Undergraduate inherent requirements

Nursing and midwifery practice requires the use of physical, visual and auditory functions to provide safe and quality patient care.

You must possess adequate gross and fine motor coordination, dexterity, and tactile function to fully participate in the learning and assessment activities of the courses.

Some examples where these functions are required include using a range of information technologies, participating in practical skill‐based simulations and undertaking placements in a range of clinical settings.

You are required to complete accurate assessments for safe patient care, including conducting a detailed physical assessment of a patient, and to implement safe care. Some specific examples include:

• You need to have adequate hearing and vision that enables identification of subtle patient changes (e.g. change in skin tones, assessing slow pupillary reaction to direct light, interpreting x‐ rays, hearing subtle wheezing, hearing slight changes in the frequency of sounds when using a stethoscope, hearing patient bells/buzzers/voice).
• Palpating to detect abnormalities (e.g. feeling subtle temperature alterations of the skin, vibration, differences in texture).
• You must be able to manipulate and effectively use a range of equipment accurately with both left and right hands simultaneously. For example, measuring blood pressure requires the use of a stethoscope and a sphygmomanometer. You must be able to see and accurately read fine increments on the gauge of the sphygmomanometer and hear discrete changes in sounds through the stethoscope for accurate measurement.
• Your hearing and/or visual capabilities must adequately allow for response to equipment alarms and patient calls or subtle physical cues for assistance.

You must also be able to perform a number of key clinical interventions including, but not limited to:

• Manual handling (moving and transferring dependent patients, pushing/pulling beds and theatre trollies).
• Donning full protective personal equipment if required (including, but not limited to, wearing of face masks).
• Performing basic life support, including chest compressions.
• Assisting with personal care, regardless of gender or sexual identity (e.g. toileting, showering, grooming, mouth care).
• Accurately documenting findings on a range of charts, including electronic devices.
• Preparing and administering injections, venepuncture and insertion of an intravenous cannula, procedural hand‐washing, complex wound dressings, and insertion of a urinary catheter.

Nursing and midwifery practice requires advanced oral and written communication skills.

Nurses and midwives need to communicate effectively, sensitively and be non‐judgemental with patients/clients, relatives, and carers irrespective of age, ethnicity, culture, disability, sexual orientation, socio‐economic status, or religious beliefs.

You need to be able to complete physical examinations and provide care to all patients regardless of gender identity or sexuality.

An ability to gather, analyse, synthesise and evaluate information by verbal, written, pictorial and non‐verbal means of communication is essential for quality and safe patient care.

You must be able to comprehend spoken English at conversational speeds and follow verbal directions in high‐pressure situations, at times in busy and noisy environments.

Nurses and midwives must also be capable of delivering concise, comprehensible written and verbal advice to patients, relatives, carers and members of the health care team.

You must have the ability to interact and work effectively within seminar groups, simulation classes or in a professional health care team on clinical placement.

You must maintain professional relationships with all colleagues and patients/clients and manage workloads under stressful circumstances.

You must have an awareness of other peoples’ emotions and be able to perceive another’s distress, as this may impact on quality and safe patient care.

You should be able to recognise situations where their own emotional or physical state precludes delivery of effective patient care.

The course is demanding and requires cognitive skills to solve complex problems.

You must be able to work collaboratively during the course (e.g. undertaking group work assignments, work within a team in seminars/simulations and during clinical placement).

Nursing and midwifery practice requires the ability to conduct comprehensive and focused assessments, plan, implement and evaluate nursing care.

This requires an ability to analyse, synthesise and evaluate complex oral, written, and visual information.

Nursing and midwifery professionals are bound by codes of ethics and professional conduct codes.

The School of Nursing and Midwifery courses include a strong emphasis on professional attitudes and behaviour and ethical practice.

Course progression is contingent on meeting requirements of appropriate professional attitudes and behaviour consistent with the codes.

Behavioural stability is required to function and adapt effectively and sensitively.

You will be exposed to changing and unpredictable environments, emergency situations and human suffering, and will be required to have sustained behavioural stability to manage these events objectively and professionally.

You will be required to be receptive and respond appropriately to constructive feedback and will have to manage your own emotions and behaviour effectively when dealing with individuals in clinical settings.