Didn't think this would bother me but.......

2banurse · Nov 26, 2002

Mel, I'm a lot like you in trying to always get the highest grade, but I honestly feel with nursing that it is MORE IMPORTANT to understand the material even if I only get a B. If you ask me some questions about statistics or calculus (both A classes), I would need the text to give an answer. Be happy for your B's, as I am sure that there are students that would love to have B's. So though I will try to get A's, I will more so try to make sure that I understand what I am studying and not just regurgitate information without a clear understanding.

Mkue · Nov 26, 2002

Mel, I agree with 2banurse and I think you are doing fine.

:nurse:

RN always, BSN, RN · Nov 26, 2002

Just remember C equals RN

Rena RN 2003, RN · Nov 26, 2002

i've heard this many times from first level students at my school. and my advice is the same as 2b's.

nursing classes are unlike other classes that require memorization to get by. in nursing, you have to understand the why's instead of just knowing an answer. you have to use critical thinking to choose the best option for a scenerio that may have many right answers.

from your signature line i gather that you are just starting nursing school. you are in the beginning stages of learning how to think critically. be patient, it will all come together.

Love-A-Nurse · Nov 26, 2002

i know just what you mean but if we are still surviving, we are doing great!

kimmicoobug · Nov 26, 2002

Sounds like you are doing really well to me. Nursing is a totally different way of thinking. Start to pay attention to your thought processes throughout the year, even away from school and clinicals. That shows growth and that is verrry important. For a lot, the first quarter is difficult because of the switch in gears, but for some grades may get better throughout the year, and for others grades get worse. I did slightly worse my first year than when I took my prereqs, but then with my second year, I am totally kicking butt in the grades department (besides the 68% I mentioned in my recent thread). But that is just my own personal experience. BTW, do you have an NCLEX book? That may be of some help. A lot of schools base tests to mimic the boards, and I have found this to be of great help when studying for a test.

emily_mom · Nov 26, 2002

Is your grade scale different for your pre-req's vs. nursing core? Our lowest possible is 80%, and that is a C. So, you have to have a 94 just to get an A-. I had a 4.0 going into nursing school and also in the first two semesters of nursing core. Now, I'm pulling an A in Pharm, a B in Nutrition (b/c I just don't have time to study for that one!) and a B- in Intermediate. I have never gotten a B- in anything, but I'm ok with that. I'm passing, which is more than I can say for half of my class. Just let it go. You're doing your best and passing, so you can't really ask for more than that.

Kristy

peaceful2100, BSN, RN · Nov 26, 2002

I totally understand that it is hard to grasp something like that but it is a fact and just know that you are doing well enough to stay in school. I am willing to bet you already had many who did not make it yet. Maybe they did not make it because it was not for them or they did not try hard enough, or it was just a difficult time in their life. Just keep your head up and know that you are doing the best you can and that is all any of us can do.

nursbee04 · Nov 26, 2002

I went into to the nursing program in my area with the same mentality that I have had throughout my school career. I went into nursing school with a 4.0, but I soon had to learn to accept B's and C's. Becoming a nurse is way more than passing your classes with A's. It's like my clinical instructor told us, she'd hire a nurse with a C average before she would hire a nurse with an A average. Just do your best, and if you get A's, that's great. But don't let it get you down if you don't!

zacarias, ASN, RN · Nov 26, 2002

It's amazing! I had the same experience as most of you.

I went into the nursing program with a 4.0. Quickly did that go down. My cumulative GPA goes down every so slightly every quarter. Ambiguities abound in nursing tests where in my previous classes, the questions were much more straight forward.

While I realize that C=RN, I'm nowhere near letting myself settle. I still want to get the highest grade I possibly can, even it's not an A. What makes it worse is I go through periods where I'm so mad at the program and burnt out that I don't study as much as I should. This can prove hazardous to my GPA's health so I try to keep that in check.

Tomorrow is our huge neuro test, better get going...

Z

opalmRN · Nov 26, 2002

Mel,

I too agree.

While it is important to do the best you can, your ability to provide excellent nursing care is not soley based on test grades.

And something else to think about, when was the last time you heard a patient ask a nurse what grades they received in school?

No really, a written test is only a small measure of a persons skills.

Hang on to your tests (if that is possible) and from time to time look back on the answers you did not get right. Chances are as time goes on most of the incorrectly answered ones you will be able to answer off the top of your head.

Remember too, that is why it is called school. If you knew it all completely, inside and out, you wouldn't need to be there.

C