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Functional Abilities of Nurses

FUNCTIONAL ABILITIES ESSENTIAL OF CANDIDATES FOR ADMISSION AND CONTINUANCE IN THE AAS IN NURSING

A candidate or student in the nursing program must possess essential functional abilities in order to provide safe and effective patient care.  The Department of Nursing Science subscribes to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (1996) essential functional ability categories and representative activities and attributes.  The essential functional abilities and representative activities and attributes are necessary to acquire or demonstrate competence in a discipline as complex as nursing.  They are needed for successful admission and continuance of candidates for the AAS in Nursing at Lincoln University.  The essential functional abilities and representative activities and attributes are:     

Gross Motor Skills                               

Move within confined spaces          

Sit and maintain balance                                                                 

Stand and maintain balance                                                            

Reach above shoulders (IV tubing, poles)                                 

Reach below waist (plug appliance into receptacle)     

Fine Motor Skills

Pick up objects with hands

Grasp small objects with hands (IV)

Write with pen or pencil

Pinch/pick or otherwise work with fingers (manipulate a syringe)

Twist (turn objects / knobs using hands)

Squeeze with finger (eye dropper) 

Physical Endurance

Stand (at client side during surgical or therapeutic procedure)

Sustain repetitive movements (CPR)

Maintain physical tolerance (work entire shift)

Physical Strength

Push and pull 25 pounds (position client)

Support 25 pounds of weight (ambulate client)

Lift 25 pounds (pick up a child, transfer client)

Move light objects weighing up to 10  pounds (IV poles)

Move heavy objects weighing from 11 to 50 pounds

Defend self against combative client

Carry equipment/supplies

Use upper body strength (perform CPR, physically restrain a client)

Squeeze with hands (operate fire extinguisher) 

Mobility

Twist

Bend

Stoop/squat

Move quickly (response to an emergency)

Climb (ladders/stools/stairs)

Walk 

Hearing

Hear normal speaking level sounds (person-to-person report)

Hear faint voices

Hear faint body sounds (blood pressure sounds, assess placement of tubes)

Hear in situations when not able to see lips (when masks are used)

Hear auditory alarms (monitors, fire alarms, call bells) 

Visual

See objects up to 20 inches away ( information  on a computer screen, skin conditions)

See objects up to 20 feet away (client in a room)

See objects more than 20 feet away (client at end of hall)

Use depth perception

Distinguish color (color codes on supplies, charts, bed)

Distinguish color intensity (flushed skin, skin paleness)

Tactile

Feel vibrations (palate pulses)

Detect temperature (skin, solutions)

Feel differences in surface characteristics (skin turgor, rashes)

Feel differences in sizes, shapes (palpate vein, identify body landmarks)

Detect environmental temperature (check for drafts)

Smell

Detect odors from client (foul smelling drainage, alcohol breath, etc.)

Detect smoke

Detect gases or noxious smells 

Reading

Read and understand written documents (policies, protocols) 

Arithmetic Competence

Read and understand columns of writing (flow sheet, charts)

Read digital displays

Read graphic printouts (EKG)

Calibrate equipment

Convert numbers to and/or from the Metric System

Read graphs (vital sign sheets)

Tell time

Measure time (count duration of contractions, etc.)

Count rates (drips/minute, pulse)

Use measuring tools (thermometer)

Read measurement marks (measurement tapes, scales, etc.)

Add, subtract, multiply, and /or divide whole numbers

Compute fractions (medication dosages)

Use a calculator

Write numbers in records 

Emotional Stability

Establish therapeutic boundaries

Provide client with emotional support

Adapt to changing environment/stress

Deal with the unexpected (client going bad, crisis)

Focus attention on task

 Monitor own emotions

Perform multiple responsibilities concurrently

Handle strong emotions (grief) 

Analytical Thinking

Transfer knowledge from one situation to another

Process information

Evaluate outcomes

Problem solve

Prioritize tasks

Use long term memory

Use short term memory 

Critical Thinking

Identify cause-effect relationships

Plan/control activities for others

Synthesize knowledge and skills

Sequence information 

Interpersonal Skills

Negotiate interpersonal conflict

Respect differences in clients

Establish rapport with clients

Establish rapport with co-workers

Communication Skills

Teach (client/family about health care)

Explain procedures

Give oral reports (report on client’s condition to others)

Interact with others (health care workers)

Speak on the telephone

Influence people

Direct activities of others