Are A's really not practical in nursing school?

[PaperPencil]

I am wondering if it is really not practical to expect to continue getting A's once I start the NS program in 2 months? As someone who received an A in all prereqs including intro to bio, both A&P, chem x2, psy intro, psy (human dev), humanities, nurse aid & tech, etc... I kinda find it hard to believe.

I have 2 kids, who are in elementary school/ preschool... but I do not have to work.

So I would like to hear from A students who either continued getting A's or those who were A students and now find themselves as B/C students.

[kristandrews]

It all depends on what you're willing to sacrifice and how quickly you can learn massive amounts of material. The more time you spend studying, the less time you'll be able to devote to other things. I got straight A's my first semester without sacrificing too much time with my fiance. But second semester I ended up with a couple of high B's because I simply didn't have enough hours in the day to study and still lead a semi-balanced life. I've decided that I'm fine getting B's every now and then, but I do think it's possible to get straight A's if you're willing to pour your whole life for the next couple of years into nursing school. You just have to decide for yourself if it's worth it.

[carolinachick]

it depends on your school,my school is on a 7 point scale!95 is an A.Exams are super tough.I just finished my first semester and boy was it tough.i also had all A's in my prereqs and i realised i had to change the way i studied.

[Anoetos, BSN, RN]

I take it as a given that my REAL nursing education, though it may start in clinicals, won't really get going until I have my own license.

Until then I want to get the best grades that I can.

It's true that there isn't a necessary corollary between grades and the quality of the nurse, but by the same token, they aren't inversely proportionate either. In fact, if I had to guess, I'd guess that, by and large, the best nurses; those nurses prized by their employers as effective and by their clients as caring and efficient, did very well in school.

I guess my concern with this thread is that there may be people reading who might let themselves off the hook for the best grade they could get and everything that comes with that because they read out of this discussion that a certain complacency was permissible (as long as they pass and progress in their programs). Of course I know no one has actually said that, and I appreciate that a lot of people have answered the OP directly that it is in fact possible to get A's in nursing school, but it's a potential inference from what has been said by others here who have stressed the importance of doing the job well over against getting "straight A's", or those who have suggested that "a C is a degree".

I want to do my best and I am just naive enough to trust that everyone else does as well, but, well, this is a bit troubling is all...

[One1, BSN, RN]

I take it as a given that my REAL nursing education, though it may start in clinicals, won't really get going until I have my own license.

Until then I want to get the best grades that I can.

It's true that there isn't a necessary corollary between grades and the quality of the nurse, but by the same token, they aren't inversely proportionate either. In fact, if I had to guess, I'd guess that, by and large, the best nurses; those nurses prized by their employers as effective and by their clients as caring and efficient, did very well in school.

I guess my concern with this thread is that there may be people reading who might let themselves off the hook for the best grade they could get and everything that comes with that because they read out of this discussion that a certain complacency was permissible (as long as they pass and progress in their programs). Of course I know no one has actually said that, and I appreciate that a lot of people have answered the OP directly that it is in fact possible to get A's in nursing school, but it's a potential inference from what has been said by others here who have stressed the importance of doing the job well over against getting "straight A's", or those who have suggested that "a C is a degree".

I want to do my best and I am just naive enough to trust that everyone else does as well, but, well, this is a bit troubling is all...

If a prospective nursing student would let his or her professional or academic goals be determined by the very widespread (and subjective) opinions of total strangers, then I believe this student might have more difficulties up ahead than just a class grade.

[Anoetos, BSN, RN]

If a prospective nursing student would let his or her professional or academic goals be determined by the very widespread (and subjective) opinions of total strangers, then I believe this student might have more difficulties up ahead than just a class grade.

AGREED! But even so...

...the question was asked.

[DayDreamin ER CRNP]

I didn't read all the responses but there are some good ones here.

I am an older student (close to 40) and I have one child. I am going thru a divorce as we speak and I do work PRN a few nights each month 7p-7a.

