The Focus is on the Grades
Today, I was talking to one of my nursing student. I noticed how smart this student was and how detail oriented. She was able to pick up on things that only an experienced nurse would know. I complimented her and told her she will be a good nurse. She commented, "only if my exam grades were ss good".
How do you help a student understand that grades are important, but what is more important is being able apply what is learned?
Hi Alicia,
Good inforamtion to share with students. Students must know the importance of getting the job as well as keeping it.
Patricia Scales
it is hard to convince students how important things like grades or even information given during lectures are.. one of the things i do is remind the students that when looking for a job employers judge them first on what is documented about them in order to determine if they are worth hiring. and after they get the job, they are judged based on the work they do and that then determines whether they get to keep that job or not
Hi Teresa,
I agree! We put way too much emphasis on grades. The bottom line is if you can perform your duties in the work setting that you learned in school and pass the certification exam if there is one.
Patricia
Unfortunately we have to have grades. I sometimes wish all nursing courses were pass/fail. I look on grades as a necessary evil, and encourage students to, also. I emphasize the clinical performance over grades consistently. I also remind them that employers don't look at grades, they want to know if you passed NCLEX.
