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?
Before I became a nursing student, I worked as a CNA in a hospital. I was able to gain some experience as well as learn from the nurses. I saw many nurses that began as cna's and many that came right from school. The ones with experience seemed to be really good coming right out of the gate, while the inexperienced ones took a bit more time. Within a year all were kicken butt.
Some claimed to be really book smart, but struggled during clinicals while others claimed the opposite. For me, book work is difficult, but clinical is very comfortable and natural. I passed my pn boards first try with minimum questions. I think I studied a lot more than those who are comfortable with the book end.
I've been on the deans list the whole time, except for this semester when I got a C in my very last theory class. My motto the whole class was 'C's get degrees'. I was grateful to pass. Normally, I don't care about my grades, as long as I pass. This last semester I had to keep checking because I was on the fence the entire time. We have to get at least an 80 on each test to pass the class. I ended up with an 84.8. I am completely satisfied and am confident I will be a great nurse!
As long as we get over a D- then we still qualify and are able to call ourselves nurses.
I dont like grades as there is a girl in my class who is fantastic with patients, great with relatives and brilliant when dealing with the day to day nursing but she cant write an academic paper to save her soul and is scraping by with a C- but she knows her stuff but she is just unable to translate it onto paper and she has so much going on in her private life ie kids,husband etc
On the other hand there is a student in the year above me who constantly gets A+ but she is hopeless in placements and useless with patients.
I know who i want caring for me, id rather have the C- student who actually cares
I am an A student. I have never felt so bad and put down for my grades than I do in my class. There are 10 of us in an accelerated program. Everyone is used to straight As and now there are Bs and Cs and they are upset that their grades have went down. I am still getting As, but medical stuff comes easily to me. I have an associate degree in medical assisting so I have exposure to some of these things already. I have been told that I am not really smart, that I am lucky...I have been told that I am only cramming for the exams and don't retain anything. I am getting so tired of all of the negativity. And I noticed some comments on here that the A students neglect their other responsibilities...Excuse me? I have 2 kids (8 and 18 months) and a house to clean and a husband that is gone 95% of the time for work. I do NOT neglect my other responsibilities and I can't believe someone would say that when they don't know someones situation. It burns me up that I have to feel bad for doing well. I received a 99/100 on my clinical eval and someone actually said "How can she prove that you worked any better or harder than we did?" It is so frustrating. I just needed to vent!
And I noticed some comments on here that the A students neglect their other responsibilities...Excuse me? I have 2 kids (8 and 18 months) and a house to clean and a husband that is gone 95% of the time for work. I do NOT neglect my other responsibilities and I can't believe someone would say that when they don't know someones situation. It burns me up that I have to feel bad for doing well. I received a 99/100 on my clinical eval and someone actually said "How can she prove that you worked any better or harder than we did?" It is so frustrating. I just needed to vent!
This really bothers me, as well. Why can't people accept that someone was able to outperform them? The whole thing feels like an excuse to me, as in, "Oh, well if I had no resposiblilities and a bunch of time on my hands, I'd get A's too!". The fact is, most of the people who get A's actually worked for them. People need to take responsibilityfor their performance and quit whining when other people do better.
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!
I was having the same thought, actually. I know everyone wants to say "There, there, its ok that you're getting Cs.", but I think nursing school still needs to have standards....
I was having the same thought, actually. I know everyone wants to say "There, there, its ok that you're getting Cs.", but I think nursing school still needs to have standards....
Hey! If you can be a President with C's, why not a nurse.
I think that what it comes down to is everyone has strengths in different areas.
Personally, I had a hard time adjusting to the tests in Nursing school compared to those of just regular classes. It took some time for me. Have I gotten C's, yes, did I work hard, studying my ass off everyday? Yes, am I proud? You bet! Do I care that I got an 83.7% and that is a C in my class-84% being a B? It sucks and I am not the only person in that boat.
I wasn't a straight A person in high school, my mom was told that I would be in learning disabled classes in the 3rd grade. Do I work with what I got and try my best...yes.
I work hard for my grades, I work hard to pass and be successful in clinicals. I graduate this June and I have already started preparing for the NCLEX. I have several references and reccomendations from instructors. I try not to hold myself to "A, B, or C" grade. I can't.
I study and tell myself that I am going to pass and I will be a nurse not matter what. If someone wants to think less of me because of the letter that I earned, well, I guess thats what you choose to do.
