Not used to getting B's...

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I just started my RN program and I'm in my fourth week of Fundamentals and Pharm. We've had three tests so far. I got an 86 on the Pharm test, and I've gotten an 83 and an 89 on the Fundamentals tests.

Now, I know that B's are not "bad grades." But to me, it's very frustrating. I've been fighting a sinus infection and studying hasn't always been easy, but I still feel like I'm dedicating an adequate amount of time to reading. I make note cards, do practice ATI questions, and all that. I had a 4.0 before entering the nursing program and since Fundamentals is only a 6-week class, I'd say there's a pretty good chance I'm going to come out of it with a a B. I'm just feeling very overwhelmed.

Any advice on how to come to terms with these feelings? Like I said, I know it sounds silly... I feel kind of stupid for even posting this! But it worries me, and I want to get into to a good RN-BSN program after I finish up this program (I'm at a local CC). I know in my heart that I am capable of making A's in these courses. :crying2:

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I remember reading, that if you are typically a A student, during highschool or other classes, you will most likely be a B nursing student. B, a C student, and so forth. The tests are all multiple choice, but as good as that may be at times, they can also be confusing, even when you know the material! The majority of people will end up with B's and C's, very few with A's...

I was a A student in highschool, and managed to get a 4.0 in A&P. A lot of us are harder on ourselves then we should be... But what i've learned, is not to be so hard on myself, to expect a B but hope for an A, that way I'm not *as* disapointed as I would be. I remember getting a 80-something on a test in highschool and being absolutely upset over it. It really is hard to ace *everything* in nursing school... just study your material, and don't beat yourself up over a B... It is a lot of hard work, but there are tons of students struggling to get just a C, or even pass the courses at all.

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Thanks for the encouragement. :)

I was so sick when I woke up this morning that I emailed my instructors to let them know that I wouldn't be coming in. That makes me feel even worse - but oh well, I guess. I'm running a high fever and I don't want to infect anyone else. Lots of DayQuil and bed rest for me...

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Thanks for the encouragement. :)

I was so sick when I woke up this morning that I emailed my instructors to let them know that I wouldn't be coming in. That makes me feel even worse - but oh well, I guess. I'm running a high fever and I don't want to infect anyone else. Lots of DayQuil and bed rest for me...

My first week of nursing school I was starting to feel sick, and I ended up taking some Neo-citrin, thinking Ok, i'm going to nip this in the bud and not get sick!! Wrong-o. I was vomitting all night and ended up going to school the next morning. If you're sick you really do need to stay at home... get the rest your body needs and then return to your studies.I even tried studying after I went home, again bad idea, I didn't really retain any info.

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Specializes in School Nursing.

When we started NS a few of us were sitting around chatting with a professor and the conversation turned to grades. We were all straight-A, type-A, a little on the obsessive side students. The professor told us striaght up that all of use who are used to getting A's better just accept the fact that we will NOT graduate nursing school with a 4.0. We all giggled and said "yeah right", "she does not know US", etc. Well guess what? Not a one of us escaped with a 4.0. You know what else? We are all now great nurses and it did not matter one bit! I think it was good to get "knocked down a peg", because it is always true in nursing that there is more to learn, and that you NEED to know more than what you DO know. It was a humbling experience for us straight-A students, and you always need to be humble about how much you don't know when a person's life is as stake.

Do your best, work hard, and take the grades as they fall. You will do great and will be a great nurse!

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Hmmm... How about being happy that you are getting B's and making it?? There are those that would die for your B. Geez try being thankful..... I am thankful everyday for my B's when I see others struggling.

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I know how you feel. I have not received any B's, but I haven't started NS yet, so that can obviously change. I received an A- in one of my pre-req. classes and that stung. So I'm expecting a bit of a struggle to maintain my current gpa, at least until I can learn to let go of that I-gotta-get-an-A mentality.

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Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
Hmmm... How about being happy that you are getting B's and making it?? There are those that would die for your B. Geez try being thankful..... I am thankful everyday for my B's when I see others struggling.

Why should they be thankful for getting a B. They earned it. It wasn't just handed to them. If others would die for a B they should get a B. She has a right to vent and be frustrated, she knows in the scheme of things, it's not what is important. She said as much. She was just venting to others if anyone was in the same situation. When you are someone used to a certain way and it changes, it can be hard.

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I have my first round of tests next week and I've been mentally preparing myself for B's because I know it's a completely different style of testing from what I've spent most of my school life preparing for. I too am a 4.0 student but I've come to accept the fact that I may not be getting that this time around. Just remember, you're not the only one having trouble.. Good luck and have fun learning! (:

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Why should they be thankful for getting a B. They earned it. It wasn't just handed to them. If others would die for a B they should get a B. She has a right to vent and be frustrated, she knows in the scheme of things, it's not what is important. She said as much. She was just venting to others if anyone was in the same situation. When you are someone used to a certain way and it changes, it can be hard.

I agree with this.... I know there are some students that, however hard they might try, they cannot understand information, freeze at tests, etc etc, and end up with C's or failing marks even though they ARE trying. I took the CNA program with a girl who failed during the first term, and now she wants to go into nursing. She studied harder and stressed out more about it then I did, and I ended up with an A+. So I did feel empathy that she couldn't complete the program, even though she was determined and put all her time into it.

Most of the time though, what you put into your work, determines your grade. I'm not going to feel sorry for a student who *choses* not to study, and expects to do well, and then is upset when he/she fails the test. A lot of us are our own worst enemies, and even when we do get a B, we personally feel it's not enough, even though others would kill for it... I get what emtoh is saying, but the majority of us with A's and B's receive those grades because of the amount and time and effort we put into our studies. Those marks aren't just handed to us...

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Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
I have my first round of tests next week and I've been mentally preparing myself for B's because I know it's a completely different style of testing from what I've spent most of my school life preparing for. I too am a 4.0 student but I've come to accept the fact that I may not be getting that this time around. Just remember, you're not the only one having trouble.. Good luck and have fun learning! (:

Another factor in having to accept B's or C's is a lot of programs have a different grading scale for their nursing program. Like in our program a C is 77%-84% you need a 94% to get an A. So today I got a 90% on my exam from yesterday, in any other program in my school that would be an A. But in nursing school, it's a B.

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Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
I agree with this.... I know there are some students that, however hard they might try, they cannot understand information, freeze at tests, etc etc, and end up with C's or failing marks even though they ARE trying. I took the CNA program with a girl who failed during the first term, and now she wants to go into nursing. She studied harder and stressed out more about it then I did, and I ended up with an A+. So I did feel empathy that she couldn't complete the program, even though she was determined and put all her time into it.

Most of the time though, what you put into your work, determines your grade. I'm not going to feel sorry for a student who *choses* not to study, and expects to do well, and then is upset when he/she fails the test. A lot of us are our own worst enemies, and even when we do get a B, we personally feel it's not enough, even though others would kill for it... I get what emtoh is saying, but the majority of us with A's and B's receive those grades because of the amount and time and effort we put into our studies. Those marks aren't just handed to us...

I feel bad for those that don't make it. Well most of those that haven't made it in our program so far. I know they have tried studying and stuff and just can't seem to grasp the information, or the exams or whatever the problem is.

That said, it shouldn't take away from those doing well or that are upset that they didn't do as well as they hoped to do. They should still be allowed the right to be upset, you know what I mean?

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