Help me let go of my need for an A....

DecafMom · Mar 31, 2005

I'm very upset. I did really poorly on my last test (79.6). This brings my cumulative grade to an 86.8. We need 89.5 or above to get an A in the class. The problem is that there are only two more tests and the final left. I need to get at least 93% on both of the tests and at least 90% on the final to get an A in the class. I'm VERY angry at myself for how poorly I did. I thought I studied enough, but obviously I didn't.
I need to either hear that I can do it, that it's still within my reach, or I need to hear that I need to let go and accept that a B is a perfectly acceptable grade. But I don't want to screw up my GPA.

I say let go and accept that a B is a perfectly acceptable grade! Remember that nursing school questions are not just fact-based, so you could study all day and still not be able to answer all the questions right. You're doing a great job, don't let this get to you, just do the best you can. I got my first B last semester, but I was actually happy to see the B as there were only two of us that got Bs in the class. We have to get a 93 to get an A! People keep telling me C=RN, so keep that in mind. Just keep on keeping on and remember that summer is just around the corner! :)

Lawnurse · Mar 31, 2005

Nursing school is not a meritocracy.

The most prepared students are not necessarily the ones who get the good grades.

Hang in there!!!

RainDreamer, BSN, RN · Mar 31, 2005

I've been in this situation before, beating myself up because a test grade brought down my average for the class, therefore I needed to get exceptionally high grades on the last exams. It's tough. I realized during first year that I wouldn't be able to get As in all my classes. An A is 93% and higher, it's really tough to get that. I got to the point where I just accepted it. Getting a B isn't bad at all!!

Getting a 93 on both the tests, and a 90 on the final isn't impossible. I needed to get a 92 on my final exam that I took just 2 days ago. I thought that was pretty much out of the question. I went in and took the exam, did the best I could. Felt like I did ok on it, but highly doubted I made a 92. Later that afternoon I looked on Blackboard and saw that I made a 94!! So yes, it can be done. It'll be hard, but it's definitely not impossible! Do the best you can, study hard ... I know you will. Then go and do the best you can on those exams, that's all you can do. If you get a B then you'll know you did the best you could.

This was hard for me too 1st year, it was hard for a lot of my classmates too. I don't know of anyone that can maintain a 4.0 all throughout the nursing classes.... I'm sure there are people that do, and kudos to them. But for the majority of us, we get a B here and there, and that's perfectly ok :)

grinnurse, RN · Mar 31, 2005

This will be a good indicator of how you should perform on the remainder of the tests. If you have made 93 or above the whole semester my educated guess would be that you have the possibility to pull off an A.

If not, I would say you are looking at a B. I would love to have your average this semester.............. :) I have resigned myself to a B this semester especially in lecture. Clinical has never been a problem for me and have gotten all A's. At this point, I am so burned out :angryfire on school that as long as I pass and can sit for the boards, I will be

Nikki730 · Mar 31, 2005

Klone, try not to beat yourself up too badly over your grade. Try to see the big picture. If your dream is to go on to get a master's degree or whatever, one B (or a few of them) shouldn't hurt your chances too much. Also, remember that you have been working hard for more than 6 months now (since August?) and it's natural to feel fatigue or burn-out.

Sometimes grades have to give a little bit when life intervenes. Time I take to replace a burned-out headlight on my car takes away from time I need to spend studying, but it's also important for my safety and so I don't get pulled over by a cop. KWIM? You can only put off certain things, or delegate out so many responsibilities before you are not treating yourself or others very well.

Right now I'm struggling to pass. It's so hard, esp. when just to make it into nursing school requires at least a 3.77 where I am. I had a 4.0, but not anymore. I made straight B's, and looks like I will make about 4-5 hours worth of C's this semester.

Chin up! You might still be able to pull off the test grades you need. You could try to see it as a fun challenge (a testing of yourself), esp. since if you "fail" you still are still sitting pretty grade wise (a B is good!)

twinmommy+2, ADN, BSN, MSN · Mar 31, 2005

"what do you call a nursing student who graduates last in her class...

... A nurse"

Its not all about the grades here, but the skills that you take with you after you graduate. I know where you're coming from too, I want to make it back above that 3.5 myself but I know in the end that making it through the NCLEX is the hurtle I have to look towards, not the ending GPA.

Keep your head up!

WSU_Ally_RN, BSN, RN · Mar 31, 2005

As a nurse, none of my patients will care if i got a B or a C in a class. Being a sucessful nurse includes speaking in a kind voice to the mom who just got diagnosed with cancer, hugging the child who doesnt want their mom to go home and leave them at the hospital, and talking with a 95 year old woman about what you think heaven is really like. Just remember, nursing students, your patients won't know that you got a B or C but they will know that you are kind, compassionate, caring, and the person who had the ability to brighten their darkest and lonliest moments of life.

...and this is why i want to do...what i want to do...

A few of my friends and I totally believe this... Nursing is not about the grades you get, it's the care you give. As long as you are totally competent when you walk into clinical and give compassionate care, you will be a great nurse! A B is not a bad grade, neiter is a C. They have no indication of how great a nurse you are. My friend barely get's B's each quarter, usually C's, but in clinical she is great! I would let her take care of me in a heartbeat! Good luck the rest of the quarter!

LydiaNN · Mar 31, 2005

A B means good. As far as I'm concerned, good is good. Just try your best, and be thankful you aren't struggling to pass, as some who want to be a nurse just as you do, are.

hypnotic_nurse · Mar 31, 2005

Continue to study for the A, but be satisfied if a B is what you wind up with. :)

megamoo1979 · Mar 31, 2005

Remember...

A= R.N.

B= R.N.

C= R.N.

No matter A, B, or C, you will still get your degree, and you will be a great nurse.

Megan

Gompers, BSN, RN · Mar 31, 2005

Unless you're planning on going to ultra-competitive anesthesia school in the future - grades don't matter once you graduate. Personally, yes, they provide you with a sense of achievement. But when you finish school and apply for jobs - they're NOT going to ask for your transcript. Your GPA will be useless. Even when applying to non-CRNA grad school, usually a "B" average is absolutley acceptable.

Driving yourself crazy because you're not getting straight A's is useless - the world is an imperfect place, you know? You are in SCHOOL for a reason - to LEARN. If you knew it all, you wouldn't need to be there. Just because you missed a few answers on a test doensn't mean that you're going to be a horrible nurse. The reason we HAVE tests is to see how well we absorb material, and what areas we need to work on. Tests are SUPPOSED to challenge our knowledge.