Are Bs in nursing school really that good?

ChocoholicRN · Dec 15, 2006

I felt the same way when I first started nursing school. I too had gotten mostly A's in my pre-reqs and in the back of my mind, I thought I would be able to do the same in nursing school. Then reality hit, and I got all B's. This semester I'll end up with one or 2 C's which I personally am not happy with, but that doesn't mean I won't make a good nurse. A good friend of mine who is an ER nurse in one of the best hospitals in NYC received a C in patho from a highly accredited college. When her interviewer (at another hopsital) told her C's are unacceptable, my friend went back to her patho instructor her who told her "C's are the average grade in my class so you tell her that." Well, that just goes to show that no matter what grade you get, A or C, you'll still make it. Some people like myself are just not good test takers, and unfortunately thats how we're graded in nursing school, our clinical grades are just pass/fail. Just remember, grades aren't everything, some people are great test takers but have horrible people skills, others are horrible test takers but are amazing when it comes to clinicals and people skills. You'll still get a nursing job and get paid the same amount as the person that got all A's. Keep your head up and don't stress yourself out!! Good luck!!

Uberman5000 · Dec 15, 2006

I got all B's this semester. It is my first semester in nursing school and at a State College (I just transfered from a JC). I had all A's for my pre-requs(other than the B is stats) when I returned to school and was more serious (had a few C's from when I first started college when I was right out of high school and did not care about school) I know people say that B's are good in nursing school, but it seems like every one else is getting better grades than me. I know you are not supose to compare yourself to other students, but I don't want to be the worst student in class...does any one else feel like this? Or an I just the class dumb dumb?

Who cares -- Its not like when you get out of school your employers are going to ask you for your GPA before they hire you. I wouldnt worry about it, grades in the real world really dont mean much in my opinion....i know alot of braniacs that will sit there for 12 hours memorizing something to get an A on a test but in the real world they ahve no personality, no skill and no tact.....sometimes it evens out u know what im saying?

wildmountainchild · Dec 15, 2006

O.K. Can I just say that there are people out there who get straight A's, are well liked by all thier peers, are incredibly competent with skills, AND are nice people.

It just seems that in the rush to make someone feel better we are forgetting that the 4.0 student is a person too. And who gives a #$%*^

if they are just plain BETTER than we are. It's the way of the world. B students are kicking D students butts.

A's are tough in nursing school. But so are B's. B proud (ha, ha).

And that girl sitting next to you who is sweet, caring, funny, beautiful AND pulling straight A's.....don't hate her....ask her how she does it, she likely has some tips.

wildmountainchild · Dec 15, 2006

P.S. I know a few straight Aers in my graduate nursing program.

They are nice, competent, and great people. Please don't bash them just because they won out on the IQ race, it's not thier fault they're brilliant.

bethin · Dec 15, 2006

They're better than C's. I'm not in a program yet, still finishing up a few prereqs and I am super super anal about getting A's. I don't know how I'll handle the day that I don't get an A. My therapist has actually put me on xanax and ambien to help with sleeping and anxiety. Too much of a perfectionist. I'd be happy with a B but happier with an A. But, I guess as long as you're passing and you get to stay in the program, then that's what matters. I don't think an employer is going to ask what kind of grades you got in nsg school. We all have to pass the same NCLEX.

Are you studying as much as you can? Are you trying your hardest? If yes, then you should be happy with that B. You got that B because you gave it your all. Can you recall info from your classes?

A B isn't the end of the world. Next semester try even harder (if possible). Good luck!!!!

bethin · Dec 15, 2006

The 4.0 bashers: my cousin who is also a nurse went through elementary, hs, and college with a perfect 4.0. Graduated first in her class. I was talking to her about my 2.5gpa in hs and she said " I wish I could make a 2.5 and not study at all." You see, to get that 4.0 she sacrificed alot: friends, going out, boyfriends, etc. She was always studying. She was extremely dedicated. Now, there are some people who A's just come naturally without cracking a book. Not sure if I want them as nurses. I would rather have someone who made B and C's in school who know their stuff than a 4.0 nurse who can't tell me much.

