Math and Computing Journey for Nursing Professionals and Students - Essay Example

Mathematics and computing Name Institution My Math and Computing Journey Table of contents Table of contents 2 Introduction 3 Reflections on Computing 3 Start of the course 3 Reflection on Computing Article 5 End of course 5 Reflections on Mathematics 6 Start of the course 6 Reflections on Mathematics calculation article 7 Study plan 8 Interpretation of a Graph 8 End of Course 8 Summary 8 References 9 9 Introduction The purpose of this assignment is to demonstrate the competency in using the software applied by the Nursing professionals and students. It involves construction of a word processing document that demonstrates competency in working with Word, participating in Blackboard Collaborate online session and competence to create a basic e-Portfolio. The next part of the document involves creation of a Clinical Education Power Point Presentation. Task 1 handles the document structure and involves redrafting of the Word document created in Assignment 1 whose objectives are: demonstration of competency in word processing and reflection on the journey of computing so as to consolidate the understanding of the student and give back feedback. Reflections on Computing Start of the course It was exciting to commence the course because of the availability of the Internet which is a gigantic library. The Internet is open all the time and one can find anything he or may wish to find. The availability of the Internet made communication easier with friends. The Internet plays a key role in education in offering wealthy information and hence become a useful tool in research (Buhalis 2008). One of the biggest source for information that is available online is the encyclopedia that can easily be used to obtain desirable information of various kinds. However, there was a weakness in the use of the packages such as Excel which is a spreadsheet. It was a challenge in familiarizing with the formulas and functions that are in built in Excel. This functions and formulas are used to ease the workbook tasks. Majority of people are only familiar with the SUM function in Excel. It is important to understand the fact that there are many other functions that are present in Excel other than the SUM function. It is usually excellent for a new user in applying hands-on on a workshop in Excel as an excellent way of learning. The most important thing to master is to learn about the quick tips in Excel such as short cut commands. Currently, the user of Excel is very common and important to the university. The fear in using Excel cannot be assumed because of the frequency in making errors which may lead to loss of marks or strict penalties. Nursing in medical area greatly relies on computing. Nursing requires people who are competent in using computer. In the past, patients used to repeatedly informing the staff in nursing concerning their sicknesses and reports of their medical histories. Currently, the world has changed, computers are used daily in hospitals to store patients’ records and it is also easy to update the record with every detail from time to time. Computer technology has greatly advanced the efficiency in patient care in healthcare administration (Blumenthal 2010). There following are some of the areas where things have greatly changed: systematic storage of information, making of presentations, making simulations, provision of wider zones for research, self-evaluation and provision of interactive learning. Reflection on Computing Article It is critical to ascertain the importance of computing to nursing students and later as a professional. The main reasons that greatly illustrate how computing has become of great importance are included below. Currently, Information technology has highly been adopted in the nursing workplace. About 85 percent of nurses today use computers to do the work and there is no mind at all about the duration in the field of nursing. Any sector needs a systematic storage of information. Nurses always use computers to record information about patients during their examinations. The information can easily be accessed and is efficient and accurate. Power point presentations are also appropriate and efficient in the presentation of data. Large compiled data can be easily presented in the medical study in a format that is simplified and effective (Leedy 2005). Various features like presentations, slide shows and videos enhance the understanding of complex procedures in medicine and more. End of course After the completion of the two assignments in computing, skills and strengths on how to use the Internet were enhanced. More information about the Internet can be easily obtained through online communication and sending of messages. However, the only weakness was still on the spreadsheet that is Excel because it was not adequately covered in the lessons. There is still fear on how to use Excel in several tasks such as creation of tables in the area of nursing study. The computing learning is also a value for the EASE assignments because there is no loss of mark in the word documents. The knowledge in computing will surely help in the future in the career. It is clear that the world is changing very fast and every sector is computerized. Reflections on Mathematics Start of the course I enjoy learning Mathematics a lot and it is one of my favorite subjects. The best part of Mathematics is the fact that it involves calculations which daily apply in normal life or social life in areas such as keeping a record or budget of the money that has been spent as well as marks in assignments. The major weakness is handling English Math, It becomes hard to understand the words used in English math considering the fact that I am from overseas. There is fear within of making mistakes in the process when handling or tackling quizzed in Math. Before, I completed an EAP course which entirely deals with Math. There is a clear relationship between the words used in English math and correct calculation. Moreover, math is very important in nursing. Doctors and nurses greatly rely on math in provision of health care to people all over the world. They use math when writing prescriptions or administering medication. In order to draw graphs in statistics or various epidemics as well as determining rates of success of various treatments then professional in medicine have to rely on math (Gigerenzer 2007). Often, patients are prescribed various drugs for ailments. An indication is made on the amount of dosage as well as the medication. There is a great need for doctors and nurses to clearly understand the weight of the patient before making the prescription in milligrams. Technologies such as x-rays and CAT scans also rely on math. Lastly, professional in medicine are also able to obtain information by use of numbers. Reflections on Mathematics calculation article A nursing student will greatly need Mathematics in his or her profession. The reasons for the statement above are clearly explained below. As explained earlier, nurses need mathematics in order to calculate doses used in medication, and the administration time. A right calculation has to be made so as to prevent the probability of errors occurring which may have a stern effect on the health of the patient. Depending on the weight of the patient, doctor should be able to clearly understand the correct amount of milligrams to be administered to the patient. It is clear that doctors should have a clear understanding about the whole process of conversion. These calculations must be made mentally both with speed and accuracy. Doctors and nurses also have to make a consideration on the amount of time that the medicine is going to persist in the body of the patient. This helps to determine the amount of times that the patient is expected to administer the dosage to make sure that the medicine has sufficient to act in the body. The amount of medicine that is in the body usually decreases at a particular percentage which is usually expressed in terms of a rational number therefore creating a sequence which is geometric in nature (Armitage 2008). It is a geometric sequence because there is a ratio which is common between various terms. This idea is commonly used by doctors so as to decide on the number of times that a patient is supposed to take medication prescribed to him or her. Nurses must be able to understand the orders issued by the doctors. As stated, numbers generate information to doctors about the health status of the patient. As a matter of fact, cells in the body such as white blood cells are usually given as numerical values such as a range between 4 and 10. Similarly, measuring of the kidney function in terms of creatinine contained in a given sample of blood is usually given as X mg per blood deciliter. Moreover, the most useful in medicine and health is Body Mass Index (BMI) and measuring it involves a lot of accuracy. Study plan Interpretation of a Graph End of Course Summary In conclusion, the document has clearly illustrated the reflections on computing, e-Portfolio access, online conferencing and reflections on article on medical calculation. There is also a study plan and its interpretations. The whole of other study years are able to benefit from the use of the above document. They are able to understand the importance of computing and mathematics in nursing both as a course and as a career in the future and clearly understand how the transition has taken place in the world as opposed to the past. References Armitage, P., Berry, G., & Matthews, J. N. S. (2008). Statistical methods in medical research. John Wiley & Sons. Blumenthal, D. (2010). Launching HIteCH. New England Journal of Medicine, 362(5), 382-385. Buhalis, D., & Law, R. (2008). Progress in information technology and tourism management: 20 years on and 10 years after the Internet—The state of eTourism research. Tourism management, 29(4), 609-623. Gigerenzer, G., Gaissmaier, W., Kurz-Milcke, E., Schwartz, L. M., & Woloshin, S. (2007). Helping doctors and patients make sense of health statistics. Psychological science in the public interest, 8(2), 53-96. Leedy, P. D., & Ormrod, J. E. (2005). Practical research. Columbus, OH: Pearson Merrill Prentice Hall. Read More