I was just wondering if it's possible to complete nursing school with a 4.0. Has anyone done it? I've read many times that in nursing school you usually drop a grade level... A students become B students.
I'm pretty worried about this. I'm disappointed with any grade less than 100. I know it sounds crazy, but it's not something I can control. I know I would be devastated if I made a B. So far throughout my prereqs I've been able to keep a 4.0 and many of my final grades have been 100. (not just the easy classes) I have to study ALL the time though.
So is there anyone else out there like me? Did you make it though nursing school without having a breakdown?
Hannahlee - it is possible. I just did it. Just don't make yourself crazy about setting such a high standard for yourself though. Nursing school was super stressful and it took me a while to be ok with not getting 100% on every exam I took (what do you mean I got a C on a test?! Lol). Briefly review exams to make sure you understand where you went wrong w/incorrect answers and then move on. Let it go. Don't obsess about a grade that you wish was higher. There will be more tests, papers, assignments that give you opportunities to improve your grade. Be sure to have some balance in your life to include things that are not school related - date night with your husband, lunch with a girlfriend, a few mindless hours on a Friday night watching Netflix (This was a personal favorite of mine - I looked forward to Friday nights all week long, lol). Find study/learning methods that work for you and always give your best effort and you'll do great.
Hannahlee - it is possible. I just did it. Just don't make yourself crazy about setting such a high standard for yourself though. Nursing school was super stressful and it took me a while to be ok with not getting 100% on every exam I took (what do you mean I got a C on a test?! Lol). Briefly review exams to make sure you understand where you went wrong w/incorrect answers and then move on. Let it go. Don't obsess about a grade that you wish was higher. There will be more tests, papers, assignments that give you opportunities to improve your grade. Be sure to have some balance in your life to include things that are not school related - date night with your husband, lunch with a girlfriend, a few mindless hours on a Friday night watching Netflix (This was a personal favorite of mine - I looked forward to Friday nights all week long, lol). Find study/learning methods that work for you and always give your best effort and you'll do great.
Thank you so much! I was hoping I would find someone who did. Congratulations! I look forward to it. I know it'll be hard but I'm excited to see just what I can do!
I did it. 4.0 for all my prereqs and nursing school. I have three kids but didn't have to work outside the home.
Although it was nice having that "with highest honors" on my diploma and resume, it really isn't such a big deal. Wasn't any easier for me to get a job than any others in my cohort. I just happen to be a decent student and really love learning.
My good grades were the product of my own curiosity. I used what we were studying as just a jumping off point and then did my own research on the topics. I wanted more depth than I was getting in school.
My grades certainly don't make me a better nurse, but my curiosity and love of learning have truly helped me in my almost three years of nursing.
Specializes in public health, women's health, reproductive health.
I'm currently doing it. I'm in my last semester and have a 4.0, including pre-reqs. However I have not gotten 100% on all my exams. I'm not going to say it's impossible, but I will say it's highly unlikely to go through the entirety of nursing school never getting any question wrong on any exam. And really, what is the point? If you get a 97 on an exam and someone else gets a 100, you will both receive an A and no one is going to know the difference. In fact, no one is going to know about each individual test grade you receive once you leave nursing school. I understand this is a personal goal for you, but nursing school is stressful enough and I gently suggest that you figure out a way to be ok with getting a question or two wrong. Having said that, I encourage you to do your best and strive for the highest grades possible. If you want a 4.0, go for it by studying your behind off. (smile) Best of luck to you!
Yes, it is possible to have and maintain a 4.0 GPA during nursing school. At least one or two of my classmates managed to do it. However, you must understand that it's not always possible (or even likely) to achieve a 100% on every exam. The usual rule of thumb is that whatever your "usual" grades are (A's, B's, etc) you should expect to drop one letter grade as an average. In other words, 4.0 students become 3.0 students... It's just a reflection of both how difficult nursing school is and the different way of thinking that nursing school requires.
I think you have to learn to handle your anxiety better. My school is a very reputable school in my city and probably only about 2 - 10 students out of a class of 60 students receive an A. Although doable in my school, its not common. Just worry about passing. Most of the perquisite do not require critical thinking which is why a lot of people do well in them.There is a guy in my class who was a 4.0 student and now has to repeat a class. Nursing is a high stress field, working on your anxiety will be very beneficial for you.
I'm a "grade perfectionist", but I've learned to accept the fact that an A-/B+ (3.5) is still OK :) The most important thing is that you understand the material and can APPLY it to the real world. I was mad at myself for getting a 3.5 in Med Surg (missed a 4.0 by 0.3 d/t no-rounding policy). However, my Med Surg clinical instructor said I was one of the few who "gets it". That means more to me than a grade.
So far, I've had three 4.0s and one 3.5. And that is just fine. Lower your expectations and don't beat yourself up if you don't get that 4.0. Just strive to really understand what you're doing and why you're doing it.
When you get hired on, they don't care about your GPA. They care that you know what you're doing! :)
I'm a perfectionist and like me ... you should learn to tone down that perfectionism. Extreme perfectionism doesn't go well with nursing. Nursing is too cray and chaotic for extreme perfectionist.
I say milk your perfectionism for all its worth! It sounds to me like you are aware of your displaced overcompensation, so using this to your advantage to succeed in school is smart IF you can keep it in a productive perspective. (Eg. shoot for 93% goal instead of a 100% goal). Personally I use all types of negative situations motivate me towards bettering myself, long as its serves more good than harm ... do what you gotta do pal.
Of course it's possible, it just depends on how you are going to balance the rest of your life. I got pretty much all A's in my prereqs. I had a 3.98 GPA. Nursing school is different. It just is. It's not about memorizing facts and regurgitating them like in the prereqs. It's learning skills and being able to apply them in real life and then proving you can practice those skills correctly. It's a different kind of testing. I have people in my class just like you. Their quest for the perfect grades are taking of their lives. I'm enjoying nursing school and learning and not living with tons if stress. Just make sure your life is balanced.
Maintaining a 4.0 and receiving 100 in everything are two different things, the latter probably impossible in nursing school. I am setting my expectations for a 3.5 because I know I will continue my education so I need a good GPA for entrance into a Masters Program. So just passing is not enough for me. My REAL goal however will be to *understand*. I think some serious self searching and some goal settings are in order. And if once you start nursing school if getting less than perfect grades cause you anxiety a counselor may be a good idea
I definitely don't expect all 100s in nursing school. It'll take some adjusting but if I'm doing my best then I'll just have to accept whatever that is. I do plan on furthering my education so that is partly why I want to do so well. I'm sure nursing school will be a huge smack in the face and I'll just have to adjust. I definitely know how to roll with the punches! Thank you all for the great advice!
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It sounds to me like you are aware of your displaced overcompensation, so using this to your advantage to succeed in school is smart IF you can keep it in a productive perspective. (Eg. shoot for 93% goal instead of a 100% goal). Personally I use all types of negative situations motivate me towards bettering myself, long as its serves more good than harm ... 
do what you gotta do pal.
vanilla bean
861 Posts
Hannahlee - it is possible. I just did it. Just don't make yourself crazy about setting such a high standard for yourself though. Nursing school was super stressful and it took me a while to be ok with not getting 100% on every exam I took (what do you mean I got a C on a test?! Lol). Briefly review exams to make sure you understand where you went wrong w/incorrect answers and then move on. Let it go. Don't obsess about a grade that you wish was higher. There will be more tests, papers, assignments that give you opportunities to improve your grade. Be sure to have some balance in your life to include things that are not school related - date night with your husband, lunch with a girlfriend, a few mindless hours on a Friday night watching Netflix (This was a personal favorite of mine - I looked forward to Friday nights all week long, lol). Find study/learning methods that work for you and always give your best effort and you'll do great.