C's in Nursing

SSNS07 · Dec 23, 2012

Thanks so much for the feedback!

ericaej · Dec 23, 2012

I think getting As in nursing school is doable for some people. It wasn't for me. I got an 84.25% which equals a B- in my program. I'm not happy about it but it is a rigorous program. I always strive for excellence and do my best. That's all you can do. I think Cs are okay for nursing school. :) I meant to add that prior to nursing school, my gpa was 3.81. I've had 2 Bs out of several semesters. It is difficult for me to accept Bs but I am trying to get over it.

QuarterLife88, MSN, RN, NP · Dec 23, 2012

I've been in my program almost 2 years now, and I've just finally felt like I have cracked the way NCLEX questions are meant to be read and answered. I'm mostly a B+ student, but in my last class I finally got an A- in what I thought was one of my hardest classes to date. What changed? Not my study habits, which were fine. I KNEW the info and could recite it like the back of my hand, but I had to change the way I looked at what those NCLEX questions were looking for. Once I did that, my grades went up. Practice, practice, practice those types of questions and read the rationales.

I wish you luck :)

FutureRN514 · Dec 24, 2012

Hello all this is my first time on this site. As you all know nursing school is EXTREMELY HARD! My GPA has dropped since entering nursing school due to C's in nursing 1 & 2. Sometimes I feel I work so hard and can barely get a B. Grant it I have a four year old, I'm married and work part time. Are there any tips you can give me? Nursing 3 starts in 3 weeks. Is getting a C in all nursing classes a bad thing? Will that stop me from getting a job? Or getting into a BSN program?[/quote']
I know how you feel. I study and study and study, and study some more and I never seem to get the grade I want. I studied for 40 hours total for one of my exams last semester and I only got a 77. I finished the course with a B+, and but I was really good shooting for an A or an A-. It is frustrating! A lot of it has to do with the being able to figure out the Nclex questions on your exams. Thankfully I am quite good at the questions but my friends struggle with them because they are think too hard about it. During my first semester of nursing school my professor told us to read the questions and take them for EXACTLY what they are saying; don't try to add any other details or scenarios to the situation given. I haven followed that advice and my lowest nursing test grade was that 77. Everyone I know who is a nurse tells me that employers do not really look at grades. All they care about is if you graduated nursing school and you have passed the boards. Try not to stress about it too much. Every semester is a new opportunity to do a little better and to push yourself a little harder. Do you do practice questions before exams? Those help a lot because they help you to improve upon your critical thinking skills. I have found that sitting and trying to memorize nursing material is not conducive. Focus on understanding the material. Study groups are helpful, too. I work with a few friends and we read over our class notes and with every slide we talk about why certain interventions are appropriate for that situation. We literally sit there and spout off all the information we can and whatever we cannot remember we look up. It works really well for me.

gaonsi · Dec 24, 2012

Just keeping it real, getting C's might prevent you from getting into a bsn program. But know that there are straight a students who may test really well but are god awful nurses! Good luck! You'll get through it!

SSNS07 · Dec 24, 2012

@FutureRN514, that is EXACTLY what my study group and I do. Thanks for the advice.

maccheese · Dec 24, 2012

There are waaaay too many RN-BSN programs for you not to be able to get in somewhere. Do you have an idea what your weakness is. I know for most, its they way they test. The more you get familiar with the type of questions and what they're looking for combined with practice, maybe you can start to ace those questions. The study group is a great idea. I think you will be alright, you work and have a family. I'm pretty sure future programs will take that into account. Not just a GPA.

SSNS07 · Dec 24, 2012

There are waaaay too many RN-BSN programs for you not to be able to get in somewhere. Do you have an idea what your weakness is. I know for most its they way they test. The more you get familiar with the type of questions and what they're looking for combined with practice, maybe you can start to ace those questions. The study group is a great idea. I think you will be alright, you work and have a family. I'm pretty sure future programs will take that into account. Not just a GPA.[/quote']
Well I know my weakness is DEFINITELY the select all that apply questions. And that right there is like 10% of our exams. I also have a habit of changing my answers.

SSNS07 · Dec 24, 2012

Just keeping it real getting C's might prevent you from getting into a bsn program. But know that there are straight a students who may test really well but are god awful nurses! Good luck! You'll get through it![/quote']
Thank you I appreciate that!

grpman · Dec 25, 2012

I hope you aren't worrying too much about this. There will be several rn-bsn bridges that you can do that won't care about a few C's in core nursing classes. Try to make up for them with A's in prereq's and sciences.

I would say that 99% of hospitals could care less if you have a few C's in the nursing classes. It's probable that the one interviewing you for a job has a couple as well.

If no C students(on core nursing classes) got jobs, the hospital would be a lonely place.

Happy Holidays

Raggmop02 · Dec 25, 2012

Patricia 0809, I was wondering if you can recommend an NCLEX review book. Or which one have you been using? Thanks.

patricia0809 · Dec 26, 2012

I have Saunders comprehensive review 5th edition, Saunders Q&A for the nclex RN exam. And I have the med-surg, pediatrics, and maternal success books