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Numeracy in Nursing
Copyright © ijc2003
NumeracyNumeracy
Copyright © ijc2003
Session Overview Numeracy & Key skills Why numeracy is important Types of Nursing Calculations Problems with numeracy Diagnostic test Help & Resources
Copyright © ijc2003
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
Copyright © ijc2003
Why is numeracy important? The
consequences of getting a calculation wrong could be life threatening.
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Copyright © ijc2003
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)
Copyright © ijc2003
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
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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’.
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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)
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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
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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.
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Help and Resources Help yourself & each other. Free standing support sessions. Books in Library. Web resources via student intranet
. Make time to study numeracy