Grades don't matter! Are you sure??????

CrazierThanYou · Jul 17, 2010

When I was working on my BSEd degree, I remember our professors telling us not to stress so much over our grades, that when it came time to look for jobs, the principals aren't going to know whether you got an A or a C. Guess what? I've yet to ever apply for a job where they didn't want to see my transcripts.

I don't know if nursing positions ask for transcripts...

ohcomeon · Jul 17, 2010

Thank you for posting this. It aggravates me when I hear people at my school say "C stands for continue". It seems like that is all many people are striving for at my school because they don't want to put the extra effort in that it takes to get a higher grade. For me, I push myself to get A's and I sure hope that an employer asks to see my transcripts because I worked hard for the grades I got. But I will tell you what, even if no one ever saw my transcripts, I get As for my own personal satisfaction. I know that I can be an A student, so I wouldn't be happy getting a C, unless that was honestly the best that I could do. I want to learn everything that they are teaching us in our classes. Yeah I could probably get by just by studying my notes and attending lectures. Yeah maybe I could still do ok by not reading the book. But I just don't want to do ok. I want to excel. It's a shame that other people are happy with mediocrity. Again, I am not talking about the people who do their best and get C's. I am talking about the people who could do better if they tried.

JBGC4 · Jul 17, 2010

I agree w/ what you are saying. I think it depends on the area, and which facility. I had an inside track to the hiring process of one of the hospitals I would love to work for when I graduate. I was told by this person that I shouldn't worry about my grades. They are requested but only for your file. I don't want to live by this, however, it's good news for someone who does have a crazy life outside of NE. I am glad to be passing. LOL! I'm not saying my life is any crazier than any others, I think some handle stress much better than me. Everyday I wish I was on the other side!!!! Heehee.

In our area, we do have a BS program that allows a straight ADN to BSN program. As long as you have RN behind your name, you can be eligible for acceptance. From there, they offer for you to continue w/ your MSN, although I do think the standards for admission is higher, I hear that the BSN part of school, (following an ADN) is much less hectic which lays the way for a higher standard per student.

I do get a little upset about grades b/c I know others who are going to other schools and still maintain a life of a rockstar and get A's. I asked my instructor about this and she merely said, "take a look at their NCLEX pass rate and that should tell you something." That made me feel better. A's are very rare in my school. VERY RARE. What's even more upsetting, is that B's are too. There is an extremely small window for someone to get a B w/ our grading system. It's seems either you get an A or a C. It's fustrating really.

CrazierThanYou · Jul 17, 2010

I agree w/ what you are saying. I think it depends on the area, and which facility. I had an inside track to the hiring process of one of the hospitals I would love to work for when I graduate. I was told by this person that I shouldn't worry about my grades. They are requested but only for your file. I don't want to live by this, however, it's good news for someone who does have a crazy life outside of NE. I am glad to be passing. LOL! I'm not saying my life is any crazier than any others, I think some handle stress much better than me. Everyday I wish I was on the other side!!!! Heehee.
In our area, we do have a BS program that allows a straight ADN to BSN program. As long as you have RN behind your name, you can be eligible for acceptance. From there, they offer for you to continue w/ your MSN, although I do think the standards for admission is higher, I hear that the BSN part of school, (following an ADN) is much less hectic which lays the way for a higher standard per student.
I do get a little upset about grades b/c I know others who are going to other schools and still maintain a life of a rockstar and get A's. I asked my instructor about this and she merely said, "take a look at their NCLEX pass rate and that should tell you something." That made me feel better. A's are very rare in my school. VERY RARE. What's even more upsetting, is that B's are too. There is an extremely small window for someone to get a B w/ our grading system. It's seems either you get an A or a C. It's fustrating really.

A's are rare in my school as well.

healthstar, BSN, RN · Jul 17, 2010

Yes, grades do matter.You get better scholarships, you get a title ( honors), good grades make you happy and stress free. If grades didn't matter, who would be so stupid to spend hours and hours of studying and stressing out over exams. Everybody would aim for the passing grade if grades didn't matter.We don't just study to learn the material, we also aim for good grades. I know one thing for sure, grades don't always determine your intelligence, knowledge, skills whatever you want to call it. Some people are better test takers, and guessers than others but when it comes to reality they are clueless they can't explain much. Yes, some employers might ask to see your school transcripts and you might have straight A's...transcripts alone do not guarantee you a job. Knowledge, skills, grades, most importantly communication skills, critical thinking skills, experience combined are most likely to give you a job in the future.

Good grades are +....and you should try your best to get good grades, it is for your own good. You have to learn the material anyway to be better prepared for your future job. Just believe in yourself.

happy2learn · Jul 17, 2010

I hate when people say that you still get your RN with a C. I think everyone should strive for the best and not strive for a C. If you strive for your best and still get a C then that's okay because not everyone can get A's. But people do need to seriously think about the fact that GPA's are being used as a tool to weed out candidates for jobs.

I don't know about anyone else, but I would kick myself in the a** if I was turned down a job over my GPA because I decided partying and such was more important than studying in school.

Bobbkat · Jul 17, 2010

Grades definately matter. I just interviewed for a position were I was told that they were only selecting new grads that had 'demonstrated a scholastic ability to learn, utilize, and effectively reproduce information'. English translation: people with high GPA's. Does it mean that those people will always make the best nurses? Of course not. It does, however, demontrate that if nothing else they are able to balance school, life, work, distratctions, etc effectively and still excel in their academics.

They've gotta weed somehow....

JBGC4 · Jul 17, 2010

I hate when people say that you still get your RN with a C. I think everyone should strive for the best and not strive for a C. If you strive for your best and still get a C then that's okay because not everyone can get A's. But people do need to seriously think about the fact that GPA's are being used as a tool to weed out candidates for jobs.
I don't know about anyone else, but I would kick myself in the a** if I was turned down a job over my GPA because I decided partying and such was more important than studying in school.

Lol- I'm not partying. I am a wife and mother of two and getting older by the day. My husband has a demanding job that requires him to be away from home for 14 hours a day. It's hard sometimes to maintain structure for two kids under 5 and go to nursing school. I do my very best. I'm always prepared and do make decents grades. I'm not making A's, but it's not that I'm not trying.

I'm very fortunate that I do not have to work. Thank you Jesus! Otherwise, I don't know if I could work, go to school, and raise good kids w/ very little paternal support like some of the mothers I know in the program. It would be very difficult. I only know a few people in my program that seem to be our party goers. And yes, they do hang on by threads. Those are the students I have very little sympathy for.

caliotter3 · Jul 17, 2010

I never was concerned that much with grades when I was in nursing school because I saw how nonobjective the grading process could be in some courses. That turned me off. I also was stressed out enough from the commute just to get to and from school and holding down one or two jobs, as well as my parenting duties. I was satisfied to pass. Now, many years later, the better employer that I have been interested in, wants all transcripts. I don't even bother with that employer because of the disaster my transcripts turned into when I stopped going to school. Who wants anyone to see that? Or to have to explain to anyone? Get the As if you can, while you can. You don't know what will be in your future 18 or 20 years after school is long gone and done with.

allnurses Guide · Jul 17, 2010

Grades DO matter and it is a trend that will continue as employers seek to find the best new graduate candidate for the couple of openings they have amoung the hundreds who apply for those. The hospital I am working at won't even look at you with less than a 3.0

anon695 · Jul 17, 2010

Every externship I applied to required a transcript, and when I looked at the application process for new grad internships in preparation for next year, those were requiring a transcript as well. So it's in your interest to get the best grades you can possibly get.