Are C's really the new A's in nursing school?

LCinTraining · Aug 11, 2012

I hope not.

That would seriously lower the standards of grad programs and I'm not sure I want just a c average practitioner (MD, DO, NP, or PA) treating me. I know I'll never know their grades, but it's a scarey thought that we could be churning out care providers that don't know their stuff.

nursingstudent2458 · Aug 11, 2012

True... Well I certainly wouldn't want to get by on a C average.

Double-Helix, BSN, RN · Aug 11, 2012

A's were still A's in my program. If you worked hard, studied, and put in the effort you can get A's.

I think people that say "C's are the new A's" are just trying to come up with an excuse for why they didn't get better grades. Blaming the curriculum or saying that the teachers make it impossible to get A's is the easy way to explain their grades.

Stephalump · Aug 11, 2012

I think the idea is that many people settle for Bs or C's in nursing school because they will still be able to sit for the NCLEX. Also the reality is EVERYONE in my class has a 4.0 and the majority of us will leave that behind for Bs or Cs thanks to how different nursing school is from typical college work. We were told on the first day of class that most of us would become B/C students.

When my mom became an RN many moons ago, she decided to shoot for B's. She's very intelligent and educated, and graduated from her precious degree programs with a 3.9, but she just flat out had too much else to do (like raise us) to worry about A's like she had in the past when she could just read and regurgitate.

Melissa0181 · Aug 11, 2012

Nursing school is HARD. I was able to get A's in my prerequisite courses by doing minimal work and reading (I'm not bragging since that isn't a good habit but it is true). I had to completely change my study habits for nursing school. I had to read then go over it a second time to make sure I understood what I was reading. I had to take notes in class, ask my professors when I had questions, and find decent webpages that could clarify information I still didn't get. The premise is if you are an A student prior to nursing school you'll be lucky to get C's in nursing school....the classes move fast, the material is intense, and the professor's don't put up with BS. With that being said it is not impossible to get A's in nursing school but you'll find you had to study harder then any other classes you've ever taken. I bet the premise behind 'C's being the new A's in nursing school' is spread by students as a defense mechanism for rationalizing why they are doing poorly.

jjrodriguez, BSN, RN · Aug 11, 2012

Although that seems to be the common mentality that "C = commencement", I know of many of my classmates and myself who are able to maintain a majority of A's throughout our BSN upper level courses. It does take an effort and investment of time, but the satisfaction knowing I tried my best and succeeded is invaluable. Unfortunately, we hear that a lot, and I agree that it does lower the standard of our education. I believe that you don't have to make ALL straight A's, but try your best to excel in all of your classes. If you really tried your best, and still came out with a C, then that's absolutely okay. But I've noticed a very laid back attitude amongst my cohort regarding grades and as a peer mentor, I have to break through that thought with the new nursing students to encourage them to aim for A's.

It is kind of scary seeing this attitude. I understand that some people are "better test takers than others" (I've heard this a lot), but you still need that broad based knowledge to even answer the question. I've also heard that "managers don't look at grades". That may be true for some, but with the influx of new grads looking for jobs, how else will employers differentiate for their ideal employees? Two of the local hospitals have set GPA requirements for their GN positions (3.0 & 3.3 minimum). Interships also look GPA. Graduate school looks at GPA. So, yes, grades DO matter.

QuarterLife88, MSN, RN, NP · Aug 11, 2012

A "C" in my program is an "F."

SC4Nurse2B · Aug 11, 2012

Hmm. For me, a C is just not acceptable. I guess I just think I can do better. But, my situation is different from many in that I have no kids at home anymore, and a husband totally willing to fill in on household chores when I can't. I actually had someone tell me a couple of years ago, "when you get into the program, you can forget getting A's." Seriously? Is that a challenge? Haha

eleectrosaurus · Aug 11, 2012

Also the reality is EVERYONE in my class has a 4.0 and the majority of us will leave that behind for Bs or Cs thanks to how different nursing school is from typical college work.

Yup, that's how it was for me too. I have met grads who had gotten more A's, but they were also from schools that did a lot of hand-holding. It reflected in their NCLEX pass rates.

RocketMama2011 · Aug 11, 2012

I have heard this quote "C= RN" at my school. I think this train of thought is from the differences in the grading scales for our general courses vs our nursing courses. Our general courses are on a 10 point scale. Therefore a 90 or 89.9= an A. In nursing a 93= A. Also in our general courses we could do the minimum and excel. Our teachers would curve tests, drop grades, & give extra credit. In nursing this is definitely NOT the case. I believe that just because C does allow you to sit for NCLEX doesn't mean we should only strive for the minimum.

Despareux · Aug 11, 2012

Less than 84 percent would have failed you in the program I graduated from. Personally, I think grades are an honest reflection of how much effort one has put forth into their studies. Sorry, but a 'C' grade is very poor and is a fair reason to be dismissed from a nursing program.