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Harris College
TCU Nursing

Technical Standards for TCU Nursing Students

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Texas Christian University Harris College of Nursing provides the following description of technical standards to inform incoming and enrolled students of the performance abilities and characteristics that are necessary to complete the requirements of the nursing curriculum and provide effective and safe health care. To enter, remain, and progress in the nursing program, the student must meet these technical standards with or without reasonable accommodations and maintain related satisfactory demonstration of these standards. Please note that examples of the technical standards and abilities listed below are not inclusive. 

After sufficient education, the student will be expected to perform the following technical standards.

Acquire Information

  • Acquire information from nursing courses through lectures, group work, and physical demonstrations.
  • Acquire information from written documents and computer systems (e.g., literature searches and data retrieval).
  • Identify information presented in images from paper, slides, videos, and transparencies.
  • Recognize and assess changes in patient mood, activity, cognition, and 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 glucose, neurological status, etc.
  • Use and interpret information related to physiologic phenomena generated from diagnostic tools (i.e., sphygmomanometer, otoscope, stethoscope) 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 safely and provide appropriate care in emergencies requiring life support procedures, and follow standard precautions.

Communication

  • Communicate effectively and sensitively with patients and families from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds.
  • 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 and other information needed to adequately and effectively evaluate a client or patient’s condition.
  • Document effectively and accurately.

Intellectual Ability

  • Measure, calculate, reason, analyze, and synthesize data related to patient diagnosis and treatment.
  • Exercise proper judgment and complete responsibilities in a timely, accurate manner consistent with the advanced generalist nursing role.
  • Synthesize information, problem-solve, and think critically to determine the most appropriate intervention or assessment strategy.
  • Ask for help when needed and make sound judgments about when a nursing task can or cannot be done alone.

Behavioral

  • Maintain mature, sensitive, effective relationships with clients/patients, families, students, faculty, staff, preceptors and other professionals under all circumstances.
  • Use diplomacy to advocate for patients in need.
  • Maintain emotional stability to function under stress and adapt to the changing environments inherent to classroom and practice settings.

Character

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

Statement on Disability Services at TCU: Texas Christian University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 regarding students with disabilities. Eligible students seeking accommodations should contact TCU Student Access & Accommodation in the Center for Academic Services located in The Harrison, Suite 1200.

Accommodations are not retroactive; therefore, students should contact the Coordinator as soon as possible in the term for which they are seeking accommodations. Further information can be obtained from Student Access & Accommodation at 817-257-6567.

Used with permission by Rush University College of Nursing.

Adapted from AACN White Paper  on Inclusion of Students with Disabilities in Nursing Educational Programs for the California Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities (CCEPD)