Are you an A student. How do you achieve it

shamrokks, ADN, ASN, RN · Dec 20, 2012

I have managed to get As and work 20 hours a week in a BSN program. The only way I can
Do it is by keeping a planner! Staying organized and time management are huge. A lot of students would say they have a week to study so they put it off but I would start in advance. Make use of the down time because it will pay off in the long run. The test success book series also helped me a ton with nursing school style of questions. I highly recommend those!

I will have to try the test success book series. I have not heard of these. Thanks for the info.

ReinventingMyselfAgain, MSN, RN · Dec 20, 2012

I think the first thing you need to accept is that you MAY not continue to be an A Student. I am not trying to be a Debbie downer, but this is a reality that many students have trouble facing. Almost all Students entering nursing are A (not all but many). I think the thing you. Red to focus on is understand and learning, not the letter/number grade, or "just passing".

In my experiences, those who put more into it, get a whole lot more out of it. I don't just mean quantity, but quality. Those who seek out additional experiences and resources. Those who volunteer for extra projects, look for articles, videos, websites and related information on the topics they are studying. Those who practice in the lab, even when they don't have to.

I believe there is something to be said for doing hundreds of test questions. But this cannot be your only source of studying. Also, you need to do more than read the professors power points. If they are quality PPs, they will only serve as an outline.

If your school uses a web-based program connected to your text books, (like ThePoint, or Elsevier's Evolve), take full advantage of it. If your professors post supplemental Information (on blackboard) like case studies, do them! If books or articles are recommended (not required), get them (either from the school library, "borrow" them online or from a classmate).

Surround yourself around positive influences. I don't k ow how old you are, or what your gender is. But look outside your comfort zone. If you are a 19 year old girl, the other 19 year old girls may not be the best influence for you. They may be fun. And pretty, and into the same things you're. You can be their friends, but they may not be the best study-buddies. Oftentimes, your classmates can make a difference in your outcome, if they are motivators.

Don't do these things because you feel obligated to. You are an adult learner, you are not obligated to do anything except show up and pass tests and clinical. Do these things because you are serious about your desire to succeed.

Compassion_x · Dec 20, 2012

I just finished my first semester with a 4.0. Make sure you practice skills, a lot, like over and over and over again. Read anything assigned, read more from other sources if you don't understand a concept. Use flash cards if you need them, read power points, take lots of notes, ask questions, email your professors if you're confused about anything, be polite and courteous during clinicals, to other students, your CI, staff, and especially patients. Be prepared for clinicals, ask or email your CI before clinicals begin if needed, to find out what you need to bring. If any rules are unclear to you, ask more questions. Be alert, awake, and never stop thinking. Use ATI practice tests, buy review books....study, study, study. For me sometimes it helps me to research a topic or concept, write it out how I understand it, and then if I don't feel like I could perform this procedure, or am not comfortable that I know it, I research again and write it out again, until I am confident. Also, study groups can be helpful, even if it's just one other person to compare and ask for clarifications etc.

relohi · Dec 20, 2012

I am starting Nursing on Jan 3rd 2013. My goal is to get As. I am willing to do what it takes. Are you an A nursing student? What advice and tips do you have for me?[/quote']
I graduated with a 4.0 and valedictorian of my class. Had I known then what I know now as a working nurse, I would have taken a job in a hospital as an aide. The 4.0 means nothing; experience is everything!

stlrlvr · Dec 20, 2012

I have to agree wholeheartedly with kjm84. I, too, have maintained quite close to a 4.0 while excelling clinically (according to my preceptors) and I absolutely love my clinical days and patient care. Memorizing is not the key to nursing school -- learning the material, comprehending it, going above and beyond, the "art" of nursing (compassionate care/therapeutic touch/constant assessing and reevaluating and giving one-on-one personal care) is what's required. You can be an all A student and still do well in clinicals -- just give it your all!

jtboog2003 · Dec 20, 2012

I graduated with a 4.0 and valedictorian of my class. Had I known then what I know now as a working nurse, I would have taken a job in a hospital as an aide. The 4.0 means nothing; experience is everything!

