How important is statistics in nursing and nursing school?

DemonWings · Jul 13, 2011

I never used it at all in nursing school

KentechRN · Jul 13, 2011

Statistics wasn't required for my AAS in Nursing (RN) and I graduated from the program. I don't feel like I missed anything by not having statistics although I do like math.

Jenni811, RN · Jul 13, 2011

Unless you go into Nursing Research you will never use it.

cindyloowho · Jul 13, 2011

It is my opinion that having an understanding of statistics will help you just generally be able to understand the healthcare field with more depth. Basic patient care does not necessarily need a strong statistics background, but I can't imagine being able to move up in the field if one can't explain what a statistical significance is or it's relevance to medicine. This is one of the differences between an ADN and BSN prepared nurses

TinyHineyRN · Jul 13, 2011

I have an ADN and didn't need stats for nursing school but I did for my other BS. It hasn't changed my nursing practice but I have found it helpful when reading studies.

On a different note, I had a health ed professor tell us that statistics are to be taken with caution as they never imply cause and effect. Statistics can be skewed any way the surveyor wants them to be taken!

SweetOldWorld, BSN, RN · Jul 13, 2011

Unless you go into Nursing Research you will never use it.

I don't quite agree with this. Having a basic understanding of statistics allows you to read the nursing literature intelligently and can only improve your practice as a nurse. You don't have to actually conduct research in order to benefit from it. Some nursing research is good. Some is junk. Knowing a little about statistics helps you make that determination. A basic statistics class isn't going to give you the tools to really use it anyway, but it will help you understand it.

Flo., BSN, RN · Jul 13, 2011

I have a BSN and never took stats. It has not impacted my nursing practice. But then again, maybe I don't know what I'm missing.

miyhaka · Jul 13, 2011

thank you so much for the replies..

I did took some Statistics in high school which was a dual enrollment class, the class was Pre-calculus and Statistics, but we never really went in depth with statistics though.I couldn't drop the course because I already got in to nursing school and I have to finish this before fall semester. It's such a relief to hear its not really that important.

hiddencatRN, BSN, RN · Jul 13, 2011

It was required for my BSN program and we used it whenever we did evidence based practice stuff. I second a basic understanding of statistics as important in healthcare. It's just part of being scientifically/medically literate.

GM2RN · Jul 13, 2011

I don't quite agree with this. Having a basic understanding of statistics allows you to read the nursing literature intelligently and can only improve your practice as a nurse. You don't have to actually conduct research in order to benefit from it. Some nursing research is good. Some is junk. Knowing a little about statistics helps you make that determination. A basic statistics class isn't going to give you the tools to really use it anyway, but it will help you understand it.

It was required for my BSN program and we used it whenever we did evidence based practice stuff. I second a basic understanding of statistics as important in healthcare. It's just part of being scientifically/medically literate.

I have to add my vote to these to comments. An understanding of statistics and how ethical, unbiased research should be conducted is essential to EBP. Without it, you will be lead by the nose anywhere that a writer wants to take you when reading scientific literature.

dishes, BSN, RN · Jul 13, 2011

It is important not only to read and understand research to engage in EBP, but also to further your education, as many graduate nursing programs require a minimum of a B in stastics to be accepted into their program.