****not saying all 4.0 nurses are stupid outside books. This was just an example.

momtoseven · Dec 15, 2006

I got all B's this semester. It is my first semester in nursing school and at a State College (I just transfered from a JC). I had all A's for my pre-requs(other than the B is stats) when I returned to school and was more serious (had a few C's from when I first started college when I was right out of high school and did not care about school) I know people say that B's are good in nursing school, but it seems like every one else is getting better grades than me. I know you are not supose to compare yourself to other students, but I don't want to be the worst student in class...does any one else feel like this? Or an I just the class dumb dumb?

I received all C's and 1 B while in nursing school. when I sat for boards I passed the first time. You are not the class dumb dumb. Quit beating yourself up. You will do just fine.

ChocoholicRN · Dec 15, 2006

To those of you commenting on those who are "bashing" the 4.0 students, I can't speak for everyone, but I don't think any of us meant to bash anyone. Its just a comparison. There are 4.0 students who have amazing personality's, I'm friends with quite a few of them in my class. There are also those who feel that life is all about getting A's and therefore don't have much personality. No one is out there to bash anyone else for their good grades, I think it's awesome that these people are doing so well. Its just to try to help people who aren't in the Straight A's category realize that grades aren't everything.

midcom · Dec 15, 2006

This my second return to college. Eight years ago I went back for IT & I was determined to get all A's & was first in my class. I put myself under extreme stress & it wasn't worth it. Not one employer cared a toot about my grades.

This time I decided that I'd just do the best I could & if it ended up being "just" a B then, as long as I knew the information taught, I'd be satisfied. I wasn't going to put myself under that kind of stress. The gal behind me came in with the attitude that I had previously & she is shooting herself in the foot & making herself miserable. She stays up all night studying for quizzes and then complains that her head is foggy. She s doing fine, probably just barely an A, but I wonder how much she's retaining. Guess she'll find out on Tuesday. Our Fundamentas & A&PI finals are back to back.

Don't worry about how everyone else is doing. You know what you know & that's the important part. If it really does bother you, I'm sure your university has some servicce to help students who are struggling. Take advantage of that.

Dixie

UMNURSE · Dec 15, 2006

Nursing school gives you the tools to learn how to be a nurse. School gives you a foundation to build on. Once you graduate and start working you are going to wonder what you have been doing the past 2 or 4 years. Study well and enjoy your peers. At my hospital there is only one department that has a GPA written into the required qualifications and that is just for 20 positions they offer new grads each year as interns(we have 3200 RN's). I don't ask ANY of my peers what their grades were but I know who the good nurses are by the care they give.

UMNURSE

Lacie, BSN, RN · Dec 15, 2006

I barely made it through nursing school with mininal C's most of the time. I had my first child in my first year and he was 3 years old when I graduated. He also was a sick child with numerous hospitalizations. So yes my grades really suffered. But on my state boards I scored in the top 3 of my class! I seen straight A nurses flunk boards over and over. There are many various reasons people make the grades they do. Sometimes it's just poor testing skills. Be surprised how much you will learn when you actually jump in there and are doing it on a daily basis. Then you'll think back and say "oh I remember that and never could get it but seeing it in real life makes all the sense now." Just continue to do your best and hang in there. Dont worry about what grades the other guy/gal has. Concentrate on yourself without comparison. You'll just stress yourself out unnecessarily if you do.

Snow1278, RN · Dec 15, 2006

I think getting A's is a good goal to set, but don't be upset if you don't obtain it. Nursing school is hard, hard work, a B is an awesome grade to get. C's are hard to obtain too. I think if you put your mind to it and you do your best you should be happy with your grade. Some quarters my grades are lower than the "smarter" people in the class, other times I do better than they do, so comparing yourself to the rest of the class isn't fair to you. Just keep on trying and those A's just may come! GOOD LUCK!:Santa1: