Technical Standards & Expectations

The University of Rochester School of Nursing is responsible for educating and transitioning competent students into nursing and healthcare professionals who educate, lead, conduct research, care for persons, families, and/or communities using critical thinking and clinical judgment, broad-based knowledge, and well-honed technical skills.

Admission to and continued enrollment in the University of Rochester School of Nursing is open to all qualified individuals in accordance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The University of Rochester School of Nursing is committed to reasonably accommodating individual students with documented disabilities who meet admission eligibility and will do so to the extent possible without fundamentally altering the essential components of the curriculum, which include the standards and expectations described below.

The University of Rochester School of Nursing reserves the right to reject any requests for accommodations, which, in its judgment may cause undue hardship, or pose a direct threat to the health or safety of clients, families, students, faculty, staff, or others. The use of trained intermediary, audition, communication, or mobility aides may be appropriate if this intermediary functions only as an information conduit and does not serve an integrative or interpretive function.

Any student expecting to need accommodations should request them prior to beginning the program (https://www.rochester.edu/college/disability/).

Students must complete all requirements for their intended degree. Candidates for the University of Rochester School of Nursing undergraduate and graduate degrees must possess certain abilities and skills deemed essential for meeting the professional standards of accrediting agencies in the five areas described below.

Requirements

1. Observation

Observation requires the functional use of the senses of vision, audition, olfaction, and palpation. The student must have sufficient capacity to visually observe demonstrations, participate in didactic courses, lab sessions, and simulated learning opportunities. The student must be able to visually observe a patient and others accurately at a distance and close at hand.

2. Communication

The student must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently with clients, caregivers, faculty/staff members, clinical supervisors, preceptors, fellow students, and all members of the healthcare team in varied healthcare settings. The student must be able to describe changes in mood, activity, posture, and perceive nonverbal communications. Communication includes not only speech but reading and writing. Mastery of both written and spoken English is required.

3. Motor

The student must have sufficient motor function to elicit information from clients by palpation, auscultation, percussion, and other manually-based diagnostic procedures relative to the scope of practice of the student. The student should be able to perform skills requiring the use of both gross and fine motor movements to provide interventions that are safe and effective to maintain safety and security.

4. Conceptual-Integrative

The student must possess intellectual abilities to critically think to demonstrate both clinical and academic judgment. The student must also be able to perform mathematical calculations, reason, problem-solve, analyze, synthesize, retain complex information, and use technology appropriately. In addition, the student must comprehend three-dimensional relationships and understand spatial relationships. The student must be alert and attentive during lab exercises, didactic sessions, and clinical practice.

5. Behavioral-Social

The student must demonstrate emotional stability to assume responsibility and accountability for their actions. The student must be able to attend to the needs of others, complete responsibilities, and develop mature and sensitive affective relationships. The student must be able to tolerate mentally taxing workloads and to function effectively under stress in the classroom, lab, simulation, and clinical area. The student must be flexible and able to learn in a changing environment. The student must exhibit professional behavior in all settings and adhere to the School of Nursing Student Code of Conduct as outlined in the Student Handbook.