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."
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.
That's where I disagree. A's imply that a student got A's. They often aren't a good reflection of intelligence or work ethic. YOU may know that in your specific program, they reflect that YOU are a hard worker. Likely, you have personal references and letters of recommendation to back that up, as well as your personality and performance.
I know that MY A's took damn hard work, too. They are based on 125 questions per class, per semester....over 10,000 pages or so of reading. If you don't know your information, you will not pass. I'm proud of my Phi Beta Kappa, and my Sigma Theta Tau because I know what it took me to achieve them. My program accepts less than 10% of the applicants, and the attrition rate is about 50%. However, the first time NCLEX pass rate is near 100%. I busted my rear, but I did it for myself and not for anyone else's opinion of me.
That being said, I work with some nurses who also received A's. However, they were based on A's for attendance, A's for clinicals, A's for completing labwork, A's for community service, A's for everything under the sun. Their test scores were less than 25% of their overall grade.
So....we all got A's. But do I feel like they are the same evaluation and reflect the same work ethic? No, I don't.
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.
Sadly those that I did include do account for a lot of people. And those are the people that I offer no apology to.
However, I respect parents working hard to pursue their dreams. It isn't easy. I also have 2 small children at home. They are my top priority, but I also keep my schooling in high respect as well. If I have to stay up all night to finish my work or study for an exam- I will- but after I have played with my kids and read them their bedtime story. I often feel that people use the excuse of having kids at home as a reason for not doing as well as they could. I applaud all the parents pursuing their dreams, but don't blame your children for your academic limitations.
Sadly those that I did include do account for a lot of people. And those are the people that I offer no apology to.
However, I respect parents working hard to pursue their dreams. It isn't easy. I also have 2 small children at home. They are my top priority, but I also keep my schooling in high respect as well. If I have to stay up all night to finish my work or study for an exam- I will- but after I have played with my kids and read them their bedtime story. I often feel that people use the excuse of having kids at home as a reason for not doing as well as they could. I applaud all the parents pursuing their dreams, but don't blame your children for your academic limitations.
I'm sorry, not meaning to sound rude...but this is a really, really arrogant statement.
You are assuming that all nursing school curriculums are the same, that they are equally difficult, that people have the same physical stamina, that people learn the same, that people have the same support system, the same financial resources.
I am here to tell you...none of that is true!!!!
Just because you have children that get's A's and someone else that has children and get's B's and C's doesn't mean you automatically win the award for working the hardest, being the best mother and being the most dedicated.
We have a girl in my class that has a true photographic memory...you know how much she studies for each exam? One hour before she shows up to class...period. She has 100% recall. Time enough to flip through the pages of the material...be it 40 pages or 400.
She has 3 children at home and other than that, doesn't crack a book open.
We have another student who is single and she get's C's. She has no children. She also has a LEARNING disabilty so it takes her a long time to learn a task, but once she has it, she can apply it better than most people...but because it takes her longer to read, longer to study, she doesn't perform well on tests, but once she does learn something, she never forgets it.
We have another student with two children who has an alcoholic husband and we are confident he abuses her. She is 26 and has never worked b/c he won't let her leave the house. She "sneaks" to school while he is at work, drops the children off at daycare (they are 6 months and 16 months...so they can't talk) and has to go straight home after school...she has to hide her books uniforms, etc in the car. She can only study when he's not there, which isn't enough for her to get good grades, but she's getting by.
Are you the same as the last two women? Could you perform as well under the same circumstances as the third?
(and good post btw...in that it's getting bazillions of responses!)
I understand your points. I think the reason it got alot of negative reaction is that you seem 'irked' by others who are passing nursing school...and not getting grades as good as yours?? Thats at least what it sounds like...
which is kind-of a silly thing to be irked about.
(As an aside, your post is striking a chord primarily in students and/or new-grads...which is testimony that grades matter primarily to students and those still shell-shocked by the experience :) )
Again, luck to you and all the other students who bust their butts...
Sadly those that I did include do account for a lot of people. And those are the people that I offer no apology to.
However, I respect parents working hard to pursue their dreams. It isn't easy. I also have 2 small children at home. They are my top priority, but I also keep my schooling in high respect as well. If I have to stay up all night to finish my work or study for an exam- I will- but after I have played with my kids and read them their bedtime story. I often feel that people use the excuse of having kids at home as a reason for not doing as well as they could. I applaud all the parents pursuing their dreams, but don't blame your children for your academic limitations.
You sound like a very driven person, I hope you continue to do well. You are very lucky that you have not had to sacrifice a night or two of studying for an exam for one of your children. I hope that continues for you, I really do.
I could have written your post my first year of nursing school, there were students in my class who I would not want taking care of me, but now I would trust each and every one of them. :flwrhrts:
You sound like a very driven person, I hope you continue to do well. You are very lucky that you have not had to sacrifice a night or two of studying for an exam for one of your children. I hope that continues for you, I really do.
There's why you probably didn't do too well in school. YOU DON"T READ everything presented to you!
