Do school qualifications predict competence in nursing calculations?

Do entry characteristics in mathematics of student nurses selected to undertake nurse training have any predictive value for competence in nursing calculations? This paper analyses the results of a diagnostic mathematics test given to students entering the Project 2000 course at one college of nursing in England in relation to the students' entry qualifications in mathematics. The results suggest that paper qualifications in mathematics, other than those of above GCSE grade C or equivalent, should not be relied upon to predict performance in a test of calculations required in nursing. Selection procedures for nursing courses that use a mathematics or numeracy test as a requirement for entry may be excluding potentially competent nurses from selection. Opportunities for helping to build confidence and competence in nursing calculations should be built into the nursing curriculum.