Policy 4.1: Essential Qualifications & Behaviors

Applies to: A/BSN, CIPCT (MS), DNP, Certs, PhD

I. Policy Statement

The School of Nursing (SoN) requires all students to demonstrate essential qualifications and behaviors necessary for success in academic, clinical, and professional settings. These standards are grounded in WAC 246-840-519, which requires nursing education programs to hold students accountable for professional behavior, and in the UW Student Conduct Code (WAC 478-121), which applies to all UW Students. In accordance with SGP 209, the School of Nursing is responsible for upholding program-level professional standards in addition to University conduct expectations.

The SoN is committed to fostering student growth. Concerns will be addressed through timely, fair, and constructive processes that emphasize support and remediation whenever possible, while ensuring compliance with University, state, and professional standards.

II. Essential Qualifications and Behaviors

Students must meet expectations across all domains to progress in their program.

A. Motor Skills

A/BSN

Have sufficient motor function to execute movements required to provide general care and treatment to patients in all health care settings.
Perform basic life support, including CPR, and function effectively in emergency situations.
Safely assist patients in mobility (e.g., moving from chair to bed, wheelchair to commode).

Graduate (CIPCT, DNP, PhD)

Possess sufficient motor function to execute movements required in nursing care or activity relevant to their program of study.

B. Sensory and Observation Skills

A/BSN

Acquire information presented through demonstrations and experiences in the basic and nursing sciences.
Observe a patient accurately, both at a distance and close at hand.
Observe and interpret non-verbal communications when performing nursing assessment, interventions, or medication administration.
Perceive signs of disease and infection through physical examination, imaging, palpation, and auditory information (e.g., patient voice, heart, bowel, lung sounds).

Graduate

Possess sufficient sensory and observation skills to acquire information and make necessary assessments and judgments for advanced practice or research activities.

C. Communication

A/BSN

Communicate effectively and sensitively with students, faculty, staff, patients, families, and other professionals.
Express ideas and feelings clearly and appropriately.
Demonstrate willingness and ability to give and receive feedback.
Communicate effectively in oral and written forms.
Convey or exchange information at a level sufficient to develop a health history, identify problems, explain alternative solutions, and give directions during and after treatment.
Process and communicate information on patient status accurately and in a timely manner to members of the health care team.

Graduate

Communicate effectively and sensitively with patients, families, students, staff, faculty, agency personnel, community residents, and other professionals relevant to their program of study.
Express ideas and feelings clearly and appropriately.
Demonstrate willingness and ability to give and receive feedback.

D. Cognitive Abilities

A/BSN

Measure, calculate, reason, analyze, integrate, and synthesize information in the context of undergraduate nursing study.
Quickly read and comprehend extensive written material.
Evaluate and apply information and engage in critical thinking in classroom and clinical settings.

Graduate

Reason, analyze, integrate, synthesize, and evaluate information in the context of the nursing activities of their program of study.

E. Behavioral and Emotional Attributes

All students

Possess the emotional health required to fully utilize intellectual abilities and exercise sound judgment.
Demonstrate behaviors consistent with timely completion of responsibilities.
Maintain mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with patients, students, faculty, staff, and professionals under all circumstances, including highly stressful situations.
Have emotional stability to function effectively under stress and adapt to environments that may change rapidly and unpredictably.
Demonstrate empathy for the situations and circumstances of others, and communicate that empathy appropriately.
Recognize that personal values, attitudes, beliefs, emotions, and experiences affect perceptions and relationships with others.
Be accountable for behaviors or actions that convey racism, bias, or discrimination, and engage in reparations as appropriate.
Be willing to examine and change behaviors that interfere with productive individual or team relationships.
Demonstrate the interpersonal skills necessary for effective and harmonious relationships in diverse academic, professional, and community environments.

F. Professional Conduct

All students

Possess the ability to reason morally and practice nursing in an ethical manner.
Abide by professional standards of practice as well as relevant regulations for applicable licensure.
Not engage in unprofessional conduct.
Demonstrate attributes that include compassion, empathy, altruism, integrity, honesty, responsibility, and inclusiveness.
Engage in patient care delivery across all settings and with diverse populations, including children, adolescents, adults, developmentally disabled persons, medically compromised patients, and vulnerable adults.

Program Specific Emphasis

A/BSN: Engage in patient care delivery across all settings and populations, including children, adolescents, adults, developmentally disabled persons, medically compromised patients, and vulnerable adults.
DNP, GCPAPN, Master’s, RN-BSN: Abide by professional licensure regulations and clinical practice standards in advanced or specialized roles.
PhD: Conduct the discovery of knowledge in nursing science consistent with ethical scientific and scholarly conduct and guidelines for the protection of human subjects.

