Technical Standards for College of Nursing Students

Rush University is committed to diversity and to attracting and educating students who will make the population of health care professionals representative of the national population. Our core values — ICARE — Innovation, Collaboration, Accountability, Respect and Excellence translate into our work with all students, including those with disabilities. Rush actively collaborates with students to develop innovative ways to ensure accessibility and creates a respectful accountable culture through our confidential and specialized disability support. Rush is committed to excellence in accessibility; we encourage students with disabilities to disclose and seek accommodations. 

Rush University College of Nursing provides the following sample description/examples of technical standards to inform incoming and enrolled students of the performance abilities and characteristics that are necessary to successfully complete the requirements of the nursing curriculum and provide effective and safe health care. To matriculate (enroll) the student must meet technical standards with or without reasonable accommodations and maintain related satisfactory demonstration of these standards for progression through the program.

If you had sufficient education would you be able to perform the following technical standards:

Acquire information:

• Acquire information from demonstrations and experiences in nursing courses such as lecture, group, and physical demonstrations.
• Acquire information from written documents and computer systems (e.g., literature searches & data retrieval).
• Identify information presented in images from paper, slides, videos, and transparencies.
• Recognize and assess patient changes in mood, activity, cognition, verbal, and non-verbal communication.

Use and Interpret:

• Use and interpret information from assessment techniques/maneuvers such as those involved in assessing respiratory and cardiac function, blood pressure, blood sugar, neurological status, etc.
• Use and interpret information related to physiologic phenomena generated from diagnostic tools (i.e., sphygmomanometer, otoscope, ophthalmoscope) during a comprehensive examination of a client or patient.

Motor:

• Possess psychomotor skills necessary to provide holistic nursing care and perform or assist with procedures, treatments, and medication administration.
• Practice in a safe manner and appropriately provide care in emergencies and life support procedures and perform universal precautions against contamination.

Communication:

• Communicate effectively and sensitively with patients and families.
• Communicate effectively with faculty, preceptors, and all members of the healthcare team during practicum and other learning experiences.
• Accurately elicit information including a medical history & other information to adequately and effectively evaluate a client or patient’s condition.

Intellectual ability:

• Measure, calculate, reason, analyze, and synthesize data related to patient diagnosis and treatment of patients.
• Exercise proper judgment and complete responsibilities in a timely and accurate manner according to the advanced generalist nursing role.
• Synthesize information, problem solve, and think critically to judge the most appropriate theory or assessment strategy.
• Ask for help when needed and make proper judgments of when a nursing task can or cannot be carried out alone.

Behavioral:

• Maintain mature, sensitive, effective relationships with clients/patients, families, students, faculty, staff, preceptors and other professionals under all circumstances.
• Exercise skills of diplomacy to advocate for patients in need.
• Possess emotional stability to function under stress and adapt to changing environments inherent to the classroom and practice settings with or without accommodations.

Character:

• Concern for others, integrity, accountability, interest, and motivation are necessary personal qualities.
• Demonstrate intent and desire to follow the ANA Standards of Care and Nursing Code of Ethics.

Rush University wishes to insure that access to its facilities, programs, and services are available to students with disabilities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to students on a nondiscriminatory basis consistent with legal requirements as outlined in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments ACT (ADAAA) of 2008, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

A reasonable accommodation is a modification or adjustment to an instructional activity, facility, program or service that enables a qualified student with a disability to have an equal opportunity to participate in all Rush University student activities. To be eligible for accommodations, a student must have a documented disability as defined by the ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The ADA, the ADAAA and Section 504 all define disability as (a) a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities of such individual; (b) a record of such impairment; or (c) being regarded as having such a condition.

Decisions regarding reasonable accommodation are determined on a case by case basis taking into consideration each student’s disability-related needs, disability documentation and program requirements. While Rush University will make every effort to work with students with disabilities to accommodate their disability-related needs, Rush University is not required to provide accommodations that fundamentally alter or waive essential program requirements.

Students who, after review of the technical standards determine that they require accommodation to fully engage in the program, should contact the Office of Student Accessibility Services to confidentially discuss their accommodations needs. Given the clinical nature of our programs additional time may be needed to implement accommodations. Accommodations are never retroactive; therefore, timely requests are essential and encouraged.

Information and forms for students with disabilities