Core Performance Standards

SUNY Canton nursing faculty members subscribe to the Core Performance Standards as adapted from the Southern Council on Collegiate Education for Nursing and from the Validation Study, “Functional Abilities Essential jor Nursing Practice” by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. The core performance standards set forth cognitive, sensory, affective, and psychomotor performance requirements for nurses. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the SUNY Canton nursing programs do not base admission, acceptance or continued enrollment on the core performance standards. Instead, the standards are used to assist applicants and students in the determination of need for ADA related accommodations and medications. The core performance standards are intended to constitute an objective measure of:

  • A qualified applicant’s ability with or without accommodations to meet the program performance requirements.
  • Accommodations required by a matriculated student who seeks accommodations under the ADA.

Nursing students, who qualify under the Americans with Disabilities Act, are expected to review these core performance standards. In accordance with the Civil Rights Law and with College policy, no qualified individual with a disability shall, on the basis of that disability, be excluded from participation in the program. SUNY Canton will provide reasonable accommodations to a qualified individual with a disability. The Office of Accommodative Services is responsible for determining if reasonable accommodations can be identified and for ensuring that such accommodations are provided for students. It is the responsibility of the applicant or student to request the accommodations that are needed to perform the behaviors listed below. If a student reports to faculty or staff that they need an accommodation for a perceived disability; they will be referred to Accommodative Services by the faculty member.

To be eligible for a reasonable accommodation, applicants must provide credible documentation of disability. Contact Student Accessibility Services at 315-386-7392, Campus Center 235 or via email at riedlm@canton.edu, if you think that you may require an accommodation for a disability. The standards with some specific examples follow:

STANDARD DEFINITION EXAMPLES OF NECESSARY ACTIVITIES
Critical Thinking

Critical thinking ability sufficient for clinical judgment

  • Identify cause-effect relationships in clinical situations
  • Develop nursing care plans
  • Make rapid decisions under pressure
  • Handle multiple priorities in stressful situations
  • Assist with problem solving
Interpersonal

Interpersonal abilities sufficient to interact with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, educational, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds

  • Establish rapport with patients and colleagues
  • Cope effectively with high levels of stress
  • Cope with anger/fear/hostility of others in a calm manner
  • Cope with confrontation
  • Demonstrate high degree of patience
Communication

Communication abilities sufficient for interaction with others in Standard English in verbal and written form

  • Explain treatment procedures
  • Initiate patient education
  • Document and interpret nursing actions and patient responses
  • Observation and math calculation skills
Mobility

Physical abilities sufficient to move from room to room, to maneuver in small spaces and to perform procedures necessary for emergency intervention

  • Move around in patient’s rooms, workspaces, and treatment areas
  • Administer cardio-pulmonary resuscitation procedures
  • Walk the equivalent of 5 miles per day
  • Remain on one’s feet in upright position at a workstation without moving about
  • Climb stairs
  • Remain in seated position
Motor Skills

Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to provide safe and effective nursing care

  • Calibrate and use equipment
  • Position patients
  • Perform repetitive tasks
  • Able to grip
  • Able to lift, bathe and transport
  • Ability to sit, walk, bend and stand most of work day
  • Adequate manual dexterity
  • Bend at knee and squat
  • Reach above shoulder level
  • Lift and carry 50 pounds
  • Exert 20-50 pounds of force (pushing/pulling)
Hearing

Auditory ability sufficient to monitor and assess health needs

  • Hear monitor alarms, emergency signals, auscultatory sounds, auscultatory sounds utilizing a stethoscope, and cries for help
  • Hear tape recorded transcriptions
  • Hear telephone interactions
Visual

Visual ability sufficient for observation and assessment necessary in nursing care

  • Observe patient responses
  • Identify and distinguish colors
  • Read words, graphs, charts, instruments
Sensory

Smell and touch ability is sufficient for patient safety and assessment of patient conditions

  • Ability to smell any odors that could alert to patient condition changes
  • Ability to feel temperature and skin abnormalities for potential patient condition changes
Conceptual and Analytical Reasoning

Demonstrate the ability to calculate, measure and analyze, exercise good judgment, and utilize critical thinking in the process of delivering care and comfort to clients.

  • Calculate drug dosages with a standard calculator.
  • Make rapid judgments and decisions about urgent patient care.

Office of Admissions
French Hall
SUNY Canton
34 Cornell Drive
Canton, NY 13617

(315) 386-7123 or
1-800-388-7123
Fax: (315) 386-7929
admissions@canton.edu
transfer@canton.edu