Reading alot of posts discussing "A" nursing students vs "C" nursing students

Published

I still want to voice my opinion. Lately, I've been reading alot of post discussing "A" nursing students verses "C" nursing students. It breaks my heart that there are students that are so hung up on grades that they rather want an "A" nurse taking care of them over a "C" nurse. Come on now ! When was the last time a patient asked you what your GPA was ? When was the last time as a patient yourself you asked your nurse what her GPA was ? Nursing school is stressful enough and while I strive everyday to make A's on exams I don't. I started out with A's and now I'm hanging around with high C's. Don't me wrong, I take NS and my grades very seriously... the only difference is that I don't let my grades whether A's or C's determine what kind of nurse I'll be. I graduate in a few weeks and I'm not sure if I'll still have my above 3.0 average, but I tell you one thing I'm still going to hold my head up high and take care of patients to the best of my ability . I'll still be a nurse and no less of a nurse then my classmates that got A's through nursing school. These are nursing exams, the real test starts when you start working and providing competent care to patients. So I'm saying enough is enough ! To you students who are A students I want to give you a big :clphnds: I know you deserve your A and worked hard for it. For you students who are " C " students I want to give you a big :clphnds: as well and you also worked hard for you grade as well. No one goes into nursing school wanting to make C's all the time, however it happens. I haven't met one student that said" I'm studying my butt off for that C. Students now days are so caught up in grades instead of the true meaning of nursing. :crying2:When my pt. comes in with cardiac arrest and is in alot of pain he won't care what grades I got, he cares about my compassionate and me providing good quality care. Come on A and C students can't we all get back to what nursing really is about.A nurse is a nurse . Once you pass that nclex you are a nurse:nurse:

Thanks for letting me get this off my chest. I'm done you all can yell at me now. :sofahider

I am so sad that some nurses think less of those who cannot make all A's; have

you ever considered that maybe, just maybe, the instructors were not good at

what they do? Or, maybe, just maybe, some nursing students do work hard, and,

study hard, but still have trouble getting A's? I believe that if your heart is in

the right place, you will be a good nurse, a competent nurse and God will give

you the wisdom you need, at the moment you need.

Just my 2cents:) so please don't be critical or condesending; have a heart for

those of us who Do want to be as good as all you straight A students but just

aren't!

And, it's only your opinion to say that people start to say things like "it's too hard, I can't, etc. I never have.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics.

have you ever considered that maybe, just maybe, the instructors were not good at

what they do?

Talk about generalizing :chuckle

Or, maybe, just maybe, some nursing students do work hard, and,

study hard, but still have trouble getting A's?

This is absolutely the case for some. But not for all. The problem is, very few will admit that they are NOT trying hard enough. It's easier to blame it on something (or somoene) else.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Talk about generalizing :chuckle

This is absolutely the case for some. But not for all. The problem is, very few will admit that they are NOT trying hard enough. It's easier to blame it on something (or somoene) else.

I remember I had one terrible instructor during my NS experience;she had a very thick accent,majority of the lecture was spent on listening to her bragging about her nursing experiences,not only that she also exhibited a terrible and unprofessional manners during clinicals;she took joy in scolding students.90% of people flunked the first OB test because of her ineffective teaching way;among those students there were also A students,the test was revised and we got some extra points.So I assure you in every nursing school there is at least few instructors that doesnt know a rat's behind about teaching.

Also there arent that many A students in Nursing school,not because people are lazy,not intelligent etc but because nursing tests are a different style of tests.Sometimes test questions are ridicolous and two answers are right,plus the test material requires critical thinking that was not taught to us in other classes,majors.When we first enter the nursing school we are not used to applying our knowledge in order to quess the answer,we are used to memorizing and getting our A that way.So to assume that a lots of people dont try hard enough is understatement to say at least.

Let me be the first heroic,brave student to admit I am a B,C sometimes A student who dont really care about making all A through out Nursing school.Now that doesnt mean that I dont know my material?,I obviously passed all my required tests,clinicals, and graduated,got my job references.I proud of my self and my accomplishments,plan to be the best nurse I can be and sleep at night without giving a second though about my grades transcript.

I have to admit though that just as much as it is hard for some nursing students to admit that they didnt try to hard enough to make A,it is as hard for nursing instructors to admit to the same.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I remember I had one terrible instructor during my NS experience;she had a very thick accent,majority of the lecture was spent on listening to her bragging about her nursing experiences,not only that she also exhibited a terrible and unprofessional manners during clinicals;she took joy in scolding students.90 of people flunked the first OB test because of her innefective teaching way;among those students there were also A students,the test was revised and we got some extra points.So I assure you in every nursing school there is at least few instructors that doesnt know a rat's behind about teaching.

