Doing "good enough" instead of "good" in nursing school?

[prime11214]

I'm very disappointed in myself.. For one I'm not putting as much time as I should in my nursing classes. I'm not doing good in ANY of my classes. So far I'm just passing all the exams (77+). It hurts a little to hear other people getting 90s when I feel like I should be doing the same! My average is 80 which is NOT GOOD at all compared to others and also compared to what I used to get "back then." I want to go to grad school after I finish nursing school but now I kind of doubt that I can get into one....

please don't say good enough IS good because it's not.... trust me. I'm surrounded by people who study their butts off.

[arte_suave]

For one I'm not putting as much time as I should in my nursing classes.

Why do you feel you deserve to have an average in the 90s when you just said you are not putting enough time in your nursing classes? Your grade is a reflection of your effort. You just said it in your post. The only person that is setting you up for defeat is yourself. Make the time if you want it bad enough. Period. That is what everyone else is doing who has their 90 average. You want that average too, then go and get it! Yeah so you have some tests that aren't so great, move on from those hits, get back on your feet and show you and everyone else what is inside that noggin of yours!

[JBMmom, MSN, NP]

It comes down to priorities. As an older returning student, I spent years worrying about grades my first time around at college and grad school. My first semester of nursing school I was really ticked off when I didn't get an A on a test, ended up with a B+ for the class and really beat myself up for a few weeks. These days I've got to juggle full time work, my family and school. Am I especially proud of being a "B" student? No. But, am I going to be a danger to future patients because I didn't get an A? I don't really think so. Yes, there are cases where not having a 4.0 could hurt my chances of certain academic or job opportunities. But there are also A students that are unable to function in a clinical setting. (my clinical instructor failed a 4.0 student a few semesters ago because her care was often unsafe- leaving beds up, leaving unstable pt alone in bathroom, etc) If you know you're not putting in the time to do better and you're unhappy with it, make the time. I'm putting in enough effort to get me by safely. Some people disagree with this attitude, but it's where I'm at. Good luck.