Nursing Program Technical Standards
The Nursing Program’s curricula are designed to provide the general education necessary for the practice of nursing at the baccalaureate level of preparation. Students build on the fundamental principles of nursing, acquire skills of critical judgment based on education and experience, and develop an ability to use principles and skills wisely in decision-making and problem solving pertaining to the delivery of high quality nursing services. Students at the undergraduate level are expected to fulfill the following technical standards:
Acquire information from demonstrations and experiences in the basic and applied sciences, including but not limited to information conveyed through lecture, group seminar, small group activities and physical demonstrations.
Acquire information from written documents and computer-information systems (including literature searches and data retrieval), and identify information presented in images from paper, videos, transparencies and slides.
Use and interpret information from diagnostic maneuvers (e.g. sphygmomanometer, otoscope, ophthalmoscope, etc.), and other diagnostic representations of physiological phenomena during the course of conducting a comprehensive physical assessment of a client.
Accurately elicit information, including a medical history and other information required to adequately and effectively evaluate a client’s condition.
Synthesize information to develop a plan of care.
Problem solve and think critically to judge which theory and/or strategy of assessment and intervention is most appropriate.
Use intellectual ability, exercise proper judgment, timely and accurately complete responsibilities attendant to the delivery of care to clients.
Maintain effective, mature, and sensitive relationships with clients, students, faculty, staff and other professionals under all circumstances.
Perform specific procedures and interventions (e.g. Basic Life Support techniques) sufficient to provide safe and effective nursing care according to prescribed therapeutic regimens.
Communicate effectively and efficiently with faculty, patients, families and all members of the health care team about a patient’s condition as called for under the circumstances.
Practice in a safe manner and respond appropriately to emergencies and urgencies.
Possess emotional stability to function effectively under stress and adapt to changing environments inherent in the clinical practice of nursing.
Practice universal precautions against contamination and cross contamination with infectious pathogens (e.g. wearing personal protective equipment, working with sharp objects and hazardous chemicals, treating clients with infectious diseases).
Demonstrate manual dexterity and motor skills in performing nursing procedures such as giving a bed bath, making an occupied or unoccupied bed, and positioning and transferring clients safely.
Upon admission, a candidate who discloses a disability and requests accommodation will be asked to provide documentation of his or her disability for the purpose of determining appropriate accommodations, including modification to the program. The College will provide reasonable accommodations, but is not required to make modifications that would substantially alter the nature or requirements of the program or provide auxiliary aids that present an undue burden to the College. To matriculate or continue in the curriculum, the candidate must be able to perform all the essential functions outlined in the Technical Standards either with or without accommodation.
