Were you "SMART" before Nursing School?!

Flo., BSN, RN · Jan 21, 2012

I was a huge nerd. Top 5% of my class. I was an even bigger nerd in nursing school because someone's life might depend on me knowing that info.

MN-Nurse, ASN, RN · Jan 21, 2012

My GPA in high school was 3.0.

My first time through college (20+ years ago): 2.64

Nursing school: 4.0.

No, I was not always committed to my studies, and yes boy did it change in nursing school. I don't think I studied every free minute, but I sure studied hard. I also got 2+ years experience as a CNA and Home Health Aide.

loveoutloud · Jan 21, 2012

High School: 94%

Pre reqs: 4.2 (my school is on a 4.5)

NUrsing: 3.65 (A+ and even the A is practically unattainable in nursing. Not a single A+ in my class of 110, and only 2 A's)

loveoutloud · Jan 21, 2012

P.S.

I used to be a study, study, study every free moment and stress myself out over school. NOw I stress out a few nights before the test or exam. It has kind of given me a screw school attitude because no matter how hard I try they don't give A or A+. PLus the tests are so subjective, a random person off the street would probably get the same test scores as my class as they are not based on study material, but on how that particular teacher would handle a particular situation.

*vent about my ****** school over*

Me2006 · Jan 21, 2012

High School :valedictorian of my class

College: 4.0 student

Nursing School: graduated 3.17

NCRNMDM, ASN, RN · Jan 21, 2012

My high school GPA was a 3.8, and I graduated seven months early so I could enter the nursing program when I did. I took the majority of my nursing prerequisites while still in high school. Upon my high school graduation date, I had done A&P I and II, chemistry 111, 112, and 114, Latin I, II, and III, French I and II (both languages where at the college level), introduction to psychology, calculus, biotechnology, English 111, English 113, and biology 111, 112, and 114. My college GPA for my remaining prerequisites was 4.0, and my nursing GPA is currently a 4.0. I made a 1986 (a perfect score is a 2400) on the SAT on my first attempt, and did not take it again. I wouldn't say I am a nerd, but I would say that I am intelligent. No, I don't study all the time for nursing school. I do study, and I study a lot before tests, but it isn't all I do.

tammy_zeidan09 · Jan 21, 2012

My high school GPA was a 3.8, and I graduated seven months early so I could enter the nursing program when I did. I took the majority of my nursing prerequisites while still in high school. Upon my high school graduation date, I had done A&P I and II, chemistry 111, 112, and 114, Latin I, II, and III, French I and II (both languages where at the college level), introduction to psychology, calculus, biotechnology, English 111, English 113, and biology 111, 112, and 114. My college GPA for my remaining prerequisites was 4.0, and my nursing GPA is currently a 4.0. I made a 1986 (a perfect score is a 2400) on the SAT on my first attempt, and did not take it again. I wouldn't say I am a nerd, but I would say that I am intelligent. No, I don't study all the time for nursing school. I do study, and I study a lot before tests, but it isn't all I do.

I also graduated a year early as a junior from high school trying to get my pre reqs out of the way quicker. I am just so scared for nursing school as so many people put it out to be. Hopefully the jump will help mee!

And wow, were all those languages required? That's so muchb

x_factor · Jan 21, 2012

I was average before entering nursing school. Highschool I had a 3.7 GPA, and when I went to school for my CNA I graduated with a 4.0. My pre-req's for nursing school ended with a 3.7 GPA (all A's except 1 B in microbiology). Now I'm in the first semester of actual nursing school and so far so good. Hopefully I'll graduate with a not-so-bad GPA as well.

Soliloquy, MSN, APRN, NP · Jan 21, 2012

High school: 3.56 GPA

Nursing School: 3.3 GPA

Went straight into a 4yr nursing school after high school. No, I don't study much at all and I never did. I learned that if I participate in class, tlk about it with others outside of class and apply it to my life in some way, then it's just better retained so I just don't need to study like that. Plus I don't remember if I study info like that. Gotta apply it to make it stick.

FLmomof5 · Jan 21, 2012

GPA and intelligence are not equal. My sister worked long and hard for her high GPAs. I didn't have to work at all. So who is then "smart"?

My classmates would show 'frustration' that I could study for a NS exam for an hour and get one of the highest grades where they studied hours and hours and scraped by a passing score.

Does my intellect make me a better nurse? No. Life experience allows me to be compassionate. Intellect was just a gift. I was able to work full time, go to NS full time, take care of my kids all while hubby was in Afghanistan.

cardiacrocks, BSN, RN · Jan 21, 2012

I have a bachelor's in psychology from another university, GPA: 3.6, pre-req's 3.9, Nursing school GPA: 3.2 and that was at the 5% top of my class. I'm an older student, I studied long and hard, I knew I needed the knowledge to take good care of my patient's, I am in life and death situations everyday. Critical thinking is not taught it is mastered, you either have it or you don't. I still come home and look things up, still learning everyday of my life, I don't take one second for granted. I never thought of myself as intelligent, I know now I am smart! However, with that said, I don't walk around with a chip on my shoulder and I always look to others in a crisis, and learn from others experiences as a nurses, I take it all in everyday. If i'm unsure I always ask, ALWAYS!! I question things daily, I'm sure I drive the doctors crazy at times, but when I leave at the end of my evening and all my patients are breathing, it gives me a sense of accomplishment at the end of my day. Learning is a life time adventure!! :)