student nurses who are dyslexic

Problem or Challenge?

Student Nurses who are Dyslexic

Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College

• Providing education locally since 1893• Vocational focus• Relatively small HEI with high proportion

of mature students• 3 campuses in Buckinghamshire• Nursing courses taught on ‘Chalfont

St.Giles’ campus

Chalfont Campus

• Idyllic rural surrounding, yet within easy reach of London, M25/M40 and the Metropolitan tube line

• Modern teaching facilities and resources

THE DEBATE!

Disability UG/other

Level 1

Level 2 Level 3

PG Total no.

Total%

Blind/partially sighted 1 1 0.1

Disability not listed 1 4 2 7 0.4

Dyslexia 3 4 23 3 33 2.1

Hearing impairment 2 1 2 5 0.3

Mental health 1 1 2 0.1

Mobility Difficulties 1 1 0.1

Multiple disabilities 1 1 2 0.1

No known disability 422 311 540 185 58 1516 94.9

Personal care support 1 2 3 0.2

Unseen disability 5 6 11 6 28 1.8

Total 435 322 584 199 58 1598 100%

Disability Data Year 2005

Nursing Diploma – Selection Process

• 5 GCSE or Access Course or relevant past experience

• Interview group/one to one

• Maths assessment

• English writing assessment

Process – when dealing with students who have dyslexia

• Identified in the recruitment and selection process

• Contact with the Student Services – Disabilities Support Services

• Disclosure form completed

• Faculty is informed

• Academic and Practice Lead informed

• Action taken according to students needs

• Feedback to Faculty Strategic Disability Meeting – Teaching and Learning Committee – Faculty Board

Assistance offered to students

• Note takers• Academic tutor• One to one

assistance during placement

• Assistance from Learning Disabilities Unit

• Staff workshops• ? Assessment

strategies• Examination

procedures• IT support• Pre Induction Course• Mentor workshops

OUR EXPERIENCE

• LESS JUDGEMENTAL• APPECIATION THAT

THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO ‘ROME’

• CHALLENGING• ‘MADE ME MORE

CREATIVE’• QUESTIONING

PROCESSES• CURRICULUM

CHANGES

• STUDENT RECRUITMENT LEAFLET

• STUDENT SUPPORT GROUP

• PRE INDUCTION COURSE

Pre Induction Course Selection

• On interview• Poor maths result

and/or• Poor English writing skills• and/or• who have a learning disability, for example,

dyslexia and have requested to attend the course

The Pre Induction Course

• Study Skills• Calculations

• English Writing• Biology

2 Week Course included 10 hours each of

The Study

• 3 Cohorts

• Pre Induction Group (34 students) (PIG)

• Non Pre Induction Group (17 students) (NPIG)

• Diploma Group (238 students)

Assessments at Level One

Professional Perspectives on Nursing Practice

1,500 word essay plus 500 word reflective essay

Psychosocial Influences on Health

2,000 word essay

FCP 1Exam biology and maths

FCP 2 Exam Nursing Practice

Professional Issues Essay

‘A’ GradeFailed

18%

6%0%

NPIG

PIG

Diploma

5%

15%

0%

Psychosocial Essay

‘A’ GradeFailed

NPIG

PIG

Diploma

12%

4%6%

12%6%

0%

Foundation in Clinical Practice (1)

‘A’ GradeFailed

18%

40%41%

NPIG

PIG

Diploma

58%31%

20%

Foundation in Clinical Practice (2)

‘A’ GradeFailed

NPIG

PIG

Diploma

47%

18%26%7%12%0%

Student Progress So Far

• Now third year students

• No leavers• Still achieving very

good marks

• Positive feedback from lecturers and clinical staff re: students progress

• Students say that they feel more motivated and valued as a result of doing the course

• 4 students now completing the Degree Course

Student Evaluation

‘It was a privilege’

… and finally