Is it impossible to get A's in NS?

mariedoreen · Sep 3, 2005

I don't know if this is a little off subject. I started the semester determined to get all A's. I have 2 kids (3 if counting dh). I HAVE to work to make ends meet. I have a fair to good support system. You know the ones that say I will do whatever I can to help while you are school ie babysit, run errands well while the gesture is nice when it is time to call on the help you are avoided like the plague. Now I have to give them credit they will help if I find them to be able to ask. Anyway I started out, really in a haze everything from the first day has been a haze I didn't know even what the instructors were asking of me. I mean we got a calendar in the beginning of the semester it has everything on it that we will be doing from day 1 trick is though that the only numbered day on it is day 1. so now I have all this information on what we are supposed to be doing just running together and not any real organization. Then having three instructors and they switch up as much as 4 times in a lecture session, without direction as to what each of the three are lecturing on. I sat in class for more that ten minutes trying to find in my book where the instructor was, to realize half way thru that she was lecturing out of our hand book. It is al very, what is the word, hmmm bewildering. So I go home I sit down to study and I am looking at the pile of notes and pulling notes out of every book and try to put them together. Oh my goodness it just wears me out. Then I don't know what happened last week but I just lost myself. I mean we had an exam scheduled for friday and on thursday night I was sitting at the desk in absolute amazement at the amount of studying (half of it I don't even remembering covering in lecture) We are lucky though we have two websites set up that we are able to refer too and take "practice tests" and from those tests the instructors pulls several questions word for word on our exam. Plus there are practice tests in the back of each chapter of our study guide. So they have helped a great deal. I am holding on to a very strong B at the moment with two exams and two quizzes already taken. I don't feel like i have studied, applied myself enough to expect an A, so I am very pleasantly pleased with the B.

I'm not sure you say specifically but I get the impression that you're in your first term. First terms are notorious for appearing chaotic but as time goes on you actually kind of get used to the craziness, figure out what does and doesn't work for you and somehow find the rhythm that keeps you treading water. It sounds like you've got some good, strong grades right now. As time goes on and you get more used to this chaos called nursing school, I'll bet they'll even get better or at the very least you won't be making yourself as crazy prepping for exams. Good luck to you!

live4today, RN · Sep 3, 2005

I have been thinking about grades and how at the ripe old age of 36 I really want to do great in NS. I have my dh and all my family 100% in my corner. I have however encountered people who just seem to want to find something wrong with my choices. The most recent thing I've heard is it's impossible to get A's in nursing school, especially with a family (I have 4 kids too). I don't believe that to be the case. I think that when I want something this bad nothing is impossible. That being said, I have never been to nursing school and don't know what to expect. I say I can do it and I will do it 1) to give God glory, 2) for my own personal satisfaction and 3) to prove the naysayers wrong
Is it impossible? I know it will be very hard, but is it impossible?
Blessings

Yes, it is possible to make A's in nursing school. I did, and I raised three children and was also in my thirties when going through nursing school. My grade point average would have been much higher without the challenge of raising a family, having a husband and a home to care for in addition to my other responsibilities at that time, but I was pleased with the occasional times I appeared on the Dean's List, and graduating with a 3.4 GPA! To me I did dang good! I wasn't trying to win an academic contest...just trying to successfully succeed at becoming a college grad and a nurse.....I succeeded with both, and that was good enough for me. :)

I wish you well. If you are anal about making ALL A's...get over it and just give it your best shot. Not making all A's does not mean you are a failure at the course. A's are nice, but A's don't always signify "good nursing material". It's APPLICATION not just TESTING ABILITY that makes you a good nurse.

You have to know how to apply what you learn. If you apply what you learn in any courseline of work, then you've learned what is necessary to succeed at whatever career field you've chosen for yourself. Go for yourself and no one else. It's not a competition, it's a career choice that will move you into an avenue of life that will spell success in your own way...in how you choose to exercise your educational success. :balloons:

Country PICU · Sep 4, 2005

Yes it is possible to get A's in nursing school. I just finished my first few classes in nursing and received one A and one A- just missed the by less than a point. No rounding up at Widener. I would consider my self as a average student. Just remember that it is less important to get an A and more important just to know the subject well. The range of possible question with in each class is impossible to prepare for. Only you know if you did your best.

I also have 3 children (12, 15, 17) and a wife and I am the only one bring in an income.

Good Luck

Future Nurse 2008

st4wb3rr33sh0rtc4k3 · Sep 4, 2005

Getting A's is so possible. And there are many advantages, well at least in my school there were. Don't get yourself down if you don't either. As long as you pass you will graduate and be elgible to take your boards and work as an RN.

But, an A doesn't even guarantee you that you don't have to prepare to take your boards. There were a few of my classmates that were straight A students and did not pass the boards. I heard of a few other schools too.

cherokeesummer · Sep 4, 2005

Not impossible at all - difficutl yes but not impossible! YOu have to be sure to be prepared to learn and accept a grade that may not be an A all the time because you don't want to stress yourself out. I got an A in the first semester and have had B's in the following 2 after that. My friend who is a mother of 3 and works full time like me had a B in the first semester and I think an A in the 2nd and a B in the 3rd. Another friend, who has children and grandchildren and works as an LPN got an A in all semesters thus far! She is our resident expert!

