the process outlined in the WGU Discrimination Grievance Procedures. Contact information for the Title IX coordinator is:
 
Tyson Heath

Title IX Coordinator
Western Governors University
4001 South 700 East, Suite 700
Salt Lake City, UT 84107
TitleIX@wgu.edu
Direct: 801-924-4611
Toll Free: 877-435-7948, ext. 4611
 

Article Number: 20503, 2496