Technical Standards

The Butte College Nursing Program provides the following technical standards (with examples) to inform students of the skills required in completing their chosen profession’s curriculum in the provision of healthcare services.

These technical standards reflect the performance abilities and characteristics that are necessary to complete the requirements of clinical based healthcare programs. Students must meet the standards of a Butte College Health Clinic physical exam. Requirements are not limited to the examples provided.

Fine Motor Skills

Standard: Students must possess fine motor skills sufficient to provide safe and effective patient care.

• Perform assessment and therapeutic procedures (e.g., inspection, palpation, auscultation).
• Operate healthcare equipment such as IV pumps, monitors, and syringes.
• Administer injections, dress wounds, assist with procedures, and use keyboards.

Gross Motor Skills

Standard: Students must possess gross motor skills sufficient to perform multiple motor tasks simultaneously, lift, move, position and transfer patients, and provide safe and effective nursing care.

• Push, pull, lift, and carry equipment.
• Assist with patient mobility, CPR, airway management, and bleeding control.
• Perform physical tasks for extended periods (up to 12 hours).

Hearing

Standard: Students must possess sufficient auditory ability to monitor and assess health needs and communicate with patients and staff. Includes the ability to hear a whisper from six feet away.

• Hear and converse with patients and healthcare professionals.
• Auscultate blood pressure and differentiate breath, heart, and bowel sounds.
• Respond to auditory cues (e.g., paging systems, alarms).

Visual

Standard: Students must have sufficient vision to observe and assess patients during nursing care, including peripheral vision, depth perception, and color distinction.

• Observe patient’s skin, calibrate syringes, read thermometers, and evaluate color changes.
• Monitor patients from various distances and read non-verbal communication.
• Perceive signs of disease and gather information from demonstrations and observations.

Mobility/Strength

Standard: Students must have sufficient mobility and strength to support and move patients, perform patient care, and execute emergency procedures.

• Support and transfer patients in and out of bed.
• Assist ambulation with assistive devices and control falls safely.
• Manipulate medical equipment and reposition patients as needed.
• Hang IV fluid bags at appropriate levels.

Tactile

Standard: Students must have sufficient tactile ability to perform accurate and effective assessments and interventions.

• Distinguish temperatures, pulse rates, anatomical landmarks, and firmness.
• Perform interventions like IV insertion and catheterization.

Cognitive

Standard: Students must be able to measure, calculate, reason, analyze, integrate, synthesize, and problem-solve. They must apply critical thinking in clinical and classroom settings.

• Read and comprehend written material quickly.
• Prioritize and implement care swiftly and accurately.
• Communicate patient data effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Analyze and synthesize information to make judgments.
• Respond quickly in emergencies and accept constructive feedback.
• Participate in simulations, including recorded and peer-reviewed scenarios.
• Engage in simulation critiques and discussions.

Communication

Standard: Students must communicate professionally, effectively, and sensitively with students, faculty, staff, patients, and families.

• Communicate clearly in written and spoken formats.
• Give and receive feedback in large group settings.
• Exchange accurate information efficiently, even in high-stress situations.

Behavioral/Emotional

Standard: Students must demonstrate emotional stability, good judgment, adaptability, and effective interpersonal relationships in diverse settings, even under stress.

• Build professional and therapeutic relationships with others.
• Communicate with clarity and accuracy under stress.
• Demonstrate perseverance, consistency, and dedication to program requirements.

Professional Conduct

Standard: Students must demonstrate attributes such as empathy, integrity, responsibility, and respect. They must collaborate effectively in healthcare teams.

• Provide care to diverse patient populations, including vulnerable and medically complex individuals.
• Use sound judgment and recognize personal limitations, seeking help when needed.
• Never abandon patients in clinical or simulated settings.
• Adhere to program attendance and participation requirements.