Essential Nursing Performance Standards
Students admitted to the BRCC Nursing Program are expected to complete course requirements that prepare them to perform essential job functions as a registered professional nurse. These functions and skills include:
Speech
Establish interpersonal rapport and communicate verbally and in writing with clients, physicians, peers, family members and the health care team from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds.
Hearing
Auditory acuity to note slight changes in the client’s condition and to perceive and interpret various equipment signals and to use the telephone as well as be able to note changes in patient assessment. Accurately hear physiological and environmental sounds.
Vision
Possess the visual acuity to read and distinguish colors, to read handwritten orders, other handwritten information, computer and printed data, e.g., medication records, and scales; chart content and provide for safety of clients’ condition by clearly viewing monitors in order to correctly interpret data.
Mobility
Tolerate sitting, standing, bending, reaching, stooping, and walking for long periods of time, over eight to twelve hours. Must be able to bend, squat or kneel, and assist in lifting or moving objects and clients of all age groups and weights. Perform CPR i.e., move above patient to compress chest and manually ventilate patient. Work with arms fully extended overhead.
Manual Dexterity
Determine eye/hand coordination and manipulation of equipment safely such as syringes and IV infusion pumps. Demonstrate motor coordination and manual dexterity required to handle and operate wheelchairs, beds, blood pressure cuffs, computer keyboards, open packages, and perform procedures.
Fine Motor
Use hands for grasping, pushing, pulling, and fine manipulation and possess tactile ability sufficient for physical assessment and ability to differentiate change in sensation.
Mentation
Maintain reality orientation for at least an eight to twelve-hour period of time. Assimilate and apply knowledge acquired through lecture discussions and readings. Comprehend and apply basic mathematical skills, e.g., factor labeling, use of conversion tables, calculation of drug dosages and solutions. Comprehend and apply abstract concepts from biological, sociological, and psychological sciences. Collect and interpret data. Organize, prioritize, and plan work in a logical sequence.
Smell
Olfactory ability sufficient to monitor and assess health needs and distinguish odors.
Writing
Communicate and organize thoughts to prepare written/typed documents that are correct in style, grammar, and mechanics.
Psycho/Social
Cope effectively while working in a stressful environment using patience, tact, and flexibility. Communicate therapeutically and effectively with others. Respect persons of diverse cultural, religious, and ethnic backgrounds. Demonstrate caring, empathy, accountability, honesty, integrity, and a neat, clean professional appearance.
Accommodations
Any student who thinks he/she does not possess one or more of these functions should contact the Office of Student Accessibility. Provisions for accommodations will be made in compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.