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.