Student Nurse UK: Why are drug calculations so hard? How to pass

Maria Avi Nursing Personal Statement
22 Sept 201708:45
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn this informative video, Maryanne AVI addresses common concerns about math in nursing, emphasizing the support available to students. She discusses basic mass calculations, the importance of focusing on key information, and the conversion between different weight measurements. Maryanne shares practical examples from her experience and reassures viewers that with practice, these calculations become manageable. She also mentions scenarios requiring more complex calculations and the safety measures in place, such as teamwork and policies for verifying drug calculations.

Takeaways
  • 📘 Support is available for nursing students who struggle with math, even if they didn't excel in GCSE or A-Level maths.
  • 🧠 Universities provide resources like lecturers, mentors, and portfolios to help students feel comfortable with math in nursing practice.
  • 📊 Math calculations in nursing are generally basic, averaging around GCSE level, focusing on conversions between different weight measurements.
  • 🤔 It's important not to get confused by additional information in exam questions; focus on the key details necessary for the calculation.
  • 💡 Understanding conversions (e.g., micrograms to milligrams, grams to kilograms) is crucial for accurate medication calculations.
  • 📑 Maryanne shares three example math questions from her nursing practice, emphasizing the importance of knowing what information is relevant.
  • ⏰ For certain medications, like IV drugs, there may be policies requiring two nurses to collaborate on calculations to ensure accuracy.
  • 📈 Some complex drug calculations may involve unlicensed uses or rare circumstances, which can require extra caution and collaboration.
  • 🔍 Maryanne recommends resources like YouTube channels for further understanding of nursing math and dosage calculations.
  • 👩‍🏫 She encourages students to seek help if they struggle, as there will always be support available, and practice will make the process easier.
  • 📅 The video was part of a student nurse week series, aiming to address common concerns and provide advice to nursing students.
Q & A

  • What is the main focus of Maryanne AVI's channel?

    -The main focus of Maryanne AVI's channel is to provide content related to nursing jobs, tips, and advice, especially aimed at student nurses.

  • What was the special theme for the week when this video was recorded?

    -The special theme for the week was 'Student Nurse Week', during which Maryanne posed a question to her viewers for video topic suggestions.

  • What is Maryanne's stance on the difficulty of math in nursing practice?

    -Maryanne believes that while some students may struggle with math calculations in nursing practice, the level of difficulty is generally basic to average, similar to GCSE math calculations.

  • What support does Maryanne mention is available for nursing students struggling with math?

    -Maryanne mentions that universities provide support through lecturers and mentors on placement, and also highlights the use of the PebblePad portfolio for practice.

  • How does Maryanne suggest handling complex math problems in nursing?

    -Maryanne advises focusing on the key pieces of information needed for the calculation, ignoring additional, irrelevant details that might cause confusion.

  • What are the three math calculation examples Maryanne shares from her portfolio?

    -The examples include: 1) Calculating the dosage for a patient who has trouble swallowing tablets, 2) Determining the time required to administer one liter of saline at a specific rate, and 3) Preparing the correct amount of IV furosemide from vials.

  • How does Maryanne address the concern of students who may not have a strong math background?

    -Maryanne reassures students that with practice and support, they can become comfortable with math in nursing, even if they didn't excel in math courses previously.

  • What is the role of the PebblePad portfolio in a nursing student's education?

    -The PebblePad portfolio is used to document and practice math calculations during nursing placements, with mentors providing guidance and support.

  • In what situations might a nursing student encounter more complex drug calculations?

    -Complex drug calculations might be encountered in specialized environments or when dealing with certain substances that require additional precautions, such as controlled drugs or off-label uses.

  • How does Maryanne suggest students handle the stress of learning math in nursing?

    -Maryanne suggests seeking help from university staff, practicing regularly, and understanding that with experience, the calculations will become easier and more intuitive.

Outlines
00:00
📚 Nursing and Math: Tips for Student Nurses

This paragraph discusses the relationship between nursing and mathematics, particularly focusing on the support available to student nurses who may struggle with math. The speaker, Maryanne AVI, reassures viewers that despite some students facing difficulties with math, especially with GCSE and A-level mathematics, there is ample support at the university level. She mentions the use of the PebblePad portfolio, where mentors provide ten math and calculation problems for students to solve during practice placements. The speaker emphasizes that no one has been discontinued from the nursing program due to math issues, and she provides some tips on handling math in nursing, such as focusing on key information and not getting confused by additional details in questions. She also shares personal experiences and examples of math problems she encountered during her training.

