First of all, no employer will ever ask you what class degree you finished uni with when hiring you. Whether you graduate with a 2:2 or a first class is irrelevant. You will still get the job.
People you meet along the way in uni come from diverse backgrounds, go through unique life experiences and have distinct goals and priorities. While some might still live with their parents and don’t have to pay for a single bill, some might come from a different country and have to work to survive because they’re not eligible for a maintenance loan. While some might not have any other responsibilities other than succeed in uni, some also have to succeed as parents. While some might go out every night with their friends, some might have to look after their family member who requires 24/7 care. “Okay and your point is…?”. My point is that we don’t all have “the same 24 hours”. Finishing our degree with a 1st class is not at the top of everyone’s list and the amount of time and energy we are able put into our academic journey depends on a multitude of factors. For example:
Self-validation
That sense of self-validation and self-efficacy! You want that grade to tell you that you’re not only enough but you’re GOOD, that you excel in whatever you put your mind to, that you are cable of achieving greatness like you have always known. Not for your peers, not for you family, not for your friends, but for you and you only. People like this tend to invest a lot more time in making sure they thoroughly read the assignment brief, that they have enough time to produce and proof-read their piece of work 100 times and they ask for help from lecturers if it means getting more brownie points. Or maybe I’m just projecting😆
Academic performance
Some people might not care at all about their final grade as long as they pass and that is 100% valid if you ask me. What’s that saying? “Work smarter, not harder”. Because… why would you work your ass off if, you, who finished with a 2:2, and someone who finished with a 1st might have the same chances of getting the same job? But don’t get me wrong! Doing the bare minimum on assignments and exams does not make you a “less good” nurse. Yes, your theory is extremely important but 7/10 of the information that you will actually needed when you qualify, you will learn on placement or when you have more clinical exposure during your bank shifts.
In fact, there is something that those who are struggling a bit more with their academic performance have to remember. And yes, this is for you who are dealing with grief, you who are in a very tight financial situation, you who are in a toxic relationship, you who have people depending on you and you who are silently fighting your own battles without no one knowing: your grade does not dictate how competent, compassionate, safe, effective and professional you are. You are doing amazing by keep trying and not giving up. Take as much time as you need, ask for help and be kind to yourself (more tips to help you succeed academically to come, just bare with us <3)
Future goals
If you “just” want to get a job as a band 5 nurse and you’re not really looking to progress any further, you won’t need to finish uni with a 1st at all. Like I mention before, just do the bare minimum and avoid anxiety and stress as much as you can: that’s it. However, if you’re not sure, while some organisations accept an X amount of years of experience to progress, others require you to have a PGCert, PGDip or Master’s and, if that is the case, some universities might require you to have a 1st to enroll into their courses.
I know it is unfair to ask you to think about these things before you even finish uni, but if you are uncertain about what you want to do with your career, aiming for a 1st is not out of pocket. Rather, it not only opens doors for endless opportunities but it also provides you comfort and ease knowing that there is nothing holding you back if one day you wake up and decide that you want to do a PhD.
In summary, whether you should finish your course with a 1st Class Degree is subjective. You do what makes sense to you and no one else. This is your life, your journey and only you are in charge of it.