Associate Degree of Nursing Admissions Application
Nursing Essential Skills and Functional Abilities
The Associate Degree of Nursing Program is a discipline with cognitive, sensory, affective and psychomotor performance
requirements. Based on these requirements, the following list highlights the Nursing Essential Skills and Functional Abilities that
have been developed. Each standard has an example of activities which a student will be required to perform, with or without an
accommodation, while enrolled in the ADN program at Manhattan Tech. The Nursing Essential Skills and Functional Abilities should
be used as a guide to assist applicants in determining whether or not accommodations or modifications are necessary in order to
meet program participation requirements. Applicants who identify potential difficulties with meeting the Program Performance
Standards should communicate their concerns to the Director of Nursing. If the concern is related to a documented disability,
applicants are responsible for contacting the Student Services. Determination of reasonable and appropriate accommodation will
be made on an individual basis in consultation with the Student Services Office. Additionally, applicants should assess their
aptitude and ability to perform professional duties by reviewing the Program Performance Standards below and discussing them
with their healthcare provider.
TAKE THIS TABLE AS WELL AS THE HEALTH CARE PROVIDER SIGNATURE FORM TO A HEALTH CARE
PROFESSIONAL TO BE COMPLETED
Critical thinking sufficient for clinical
judgment.
Competent assessment of patient in timely
manner; correct interpretation of assessment;
readily respond with appropriate treatment plans;
ability to work alone and to make
correct independent decisions as needed.
Interpersonal abilities sufficient to
interact with individuals, families and
groups from a variety of social,
emotional, cultural, and intellectual
Life and death situations; working with families
stressed by the condition of a loved one; working
with other healthcare providers in stressful
situations.
Communication abilities sufficient for
interaction with others in verbal and
written form.
Ability to follow verbal and/or written instructions.
Must communicate patient response to therapy
with others; document therapeutic procedures
performed on patient; consult with other
healthcare providers in a professional manner.
Physical abilities sufficient to move
from room to room and walk in
hallways; maneuver in small spaces;
Includes the strength necessary to lift
Walking to and from departments to patient
rooms; walking room to room to take care of all
patients on a team; assisting in patient transport.
Motor Skills
Gross and fine motor abilities
sufficient to safely and effectively
perform nursing care. Tactile ability
sufficient for physical assessment and
to provide nursing intervention.
Perform vital signs, CPR, transporting patients,
physical assessment, manipulating equipment.
Perform palpation; give injections; intravenous
initiation; provide sterile and non-sterile dressing
changes; urinary catherization; assist patient with
Auditory ability sufficient to monitor
and assess health needs.
Auscultation of BP, breath sounds, heart sounds,
bowel sounds; hearing alarms in units, call bells,
telephones, and conversing with patients, family,
Visual ability sufficient for observation
and assessment.
Reading patient charts/flow sheet/monitors;
drawing up and administering medications;
assessing patient skin color; reading thermometers.