Importance of good grades!!!

Nursing Students Excelsior

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I just want to let everyone know my experience. I recently just finished my EC LPN-RN program. It took me forever, just because of life and laziness. I am proud of my accomplishment but really upset at myself for not taking the studying as seriously as I should have. I earned 3 A's, 10 B's, and 3 C's. At the time I thought, "Cool! I am pleased with my grades." Well, I just received my transcripts and ummmm, my GPA is 2.9!!! NOOOOOOO!!!!! :banghead:

Anyway, here I am...ready to move onto a RN-MSN program and yeah, I'll be taking an additional class or two to pull that GPA up. :bookworm: What a waste of time! Some of those B's were even high B's which a point or two higher could have been an additional A.

So, don't settle for a B! Strive for an A on EVERY TEST! It really matters in the end!

:bookworm::bookworm::bookworm::grumpy::bookworm::bookworm::bookworm:

Specializes in Psych, corrections.

I agree- it NEVER hurts to get the A!! I worked very hard in nursing school and got a high GPA. It was also horrendously stressful for me, because I was in a Master's Entry program and they kick you out if you get below a 3.0. You also fail the class if you get below a 83%. On the other hand, when it comes to getting a job, it can be about WHO you know and not what you know. Getting good references and having a CNA job can help miles.

I noticed that it is often easier for older students and second career nurses to get those As, because they have the discipline. I started my undergrad at age 17, and I was more worried about my social life and partying. Needless to say, my grades and career ambitions sat on the back burner and I ended up working retail after graduation. When I started my nursing program, I dedicated my time and energy to school and it paid off.

Specializes in peri-anesthesia services.

So the days of "C's get degrees" or "C means continue" are over?

Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

Not where I went to school!!! I was in an ADN program.We had a 6 point scale. I had a class average for one of my classes that was 86.4. That was a C. After a year of making nearly impossible to get a B, let alone and A, we explained that they could make it tough, but they were killing our chances of getting into a BSN or MSN program because of our GPAs. They did modify it for second year, but the damage was done. Fortunately, many schools are like that, so GPA in Nursing school did not hurt me when applying for a slot in the RN-BSN program. I have a 3.5 in my non-nursing undergrad degree and a 4.0 for my masters. Where I work now, they did not ask for GPAs. And it is a major, nationally ranked magnet teaching hospital.

Specializes in ICU.

In my facility we look at all the credentials when hiring fora nurse. We have a nursing practice board committee that involves the executive, nurse manager,and staff nurses that check the credentials of the applicants when they apply for a job. We are a federal facility, so we do extensive background check to every application. We do not only examine your credentials but also the evaluation of your supervisor from your previous employment. Advance degree carries a big weight on the applications salary. So advance degree is a bigdeal and schools have certain policies to maintain that GPA.

Specializes in Emergency Dept, ICU.

I don't think jobs care what grades you rec'd, I think this article just represents futhering your education.

Specializes in Med-Surg, NICU.

I'm going to have to politely disagree with the OP. Unless you are planning on going to grad school, your work experience is going to be far more important than your grades. I believe my work experience as a sitter, PCA/SNA at two hospitals and volunteer and internships are going to be worth FAR more than my grades (and this is coming from someone with over a 3.7).

HOWEVER, I DO think that people should strive for at least a B. I study with a girl who has literally squeaked by with C's (one class she got a 72.5 which was rounded to a 73...the bare minimum one needs to pass) and will go weeks at a time without going to class. I told her that she will NOT survive the program if she doesn't get it together. She tells me that next year, I need to text her everyday and make her go to class, and I reminded that her that she is an adult and SHE needs to take responsibility for herself. She says she wants to be a midwife, but in order to get into our school's midwife program, you have to have a VERY high GPA (it is very competitive).

Squeaking by will shoot her in the foot eventually.

Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Remember the OP is referring to the LPN to ASN/RN program at Excelsior. This is a challenge exam program, not classroom based, so you have one challenge exam and that is your grade for the course. This is not referring to a traditional college where you have several tests, quizzes, assignments that your grade is based upon. The point is to take your preparation for each of the Excelsior College Exams seriously so that you can score as well as you potentially can. One low exam grade = low grade for course = lower GPA overall which can make a difference when applying to further your education.

I used to pull "all-nighters" before exams and always got A.

Specializes in ..

What's worse? Striving for an A and getting a C? or, striving for a B and getting a D?

What's worse? Striving for an A and getting a C? or, striving for a B and getting a D?

No question... getting a D is much worse. That would necessitate retaking the exam!

Grades are really important.

Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
I'm going to have to politely disagree with the OP. Unless you are planning on going to grad school, your work experience is going to be far more important than your grades.

The OP is going to grad school ... that was part of her point. :) You were a good person to give your classmate some guidance -- I hope she heeds your advice!!!

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