Inherent Requirements are essential components of a course or unit that demonstrate the abilities, knowledge and skills to achieve the core learning outcomes of the course or unit, while preserving the academic integrity of the university's learning, assessment and accreditation processes (Section 8: Disability Policy / Document / MOPP).
The Bachelor of Nursing (NS42) and Master of Nursing - Entry to Practice (NS89) courses are accredited with the Australian Nursing & Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC), which requires that students and graduates meet professional standards. Graduates of these courses will be eligible to register as a Registered Nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia and practice in all settings. Therefore, these courses require students to demonstrate a range of skills inherent to a Registered Nurse and aligned with the national standards for practice.
The following inherent requirements should not be read separately but in combination with each other and realised through the totality of professional practice and safe conduct. Review the inherent requirements below to assist you in making an informed decision about whether the course is right for you. Make sure you read this information together with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia’s guidelines for mandatory notifications for registered students.
Cognition
You must be able to consistently and effectively use and apply cognitive skills in complex, changeable settings and within timeframes relevant to each setting, with or without reasonable adjustments.
Examples of where you will need to demonstrate cognitive requirements may include, but are not limited to, circumstances where you are expected to:
- Identify and locate appropriate and important information.
- Conceptualise, integrate, process, interpret and implement knowledge and information to perform clinical tasks in a timely manner.
- Accurately and quickly recall information without access to reference materials.
- Analyse and evaluate scientific results.
- Rapidly collate, synthesise and use information to make informed clinical care decisions.
- Communicate complex ideas effectively to a range of people in a variety of formats.
- Perform accurate numerical calculations, typically without a calculator, record and interpret numerical data, and apply numerical criteria.
Communication
You must be able to communicate effectively in spoken and written English, with or without reasonable adjustments.
Examples of where you will need to demonstrate communication requirements may include but are not limited to, circumstances where you are expected to:
- Use communication skills effectively in clinical and workplace settings.
- Understand and respond to verbal and written instructions accurately and appropriately.
- Demonstrate clear, concise and audible verbal communication with individuals and groups relevant to the context of the situation.
- Engages in collaborative learning and practice, including the ability to listen, clarify, negotiate, and participate in teamwork (including supervision).
- Read and understand a range of written information.
- Produce accurate, concise and clear documentation.
- Demonstrate empathy and sensitivity in communication with individuals and groups from diverse backgrounds.
- Record information accurately and consistently in various formats, including handwritten charts, typed documents, and electronic record keeping and data management systems.
Professionalism and interpersonal relationships
You must be able to work effectively and cooperatively with others in diverse clinical settings, in a professional and ethical manner, with or without reasonable adjustments.
Examples of where you will need to demonstrate professionalism and interpersonal skill requirements may include, but are not limited to, circumstances where you are expected to:
- Work effectively and collaboratively within a team in clinical and workplace settings.
- Practise in an ethical and professional manner, consistent with relevant legislation and regulatory requirements.
- Maintain behavioural stability and effective interactions in emotionally challenging situations including medical emergencies and events that may involve human suffering, trauma and death.
- Manage uncertainties and adapt to change.
- Interact with individuals and groups maintaining professional behaviour standards.
- Adhere to ethical guidelines and workplace policies. This includes respect for autonomy, boundaries, confidentiality, and informed consent, as well as a willingness to seek guidance and supervision when faced with uncertainty.
- Receive and respond appropriately to constructive feedback.
- Demonstrate personal insight and ability to reflect on how personal behaviour impacts others.
- Manage emotions effectively when dealing with patients in clinical settings.
- Ensure culturally safe behaviour and practice.
Motor skills
You must be able to safely and effectively complete clinical practice tasks which require fine and gross motor skills, with or without reasonable adjustments.
Examples of where you will need to demonstrate motor skill requirements may include but are not limited to, circumstances where you are expected to:
- Undertake cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for sustained periods.
- Lift, carry, push, pull, stand, twist and bend in the provision of patient care in a safe manner in accordance with facility policies and procedures.
- Use equipment to perform manual handling.
- Use fine motor dexterity in the provision of patient care, such as manipulating needles, knobs, dials, and computer equipment.
- Use fine motor dexterity in the provision of patient care, such as needles, scalpels, files, other surgical tools, instruments, and powered equipment.
- Provide physical personal care to patients in confined or limited spaces, such as small bathroom areas.
- Manipulate instruments and equipment in tests and measurements, demonstrating fine dexterity.
Sensory Capabilities
You must have sufficient sensory function to undertake safe and effective clinical practice, with or without reasonable adjustments.
Examples of where you will need to demonstrate sensory requirements may include, but are not limited to, circumstances where you are expected to:
- Perceive and interpret auditory cues and alarms accurately in real time (e.g., monitor alarms, patient vocalisations, auscultation sounds).
- Detect, observe, and interpret visual information, including patient appearance, non-verbal cues, diagnostic imaging, and test results.
- Differentiate and respond to tactile inputs, including temperature, texture, and resistance, to perform physical examinations and procedures.
- Monitor and respond to multi-sensory environments such as busy clinical areas with overlapping sounds, movements, and visual cues.
- Use assistive technologies or support systems where needed to meet these sensory requirements in a safe and timely manner.
What if I have a disability or chronic condition?
If you have a permanent or temporary disability, or chronic health condition, Disability and Accessibility Services can help you plan for and participate in your studies. Where appropriate, reasonable adjustments may be provided to support your access to education.
QUT is committed to providing reasonable adjustments to ensure equitable access to learning, assessment, professional experience, clinical placements, and other course activities. Adjustments must not compromise the academic integrity of a course or the clinical competency standards required by the relevant professional registration body.
Reasonable adjustments do not change the inherent requirements of a course. Instead, they support students with disability to access and participate in university life on the same basis as their peers, in line with the Disability Standards for Education 2005.
We encourage you to speak with your Course Coordinator or QUT Disability and Accessibility Services to discuss what adjustments may be reasonable in your circumstances.