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dc.contributor.authorEastwood, Kathryn J
dc.contributor.authorBoyle, Malcolm J
dc.contributor.authorWilliams, Brett
dc.contributor.authorFairhall, Robyn
dc.date.accessioned2018-01-05T01:21:30Z
dc.date.available2018-01-05T01:21:30Z
dc.date.issued2011
dc.identifier.issn0260-6917
dc.identifier.doi10.1016/j.nedt.2010.12.014
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10072/172729
dc.description.abstractResearch has highlighted poor mathematical ability amongst qualified and student nurses. Three major classifications of errors: i)conceptual, ii)arithmetical and iii)computational have been identified. These errors involve being unable to formulate an equation from information given, unable to operate a given equation, or simple arithmetical errors respectively. The objective of this study was to determine if a sample of Australian second year undergraduate nursing students, from the state of Victoria, could accurately calculate drug dosages and perform some basic mathematical calculations that would be required in the workplace. A descriptive survey collecting demographical data, attitudes towards drug calculation performance and basic mathematical and drug calculation questions was administered to the 52 undergraduate nurses who participated in the study. The average score was 56.1%. Interestingly 63.5% of the students denied any drug calculations issues. On average those who completed a minimum of year 12 mathematics, or who had entered the course directly from secondary education achieved scores over 50%. Of all the errors that occurred 36.0% were conceptual, 38.9% were arithmetical and 25.1% were computational. Some Victorian nursing students currently have deficiencies in performing accurate calculations, with both arithmetical and conceptual errors, indicating fundamental flaws in their mathematical understanding and demonstrating an unacceptable level to practice safely.
dc.description.peerreviewedYes
dc.languageEnglish
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisherElsevier
dc.relation.ispartofpagefrom815
dc.relation.ispartofpageto818
dc.relation.ispartofissue8
dc.relation.ispartofjournalNurse Education Today
dc.relation.ispartofvolume31
dc.subject.fieldofresearchNursing
dc.subject.fieldofresearchNursing not elsewhere classified
dc.subject.fieldofresearchCurriculum and pedagogy
dc.subject.fieldofresearchcode4205
dc.subject.fieldofresearchcode420599
dc.subject.fieldofresearchcode3901
dc.titleNumeracy skills of nursing students
dc.typeJournal article
dc.type.descriptionC1 - Articles
dc.type.codeC - Journal Articles
gro.hasfulltextNo Full Text
gro.griffith.authorBoyle, Malcolm


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