How do I change my outlook?

Karmatism · Oct 16, 2013

I feel you. I heard the same thing in the beginning and was shocked. I absolutely hate that mentality and I don't agree with at all if you're planning on advancing your education. Many of the future programs are highly competitive; go look up some of the requirements for MSN bridge programs. On the other hand, there is a point that most students reach where despite your best efforts, the A's (and B's for that matter) don't come nearly as easy, if at all. It's hard not to fall into thinking, "forget it, so long as I pass." The solution for me personally was to become ok with carrying a slightly lower GPA. At one point I was driving myself crazy to hold a 4.0 and it was making me nuts. I ended up having no motivation and being miserable. I told myself I didn't care anymore, but deep down I did. It sounds like you do too. Taking off the pressure to be perfect, but still holding myself to the standard of what I knew I was capable of helped me tremendously. Taking a break when I felt myself starting to get burnt and putting the books down when I could feel I hit my limit instead of pushing and pushing gave me the energy to keep going.

Take it easy on yourself. Decide what works for you and you'll find your groove.

Best of luck!!

**NICU Guy, BSN, RN** · Oct 16, 2013

You need to study like you intend to go to graduate school. You may say I never ever want to go to grad school and then 5 yrs after finishing nursing school you change your mind. Now you have a 2.5 GPA and can't get into grad school. If you end up not going to grad school, at least you can say that you put your full effort into it. In addition, if you were a patient and had a choice of nurses: (1) that put her full effort into nursing school and learned everything she could or (2) did the bare minimum to pass nursing school?

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Oct 16, 2013

You need to study like you intend to go to graduate school. You may say I never ever want to go to grad school and then 5 yrs after finishing nursing school you change your mind. Now you have a 2.5 GPA and can't get into grad school.

That was me. I swore up and down that I would never, never, never go to grad school because MN nurses were incompetent and removed from the reality of the real nursing paaaaassssssssionnnn we had, blah, blah, blah. So I didn't take statistics (last year the program didn't require it, hah! I said to myself, dodged that bullet!) and graduated with a stellar 2.85 because I was working and running a household too. And because "C = RN." Heard that before?

And seven years later, I learned I had a talent for and love of teaching, but guess what? Can't teach without a master's. So I had to take statistics, and to convince the graduate school I could do grad-level work even though I screwed around as an 18-21-year-old undergraduate I had to take a few grad-level courses (aced 'em) before I took the GREs.

Short answer: do it now. :)

wise8 · Oct 17, 2013

Thanks for the advice; I like the idea of doing my best, but at the same time not having to be perfect. It sounds like doing my best now, even if that doesn't mean straight A's, is the best idea so that if I do decide to continue my education I will be able to do so. Thinking about this from a patient perspective helps a lot too, who wouldn't rather be cared for by someone who did their best in school. I also want to give the best care possible and the only way to do that is to continue to put my best foot forward now, no matter what my future plans are. Thanks again.

Stephalump · Oct 17, 2013

You'll never regret doing your best! :)

peacelover · Oct 17, 2013

Ultimately, you are studying to learn how to keep patients safe and alive. So, study with this in the forefront of your mind. To heck with the focus on grades one way or the other. Don't let that keep you from being motivated to do a great job.

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Oct 17, 2013

Study as if your patient's life depends upon it, because it does. If you're hyperfocused on grades, you won't necessarily do yourself any good... however, if you study with a different focus and the end result is that you get good grades because of it, you'll do well.

Yes, while passing the courses = RN, do you want to be an RN who knows just enough to do the job? Learn to be the nurse that you'd want caring for you, your parents, your siblings, or your kids. By choosing that as your focus, you may find that good grades are a nice side benefit. Of course, by doing that, you're keeping your higher education doors open!

Good studying!

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Oct 17, 2013

the grades are supposed to represent your knowledge and application of that knowledge. The more you know the better a nurse you will be. Do you really want to be mediocre?

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Oct 17, 2013

So - if thinking about future goals or "be the best that I can be" is not working for you, what about your sense of competitiveness? Does it chap your hide when you're not the best? That works for some of us - :saint:

hodgieRN · Oct 17, 2013

I think the instructors may emphasize passing over getting straight A's because there's lots of students who are terrified of not graduating. There's a tremendous pressure that students bring on themselves and it can cause anxiety all through school. I think if a teacher says you only need to pass, it's to help ease the students who are barely passing. If you can get A's, do what you have to. You will have more options in the future.