"As long as we all get a 'C'..." HMMM?!?!?

caliotter3 · Jun 20, 2007

People will parrot a lot of sayings or opinions just to avoid putting their true thoughts out there. A C may be fine in some instances, but in this era of people with 4.0 GPAs not getting into programs in a timely manner, or at all, I would not be actively just trying to get by. One never knows when sqeaking by gets too close to just missing the cutoff point. There's a lot of posting here by students who have been dropped from programs over percentage points. One needs to learn how to create that "cushion" while taking classes like chemistry. JMHO.

Added thought: I've met plenty of nurses on the job who must have been "settle for a C" type students because that is how they do their jobs and take care of their patients. I try to stay away from them. They are not examples of the kind of nurse or worker that I want to be known as.

Soup Turtle · Jun 20, 2007

They are probably hoping for a C as the minimum. I said the same thing in Chemistry and got an A. I didn't want a C, but the major goal was to PASS since I am not a chemistry minded type.

justme1972 · Jun 20, 2007

I used to say that as well....about 15 years ago when I was in school the first time, and realized what a horrible attitude it was. Now, anything less than an A is unacceptable to me.

What I think the deal is, is that so many students that are fresh out of high school by only a year or two, really don't understand the full impact of how their grades will affect them later on down the line. They may think that all they want is to get into the ADN program, but some, not all, but some students down the road may see those with higher nursing degrees fly by them career-wise, and then when they want to further their education, they'll figure out too late how unforgiving the higher-educational system is when it comes to GPA.

Anything that isn't a vowel doesn't help get you into graduate school!

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jun 20, 2007

You can't generalize, but yes there are plenty of C nurses whom are just as good, if not better, at nursing as those who made A's. The "best" nurse isn't always the one who made the A's. There are nurses with good book knowledge but no bedside manners/skills, no common sense, and no "intuition" and visa versa.

The grade is the grade. Try not to judge them or read too much into it. Some people stay up all night and lose sleep, and seriously cry when they make an A- or a B.

Those people drive me crazy and worry me more than the one who tries their very best, but accepts the results they get. Sometimes these are the people that casually say "oh well, a C is passing and has to be good enough" and no need to worry about them.

But yes, people that are slackers and strive only to pass worry me as well.

stpauligirl · Jun 20, 2007

okay, so i've heard this on a few occasions from people in my Chemistry class this summer. please help me understand this...
i've read enough on this board about pre-nursing students who've gotten straight As in their pre-requisites -- Chemistry included. have you found that people in your classes are simply striving for a "C"? if so, who did you study with?
maybe i'm shocked with that "C" attitude because i've had Chemistry before -- in both high school and as an undergrad -- and, i'm only taking this class because it wasn't the right type of Chemistry to apply to some nursing schools..... i don't think so, though. the last time that i took it was in 1992, and the concepts that we're learning seem more like new material than review. i just don't get it...
do other students in your classes think like this? i.e., that they just want to get at least a "C"? it doesn't even satisfy the 2.5 science pre-req GPA that several ADN programs in the area require...
i've learned to just nod and smile when i hear it. but, it's tripping me out. oh! and one student (who's currently an LVN) said half-heartedly, "a 'C' nurse is just as good as an 'A' nurse". i may have just swallowed a "mortified" pill, but uh-h-h-h, i would not want to be her patient with that wonderful philosophy.

There were plenty in my classes that thought that as long as they "passed" they'd be ok. It's not worth arguing with people like that

RN2bemommyof3 · Jun 20, 2007

i wouldn't worry about them. look at it this way, you have less competition! :devil:

catzy5 · Jun 20, 2007

You can't generalize, but yes there are plenty of C nurses whom are just as good, if not better, at nursing as those who made A's. The "best" nurse isn't always the one who made the A's. There are nurses with good book knowledge but no bedside manners/skills, no common sense, and no "intuition" and visa versa.
The grade is the grade. Try not to judge them or read too much into it. Some people stay up all night and lose sleep, and seriously cry when they make an A- or a B.
Those people drive me crazy and worry me more than the one who tries their very best, but accepts the results they get. Sometimes these are the people that casually say "oh well, a C is passing and has to be good enough" and no need to worry about them.
I agree with Tweety, also I think there are two types of
"C" students so I can also agree with the OP. There is the C student who just wants to skate through without doing any work never striving to do better, skipping class when they can, or cutting corners, that is the nurse I don't want to work with or be a patient too. +
Then there is the "C" student who is working very hard but as another poster commented just isn't "chemestry minded" or whatever the subject. I didn't need Chem as a pre req I "only" needed a C to keep in the program, however I worked very hard for that C and kept telling my self I just need a C. I had never taken Chemistry before or any other science for that matter I was taking AP 1 along with it. For the Record striving for the C did get me an A.

Blupaisley · Jun 20, 2007

You will find that those that settle for "skating by" are whittled out slowly, the ones that remain are those that decided to buckle down. I had a study group for A&PI that was filled with this sort of attitude, even worse they said "Oh well, I'll just take it again with a different professor", couldn't believe the attitudes, and these were pre-med students. I passed with a high A, some passed with a C, some did much worse. Do what you can do for yourself. I found that studying with these dopes (correction, me re-teaching the material to them) actually helped cement the information for me at least.

stpauligirl · Jun 20, 2007

You will find that those that settle for "skating by" are whittled out slowly, the ones that remain are those that decided to buckle down. I had a study group for A&PI that was filled with this sort of attitude, even worse they said "Oh well, I'll just take it again with a different professor", couldn't believe the attitudes, and these were pre-med students. I passed with a high A, some passed with a C, some did much worse. Do what you can do for yourself. I found that studying with these dopes (correction, me re-teaching the material to them) actually helped cement the information for me at least.

Teaching/tutoring my classmates also helped me memorize and learn the material. It's a wonderful method

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · Jun 20, 2007

i have high grades in my sciences and think if you want to compete well for nursing school you need high science grades..but baby......i am taking stats right now and a c is looking to be a beautiful thing....

meant4me2 · Jun 20, 2007

In the past when a subject was kicking my butt(so to speak)...I was grateful for the C. I never intended to get the C but if I was struggling on test..then I was satified, but not pleased at all.

When i started high school an english teacher of mine had a print out posted very large above the chalkboard...it said... AVERAGE=MEDIOCRE.

It took me a minute to figure it out since i was just in 9th grade..but I always kept the word MEDIOCRE in my head and figured that it somehow wasnt good enough. As for nursing school..the advisors made it perfectly clear to us...C's are not going to cut it. And as far as the 2.5 minimum GPA..not an option either(realistically speaking).. :uhoh3: I guess some will be in trouble..