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

nik415 · Aug 12, 2012

In my program to pass you must have an 80 or better which is a C. A 90-100, B+ 87-89, B 85-86, C+ 82-84, C 80-81. I don't think anyone strives for a C. I know everyone in my program worked really hard, and those that did not do the work didn't pass. I have a learning disability and worked just hard, if not harder, than others and still only managed to get a C. Just because I get a C doesn't mean I'll be any less of a nurse.

seanynjboy, BSN · Aug 12, 2012

The truth is C = RN.

I will be honest about something. A "C" grade student does not mean a whole lot to me personally. I am a "B" student that has gotten a few Cs. I think mostly because I get test anxiety and I do not take tests very well. When I am on the floors in clinicals I do rather awesome, (according to my clinical instructors). I have gotten between 95-100 in all my clinical grades.

I do not think that getting Cs is a direct result of a student knowing the content. It depends on the student. Some people are better HANDS ON learners, which I am. Show me something once and I got it. But memorizing all 12 cranial nerves and being able to name all of them and what affects them 10 minutes for a test and forgetting them 25 minutes post test does not mean anything to me.

Also, 2 of the smartest people I have ever known were C students for this reason. They were HORRIBLE test takers. I would put my life in their hands any day of the week.

Not everyone is like that, there is some truth into the statement that some people who do the bare minimum I would not want taking care of it. But a person who gets As could just be book smart and have a horrible bedside manor. There are a lot of variables to consider..

virgolove34 · Aug 12, 2012

Didn't read all the posts but they say don't be so hung up on trying to get A's that you burn yourself out and ultimately fail yourself... When a C is still passing and will still allow you to become a nurse.

Stephalump · Aug 12, 2012

I . However, if I study, read, & do everything I can in my power to get an A & don't. I'm not going to beat myself up about it. I would reevaluate my study skills & go from there. In addition some people are not good test takers period. They can tell you what they know and how to do something to the tee but, to put on paper can mess with there ability to take the test.

This is the mentality I'm trying to adopt during my NS journey. I've always been a perfectionist, and I'm the oddball who beats herself up for getting a 90% on a test when I just could've studied a couple hours more and gotten a 100%! So a B? No way. Can't handle it. A C??? Good as death.

The problem is the extra stress that ladles on top of everything else, and I can't handle that stress for two years. I will absolutely do my best, but your "best" has to be tempered with reality. School isn't my only responsibility. Too much emphasis on perfection leads to the exact opposite, and I have no desire to fail.

Fortunately, I do believe all of the medical knowledge in the world will not suddenly explode after I graduate from school. If I'm shaky on certain things and I find myself needing the info, I can find it and learn it. Not the end of the world.

Double-Helix, BSN, RN · Aug 12, 2012

There's really two different interpretations of the phrase "C is the new A" being discussed here. Let me try to clarify.

1. Many are providing examples of students who do just enough work to achieve a C and are satisfied with that grade. Whether it is because they are busy with other things (work, family, etc.) or because they simply want to do enough to graduate. In this case, achieving C's rather than A's is purely a matter of personal preference. Both will allow you to graduate. However, while a C grade might be acceptable for one student, it will not be acceptable for all students. This interpretation still assumes that the grade received is a reflection of the effort put forth by the student.

2. However, the phrase "C is the new A" actually implies that a student can perform to the highest standards and will still receive a C grade, rather than an A. It implies that the grading system not the amount of work put in, is what determines the grade, because no matter how well you do, you'll still get a C. This is the interpretation that is used as an excuse for lackluster performance because the implication is that no matter how much you study, a C is the best grade you can get.

This is, of course, incorrect. An A is the grade received when a student performs at or above the highest possible standards. A's do exist in nursing school, and it is possible to achieve them if the student is willing/able to put in the work required to do so. If a student wishes to put in only enough effort to achieve a B or a C, that is the student's personal decision.

PNicholas · Aug 12, 2012

Here is my story...lol! First semester I got the dreaded C by .1 of a point! My biggest problem was that I under estimated the amount of time I would have to study and how many hours I could realistically work. Second semester, I joined an awesome study group and literally studied 20 hrs a week on average. There were some weeks that I only worked 5-10 hrs a week. I got an A second semester! I learned that studying at work is never as productive as setting aside uninterrupted study time. I learned to work more on weeks without tests to compensate for the weeks that I need to work less. I believe A's in nursing are not mystical creatures. It takes a combination of knowing how to take the tests, studying, and a great study group to help split up tedious assignments and talk through concepts!

ER(notso)n00b, ASN, RN · Aug 12, 2012

Well, the grading scale is different in most nursing schools. In my program an A is 91-100, B is 83-90, and a C is 75-82. Anything less than 75 is failing. It's a lot harder to get A's in nursing school, but it's still possible.

merlina · Aug 12, 2012

I have also heard this c is the new a thing from an instructor and students. They figure that with the high competitive nature of nursing students, we'd go crazy if we didnt get an A, so we are being prepared somewhat. I will not let this go to my head, its not about not working hard, im going to work very hard but im not going suicidal over a b or a c. ill ensure i get the right anwsers and rational, put it in my back pocket and move on to try and achieve the next possible A. if you are lazy you would not even see a C anyways, im sure!

Novo · Aug 12, 2012

C's get degrees. Most nursing courses are highly subjective so you can't blame us for thinking like that.

applewhitern, BSN, RN · Aug 12, 2012

In my ADN program, you had to make 94 or above for an A. An 83 or less was failure. When some of the students petitioned for them to change the grade status, they said they "would not lower their standards." It was a hard program, and out of 66 students, only 22 of us made it to graduation. What was strange, when I went thru the BSN program, it was much, much more lenient, and a 70 was passing! It was a piece of cake compared to my ADN program.

bubblejet50 · Aug 12, 2012

I had 5 years of undergrad before nursing school. my gpa was a 3.8. then nursing school hit. my graduating gpa was 2.7 (i only took nursing classes at that college so my 3.8 before didn't count) my total gpa after nursing school was 3.2. i think in our graduating class of 96 only 2 graduated with honors. my school threw you to the sharks but we all did very well on nclex. my friend went to another community college in the same city and most of her class had a's throughout the entire program but their pass rate for nclex was in the 70% range.

bear14 · Aug 12, 2012

I was an almost A student, until med/surg. When I talked to one of my instructors about how its killing me that I had a C she said I need to let it go and that nursing school is a new ball game. Just because you get a C doesnt mean you dont know the material. The test questions can really throw you off. Anxiety over passing can and will throw you off. Yes, it would be ideal for all of us to get A's but it doesnt mean your a sub par nurse if you get a C. You could be an A student but suck in the real world. You could be a C student and be a great nurse. Dont focus so much on the grade and focus on the material. Sometimes going for the grade will throw you off as well. We were told that in orientation.