That irks me to no end! I've read so many posts on here where people state that "your grades don't matter!" Are you kidding me?
I bust my butt to get A's. I think my grades reflect my work ethic and my willingness to learn. I am not content etching by as average. I do not want an average nurse caring for me. I do not want to be an average nurse caring for others. I want to be the best nurse that I can be, and I hope that others that currently don't think likewise drop the mantra that a C is good enough. Even if an employer may not look at your transcript, those grades should still "matter."
I put a lot of effort into it & got good grades from the beginning to the end of my program; however, I was usually anxious about my ability to perform competently in lab & clinical, although I worked every bit as hard in those areas. I envied many of my class mates that didn't achieve as well as I did academically, but appeared to possess an inate ability on the floor. I don't wave the grades I got like a flag, however I hope they do illustrate to a prospective employer that although I am not a natural rocket scientist as a nurse, I have applied a great deal of work ethic in the past & intend to continue.
Personally, my feeling is that people have their strengths & weaknesses in a variety of different areas (with the exception of those enviable few who are naturally gifted & excell at practically everything they do), & in my own personal situation, I am hoping that the motivation I put into academic success (making myself book smart) will transfer over as I strive to make myself floor smart.
I absolutely respect students/nurses that give their all. This is in no way average. When you strive to be all that you can be, then you have found success.
However, I am irked by those who have the attitude that all that is required is "X", so I will give this and nothing more. The ones who say " I could easily make an A, but I don't want to lose any sleep or be stressed out." The ones who aren't willing to sacrifice anything in order to gain a better understanding. These people are what I view as average. These are the people that I would not want at my bedside, nor ever want to become.
I want to carry out my career knowing that I gave it my all, not what was minimally required of me.
I think it is a little harsh to say that they would not be good nurses and that you do not want them at your bedside. The groups you mentioned account for a lot of people!!
I understand about those who don't try or say "Oh I could have done that" (why didn't you), that bothers me too! But there is another group that you are offending, some that could get A+'s but have to much on their plate. I just want to make sure you are not including the amazing Mom's and Dad's that go back to school to realize their dreams.
I personally have a family and this is my second career, I have to make hard choices sometimes about my priorities. This is my kid's life, some things do have to come before school!!
I have manged to get all A's and one B over 4 years, but I have done that in a more relaxed, balanced way than the people in my class who care only about the grade (I am thinking of the ones who constantly argue with the teacher about points/test questions).
I have said to myself that if I had put more time into a particular project or test I could have gotten an even higher A, but the truth is my family is way more important than getting the highest grade in the class.
In four years time a family can go through a lot of changes, and moms and dads make an important difference in how things turn out for their children depending on the support they give/ don't give.
I do understand the frustration with people who do not try, but there is a huge difference between those students and ones who have to make hard choices in life but care as much or more than the person with the highest grade in the class!!
Please don't judge those who are not the same as you are!!
Honestly, the grades you get in nursing school don't really matter (except when furthering your education and you need the merit).
The "real" test comes when you begin working. I have precepted many new grads who were straight-A students, but are dumber than a box of rocks. I have also had the ones who really struggled in school because they actually need the visual/hands-on learning, who have developed into the kind of nurse I would want taking care of my children.
Did grades matter to me? Absolutley. I made straight A's and was an academic scholar. I was named to the Dean's and Chancellor's List each semester of school. Do I think I am a better nurse because of it? Nope, because nursing is so much deeper than a letter on a piece of paper.
I was the over-zealous student who also thought that I had to make those good grades. I am proud of myself for doing it, but once you actually begin to work in the real world of nursing, you too will understand that it really is not about what your test grades were.
I wish you much success in your continued endeavors.
It seems like the ones who are offended are the C students.
I am not offended, but suprised how many think your employer cares if you get a "A" or a "C" , because they don't.
I was a "C" student. However in my program a 80% = "C".
In most cases that was a "B". In reality I was a "B"/"C" student all my life. I am not offended that someone thinks grades matter that much. However I realized that my employer only cared that I obatained a nursing degree and license. Not once have I been asked if I had a "A" or "C" in my classes. I have seen "A" students who have no common sense what so ever and some that are just dangerous and have book smarts only. I am someone who never killed myself to get a "A". I realized long ago that I am not a "A" student and have to work at some things harder than others to understand.
I feel that "A" student dosen't make a great nurse or great anything. There is more to it than grades and GPA to determine how good a nurse someone is. I had a teacher once tell me that the best doctors are the "C" students not the "A" students. I can't remember when that was but I do remember a teacher saying that.
So in a sense grades do matter, but to who? In reality you and your teachers. Not to any perspective employer. I do believe everyone should do their best, but if their best isn't a "A" then so be it.
I put a lot of effort into it & got good grades from the beginning to the end of my program; however, I was usually anxious about my ability to perform competently in lab & clinical, although I worked every bit as hard in those areas. I envied many of my class mates that didn't achieve as well as I did academically, but appeared to possess an inate ability on the floor. I don't wave the grades I got like a flag, however I hope they do illustrate to a prospective employer that although I am not a natural rocket scientist as a nurse, I have applied a great deal of work ethic in the past & intend to continue.
