Grade Anxiety

ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP · Feb 3, 2014

I have told this story before. I worked a LOT while I was an undergraduate and had a reasonably normal social life, but it as the working three shifts a week, every weekend, and all my vacations that left me with a pretty mediocre GPA, like 2.75, even though I got married at the end of my junior year and my husband was earning more than the both of us had earned in the previous two years combined (he graduated a year ahead of me) and I didn't work my senior year and got a 3.5 then, I think. Seven years later when I wanted to go to grad school so I could get a job teaching I was rebuffed, but I had good references and said, "You can't tell me I can never go to grad school because I screwed around in college when I was 19 and 20." So, they said, do well on the GREs and take a couple of classes at the graduate level as an unmatriculated student, and we'll see how you do.

Got 99th percentile in the GREs and aced the two courses, and got into the grad school of my dreams, a real brick-and-mortar school with a thesis research requirement involving untold hours in a clinical and lab area and a 50-page thesis. And the MN I earned there has led to some wonderful jobs since then.

So I would never advocate coasting through undergraduate work -- I did the best I could under the circumstances, but I was supporting myself and running a household, and had to work, so there it was-- but grad school is not necessarily a never-never event if you don't get a 3.8 as an undergrad.

Well, being in the 99th percentile is definitely impressive!

At the grad school I want to attend, GREs aren't required for those with a 3.0 or above (it is a new policy). However, if I could score as high as you, I would probably take it anyway!

How long would recommend waiting in between undergrad and grad? I plan on working full-time which in grad school, but even if I went straight through, I would have over three years of experience come graduation.

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Feb 3, 2014

In my opinion, and that is all it is, graduate programs are getting many, many more applicants than they ever used to, many of them from almost-new grads. The more actual work experience you have, the more likely that you will have developed a clear idea of why and in what you want to do advanced study, what you want to do with it when you have done it, and how to impress the admissions committee with your well-developed clarity of thought and purpose.

For me, it was seven years before I wanted it so much that I just had to do it; I know that sounds like the labors in the Augean stables to many students and new grads, but I believe it was helpful. Your mileage may vary.

ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP · Feb 18, 2014

Welp. Here is an update.

Five quizzes: 84, 80, 92, 88, 88. Sitting at about an 87. God, I'm so nervous for the final. Should I kill myself and get a 93 for an A- in the class or just chill out and be happy with a B+ or B?

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Feb 18, 2014

If by "chill out" you mean "sit and chew my nails because I am not studying" then you might as well do some reading. But try to do it with a lighter heart. You'll retain more and it will feel less agonizing.

Covaryx · Feb 23, 2014

I think you posted in the wrong thread. I am talking about grade anxiety. I work as a nurse's aide and am pretty comfortable in multitasking and juggling patients. The grades and high expectations grad school has is what is stressing me out.. Nursing school from what I've been told is different from actual nursing.

I feel I know where you're coming from. I work as a Tech and during work and Clinicals I LOVE it. I never feel stressed, I feel rightfully challenged. And challenge accepted. But lecture gives me and my peers anxiety attacks as well. It's not helpful when we have a Director who sends out threatening emails with the word "failure" in every other sentence and we just lost half our class with the beginning of this new semester, there are 24 of us left now. In clinical I feel at home and I always perform up to par. But we all feel very pressured otherwise.

Covaryx · Feb 23, 2014

If by "chill out" you mean "sit and chew my nails because I am not studying" then you might as well do some reading. But try to do it with a lighter heart. You'll retain more and it will feel less agonizing.

That is completely true! Like I mentioned above, I reacted to the emails in an "omgomgomg need to study now!" Way. After a yr or so of our Directors crap, we've started ignoring her emails wording and now study at our own pacing, and who is left is doing much better now.

Is it a universal student nurse thing to at least feel mildly anxious if I don't have some form of study material on me at all times?

ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP · Feb 25, 2014

Update: Took the final. I didn't study so much, went out to see a movie with my mom, and I pulled an 88% (B+). She has been known to drop questions (last class, she dropped 6 questions), so if she just drops four, I could get an A-!

Either way, I'm pretty satisfied with my grade and stunned that I didn't get a C.

Pink Magnolia, BSN, RN · Mar 1, 2014

Go you!!! We have to make time for ourselves! I'm doing the same thing! I have 3 exams this week, but I'm having a movie night too tonight! I noticed that I do much better when I rest and take time for myself/family. There is such thing as studying TOO MUCH, and this can actually cause people to do poorly (information overload/exhaustion...maybe?). I'm glad you're doing well this semester and are pleased with your B. I'm happy with my B too! Doesn't that feel good to say? Let it be let it be. haha!