Examining Nursing Students’ Interest and Performance in Chemistry in Nigeria Colleges of Nursing Sciences: Emerging Issues

Abstract

Nurses require a good understanding of chemistry as a result of the interrelationship of many chemistry concepts with nursing both in the classroom and in applications hence, the indispensable nature of chemistry to nursing. However, most nursing students have consistently found chemistry as one of their major nightmares in the course of their studies. This is evident in their performances and interest. This paper aims to critically examine the causes of the increasing decline in nursing students’ interest in chemistry in Nigerian nursing colleges in relation to how they are negatively impacting in their chemistry performances. The paper relied on both primary and secondary sources and on careful analysis found out the major challenging issues as: foundational problems, unqualified candidates/ examination malpractice, faulty/fraudulent admission procedures, lack of laboratories/learning materials and the ease of cross border migration. While the problems obviously maybe more than as elucidated, in chatting a way forward, some strategies suggested as recommendations include proper result verification process, guiding the students through the use of problem-solving skills, the provision of well-equipped laboratories and the adoption and the implementation of digital mode of teaching and learning. Even though they may not be exhaustive, but they have been carefully chosen as highlighted and would go a long way to help if fully implemented.