Progress towards creating a benchmark for numeracy for nursing

In this paper we present work in progress on the assessment of numeracy for nursing in two interdisciplinary projects. The background to these studies is that despite widespread recognition that numeracy is a key competence for safe and effective professional practice in nursing, and research studies in various countries which reveal a lack of proficiency within both the student population and amongst registered nurses, there is no international consensus on the nature and scope of numeracy for nursing. The studies are: 'Medication dosage calculation: a benchmark assessment for nursing' and 'Numeracy for nursing'. The first study aims to create a national benchmark for numeracy for nursing in Scotland against which numeracy for nursing may be assessed, initially at point of registration but potentially thereafter at other stages of nurse preparation and in practice. The second study is an exploratory investigation of aspects of teaching, learning and assessment of numeracy for nursing in the undergraduate/Diploma Nursing programme in a large School of Nursing in England