MATHEMATICAL CALCULATION ABILITY AND MATHEMATICAL ANXIETY OF BACCALAUREATE NURSING-STUDENTS

Accurate mathematical calculations are a critical skill that nurses mu st demonstrate in order to safely administer medications. This study w as designed to investigate differences in mathematical calculation abi lity and mathematical anxiety for a group of baccalaureate nursing stu dents (n=56) and a group of undergraduate students majoring in fields other than nursing (n=56). Results showed the nursing students had sig nificantly lower mathematical skills test performance than the non-nur sing students. No group differences were found for mathematical anxiet y. These results are consistent with previous findings that indicate t hat nursing students are seriously deficient in mathematical skills. T he greater deficiency in mathematical skills performance noted in the nursing group indicates that nursing education must consider more sele ctive admission requirements related to mathematics. Mathematical calc ulation skills must be evaluated early in the program of study and edu cational opportunities to increase mathematical proficiency must be pl anned throughout the nursing program.