OVERVIEW
Nursing education requires that the accumulation of scientific knowledge be accompanied by the simultaneous acquisition of skills and professional attitudes and behaviors.
Specific essential abilities or technical standards have been identified by the College of Nursing in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the 2008 Americans with Disabilities Act Amendment (ADAAA). All courses in the curriculum must be completed successfully and competently to build on the student’s previous knowledge gained in an Associate Degree program. Candidates for the undergraduate RN-BSN degree in nursing must have abilities and skills in five areas:
- Observation/Sensory-Motor
- Conceptual-Integrative
- Communication
- Motor
- Social, Emotional, Behavioral, and Self-Regulation
Technological accommodations can be made for some disabilities in certain of these areas, but a candidate should be able to perform in a reasonably independent manner and exercise independent judgment. These technical standards pertain to all student conduct regardless of setting (e.g. classroom/didactic, on-campus visits, off-campus clinical practice experiences, email communication, etc.). Individuals interested in applying for admission to WSU College of Nursing RN-BSN program are encouraged to consider their possible need for reasonable accommodations as they review these Technical Standards to become familiar with the skills, abilities, and behavioral characteristics required to complete the program. Reasonable accommodations are available for students with a documented disability. Further information can be found at the end of this document.
STANDARD I. OBSERVATION/SENSORY-MOTOR
General: Applicants and current students must be able to observe demonstrations and participate in didactic courses and learning opportunities. For clinical practice experience (e. g. community assessment and older adult assessment) the candidate/student must be able to observe the older adult, and observe members of a chosen community, accurately both at a distance and close at hand. If a candidate’s ability to observe or acquire information is compromised, it will be the responsibility of the student to utilize alternative means to collect and convey essential information.
Example:
Use and accurately interpret information obtained from observations during windshield surveys, home assessment, and older-adult assessment
STANDARD II. COGNITIVE-INTEGRATIVE
General: Applicants and current students should have the intellectual abilities to meet curricular requirements in a timely fashion. These abilities may include, but are not limited to: measurement, calculation, reasoning, integration, analysis, and synthesis of data and information. The ability to acquire information, with or without accommodation, from a variety of sources including verbal communications, written documents, films, slides, videos, and other electronic media also is required.
Examples:
Determine health disparities within a community-based on primary and secondary data analysis
Evaluate home safety issues and evidence-based literature to develop and present a safety teaching plan
STANDARD III. COMMUNICATION
General: Applicants and current students must possess interpersonal abilities sufficient to interact appropriately and effectively with individuals, families, and groups from diverse backgrounds. They must be able to demonstrate written and spoken proficiency in the English language and communicate appropriately, effectively, and efficiently in oral and written form, as appropriate to the RN-BSN nursing program.
Examples:
Elicit accurate information from individuals (community key stakeholders, faculty, other students) necessary to evaluate an individual’s or community’s health status and formulate a care plan and/or intervention adequately and effectively
Effectively convey and deliberate analysis results related to a community assessment
Establish rapport with community members, patients, peers, and colleagues
STANDARD IV. MOTOR/PSYCHOMOTOR
General: Applicants and current students should have sufficient motor function such that they are able to reasonably execute movements that are required to perform their teaching, learning, and practice experience responsibilities, including the abilities to produce written assignments/reports and collect data for a community assessment as appropriate to the RN-BSN nursing program.
Examples:
- Use and manage computer software or applications correctly and appropriately for their coursework and to collect data for community assessment analysis
- Possess psychomotor skills necessary to administer various assessment tools with an older adult (e.g. Mini-cog, Geriatric depression scale, home safety assessment)
STANDARD V. SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL, BEHAVIORAL, AND SELF-REGULATION
General: Applicants and current students must possess the emotional stability and ability to manage the demands associated with the pursuit of professional activities, including the full use of intellectual ability and good judgment to independently, accurately, and effectively complete all responsibilities and meet all deadlines. Applicants and students must be able to develop mature, sensitive, non-judgmental, non-prejudiced, and effective relationships with faculty, peers, and other professionals in the academic and community setting. A willingness to accept and respond to constructive criticism given in any situation is critical.
Examples:
- Demonstrate one’s composure in noisy, malodorous, or visually complex, emotionally charged, and intense situations to maintain a safe and therapeutic environment
- Demonstrate self-care and personal hygiene routines
- Demonstrate self-regulation in the context of receiving feedback regarding areas for improvement
- Demonstrate awareness of, and attend and respond to the needs of others effectively, compassionately and respectfully in order to establish and maintain therapeutic relationships
- Communicate professionally with peers, faculty, interprofessional team, and the general public
- Demonstrate the flexibility and adaptability within dynamic clinical, professional, and academic contexts
- Manage time effectively in order to complete professional and technical responsibilities within time constraints
- Demonstrate personal and professional integrity as well as commitment to uphold professional ethics and codes of conduct that protect clients and the public
Candidates and current students who have questions regarding the technical standards or who believe they may need to request reasonable accommodation(s) in order to meet the standards are encouraged to contact Access Services in the Student Success Center as part of the Division of Student Affairs for WSU Health Sciences prior to applying to the College of Nursing.
Instructions on how students can apply for accommodations
- Student Learning Accommodations: https://accesscenter.wsu.edu/
- Campus Accommodations for Students: https://access.wsu.edu/student-campus-accommodations/
| Policy Title | RNB Technical Standards |
| Policy Inception Date | 06/2022 |
| Policy Applicable Party | College of Nursing Undergraduate Students |
| Date of Last Change | 03/2023 |
| Responsible Party, Level I (to create and review) | Center for Student Excellence |
| Responsible Party, Level II (to approve) | CON Faculty |
| Responsible Party, Level III (to implement) | Center for Student Excellence |
