Numeracy in Nursing. Copyright © ijc2003 Numeracy

Numeracy in Nursing

Copyright © ijc2003

NumeracyNumeracy


Session Overview Numeracy & Key skills Why numeracy is important Types of Nursing Calculations Problems with numeracy Diagnostic test Help & Resources


Numeracy and Key skillsDepartment for Education and Skills stated: Key skills are generic skills we use to promote our

own learning, career and personal life. They are transferable skills.

These are essential to remaining employable in the future

The Key skills include: • Communication, • IT, • Numeracy, • Problem-solving, • Working with others, • Improving own learning


Why is numeracy important? The

consequences of getting a calculation wrong could be life threatening.



Who needs support? The literature from the UK and internationally shows

a consistent lack of mathematical proficiency in nursing

This affects registered nurses as well as students Nurses often see mathematical ability as ‘no more

than common sense’. The Moser Report (DfEE 1999) suggests that as

many as 40% of UK adults have some numeracy problems

Competence should include knowledge (ability to calculate), skill (application to practice) and attitude (acknowledgement that numeracy is important)


General recommendations from the literature

Experiential learning in clinical practice should be supported by linking specific clinical activities with calculation learning and practice

Assessment of ‘competence’ in calculation should look at mathematical knowledge acquisition and application to practice.

Numeracy is an issue of accountability and should be regarded as such

Need to acknowledge the impact of demographic issues such as age, gender, ethnicity etc


Entry requirements for pre-registration education

NMC Circular 18/2003

‘Higher Education Institutions are required to ensure that applicants for pre-registration nursing and midwifery education have provided evidence of literacy and numeracy. This may be integral to academic or vocational qualifications, or alternative evidence such as keyskills abilities’.


Types of Nursing Calculations Pulse rate (60 – 80) Respiration (16 – 20) Drug administration Body temp Blood pressure Fluid balance Drip rates Body mass index Weight / Height Volume / length

estimating & approximating

Conversions (grams to micrograms )

Money Time sheets Graphs Charts Screen monitors

(ECG)


Key problems with Numeracy in Nursing

Computational errors – difficulty with addition, subtraction etc

Difficulty problem-solving – the ability to ‘see’ how the problem should be addressed

Nurses’ difficulties in using numerical data is not just limited to mathematical ability but also:

• Knowledge of medication – recognition• Experience in the job• Fatigue• Workload• Staffing • Quality of prescription


Diagnostic Test

Level is key stage 3 11 to 14 year old maths

Numeracy test 30mins (Given 1 hour in VLE).

Marked by VLE then checked & amended. Use diagnostic workbook grid to map

problem areas. Workbooks handed in (IJC or student services).

results to personal supervisor. End test towards the end of year one.


Help and Resources Help yourself & each other. Free standing support sessions. Books in Library. Web resources via student intranet

. Make time to study numeracy

Documents

Numeracy in Nursing. Copyright © ijc2003 Numeracy