Educators tend to be big on calculus because it correlates with college success [1].
Independent of the studies (there are more) I think that stats is very underserved in society. Nurses should know statistics. Knowing joint %s and Bayesian stats are useful in treatment and diagnosis. Much of health care is moving from doctors to nurses, and it's important for them. Stats are also important for people making investments. And buying lottery tickets. And buying a house. And making judgements in daily living.
Independent of the studies (there are more) I think that stats is very underserved in society. Nurses should know statistics. Knowing joint %s and Bayesian stats are useful in treatment and diagnosis. Much of health care is moving from doctors to nurses, and it's important for them. Stats are also important for people making investments. And buying lottery tickets. And buying a house. And making judgements in daily living.
[1] http://www.ppic.org/content/pubs/report/R_701JBR.pdf