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

[whiteoleander5]

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?

[maura_smiles]

The first thing that the nursing instructors say at my schol is ..."you all are currently "A" students...most of you will be "C" students now. Don't get upset, it's just a fact, don't take it personally, it's just the way it is."

So, now that my 3.92 GPA is blown all to hell in back, I can honestly say (at least in my program) that "C" students are the majority and the "A" students well, they are great test takers that do not have other obligations or spend all of their time studying; they tend to neglect their other responsibilities. Personally, I've quit worrying about other people's grades. I've got enough on my plate.

[soon2bRN516]

You know I don't think a letter grade can represent what kind of nurse you are going to be. Before I started nursing school I had a 4.0 gpa and I was one of the first accepted into my class, however that all changed when I started taking Nursing classes. I work my butt off, and still I manage to get B's and C's on the test...One thing I know I have struggled with, is the fact I never new how to study, and I still question my study techniques. I understand the information and can explain it to my classmates, but then I completely go blank on the test...However given the same situation in the clinical setting and my instincts work in the right direction. I think we all retain and act on information differently. I don't like the idea whether I am an ABor C student to justify what kind of Nurse I will be, and I am sure no one else really likes the idea either...But what I will tell you is that I know plenty of people that have outside obligations to school and some make A's and some make C's, some study all the time, some rarely study.......I just wanted to tell you that no matter what your letter grade is, it does not represent what kind of nurse you are going to be.....Don't ever be afraid to ask if you don't understand something, and do your best.....oh yeah and never stop caring about what you are doing....People that don't care are bad nurses(no matter how smart they are), not people that don't make the letter grade.....

[jmgrn65, RN]

I had C's in Nursing School. I am a very good nurse, I have excellent critical thinking skills.

I worked full time while going to school. When I returned for my BSN I was A's and B's.

I never had an employer ask for transcripts or what my grades were, the Important things was that I passed the boards and have my license. I have known students that have had A's and failed boards.

[dolphn545]

Being booksmart won't necessarily make you a better nurse.

Someone was in my class who would have been the top nurse, GRADE wise, but this particular person had no bedside manner. This person's sense of "humor" was very unprofessional, and the actions had caused thsi person to be dismissed from the program.

They were in a bit of shock -- because of the grades.

Me, for instance, would be getting B's and C's. I'm not the best test-taker. I'm more of a hands on.

So, don't let grades be your judgment of the nurse.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

I've got A classmates that are great in clinicals because they know the stuff and what to look for...and A classmates that aren't so great because they're too wound-up on facts and figures to focus on the patient.

I've got C classmates that do well in clinical because they were good thinkers and know how to apply the info they knew...and C classmates that aren't doing that well because they didn't know the info and/or didn't know how to apply it.

And I wonder why B students never get picked on, but that's for another thread. But there's B students doing well and poorly at clinical too.

It's a complete package. I think it's not just what you learn in class, but how well you can think and USE that knowledge, that will make a nurse a success regardless of grades. Besides, our education isn't going to end when we graduate--we'll be learning stuff for as long as we're in practice.

[thatsforreal]

I found myself in this same situation but our instructor says that an c=LPN or RN. I felt like I'm the dumb one b/c everyone else seemed to do the right things and make the hightest grades. I almost drop out of my first semester b/c I felt like I wasn't good enough. I spoke with my instructor and she encouraged me to stay in.:)- Sometimes it's not what it seems like. Remember your sacrificing something. I was soooo stressed when I started this semester. Neglecting my family, having headaches, and literally stressing myself OUT just to try and keep up with everyone else! Sacrificing my own health. My hat goes out to the one who is making A's, B's or C's. Remember YOU determine what type of nurse you will be, not your grade! I thank God b/c I didn't give up but I stayed in there and each one of my tests keep on increasing! Don't be discouraged but ENCOURAGED!

[mommyjskns]

I don't think people should be judged based on their grades. Those A students may end up being great nurses, as some of them take their chosen career very seriously and try to learn everything there is to know. They then have the ability to apply that knowlege to the clinical setting. However, that is not to say that the C student won't be a good nurse, too. They may have what it takes clinically to do really well. I am an A student, and I am confident in my ability to deal with patients and think critically to prioritize well. I have friends who are C students who will also do well because they have "common sense". Everyone is different and no one should be judged because of their grades, whether it be an A or a C. Both sets of people have the capability to be a great nurse.

[missjennmb]

As someone else said, I think there are a lot of variables that negate the A = good nurse, C = adequate nurse, philosophy. Thus far, classwork seems to reflect how much time you invest and how well your study techniques work. I have a B average. I study my tail off when I can, but I also have 3 kids (one I homeschool) and I work 20 hours a week as well. Another student has scraped by with an 80 average, has no responsibilities other than nursing, but doesn't do all of her reading/prep work until the weekend before the exam. Another student gets fantastic grades (the teacher chided her for not studying when she got an 89), but has a job as a night clerk where she basically studies her entire shift unless someone comes to check in to her hotel.

As for clinicals... I think again there are a lot of variables that can be ironed out. We only get a U or an S for clinicals (two U's in any one area or three Us over all means you fail) Nerves play a big part of function, as well as the benefit of prior experience for some, and the obvious negligence of others (throwing dirty linens on the floor, not remembering to glove up or take gloves off before leaving the room, ect) I did terrible at first, but I found that once I have calmed down and gotten comfortable, my brain has started working much better, lol. Perhaps that will be the same for you.

[RNKat23]

This would be a moot point at my school - to get in and stay in the nursing program you have to have a B- or better in every class (and clinicals). One point below that and you're out. It's interesting that schools have such a different view on grades!

[c_white1]

One of the best things I've learned over the course of my 43 years is that generalizations rarely hold true.

Believe in yourself, try your hardest to be the best you can be, and keep assumptions to a minimum. Try not to get caught up in comparing your grades (or yourself) to others -- there's always going to be someone who looks better. It's a trap you'll never win. It's also a real waste of time.

Good luck with your classes!:)

[missjennmb]

This would be a moot point at my school - to get in and stay in the nursing program you have to have a B- or better in every class (and clinicals). One point below that and you're out. It's interesting that schools have such a different view on grades!

mine is the same except that an 80, which used to be a B when I was in college last time, is now a C in nursing. I understand the high grades requirement, but I sure do wish they'd leave the letter grades alone so that my GPA would not be so affected. I got a 93 for my last class and it is a B, where it used to be an A and so even though I may have done worse (a 91) in another class, I still get more GPA credit for that 91 than for this 93, even with the 93 being much harder to come by.

[Esther2007]

Nursing students with C's cannot become nurses in most schools anyway. The school I go to, passing is a B-. Study shows, most people who passed the nclex are B- students. Although C students may become great nurses, but most schools wont give them the chance.