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Journal of clinical nursing
Mar, 2022;31 (5-6): 548-558.

Medication calculation skills of graduating nursing students within European context.

Imane Elonen, Leena Salminen, Indrė Brasaitė-Abromė, Pilar Fuster, Pia Kukkonen, Helena Leino-Kilpi, Eliisa Löyttyniemi, Brendan Noonan, Juliane Stubner, Margrét H Svavarsdóttir, Hrund Thorsteinsson, Sanna Koskinen
Author Information
  1. Imane Elonen: Department of Nursing Science, University of Turku, Turku, Finland. ORCID
  2. Leena Salminen: Department of Nursing Science and Nurse Director, University of Turku, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland. ORCID
  3. Indrė Brasaitė-Abromė: Department of Nursing, Klaipėda University, Klaipėda, Lithuania.
  4. Pilar Fuster: Nursing Department, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Sant Cugat del Valles, Spain. ORCID
  5. Pia Kukkonen: Department of Nursing Science, University of Turku, Finland, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland.
  6. Helena Leino-Kilpi: FAAN, FEANS, University of Turku and Nurse Director, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland.
  7. Eliisa Löyttyniemi: Department of Biostatistics, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.
  8. Brendan Noonan: University College Cork, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Cork, Ireland.
  9. Juliane Stubner: Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Institute of Health and Nursing Science, Halle, Germany.
  10. Margrét H Svavarsdóttir: University of Akureyri, School of Health Sciences, Akureyri, Iceland.
  11. Hrund Thorsteinsson: Faculty of Nursing, Department of Development and Education, University of Iceland, Landspitali University Hospital, Reykjavik, Iceland.
  12. Sanna Koskinen: Department of Nursing Science, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.
PMID: 34101280 DOI: 10.1111/jocn.15908

Abstract

AIM: The aim of this study is to evaluate the medication calculation skills of graduating nursing students in six European countries and analyse the associated factors.
BACKGROUND: Medication calculation skills are fundamental to medication safety, which is a substantial part of patient safety. Previous studies have raised concerns about the medication calculation skills of nurses and nursing students.
DESIGN: As part of a broader research project, this study applies a multinational cross-sectional survey design with three populations: graduating nursing students, nurse managers and patients.
METHODS: The students performed two calculations (tablet and fluid) testing medication calculation skills requiring different levels of conceptual understanding and arithmetic. The managers and patients answered one question about the students' medication kills. In total, 1,796 students, 538 managers and 1,327 patients participated the study. The data were analysed statistically. The STROBE guideline for cross-sectional studies was applied.
RESULTS: Almost all (99%) of the students performed the tablet calculation correctly, and the majority (71%) answered the fluid calculation correctly. Older age, a previous degree in health care and satisfaction with their current degree programme was positively associated with correct fluid calculations. The patients evaluated the students' medication skills higher than the nurse managers did and the evaluations were not systematically aligned with the calculation skills tested.
CONCLUSIONS: Nursing students have the skills to perform simple medication calculations, but a significant number of students have difficulties with calculations involving multiple operations and a higher level of conceptual understanding. Due to the variation in students' medication calculation skills and the unalignment between the managers' and patients' evaluations and the calculation tests, further research is needed.
RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Graduating nursing students enter clinical field as qualified professionals, but there is still room for improvement in their medication calculation skills. This calls for attention in the fields of clinical nursing, education and research.

Keywords

drug dosage calculations graduating nursing students medication calculation skills nurse managers patients

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Grants

  1. 310145/Academy of Finland

MeSH Term

Aged
Clinical Competence
Cross-Sectional Studies
Drug Dosage Calculations
Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate
Educational Measurement
Humans
Students, Nursing
Journal Article
Article has an altmetric score of 6

Word Cloud

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