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?
If you don't want to be satisfactory, learn your skills on the floor like clockwork, learn how to do it the first time, perfectly. Be perfect. Oh, also learn your critical thinking skills by heart, then you will be perfect. But perfect is not for me, because people who are perfect in medicine are dangerous.
If you don't want to be satisfactory, learn your skills on the floor like clockwork, learn how to do it the first time, perfectly. Be perfect. Oh, also learn your critical thinking skills by heart, then you will be perfect. But perfect is not for me, because people who are perfect in medicine are dangerous.
Oh, silly one, I said excellent not perfect.
Why do people hate those that choose to excel? I'm not perfect.
The idea that people that desire and do excel think they are perfect is kind of a reverse arrogance. I'm not perfect. I'm not 'average' either. Shrug...
I don't want to be perfect. There is no such thing as perfect. We, and I mean everyone, always have room for errors and to learn. I want to be the best nurse that I am capable of being, to always learn from my actions and everyone elses. The nurse who thinks that they are perfect scares me because they think that they can do no wrong, that is the person that will make a fatal error because they "know" everything.
Hey I made some C's and passed the NCLEX on my first try. You will make mistakes no matter who you are! Grades do not mean a thing as long as you get into the program, pass, and work hard! You will learn a lot more on the unit when you start working! I got my LPN and had more than a few bumps along the way. I wish you all the best of luck and I hope you do not burn out by over stressing. I have friends with BSN and MSN who have gone on to do other things bc of the stress. You have your whole career to stress don't start now! Good luck!
Why do people hate those that choose to excel? I'm not perfect.
The idea that people that desire and do excel think they are perfect is kind of a reverse arrogance. I'm not perfect. I'm not 'average' either. Shrug...
I understand Stanley. I have enough confidence to say that I'm an excellent nurse and charge nurse. If people call that arrogant, I'm fine with that. I always strive to be the best that I can be. Most of the time that's pretty good, both on paper (just aced ACLS and was Summa Cum Laude in my RN to BSN program) and in practice. Sometimes however, I might fall short and be just "average". But I've always had a strong work ethic and a drive within to excell, which has been a blessing and a curse. I love working hard.
Perfectionism and workoholism are not my problems at all by no means. Being human is difficult enough. LOL
Why are there haters on us? Jealous? We make them look bad? I don't know.
However, I can't disrespect someone who makes C's in nursing and becomes a nurse. It's not fair to judge a person by their GPA. Too many other things go into being a good nurse, including being "nice" because patient interaction is 95% of nursing and it's an art.
Students who get As can be good nurses, both book wise and in clinical. Student's who get Cs can be good nurses too. You really can't tell based on grades. But, if you want to go to graduate school or a specialty then yes your grades are important. Just depends on what your ultimate goal is.
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.
I was one of the A students who did fair at clinical. why? because every one of my classmates had been CNA's for years and I was an Electronic Technician ( straight A's as well ). It did not take me long to master the skills when I got into the workplace and truely many of my classmates came to work with me so that I could teach them and that I did. To this day more experience nurses come to me for help with all sorts of practical things some of which require some knowledge of theory. For an A student in theory I am a master in the clinical field and I have no doubt that theory had much to do with it. So please do not be a "hater". Give the A students their due. Most students with A's in theory do much better than the mediocre and whats more we are willing to help. Do not be like those who find fault with everyone better than themselves, for example, the poor with the rich, the divorced with the happily married, the uneducated with the educated, etc. Plus I had a full time job and was able to study only when I took my son to the park or at Mc Donalds to play for a few hours.
I understand Stanley. I have enough confidence to say that I'm an excellent nurse and charge nurse. If people call that arrogant, I'm fine with that. I always strive to be the best that I can be. Most of the time that's pretty good, both on paper (just aced ACLS and was Summa Cum Laude in my RN to BSN program) and in practice. Sometimes however, I might fall short and be just "average". But I've always had a strong work ethic and a drive within to excell, which has been a blessing and a curse. I love working hard.
Perfectionism and workoholism are not my problems at all by no means. Being human is difficult enough. LOL
Why are there haters on us? Jealous? We make them look bad? I don't know.
However, I can't disrespect someone who makes C's in nursing and becomes a nurse. It's not fair to judge a person by their GPA. Too many other things go into being a good nurse, including being "nice" because patient interaction is 95% of nursing and it's an art.
Try telling a judge or The Board of Nursing that you were so busy being 'nicey' that you screwed up the other 5%. I'll take the A.
Nursing school is definitely challenging but it prepares you for real nursing where you have to make your own nursing judgements based on your assessments, your own critical thinking using the data stored in your brain from nursing school. Even though I recently finished nursing school I am always learning new information and reading my textbooks. I consider my self smart but during nursing school I had 3 kids and a job so I couldn't study all the time. So don't worry about other people focus on your own learning needs. Determination and hardwork pays off.
I understand Stanley. I have enough confidence to say that I'm an excellent nurse and charge nurse. If people call that arrogant, I'm fine with that.
Well, at this time I'm an excellent student. I want to be an excellent nurse. I will be an excellent nurse. No doubt that will take much time and learning.
The worst thing one can do themselves is to be mediocre.
"Mediocrity" doesn't mean average intelligence, it means an average intelligence that resents and envies its betters. - Ayn Rand
oakbourne
93 Posts
If you don't want to be satisfactory, learn your skills on the floor like clockwork, learn how to do it the first time, perfectly. Be perfect. Oh, also learn your critical thinking skills by heart, then you will be perfect. But perfect is not for me, because people who are perfect in medicine are dangerous.