I am actually making better grades in the nursing program than I did in my pre-reqs. I have seen a lot of the students that got straight As in pre-reqs making Bs while in NS. I am not a straight A student but I usually pull at least one each semester in my "harder" class that is the 7 hour class vs the 3 hour credit class so that makes me feel pretty good. So far I've kept As and Bs through school and I'm ok with it. I wish my school recognized the +/- system but that's another thread.

Anyway, I'm ok with my As and Bs. Yep, I'd like all As and I would be very disappointed in myself if I got a C, but the reality for me is that I can only study so much and still function as a mother.

So, is it practical? Maybe. I think it depends on how much you "get" or not and how good you are at critically thinking and applying what you know. As I'm sure you've heard already, the questions on nursing school tests are not your typical cut and dry kind of question. You have to really think about the question and what it is really asking and then there are the questions that have 4 answer choices and 3 of them look pretty good and you have to chose the "most correct" answer. Not everyone is good at these but there are ways to learn to be good at them.

Are all As doable? Yep! It can be done but no one said it would be easy.

Good luck!!!

meredith

[Anoetos, BSN, RN]

As I'm sure you've heard already, the questions on nursing school tests are not your typical cut and dry kind of question. You have to really think about the question and what it is really asking and then there are the questions that have 4 answer choices and 3 of them look pretty good and you have to chose the "most correct" answer. Not everyone is good at these but there are ways to learn to be good at them.

Do you have any recommendations for study guides or helpful hints for this?

[DayDreamin ER CRNP]

Do you have any recommendations for study guides or helpful hints for this?

Sure do! There is a HESI review book on Amazon that I use. http://www.amazon.com/Evolve-Reach-Admission-Assessment-Review/dp/1416056351/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1280277279&sr=8-2

This might not be the most updated edition but you can search for that.

I also like the _____ Success series of study guides. They do a Fundamentals Succes, Med-Surg Succes, etc. I like these books because they include rationales and reasons the wrong answers aren't correct. Clear as mud?

For NCLEX style question tips I like Kaplan and Saunders. I like the Kaplan "how to" book because it actually breaks down the questions and teaches you how to read the questions and what it is actually asking. You learn the "root" of the questions and the distractions and how to dissect the answer choices.

m

[hiddencatRN, BSN, RN]

I had a 3.91 in my prerequisites (all As and one B) and now have a 3.78 in an accelerated nursing program. It's definitely harder to earn As, but not impossible. I would just go in with an open mind and don't beat yourself up if you do get Bs in nursing school. Just do your best.

[Scrubmouse RN]

Anything is possible. just work hard at it. I know this is cliche' but cliche's exist for a reason. In nursing classes you must apply the sciences from your prereq classes. The one class that is really really going to help you in your med/surg semester is anatomy and physiology. It makes so much sense when you have a strong foundation in A&P. Personally, I found med/surg fascinating because I could apply the theories I learned previously. I am an "A" student, and am sorta proud of myself. My class started with 19 people, now for third semester there are only 9 of us.

[JeanettePNP, MSN, RN, NP]

I had all A's or A-'s in nursing school. (In my school an A is 95 and above.) Now in my final semester that record is in jeopardy after I failed an absolutely ridiculous, trivial exam. But maybe she'll give us a makeup exam since a large percentage of the class failed.

[birthrevolution]

I get mostly As with the occasional A- and a B+ (I was seriously .08 away from an A-, but at that point who cares). My prereqs were actually harder than nursing school itself. For me I don't find the exams or papers that hard, it's just that there's a lot of work and at some point I have to go to sleep, so I draw the line. I make sure I am comfortable with the material, memorize what I need to and know enough so I can reason out the answers. In our program there are always a few people who graduate with 4.0s and more power to them! There are also people who don't pass classes and have to retake them.

I think the key is to figure out what study methods work for you and stick to them. It also helps to find a few good study buddies to help you through. I have had a really good study partner and occasionally we won't study for an exam together and we both regret it! Or, our study group will expand to the point where it's just not effective.