Class of 2029: Excused absences and career exploration

Do you need to submit an Excused Absence Request? The process very simple, automated, and paperless! Go to the Phase 1 Excused Absence Request, located here, and complete the form. Once you click “Submit,” the request will automatically be sent to the Office of Student Affairs and Admissions. You will normally be approved without question for illness or medical appointments.

For other significant events (e.g. weddings), Dr. Porter, the Associate Dean for Student Affairs, will make the decision, and may contact you for additional information. When your request is approved, an email will be sent to you and all concerned members of staff and faculty. This email will also have two hyperlinks to take you to the Absence Remediation PowerForm, to document your make-up work. This must be completed within 14 calendar days of the absence. An automated reminder will be generated and emailed to you after 12 days. If you have already completed the Absence Remediation requirements, please just disregard this automated reminder email.

Career Exploration

To participate in a shadowing (career exploration) experience as part of the UND SMHS specialty exploration process, please follow the steps below:

Required Steps:

1. A. ALTRU HEALTH SYSTEM: Request a shadowing experience by completing the career observation form found on the Altru website https://www.altru.org/careers/student-experiences/. You will hear back from the careerobservation@altru.org with placement and timing. B. SANFORD HEALTH: Complete the shadowing request form: https://forms.office.com/r/gK4DE2Ap0U, then wait until the SAA office contacts you about your approved experience. C. ANY OTHER HEALTH SYSTEM: You can email SAA@UND.edu with your shadowing request. The SAA office will contact the health system to determine physician availability, health system requirements for shadowing experiences, and provide verification documentation if needed. You will hear back from the SAA office when your experience is approved.
2. Compliance Verification: The SAA office will confirm your vaccination compliance, any health system requirements and coordinate scheduling.
3. Professionalism Standards: Present in professional dress, including your white coat and UND nametag, and adhere to all SMHS professionalism policies during your observation.
4. Observation Only: These experiences are strictly observational. You may not participate in patient care. If asked, politely remind the provider of this policy.
5. Health System Requirements: Comply with all health system requirements, including any additional steps such as drug screening or mask fitting. Any associated costs are your responsibility.
6. Advance Scheduling: Ensure the campus office, health system, and the SAA office are aware of your observation date and time before the experience. For Sanford locations, this must be done at least two weeks in advance.
7. Policy Adherence: Follow all UND and health system policies, including any respiratory virus infection control restrictions in place at the time of your observation.

Why these steps are required

These procedures ensure compliance with health system requirements, maintain UND’s affiliation agreements, and allow the SAA office to track student participation for safety and reporting purposes. Some health systems require enrollment in their educational records system before shadowing, and the SAA office must be aware of all student activities for compliance and safety reasons.

NOTE!

Any deviation from this established process will be considered unprofessional conduct and will result in a letter of unprofessional conduct being placed in your academic file. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact the Office of Student Affairs & Admissions at SAA@UND.edu.