Personally, my feeling is that people have their strengths & weaknesses in a variety of different areas (with the exception of those enviable few who are naturally gifted & excell at practically everything they do), & in my own personal situation, I am hoping that the motivation I put into academic success (making myself book smart) will transfer over as I strive to make myself floor smart.
Wish me luck. Thanks.
Hi,
I just graduated and received 2 Bs and 2 B-s for my four nursing courses. I worked really hard at theory and in clinical but was always envious of my fellow classmates who rocked in clinical. I would rather have had four Cs and been excellent clinically. In my school only 2 out of 36 people graduated with all B's or higher as grades. What a crazy 2 years that was.
I am hoping to work really hard when I work in med-surge to become a better clinician (have an interview Monday!!!!).
All in all I think grades should be respected because it is an innate talent some people have to grasp theory, but I do not think that it determines if one will be a better nurse or not.
I believe that grades are important and that those who get higher grades should be acknowledged for it in some small way. Perhaps it could be noted on your transcript or the students with higher grades when graduating are put in a graduate with honours group or something.
This is already being done and has been done for years. At graduation it is announced they are graduating with honors. Do they not do this where you are from?
I didn't get straight A's throughout nursing school. I didn't get straight C's either. I busted my butt and did the very best that I could. I got some A's, some B's, and yes, even some C's.
Does that mean I'm "just an average nurse"? Does that not make me qualified enough?
No.
I'm a damn good nurse, even though I got a C while in nursing school.
Oooh and the student that killed her patient.... she was straight A's, read the books was model student. She was great in her clinical skills.... she apparently missed the class on nurse logic... if you have to draw a med up out of like 20 vials then you probably have the incorrect dose.
Before you so eagerly hang your fellow student up to dry please remember this. You and I are both just a simple, simple, mistake away from killing someone.
I know people who take joy in knowing that someone made a stupid, easy-to-spot med error.
Med errors can happen easily. All errors can happen easily.
Knock on wood now, because you never want to be the one who makes the fatal error, and you sure wouldn't like the feeling of being made fun of while doing it.
And lawsuits can happen at any time. Months to years after you made a mistake. My point being? You could already have made a mistake that you didn't know, and it could be coming to haunt you.
So, be kind in your criticisms.
(Oh, and the other day, I drew up a med that was 12 vials. And yes, it was the correct dose. )
are you talking about a specific employer or all employers require this?
respectfully, i am seriously questioning this.
leslie
I had to submit official transcripts for my job, and I was the ONLY new grad hired.
So, I'd like to think my A's mattered.
Like others have mentioned, A's only imply that the student was a hard worker. Not a good nurse-to-be, not an angel, not the best nurse ever. Only that they were dedicated in school.
My A's in NS translate into my continuing on with my BSN, studying for my CCRN, education at work, precepting, charge nurse, etc, etc.
So to all of us that got A's in nursing school----they matter. To us.
That irks me to no end! I've read so many posts on here where people state that "your grades don't matter!" Are you kidding me?
I bust my butt to get A's. I think my grades reflect my work ethic and my willingness to learn. I am not content etching by as average. I do not want an average nurse caring for me. I do not want to be an average nurse caring for others. I want to be the best nurse that I can be, and I hope that others that currently don't think likewise drop the mantra that a C is good enough. Even if an employer may not look at your transcript, those grades should still "matter."
I understand, but know that A's don't necessarily mean that someone is going to be a good nurse either.
I am a B student...doesn't sound like I fully apply myself until you know the small fact that my nursing school has only graduated ONE 4.0 RN graduate in over 30 years.
Every nursing curriculum is not the same. Just because someone get's A's at one school and C's at another, doesn't mean that the A student applies themselves and the C student doesn't.
It has also been a proven fact, that people can do well on exams without even knowing anything about the subject matter.
My instructors have also seen many A students on exams fail clinicals.
I'm not dismissing your hard work...not even close...I'm just attempting to show you another side.
It seems like the ones who are offended are the C students.
Not necessarily.
We have a student at our school that is a SINGLE mother of 6 children. She is on welfare, she is a widow, and has no help. 4 are in school and 2 that are babies in daycare.
She is a B/C student...and I guarantee she works 30x harder for her grades than I do.
Oooh and the student that killed her patient.... she was straight A's, read the books was model student. She was great in her clinical skills.... she apparently missed the class on nurse logic... if you have to draw a med up out of like 20 vials then you probably have the incorrect dose.
matt59
85 Posts
I put a lot of effort into it & got good grades from the beginning to the end of my program; however, I was usually anxious about my ability to perform competently in lab & clinical, although I worked every bit as hard in those areas. I envied many of my class mates that didn't achieve as well as I did academically, but appeared to possess an inate ability on the floor. I don't wave the grades I got like a flag, however I hope they do illustrate to a prospective employer that although I am not a natural rocket scientist as a nurse, I have applied a great deal of work ethic in the past & intend to continue.
Personally, my feeling is that people have their strengths & weaknesses in a variety of different areas (with the exception of those enviable few who are naturally gifted & excell at practically everything they do), & in my own personal situation, I am hoping that the motivation I put into academic success (making myself book smart) will transfer over as I strive to make myself floor smart.
Wish me luck. Thanks.