An investigation of the components used to calculate staff:student ratios in nursing and midwifery education

This article describes the results of a census questionnaire sent to all colleges of nursing and midwifery and institutions of further and higher education undertaking English National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting (ENB) validated pre- and post-registration nursing and midwifery courses. The questionnaire was designed to identify the range of components, incorporated into formulae, used by the colleges and institutions to calculate staff:student ratios (SSRs), for each type of course. The results indicate that the majority of colleges and institutions use: SSR = Total number of staff/Total number of students The definitions of staff and student within the formulae were either assumed or variously defined. A total of 17 different formulae for calculating SSRs were identified and 10 different formulae for calculating whole time equivalents. Each of these formulae are given in the article. The advantages and disadvantages for resourcing nurse education arising from the lack of definition surrounding the standardisation of formulae and the components within formulae are discussed. The discussion reflects both the responses given in the open-ended questions in the questionnaire and the debates surrounding the use of SSRs highlighted in the literature.