05:03
💡 Overcoming Challenges in Drug Calculations

In this paragraph, the speaker continues the discussion on math in nursing but focuses more on drug calculations. She shares her personal experiences of struggling with units during her training and how a one-on-one session with her mentor helped her grasp the concepts. The speaker explains that while drug calculations can become complicated, especially in certain environments or with specific substances, there are often policies in place requiring collaboration between nurses. She mentions instances where two registered nurses and a prescribing doctor must work together to calculate and administer certain drugs. The speaker reassures viewers that with practice and support, they will become proficient in handling complex drug calculations and encourages them to seek help if needed. She also promises to provide additional resources and links to help with understanding drug dosage calculations.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Nursing
The term 'nursing' refers to the practice of caring for individuals with health issues or injuries, providing medical assistance and support. In the video, Maryanne discusses various aspects of nursing, including the importance of math calculations in the field and the support available for nursing students to improve their skills.
💡Math Calculations
Math calculations are essential in nursing for determining correct dosages of medication and other treatments. Maryanne emphasizes that while some students may struggle with these calculations, there is ample support available to help them master these skills, which are crucial for patient care and safety.
💡GCSE Maths
GCSE Maths refers to the General Certificate of Secondary Education in Mathematics, a qualification typically taken by students in the UK. In the context of the video, Maryanne mentions that even those who did not excel in their GCSE Maths can still succeed in nursing by utilizing the support provided by universities and mentors.
💡Support
Support in the video refers to the assistance provided to nursing students, particularly in the area of math calculations. Maryanne talks about the various forms of support available, such as university resources, mentorship, and peer collaboration, all aimed at ensuring students feel comfortable and competent in their nursing practice.
💡Mentorship
Mentorship is a relationship in which a more experienced or knowledgeable individual guides a less experienced person. In the video, Maryanne highlights the role of mentors in nursing education, who provide practical support and guidance to students during their practice placements, including help with math calculations and understanding the application of theoretical knowledge in real-world scenarios.
💡PebblePad Portfolio
The PebblePad Portfolio is a digital tool used by students to record and reflect on their learning experiences. Maryanne mentions this portfolio as a platform where nursing students document their progress, including the math problems they solve during practice placements, as a way to track their development and readiness for professional practice.
💡Drug Calculations
Drug calculations are the mathematical processes used by healthcare professionals to determine the correct dosage of medication for patients. In the video, Maryanne provides examples of drug calculations that nursing students might encounter, emphasizing the importance of accuracy and the basic nature of these calculations in the nursing field.
💡Conversion
Conversion in the context of the video refers to the process of changing one unit of measurement to another, such as from micrograms to milligrams. This is a fundamental skill in nursing, particularly when calculating drug dosages, and Maryanne advises students on the importance of understanding how and when to perform these conversions accurately.
💡Additional Information
Additional information in the video refers to the extra details provided in hypothetical exam questions or real-life scenarios that may not be necessary for solving the problem at hand. Maryanne advises students not to get confused by these details and to focus on the key information required to perform drug calculations correctly.
💡Complex Calculations
Complex calculations in the video refer to more advanced mathematical processes that may be required in certain nursing situations, such as when dealing with unusual units or potent drugs. Maryanne acknowledges that while most calculations in nursing are basic, there are instances where calculations can become complicated, and in such cases, additional support and policies are in place to ensure patient safety.
💡Collaboration
Collaboration in the video refers to the practice of working together, particularly in situations where complex drug calculations are involved. Maryanne mentions that in some departments, two nurses are required to work together to calculate dosages, illustrating the importance of teamwork and accuracy in nursing practice.
Highlights

Maryanne AVI is a nursing student who shares tips and advice on her YouTube channel.

During student nurse week, Maryanne posed a question to her audience for video suggestions on topics to cover.

Maryanne will be creating a video on maths in nursing, addressing common concerns about the subject.

She emphasizes that there is substantial support at her university for students who struggle with maths in nursing practice.

Maryanne mentions the use of the PebblePad portfolio for practice and mentorship in nursing education.

She explains that mentors are required to set up maths and calculation tasks for students during practice placements.

Maryanne assures that no one has been discontinued from the nursing program due to poor maths skills.

She agrees with Dr. Bass that mass calculations in nursing are very basic and average at GCSE level.

The importance of converting between different weight measurements is highlighted for mass calculations in nursing.

Maryanne advises not to get confused by additional information provided in maths questions.

She shares three example mass calculations from her own nursing education experience.

Maryanne explains how to approach complex drug calculations and the support available for such situations.

She mentions that in some cases, two registered nurses and a doctor may need to collaborate on drug calculations.

Maryanne encourages her audience not to worry about maths in nursing, as with practice, it becomes easier.

She plans to provide links to helpful resources on drug dosage and mass calculations in future videos.

Maryanne invites her audience to suggest topics for future videos in the comments section.

Transcripts

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Nursing MathStudent SupportMedication CalculationsHealthcare EducationPractical TipsUniversity ResourcesMentorshipBasic ArithmeticNursing PracticeExam Strategies