Grades from school to school....

nursewannabee · Jun 18, 2007

I don't know if other see it or not but I find it interesting that sometimes people post here that they got 100 or their average is a 98...in nursing courses.
I find it interesting because nobody in my program comes close to that. I know we don't have a group of idiots.
It made me think and wonder how this happens. I honestly think it's a difference of difficulty and/or test creation. Now here's the problem...if an employer wants to see your grades and you went to a school where nobody ever saw grades like that and your competition was somebody who got 100...they probably don't have the ability to take into account that it's possible the person with the lower grade got a higher education, a more challenging education and that the grades can't be compared from one school to the next.
Just something I find interesting because it really becomes an uneven playing field in the end.

I totally agree with the above poster. I graduated with a bachelor's degree in Finance with a 3.75 GPA. I am in nursing school and so far have received a B for Fundamentals and a B minus for Nursing 2. Our average test scores for the class were 78, 82, 77, and 84. I can not remeber exactly. In order to get accepted into our program you had to be in at least the 90th percentile on the NCLEX entrance exam. About 1/3 of the class have previous degrees and a lot of life experience. Most in the class are quite bright and only one person got an A minus this semester. Our school does boast a 100 percnt nclex pass rate though. Most of us have to work or have children which definitely cuts into study time. I work extremely hard at school and study/clinical paperwork at least 30 hrs a week. I just don't understand how so many people say they get A's.

The only reason I care about this subject is because I want to go to Grad school and may not get in because of this. Just my opinion.

2benurse2008 · Jun 18, 2007

At the school I attend we go off a 7 point scale so The lowest you can score is a 79 or you fail. I hate this grading scale I am forever making 92 which is a B. Our exam are usually 20 questions so if you miss two questions well its a 90 a B.... You get us to low scores and move on but I do worry about contin. my education and how these scores will affect me later on...

supermo · Jun 18, 2007

I never said anything about programs all programs being created equal, now that would be being naive. What I did say and Ill stand by it because i don't think anything ludicrous about this, is that I feel because i know that no matter what school i went to, I would do just as well( meaning get A's yes) because i feel that i know the material well enough ( up to this point so far and I'm half way done) The information is that same or similar( nursing is nursing) at most schools the only way that can be extremely different is the way it is presented, and then the attitude of the instructor as well. Also You haven't been to most other nursing school to know that your program is any harder, the only thing you maybe can say for sure is that the class before yours at your school had it easier/harder...just like you say that we don't know if we could get A's at any school because we have not been there, its the same thing with you saying that your program( or other programs) are so much harder just because there are no or not many A's in the nursing courses, you haven't been to all these other schools to know that your C has to be so much more valuable then A's from other programs because your work is just so much harder and you get pushed so much more, and so much more is expected of you, now that is naive.

I am having a hard time understanding your point. I said that the naive statement was -- "And I'm sure most other people could no matter what school they went to"

I was not saying that YOU can't, I don't know you, maybe you can. I think it is naive to say that most people could do just as well no matter what school they attended. My whole point, which you actually reiterated, was that no one has attended every school and can definitively say that.

Not once have I said that my school is "harder" than anyone else's, I have stressed the point that, based on irrefutable logic, all programs' As are not created equal. My B (I also never said that I made Cs) may have to compete with an A that was more easily earned. That is our main concern as we move in to grad school, not whether or not YOU can get an A at whatever program you choose.

As you stated, the way information is presented and the role of the instructors can make or break the level of learning that is accomplished. My classmates and I breeze through the ATI and NCLEX type tests but do poorly on the tests that are created by our instructors. This is a very subjective area and has nothing to do with naivete.

Like SAH, I have talked with people that have been through other NS and they are dumbfounded by my stories and the questions that we have on our tests.

I cannot speak for your experiences and I will never presume to do so, do not belittle mine.

smk1, LPN · Jun 18, 2007

No one should belittle anyone else's experience...or abilities. The fact is that your program might be extremely tough. That does not mean that there aren't quite a few students who would excell. Simply because you aren't doesn't make it nearly impossible for others to. The point about Harvard and other schools is just to help you open up to the idea that there are students who would excel anywhere in any program. It's interesting how differently we can look at things.

P.S. Why do people waste time posting comments like "who cares" or "this topic has been done to death" or "do a search"? If you don't want to participate or don't care for the topic, why are you opening the thread and reading it?

al7139, ASN, RN · Jun 18, 2007

Just remember: C=RN

supermo · Jun 18, 2007

No one should belittle anyone else's experience...or abilities. The fact is that your program might be extremely tough. That does not mean that there aren't quite a few students who would excell. Simply because you aren't doesn't make it nearly impossible for others to. The point about Harvard and other schools is just to help you open up to the idea that there are students who would excel anywhere in any program. It's interesting how differently we can look at things.

