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Technical Standards for Nursing

Essential Qualifications for Candidates for Admission, Progression, and Graduation

Nursing technical standards for admission establish expectations and abilities considered essential for students admitted to the nursing program in order to meet theoretical and clinical course objectives required to achieve the level of competency necessary for graduation and practice of essential functions as a registered nurse. All students admitted to nursing are expected to be able to demonstrate the abilities specified throughout their program of study.

Students must demonstrate the ability to function competently in a variety of clinical situations and to provide a broad spectrum of care. Students who require technological support or other accommodations must be able to perform in a reasonably independent and timely manner that does not affect the quality of care, the safety of patients or other individuals, and in a manner that does not impose undue hardship on the School of Nursing or other members of the health care team.

Use of trained intermediaries to carry out functions described in technical standards is not permitted. A student’s judgment and skills may not be mediated by reliance upon someone else’s power of selection, observation, or clinical ability.

Students must satisfy the following with or without reasonable accommodation, in order to be admitted, progress, and graduate:
Sensory/Observation
  • Must have functional use of the senses of touch, speech, smell, hearing, and vision.
  • Must be able to observe patients to assess their health status accurately, including verbal and nonverbal signals such as facial expressions, gestures, temperature, position, equilibrium, and movement.
  • Must hear and see signals from monitoring equipment.
  • Must be able to elicit, transmit, and record patient data and other information from faculty, classmates, clinicians, and other personnel, and family members using the English language orally and in writing.
Motor Skills
  • Must demonstrate sufficient manual dexterity and other motor skills to execute movements reasonably required to engage in assessment and patient care procedures, including palpation, auscultation, percussion, administration of medication, and emergency interventions such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation, application of pressure to stop bleeding, and suction of obstructed airways.
  • Clinical settings may require the ability to carry and lift loads from the floor, from 12 inches from the floor, to shoulder height and overhead.
  • Must be able to occasionally lift 50 pounds, frequently lift 25 pounds, and constantly lift 10 pounds.
  • Must be able to maintain consciousness and equilibrium and have the physical strength and stamina to perform satisfactorily in clinical settings.
  • Must have the capability to navigate easily and quickly in small spaces in order to execute appropriate care to a patient.
  • Must have the ability, within reasonable limits, to safely assist a patient in moving, for example from a chair to a bed, or from a wheel chair to a commode.
  • Must have a reliable means of transportation in order to travel to educational experiences off campus for clinical experiences.
Cognitive
  • Must be able to measure, calculate, analyze, integrate, and synthesize data accurately and make decisions that reflect consistent and thoughtful deliberation of appropriate data.
  • Must be able to quickly read and comprehend extensive written material.
  • Must be able to evaluate and apply information and engage in critical thinking in the classroom and clinical setting.
Communication
  • Must possess interpersonal skills sufficient to communicate effectively with students, patients, families, faculty, colleagues, and other professionals of diverse religious, cultural, or social backgrounds.
  • Must be able to clearly express his or her ideas and feelings and demonstrate a willingness and ability to give and receive feedback.
  • Must be able to convey or exchange information at a level allowing development of a health history, identify problems presented, explain alternative solutions, and give directions during treatment and post treatment.
  • Must be able to process and communicate information on the patient’s status with accuracy in a timely manner to members of the health care team. Appropriate communication may rely on the individual’s ability to make a correct judgment in seeking supervision and consultation in a timely manner.
Behavioral/Emotional
  • Must possess the emotional health required for the full utilization of his or her intellectual abilities, exercise good judgment, and provide prompt completion of all responsibilities related to the diagnosis and care of patients and families.
  • Must be able to maintain mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with patients, family, other students, faculty, staff and other professionals under all circumstances including stressful situations.
  • Must have the emotional stability to function effectively under stress and able to adapt to an environment that may change rapidly without warning or in unpredictable ways.
  • Must be able to experience and effectively communicate empathy in sharing the situations and experiences of others.
  • Must know that his or her values, attitudes, beliefs, emotions, and experiences affect his or her perceptions and relationships with patients, families, and others. The student must be able and willing to examine and change his or her behavior when it interferes with productive individual and/or team relationships.
  • Must possess skills and experience necessary for effective relationships in diverse academic and working environments.
Professional Conduct
  • Must possess the ability to reason morally and practice nursing in an ethical manner.
  • Must be willing to learn and abide by professional standards of practice.
  • Must possess personal qualities that include compassion, empathy, altruism, integrity, honesty, responsibility and tolerance.
  • Must be able to engage in patient care delivery in all settings and to all patient populations regardless of age, ethnicity, gender, disability or any other basis protected by law.

All students must meet the essential requirements of the program as outlined in the Technical Standards for Nursing. Reasonable accommodations will be granted to qualified students with disabilities to the extent the accommodation will enable them to perform the essential function s of the program and will not create an undue hardship – however no accommodations are given that will alter the essential program requirements. Therefore, all students must pass all courses at an acceptable level and master all essential clinical competencies as established by the nursing program. Questions regarding the technical standards for nursing should be directed to the Dean of the School of Nursing.

While the nursing program requires students to have essential skills for the program, the program has a duty to accommodate where accommodations can be had, and that accommodation process is based upon an individualized assessment of the applicant/student. Therefore, it is advised that students with disabilities must register with the Office of Learning Resources and Services before any accommodations can be granted to the student. Revealing a disability is voluntary and student disability information is handled in a confidential manner. Reasonable accommodations will be made to comply with the university’s responsibilities to facilitate equal access to university programs, events, activities, and services for students with disabilities according to the legal, ethical, and philosophical principles of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). For any questions regarding disability service, please contact Student Support Services.