GPA's! Do You Care?

srose · Jul 30, 2003

My GPA matters to me, only in the sense that I have to feel like I did the best I could in a class, and I have pretty high standards for myself. However, it doesn't matter to me in the sense that I dont' care what other's GPAs are, and I don't share my grades with others. I cannot STAND the people in my class who are obsessed with finding out what everyone else got on the tests, etc.

Vmommyx4_RN · Jul 30, 2003

My GPA matters to me but only because I am older (didn't care when I was younger) and it is a personal achievement. But, I also believe in balance. I have four children, a husband, work part-time, and go to school full time. I have 3 semesters left and have decided that B is for Balance. When I start to stress and "go crazy", I look at my grade in the class - if I am at a B or A I chill.

I am very guilty of freaking, especially when I was working on my pre-req's - had to get an A. Now, I just want to get done, enjoy my kids & husband. I don't want my kids to look back on these years with horror and imprint lasting mental scars or put walls of resentment up between us. One of my friends mother is a RN, she remembers these years of her mother going to school while she was growing up - she has explained to me the very negative impact it made on her.

Now if I was single, I am guilty, it would be all about the A. But this is a personal thing, I have had many nurses tell me that after you are done, no one will ask "so, what was your GPA?".

So, I think so long as the individual is learning - who cares - except on a personal level.

maire, ASN, RN · Jul 30, 2003

Yes, GPA matters to me. Has ALWAYS mattered to me, even in grade school/high school (except for my sophomore year, when I thought smoking and drinking were more fun than homework...thankfully that phase only lasted a year). I know what I am capable of, and I expect nothing less from myself. However, I don't cry when I get a 'B,' I just fume that I didn't make the Dean's List. :rolleyes:

nurse2be in ny · Jul 30, 2003

Yes, it definitely matters to me, partly because I may want to go on for a master's. But it's more important to me as just a personal achievement.

AmyLiz · Jul 30, 2003

Oh yeah...GPA is very important to me personally. In high school, I did "okay" - graduated in the top 1/3 of my class. But I could've done better. When I was in college the first time getting my bachelors in psych, I just coasted through. Didn't care about the grades as long as I passed. I skipped classes, etc...did the whole college fun thing. This time, however, I'm in my early 30's, married, working...and getting A's gives me a great feeling of accomplishment. I think I got one or two A's when I was getting my bachelors degree...and that was slightly over 4 years of classes! My first term this go-round, I got a 4.0 and LOVED IT! I was hooked. Had to get more A's. Now I'm in my second term (summer) and am definately getting one A...in my other class (A&P I), I don't know what I'll end up getting. I've got a low A right now, but we have a lab practical and an exam left, so it will depend on how I do on those. (Studying my butt off as we speak)

GPA may not matter in "the real world" once you graduate, but I am also planning on going on to get my BSN and (hopefully) go on to CRNA school (depending on how I do in biochem & organic chem!)

manna, BSN, RN · Jul 30, 2003

OMG - I really am incredibly anal about my grades.. I'm getting better though. (I'm finally giving myself credit for having a TON of responsibilities on top of school, and still keeping a decent GPA). :)

shirleyTX · Jul 30, 2003

GPA does matter, but in my opinion my family is more important. I have a one year old son and my life now with him is better than any A you could give me. My GPA wasa 3.7 but after making a B in Micro it's a 3.68, I wished I could have made an A but Nothing is worth ignoring my angel for a measly letter grade. I know it's a balancing act but I would hate myself knowing I sacrificed my time with my child just to get an A. I gotta b, so what I'm happy with my life!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

LauraLou · Jul 30, 2003

I have completed all my pre-req's and all the co-req's except one and have a 4.0. I have worked my butt off to get those A's, so yes GPA does matter to me.

I guess I feel the need to make the best grades I can to justify not working for 3 years and having all the financial burden on my husband. Since he is working all those hours, I would feel terrible just sitting around watching tv instead of studying.

I was always a B student, but I guess guilt is a good motivator as I am now an A student!

bluesky, BSN, RN · Jul 30, 2003

shirleyTX you are totally right!

I am now in my last year of nursing school. I was making straight A's until this Summer when one day I actually put my 20 month old in his room for 2 hours by himself because I was writing a 20 page paper for psych nursing. After listening to him cry for 30 minutes, I realized that he was more important than my grades and making him suffer was *not* excusable.

Generally, I care about my GPA because I know it gives me opportunities, however I do not respect the GPA as a true reflection of a student's knowledge or intelligence.

kimtab · Jul 30, 2003

Yes it matters. You may think now that nothing will ever get you back in school once you graduate but if you decide to go on to a Masters progra someday you had better have a good GPA.

Kim

renerian, BSN, RN · Jul 30, 2003

It matters to me, but in my nursing career of 17 year no one has ever asked me what my GPA is? LOL.

renerian

justjenn · Jul 31, 2003

Great responses people. Love this forum because we are all Honest!

It will take me a long time to pull up my GPA to a 3.5. It's amazing what 1 C will do to you. Problem is, I may end up getting a b in my class & that will bring my average down to a 3.0 I guess. Ugh.