Just for the record, I dont do terrible in class or clinical. I would say I am a B student, who occasionally gets A's, and occasionally doesnt know whats shes doing... So, Im actually not a C student, I was just quoting what professors have said to my class.
I am really sorry for those people who responsed who recieve A's and dont get the adequate attention for it or who have people hate them because of it.... I am not saying I dislike this A student at all, I actually really like her and am not knocking her at all! I certainly know that she deserves it and works for it, so I am proud of her. I am not implying that she shouldnt recieve an A, but merely questioning my own ability to be just as wonderful as a nurse as she will most likely be one day. So in reality, I admire her!:imbar
The one thing I know I have is compassion for patients, and a general love for taking care of others... My favorite part of this so far has been when I get to comfort my patients... and all the medical stuff and procedures will be reinforced with practice. Also, once I am a nurse, I know my anxiety will decrease when I feel completely confident. Its just, you know... the stress of being a nursing student that gets me flustered sometimes.
I think I will make a great nurse once I have more experience. I can already see how I have progressed from day 1, and its only been my first semester. I know that I want to do this.
Also, I was thinking about it.... And I COULD get A's if i worked 25% (??) harder, but then I would get burnt out that much quicker. The pace I am going at right now is a good one... I'll keep my B's, Thank you very much. :loveya:
Well, my is that A's or C's can't determine comfort and competence in clinical, simply because studying and taking tests is something all people who go to school do. However, most degrees aside from medical won't be getting so hands on and intimate with people for their jobs. Clinicals takes a lot of getting used to, and it can make you feel you don't know what you are doing at times. Some people just get comfortable quicker like that girl in your class. She is more at ease in the clinical setting, but we all will be someday, whether A or C students. "A" students still have to look things up sometimes after graduation, just like C students will. 5 years down the road you will probably look just like her in your job setting, I believe it is the desire to be a nurse that makes you a good one...in spite of grades (unless of course someone is not passing at all...:))
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!
In our school you need a "c" or better in your prereqs to even be considered for the RN nursing program. Most likely you will be on the waiting list for awhile with a "c" average due to the competiveness. Once you are in the nursing program you do need to maintain a "c" average on all exams. Clinicals are a pass/fail with no grade point assigned. Its hard to really judge schools based on grade requirements if you really don't know how hard one school is compared to another. I agree, it is interesting how schools differ in grade requirements.
Our Dean told us at the beginning to not get upset if we don't get straight "A"s, even if that is what we were used to. Nursing school is a whole other level of learning.
All of you should be proud of your grades. Those will A's should be proud and not feel as though they are neglecting family or home. Those with C's should be proud also. :heartbeat Getting through nursing school is a big accomplishment.
I don't think you can really answer that question because all people are different. So far I'm and A student and I do well in clinical. This is because this is what I really want to do and I also want to become a CRNA so I need to know the book information as well as the clinical so I put everything I have into school. I made sacrifices like going to school in another state so I would have fewer distractions and could focus on school.
is that A's or C's can't determine comfort and competence in clinical, simply because studying and taking tests is something all people who go to school do. However, most degrees aside from medical won't be getting so hands on and intimate with people for their jobs. Clinicals takes a lot of getting used to, and it can make you feel you don't know what you are doing at times. Some people just get comfortable quicker like that girl in your class. She is more at ease in the clinical setting, but we all will be someday, whether A or C students. "A" students still have to look things up sometimes after graduation, just like C students will. 5 years down the road you will probably look just like her in your job setting, I believe it is the desire to be a nurse that makes you a good one...in spite of grades (unless of course someone is not passing at all...:))
chevyv, BSN, RN
1,679 Posts
Before I became a nursing student, I worked as a CNA in a hospital. I was able to gain some experience as well as learn from the nurses. I saw many nurses that began as cna's and many that came right from school. The ones with experience seemed to be really good coming right out of the gate, while the inexperienced ones took a bit more time. Within a year all were kicken butt.
Some claimed to be really book smart, but struggled during clinicals while others claimed the opposite. For me, book work is difficult, but clinical is very comfortable and natural. I passed my pn boards first try with minimum questions. I think I studied a lot more than those who are comfortable with the book end.
I've been on the deans list the whole time, except for this semester when I got a C in my very last theory class. My motto the whole class was 'C's get degrees'. I was grateful to pass. Normally, I don't care about my grades, as long as I pass. This last semester I had to keep checking because I was on the fence the entire time. We have to get at least an 80 on each test to pass the class. I ended up with an 84.8. I am completely satisfied and am confident I will be a great nurse!