"Nursing students with C's are still nurses".. ?

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Specializes in Taking one day at a time....

I have heard many people say this, particularly instructors. It all has to do with the balancing act... Studying enough to do well, but not destroying ourselves in the process to get A's. I understand that Nursing students with C's are still nurses, and that the student who recieved the A wont necessarily be a "better nurse"... But doesnt it seem like they would be?

I am mainly asking this because at clinical, I sometimes feel stupid! And I know its mostly nerves... and inexperience, of course. I know I can (and will.... !) be a good nurse, but I am thinking of one girl inparticular who just seems to have it all together at clinical all the time.. Who gets the best grades in our class... Always knows the answers. Does this mean she will be a better nurse than I will? Sometimes, I feel inadequate. Not all the time. I know I am capable of being a nurse, but.... :imbar

So, I know that "nursing students with C's are still nurses"---But does that mean they will be mediocre compared to the A students?

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I have heard many people say this, particularly instructors. It all has to do with the balancing act... Studying enough to do well, but not destroying ourselves in the process to get A's. I understand that Nursing students with C's are still nurses, and that the student who recieved the A wont necessarily be a "better nurse"... But doesnt it seem like they would be?

I am mainly asking this because at clinical, I sometimes feel stupid! And I know its mostly nerves... and inexperience, of course. I know I can (and will.... !) be a good nurse, but I am thinking of one girl inparticular who just seems to have it all together at clinical all the time.. Who gets the best grades in our class... Always knows the answers. Does this mean she will be a better nurse than I will? Sometimes, I feel inadequate. Not all the time. I know I am capable of being a nurse, but.... :imbar

So, I know that "nursing students with C's are still nurses"---But does that mean they will be mediocre compared to the A students?

Admittedly, grades aren't everything, and a "c" student may improve once he or she gaines some experience on the job, but.... That girl you're talking about? Chances are that (unless she has terrible bedside manner or something) yeah, she might be a better nurse. I wish I could tell you that everyone who tries their best is equal, but the fact is that some people are objectively better at their job than others. This doesn't mean you should quit trying to become a nurse, because it's not a competition. Just focus on doing the best you can and really ask yourself whether you're really doing everything you can to succeed. That girl you mentioned might just be one of those people who devotes all her free time to studying and has no life. But guess what? That was the descision she made, and now she's at the top of her class because of it. You just have to decide, how important are A's to you, really?

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Everybody grows up with different experiences. Maybe that girl has medical experience, great parents that encouraged learning, went to a solid school, studies twice as hard b/c she has the time, or is naturally smart.

In my nursing school experience (I am no longer a nursing student but I didn't flunk; just went into a different direction), it really did seem like the "C" students did excellent in clinicals while the "A" students were slower. My conjecture is that "C" students know the minimal material they need to study; they are busy with work or kids or whatever and can prioritize and just know what's the most important. "A" students are more detail oriented. They like to learn everything so they do well in class, but perform slower in clinicals because they're into learning so much detail that they don't prioritize well. Please don't take into offense into any of this. It's just what I've surmised based on what I've seen. So, no, "A" students don't neccessarily mean they are better nurses. They could be better test takers or spend all day studying because they have time while other students don't.

Everyone will feel nervous at clinicals. Some people are better at hiding it then others. There will always be people better than you and worse than you. Plus, since you're mostly working by yourself rather than seeing a bunch of other students work, it's really hard to see whether you really are what you say you are-- stupid, since it's hard to compare. Why don't you talk with close students to see how they feel. Ask your instructor what you need to improve on. Ask that smart girl how she does it. Ask others for techniques on decreasing your nerves. It's okay if you end up using anti-anxiety meds.

Honestly, I wish I were the "C" student that did well in clinicals rather than the "A" student that struggled in clinicals. Good luck and hope you find some peace.

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Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.

When I was in school, I had a couple instructors that believed that if you were excelling in the clincal setting, then you were more likely to be struggling with the classroom work (which is what our grades were based off of). Obviously, this is a generalization and isn't true, but it does go to show that a RN can have straight C's in the class work, and yet be very competent in the clinical setting.

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Honestly, I wish I were the "C" student that did well in clinicals rather than the "A" student that struggled in clinicals. Good luck and hope you find some peace.

Ah, but what you and ChristineN are missing is that this girl is doing well in both clinicals and class. There comes a point where you have to stop throwing out reasons why its ok that some students don't do as well as others, and recognize the fact that some people are just smarter/harder working (or both) and are going to be better students and better nurses. Honestly, how would you feel if you were at the top of your class and people made statements marginalizing your succeess just to make students who arent doing as well feel better about themselves?

