The interviews have been slightly edited for clarity.
The grand finale of this year’s National Drug Dosage Calculation Competition was held on the 22nd of December, 2022, at the University College Hospital, Ibadan.
Seven contestants made it through the first two stages out of over ninety that started the journey.
Awe Eunice Aramide, Yusuf Khadijat, Osonuga Olukayode, Okiyi Beatrice, Salawu Iman, Kafil Hameedah, and Akinyinka Rebecca were the seven contestants who made it to the grand finale.
Tension was high, and the scene was set; everyone was seated, as the seven contestants, well dressed, looking very professional and regal in the officially assigned uniform, grandly sitting on the elevated stage, waiting for the event to start.
The event started at about 2:00 pm.
You could see the anxiety boldly written on the faces of the contestants. They were all racing to clinch the grand prize.
“Medication errors cause at least one death every day and injure approximately 1.3 million people annually in the United States of America alone. While low- and middle-income countries are estimated to have similar rates of medication-related adverse events to high-income countries, the impact is about twice as much in terms of the number of years of healthy life lost.”
[Source: WHO]
The National Drug Dosage Calculation Competition for Nurses is currently the only educational/academic, social initiative in Nigeria dedicated to sensitizing the nursing and healthcare community in Nigeria about the importance of safe drug/medication administration.
The initiative, started in 2019 by Ogunlabi David, a Critical Care Nurse based in the United Kingdom, is an innovative move that tackles a global issue facing healthcare organizations from a unique angle.
WHO, in 2017, launched a global initiative to reduce severe, avoidable medication-associated harm in all countries by 50% over the next five years. We are already in the sixth year and have yet to beat that mark.
Brilliant initiatives like the National Drug Dosage Calculation Competition are rightly positioned to cause significant changes in this vital aspect of patient safety, primarily because the target here is nurses, who inarguably are the most responsible clinicians in the chain of medication administration [prescription, transcription, dispensation, and administration].
“Research has shown that nurses are responsible for intercepting between 50% and 80% of potential medication errors before they reach the patient in the prescription, transcription, and dispensing stages of the process.”
As part of his desire to improve patient safety, Ogunlabi David published a handbook on medication administration for nurses and healthcare professionals.
Many have testified that this handbook, The Nurse, The Maths & The Medication: A Handbook On Drug Dosage Calculation, is a must-have tool for clinicians who regularly interact with high alert and lethal medications/drugs, especially in advanced and specialized clinical environments like the Intensive Care Unit, High Dependency Units, Operation Theatre, and other critical departments.
Get your copy of “The Nurse, The Maths & The Medication: A Handbook on Drug Dosage Calculation” on Amazon or Selar.
Three winners emerged at the end of the contest, which had three rounds. Eunice Aramide Awe clinched the first prize — a Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira! While Yusuff Khadijat Adewumi came in second place, Olusegun Olukayode Osonuga was right behind her, securing the third position.
The contest moderators confessed that all the contestants were on fire!
We interviewed the winners briefly so that their stories and experiences at this year’s NDDCCN would motivate others, especially those who may want to compete next year.
See in the interviews what the winners have to say about their individual journeys, experience, and challenges, and what they all say about NDDCCN.
Meet The Winners
Brief Interview Sessions With The Winners of NDDCCN 2022
Eunice Aramide Awe; first place
I am Eunice Aramide Awe, a 21-year-old 300-level Nursing Student studying at Nigeria’s premier university, the University of Ibadan. I am the first child of my parents, and I hail from Osun State, Nigeria.
I enjoy reading, watching movies, listening to inspiring music, and spending quality time with those I love. I am a Christian.
I learned about NDDCCN 2022 through my departmental Nursing WhatsApp group page. Initially, when I saw the poster requesting applicants, I dismissed it. I felt I couldn’t do it because it was during the ASUU strike, and I knew nothing about “Drug Dosage Calculations.” I was motivated to apply due to a push from a very close friend, and I saw it as a challenge to learn something new.
During the first round, I was nervous because I had no idea how the questions would be and if I would finish up in time; fortunately, the questions were something I could handle.
The second round was a bit more challenging as I had no time to review my answers, and I was more than glad I made it to the Grand Finale.
I used the NCLEX drug dosage practice questions; I also practiced as many quiz questions as I could find on the internet. I spent more time in preparation for the grand finale.
It tested my speed, accuracy, and boldness. At the grand finale, I was nervous each time I waited to know if my answer was correct. It was altogether a fun-filled and rewarding experience.
This competition has trained me to be more familiar with calculation skills, a vital tool nurses need to care for patients.
The organizers of this competition have altogether done a great job. They were also very considerate while planning the whole event. The competition was fair and transparent.
This competition has further inspired me to build on my skills and be that Nurse that would ensure that the patient receives the best care.
My fellow contestants were tenacious, intelligent, courageous, and determined. I’m glad to have met them.
