How important are marks REALLY?

KatieBell · Nov 2, 2005

As long as you are admitted in the nursing program and making progress and everyone seems happy with your progress, then you should be alright. I noted you are in Canada, so things are slightly different.

Usually marks are not seen by employers, though sometimes as a new graduate they might request you send a transcript. However, as a New grad you will need someone to recommend you for employment, If you want to use your clinical instructors- you will want to have made good grades. In addition, getting A's does generally indicate that you understand the material well- well enough to navigate poorly worded test questions etc (Of course no one can withstand every bad test question....)

I should also say, perhaps this is a snag in the road and you will soon be making your accustomed grades again!!!:)

DorkyStudentNurse · Nov 2, 2005

Thanks KatieBell :) I sure hope i'm just in a bit of a funk.

But yeah, that test was ridiculous. Not only were the questions poorly worded but she just plain didn't tell us how to do some portions of the test. There was a large matching section and she didn't tell us that we could use each answer more than once. I ended up putting ridiculous answers that I knew were wrong simply because it was the only thing that would fit (there were an equal number of answers to questions). Gah. I feel like such a whiner and I know I'm going to have to learn to accept things that just don't seem fair. I'm just momentarily thrown off I guess

NeoNurseTX, RN · Nov 2, 2005

Welcome to the tests of nursing. Seems like everyone in my BSN program used to be at the top of their class and now we make Cs. Guess it doesn't really matter unless you want to go to grad school.

ortess1971 · Nov 2, 2005

Some of the hospitals around here take new grads into the ICU-but you have to have at least a 3.0 GPA to qualify for the program.

nurse4theplanet, RN · Nov 3, 2005

I applied at six different hospitals for upcoming nurse tech positions while I was in school, and each hospital asked for an official copy of my transcript...but mostly for verification of enrollment in the program. I got a job in the ICU, and there were no specific standards to meet academically.

However, the Master's Program that I have been given early acceptance to, is very strict. You need a high GPA usually 3.5 and up to even be considered, then you must have proven community service through volunteer programs, activities in student organizations, and write an essay on why you should be accepted.

I don't think you should sweat over one or two tests. And nursing classes are usually much harder than pre-req's...I passed A&P I & II with straight A's no problem, but I had a hard time getting above a 90 (B avg) in Med-Surg...just a different kind of testing and thinking, and most facilities/schools understand this.

1Tulip · Nov 3, 2005

I've been on both sides. Been a student, been an instructor. Instructors do have a responsibility to measure student learning accurately.

(1) because simple fairness requires it

(2) because some students will want to go to graduate school and shouldn't be put at a competitive disadvantage unnecessarily

(3) a lot of students are on scholarships that require they maintain a certain GPA.

Sounds to me like you're not struggling with the material, only with this gal's tests. You're already positioned to do better on her next test because you know she does this matching thing. Next time you're sitting one of her exams, don't hesitate to raise your hand and ask the proctor for clarification of the directions. If a question is ambiguous, try to get them to rephrase the question for you.

As an instructor, this happened to me frequently. Something I wrote wasn't clear. A student would discretely raise their hand and quietly ask me what I was trying to get at. I would realize my question could be construed more than one way. It usually resulted in me making an anouncement to those taking the test, and everyone profitted.

Good luck in the future!