One A, or two C's?

ThursdayNight, CNA · Mar 10, 2021

I still remember my proud C. A "D" grade is not a passing grade in nursing school. For some nursing schools, everything (exams and quizzes for example) must be above 78% or greater. A few failed exams will remove me from the program, and I will have to reapply and will start over from the beginning. As long as I keep passing my exams, quizzes, care plans, and assignments, including exit exams in each semester, I'll be very happy with Cs if I have given everything I could do to succeed.

Anyway, when I earned my C in non-nursing school, I was in disbelief that I couldn't get to an A. I earned grades above 94%< in courses I found interesting. This one was different. My C was a proud grade. I dedicated and devoted my time to pass the class. I cried and missed nights of sleep. It was very hard to pass. About half of the students disappeared.

Now, in nursing school, I've been studying for hours nothing like in most of my courses in my whole life in colleges/universities. If C is what I can earn after giving all my efforts, then be it.

So, do your best by prioritizing and studying. Don't get OCD on A. LOL.

ThursdayNight, CNA · Mar 10, 2021

3 hours ago, Dawnkeibals said:

Right now I am working full time and taking two hybrid courses. They are pre reqs, to hopefully get into an LPN bridge. I am struggling to keep up but passing both classes right now. I cannot help but believe if I was only taking one class I would have an A. However, doing one class per semester will take a lot longer to complete. Any tips on juggling work, school and 3 kids? Also, next semester would you do one class for a A or 2 classes for two C's? It feels like it will take forever doing one class at a time...... I am usually a good student, I was an honor roll student in high school and during my LPN program, so I am feeling really disappointed that I am earning C's and even hopeful that I pass. Then again there is the old saying "C's and D's still get degrees"...right?

Are you taking general education, such as anatomy and physiology, in prenursing school, or you're in the nursing program already but still taking prerequisites?

Dawnkeibals · Mar 10, 2021

28 minutes ago, ThursdayNight said:

Are you taking general education, such as anatomy and physiology, in prenursing school, or you're in the nursing program already but still taking prerequisites?

I am taking A&P with lab and Microbiology with lab, for pre reqs for an LPN to RN bridge. I have yet to apply, and I do worry about Cs affecting my admission. However, I understand they look at ALL grades (my LPN program A's), work experience (I have 7 years experience as a licensed nurse) and admission test scores. So I feel like I may stand a decent chance.

Also, when (and if) I get accepted into a program, I do not plan on working full-time.

amoLucia · Mar 10, 2021

Think about your future as you any move along. Good grades are CRITICAL for any possibility of attending future advanced programs. Maybe 2 years from now, you'll be bemoaning the fact that your early grades are too low for admission requirements.

Why not slow down for the first few semesters, and then speed up as you become more comfortable with juggling school, work, life, parenthood, etc??? You'll be doing yourself a favor in the long run.

Also, just know, you're taking top-of-the-line difficult classes. Science grades are the critically reviewed grades. You don't want to have to REPEAT them later along your educ pathways.

Good luck to you.

allnurses Guide · Mar 23, 2021

If you have the time to do it one class at a time, I would recommend that. Not because of an A vs a C, but because that knowledge is really valuable for understanding all the stuff that comes next. Much better to understand thoroughly 90% of the concepts, than just enough to get by. (Ahh, can you tell I'm an instructor? LOL) I seriously want my students to do well and really get what is being taught.

I took 5 years to do a Masters, because I didn't have time to devote to more than one class at a time. It meant I paid a whole lot of extra fees because of how many semesters I was enrolled, but I aced just about everything.

I too juggled being a widowed mom, 3 kids, homeschool, working nights, scouts/band/youth groups/music lessons/therapist appts in another city for them/church and month long car trips all over the US. One class at a time was much less stressful.

Dawnkeibals · Mar 27, 2021

Thank you to everyone who replied. I reached out to one of my professors after doing poorly on my last exam. He told me I shouldn't be working full time and taking two science courses. Too late now, I already paid and think taking an incomplete is worse..