Technical Standards

Basic computer and internet access for is essential for Nursing students. Students must be proficient in Microsoft Word and be prepared to utilize laptop computers in the classroom.

RCC offers student computer labs on all three campuses. Students admitted to RCC are assigned an RCC student email address. Students with an RCC email address are given free access to Microsoft Office 365 applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) that they can use online or download to their personal computers.

Internet and email access are integral parts of all Practical Nursing courses as all course exams will be online with ATI Testing and possession or access to a laptop computer for classroom use will be required daily. Phones and tablets do not provide full functionality. Assignments, quizzes and communication typically utilize the various tools of Rogue Online (Blackboard), the college’s learning management system.

Note: Printer access is available in the RCC libraries and student computer labs.

1. Recall, collect, analyze, synthesize and integrate information from a variety of sources.
2. Measure, calculate, reason, analyze and synthesize data.
3. Problem-solve and think critically to apply knowledge and skill.
4. Communicate verbally and through reading and writing with individuals from various social, emotional, cultural and intellectual backgrounds.
5. Relay information in oral and written form effectively, accurately, reliably and intelligibly, including thorough and accurate use of computers and other tools, to individuals and groups using the English language.
   
   Examples of learning activities found in the nursing curriculum and related to industry standards:

• • Process information thoroughly and quickly to prioritize and implement nursing care.
  • Sequence or cluster data to determine client needs.
  • Develop and implement a nursing plan of care for clients in the acute, long-term and community settings.
  • Discriminate fine/subtle differences in medical word endings.
  • Report verbally and in writing client data to members of the health care team.
  • Read and comprehend medical orders and client information found in the medical record.
  • Perform math computations for medication dosage calculations both with and without a calculator.
  • Apply knowledge/skills gained through completion of program prerequisites, including the requirement for computer proficiency.

1. Coordinate fine and gross motor movements.
2. Coordinate hand/eye movements.
3. Maintain balance from any position.
4. Negotiate level surfaces, ramps, and stairs.
5. Function with both hands free for performing psychomotor tasks.
6. Maneuver in small areas.
7. Attend cognitive and psychomotor tasks for up to 7-12 hours.
   
   Examples of learning activities found in the nursing curriculum and related to industry standards:
   • Transfer patients/clients in and out of bed from stretchers and wheelchairs.
   • Control a fall by slowly lowering the client to the floor.
   • Perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
   • Lift or move (turn, position) clients or objects, pull or push things, weighing up to 35 pounds, and maintain a "medium activity level" as defined by the State of Oregon Department of Insurance Index of occupational characteristics.
   • Reach to shoulder or higher level to place or access equipment such as intravenous fluid bags, bend or squat to access equipment below bed level.
   • Carry equipment and supplies to the client's bedside.
   • Manipulate small equipment and containers, such as syringes, vials, ampules and medication packages, to administer medications.
   • Dispose of needles in a sharps container.
   • Complete assigned periods of clinical practice (7–12-hour shifts, days, evenings, or nights, holidays, weekdays and weekends).
   • Complete skills tests within the assigned time limit.

1. Acquire information from demonstrations and experiences, including but not limited to information conveyed through online coursework, lecture, small group activities, demonstrations and application experiences.
2. Collect information through observation, listening, touching and smelling.
3. Use and interpret information from diagnostic maneuvers.
   
   Examples of learning activities found in the nursing curriculum and related to industry standards:
   • Detect changes in skin color (pale, ashen, grey or bluish) or condition.
   • Detect a fire in the client care environment.
   • Draw up a prescribed quantity of medication into a syringe.
   • Observe clients in a room from 20 feet away.
   • Detect sounds related to bodily functions using a stethoscope.
   • Detect audible alarms generated by mechanical systems such as monitoring bodily functions, fire alarms, call bells.
   • Observe and collect data from recording equipment and measurement devices used in client care
   • Communicate with client and health care team members in person and over the phone in various settings, including isolation and the operating room where health team members are wearing masks and background noise.
   • Detect foul odors of bodily fluids or spoiled foods.
   • Detect smoke from burning materials.
   • Detect changes in skin temperature.
   • Detect unsafe temperature levels in heat-producing devices used in client care.
   • Detect anatomical abnormalities, such as subcutaneous crepitus, edema, or infiltrated intravenous fluids.
   • Feel vibrations such as an arterial pulse.

1. Demonstrate emotional stability to function effectively under stress and adapt to changing environments.
2. Maintain effective, mature and sensitive relationships with others.
3. Examine and modify one's behavior when it interferes with others or the learning environment.
4. Possess attributes that include compassion, empathy, altruism, integrity, honesty, responsibility and tolerance.
5. Accept responsibility for own actions and communicate courteously, with non-assertive, non-aggressive and non-defensively with instructors, peers, staff and health care team members.
6. Integrate feedback into own performance.
   Examples of learning activities found in the nursing curriculum and related to industry standards:
   • Exercise judgment, meet acceptable timeframes for client care delivery (reflected by ability to carry out the usual client care assignment within program progression time standards), work effectively under stress and adapt to rapidly changing client care environments.
   • Accept accountabilities for all actions, including those that resulted in client care errors.
   • Deal effectively with interpersonal conflict if it arises; maintain compelling and harmonious relationships with members of the health care team.