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Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

grades and tests are extremely subjective. most employers don't care what your transcript looks like. all the state board cares about in order for you to take the nclex is that you graduated from a state board approved nursing program. check your state board rules on this if you don't believe me. and to work you only need to be licensed.

so, all this drama about grades is just that. after school is done and over with what is left when the dust clears is your license. and that is all that anyone cares about. i've never had any employer ask about my grades. grades only become important if you decide to go back for another degree in nursing.

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nicely said Daytonite. As my instructor told our class, C's get degrees too. She is an excellent teacher and really know her stuff, you would never think she was a C student that studied really hard for her Cs. Experience will improve you. Don't compare yourself to other people. Learning doesn't come equal. Whether you get Cs or As, as long as you pass state boards and become an RN that's what matters.

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I am an A student and I certainly don't think that's going to make me a WORSE nurse than anyone else. I want to learn, I want to understand things. I think that will help me remember things and I HOPE it will make me a better nurse. With that said, I don't feel like I excel in the clinical setting, I am, honestly, nervous about the hands on stuff. But I think that will come in time. I expressed to a clinical instructor whom I respect immensely the fact that I feel like the students who work as techs have a leg up on me . . . and her answer was, "That's just tasks". She said the critical thinking is what makes a great nurse.

I don't know, I guess overall you can't stereotype people, as in, great students are poor in the clinical setting, or a C student won't make a great nurse. Everyone is unique and I think what matters is how much you CARE what kind of nurse you are. Do you want to be a good nurse, or do you want to get by and cash your paycheck? I think that is something that will make a huge difference in the future.

Kelly

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I think there are too many variables involved to generalize with grades and what kind of nurse someone will be. But I can tell you that without comon sense, you will find it hard to be a nurse. There is no way to learn and memorize everything. There is not an answer for every situation you encounter out on the floor. So you have to be able to critially think and be able to use common sense. I learned to become a nurse when I got into orientation and worked at least a year. School set me up with some good basics and foundations, but my job, my preceptors and my residents taught me how to be a nurse.

And someone else mentioned compassion. It would be very hard to continue in nursing if that was missing.

So yes you could get straight A's in school and be a bad nurse. You can also get straight C's in school and be an awesome nurse.

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Specializes in Med Surg, Geriatrics.

Let me say this. The road to success is a bumpy one. You will have your successes and failures in your program. You will make mistakes and believe me everyone does. Some of those C students turned out to be the best nurses that I ever worked with. The important thing is to keep your eye on the ball and don't overstress yourself. Burn out is very typical early on. Enjoy the people you take care of, study hard and don't sweat the C's. I worked my way up from a nurse aide to Patient care assistant in a hospital and then LPN. I am now in school for my RN. If you care enough to care for your patients you will learn! You cannot learn it all! You will not remember it all and will forget even more! Education is the key! Continue studying and reading! Life in nursing is not a sprint it is a distance race! Those who cross the finish line are the one's who never give up!!!! Never give up!!!!! You don't have to be the smartest one in the class to give passionate, quality care. :0)

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Specializes in ER.

I will graduate next week with my BSN and I have Cs on my transcript and I know I will be a wonderful nurse. I have Bs and As as well though. I was one of those students who could study the night before and receive a high B on the test,or not study at all and get a C compared with a student who studied all week and received the same or low As. I was just on school burnout, but I could have received all As if I wanted. Not to brag by know means but I was just tired of school and began to slack because of finances and family issues. But I also did wonderful in the clinical setting. I think it just depend on you as a person. I was one of those that never discussed my grades whether they were bad or good, I saw a lot of my classmate competing for grades. Some of them bombed test from the stress of trying to score higher than others, over thinking the questions. I always thought passing the nclex was more important to me. Don't worry about your classmates and their grades, focus on you. That can be a major factor in retaining information, worrying about how the next person is doing! I think you will be a great nurse!

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Specializes in NICU Level III.
I have heard many people say this, particularly instructors. It all has to do with the balancing act... Studying enough to do well, but not destroying ourselves in the process to get A's. I understand that Nursing students with C's are still nurses, and that the student who recieved the A wont necessarily be a "better nurse"... But doesnt it seem like they would be?

I am mainly asking this because at clinical, I sometimes feel stupid! And I know its mostly nerves... and inexperience, of course. I know I can (and will.... !) be a good nurse, but I am thinking of one girl inparticular who just seems to have it all together at clinical all the time.. Who gets the best grades in our class... Always knows the answers. Does this mean she will be a better nurse than I will? Sometimes, I feel inadequate. Not all the time. I know I am capable of being a nurse, but.... :imbar

So, I know that "nursing students with C's are still nurses"---But does that mean they will be mediocre compared to the A students?

I was an "A" nursing student but I don't think I'm a stellar nurse because I'm socially awkward. I can ace tests, but I can't shake that I get nervous talking to strangers!

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