III. Process

A. Notification of Expectations

Essential Qualifications and Behaviors are communicated in application materials, during orientation, and through the SoN “Policies” webpage.

B. Monitoring and Local Action

Faculty, instructors, and preceptors observe student behavior in academic and clinical settings.
Minor concerns (isolated, readily corrected) may be addressed through direct feedback and coaching.
Serious, repeated, or safety-related concerns are documented and referred to the appropriate Program Coordinating Committee (BSNCC, DNPCC, M/PhDCC).

C. Formal Steps for Addressing Concerns

All Essentials actions are initiated and reviewed by the Program Coordinating Committee (BSNCC, DNPCC, M/PhDCC).

Undergraduate students (A/BSN, ABSN): The BSNCC issues Essentials Academic Notifications and Essentials Academic Alerts directly. If concerns remain unresolved after an Alert, Program Dismissal for Cause may be recommended under School of Nursing policy/bylaws, consistent with SGP 209 and WAC 246-840-519.
Graduate students (CIPCT, DNP, PhD): The Coordinating Committee issues Notifications directly. Academic Alerts, Final Academic Alerts, and Drops are recommended by the program and issued by the UW Graduate School under Policy 3.7.

1. Essentials Academic Alert

Process

Course Faculty/Instructor(s): Documents the concern using the School of Nursing template and submits evidence to Coordinating Committee Chair and OSAA Staff Support.
OSAA Staff Support: Compiles case packet in consultation with the Coordinating Committee Chair and reporting faculty.
SoN Conduct Officer: Reviews the packet to determine whether CSSC referral is required.
Coordinating Committee: Reviews evidence during executive session (faculty may be invited for context) and votes whether to issue an Essentials Academic Notification.
OSAA Program Official drafts the Essentials Academic Notification and circulates for Committee Chair and ADAA approval.
Presentation to student:
- OSAA Program Official schedules a meeting with the student.
- Coordinating Committee Chair and OSAA Program Official meet with the student to present the Notification, explain the basis, and outline next steps.
- Written Notification is provided to the student.
Success Meeting & Development Plan:
- After the Notification is delivered, the OSAA Program Advisor contacts the student to arrange a Success Meeting.
- At this meeting, advisor and student co-create a Development Plan. This plan:
  - Summarizes the issues identified in the Notification
  - Identifies barriers to success (academic, personal, financial, wellness, etc.)
  - Specifies strategies, resources, measurable goals, timelines, and check-in expectations
- Advisor conducts a needs assessment and provides resource referrals (e.g., tutoring, simulation/practice, study skills, DRS accommodations, counseling, financial or housing support, wellness, etc.).
- Plan is documented in writing, signed by student and advisor (student signature = receipt, not agreement), and filed with OSAA.
- Advisor coordinates with Faculty Advisor/Committee Chair/Specialty Director as needed.

2. Essentials Academic Notification

Purpose

Early, program-level status used when a concern about Essential Qualifications or Behaviors is first identified.
Internal School of Nursing process; does not appear on the transcript.
Provides clarity, activates supports, and gives the student an opportunity to succeed.

Process

Issued if concerns persist after an Essentials Academic Notification.
Course Faculty/Instructor(s): provides additional documentation to the Coordinating Committee Chair and OSAA Staff Support.
OSAA Staff Support: Compiles the updated case and prepares an Alert packet in consultation with the Coordinating Committee Chair and reporting faculty.
SoN Conduct Officer reviews for potential CSSC referral.
Coordinating Committee: Reviews updated evidence during executive session (faculty may be invited for input) and votes whether to escalate to an Essentials Academic Alert.
- Undergraduate students: Alert is issued by BSNCC; internal to SoN; documented in the student record.
- Graduate students: Alert is recommended by the Coordinating Committee to the UW Graduate School per Policy 3.7. The Graduate School issues the official Alert.
OSAA Program Official drafts the Essentials Academic Alert and circulates for Committee Chair and ADAA approval.
Presentation to Student: The Coordinating Committee Chair and OSAA Program Official meet with the student to present the Alert, explain escalation, and provide a written copy.
Success Meeting & Revised Development Plan: Program Advisor schedules a follow-up meeting with the student to review progress and co-create a revised Development Plan (updated goals, strategies, resources, and timelines). The plan is documented, routed for acknowledgment (signature = receipt, not agreement), and filed with OSAA.

