Jealous much?

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So after every exam, everyone starts the whole "how did you do?" I have gotten three A's and a B so far. Today after my third A, we did the whole routine of asking how you did. So pretty much everyone knows I got good grades. Some people act a little funny towards me afterwards, like I've done something wrong. Anyone else having issues like this? I think I'm just going to tell people I passed, it's irritating when they get all ***** about my good grades, and their mediocre ones.

Although I do shake my head internally when I hear other students say "C's get degrees" after talking about their wild weekend. They failed the midterm/test/quiz, but are allowed to remediate and improve to a minimum passing grade. A C may get you a diploma, but will you be prepared to pass the NCLEX, is what I'm thinking. But it doesn't really effect me, so I don't worry about it much

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Specializes in Forensic Psych.

I still beg to differ in regards to that as well. There are plenty of new grads who have that GPA and yet can't get a job. Internship does not equal job. It's about presentation, interview, and how the organization perceives you to be a good fit. And that's how I got my job. Most places will allow people in after 6 months into a residency program who don't have the minimum GPA if you are lucky to get that first job, and I found this out when I sought out a nurse recruiter at a Magnet Hospital during a career fair. Her tips landed me a job with another Magnet Hospital that does not have a GPA requirement for their nurse residency. I speaking on experience...The GPA doesn't matter if you can not be competent in terms of delivering nursing care, or present yourself where they feel as though a candidate can cope with being a nurse in the unit or the organization...no one will ever compete with that...either you are competent or competent enough to deliver nursing care. That's what counts, all day long.

For my intents and purposes, internship does equal job. Our med center has realized it's cheaper and easier to hire and train all their new grads at once, so I GN residencies are turning into the only way to get a job in that area. Two shots. Once in Jan and once in June. Based on GPA and HESI scores.

We also have a competitive entry to our linked BSN program. Limited spots and, once again, must have a 3.0 minimum.

Then of course, there's the competition of graduate school.

I'm glad there are ways around the typical GPA/exit score stuff, because I don't believe grades necessarily reflect the ability of the student. And I agree, competitiveness between students doesn't really serve any purpose. It isn't a basketball...I don't get to go on the defensive when classmates are testing to try to stop them from scoring points. A united class is much healthier.

But I think passing on this C=RN, grades don't matter attitude is harmful. It's nice that some people can charm/network their way through their career, but not everyone can, and people out there do pay real consequences for poor grades. Not even being considered at hospitals they dream of working at, not being able to pass the NCLEX, not getting into grad school, etc.

We should be encouraging people to do their absolute best and learn as much as they can. If their best is As, they won't regret it. If their best is Cs, they shouldn't regret it.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
Apparently you aren't understanding what I am getting at. That's fine. :)[/quote']

No offense, I do understand...I'm just on a whole other point and perspective, as well as experience. I hope you understand where I'm coming from, from years removed of going to nursing school as a PN and RN...same culture happens and evolves into something else when you are on the healthcare team. Talking about maturity perspective as well when talking about this subject, not directed at you, but the whole thread. Hope that clears it up. :)

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
"If that was the case, then I should wait in the middle of the line with my 2.8 while the cum lade group gets to go first??? LOL...um, no, grades don't matter. Ask those who have those accolades and is STILL looking for work while O get a pay check in two weeks... "

Gotta say I agree. Once you have your license, it is about experience and intangibles. They don't ask after your nursing school grades.

I never ask anyone how they did. That is their business. If I'm asked "how did you do" I generally reply either "I did OK" or "I didn't do as well as I'd hoped to". Then I get pressed for a number. I've found if I don't answer, I get more razzing about being a know it all than if I just answer. Then there is the gal who sits in front of me and just turns around and grabs my graded paper off my desk. Yes, I've learned to turn it over and lean my elbows on it now!

^Thanks Dawn for understanding my perspective :)

The issue for nursing students, in my opinion is the "competitiveness" in getting to that goal, sometimes does not turn off...then you see posts on people who do well in nursing school that do not get a job...if it were up to a recruiter, most of the time, they'll go for the person with the OK GPA, experience in the hospital, or interviews well with no experience than the cum lade that doesn't interview well, even though they think they "nailed it" because of their past success in nursing school. I see it on the threads all the time.

I had a high GPA during the end of my junior year and was selected to get an internship, but turned it down...why? Because I knew that although that would've been nice to get that internship, I was more focused on completing my program and start "green", despite my previous experience; I still was coming out of school in a new role. That didn't stop me from getting a job, and it won't for anyone who thinks it would for their own grades-just giving out pearls of wisdom to think about at the sake of hijacking the thread, lol :)

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Specializes in Forensic Psych.

I think we have different

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

For my intents and purposes, internship does equal job. Our med center has realized it's cheaper and easier to hire and train all their new grads at once, so I GN residencies are turning into the only way to get a job in that area. Two shots. Once in Jan and once in June. Based on GPA and HESI scores.

We also have a competitive entry to our linked BSN program. Limited spots and, once again, must have a 3.0 minimum.

Then of course, there's the competition of graduate school.

I'm glad there are ways around the typical GPA/exit score stuff, because I don't believe grades necessarily reflect the ability of the student. And I agree, competitiveness between students doesn't really serve any purpose. It isn't a basketball...I don't get to go on the defensive when classmates are testing to try to stop them from scoring points. A united class is much healthier.

But I think passing on this C=RN, grades don't matter attitude is harmful. It's nice that some people can charm/network their way through their career, but not everyone can, and people out there do pay real consequences for poor grades. Not even being considered at hospitals they dream of working at, not being able to pass the NCLEX, not getting into grad school, etc.

We should be encouraging people to do their absolute best and learn as much as they can. If their best is As, they won't regret it. If their best is Cs, they shouldn't regret it.

Can agree with your viewpoint :) especially your last point.

I say grades don't matter, because there are people who are dyslexic, ADHD, etc who may be the best, most brilliant nurses out there, and may have gotten C grades, yet passed their boards the first time, while the A student needs to retake it over.

I am a survivor of DV who had PTSD with (former) test anxiety. I didn't pass ADN school. Became a LPN, passed NCLEX the first time. Returned to RN school (BSN this time), quoted GPA already, passed the boards the first time.

I am aware of my "quirks" where my GPA turned south because of real s/s I was dealing with at the time, and had no access to healthcare...Those were situations out of my control, however, have not stopped me in completion of my goals.

When I say grades don't matter, I'm speaking to our teammates who do have struggles and are affected in some way, and could not get to those opportunities, but go there in their own way, and yet, they may be the best CNO or CEO that you may work for, or blaze a trail in helping our profession, you just never know. :)

Off my soapbox I go...sorry to hijack the thread! :) :oops:

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