Actually, we are not really having a disagreement about this. I firmly believe that the cards were stacked against my classmates and I for the last two semester. I have no doubt that there are people that can excel in my program, I just do not think it was made very feasible for us the last two semesters. (Fingers crossed for the fall)

Do I believe that there are people out there that could make a 4.0 in every program they attempt? ABSOLUTELY. There are tons. There are lots of people in other nursing programs that would ace mine. That is not what my argument was focused on. My ire was raised with the statement -- "And I'm sure MOST other people could no matter what school they went to"

That is a blatent generalization that says to me that the poster thinks that all programs are created equal. Our issue was just to raise awareness that they are not. ...... And to vent a little

P.S. Why do people waste time posting comments like "who cares" or "this topic has been done to death" or "do a search"? If you don't want to participate or don't care for the topic, why are you opening the thread and reading it?

How many threads are on this website? 216,765 as of right now. They can't find a different thread to read if this one bothers them?

I must say, when all is said and done, I do like having a reasonable, educated conversation with people on here. Thanks for being civil. :lol2:

supermo · Jun 18, 2007

Just remember: C=RN

C may not equal MSN, CRNA, DNP etc.....

Depending on program.

nolookingback · Jun 19, 2007

My professor sent us an e-mail when she posted the grades for our last pharm test: "Great job! Class average was a 79!" 75 is passing at my school. I got 100 on the same exam, and no it wasn't easy. I just studied my rear end off and I think I understand how to answer NCLEX-style questions so far - at least the way this particular instructor phrases them. I walked out and there were 9 questions out of 60 where I had it down to 2 choices, but apparently I chose right.

Congratulations on your 100! I thinks it's unfair for people to think that if someone gets a high test grade, or high class average that the content "must be easier". I too bust my butt for my grades, which happen to be A's, and I don't think any of my classes have been "easy". I believe that some people get it, some don't. Some people have crappy study habits and their grades reflect that. So, once again, more power to ya! Keep it up!

MB37 · Jun 19, 2007

Thanks! Congrats to you too. I get a little offended when someone implies that my program "must be easy" if I'm getting all A's (I'm also in semester I, so who knows what the next one will bring). Unlike some other posters, we don't have professors who are "out to get us," which is helpful. They are challenging and expect a lot from us, but they don't lie about what's going to be on the exam or test us from another book (unless said material was covered in lecture, usually preceded by "This is not in your book, so listen up"). I'm sorry for anyone whose school is like this, but having better instructors I believe raises the caliber of my program. Should the fact that my program wants to provide us with the tools that we need to succeed be counted AGAINST me when I apply to grad school just because someone else's didn't?

IrishIzCPNP, MSN, RN, APRN, NP · Jun 20, 2007

Nobody is saying anything against those who get good grades.

Don't take it personally.

The conversation is about the school and not the individual.

The end point is that programs are likely very different and that grades from one program to another can't be compared as equals.

prettycrybaby · Jun 20, 2007

i can very much relate to you because at my school, 60 is the passing not 75, therefore to get a 90 was quite so darn hard, its difficult for me because my cousin is also a nursing student, she's just taking things so easily and gets an ave of 80 but their passing rate is 75, my average is 81 and im working my ass pretty hard, different school, different standards...

supermo · Jun 20, 2007

Nobody is saying anything against those who get good grades.
Don't take it personally.
The conversation is about the school and not the individual.
The end point is that programs are likely very different and that grades from one program to another can't be compared as equals.

:yeahthat: :yeahthat: :yeahthat:

Once again, that is all we are saying.

i can very much relate to you because at my school, 60 is the passing not 75, therefore to get a 90 was quite so darn hard, its difficult for me because my cousin is also a nursing student, she's just taking things so easily and gets an ave of 80 but their passing rate is 75, my average is 81 and im working my ass pretty hard, different school, different standards...

You intimately understand what we're saying. :lol2:

Bottom line, some will excel, some will not. Some will be unduly punished and some will have it easy. Some will have an extensive bank of knowledge and some will be flying blind with just enough to get by. The truth is in the pudding, let's just hope that we are all taught enough to pass the NCLEX and to take care of our patients safely.

I had an opportunity to vent my frustrations and my chip has now vanished from my shoulder. I hope that we all are able to achieve what we seek.

Good luck!!

Over and out.