Problem or Challenge?

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Student Nurses who are Dyslexic

• Problem or Challenge?

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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

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Chalfont Campus

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

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• THE DEBATE!

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Disability Data Year 2005
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
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Nursing Diploma Selection Process

• 5 GCSE or Access Course or relevant past
  experience
• Interview group/one to one
• Maths assessment
• English writing assessment

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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

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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

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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

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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

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The Pre Induction Course
2 Week Course included 10 hours each of

• Study Skills
• Calculations

• English Writing
• Biology

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The Study

• 3 Cohorts
• Pre Induction Group (34 students) (PIG)
• Non Pre Induction Group (17 students) (NPIG)
• Diploma Group (238 students)

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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 1 Exam biology and maths
FCP 2 Exam Nursing Practice
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Professional Issues Essay
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Psychosocial Essay
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Foundation in Clinical Practice (1)
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Foundation in Clinical Practice (2)
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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

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Student Evaluation

• It was a privilege

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and finally