I must not be cut out for nursing school....

Achoo!, LPN · Oct 25, 2005

All that will matter in the end is te fact that you have a liscense. Hang in there, maybe next semester things will be a piece of cake!

Tweety, BSN, RN · Oct 25, 2005

Continue to try get the best grades that you can. C, however is passing, and means you are cut out for nursing school.

Hospitals ask to see your RN license, not your grade transcript. Don't give up when you are indeed passing.

Millions of RNs out there graduated with C's.

SKYSTHELIMIT · Oct 25, 2005

I wouldn't say stop caring but the most important thing is that you understand the material while your studying even if you only get C's on the tests. Some people comprehend the material while studying and still do poorly on test. Maybe you could read a guide on how to improve your test taking skills. Is it that you don't understand what you're reading? If so that can be a problem because as a nurse you need to understand what you've learned in school, not necessarily memorizing every little thing but understanding, that is the key. I would suggest that you partner with someone in your class who is doing well on tests, study with them and try to incorporate their techniques into your own when it comes to taking tests. Don't give up, getting C's shows hope. You need to have a continued drive to want to do this. Figure out exactly what that problem is and work to try to improve that. Good Luck.

rogramjet · Oct 25, 2005

I went to nursing school with people who got A's who turned out to be lousey nurses, and some who squeaked by who turned out terrific. Grades mean nothing! You will learn more in your first six months on the floor than you ever learned in nursing hell...I mean school. Just keep an open mind. Most nurses love to teach the students and new grads as long as they are willing to learn, nobody likes someone who thinks they already know everything.

abrenrn · Oct 27, 2005

Before you decide you are not cut out for nursing school -

Grades never tell the whole story. Do you think you understand what you are being taught (forget about the grades for the moment)? Have you started clinicals? If so, how are you doing?

What types of tests do they give? When I went to school (in the 80's) they were mostly multiple choice. They were usually the type of multiple choice questions that were very, very tricky. I'm lucky. I'm a good test taker. Many people are not. Being a good test taker did not mean that I knew more than the poor test takers - it meant I knew how to take tests.

So, if all else is OK - don't worry so much AND look into books, classes, etc. on how to take multiple choice tests. If you had a 3.8 before, you are smart enough to be a nurse - you just need to learn how to take nursing tests. C does equal RN but if nursing test taking is one of your problems, you could run into problems with the NCLEX - which is why you might want to improve your test taking skills.

I had a BS in another field before I got my BS in nursing - and the tests were a whole lot different.

Finally, try not to worry so much about the grades. Test anxiety can add to your problems.

Good luck. Hope this helped.

vegnurse21 · Oct 27, 2005

Tests really don't mean THAT much when you think about it. Yes, it is important, but you aren't failing! If you were failing, then I'd say you might want to reconsider some things, but you aren't. Now, take a step back for a second. You say you're not doing as well as you'd like on the tests...but are you understanding the material? Do you feel like things are connecting? How do you do during clinical?

Some people just do not test well. There are people in my class that are wonderful student nurses and I know that when they get out of school will make great RNs. However, they really don't do that great on the tests. They beat themselves up just like you're doing, but they pass clinical with flying colors.

If you aren't really understanding the material, then I'd try to find a 'study buddy' type thing. Does your school have some type of learning assistance program? I know the one at my school has really helped students do better on the tests. I think the average was about 3-5 points better.

Good luck. :)

jaxmom63 · Oct 27, 2005

My instructor always told us that, " C means continue". I went from Phi Theta Kappa before nursing school to a good solid C average. The C does not reflect what I have learned. In our school a C was anything above an 80. Don't give up. I know for a fact that the A students don't always make the best nurses.

AussieKylie · Oct 27, 2005

As long as you are passing your subjects, that is all that matters. As most of us nursing students say in Australia. We all get the same degree in the end. We all become RN's whether or not you were academically talented or not. If you are passing, then keep going.

I used to feel that way myself, ever since high school. How I kept continuing is to perservere. Yeh, I have failed subjects but i keep challenging the fact that I can pass them. Even if I manage to scrape a pass, then cool, i step forward to the next level.

:specs:

LoriAlabamaRN · Oct 27, 2005

If you were receiving straight F's, it may mean you are not cut out for nursing school... hey, it's HARD! I got my share of Cs too, even though when I got my Special Ed degree at FSU 5 years prior, I was on the Deans List each semester... stick with it. Nursing is NOT about grades, and a C really is just fine. I can guarantee there are many people who WISH they could get C's!

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Oct 27, 2005

I'm so upset. It seems like it doesn't matter if I study really hard or don't study at all - I will get the same grades on tests. I'm in a BSN program.
I've been getting C's on my nursing school exams and I was previously a 3.8 GPA student. I am performing below everyone else, I feel like all my friends are doing better. Who would want to hire me if I am making Cs?
I want to quit, I feel like a stupid student. There is no such thing as a weekend anymore, I am constantly studying and constantly crying because I am so miserable. I don't know how much more I can take.
People tell me C = RN...but should I really heed that advice? Do I have to stop caring about getting good grades and just concentrate on passing?

Keep your head up and continue putting the effort into it. You will succeed and don't give up. By the way, what is a med student that graduated last in his/her class?

A doctor! :clown:

Who cares if you are making only C's. I am sure your employer will not ask you what your grades were. :roll

WAstudent · Oct 27, 2005

Hang in there. I know it's not fun, but it'll be worth it in the end. Everyone else is right, your grades are just grades and plenty of nurses graduated with C's.

I've been feeling pretty discourgaed lately too. I'm in my second year and we have to have 78% cummulative or higher to be passing. I barely squeaked by on my last exam with an 80. Having that extra breathing room really helps take some of the pressure off. But...as I've been taught, a little anxiety and stress improves preformance and concentration. Next quarter I've heard that I can't score below 78% or lower on ANY test...or I'm done. Yikes!