Campus Policies
Professional & Technical Standards
Both the program learning outcomes in the Baccalaureate program, and the supporting curriculum components adhere to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice. BSN students are expected to demonstrate the ability to meet the competency statements of the BSN Essentials by the completion of the BSN program. Students are also held to the following professional and technical standards:
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American Nurse Association (ANA) Standards of Practice & Standards of Professional Performance
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American Nurse Association (ANA) Code of Ethics
Essential Abilities
The School of Nursing faculty has specified essential abilities (technical standards) critical to the success of students in any IU nursing program. Students must demonstrate these essential abilities to succeed in their program of study. Qualified applicants are expected to meet all admission criteria and matriculating students are expected to meet all progression criteria, as well as these essential abilities (technical standards) with or without reasonable accommodations.
- Essential judgment skills to include: ability to identify, assess, and comprehend conditions surrounding patient situations for the purpose of problem solving patient conditions and coming to appropriate conclusions and/or prioritized course of actions.
- Essential physical functions to include: ability to meet physical expectations to safely and competently perform interventions required in the practice of nursing. Behaviors that demonstrate essential physical expectation include, but are not limited to freely walking, lifting, bending, and stretching without limitations consistent with course and program expectations.Additionally, being able to properly perform hand hygiene and use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) consistently for the safety and protection of student and patients.
- Essential neurological functions to include: ability to use the senses of sight, hearing, touch, and smell to make correct judgments regarding patient conditions. Behaviors that demonstrate essential neurological include, but are not limited to observation, listening, understanding relationships, writing, and sensory abilities consistent with course and program expectations.
- Essential communication skills to include: ability to communicate effectively with fellow students, faculty, patients, families, and all members of the health care team. Verbal, non-verbal, electronic, and written skills will consistently demonstrate effective, professional communication.
- Essential emotional coping skills to include: ability to demonstrate the mental health necessary to safely engage in the practice of nursing as determined by professional standards of practice. Uncontrolled anger, lack of self-control, disengagement, lethargy, and labile mood are examples of behaviors indicative of ineffective coping.
- Essential intellectual/conceptual skills to include: ability to measure, calculate, analyze, synthesize, and critically evaluate in order to engage competently in the safe practice of nursing.
- Other essential behavioral attributes: ability to engage in activities consistent with safe nursing practice free from the influence of any substance that may impair behavior or judgment. The student must demonstrate responsibility and accountability for actions as a student in the School of Nursing and as a developing professional nurse.
Students failing to meet these essential abilities, as determined by faculty, at any point in their academic program may have their progress interrupted until they have demonstrated their ability to meet these essential abilities within negotiated time frames.
For more details, please reference IUSON policy AFS-06
Last updated April 2022
