| Introduction | | | | algebra problems in front of you while you |
| | | | anxiously try and avoid looking directly at |
| In nursing particularly, absolute competence | | | | them just in case they ask you to go to the |
| is a must as patients' welfare is directly | | | | front of the class and solve the problem in |
| connected to any action or decision that you | | | | front of all your class mates! |
| take. Give the wrong dosage or medication and | | | | |
| a patient can be killed. Naturally, this can | | | | Textbooks can also be notoriously dry and |
| have devastating consequences so it is | | | | have their own limitations in terms of |
| absolutely crucial that you take all the | | | | interactivity and efficiency of learning. |
| precautions in keeping up to date and | | | | They rarely account for people who don't like |
| maintaining your skills. | | | | (or can't) read very well and have a limited |
| | | | range of questions. |
| Dosage calculations are no exception and the | | | | |
| reported cases of medication errors on an | | | | 2. Software |
| annual basis is very high. Despite this, many | | | | |
| nurses absolutely fear performing | | | | Software has a number of advantages - the |
| calculations of any sort! Why is this? Most | | | | main one being the fact that it offers an |
| likely because the calculations involve a | | | | extremely interactive way to develop your |
| knowledge of maths and maths can be a | | | | skills without having to open a book. |
| daunting task - especially if it has been a | | | | Questions are in the thousands, difficulty |
| long time since you studied at school or | | | | levels are included to cater for all skill |
| university. | | | | levels and you receive instant feedback to |
| | | | your answers (without having to look at the |
| The reality of the situation however, is not | | | | back of a textbook for the answer). Further |
| as bleak as it often appears to nurses. To | | | | most features are only a simple click away. |
| perform dosage calculations you really only | | | | Repetitive practice suddenly isn't such a dry |
| need a very basic level of math skills. Basic | | | | chore but more of a personal challenge to |
| means a level that really does not exceed | | | | beat your best score! |
| primary school: fractions, decimals, | | | | |
| percentages and ratios. | | | | Most Software packages even cater for the |
| | | | computer phobic as they use large buttons and |
| But how do you learn and maintain your skills | | | | a simple "click on where you want to go |
| in maths? Well there really are 3 ways: | | | | system". Before you know it your math and |
| | | | computer skills will be improving! |
| 1> Through a textbook | | | | |
| | | | In a world in which computer are becoming |
| 2> Using Software | | | | general household items computer based |
| | | | education is slowly replacing textbook based |
| 3> Hiring a private tutor (which generally | | | | methods for its many advantages. |
| requires a lot of money) | | | | |
| | | | 3. Private Tutor |
| 1. Textbooks | | | | |
| | | | Probably best for the wealthy but you will |
| Learning math from a textbook can be | | | | still be referred to a textbook or computer |
| unsettling - often because it brings back | | | | program to develop your skills! |
| memories of a screaming teacher throwing | | | | |