School of Nursing Technical Standards

To provide quality nursing care the student is expected to possess functional use of the senses of vision, touch, hearing, taste and smell so that data received by the senses can be integrated, analyzed and synthesized in a consistent and accurate manner. The student must be able to observe a client accurately at a distance and close at hand. In addition, the individual is expected to possess the ability to perceive pain, pressure, temperature, position, equilibrium and movement. A student must be able to respond promptly to urgent situations that may occur during clinical training activities and must not hinder the ability of other members of the health care team to provide prompt treatment and care to patients. Students are not permitted take substances that have the potential to slow their reaction time in providing prompt treatment and care to patients.

The student is expected to be able to observe the client holistically to accurately assess any health/illness alterations. These include the ability to make accurate visual and acoustic observations and interpret them in the context of laboratory studies, medication administration and client care activities. Inherent in this observation process is the functional use of the senses and sufficient motor capability to carry out the necessary assessment activities.

The student is expected to be able to effectively communicate and receive communication, both verbally and non-verbally and to translate this information to others. This requires the ability to see, speak, hear, read, write, and effectively utilize the English language**. A student must be able to elicit information, describe changes in mood, activity and posture, and perceive nonverbal communications as well as communicate effectively and sensitively with clients. Communication includes written and oral communication to clients, families and members of the health care team.

**English as a Second Language students will follow the University ESL policy. 

The student is expected to be able to perform gross and fine motor movements required to provide holistic nursing care including the ability to perform inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation and other diagnostic maneuvers as well as gross motor skills such as turning, transferring, transporting and exercising clients. The student is expected to have the psychomotor skills necessary to perform or assist with procedures, treatments, administration of medications and emergency interventions such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the administration of parenteral medication, the application of pressure to stop bleeding and the suctioning of obstructed airways. A student must also be able to protect the client in emergency situations such as fire. Such actions require coordination of both gross and fine muscular movements, equilibrium and functional use of the sense of touch, hearing and vision. The student is expected to be able to maintain consciousness and equilibrium, and have the physical strength and stamina to perform satisfactorily in clinical nursing experiences.

The student is expected to have the ability to develop and refine problem solving skills and demonstrate the ability to establish plans of care and set priorities. This includes the ability to measure, calculate, reason, analyze and synthesize objective as well as subjective data in a timely manner and make decisions that reflect consistent and thoughtful deliberation of the appropriate data. The student is expected to be able to listen, speak, read, write, reason and perform mathematical functions at a level which allows the student to process and understand the materials presented in both a written and a verbal format throughout his or her course of study.

The student is expected to demonstrate compassion, integrity, motivation, accountability, effective  interpersonal skills, and concern for others. The student is expected to have the emotional stability to fully utilize their intellectual abilities, exercise sound judgment, complete assessment and intervention activities, and develop sensitive interpersonal relationships with patients/clients, families and others  responsible for health care. Students are expected to have the ability to establish rapport and maintain sensitive and confidential interpersonal relationships with individuals, families and groups from diverse social, emotional, cultural and intellectual backgrounds. The student is expected to have the flexibility to function effectively under stress, including emergency situation; the individual is expected to be able to learn to adapt to changing environments, to display flexibility, arrive on time and meet the demands for timely performance of duties, accept and integrate constructive criticism given in classroom and clinical setting and to learn to function in the face of uncertainties inherent in the clinical problems of many patients. 

(Adapted with permission from Creighton University School of Nursing Safety and Technical Standards Policy and Procedure, 2021) 
Students requesting accommodation should contact the Duquesne University Office of Disability Services at (412) 396-6658.

Students are not permitted to use marijuana during clinical rotations as it is not permitted by the School of Nursing’s clinical partners while students care for patients due to patient safety considerations. It is up to the student’s physician if they elect not to use marijuana as a medical treatment to enter a nursing school in Pennsylvania. The School of Nursing does not recommend any medical treatments for students. Students will need medical clearance by their physician indicating that they meet the technical standards as outlined in this section of the handbook without marijuana use. Any student who receives a positive drug test for marijuana will not be permitted to attend the clinical portion of the program. 

The handling of all records and subject information for all evaluations will be strictly confidential and revealed only to those required to have access. Any breach of confidentiality will be considered serious and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken. 

Any identified misrepresentation, falsification, or material omission of information from an applicant discovered during the admission process or student during ongoing enrollment when clinical course  eligibility if deliberated, may result in exclusion from clinical activities, or immediate dismissal. 

Technical Standards are posted on the admissions page of the School of Nursing website. All requests for accommodation by applicants or current students are to be directed to the University Office of Disability Services. In certain circumstances, the Assistant Dean for Recruitment and Enrollment Management, Associate Dean for Student Affairs, Undergraduate Program Chair or Clinical Coordinator may be consulted, as needed, by the Office of Disability Services to determine reasonable accommodation for clinical practice. A student wishing to appeal a decision regarding accommodation should do so, in writing, to the Dean within fourteen (14) working days from the student’s receipt of notice of the decision. The decision of the Dean on appeal shall be final.