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    Nursing Essential Abilities Form

    NURSING ESSENTIAL ABILITIES AND BEHAVIORS
    As part of the application process, all applicants to the School of Nursing must read and agree to a list of Essential Abilities and Behaviors.
    The Mission Statements of Saint Xavier University and its School of Nursing, as well as the tenets of professional nursing, identify the essential abilities and behaviors that must be demonstrated by all those who apply for admission to, or who are enrolled in, the undergraduate program. The sustained adherence to and demonstration of these essential abilities and behaviors are critical to the attainment of success, both academically and professionally.
    Motor Skills
    Students need to have sufficient strength and motor function in order to be able to execute gross and fine motor movements required in the domain of nursing care or nursing activity, such as:
    • Assisting with turning and lifting patients
    • Administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
    • Assisting with ambulation
    • Handle small equipment such as syringes
    Sensory Skills
    Students need to have sufficient sensory/perceptual ability in order to be able to monitor and assess patients while performing nursing care or nursing activities, such as:
    • Visual acuity to read calibrations and determine physical observation
    • Hearing acuity for auscultatory sounds, alarms, and verbal communication
    • Tactile ability to determine vital signs and skin temperature
    • Olfactory ability to detect odors
    Cognitive
    Students must have the ability to demonstrate cognitive abilities necessary for professional nursing including, but not limited to:
    • Ability to read and understand written documents in English
    • Solve problems involving measurement, calculations, reasoning, analysis and synthesis
    • Ability to comprehend three dimensional and spatial relationships
    • Engage in critical thinking in academic and clinical activities
    Behavioral and Social
    Students must have the ability to demonstrate behavioral and social skills necessary for professional nursing including, but not limited to:
    • Relate to patients, faculty, other health care professionals and students with respect, integrity and honesty
    • Ability to work constructively in stressful and changing environments
    • Exercise sound judgment, adaptability and the willingness to give and receive feedback in a professional manner.
    • Complete the responsibilities in their program of study in a timely manner.
    • Demonstrate empathy for the situations and circumstances of others
    • Demonstrate emotional and mental health necessary to safely engage in the practice of nursing
    Communication
    Students must have the ability to demonstrate communication skills necessary for professional nursing including, but not limited to:
    • Communicate in Standard English effectively and sensitively, verbally, in writing, and electronically, with patients and their families as well as with other students, staff, faculty, professionals, agency personnel, and those relevant to their areas of study
    • Demonstrate clear, appropriate and respectful expression of ideas and feelings
    • Articulate information to patients in a manner that is understandable by patients, families, peers, faculty and other health care providers
    • Collaborate effectively with peers, faculty, and health care team members across disciplines
    Work Habits and Punctuality
    Students must demonstrate work habits necessary for professional nursing including, but not limited to:
    • Ability to complete classroom and clinical assignments at the required time
    • Ability to adhere to classroom, clinical schedules, and policies
    Professional Conduct
    Students must possess the ability to reason morally and practice nursing in an ethical manner. They must be willing to abide by professional standards of practice as well as regulations for professional licensure. Students must demonstrate the attributes of compassion, integrity, honesty, responsibility, commitment to learning, and respect for diversity.
    (Adapted from policies developed by the University of Washington, School of Nursing, Seattle, Washington and Queen’s University of Charlotte, NC; Maricopa Community College School of Nursing, Phoenix, AZ; Indiana University Bloomington, IN and Saint Xavier University School of Nursing Graduate Essential Abilities and Behaviors, Chicago, IL)
    ELECTRONIC SIGNATURE
    Acknowledge your agreement to the Essential Abilities and Behaviors document by providing your information below:
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    Criminal Background Check:
    Note: Prior to formal admission to the Nursing Program, all applicants must undergo a criminal background check to ensure compliance with state and/or federal law requirements for certification and licensure in health-related programs.  In addition, all students admitted to, and currently enrolled in, the Nursing Program will have an ongoing duty to report any arrest, criminal charges, pleas and/or convictions that may directly or substantively relate to one's work in the Program and one's eligibility to be placed at a nursing clinical site. Information regarding the criminal background check process and subsequent reporting will be provided to admitted students prior to their first semester at SXU, as well as annually to continuing, enrolled students.