Temple College — Nursing Programs

Core Performance Standards

Nursing is a hands-on profession that requires cognitive, sensory, emotional, and physical abilities. The Core Performance Standards below outline the essential skills needed to participate in the nursing program.

Acknowledgment Required

You will be required to sign an acknowledgment form confirming that you meet these standards upon acceptance into the Nursing program. If, at any point during the program, you believe you are unable to meet one or more of these standards without accommodations or modifications, you may request support and guidance. Each request will be reviewed individually to determine whether reasonable accommodations or modifications can be provided.

Requirement

Critical Thinking

Standard
Critical thinking ability for effective clinical reasoning and clinical judgement consistent with level of educational preparation.
Examples of Necessary Activities
  • Identification of cause/effect relationships in clinical situations.
  • Use of the nursing process in the development of patient care plans.
  • Evaluation of the effectiveness of nursing interventions implemented.
  • Solve problems and make valid rational decisions using logic, creativity, and reasoning.
  • Respond instantly to emergencies.
  • Exhibit arithmetic competence to read, understand, and perform calculations for computing dosages.
References
TBON 213.29 Fitness to Practice TBON Rule 213.27 Good Professional Character TBON Rule 217.11 Standards Applicable to Professional Nurses ANA Provision 4 NLN Nursing Judgement & Spirit of Inquiry

Requirement

Professional Behavior

Standard
Student Nurses are expected to respect the nursing profession to which they aspire and perform and behave in a respectful, ethical, and professional manner with others in class, lab, and clinical.
Examples of Necessary Activities
  • Integrates ethical behavior in nursing practice.
  • Performs activities safely, so as not to injure or harm others.
  • Interacts respectfully with peers, superiors, and patients.
  • Capacity to engage in successful conflict resolution.
  • Recognizes that as a student they represent the nursing profession and must behave accordingly.
  • Respects and adheres to the policies and procedures of the College, Nursing Program, and clinical agencies.
  • Reflects on personal behavior and practice performance with patients; engages in self-evaluation.
  • Refrains from disruptive behavior as described in the Temple College Student Handbook, including sleeping in class, belligerent attitude, ignoring instructor's directions, talking at inappropriate times, and use of unauthorized personal devices (gaming, browsing the internet, texting, listening to music, etc.).
References
TBON 213.29 Fitness to Practice TBON Rule 213.27 Good Professional Character TBON Rule 217.11 Standards Applicable to Professional Nurses ANA Provisions 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 NLN Human Flourishing, Professional Identity, Nursing Judgement & Spirit of Inquiry

Requirement

Communication

Standard
Communication abilities sufficient for verbal, written, and electronic format.
Examples of Necessary Activities
  • Write and speak English effectively in order to be understood by the public.
  • Communicate therapeutically with clients, families, and groups in a variety of settings.
  • Communicate appropriately with faculty and peers.
  • Documentation and interpretation of nursing actions and patient/client responses.
  • Provide health teaching information for clients, families, and/or groups based on assessed needs, available resources, age, lifestyle, and cultural considerations.
  • Remember pertinent information and communicate to all interdisciplinary team members, client, and family where consented.
References
TBON 213.29 Fitness to Practice TBON Rule 217.11 Standards Applicable to Professional Nurses ANA Provisions 1, 2 & 3 NLN Human Flourishing & Nursing Judgement

Requirement

Physical Ability

Standard
Physical abilities sufficient for movement from room to room and in small spaces. Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient for providing safe, effective nursing care.
Examples of Necessary Activities
  • Administration of rescue procedures — cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
  • Lift, move, position, and transport clients without causing harm, undue pain, or discomfort to the client or oneself.
  • Stoop, bend, squat, and reach overhead as required to safely reach equipment and provide nursing care.
  • Correctly administer oral and parenteral medications to maintain client safety; calibration and use of equipment.
  • Provide or assist with activities of daily living such as bed bath, hygiene, and toileting; positioning clients; making an occupied or unoccupied bed.
References
TBON 213.29 Fitness to Practice TBON Rule 217.11 Standards Applicable to Professional Nurses ANA Provisions 4 & 5 NLN Professional Identity & Nursing Judgement

Requirement

Sensory

Standard
Auditory ability sufficient for monitoring and assessing health needs — must be able to hear without the aid of an interpreter. Visual ability sufficient for observation and assessment necessary for patient care. Tactile ability sufficient for physical assessment. Olfactory ability sufficient for observation and assessment necessary for safe client care.
Examples of Necessary Activities
  • Ability to hear monitoring device alarms and other emergency signals.
  • Ability to discern auscultatory sounds and cries for help.
  • Ability to observe patient's condition and responses to treatments and recognize subtle physical changes.
  • Ability to palpate in physical examinations and various therapeutic interventions.
  • Recognize environmental odors.
References
TBON 213.29 Fitness to Practice TBON Rule 217.11 Standards Applicable to Professional Nurses ANA Provisions 4 & 5 NLN Professional Identity & Nursing Judgement

Requirement

Emotional Stability

Standard
Emotional stability sufficient to tolerate rapidly changing conditions and environmental stress.
Examples of Necessary Activities
  • Establish therapeutic interpersonal boundaries.
  • Provide clients with emotional support.
  • Adapt to changing environments and stress while maintaining professional conduct and standards without displaying hostility, agitation, rudeness, or belligerence.
  • Poses no threat to self or others.
  • Manage and respond to multiple priorities in stressful situations.
References
TBON 213.29 Fitness to Practice TBON Rule 213.27 Good Professional Character TBON Rule 217.11 Standards Applicable to Professional Nurses ANA Provisions 1, 4 & 5 NLN Human Flourishing, Nursing Judgement & Professional Identity

Derived from the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) report "The Americans with Disabilities Act: Implications for Nursing Education", 2016 revision. www.sreb.org/publication/americans-disabilities-act