Getting over perfectionism

Baubo516, RN · May 13, 2013

I can identify with your perspective. I am a pretty good student because I am good at "book learning" and written tests. Practical skills and clinical situations scare me a little more, but the truth is that most schooling is set up so that good reader/writer/test-takers get better grades!

Anyway - I went into my final this morning knowing that I had to get 45/50 to get an A in the class. I was worried about this even though my RN coworkers at the hospital have told me "C's earn degrees!" I ended up getting that 45, so I kept my A, but this was only my second nursing class of the program. (We take one at a time.) My husband says that I will have to get over my expectation of getting A's as I move through the program, as it will continue to get more difficult.

I don't really have much advice on how to get over it, but I just wanted to tell you that you are not the only perfectionist out there! I can say that in my first college degree (I am a 2nd career nursing student) I had straight A's until I got a big fat C in a 5 credit hour class. It was actually kind of freeing for me at that time. It was no longer possible to get a 4.0, so I kind of quit stressing about it and got A's and B's (one more C but it was in piano class and I'm not a great player) for the rest of my college career. I also relaxed more and stressed less. I guess I need to try to get to that attitude BEFORE getting my first C in this program...

Good luck to you and congratulations on a successful first semester!

crossfitnurse · May 13, 2013

Thanks:) it's just my personality type I guess. Dont know if you're familiar with Myers-Briggs at all, I'm an ISTJ and an enneagram 3, lol. If you wanna know look it up and boy is it gonna be hard to get over that

But being a mom, owning a business and along with other things I can't really get down on myself for those grades. Gotta keep reminding myself!!! Thanks for the reply tho!

missnurse01, MSN, RN · May 13, 2013

I am totally like this as well, always have been. I knew a great gpa would get me into nursing school, then a great gpa would get me into grad school. So I always have this ongoing issue, but I have definitely relaxed over the years where I don't beat myself up so so much. But I always expect A's!

crossfitnurse · May 14, 2013

Well the program I eventually want to get into requires a 3.0, a BSN, and a year ICU experience... So as long as I keep B and above I should be good :) I gotta quit being so hard on myself!

missnurse01, MSN, RN · May 14, 2013

If you are looking at crna school you must be well above the minimum gpa unless you have am awesome gre and extensive awesome experience. Depends in the school of course but you want to get into a quality school. The average gpa for my crna class was 3.6. Goid luck to you!

crossfitnurse · May 14, 2013

I didn't say I had a 3.0

crossfitnurse · May 14, 2013

And honestly now that I think about it, the ADN classes won't matter grade wise for a long run program like that. Once I transfer the BSN classes WILL along with the classes that are transferring for the "BSN" cause these classes won't be on my degree grade point wise, just the "bridge" program classes that are required. Even then I'm not sure transferred classes will count toward the GPA, only as "complete."

SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP · May 15, 2013

I can completely understand. I'm very much a perfectionist when it comes to grades. So far, I've had a 4.0 GPA in all my pre-reqs. Then I decided to work on courses towards the BSN while waiting to hear if I was accepted into nursing school. Took a higher level Chem class and I was LUCKY to get a 3.5! I was so frustrated with that course the entire semester. I considered dropping it and re-taking, but I couldn't justify the extra cost. It's KILLING me that I'll end up with a 3.5, especially when I discovered the reason I got questions wrong on my final exam was due to entering them in the calculator incorrectly...AARRGGHHH!!! I always write out the entire equation before I write down the answer, so my professor was able to show me where I went wrong. I could kick myself in the behind for that...LOL!!! I know it's nearly impossible to make it through college with a 4.0 GPA, but I just wanted to see if I could do it. I know I shouldn't feel like I've failed, but it's hard when you hold yourself to a high standard.

Everyone keeps telling me not to expect an A in nursing school, so I know I'm probably in for a bit of a shocker when I start this fall. So, how do we let go of the perfectionism? I keep telling myself as long as I've given it my best effort and strive for the A, that's all that matters. But I know me and I know I'll be disappointed if I don't get the A. I'm trying to get into a graduate program once I'm done with nursing school, so I have to keep at least a 3.6 or higher GPA if I want to get accepted. No small task, eh?

rubato, ASN, RN · May 15, 2013

I'm right there with you. I entered the program with a 4.0. The first semester I got a B. It's 9 credit hours of a B. Killed my GPA. This semester I got my A again because I learned how to get through those tests and the wording much better. I had one bad test, but did great on everything else. I am still a perfectionist and am not upset by it. I won't have a 4.0, but I'm hoping that was my one and only B.

missnurse01, MSN, RN · May 15, 2013

I didn't say I had a 3.0

no no I didn't mean that! Just saying that although there is a minimum listed, it is a good idea to aim higher was all.

missnurse01, MSN, RN · May 15, 2013

And honestly now that I think about it, the ADN classes won't matter grade wise for a long run program like that. Once I transfer the BSN classes WILL along with the classes that are transferring for the "BSN" cause these classes won't be on my degree grade point wise, just the "bridge" program classes that are required. Even then I'm not sure transferred classes will count toward the GPA, only as "complete."

each program calculates the gpa differently. Some take all of your schooling and average them out. Some take only your last 60 credits. some look at science gpa individually. But the non science classes you are taking right now will probably be of little signif in the future, I agree with you!