Technical Non-Academic Standards

A pre-licensure candidate for the BSN degree must have abilities and skills in four areas: communication, observation, motor function and endurance, and behavioral maturity. Rea­sonable accommodations may be made for some disabilities. However, pre-licensure BSN students must be able to perform in a reasonably independent manner, with or without accommodations.

Communication

• Must be able to communicate effectively with patients, families, and members of the healthcare team through oral, written, and interpersonal means.
• Must be able to obtain information, describe patient situations, and perceive both oral and non-verbal communication (including ability to understand normal speech with­out seeing the speaker's face).
• Must be able to speak, comprehend, read, and write in English at a level that meets the need for accurate, clear and effective communication; examples include but are not limited to: giving clear oral reports, reading watches or clocks with second hands, read­ing graphs, reading and understanding documents printed in English, writing legibly in English, and discriminating subtle differences in medical terminology.

Observation

• Must be able to observe a patient accurately; examples include but are not limited to:
• listening to heart and breath sounds; visualizing the appearance of a surgical wound; detecting bleeding, unresponsiveness, or other changes in patient status; detecting the presence of foul odor; and palpating an abdomen.
• Must be able to detect and respond to emergency situations, including audible alarms (e.g., monitors, call bells, fire alarms).

Motor Function and Endurance

• Must have sufficient strength and mobility to work effectively and safely with patients and carry out nursing care activities; examples include but are not limited to: lifting and positioning patients (lifting up to 50 pounds, carrying up to 25 pounds), transferring patients in and out of bed, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (AHA Healthcare Provider), preparation and administration of medications (oral, injection, intravenous, includ­ing hanging IV bags at shoulder height), reading and emptying body fluid collection devices below bed level, application of pressure to stop bleeding, clearing/opening an obstructed airway, and provision of daily hygiene care.
• Must be able to complete assigned periods of clinical practice, including up to twelve-hour shifts (including days, evenings, nights, weekends).
• Must be able to respond at a speed and in a manner sufficient to carry out patient as­signments within the allotted time.

Behavioral

• Must possess mental and emotional health required for total utilization of intellectual abilities.
• Must be able to tolerate physically taxing workloads.
• Must be able to respond and function effectively during stressful situations.
• Must be capable of adapting to rapidly-changing environments, and respond with flex­ibility in uncertain situations.
• Must be able to interact appropriately with others (e.g. patients, families, members of healthcare team) in various healthcare contexts.