CON Medication Math Competency Requirements: Difference between revisions

<p align="center">UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA MEDICAL CENTER<br />

COLLEGE OF NURSING</p>

<p style="margin-bottom:15px;"><span style="text-decoration:underline; font-weight:bold;">Background:</span> Medication administration is an important component of the work of registered nurses. A recent Institute of Medicine report on patient safety indicates errors in drug dosages cause at least 7,000 deaths annually. As the health professionals who interact most frequently with patients in all settings, nurses’ actions are directly related to patient outcomes. Better educated nurses often defend against medical errors and in one study conducted in two hospitals, nurses intercepted 86% of medication errors before they reached patients. (AACN)</p>

<p style="margin-bottom:15px;">The requirement for safe effective practice as a nurse mandates an ability to correctly calculate medication dosages and IV drip rates for the safe administration of drugs. As part of the educational process of preparing professional nurses UNMC-CON has established entrance and level competencies for Math and drug dosage calculations related to safe medication administration. Meeting the established competencies is required for progression through the program and graduation.</p>

<p style="margin-bottom:15px;"><span style="text-decoration:underline; font-weight:bold;">Memorandum of Agreement:</span> Please initial each statement indicating you have read it and you understand each statement.</p>

<p style="margin-bottom:15px;">I understand that I have not met the competencies established for safe medication administration for my current level in the curriculum. _______</p>

<p style="margin-bottom:15px;">I understand that I may not prepare or pass any medications to any patient in any clinical arena without the DIRECT supervision of a faculty member. ________</p>

<p style="margin-bottom:15px;">I understand that I must meet the minimum passing level of 95% for safe medication administration before I can progress to the next level in the curriculum or to the NRSG 480 Transition course. I understand that I will not progress if I do not meet this competency by the end of the term (or sooner if the time frame is specifically addressed in the course syllabus). _________</p>

<p style="margin-bottom:15px;">I understand that I must accept personal responsibility to engage in the necessary remediation to bring my calculation skills to the required level. ________</p>

<p style="margin-bottom:15px;">I understand that it is my responsibility to inform my clinical faculty and/or preceptors in any and all clinical areas that I am assigned that I have not yet attained the standard of competency in medication administration established for this level. __________</p>

<p style="margin-bottom:15px;">I have read the above document and I agree to abide by the requirements stated here.</p>

<table width="100%">