| Essential
Physical and Psychological Requirements for Nursing Practice |
| Listed below are essential skills that a student should possess
in order to progress satisfactorily through the nursing curriculum.
Should a prospective student have a pre-existing condition which prohibits
his or her ability to perform one or more of these skills, it is highly
advised that the student pursue professional assistance for an evaluation
of career suitability. Campus resources are available to assist with
this process. For information, contact the Career Planning and Placement
Center in the Counseling Services office at 919-536-7207. Students who
have a disability which may impact upon their ability to provide nursing
care should contact the Students with Disabilities Program coordinator
in the Counseling Services office at 919-536-7208.
|
| Critical Thinking |
The nursing student must possess critical thinking skills sufficient
for clinical judgment. For example, the student must be able to use
the nursing process as a basis for solving nursing problems. This involves
identifying cause and effect relationships in clinical situations and
developing nursing care plans.
|
| Interpersonal Skills |
The nursing student should possess interpersonal skills sufficient
to interact with individuals, families and groups from a variety of
social, emotional, cultural and intellectual backgrounds. For example,
the student must be able to establish helping relationships with patients,
families and significant others.
|
| Communication |
The nursing student should possess communication skills sufficient for
interaction with others in verbal and written form. For example, the student
must be able to develop and implement teaching plans, such as the explanation
of treatment procedures. In addition, the student must be able to convey
nursing actions and patient responses to health care team members, both
verbally and in writing.
|
| Mobility |
The nursing student should possess physical skills sufficient to move
from room to room and maneuver in small spaces. For example, the student
must be able to move around in patient rooms, workspaces and treatment
areas and to administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
|
| Motor Skills |
The nursing student should possess gross and fine motor skills sufficient
to provide safe and effective nursing care. For example, the student must
be able to calibrate and use equipment, administer injections, insert
catheters, manipulate intravenous equipment and position and transport
patients.
|
| Hearing |
The nursing student should possess auditory skills sufficient to monitor
and assess health needs. For example, the student must be able to hear
monitor alarms, emergency signals, auscultatory sounds (breath and heart
sounds) and cries for help.
|
| Visual |
The nursing student should possess visual skills sufficient for observation
and assessment necessary in nursing care. For example, the student must
be able to observe patient/client responses, see a change in skin color
and read the scale on a syringe.
|
| Tactile |
The nursing student should possess tactile skills sufficient for physical
assessment. For example, the student must be able to perform palpation,
functions of physical examination and/or those related to therapeutic
intervention (insertion of catheters, palpate a pulse).
|
| Weight-Bearing |
The nursing student should possess the ability to maneuver and move
40 to 50 lbs. on a weekly or daily basis. For example, the student must
be able to position and transfer patients.
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