It can be done!

curlyfries · Sep 4, 2005

You women surely have the gift of long suffering and better memory than men. I'm a guy, single, childless and age 31! Good luck to you all and take one day at a time. Don't try to look at the whole mountain but do baby steps to get to the top!

Tommy

SoulShine75 · Sep 4, 2005

It's not impossible. People do it all the time! :) I have 4 childen as well and have straight A's. You can do it! It will take a little bit of organizing and time management, but you can do it!

Congratulations lisa! I'm also a mother of 4 and have an A average, but I'm not in nursing school yet either. Yikes! :uhoh3: By the way....your avatar is adorable! :)

DragonflyShell · Sep 4, 2005

I have been thinking about grades and how at the ripe old age of 36 I really want to do great in NS. I have my dh and all my family 100% in my corner. I have however encountered people who just seem to want to find something wrong with my choices. The most recent thing I've heard is it's impossible to get A's in nursing school, especially with a family (I have 4 kids too). I don't believe that to be the case. I think that when I want something this bad nothing is impossible. That being said, I have never been to nursing school and don't know what to expect. I say I can do it and I will do it 1) to give God glory, 2) for my own personal satisfaction and 3) to prove the naysayers wrong
Is it impossible? I know it will be very hard, but is it impossible?
Blessings

Nursing school is hard. Harder than most other majors. I'm in my second year of nursing school. I work fulltime and have a family that consists of a 6 and 3 year old. In most of my classes I get As but for the actual nursing classes I have received mostly Bs and 1 C. I was told before my first year at our nursing orientation class that don't come into the program expecting to get As. The program is very difficult and takes a lot of work and dedication. Though I like getting As I am just as proud when I earn my Bs and I don't even feel bad getting that C. Good luck in school.

Shell :)

GrnHonu99, RN · Sep 4, 2005

I have been thinking about grades and how at the ripe old age of 36 I really want to do great in NS. I have my dh and all my family 100% in my corner. I have however encountered people who just seem to want to find something wrong with my choices. The most recent thing I've heard is it's impossible to get A's in nursing school, especially with a family (I have 4 kids too). I don't believe that to be the case. I think that when I want something this bad nothing is impossible. That being said, I have never been to nursing school and don't know what to expect. I say I can do it and I will do it 1) to give God glory, 2) for my own personal satisfaction and 3) tve the naysayers wrong
Is it impossible? I know it will be very hard, but is it impossible?
Blessings

It is absolutely possible. I have found that the more people that doubted me the more I perservered...I took 9 classes in a Masters of Nursing program while taking micro and ap2 and ap3 at the same time. I went to school 10-13 hours a day 4 days a week to 2 diff schools. My grad school is accelerated and I had 12 weeks to cover everything in: Health Assessment, Physical Exam Lab, Medical Administration, Skills Lab, Fundamentals, Clinical, Professional Roles and Issues, Pharmacolgy and Pathophysiology. Many many people thought it was too much, they told me I couldnt do it. Well, Im happy to say that I finished my first semester of grad school with all A's and one B, in which I was only 5 pts from an A! (dontcha hate that!). It was hard but I knew I could do it...I was just so determined to prove everyone wrong...honestly, I didnt think I had it in me..but it did and now i'm in my second semester doing just as well. You will be amazed at what you are capable of, never let anyone convince you that you cant do it!

nursewannabe07 · Sep 4, 2005

I am so ready to start school. I appreciate all the responses, and I guess all that really matters is that at the end of school I am prepared to offer my patients the very best. I will take what ever grades I get as long as I know I've done my best. But....I still want A's!

Bless you all

Fun2, BSN, RN · Sep 4, 2005

I have made all A's since going back to school in Nov '04 for my ADN.

I would love to continue with the A's, but for myself, I'd rather know what I need to know to be a good nurse, than to make A's.

I personally think it may be that you can make B's or C's and be a great nurse, and A's in everything doesn't guarantee you to be a great nurse.

Some are book smart, some are better with hands on. Some can test well, make A's and become a great nurse.

So, although I'm going to strive for A's, I'm not going to get toooooo bummed out if I don't.

Good luck, I hope you do make A's & become a great nurse too! :)

RN and Mommy · Sep 5, 2005

I have been thinking about grades and how at the ripe old age of 36 I really want to do great in NS. I have my dh and all my family 100% in my corner. I have however encountered people who just seem to want to find something wrong with my choices. The most recent thing I've heard is it's impossible to get A's in nursing school, especially with a family (I have 4 kids too). I don't believe that to be the case. I think that when I want something this bad nothing is impossible. That being said, I have never been to nursing school and don't know what to expect. I say I can do it and I will do it 1) to give God glory, 2) for my own personal satisfaction and 3) to prove the naysayers wrong
Is it impossible? I know it will be very hard, but is it impossible?
Blessings

It is absolutely not impossible. You have to read the books (however big and boring they are), study your notes, and make sure you can think like a nurse. I am in my last year of nursing school and I have a 3.8 GPA (That darn Theology, required at my catholic school, class threw it off with a B!) You just have to study hard. I also have a three year old child. Good Luck!