Technical Standards for Nursing

For admission and participation in the nursing curriculum, students must meet, maintain, and satisfactorily demonstrate technical standards* throughout the program. Students must not pose a physical or emotional threat to the well-being of patients, other students, staff or themselves. Those seeking reasonable accommodations** should contact the Coordinator of Accommodative Services in the Student Services Center. 

Skills and Abilities

The skills and abilities that have been identified as required to meet nursing technical standards include but are not necessarily limited to:

Visual Acuity

Visual Acuity that is sufficient to perform health assessment and appropriate nursing interventions.

Examples:

• Detect changes in client condition
• Collect data from technological devices used in client care
• Draw up correct quantity of medication into syringe

Hearing Ability

Hearing Ability that is sufficient to perform health assessment and appropriate nursing interventions.

Examples:

• Hear body sounds using stethoscope
• Detect alarms related to client care
• Respond to client with or without view of client's face

Tactile Ability

Tactile Ability that is sufficient to perform health assessment and appropriate nursing interventions.

Examples:

• Detect changes in skin temperature and texture
• Detect unsafe temperature levels in heat-producing devices used in client care
• Detect physical abnormalities related to diseases

Fine Motor Skills

Fine Motor Skills that are sufficient to execute movement required to provide nursing care to clients in all health care settings.

Examples:

• Manipulate equipment involved in client care
• Safely dispose of needles in sharps container
• Accurately record data on documentation sheets

Strength and Mobility

Strength and Mobility that is sufficient to perform all nursing care.

Examples:

• Manually position clients that are lying in bed or sitting in a chair
• Lift 35 pounds
• Push an occupied wheelchair, shower chair, stretcher, or bed
• Move immobile clients from stretcher to bed, bed to stretcher, or bed to chair alone or with assistance from personnel

Physical Endurance

Physical Endurance that is sufficient to complete periods of assigned clinical practice.

Examples:

• Be able to stand or walk 7-10 hours
• Complete care within the allotted time

Communication

Communication that is sufficient to give and receive verbal and non-verbal communication. This requires the ability to see, speak, hear, read, write and effectively utilize the English language.

Examples:

• Speak clearly during oral communication i.e., shift reports, telephone conversations
• Read and understand English printed documents
• Teach/instruct clients regarding medical problems
• Write correctly/legibly in client records

Emotional Stability

Emotional Stability that is sufficient to function effectively under stress, adapt to changing environments, and display flexibility.

Examples:

• Deal with the unexpected i.e., frequently changing client status
• Adapt readily to changes and multiple demands

Nursing Admissions

1. Review and complete the program application.
2. Register for and attend a Nursing Information Session.
3. Review the Nursing Criteria Form to determine your eligibility.

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Credit-Free CNA Program