Does teaching methodology affect medication dosage calculation skills of undergraduate nursing students?

One of the most critical functions of a nurse is the safe administration of medications. To ensure patient safety, nurses must be competent in medication dosage calculation (MDC) skills. It is imperative that nursing educators discover the most effective teaching methodology to ensure the greatest level of competency in MDC skills. The purpose of this causal-comparative quantitative study was to compare the effects of two teaching methodologies on senior-level nursing students’ completion of program MDC requirements, mathematics self-efficacy, and MDC competency at program end. The sample consisted of 94 senior-level bachelor’s degree nursing students from a southeastern United States university in the spring of 2015. Each participant completed a demographic questionnaire, Mathematics Self-Efficacy Scale (MSES), and MDC competency exam. Participants were assigned to one of two groups based on whether the participants completed MDC education in a stand-alone course or throughout the curriculum through self-learning modules. Chi-square and independent t-test results indicated that there were no statistical differences between the two groups (stand-alone course vs. self-learning modules) and ability to complete program MDC requirements, MSES scores, and MDC competency exam scores at program end. Data analysis using Chi-square and Fisher’s Exact tests indicated a statistically significant, but weak, correlation between MSES scores and MDC competency exam scores. Findings from this study indicate teaching MDC to nursing students using a stand-alone course versus self-learning modules produces the same results in the students’ ability to complete program MDC requirements, mathematics self-efficacy, and MDC competency at program end.

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Pharmacology Curriculum and Teaching Methods: A Comparative Study Between Two Nursing Programs in A Nepalese College

Medical Journal of Shree Birendra Hospital ◽

10.3126/mjsbh.v16i1.17575 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

pp. 19-23

Author(s):

Manoj Sharma ◽

Kumud Kumar Kafle

Keyword(s):

Nursing Students ◽

Nursing Programs ◽

P Value ◽

First Year ◽

Teaching Methodology ◽

Chi Square ◽

Course Content ◽

Bachelor Of Science ◽

Chi Square Test ◽

Academic Year

Introduction: Pharmacology is one of the basic science subjects included in graduate nursing programs (B. Sc Nursing and Bachelor of Science in Nursing) under Tribhuvan University. Both these programs are being run at our institute. This article describes the evaluation of pharmacology course and teaching methodology at our institute by B. Sc Nursing (B. Sc) and Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BNS) students and also compares students’ views between these two nursing programs to facilitate pedagogical learning. Methods: At the end of the course of 2071-2072 BS academic year of first year nursing students of B. Sc and BNS programs, a structured teaching evaluation questionnaire was designed to obtain students’ view on pharmacology curriculum and lectures. Yates corrected Chi square test was applied whenever necessary and p value considered significant at less than or equal to 0.05.Results: Only 37% B. Sc and 60% BNS students responded that the lecture content was in accordance with the curriculum. Only 52% BNS and 97% B. Sc students found the course content to be relevant and useful. 68% BNS students responded that they have felt a lot improvement in their understanding of pharmacology subject as compared to just 23% of B. Sc students. Majority of the students preferred the LCD mode of presentation.Conclusion: There were minor differences found between opinions of two sets of students. Major need for improvement areas suggested in curriculum were course content not being clear and the objectives being ill defined. Similarly, in relation to facilitator, they have recommended to improve voice clarity.

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