University of Arizona College of Nursing

Skill Competency List

Skill Topics:
Safety/Risk Reduction:
o ID Band
o Allergies
o Side Rails
o Call Light
o Fall Risk
o Skin Breakdown
o Anti-Embolism (TED, SCD)
o Environmental Assessment
o Restraints
o Risk for Suicide
o Rick for Violence
o Seizure Precautions
Assessment:
o Vital Signs
o Pain
o Basic Physical Assessment
o Beginning Focused Assessment
o Focused Assessment Intermediate
o Focused Assessment Advanced, ICU
o Post-Operative Assessment
o Maternal Assessment
o Newborn Assessment
o Pediatric Assessment
o Mental Health/Psych Assessment
o Community Health Risk Assessment
o Community Assessment
o Mini Mental Status Exam
o Opiate Withdrawal Assessment
o Alcohol Withdrawal CIWA
Hygiene/Infection Control:
o Hand Washing
o Standard Precautions
o Isolation (Mask, gown gloves)
o Bathing
o Oral Care
o Foley Catheter Care

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Sitz Bath
Peri Care
Sterile Gloving
Sterile Field

Body Mechanics/ Moving/ Positioning:

o Ambulation with Assistive Devices
o Wheelchair
o Gait Belt
o Positioning
o Transfers (bed, stretcher, chair)
o Hoyer Lift
o Range of Motion (active, passive)
o Turning Immobile Patient
Monitoring:
o Calculation of I&O
o Basic EKG Interpretation
o Pacemaker
o Electronic Fetal Monitoring
Medication Administration:
o Safety/Six Rights
o Oral
o Topical
o Intramuscular
o Subcutaneous
o Intradermal
o Gastrointestinal Tube
o IV Piggy Back
o IV Push
o Suppository (vaginal or rectal)
o Enema Administration
o Ophthalmic
o Otic
o Inhalation Therapy
o Total Parenteral Nutrition
o IV Infusion Pump
o PCA
o Syringe Pump
o Blood Product Administration
o Drip Calculation/Regulation
Wound Management:

o Suture/Staple Removal
o Dressing Change
Dressing Change, Clean, Dry
Transparent/ Duoderm/ Hydrocoloid
Wet to Damp/Dry
Sterile Dressing Change
Packing
Central Line Dressing Change
o Drains (Hemovac, Jackson-Pratt, T-Tube)
o Ostomy
Application, Management, Emptying
Specimen Collection:
o Urinalysis
o Culture (stool, throat, viral, sputum, blood)
o Finger Stick Blood Sugar
o Heel Stick
o Venipuncture
o Arterial Line Blood Draw
Respiratory Management:
o Oxygen Delivery
o Pulmonary Toilet (TCDB, IS, P&PD)
o Peak Flow Meter
o Suctioning
o Tracheostomy Care
o Ventilation (Ambu Bag, Ventilator)
o Incentive Spirometry
Invasive Lines and Tubes:
o Foley Catheter (Insertion, Removal)
o NG/OG, G-Tube, J-Tube
o Cheat Tubes Assessment/Maintenance
o IVs
Assessment Site, Line, Fluid
IV Fluid Administration
IV Drip Calibration/Regulation
IV Removal
Peripheral IV Insertion
Heparin/Saline Lock Conversion/Flush
o Central Lines
Central Line Assessment Site, Line, Fluid
PICC Line Flush

 Central Venous Line Flush

Central Line Catheter Care
Arterial Line
o Ventriculostomy
Communication:
o Nursing Process
o Shift Report
o Shift Report (receiving report only)
o SBAR
o Therapeutic Communication
o Documentation (Including Electronic)
o Intra-Interprofessional Communication