1. Numeracy in Nursing

2. Copyright © ijc2003 Numeracy

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

4. Copyright © ijc2003 Numeracy and Key skills Department 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

5. Copyright © ijc2003 Why is numeracy important? The consequences of getting a calculation wrong could be life threatening.

6. Copyright © ijc2003

7. 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)

8. 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

9. Copyright © ijc2003 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’.

10. Copyright © ijc2003 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)

11. Copyright © ijc2003 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

12. Copyright © ijc2003 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.

13. Copyright © ijc2003 Help and Resources Help yourself & each other. Free standing support sessions. Books in Library. Web resources via student intranet. Web resources via student intranet Make time to study numeracy