Athletic training students are responsible for promoting professional development and ensuring the highest quality of care for their patients. Personal relationships can sometimes interfere with these responsibilities. Therefore, in regard to:
Dating relationships with student athletes/patients:
- Dating relationships between athletic training students and student athletes/patients are discouraged due to potential conflicts of interest.
- If a dating relationship develops, the athletic training student must notify the program director, or coordinator of clinical education immediately.
- The student will be reassigned to a different clinical education location to ensure they are not in the chain of care for their partner. Clear distinctions and boundaries must be maintained to uphold a professional environment.
Friendships and study groups
Casual friendships, study groups, and other personal relationships with student athletes are acceptable as long as no additional benefits are provided to the student athlete, as defined by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA.)
Relationships with preceptors and staff:
- Dating relationships with University of Nebraska-Lincoln Athletic Training Program (UNL ATP) faculty, preceptors, and associated staff are prohibited and violate the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Faculty Code of Conduct which can be found online at: go.unl.edu/7vgs.
- Developing personal friendships and professional mentoring relationships with preceptors and staff is encouraged.
Interpersonal conflicts:
- Personal friendships among athletic training students are expected, and occasional dating relationships are anticipated, provided a professional environment is maintained.
- If conflicts arise between athletic training students, it is expected that the parties will resolve their differences among themselves or with the assistance of UNL ATP faculty.