Minimum Skills for Eligibility

 Minimum Skills for Eligibility to Participate in Educational Programs and Activities 

The following skills are needed by applicants to all College of Nursing programs. Applicants and students should possess these abilities, or with the help of compensatory techniques and/or assistive devices, be able to demonstrate ability to become proficient. Students must be capable of successfully completing each required clinical rotation. 

1. Oral and writing ability with accuracy, clarity and efficiency. 

Examples: attending; clarifying; coaching; facilitating; touching; establish rapport with patients, families, and peers; initiate health teaching and explain treatment procedures; read, write, speak, and comprehend English with sufficient skill to communicate effectively verbally and nonverbally; summarize data accurately; write or document legibly. 

2. Manual dexterity, gross and fine movements: 

Examples: wrists, hands, fingers (thumb, index, and middle on both hands), arms, grasping, fingering, pinching, pushing, pulling, holding, extending, twisting (rotating), cutting, ability to maneuver in small spaces and from room to room, ability to respond to an emergency situation in a timely way. 

Examples of required physical strength: to support another person; to position another person; to transfer to/ambulate with walker, cane, crutches, bed, chair; to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods of time; to perform CPR; resuscitation; to lift at least 50 pounds; capable of reaching 18 inches above head; capable of pushing up to 200 pounds independently; able to stoop and bend without limitations. 

Examples of required dexterity: ability to use sterile techniques and universal precautions; ability to operate and maintain equipment (e.g., ventilator, electronic monitor, etc.); ability to obtain samples (specimens). 

Examples of ability to measure: body (height, weight, range, strength, etc.); vital signs; intake and output; outcomes, result (e.g., lab tests); psychological status (general); using a variety of monitoring modalities. 

 

3. Ability to see, hear and touch, smell and distinguish colors. 

Examples: Sight (depth perception; distinguish color; acuity (corrected to 20/40), Auditory Capacity (in patient interactions; in sterile procedures; in team meetings; in electronic voice communication; auscultation of sounds), Sensation (palpation; distinguish smells; percussion; touch; temperature sensation). 

 

4. Ability to learn, think critically, analyze, solve problems, and reach judgments. 

Examples: gather complete data in complex situations; identify cause effect relationships; establish priorities among several tasks; identify safe alternatives; make decisions under varying degrees of stress; read and comprehend detailed charts, journals, books; perform arithmetic functions (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, ratios, and simple algebra). 

5. Emotional stability and ability to accept responsibility and accountability. 

Examples: ability to be assertive; ability to delegate; ability to function (consult, negotiate, share) as part of a team; ability to participate in role-playing activities; ability for self -perception and awareness. 

For any concerns, please contact the Director of Student Services