Do "average students" have trouble getting good references from instructors?

[ArrowRN, BSN, RN]

I'm planning to get into the job market prior to graduation from my RN program. I'm trying out for PCT positions and apparently nursing instructor references are a BIG deal in the nursing world. I'm far from an "A" student and just barely a B student. I'm just an average guy doing my best. some classes I did ok others I barely passed. I'm not a super nurse in clinical setting either. It takes long for my to learn the meds and sometimes I stumbled when giving explanations of them to the patient. There's times when I was late or delayed getting to class. I'm afraid that I won't be able to get any references from my instructors.

Has any average student gone through this, be it prior to graduation or upon becoming a new grad. How did you go about getting good references even though you are just an average student?

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Hey, half of nursing students are actually below average!!

My organization does not rely heavily on faculty references when we are hiring students or new grads. Since most of the students have actually completed rotations in one of our facilities, we ask for feedback from staff in those units. We do look at GPA.

My advice? Put forth a bit more effort. Show up for classes on time. Strive for better grades. The goal is not to be the best in your class, but to perform at your personal best. Given the choice between hiring an "A" student or one who has demonstrated a high level of motivation and effort.... I'd choose the latter every time.

[RunBabyRN]

Hey, half of nursing students are actually below average!!

My organization does not rely heavily on faculty references when we are hiring students or new grads. Since most of the students have actually completed rotations in one of our facilities, we ask for feedback from staff in those units. We do look at GPA.

My advice? Put forth a bit more effort. Show up for classes on time. Strive for better grades. The goal is not to be the best in your class, but to perform at your personal best. Given the choice between hiring an "A" student or one who has demonstrated a high level of motivation and effort.... I'd choose the latter every time.

Do you look at overall GPA, or program GPA? Just curious. Mine vary widely!

Also, what about students applying that haven't done clinicals in your organization?

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

I wrote a lot of reference letters for good and average students. For the really outstanding ones, the letters pretty much write themselves. For the less-than-stellar ones, it depends. Almost anyone has some strength that a faculty member can highlight. Beyond that, though, the fact is that so-so students are not going to get really good references. That's the meaning of the word, "reference." The term "damning with faint praise" comes to mind.

But an average student who busts his or her tail to keep getting better, who is a good team member, and whose enthusiasm for learning how to be a nurse shines through, that kid will get a better reference than someone with the same GPA who drags his or her butt into clinical allllllllmmmmmooooosssstttt late every day, who is often nowhere to be found when somebody else needs help or offers a learning experience, and whose demeanor doesn't convince me that he or she really gives a rat's patootie.

[ArrowRN, BSN, RN]

Hey, half of nursing students are actually below average!!

My organization does not rely heavily on faculty references when we are hiring students or new grads. Since most of the students have actually completed rotations in one of our facilities, we ask for feedback from staff in those units. We do look at GPA.

My advice? Put forth a bit more effort. Show up for classes on time. Strive for better grades. The goal is not to be the best in your class, but to perform at your personal best. Given the choice between hiring an "A" student or one who has demonstrated a high level of motivation and effort.... I'd choose the latter every time.

Well that's good because there are "A" students who really don't give a crap about nursing...I got no idea why they here, yet they get A's with seemingly little effort.

[VAgirl247]

Go to tutoring or whatever you may need. Professors do pick up when you are busting your butt to get good grades. They do keep a record of who goes to tutoring. I know which professors I'll be going to for references.

[ZooMommyRN, ADN, RN]

What are your clinical evaluations like? I struggled with test taking and had a solid B average once I figured out how to study for myself and not the instructor. I never felt like I did exceptionally well in clinicals but always had high marks and by the end of second year was one of the few in my class to be given 2-3 patients and was placed in ICU for practicum which turned into a 130+ hour job interview, so I was actually quite surprised and flattered when I was offered a position as a GN (I had already accepted a med/surg position at the smaller sister facility where I was a unit clerk) Just because you aren't a 4.0 on paper doesn't mean that you are less of a nurse when it comes to practical application of the knowledge. Good Luck!

[ArrowRN, BSN, RN]

I think all students have good days and bad clinical days. Sometimes I do great and sometimes I let nerves get the better of me. For the most part if I'm not being quizzed and drilled I do a lot better. I do understand that is done because that is in essence what the patient will do. Reading only helps so much and only experience will help with that one.

I tend to think of it as comparing reading about a trip to the moon(lectures) versus actually going to the moon yourself(clinical)...it's two different things.

[elkpark]

I've written plenty of good references for average students. I didn't say anything that wasn't true, but I was positive about my opinion that they would be an asset to the employer.