Burnley College is offering nurses free places on a new “numeracy for nursing” course it is running between now and the end of August.

The course is open to nurses who do not already have a maths qualification such as a GSCE, O level or Functional Skills Level 2 and need one to progress their careers.

It is also aimed at helping those planning to enter the profession prepare for the numeracy tests set by the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

Maths is a vital skill for nurses, used in everything from ensuring correct dosages of medication to monitoring the volume of fluids a patient may be drinking, the number of calories they are eating and, in pregnant women, the due date of a baby.

‘Vital aspect’

Humera Khan, head of maths and English at Burnley College, said: “Many great nurses entered the profession before a qualification in Maths was essential and now find themselves unable to progress their careers because of that”.

She added: “Plus, there are those planning to become nurses who need support to pass the Nursing and Midwifery Council numeracy tests which are compulsory before they are offered a place on a university-level course to study nursing”.

The course aims to provide nurses with a level 2 functional skills qualification in maths and prepare those seeking university places for the demands of the numeracy test they have to pass to get onto a course.

Ms Khan commented: “Nurses need many skills to be successful, not least compassion, stamina, great communication, attention to detail and adaptability, so we’re proud at Burnley College to be able to give them a helping hand in another vital aspect of their work”.