Performance Standards
To meet the requirements of the nursing program or to progress in the nursing curriculum each student must be able to regularly perform the following activities:
- Work at a fast pace for long periods of time;
- Lift heavy objects (25 lbs. or more) three or more times per day;
- Speak clearly and distinctly;
- Work alternating shifts of 8 to 12 hours on days, evenings, and nights;
- Respond appropriately to stressful situations (physically, emotionally, and mentally) and in emergency situations;
- Communicate effectively with physicians, patients, staff, and patient's families;
- Write clearly and neatly in patient's charts and other legal documents;
- Hear nurse call bell;
- Hear telephones and have the ability to accurately take orders over the telephone;
- Hear sounds with stethoscope to assess blood pressure, heart rate, lung, vascular, and abdominal sounds;
- Hear a patient calling for help;
- Hear beepers, alarms, et cetera, requiring rapid responses;
- Read very fine or small print on medication containers;
- See nurse call or emergency lights;
- Visually assess patients appropriately;
- Read and interpret physician's orders;
- Read monitors and other equipment accurately;
- Demonstrate manual dexterity to don sterile gloves and gown;
- Demonstrate manual dexterity to prepare medications aseptically whether orally, IM, SC, or IV;
- Demonstrate manual dexterity to use sterile techniques when performing activities such as insertion of IVs, et cetera;
- Demonstrate ability to utilize equipment and instruments needed to carry out patient care; and
- Stand for long periods of time.