Instructions to applicants:
You are required to read the following information. Because the Master of Science degree in nursing signifies that the holder is a professional nurse, it follows that graduates must have the knowledge and skills to practice in all fields of nursing. Therefore, all individuals admitted to the University of Kansas School of Nursing MS program will be asked to verify that they can meet these standards with or without accommodation(s). Applicants who disclose a disability are considered for admission if they are otherwise qualified.
The BSN degree is and must remain a broad undifferentiated degree attesting to the acquisition of general knowledge in all fields of nursing and the basic skills requisite for the practice of nursing. After acceptance, but before admission to the School of Nursing, students in all programs must be able to document current certification/evidence of completion of a course in cardiopulmonary resuscitation for healthcare providers. This requires being able to successfully complete both the written and practical test for certification. In addition, with or without accommodation, all students admitted to the School of Nursing must meet the following abilities and expectations.
- Observation: Applicants must be able to observe demonstrations and learn from experiences in the basic sciences, including but not limited to, physiology and pharmacology, microbiology and pathophysiology laboratory situations. Applicants must be able to observe and learn from experiences in the clinical nursing laboratory such as the following examples: accurately read gradients/calibrations on a syringe; measure medications accurately; hear heart, breath, abdominal sounds; assess normal and abnormal skin color changes in the skin; and observe pupil changes.
- Communication: Communications include not only speech but also reading and writing. Applicants should be able to speak, to hear and to observe patients in order to elicit information, describe changes in mood, activity and posture, and perceive nonverbal communications. Applicants must be able to communicate effectively and sensitively with patients and their families. Applicants must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in oral and written form with all members of the health care team.
- Motor: Applicants should have sufficient motor function to elicit information from patients by palpation, auscultation, percussion, and other diagnostic maneuvers. Applicants should be physically able to collect specimens and perform basic laboratory tests (urinalysis, CBC, etc). Applicants should be able to execute motor movements reasonably required to provide general care and emergency treatment to patients. Examples of emergency treatment reasonably required of nurses are cardiopulmonary resuscitation, administration of intravenous medication, application of pressure to stop bleeding, and assist in moving and lifting patients using proper body mechanics. Such actions require coordination of both gross and fine muscular movements, equilibrium and functional use of the sense of touch and vision.
- Intellectual-Conceptual, Integrative, and Quantitative: Applicants should have cognitive abilities including measurements, calculation, reasoning, analysis, and synthesis. Problem solving, the critical skill demanded by nurses, requires all of these intellectual abilities. In addition, the applicant should be able to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and to understand the spatial relationships of structures.
- Behavioral and Social Attributes: Applicants must possess the emotional health required to utilize their intellectual abilities fully, exercise good judgment, complete all responsibilities attendant to the nursing diagnosis and care of patients promptly, and the development of mature, sensitive and effective relationships with patients and their families. Applicants must be able to tolerate physically taxing workloads and to function effectively under stress. They must be able to adapt to changing environments, to display flexibility, and to learn to function in the face of uncertainties inherent in the clinical problems of many patients. Compassion, integrity, concern for others, interpersonal communication skills, interest and motivation are all personal qualities that should be assessed during the admissions and education process.
When applicants or students disclose a disability, reasonable accommodations will be made to assist these individuals. It is important to give persons interested in enrolling a realistic view of the vigorous demands of the School of Nursing's theoretical and practicum curriculum while at the same time investigating reasonable accommodation.
Interested individuals may schedule an orientation visit to the nursing skills laboratory and actual sites of the University of Kansas Hospital. These orientation visits enable persons to assess their interest and ability to function in the actual clinical areas and in learning and demonstrating manual skills.
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