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.