Question

Essential Functions

1. What is meant by the term “essential functions?” Explain:

2. Review the essential functions for the area you are interested in. Please describe anything that surprised you about your list:

3. Is there anything on the list that you are not currently prepared for? Please describe how you will get yourself ready to meet that criteria:

Answer 1

1. Essential Functions:

Essential functions are fundamental duties that are necessary for the position. The employee should meet the essential functions to work for a position. This is the fundamental rights of the employee and protects by American Disability Act (ADA). If the essential functions are not met by the employee they are disqualified from the job. The employers must distinguish between the necessary job tasks and avoid discrimination.

In the Nursing profession, the nurse must have the physical and emotional stability to meet the function of a nurse. The nurse must meet the professional standards and ability to follow the legal and ethical principles. The essential functions are sensory, communication, psychomotor, Intellectual abilities, professional and social attributes.

2. Essential Functions of Nursing :

The essential functions of a Nursing program are the cognitive, psychomotor, and affective activities. These are essential to be successful in the Nursing profession. As a Licensed nurse, one has to meet the following essential functions

• Effective communication with the team members and other healthcare professionals.
• Interact with the patients effectively and with their family members and to know about their sociocultural background.
• Effective in preparation of a patient care plan.
• Effective in documenting of care with correct mechanics.
• Effective management in case of emergency. For EX: CPR.
• Prolonged stand or walk from one unit to another.
• Frequent Bend, Kneel, Squat to perform activities.
• Assist in lifting and moving of patients.
• Eye and hand coordination in performing the procedure.
• Visual sensory ability to observe the changes in the condition of the patient. EX: changes in skin condition.
• Auditory acuity to listen to the heart, lungs, and breath sounds.
• Olfactory ability to detect the odors of the body fluids.
• Gross-motor skills to perform appropriate care.
• Fine motor skills to perform procedures.
• Analytical thinking to solve the problems and to prioritize the tasks.
• Critical thinking to do the sequence of actions and to know the cause-effect relationship.

Sensory skills are surprised me because all five sensory motor organ have to work altogether all the time in this profession. The nurse should be alert always and ready to handle any type of situations. Always be updated their knowledge and skills in order to meet the competence.

3. Nurses must have good judgment and actions in fulfilling their responsibilities. I am trying to adapt to the changing environment. I am also currently trying to manage the workloads and to relieve the stress. I am developing my professional relationship to maintain good rapport with the team members and to avoid interpersonal conflicts. I am putting my effort in the teamwork to establish more positive outcomes.