"C" Students

MelH · Sep 4, 2002

Marie,

As a matter of fact I met with one of my nursing instructors today and discussed my test grade with her. I made an 86 on the test (there were others who made 90 and above). The teacher asked me how I felt about my grade and considering there were only 50 questions on the test I thought I did pretty good. She looked up at me and said you know what unfortunately, Mel, there are a lot of people who don't make it in the second semester because how they got there was thru memorization on the first semester where as the second semester is more applying. She said that those students who make in the 80's are showing that they are actually "thinking" about the problem and trying to apply it. Don't know if this is true ( I did critically think about all of my questions) but I took it as a compliment! Good luck! :)

Albirdie · Sep 4, 2002

MelH, I think that I would have took that as a compliment as well. I think that is a great grade. It is a 'B'!!!! The grading system at the college I attend is 75-79 = C, 80-89 = B, 90 and up = A. I am the Class of 2004, ADN program.

Agnus · Sep 5, 2002

Congrats! Mel. Ya done good kid! Thinking things through is what it is all about.

a personal aside:

I HATE memorization. I would much rather understand than to memorize something that is meaningless to me. If I just understand it I remember it longer. In commiting things to memory a little memorization is needed. But for me to be able to understand well enough that I can reason anything out is over all better. There is too much in nursing school to memorize it all. That is what critical thinking is all about.

Agnus · Sep 5, 2002

Originally posted by JailRN
Q; what do you call the one who graduates at the bottom of class in Med school??

A Doctor.

Who cares about grades?? As long as the license say RN that's all that matters. The female who graduated at the top of our class, and made a big deal about the fact that she was valedictorian, failed her boards, the the second time around, didn't register on time!! (that was in the days when you tested Feb and Aug) so while the rest of us "dummies" were RN's and getting paid for it, the hospital wouldn't even hire her as a CNA. (because she hadn't taken the course)

By the way, I was an A student, but don't consider myself any better or worse than my peers, I'm just a fast test taker and can write reams.

Ah, a dose of humility. I understand this well. Sometimes I need a dose myself from time to time. Ouch! It does help put things in their proper perspective though and makes us nicer (at least for a while) and better people.

It's like that old confusious tale. That says when you are so full of what you know there is no room for anything else. (Or when you are so full of yourself.) So every once in a while we have to spill some out of our cup to be able to pour more in.

JailRN · Sep 5, 2002

Angus,, Thank you, Thank you very much...

The program that my hubby is in says they have to thve an 75 to pass, otherwise they're out. Has to do that way, 95% pass board first time. If they're average students, they're weeded out of the program so they don't lower the college's stats--that stinks.

HE said to the Dept chair, why don't you just make it a straight 90. that way 100% will do it; he was so mad.

kimmicoobug · Sep 6, 2002

I think it totally depends on the student. I study hard, or as hard as I can with a toddler and a preschooler and I get mostly A's and B's. If I had more time to study, my grades would be better. 2 quarters ago I got a C plus for clinical and I was totally humiliated. Alot of it was just me. I let my lack of confidence really get in the way. It totally affected my time management and organization skills, I was so bad. I made myself reevaluate everything and told myself if I couldn't pull my crap together I should find something else to do with my life. So, I got my crap together and got an A last quarter in clinical. I work hard and I feel the grades I get are the grades I deserve. However, I do know some students who do settle for the C's and say that working hard to learn the material isn't that important because most of it won't stick. One of my good friends is one of those students, and although now she is a nurse, I think she could be a better one if she didn't treat school as if it were a joke. However, I do know plenty of students who really struggle through theory with C's but get A's in clinical and can really perform procedures and put two and two together. Then there are the students who really work hard, but it just doesn't click. I can't help but admire them, but feel that they should think of something else to do with their lives. Just had to throw my two cents in.

Mkue · Sep 6, 2002

MelH, that is SUPER !!!

I had a Sister (Nun) for AP II and she was tough as nails, teaching was her life, after God of course. Absolutely NO multiple choice tests, all fill in the blank, essay, and if we were lucky some matching. I had a few RN's in my class that had to take sciences over since they had expired and were going on for CRNA, BSN, things like that.

Each Lab lesson from the lab book was to be filled out and turned in, any misspelled words with pen, mandatory white out before turning in those assignments. This was a change for me as my AP I instructor did not ask for any lab papers to be turned in.

I prayed for a "C" in her class, honestly, I would study everything that she "wouldn't" ask on the tests, as she would never tell us what would be on the tests like some instructors do. !!

Inspiration and Experiation had to be recited to her, looking right at her face to face, all of the muscles, nerves,, etc. that were involved in this process.

I did get a C in the lecture and B in the Lab.. she approached me the last day of class and said, "marie, I know you will make a very good nurse, you have a wonderful personality".. UGH OMG, that meant so much to me I almost cried !!

I actually learned what she wanted me to know AND what I thought she wanted..so I feel as though I walked away with an "A" even tho my transcript doesn't show it.. I would never trade that instructor for anyone.

Sorry for the long post

:)

Agnus · Sep 22, 2002

mkue

you are absolutely right. I have over the years aquired many college credits. Some were A's and I learned little to nothing. Some were less than A's but I learned so much, and found the course so valuable.

Some teachers hand out A's like candy and they mean little. Some are stingy with their A's but you know when you are done you earned something.

Some don't teach at all and some give you a good grade just because they are impressed in some way that has little to do with what you know or do in the class.

Mkue · Sep 22, 2002

Thanks Agnus.

I always enjoy your posts ! :nurse:

tonicareer · Sep 23, 2002

Most schools in my area require at least a B in nursing and science classes. Only the highest GPAs get into the clinicals. So you see grades do matter. In addition if you want to get into a masters someday you will need very high grades.

researchrabbit · Sep 23, 2002

Having been a teacher before I was a nurse...

the theory behind B & C students being great students is that they know how to study already because they've always had to work at it. The theory that they best A students, is that things came easily in other areas for the A student and they didn't necessarily learn to study and just coasted...

Plus telling C students that they CAN be excellent students encourages them to try harder...and we all need all the motivation we can get.

Mkue · Sep 23, 2002

Originally posted by tonicareer
Most schools in my area require at least a B in nursing and science classes. Only the highest GPAs get into the clinicals. So you see grades do matter. In addition if you want to get into a masters someday you will need very high grades.

I've been wondering how that works going from RN to MSN, and if the grades from RN program have to meet a certain standard to get into a Master program.

Thanks ! :)