Also there arent that many A students in Nursing school,not because people are lazy,not intelligent etc but because nursing tests are a different style of tests.Sometimes test questions are ridicolous and two answers are right,plus the test material requires critical thinking that was not taught to us in other classes,majors.When we first enter the nursing school we are not used to applying our knowledge in order to quess the answer,we are used to memorizing and getting our A that way.So to assume that a lots of people dont try hard enough is understatement to say at least.

Let me be the first heroic,brave student to admit I am a B,C sometimes A student who dont really care about making all A through out Nursing school.Now that doesnt mean that I dont know my material?,I obviously passed all my required tests,clinicals, and graduated,got my job references.I proud of my self and my accomplishments,plan to be the best nurse I can be and sleep at night without giving a second though about my grades transcript.

I have to admit though that just as much as it is hard for some nursing students to admit that they didnt try to hard enough to make A,it is as hard same for nursing instructors to admit that they didnt try hard enough to be good supportive teachers.

THANK YOU!!!!! the fact is in my case I was Deans list until nursing school..its a whole different arena..I also have to laugh about it because some of the self proclaimed A students in my nursing class scored lower than me on the ATI predictor test and somehow must have been left off the Deans list every semester too..hmm..?? and when we graduated, our class of 68 nursing students..only a handful graduated with honors..and somehow the braggers got left off that list too...and somehow we all survived nursing school and all names on that graduation list, regardless of GPA worked hard and succeeded in a rigorous program... the world cannot( and should not) be filled with only the A students..of all the jobs I applied to , only 2 of the 6 asked for my transcript..boy was I nervous because I was up against the same job with classmates whos GPAs were higher..funny, this C student landed a job at one of those places that requested a transcript..and the B student? shes still looking....

Up Vote Up Vote ×
THANK YOU!!!!! the fact is in my case I was Deans list until nursing school..its a whole different arena..I also have to laugh about it because some of the self proclaimed A students in my nursing class scored lower than me on the ATI predictor test and somehow must have been left off the Deans list every semester too..hmm..?? and when we graduated, our class of 68 nursing students..only a handful graduated with honors..and somehow the braggers got left off that list too...and somehow we all survived nursing school and all names on that graduation list, regardless of GPA worked hard and succeeded in a rigorous program... the world cannot( and should not) be filled with only the A students..of all the jobs I applied to , only 2 of the 6 asked for my transcript..boy was I nervous because I was up against the same job with classmates whos GPAs were higher..funny, this C student landed a job at one of those places that requested a transcript..and the B student? shes still looking....

I trully dont believe that nursing manager looks at your grade transcripts,seriously,they may prefer someone with higher degree (like BSN) but when there is a nursing shortage they will hire any warm body with RN license or otherwise how would you explain all the new graduates who landed a job or the ones who just walks on the hospital unit and the manager hired them on spot,or for the matter of fact being hired immediately at the job fair or being hired as a internal applicant or just knowing people.

Seriously this is a very childish competition.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Renal/Cardiac.

I tend to think grades do not make a nurse but I seen some of my classmates that were A's and I would not want them to cover my back EVER--and the same for those who made all C's cause they claimed they never opened a book--I was a A and B student and I know I am going to be the BEST nurse and advocate for my patient that I can be so I believe its all in the attitude not the grade that makes a nurse--just my opinion though :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Renal/Cardiac.
Talk about generalizing :chuckle

This is absolutely the case for some. But not for all. The problem is, very few will admit that they are NOT trying hard enough. It's easier to blame it on something (or somoene) else.

Well I am a studier always have been for 3 yrs I had no life whatsoever all I did was stay in the books and now that I have graduated I find myself studying day and night every chance I get for the NCLEX but I still got A's and B's mostly B's but than again I have always been a B person but I am proud that I graduated and I am very proud that I gave it all I had and still made it and to me thats all that matters now

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi,

Thank you so much for posting this. I don't feel so horrible anymore. I am currently taking prerequisites to enter into a nursing program at a community college and I am struggling with A and P. I mean, I should have taken this class during a regular semester instead of as a summer class but it is one of the prerequisite courses for the program and the deadline is August 31st. Arrrrrghhhh!!! The tests are 60% of the grade. The teach drops the lowest grade. My lowest grade is a 72 so far and my highest is a 77. We have only taken 2 tests. I have always been a good A and B student. I am busting my butte to get a a C on these tests because they include 4 chapters at a time. Anyway, I have learned my lesson and will never take another one of these classes in the summer. I might retake it again in the Fall if I don't at least get a B.

Thank you for posting this. I do believe that when it comes to the nitty gritty, the most important thing is quality care in nursing not only GPA.