I believe she said she stayed up all night studying AFTER caring for her kids.
I don't see why everyone is so up in arms about someone being annoyed by slackers. Misskitty said she respected those that gave it their all. If YOU have given it your all, then quit griping- she wasn't attacking you!
However, Misskitty, you could put things in a nicer way.
There's why you probably didn't do too well in school. YOU DON"T READ everything presented to you!
I believe she said she stayed up all night studying AFTER caring for her kids.
Jealousy breeds contempt.
You wouldn't make it in our program.
If they give it to you, they expect you to read it, because that is where your exams come from.
I sure hope your tendency to figure out how the exams are written and only studying what is necessary to pass the test keeps working for you...b/c on the NCLEX, you can't figure it out, you have to know how it works.
Those that tried to pull that in our program, were out the first semester. Those that took the time to see all the information as important, are still there, yes, even the "C" students...as they were smart enough to listen to the instructions.
There's why you probably didn't do too well in school. YOU DON"T READ everything presented to you!
I believe she said she stayed up all night studying AFTER caring for her kids.
Jealousy breeds contempt.
You seem to be a hateful person. Did I say I did not do well?? Unless you subscribe to the idea that one B is bad I guess!! I just said I hope her kids do not ever keep her from that late night of studying.....crisis I think is what I said not the bedtime routine!!! I was in her shoes my first year of school, nice routine with family, studying after bedtime, but I know others who did not have it as easy, and those people should be considered too. My life changed too and my little routine went out the window, it takes more for me to juggle, I just hope that does not happen to her, but life does happen.
I think being a good parent far outweighs getting A's in school, and you should give your kids the time they need, which varies by kid, age and situation..... but if you are able to do both then great, some families are easier than others. Some people deal with stress better, are better at organizing life, and a million other variables!!!
BTW I was not being sarcastic I do wish her well, I just want her to see that situations are different, I would never wish anything bad on anyone especially a fellow nursing student!!! :loveya:
If they give it to you, they expect you to read it, because that is where your exams come from.
I sure hope your tendency to figure out how the exams are written and only studying what is necessary to pass the test keeps working for you...b/c on the NCLEX, you can't figure it out, you have to know how it works.
Those that tried to pull that in our program, were out the first semester. Those that took the time to see all the information as important, are still there, yes, even the "C" students...as they were smart enough to listen to the instructions.
Sorry, I can't tell who you are saying would not make it in your program and who gave you the idea that they know how the tests are written...did I miss that??
I hope you were not directing that at me b/c it is way, way off base if you were!!
I have enjoyed your posts in the past and agreed with you a lot, not sure where this one came from though!
If the qualities you listed above were all that is required to be a good nurse, we would be replaced with volunteers who took a medical terminology course.
The fact is that critical thinking, understanding of physiology, disease and treatment, and skills competency are equally as important if not more so than a sparkling personality, decent people skills, and a friendly smile.
I will quite honestly say that some of my fellow students are doomed to be average nurses if they even pass the NCLEX. Their inability to grasp some basic concepts or express true understanding while just coasting by with a low C makes me doubt they will suddenly "get it" once an RN is attached to their name and patients' lives are at stake.
I don't really believe that anyone is "Doomed" to be an average nurse. The way I see it...the REAL learning doesn't begin until after you graduate anyway. Nothing can teach better than experience, trial and error, and the daily grind. Don't get me wrong...its great that some people accel academically in nursing - but to say that the C students are doomed to be average nurses is a little ignorant.
It takes 1 year to become "Competent" in the field you're working in, 3 years to become "efficient", and 5 years to become "expert". So only TIME can really tell if you'll be a good nurse or that dreadful nurse that the other people come on here to "vent" about. lol
A license to be a "Registered Nut" is a great thing. haha But just because you get an A in the course, doesn't mean anything anyway until you apply that knowledge to your daily work and prove yourself where it matters - at the bedside.
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.
ilstu99
320 Posts
That's where I disagree. A's imply that a student got A's. They often aren't a good reflection of intelligence or work ethic. YOU may know that in your specific program, they reflect that YOU are a hard worker. Likely, you have personal references and letters of recommendation to back that up, as well as your personality and performance.
I know that MY A's took damn hard work, too. They are based on 125 questions per class, per semester....over 10,000 pages or so of reading. If you don't know your information, you will not pass. I'm proud of my Phi Beta Kappa, and my Sigma Theta Tau because I know what it took me to achieve them. My program accepts less than 10% of the applicants, and the attrition rate is about 50%. However, the first time NCLEX pass rate is near 100%. I busted my rear, but I did it for myself and not for anyone else's opinion of me.
That being said, I work with some nurses who also received A's. However, they were based on A's for attendance, A's for clinicals, A's for completing labwork, A's for community service, A's for everything under the sun. Their test scores were less than 25% of their overall grade.
So....we all got A's. But do I feel like they are the same evaluation and reflect the same work ethic? No, I don't.