Lost my "A"s and other stuff

Nursing Students General Students

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Specializes in critical care; community health; psych.

This last series of tests, I scored low enough to drop my cum grades to "B"'s. I'm pretty driven to get those "A"s but now that I've dropped into the "B" range, it's a kind of relief to me to have the pressure off. I'm so ready for the semester to be over that my goal has changed to just getting to the finish line for this round with my sense of self still intact. The most difficult material is now behind us and there's a fresh breath of relief among the students who have lately been exhibiting a lot of tears and raw nerves, not to mention health and marriage problems.

Have some of you other "A" students recently let go of that whole "I gotta get an A" drive?

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The first A's are thrilling and you keep working and getting A's, then it becomes a sort of monster on your back, you've been getting A's and you HAVE to keep getting A's. The first B I got was sooooo disappointing because I only missed the A by 1 point. But you are right, it sort of gave way to a kind of peace and the pressure was off. After than I began to enjoy school more and actually learn more. Then I sat back and watched the other A students tear at the hair and cry and sob over each and every test that didn't go their way. Good scores are always something to strive for but they can also blind you to the reason you are in school, which is to learn. And as I've said before, nursing school has little to do with nursing in real life. Good luck with school, you'll do well.

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At this point in my program I am at the just getting by phase also. I know the material and can very confidently talk with patients, families, and other healthcare professionals, however when I take a test I am so nervous and usually come out with a B or C on all my nursing exams. We statrted last fall with 59 students, this spring we are down to 39 and out of this 39, 15 are failing and a good 10 are passing by the skin on their teeth. It's been very difficult for all of us, and at this point the only two letters in the alphabet we care about are the R and the N.

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

I went through the very same thing, my focus had become getting A's not RN. Now that I've put that paat me and I am more relaxed, I feel like I am learning more than when I was getting A's!!!

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Specializes in OB, lactation.

I will probably get a B in pharm b/c we have weekly quizzes and I always miss one or two questions - and they count 40% of our grade. I am still pretty bummed LOL... but I guess if I was THAT bummed I'd bet studying even more which I can't really do and maintain some semblance of a family, sooo... I'm *sort of* over it. I have always enjoyed the learning though, I don't think I've been so obsesses as to forget everything else. Less than A's is ok here and there, but I just don't want to accept it enough that it starts to happen a lot. My plan from before I even started nursing school was to continue to grad school asap, so...

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Have some of you other "A" students recently let go of that whole "I gotta get an A" drive?

I'm always tempted because it is relentless, but no.

I may want to become a CRNA one day, and I'll probably need those A's if I want to do that. I would absolutely hate myself if I lost the opportunity because I let things slide. Not that B's are bad, but A's are pretty much required for CRNA programs these days.

:p

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Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.

Missed my "A" in A & P II by 6 points (out of 700).

Lost it in the lab practical. Aaaaaaaaargh!!!

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Missed my "A" in A & P II by 6 points (out of 700).

Lost it in the lab practical. Aaaaaaaaargh!!!

OMG! That completely sucks. I feel your pain Larry.

:eek:

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Specializes in critical care; community health; psych.
missed my "a" in a & p ii by 6 points (out of 700).

lost it in the lab practical. aaaaaaaaargh!!!

my condolences. a real squeaker. :(

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I know how you feel Larry. I missed an A in A&P I by 4 points, which was just 2 questions! And that was a 4 credit class!

I strive for As in all of my classes, but if I get a B or a C I just relax and realize that hey, I passed! I'm movin' on!

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Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.

Thanks, Lizz and Kitty.

Had one professor for theory and another (department chair) for lab. Had a high "A" in class but middle-of-the-road in lab. Didn't do as well as I needed in the final lab practical, hence the result.

My own fault -- I could've spent extra time outside of the regular lab class (as many others who don't work did). But as I truly despised going there three hours a week, there was no way I could convince myself to spend even an extra 30 minutes there when it wasn't required.

My theory prof was so sad and apologetic on the day she handed me the grade (I was her favorite). I had to console HER that it was OK.

Anyways... let's look forward!

Onward!!!

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Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.

I'm with ya, Mith!

Thanks!

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