3. Final Essentials Academic Alert (Graduate Students Only)

Applies only to graduate students under UW Graduate School Policy 3.7.
Undergraduates do not have a Final Alert stage. If concerns remain unresolved after an Alert, the BSNCC may recommend Program Dismissal for Cause.
Issued if concerns remain unresolved after an Alert.
Course Faculty/Instructor: Provides updated documentation to the Coordinating Committee Chair and OSAA Staff Support.
OSAA Staff Support: Compiles and updates the case packet in consultation with the Chair.
SoN Conduct Officer reviews for CSSC referral need.
Coordinating Committee: Reviews during executive session (faculty invited for input), and votes whether to recommend a Final Academic Alert.
OSAA Program Official drafts the written Final Essentials Academic Alert, routes for approval by Coordinating Committee Chair and ADAA.
Presentation to Student: Coordinating Committee Chair and OSAA Program Official meet with the student to present the Final Essentials Academic Alert, explain implications, and provide written copy.
Success Meeting & Plan: Advisor meets again with the student to review progress, set final expectations, and confirm available supports.

4. Final Action: Program Dismissal for Cause (A/BSN)/Academic Drop (Grad)

Recommended if concerns remain unresolved after an Alert (undergraduate) or Final Alert (graduate).
Course Faculty/Instructor: Provides final documentation to the Coordinating Committee Chair and OSAA Staff Support.
OSAA Staff Support: Compiles and finalizes the case packet in consultation with the Coordinating Committee Chair.
SoN Conduct Officer reviews for CSSC referral need.
Coordinating Committee: Reviews during executive session (faculty invited for input) and votes whether to recommend final action.
- Undergraduates: Program Dismissal for Cause is issued by SoN, consistent with SGP 209 and aligned with WAC 246-840-519. OSAA communicates the decision in writing to the student and notifies the Registrar. This is distinct from Registrar academic dismissal (based on GPA/credits) and from University-level conduct sanctions under WAC 478-121.
- Graduates: OSAA prepares and submits the recommendation to the Graduate School. The Graduate School reviews and issues the official Drop under UW Graduate School Policy 3.7 and communicates the decision in writing to the student.

D. Ongoing Monitoring

Students with active Notifications or Alerts with Development Plans are reviewed each academic quarter by the Coordinating Committee.
Faculty/Instructors: Provide written updates to the Coordinating Committee Chair and OSAA Staff Support.
OSAA Staff Support: Compiles updates into a monitoring packet for the Coordinating Committee in consultation with the Coordinating Committee Chair.
SoN Conduct Officer: Reviews if new concerns warrant CSSC referral.
Coordinating Committee: Reviews evidence and votes each quarter whether concerns are:
- Resolved – expectations met; case closed.
- Continued – progress noted but concerns not fully resolved; Notification/Alert/plan continues.
- Escalated – insufficient progress; move to Alert, Final Alert (grad only), or Dismissal/Drop.
OSAA Records the Committee’s decision and issues written notice to the student.

E. Appeals

Students who believe a decision under this policy was made in error, or that it was applied unfairly, may pursue an appeal.
Appeals are governed by the School of Nursing Policy 5.2: Student Grievance and Appeals Process and applicable University grievance procedures.
- Undergraduates (A/BSN): University grievance process for undergraduates (Provost authority).
- Graduates (CIPCT, DNP, PhD): UW Graduate School Policy 3.8.
Appeals are separate from referrals made regarding misconduct under the UW Student Conduct Code (SGP 209), which follows University processes.

IV. Roles and Responsibilities Summary

Activity	Student	Course Faculty/ Instructor	OSAA Staff Support	Coordinating Committee	OSAA Program Official	Conduct Officer
Uphold essential qualifications & behaviors	R/A
Document and submit concerns		R	I	C (Chair)		C
Compile and package case		C	R/A	C (Chair)		C (CSSC Referral)
Review evidence and vote (Notification/Alert/Final Action)			I	R/A	I	I
Meet with student to present outcome			I	R/A (Chair)	R/A
Communicate outcome in writing			R/A	C	C
Provide quarterly progress updates		R	C	I
Monitor status each quarter (review evidence, vote)		C	I	R/A	I	C

RACI Legend:

R = Responsible: Performs the work or task
A = Accountable: Has decision authority
C = Consulted: Provides input
I = Informed: Notified of outcomes

Related Policies & References

Last updated: September 2025