C = Degrees

Nursing Students Excelsior

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.

There is a popular train of thought associated with EC's ASN degree program: "C gets degrees". That's all I wanted when I went through it and my 'reason' was that at my age, I had no interest in going any further than obtaining an RN license. Although I received a few C's, the majority of my grades were B's. I was more than happy with that!

For all the LPN members here who are entering the LPN-ASN bridge program with hopes of continuing on for the BSN, and to those BSN students who are in the exam stages with general education requirements, lose that attitude if you have it (except for statistics only :bag:) because there is one nursing exam for the BSN that is known to cause a lot of heartache and grief and it will completely BLOW your GPA if you fail it....I should know! Had I had more than a C-focused, as-fast-as-possible attitude during the ASN, I would not have had to literally climb out of the academic gutter when I failed that exam. One exam and I was placed on academic probation coming into the BSN nursing components!!!!! I've gotten all A's so far and boy, did I need them!! I came off probation at the end of fall 2013, but my GPA was still very weak!:cry:

With three weeks left in my BSN degree program, my plans for the MSN future are still up in the air, but I'm happy to say that my GPA is at a point (as of the end of spring 2014) where I am more than eligible to apply to those programs if I decide to. So, be careful guys. You never know when you might have a change of heart regarding even higher education. MSN or no MSN, I want it to be my choice and not that of my GPA!

Good luck, everyone!

Very interesting!! I have always had the C=RN mentality because that is all I have always wanted and I never gave it much thought. I did discover when I was looking into a certain BSN program that my GPA is too low, but I'm still going to apply. There are other programs that I am looking into, but I have to pass the NCLEX first!!! :down:

Congrats on only having 3 weeks left in your BSN studies. :up:

I was same as you. Then I decided I might want to apply for NP school. So while in BSN I kicked ass and had above a 3.5 GPA. I hope that shows the committe that when I was 18-22 I didnt care about anythign but a C and nightlife.

Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.

Initially, I had no plans of going further than an ASN. But then the BSN movement hit the air. So, I knew I had to do something since I would not be anywhere near retirement age by the time it completely engulfed my area. Fortunately, my GPA was ok enough to get into the program. It has been through this experience with BSN coursework that I have even entertained the thought of an MSN. It really has been a valued experience. I would have been up the creek without a paddle had I been totally lax during my ASN days.

Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.
Very interesting!! I have always had the C=RN mentality because that is all I have always wanted and I never gave it much thought. I did discover when I was looking into a certain BSN program that my GPA is too low, but I'm still going to apply. There are other programs that I am looking into, but I have to pass the NCLEX first!!! :down:

Congrats on only having 3 weeks left in your BSN studies. :up:

Good luck and yes, do still apply. I've heard that there are a few programs will admit you under provisional acceptance which gives you the chance to pull that GPA up. It's not impossible to do. So go for it!!

Well said BSNINTHEWORKS!!!! I have started this whole process with the mindset of getting A's and B's because I know I need a good GPA for future schooling that I already have planned. Plus I want to master as much of the content as I can, not just 70% of it. I've heard that in NP school, a C might as well be an F. I have only CLEPed one subject (A&I Lit) out of all my geneds because they are pass/fail =C. Again, great advice BSNINTHEWORKS!

P.S. If a C is the BEST you can do in a subject- then be proud of that C, but if you can do better- then don't short yourself by getting a grade that is less than you can achieve!

I never heard of the "C" = Degree. I tried to get the best grade I could on every test I took. I ended up with a 3.0 GPA.

I am starting to figure out which school I am going to for my BSN.

I've made one A (A&P thank god), two B's and two C's. I was very disappointed with each C. I've always been a set the bar high type and always will be. It's how I motivate myself.

Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.
I've made one A (A&P thank god), two B's and two C's. I was very disappointed with each C. I've always been a set the bar high type and always will be. It's how I motivate myself.

When I was in grade school, anything less than a B was punishable by restricted leisure time and other limitations. Needless to say that because of that, I was always in upper level classes and exempt from taking final exams. When I decided to return for the ASN degree 5 years ago, the 'C' situation for me was because I've not had to study and take an exam in over 24 years. So, with aging or decreasing brain cells, I was afraid that it would be a struggle JUST to earn the minimum grade required. So, that C was my goal based on the most accurate assessment of the situation.

My first two exams landed me with a C....as expected. But, after I regained my old rusty study habits, my grades improved and there were no more C's until I became a little too confident and went in to Pearson Vue after only a few days of preparation for one of the exams. Boy was I lucky that I didn't come out of there with an F!! (Hence, my previous statement also of "as fast as I can attitude"). The EPN that EC once had was a monitored discussion board to motivate students through the program. There were a lot of C = Continue, C = Degree speeches just to keep other students from dropping out. Lots of us older folks started out with C's but as we regained our composure, so did our grades. But there were those who struggled and unfortunately, there were those who were there (like myself) just to get that piece of paper that could lead to an RN license because we knew the theory wasn't going to make us any better at starting IVs or doing the many other 'tasks' that nurses are so hoarded with. Entering into the BSN program has given me a new way of thinking even though, still, what we learn in theory is being cast aside by those who appear to be more interested in the bottom line as opposed to evidenced-based practices.

Basically, what I'm saying is that we tend to become complacent in our actions and behaviors. But, once we learn better, we do better. To all of you who have been A & B students from start to finish without faltering, then CONGRATZ to you and you know my original post does not apply to you. But the ones who KNOWS what I'm talking about, will probably never respond to this post and that's okay....as long as what they read here is helpful to them and can motivate them to dig a little deeper, then that's all that matters.

Specializes in OMFS, Dentistry.

May I ask what your "old rusty study habits" are? I am beginning in September and my biggest fear is trying to find out how to study... I'm a person that can follow directions or rules per say, but if you ask me to "create" those directions or rules... it's all out the window for me! Thanks! =)

May I ask what your "old rusty study habits" are? I am beginning in September and my biggest fear is trying to find out how to study... I'm a person that can follow directions or rules per say but if you ask me to "create" those directions or rules... it's all out the window for me! Thanks! =)[/quote']

While the question wasn't directed towards me, I'll offer you mine, which have done ok for me so far.

I'm an extremely visual learner, educationportal.com was perfect for me for A&P and micro. I made an A and a B on those two. Vangonotes was also incredibly helpful.

For the nursing theory exams I'm using SG101 and the Saunders NCLEX review which is incredibly valueable. I also have been using Michael Linares's videos. One B with this method. I previously had two C's using Lisa Arrends notes on the first two nursing theory exams. Really, though, time is the key. It takes to learn this stuff, there's no substitute for effective study habits and good time management.

Good luck with your studies and I wish you much success.

C is not good enough for a nursing degree IMHO. When dealing with people's lives, I want to know that at least I understood almost everything they taught us! Even doing well in school, clinicals can be daunting.

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