Need to take a Nursing Maths Test?
What is Maths for Nursing?
Nurses and others working in the medical professions often have to do drug calculations, using mental arithmetic to calculate dosages for patients.
This is using formulas, calculating weights / volumes and infusion rates, and converting between different units of measure (e.g. mg, mcg etc).
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Just to let you know, I got my job! Am over the moon.
The maths test was 28 questions, approximately an hour to complete. I answered every question and took my time.
Thank you for fantastic lessons, getting my maths head back on! Will definitely highly recommend you to anyone I know, needing excellent Maths Tutor, Many, Many thanks
I can’t thank Nicola enough. I've had a terrible phobia of maths for over 30 years! I’m thinking of returning to nursing and Nicola has helped me enormously to understand drug calculations. She’s very warm and friendly which puts you at ease and she explains everything in a way that you can understand. I’d really recommend her.
Tests for Nursing Maths
There are various tests for nursing, whether it is to start a university or college course, as part of a nursing degree, or to apply for a specific nursing job.
The requirements for each test might vary, but the core concepts are the same – having the ability to quickly do mental calculations (usually without calculator) of adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing.
Morning lessons
I offer lessons in the day (9.30am / 10.45am) and these can be allocated on a regular or ‘ad hoc’ basis, depending on availability.
Check my bookings page for availability in the month ahead, or contact me if you are looking for a regular place / something further ahead.
Current availability for morning lessons:
'ad hoc' available now in the upcoming weeks
Contact me if interested.
Example Questions for Nursing Maths Tests
Each institution sets their own questions, but these are examples of the types of questions:
For drug calculations it may be helpful to apply this formula:
dose prescribed dose per measure = what you give.
If dose prescribed is 7.5 mg of Enalapril and the dose in each tablet is 1.25 mg. How many
tablets should be given?
Mrs. Smith has a cup of tea (150ml) at 8.00; another at 10.30; a glass of orange juice (180ml) at
12:30 and at both 15.30 and 19:00 she has a cup of tea.
How much fluid has Mrs. Smith taken
orally?
Useful tips on converting measures for nursing
I have lots of techniques for helping with drugs calculations and other typical nursing maths. A common question I get asked is how to convert units of measures for weight.
How to convert from mcg to g and other nurse calculations?
This useful diagram shows the relationship between the units of measure commonly used in nursing.
FREE download – weight conversions for nursing
It shows that to convert from a larger unit to the next smaller one, you multiply by 1000. “Large to Small, Multiply”
To convert from a smaller unit to larger one, you divide by 1000. “Small to Large, Divide”
For example:
– to convert 5 g to mcg, 5 x 1000 = 5000. Therefore, 5g = 5000mcg
– convert 100 mcg to g, 100 / 1000 = 0.1. Therefore, 100mcg = 0.1g
Easy way to remember how to convert mcg to mg, mg to mcg etc – divide or multiply?
It can be tricky, remembering when to multiply or divide.
I have created a simple mneumonic which helps you remember:
Lovely Susan Matters – Large to Small, Multiply
Silly Louis Doesn’t – Small to Large, Divide
FREE download – How to convert mcg to mg, mg to mcg etc – divide or multiply?
How can I help?
I can support you by working through sample questions, whether provided by the university / college / hospital that is setting the test, or with materials that I have to hand.
If you struggle with certain aspects of mental arithmetic, I can provide other resources to allow you to practise and gain confidence.
Regardless of your experience or knowledge of maths, I can help with your understanding. Previous students of mine have included: nursing students taking a drugs calculation exam; experienced (and current) nurses wanting to refresh their understanding on working out doses and flow rate; people wanting to return to nursing after time away.
My role is to work at your pace, over one or more lessons as required, to improve your chances of passing your Nursing Maths test.
My weekly timetable is often full with regular lessons from mid-afternoon onwards (I tutor children as well) but I have availability during the daytime / lunchtime etc, and some evenings for a few ad hoc lessons.
All lessons are bespoke to fit your needs. Lessons are online via Zoom, at £47 per hour. One or two lessons might be all you need, but I can tailor lessons for as many as you like to meet your goal.
You can see what immediate availability I have by checking out my Bookings page. It will only show for the next calendar month, but if you contact me we can make arrangements for a day and time that suits us both. A regular slot, if appropriate, can be arranged.
About Me
My name is Nicola Bhalerao and I am a private tutor based in Warwick. Since 2013, I have provided one-to-one tuition for children and adults. I specialise in maths tutoring, but cater for different requests, ranging from 11+ / entrance exams to various uses of maths, e.g. : interviews, job promotions, GCSE retakes, Functional Skills, nursing, teaching – any situation where confidence in maths is required.
My background is in computing, with a Computer Science degree from Warwick University. I have worked many years as a programmer, latterly in the games industry. Both my sons were tutored by me for the 11+ (they went to a local grammar school). I received training for teaching secondary school maths and I am fully CRB checked.
Read here for more information on tuition for your child or tuition for yourself or another adult.
"Nicola has been very supportive by helping me to fill in the blanks left over from my high school education. This has been crucial to improving my confidence in mathematics"
"I was lacking confidence in maths. Nicola was a fantastic teacher and really helped to improve my technique and approach to maths problems. She is patient, understanding and friendly"
"She was very friendly and professional. After a few sessions I felt much more confident in my ability and passed the numerical reasoning tests. She explains things very clearly"
"Nicola was a patient tutor, always helpful in answering any questions I had. I’d always found maths quite a scary subject, but through Nicola's tutoring I found I built confidence with the subject"
"Nicola has been very supportive by helping me to fill in the blanks left over from my high school education. This has been crucial to improving my confidence in mathematics"
"I was lacking confidence in maths. Nicola was a fantastic teacher and really helped to improve my technique and approach to maths problems. She is patient, understanding and friendly"
"She was very friendly and professional. After a few sessions I felt much more confident in my ability and passed the numerical reasoning tests. She explains things very clearly"
"Nicola was a patient tutor, always helpful in answering any questions I had. I’d always found maths quite a scary subject, but through Nicola's tutoring I found I built confidence with the subject"