Anyone get A's in nursing school?

longroadahead · Jul 12, 2005

I just got started last week, but my first test is Friday so I'll let you know...

Maggie in NC · Jul 12, 2005

A 4.0 going in is a great thing but an R.N. is a greater thing. While I hope and pray I can maintain my grades-I am more concerned with finishing my goal-SCHOOL.

ftr_bb_catchr · Jul 12, 2005

I'm intertested in these stories too. I haven't started my core nursing yet but I know that the instructors tell you at orientation that it is impossible to get an A (this is an ADN course at a CC). They flat out say.. "We know you are all overachievers (since admittance is GPA based) but you need to accpet now that this will be the hardest 2 years of your life. You WILL NOT have straight A's."

I too have a 4.0 and I can't tell you how angry this makes, not me, but my husband!! :angryfire

He is FURIOUS! He thinks it's just awful to tell someone who has maintained a 4.0 through college that they absolutely CANNOT get an A in a first semester nursing course no matter how hard they study. He says they are trying to "break you", to see who will tough it out. Basically trying to scare the wits out of you. In our program, out of 50 students, there were three B's and the rest were C's (with two people dropping due to failing scores) in the first semester. NOW in the second semester there were a couple of A's and a few B's and the rest C's... What I have heard from my friends in the program is that the reason the first semester is so hard is that you are learning a whole new way to test... no more memorization only, like in Anatomy, now you have to critically think instead.

So I guess I have had to accept that I will lose my 4.0.. even though I'm not particularly happy about it. I'm wondering if this varies from school to school and BSN vs. ADN...

neuronursein06 · Jul 12, 2005

Anyone?? I'm going into this with a 4.0, and I know that nursing classes are much harder, but there is that competitive part of me that would like to keep it. So, please, share your stories!

I've gotten a few A's here and there, but in relatively easy classes...EKG, Intro to Community Health, Peds...rest B's, and a few C's.

I just want to graduate...I thought I'd go on at one point, but have changed that tune now...so I just want to get it done, keep the 3 point, and go from there!

ftr_bb_catchr · Jul 12, 2005

I've gotten a few A's here and there, but in relatively easy classes...EKG, Intro to Community Health, Peds...rest B's, and a few C's.
I just want to graduate...I thought I'd go on at one point, but have changed that tune now...so I just want to get it done, keep the 3 point, and go from there!

By go on.. do you mean as in BSN or MSN?

new grad · Jul 12, 2005

Hi,

I just finished Nursing school. I didn't have a 4.0,but I was in the top 5 of my class ( small class of 55) It took alot of my time and I studied the recommended amount of time (2 hours out of class for every one in). I found that studying with someone helped me, this doesn't work for everyone. My study partner and I got together every weekend and we would also try to meet after each class to review what we just did in class. The other thing that really helped was going to each instructor that taught and clarifying lecture info. You have to come up with specific questions to ask, but when we did that, it really helped. The last thing is make sure you are studying with the smart people ( my study partner was 1st in the class)

Hope this helps-Good luck- If it is important to you- you'll be able to do it.

klone, MSN, RN · Jul 12, 2005

I got an A my first semester. B my second. Going into third, I'm going to try my damnedest to get an A (I know it will be hard for Med/Surg, and hopefully easier for Maternal/Child).

I know that C=RN, but C doesn't equal grad school (or perhaps med school). I'm not planning on stopping with an ADN.

hula nurse · Jul 12, 2005

I totally understand what you are saying. I'm a 4.0 student, worked very hard to for those grades! This summer I'm in Micro with a second year nursing student. (This is for a 2 year program) She has been telling me how hard it is and how you will not have a life and the ever so popular equation,C=RN. I keep telling myself that but I would like to think that I can do better than that! We have to know that this is nursing school, not medical school. We do not want to be doctors so it can't be that hard! My husband is going to medical school next fall and I have seen first hand how hard that schooling is. We can do anything we put our mind to. If you have made it this far with all A's, surely you will do well in your core nursing classes! WE CAN DO THIS! :) :)

klone, MSN, RN · Jul 12, 2005

We have to know that this is nursing school, not medical school. We do not want to be doctors so it can't be that hard!

IMO, the difference between nursing school and med school is a matter of quantity, not difficulty level.

hula nurse · Jul 12, 2005

You are right. There is way more information, but it is also very difficult. I am just trying to help a fellow nursing student by encouragement. We are all team members! I like you intend on going on with my education to the MSN level. Anything anyone else has ever done, we can do as well. I know it will take a lot of hard work, but it can and will be accomplished! Good Luck!

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Jul 12, 2005

I will start clinicals soon, but I definetly don't expect to gen A's. I try my best and as long as I get a decent grade and learn the material I am content. Talking to people who recently graduated, they too instill the fear of getting an A being impossible (gulp). I have an excellent GPA now, but once you're in, it is an accomplishment all in itself.

Everyone good luck and enjoy the ride :)