In response to the Americans with Disabilities Act, a national survey of administrators of health care facilities, which employ nurses, validated a list of essential competencies a nurse must possess in order to function safely and effectively in a variety of clinical settings. Results indicate that relatively high numbers of activities were identified in each essential competency category by the health care agencies as being necessary for nursing practice. These competencies include:

• extended walking and standing daily
• ability to grasp, push, and/or pull
• ability to bend and stoop
• moving quickly in response to an emergency
• using upper body movements
• ability to reach
• carrying and moving equipment
• reaching and/or lifting

Other essential competencies identified for nursing care include:

• vision that allows detecting physical changes
• hearing that allows responding to physical and verbal cues
• a sense of touch that allows for assessment and palpation

Adaptations most frequently reported as being used by nursing staff were hearing aids, adaptive phones, and calculators.

*The ADN Nursing Program at Collin County Community College District has also accepted these physical competencies as expectations for success in the program.  Applicants will complete a Functional Abilities/Core Performance Standards Form upon conditional acceptance to the nursing program.

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