I see myself as a diligent Nurse working alongside other medical practitioners to the glory of God and the benefit of humanity.
Yusuff, Khadijat Adewumi; second place
I’m Yusuff, Khadijat Adewumi. I am 22 and a 400-level nursing student at the University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
I’m from Oyo state, Ibadan, precisely, the first child of my parents.
I enjoy teaching, panel discussions, and any activities that affect society positively.
I came across the broadcast on a WhatsApp group page. I’ve always loved challenges. It fuels the joy in me.
I registered for this event during one of the most challenging moments in my life.
My innate response was positive towards the poster despite talks from relatives to relieve myself of stress during that period. I motivated myself to apply.
Honestly, this competition happened at a time some would have described as hectic for a 400-level nursing student.
I had expected it to be more tasking. The first round was easy. The second round triggered those sharp skills. It’s a competition, so it’s expected.
Sincerely, I would like to pass a vote of thanks to Nurse David Ogunlabi, for he wrote his book on drug dosage calculations in a self-teaching manner. Almost like this invisible teacher by Dele Ashade for the English language.
After registering for the competition, I asked myself where to start because I didn’t want this to affect my academic record. Also, knowing that our school syllabus doesn’t cover the mathematical concept of drug dosage, I had to reach out to people and resources that could help me prepare well. I solved a couple of questions online.
The grand finale was a good experience for me as it induced the spirit of reflection on practice. I learned to be more patient. This competition also has taught me to be committed to community growth and service.
The organizers performed beautifully. If I rate them on a quantitative scale, I will give them 100%. They are real heroes. They sacrificed time and resources for this noble cause. Usually, nursing students need more platforms to showcase their abilities and skills. So this initiative is filling that gap, and it’s commendable.
I have been motivated to put more effort into drug dosage calculations.
I plan to be a certified anesthetic nurse and a force to reckon with in academia. I pray for the guidance of the supreme being.
Also, knowing that our school syllabus doesn’t cover the mathematical concept of drug dosage, I had to reach out to people and resources that could help me prepare well.
Yusuff, Khadijat Adewumi, first place
Olusegun Olukayode Osonuga; third place
I am Olusegun Olukayode OSONUGA (RN), a 24-year-old and a 500-level student from the Department of Nursing Science, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. I hail from Ogun State and am the third of five children in my family. I enjoy making people smile, and I also love engaging myself in research related to the nursing profession’s growth.
I learned about the National Drug Dosage Calculation Competition for Nurses (NDDCCN) through a classmate and good friend who also applied for the competition. At first, I was interested, but my interest was overshadowed by my frustrations attributed to needing to be a graduate after spending more than five years at the university. I decided to apply since I was good at calculations and wanted to do something worthwhile with my time. However, I got involved in several activities regarding nursing at that time.
My experience in the first and second rounds of the competition was challenging as I had to be very quick and decisive when answering questions. During the first round, I had a faulty calculator, which was a significant obstacle as I did most of the calculations using my brain.
I could finish on time, although I made silly mistakes that almost prevented me from advancing to the next round. The second round came with difficulties as the network was poor while taking the quiz. Still, I thank God I could qualify despite not answering all the questions.
My preparation was not at its finest during the first round as I only read the book “THE NURSE, THE MATH, THE MEDICATION” for a few days before taking the quiz. I intensified my efforts during the second round by rereading the book and practicing online NCLEX questions from nurseslabs.
The grand finale was an exciting experience. Due to the ongoing school stress and exam preparations, I couldn’t prepare to the best of my abilities. I was only able to read my jottings of the book and practice some questions during the night a few days before the grand finale.
The grand finale was wonderful, with a touch of tension. I didn’t know what to expect until the questions started rolling in. After attempting some questions incorrectly, I decided to take a cautious approach toward the remaining questions asked.
During the competition, I discovered the usefulness of a nurse in another dimension. Despite my knowledge of how a nurse can function, I fully understood the importance of nurses and their role in medication administration.
Also, the organizers of the competition were fantastic in every aspect. They ensured that the vision and the mission of the competition were well addressed at every phase, and it will have a lifelong impact on my life as a nurse.
I appreciate the NDDCCN team’s efforts toward making the competition a success, and I would love to contribute in any way to the growth and success of the competition several years from now. The competition has made me realize the need to contribute to developing an error-free medication administration healthcare system globally.
I am motivated to train nursing students from my university and beyond to ensure an error-free medication administration system. I strongly advise every nursing student to participate in this competition to build themselves and contribute to eradicating medication errors in the world.
Finally, I appreciate my fellow contestants that enrolled in the competition, as this is a bold and conscious step in ensuring that the issue of medication errors in the world is completely eradicated. I also see myself making major progressive decisions and contributing to the growth of the nursing profession in my specialization and beyond several years from now.
GOD BLESS THE NDDCCN TEAM
GOD BLESS THE NURSING PROFESSION
NDDCCN 2022 In Pictures
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