Janet

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Some of this stuff is so ridiculous! Who do these "A" people think they are, looking down their noses at others? I make A's and B's but i was brought up with humility and respect. I would never say that I or anyone else was a better nurse because of a grade. Dont nurses have enough to deal with, with Doctors and pts, and pts families, that now, they have to face a firing squad OF THEIR PEERS:angryfire over C grades? Wow. Im almost done with school and I pray to God that I dont meet any nurses like some of the snooty, self righteous, biggots I've seen post on here. God forbid they made a mistake on the job that cost someone their life, you think the family will give a flying f@@@@@ what grade the nurse that just killed their beloved got in school?! I dont think so. And I dobt the "A" student will be thinking about that either.:cry:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PCU, Stepdown ICU, Home Health Case Management, ED.

this has got to be the most nauseating thread i have ever read! although i agree that people should obviously strive to do their best while in school, i think it's insane to compare grades with one another. i assure you that in my school, with the way they do the grading system, my b is technically higher than some of your as. in other schools, the system may be higher than ours. i was a 4.0 student (prereqs) before starting actual nursing school. now, i'm a 3.something. not only was the content much harder, but the grading system changed. you have to make an 86% at my school to be considered a b student. that's the very lowest percent to make a b. no rounding up at my school, no bonuses. so, to compare one nursing program to another is absolute stupidity. there are lots of c students in my program, some graduated with an 85%, and they are still c students! you guys need to get a grip. i can tell you that i worked my butt off for my b. my school ( a community college) is well known for the wonderful nurses it produces. hospitals love to hire our nursing students. tons of clinical time, and tough curriculum. then of course, one needs to also look at the person as a whole. some people are raising families without outside help. some people have serious health problems. some are so broke that they eat ramen noodles every night. some have dealt with death of loved ones, divorce, loss of homes, etc. while in the program. some have dealt with multiples of these issues! at what point did you guys stop critically thinking? if you judge your patients like you judge others, i'd hate to be in their shoes! it's terrific to be proud of your accomplishments, but pride comes at a cost when you let it consume you. passing judgment on others (like i've read here) is a definant character flaw!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

i really am shocked to hear so many of my fellow nurses be so judgemental and condescending to others. we are supposed to be some of the most compassionate and understanding people in the world today. grant it than many people in ns school are okay with "just getting by" and there are those that will stop at nothing to maintain straight a's, but what about that group in the middle?? what about the ones that spend countless hours in the library studying with a study group then extra hours on their own? the ones that get that extra tutoring session because they know they arent the smartest of the bunch but still wants to do well and make a living helping and caring for others?? i thought that was what nursing was all about. i myself was and will, when i go back to school, maintain a 4.0 gpa, because school and learning comes naturally to me. school isnt for everybody, but that doesnt stop those who have a harder time comprehending and remembering from reaching their goals. i know a woman who has all the qualities any employer would want in a nurse, yet she had a hard time during school and she read out books from cover to cover literally. she read some chapters 2-3 times to attain a better understanding each time. yet, she still only maintain a c average. do i dare judge her and say that she isnt trying hard enough, or that i wouldnt want to have her a my nurse taking care of me as a pt??? no way!!!! there was a guy in my class as well, very intelligent man and literally aced almost every test we had. but, when it came to clinicals, he wouldnt know how to care for the pt if the instructor stood over him and walked him through every step he needed to do. he couldnt give an accurate head-to-toe, or provide a proper bed bath, or even simply dress correctly for isolation!!! and you mean to tell me you would rather have that 4.0 gpa over her 2.5??? give me a break!! he was a walking disaster (lawsuit) waiting to happen, fortunately he was retained for poor clinical perfomance, but subsequently passed the repeat term and finished school. my point is, the book smarts dont always speak for the person. some people are better at the hands on, and that doesnt make them any less of nurses in my book!! i commend them for giving it their all and working hard to get good grades in ns. god knows i did, fortunately for me i was raised by great parents who taught excellent study habits and helped me keep them. best of luck to all the students trying to get good grades, but cant seem to get over that hump!!! to those who are getting c's and just slacking off, it doesnt hurt anyone but you in the long run. once you get a license its all on you, just hope you can handle it.....

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Also there arent that many A students in Nursing school,not because people are lazy,not intelligent etc but because nursing tests are a different style of tests.Sometimes test questions are ridicolous and two answers are right,plus the test material requires critical thinking that was not taught to us in other classes,majors.When we first enter the nursing school we are not used to applying our knowledge in order to quess the answer,we are used to memorizing and getting our A that way.So to assume that a lots of people dont try hard enough is understatement to say at least.

The more I hear about nursing school and test questions, the more grateful I am that I have an English degree. Hopefully it will serve me as well in nursing school as it has in the prerequisites. I'm proud of my evil, snobby As.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion