13 Revised 6/15/20
Practical Nursing Admissions Application
Nursing Essential Skills and Functional Abilities
The Practical 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 PN 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 Retention
Specialist. Determination of reasonable and appropriate accommodation will be made on an individual basis in consultation with the
Student Retention Specialist. 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
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
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
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.
Mobility
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.
Tactile and
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 catherizations; assist patient with
Hearing
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.