Technical Standards for Admission and Progression
By accepting admission and enrolling in the Yale School of Nursing, students certify that they have read this policy and understand the technical standards for admission and progression in the program.
In addition to didactic content, nursing education requires that a student must complete a clinical/practicum component that involves caring for patients. This policy reviews the School’s expectations for the student’s participation in and adherence to required technical standards in the classroom, simulation, and throughout clinical settings.
The Yale School of Nursing does not discriminate on the basis of disability. If reasonable accommodations will allow an otherwise qualified student with a disability to meet these technical standards, reasonable accommodations will be provided. Students who require accommodations on the basis of disability must register with Student Accessibility Services (see Student Accessibility Services in the chapter Yale University Resources and Services), provide supporting documentation to that office, and request accommodation.
On occasion, a student’s ability to meet our technical standards may change during the course of their studies. In such instances, the student should notify the program as soon as possible. In addition, the student may request a reasonable accommodation by seeking assistance through Student Accessibility Services (SAS). The student, SAS, and program leadership will work together to provide reasonable accommodation while still maintaining the technical standards. In the event that a student is not able to meet the technical standards with reasonable accommodation, the student will be dismissed from the program.
Essential eligibility requirements for participation in the nursing program include the following technical standards:
Observation/Communication
• Auditory, visual, smell, and tactile or functional equivalent ability sufficient to observe, monitor, assess, and respond to patient health needs in a variety of clinical settings
• Capacity to accurately obtain and use data for oral and written communications, and use visual images, sounds, and verbal and non-verbalcommunication to inform patient care
• Ability to record information accurately, timely, and clearly in oral and written form and communicate effectively and sensitively with patients, their families, and colleagues in the healthcare system
Physical/Motor
• Physical abilities sufficient to move throughout clinical settings, execute motor movements, and perform manually based diagnostic procedures (i.e., palpation, auscultation, percussion, and other diagnostic maneuvers) required to provide general and emergency patient care
• Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to provide therapeutic nursing interventions that are safe and effective and that maintainsafety and security standards
• Motor skills sufficient to meet the requirements specific to the specialty scope of practice
Intellectual—conceptual, integrative, and quantitative
• Critical thinking sufficient for clinical and academic judgment
• Sophisticated problem-solving skills, including calculation, reasoning, analysis, and synthesis; ability to learn through a variety ofmodalities, including classroom, simulation, and clinical settings, individual and team-based learning, preparation of oral and written reports, and use of technology to support academic work
• Ability to integrate and assimilate complex information from multiple sources in varying amounts, and multiple educational experiences in a timely fashion in order to formulate accurate patient assessments and management plans
• Ability to comprehend spatial relationships and three-dimensional relationships of structures
Behavioral/Social
Students must possess the emotional health required for full utilization of their intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgment, and the completion of all academic and patient care responsibilities. The development of mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with patients and other members of the health care team are essential. The ability to function in the face of uncertainties inherent in clinical practice, adaptability to change environments, flexibility, compassion, integrity, motivation, interpersonal skills, and concern for others are all required.
• Interpersonal ability to interact appropriately, sensitively, and compassionately with individuals, families, and groups from diverse backgrounds irrespective of the patient’s race, ethnicity, social, emotional, cultural, religious/political preference, gender or sexual orientation, ability to pay and intellectual backgrounds
• Ability to adhere to the Yale School of Nursing Personal Conduct Policy in academic and clinical settings
• Ability to demonstrate appropriate judgment in decision-making, in order to maintain safety and security of patients and to behave appropriately with patients, staff, students, and supervisors
• Ability to function and adapt effectively under physically demanding workload, long hours, and in times of physical and mental stress; display flexibility and openness for changing environments and integrate constructive feedback given in the classroom and clinical settings
• Ability to engage in respectful, mature, and healthy client-provider relationships.
Ethics and Compliance with Applicable Laws and Policies
Students must be able to understand the basis and content of both general and healthcare ethics. Students whose performance or judgment is impaired by prescribed or illicit medications, abuse of alcohol or other substances and who cannot meet the technical standards are not suitable candidates for admission, promotion, or graduation. In addition, should a student be charged or convicted of any misdemeanor or felony offense while in the Program, the student agrees to immediately notify the Program as to the nature of the legal issues. Failure to disclose prior or new offenses can lead to disciplinary action that may include dismissal and/or YSN require to provide a report to the Connecticut Board of Examiners of Nursing. It is expected that students will maintain a high level of personal integrity, acting ethically and lawfully in their professional and personal lives.
Approved March 22, 2023 by YSN Board of Permanent Officers