PROFESSIONAL NURSING REQUIREMENTS:
The nurse must be able to perform the following necessary activities:

1. Communication: The ability sufficient for interaction with others in verbal and written form (Example: Explain treatment procedures; initiate health teaching; document and interpret nursing actions and patient responses).

2. Critical Thinking: The ability sufficient for clinical judgment (Example: Identify cause/effect relationships in clinical situations; develop nursing care plans and calculate medication dosages accurately).

3. Environment: The ability to work in healthcare settings (Example: Work in environment with temperature changes; frequent contact with water or other liquids; sufficient noise to cause distraction and hazards where there is danger to body or health).

4. Hearing: The ability sufficient to monitor and assess health needs (Example: Hear monitor alarm, emergency signals, auscultatory sounds and cries for help).

5. Interpersonal: Abilities sufficient from a variety of social, emotional, cultural and intellectual backgrounds (Example: Establish and maintain supportive relationships with patients and other healthcare providers).

6. Mobility: The ability sufficient to move from room to room and maneuver in small spaces; ability to lift, position, push or transfer patients (Example: Move around in patients’ rooms, work spaces and treatment areas; administer CPR; pushes, pulls or moves/lifts equipment and supplies [up to 25 pounds]; ability to reach, stoop, bend, kneel, crouch; prolonged standing and walking).

7. Motor Skills: Gross and fine motor skills sufficient to provide safe and effective nursing care (Example: Calibrate and use equipment; position patients; assist patients in and out of bed; use coordinated finger and hand movements).

8. Self-Care: The ability to present professional appearance and implement measures to maintain own health and not place patient in jeopardy (Examples: Implement universal precautions; use good personal hygiene; have no lesions or irritations [Example: hangnails, psoriasis, eczema, blisters]; no nail biting).

9. Smell: Olfactory senses sufficient for maintaining environmental and patient safety (Example: Distinguish smells that are contributory to assessing and/or maintaining patient’s health status [i.e., smelling smoke]).

10. Tactile: The ability sufficient for assessment of physical health status (Example: Perform palpation, functions of physical assessment [taking pulse and perceiving temperature] and/or related to therapeutic intervention [i.e., insertion of a catheter]).

11. Visual: Near and far visual acuity sufficient for observation, assessment and implementation (Example: Observe patient responses; read patients’ records, including physicians’ orders; administer and document medications; read gauges, digital printouts and computer screens).