It's interesting that your brought this up, because on here I see many posts about how they were the top of their class, or have extremely high grades, in yet can't find a job. Like the one person says it really depends on why you want to get A's. If it's for grad school ok, you will need a good GPA, but if you think having straight A's will get you a job, that may not always be necessarily true. It can be true as far as trying to get into a new grad residency program.

x_factor · Dec 20, 2012

It's interesting that your brought this up, because on here I see many posts about how they were the top of their class, or have extremely high grades, in yet can't find a job. Like the one person says it really depends on why you want to get A's. If it's for grad school ok, you will need a good GPA, but if you think having straight A's will get you a job, they may not always be necessarily true. It can be as far as tryin to get into a new grad residency program.

I agree with this. Jobs are not going to care whether you earned A's or C's in nursing school, they just care that you graduated and passed the NCLEX. However, grades in nursing school ARE extremely important to many people, myself inluded, who plan to pursue a higher degree other than an ADN or BSN. If we get through nursing school with all C's, yes we pass the program, but then what? Then we are barely competitive for any type of graduate degree program if and when we pursue it. GPA is a big deal if looking to get into a graduate program, which is my ultimate goal, and one of the main reasons I began working towards a degree in nursing to begin with. Getting my ADN and BSN is just the stepping stone to my future plan.

relohi · Dec 20, 2012

It's interesting that your brought this up because on here I see many posts about how they were the top of their class, or have extremely high grades, in yet can't find a job. Like the one person says it really depends on why you want to get A's. If it's for grad school ok, you will need a good GPA, but if you think having straight A's will get you a job, they may not always be necessarily true. It can be as far as tryin to get into a new grad residency program.[/quote']
You hit the nail on the head in my opinion! If you want to work right out of school, maintain a respectable GPA and get a part-time job in direct patient care (and make friends!) If you want to go directly to grad school, shoot for the 4.0 (among other things). That's just my experience having graduated in 2010 and only experiencing nursing during this economic environment. I don't regret getting good grades because I do want to continue school. I just need to work now! I watched people who did not do nearly as well get my dream job while I couldn't even get an interview. These people worked at the hospital and networked all through school while I buried my nose in the books. I think the key is a mixture of both. If I could go back and tell my nursing student self one thing, it would be what I am telling you :). I wish you the best in school and your future career!

melizerd, ASN, RN · Dec 20, 2012

I have had almost all As and the occasional B+ (90-91 is still a B+).

It's about staying organized, staying on top of things and using your study group. No matter what know that you MIGHT get to something you really struggle with and getting a B or a B+ isn't the end of the world either. Better to have a B+ then a nervous breakdown IMO.

Most people in my program are being hired right out of school through their preceptorships.

In my program (I'm in Wisconsin) we do rotations starting in LTC, the next semester is Med/Surg or Mom/Baby, Then you go to a high acuity setting Med/Surg specialty etc, 4th semester I'm option for the burn/hospice rotation at a local hospital, there is also psych, ICU, home care, or high risk prenatal. So each program is really varied on the clinical parts.

MrPopeye · Dec 20, 2012

There has been a LOT of good advice in this thread. But, what a lot of people need to realize is that no matter how good one's study skills are, it is not a determinant on what someone's grades are, or will be. What's important is finding what works best for YOU, and stay with that. Finding a good balance between studying, work, family, etc. is what is most important. That also goes along with being well organized, etc.

As far as getting actual A's, it's a cool thing to strive for, but it's not necessary to be a good nurse. Some people just flat out get great grades on tests. I'm happy for my classmates that do. Am I jealous? Not really. The only reason I would like a higher grade is it gives me a little more breathing room on tests. It would take away the added stress of absolutely HAVING to make a good grade.

Stephalump · Dec 21, 2012

I'm an A student so far. I think organization is supper important, as is stress management.

Study-wise, I purposely memorize very little other than lab values, drugs, and things like that. My focus is always on the "why" behind things. I figure if I can make connections from cause to effect I can retrace those connections any time I need to. If one source doesn't click for me, I find another one (Made Easy books, another text book, Saunders review, google, YouTube, any of that good stuff).

I also try to always make it to class, stay engaged in lectures, and I'm in a study group because the discussions really help cement things for me.

sweetjane · Dec 21, 2012

***really manage your time***.. that's all you can do. study lectures immediately after you hear them, and break up your day with a few hours of study each day so that you're not stuck cramming at the very end before an exam. I really, really recommend studying right after you hear lectures for like two or three hours. i didn't manage my time well the second semester of nursing school and almost paid very dearly for it; i'm ready to do better for ob/peds in the spring now because i know where my weakness are with time management.