I've seen some dissension on this topic, so because I'm nosy and bored, I wanted to pose this question:

When entering nursing school, did you aim for As or were you mostly looking to pass? I want to make it clear that I'm not accusing those simply wanting to pass as settling for mediocrity or whatever, I'm just wondering if you've decided, for whatever reason (you can include the reason, if you want), that your priorities lie in getting your degree, learning your skills, and passing the nclex and not so much graduating with a 4.0.

Oh, and can you include whether or not you have kid(s) and/or work? As well as whether or not your priorities changed once you'd started (if you have) or the reality of nursing school changed your outlook on what you were aiming for grade-/performance-wise.

I don't want to start a debate, so please everyone, let's respect each other and not demean or question anyone's personal choices! No judgement!

I'll start... my gpa over several majors and years isn't as high as I'd like it to be, so I'm aiming for As because I'd like to further my education and want to be competitive. I do have kids (babies/toddlers), so I know reality might set in once I start lol. Hoping to hear stories from other moms who aimed for, and successfully, achieved an A average in NS!

I aimed for A's. Had an elementary aged kiddo. Worked &'helped out family. Many of my classmates petered out mid program and were happy meeting the minimum grades to pass. I was happy doing my best. Worked for me. I was tops in y class and passed NCLEX first try. Now working as a licensed nurse in two jobs looking to switch companies.

My goal was to graduate with a 4.0. I'm a second career student with a husband, 1 son still at home, a needy dog, and a PRN job at the hospital. I'll graduate in December. Right now I'm at a 3.83 with one class to go. I've only had 2 Bs: one was a 91.2 and the other a 90.7. Since a 92 is an A, I JUST missed it. I would love to get an A in 202; it's do-able so I plan on aiming for it.

Initially upon entering nursing school I had the mentality "C = RN" But I very quickly learned the importance of continuing my education and didn't want to close any doors on myself. I aimed for A's but I didn't beat myself up if I didn't get one, I was happy to pass. Ended up graduating with a 3.5 GPA. Passed NCLEX first time. About to start my first job. Also working on continuing my education so I am so happy that I decided to get away from that "C" mentality and that I kept my grades up.

I have been able to sustain a 4.0 for now. I have 3 pre-reqs for my RN left, and doubt very much that I will be able to get through Math with an A. I recently started the LPN class at my CC and again, am maintaining an A. I would like to think that I can complete both courses with an A, but if I do find myself slipping down to a B I beat myself up over it and try harder. A&P I was close, but I made it!

I went in aiming for As with 3 kids (1, 4, and 9 when I started) and then added in a full time job. I'm always up for a challenge...I rarely go into anything I'm excited about just looking to get by. I save that for the things I dread.

I got my As in all but 1 semester. I'm satisfied. I think I would've been satisfied with just passing, too, as long as I did the best I could. Sometimes it's all about survival.

I try to get A's, but sometimes I can't. I am putting myself through school, and I work a lot. I currently hold a 3.76 (an A- average), on my last semester of a BSN program and have zero student loans. While having a 4.0 would be nice, I value graduating debt free with loads of relevant work experience more (and most employers and graduate schools do as well).

I didn't aim for anything except to get from one day to the next, from one exam to the next. The grades I got were the grades I got. I got rattled when things went wrong but I didn't go around gloating, like some students, when I got the better grade.

Once I got to nursing school a lot of people were about the "C = RN" or "C = degree" life, but having never made a C in a class before I personally wasn't ok with that. I always aimed for an A, but my goal was to at least get a B. I didn't kill myself studying trying to get an A. As long as I knew I did the best I could, I was happy. I also worked as a tech during nursing school.

I ended up getting mostly B's in nursing school, but I graduated with a 3.6 GPA, passed NCLEX first try, and started as a new grad in an ICU.

While my focus was to pass, I worked really hard to earn the highest grades I could, in case something happened later (like one exam that I took while VERY ill and bombed). As a result, I earned As every semester except for the one with that exam. It wasn't about graduating with honors (I barely had the GPA to get accepted because I was dumb about my GPA when I was younger), but pulling up my overall GPA for when I apply for my master's program is important to me. Also, passing nursing school with Cs doesn't bode well come NCLEX time. I knew I'd need to pay attention and study throughout school, and I'm glad I did.

I'm in my 30s with a child. Tried to work in the program, but had a very un-understanding boss, and I was forced to quit.

Initially upon entering nursing school I had the mentality "C = RN" But I very quickly learned the importance of continuing my education and didn't want to close any doors on myself. I aimed for A's but I didn't beat myself up if I didn't get one, I was happy to pass. Ended up graduating with a 3.5 GPA. Passed NCLEX first time. About to start my first job. Also working on continuing my education so I am so happy that I decided to get away from that "C" mentality and that I kept my grades up.

Um, are we the same person?

Same exact story and stats... Kinda weirded out.

I graduated with a 2.89 GPA; thought that it was respectable, considering I did the best I could, as well had PTSD and test anxiety issues, and was disabled and still worked to maintain my bills and mortgage.

Did I aim for an A?

Sure.

Did I get broken up not getting one?

Nope, I was relieved that I passed.

I also passed the NCLEX the first time, and have a successful career as nurse; meaning; my nursing judgement and had been noticed by the right people-my patients, and administration.

Granted, I will eventually go to graduate school, I will have to take the GRE though; I also plan to get a post baccalaureate certificate in education; which can be factored into GPA for grad school, fortunately. My plan is to aim for As, and I am confident I can achieve them-my path will certainly be less bumpy as I am on the road to recovery.

I always aim for a 4.0 because I'm trying to get into either a PA or Nurse Practitioner program after I'm done with the BSN. The graduate programs around here have about a 3.6 average accepted student cumulative GPA, so I've really got to stay on top of my grades.

I'm fortunate that I don't have to work while going to school. My step-daughter is 22 and is now on her own and my son will be a sophomore in HS this year. No little ones to take care of :)