If I hear "C Nurses make the best nurses" one more time I will scream!

Ortho_RN · Feb 16, 2004

Interesting post Lydia. Just FYI, the state of California did a study of 20 nursing schools. They found that generally, higher GPAs translate into more successful nursing students, both in academics and in clinicals. This study was the basis for many, although not all, state schools switching to GPA criteria for nursing school acceptance.

Just curious.. How many nursing schools are there in the state of California... 20 doesn't seem like a very big number for such a big state?? I'm pretty sure they weren't biased when they chose the schools, surveys/studies never are :rolleyes:

I just think its funny, that people who are going to be at the same level when the graduate are arguing over grades. If you are an A student are you going to not work with someone who might have been a C student, b/c you think just because you were an A student that you are better in the clinical area. I doubt it....

And what do you think about people who it takes 2 sometimes 3 times to pass the NCLEX?? Just wondering.. :confused:

CCU NRS · Feb 16, 2004

Just curious.. How many nursing schools are there in the state of California... 20 doesn't seem like a very big number for such a big state?? I'm pretty sure they weren't biased when they chose the schools, surveys/studies never are
I just think its funny, that people who are going to be at the same level when the graduate are arguing over grades. If you are an A student are you going to not work with someone who might have been a C student, b/c you think just because you were an A student that you are better in the clinical area. I doubt it....
And what do you think about people who it takes 2 sometimes 3 times to pass the NCLEX?? Just wondering..

Congrats on Passing!!! :biggringi

iliel · Feb 16, 2004

To all of you going back and forth on the issue of what GPA means to nursing quality you will never truly know what GPA your fellow nurse made in the working world.

Thank you! I think it's strange to say the least that the "A" studnets are complaining about what they hear being said to the "C" students. Why does it matter? Why can't ppl just worry about themselves? Do you really feel that bad that you screwed up the curve..and if so why? Never have I seen this attitude in my school. No one is yelling across the room what did you get, no one cares. We all want each other to pass, we all want to see each other in the program in fall or spring, we help each other out in lab. I don't care what their grades are, I will support them and help them, and if they get a better grade in the end then me, then so be it.

Besides, the A students know they are going to get through the program, the C students don't.

I had a psy prof who told us about a girl in his class a few years back that just looked as though she felt like she was worthless and stupid, on her first test she bombed, but he told her she got a C and she was shocked (he said he lost the paper but had her grade written down) The next test she did so much better and she started to move to the front of the class, by the end she pulled her grade up to a A- (by herself, not with his help) and her confidence was improved 10 fold.

Maybe this C thing is the same idea. Boost ppls's confidence so they can improve on themselves. Positive reinforcement.

Really, if your an A student, you shouldn't care about this at all IMHO.

Sheri257 · Feb 16, 2004

Just curious.. How many nursing schools are there in the state of California... 20 doesn't seem like a very big number for such a big state?? I'm pretty sure they weren't biased when they chose the schools, surveys/studies never are

I can't remember exactly how many nursing schools there are in California, but I think there's somewhere between 70 and 100, depending on how your count them. I think there are about 70 ADN schools, 20 BSN programs and then more if you add specialites like CRNA.

Maybe there was bias, but 20 is a fairly large sample size. Afterall, political and other public opinion polls don't survey the entire population of millions of people. Usually a presidential poll surveys a tiny fraction of only 2,000 people. Yet, as long as it's random, the small sample size can be a fairly accurate indicator of the outcome of an election.

Whatever the case may be, that study was the basis for schools going to GPA, if they wanted to. It was up the school, and most schools chose GPA criteria.

Sheri257 · Feb 16, 2004

I think there's a misunderstanding about what's been said here. I didn't say that A students do better in clinicals, or anything else for that matter. I did cite a study which was discussed, at length, at my nursing school's meeting on this issue last week. The state of California came to that conclusion and, apparently, a lot of schools agreed with them.

I don't know whether it's the right or wrong conclusion because, as I previously mentioned, the school administrators also have stated that C students can make great nurses.

As far as this statement:

I think it's strange to say the least that the "A" students are complaining about what they hear being said to the "C" students. Why does it matter?

I don't believe the "A" students are complaining about what is being said to the "C" students. If you read the posts, it's mostly about some, although certainly not all, C students making A students feel bad about getting good grades. This has happened to me personally and, apparently, others as well. If it doesn't happen at your school, then I'm glad and very happy for you. I wish that was the case with students at all schools.

smk1, LPN · Feb 16, 2004

Thank you! I think it's strange to say the least that the "A" studnets are complaining about what they hear being said to the "C" students. Why does it matter? Why can't ppl just worry about themselves? Do you really feel that bad that you screwed up the curve..and if so why? Never have I seen this attitude in my school. No one is yelling across the room what did you get, no one cares. We all want each other to pass, we all want to see each other in the program in fall or spring, we help each other out in lab. I don't care what their grades are, I will support them and help them, and if they get a better grade in the end then me, then so be it.
I guess if people in your classes don't harrass others about their grades then just be thankful! It DOES happen in other places. I don't get the sense that anyone is thinking they are better than others or are overly concerned about others grades. and nobody said anything about not wanting to work with "c" nurses. I would however feel mildly insulted if i am working my behind off studying and the instructors constantly put my efforts down by stating that 'c' nurses make the best nurses. IT JUST SIMPLY SHOULD NOT BE SAID. just as it would be EQUALLY wrong to say "A" nurses make the best nurses. It causes friction and tension between students that is not needed. I am not jumping up and down waving my papers around singing about my grades, in fact i try to keep it to myself, but it HAS been MY experience that some students make it an issue and some even hint out loud that some people must be cheating if they are getting 'A's in certain professors classes :angryfire . That kind of stuff is something that some students have to deal with. If some of you don't then consider yourselves lucky, but please don't write posts that seem to question the validity of others experiences.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Feb 16, 2004

It's gone both ways, plain and simple. If people just MYOG (mind your own grades) no one would have have to post about "C students said this" or "A students said that".

Few simple rules:

1) Do not assume all A students have a superiority complex that they'll be the best nurse because they got the best grades.

2) Do not assume that all the C students are not trying hard enough.

3) Realize that grades DO matter when it comes to getting into certain advanced programs (ex. CRNA).

4) Just because you got A's in school doesn't mean you'll be the best nurse.

5) Just because you got Cs in school doesn't mean you'll be the best nurse.

6) Generalized degrading comments pertaining to either A or C students based on grades do nothing but **** people off.

Sheri257 · Feb 16, 2004

I guess if people in your classes don't harrass others about their grades then just be thankful! It DOES happen in other places. I don't get the sense that anyone is thinking they are better than others or are overly concerned about others grades. and nobody said anything about not wanting to work with "c" nurses. I would however feel mildly insulted if i am working my behind off studying and the instructors constantly put my efforts down by stating that 'c' nurses make the best nurses. IT JUST SIMPLY SHOULD NOT BE SAID. just as it would be EQUALLY wrong to say "A" nurses make the best nurses. It causes friction and tension between students that is not needed. I am not jumping up and down waving my papers around singing about my grades, in fact i try to keep it to myself, but it HAS been MY experience that some students make it an issue and some even hint out loud that some people must be cheating if they are getting 'A's in certain professors classes :angryfire . That kind of stuff is something that some students have to deal with. If some of you don't then consider yourselves lucky, but please don't write posts that seem to question the validity of others experiences.

Great post. Thanks.

Catma63 · Feb 17, 2004

It's gone both ways, plain and simple. If people just MYOG (mind your own grades) no one would have have to post about "C students said this" or "A students said that".
Few simple rules:
1) Do not assume all A students have a superiority complex that they'll be the best nurse because they got the best grades.
2) Do not assume that all the C students are not trying hard enough.
3) Realize that grades DO matter when it comes to getting into certain advanced programs (ex. CRNA).
4) Just because you got A's in school doesn't mean you'll be the best nurse.
5) Just because you got Cs in school doesn't mean you'll be the best nurse.
6) Generalized degrading comments pertaining to either A or C students based on grades do nothing but **** people off.

Kewlness! Another Virginian! Excellent Post!

iliel · Feb 17, 2004

Thank you! I think it's strange to say the least that the "A" studnets are complaining about what they hear being said to the "C" students. Why does it matter? Why can't ppl just worry about themselves? Do you really feel that bad that you screwed up the curve..and if so why? Never have I seen this attitude in my school. No one is yelling across the room what did you get, no one cares. We all want each other to pass, we all want to see each other in the program in fall or spring, we help each other out in lab. I don't care what their grades are, I will support them and help them, and if they get a better grade in the end then me, then so be it.
I guess if people in your classes don't harrass others about their grades then just be thankful! It DOES happen in other places. I don't get the sense that anyone is thinking they are better than others or are overly concerned about others grades. and nobody said anything about not wanting to work with "c" nurses. I would however feel mildly insulted if i am working my behind off studying and the instructors constantly put my efforts down by stating that 'c' nurses make the best nurses. IT JUST SIMPLY SHOULD NOT BE SAID. just as it would be EQUALLY wrong to say "A" nurses make the best nurses. It causes friction and tension between students that is not needed. I am not jumping up and down waving my papers around singing about my grades, in fact i try to keep it to myself, but it HAS been MY experience that some students make it an issue and some even hint out loud that some people must be cheating if they are getting 'A's in certain professors classes :angryfire . That kind of stuff is something that some students have to deal with. If some of you don't then consider yourselves lucky, but please don't write posts that seem to question the validity of others experiences.
I NEVER questioned the validity of your or anyone elses statement. I just think it's strange that ppl would do this to a A, B or C student. I think everyone is getting a little too uptight about this topic. Where is OP anyway? My question was this...why do you care so much about what is said to you in class? Who cares if some one assumes you are cheating. Are they taking it to the dean...prob not because they know they don't have a case. They prob are jealous that they aren't doing so well...and that's their problem.
Geez ppl, I wasn't against you on this.

iliel · Feb 17, 2004

I think there's a misunderstanding about what's been said here. I didn't say that A students do better in clinicals, or anything else for that matter. I did cite a study which was discussed, at length, at my nursing school's meeting on this issue last week. The state of California came to that conclusion and, apparently, a lot of schools agreed with them.
I don't know whether it's the right or wrong conclusion because, as I previously mentioned, the school administrators also have stated that C students can make great nurses.
As far as this statement:
I don't believe the "A" students are complaining about what is being said to the "C" students. If you read the posts, it's mostly about some, although certainly not all, C students making A students feel bad about getting good grades. This has happened to me personally and, apparently, others as well. If it doesn't happen at your school, then I'm glad and very happy for you. I wish that was the case with students at all schools.

Ok, I think maybe I wasn't very clear...I was NEVER trying to say anyone here is complaining about C or A or what ever students. I simply said I think it's strange that any A student would care what any one else get.

And no, it dosn't happen in my school and I'm sorry that it even happens to anyone.

smk1, LPN · Feb 17, 2004

Who cares if some one assumes you are cheating. Are they taking it to the dean...prob not because they know they don't have a case. They prob are jealous that they aren't doing so well...and that's their problem.

Geez ppl, I wasn't against you on this.

I care if someone thinks i am cheating and hints at it out loud. It's rude and uncalled for. and its a slight to my character. It sure doesn't make or break my day but it doesn't help. Wouldn't you care a little bit if your integrity was questioned? in any case like i said before no one is better than anyone else and we all have different school experiences, if yours is supportive and nurturing be thankful because it is an added pain in the you know where for others of us. I made the statement about questioning "validity" because in one of your posts you stated that "no one is yelling grades out across the classroom." which was something that i posted "did" happen. That seemed to negate my experiences. Anyhoo we all have different classes and situations to deal with some of us are in with polite classmates others of us have to deal with some real "winners" as of late. :rotfl: All you can do is do what works and gets us to our goals. :)