[fatima a.]

I had an interview with Huron school of nursing, in Cleveland, for their evening/weekend program. The admission director told me that about 50% of those in the evening/weekend program work full time. Then I asked whether they are still getting good grades, like at least 3.0, and she flat out said NO! She said that MOST of their students are not getting 3.0's. I asked if this was true even for those that didn't work and she said most of the students at the school are getting C's. I know that they have a tough program, but the reason why I chose them is bc of the E/W program would allow me to keep my job. I want to get a Master's in Nursing (BTW, I already have a BS in Business), so grades are important to me. I asked the Admis. Direct. about grad school, and she said it is possible to get accepted with a 2.0 in your nursing classes as long as you do well in the other science classes.

I don't want to set myslf up for failure. I don't think a 2.0 is acceptable for the amount of work you have to do. Is 2.0 a normal GPA for NSG school, am I overreacting?

Does anyone know about this program or can recommend another program in the cleveland area (one where students can good grades)?

[Dream2BANurse]

I'm not in the program yet so I'm going based on what the school catalog states, at my CC if a student maintains a 2.0 they are allowed to stay in the program.

Did the admission director know that you chose the E/W program so you could continue with your full time job while in the program? I'm wondering this because I know that most programs/directors advise against working while in nursing school. Just wondering if the comments were possibly biased...???

[spring05]

I don't know anything about the school you're applying to, so I have no advice for you in that area.

But I understand your dilemma with the GPA. I hope to get my Masters someday as well and a 2.0 GPA (for me) is unacceptable. Many nursing school and graduate programs say you can get into them with a 2.0 but it usually doesn't work out that way. I have several friends that are nurse practitioners and their grades were almost flawless.

If keeping your grades high is important, as it is to me, I would suggest thinking twice about working.

Good luck! I hope everything works out for you!

[Daytonite]

Students in evening/weekend programs do not pull high GPAs or have high NCLEX passage rates. It is not the fault of the school. The school is giving people an opportunity to attend a nursing school that they would not otherwise get. The opportunity is what every student does with it. Many wouldn't be able to go to nursing school because they have family and job responsibilities that they cannot give up. Some of these nursing programs are sanctioned by state educational departments as part of initiatives to give adults opportunities to be trained in a profession. The reason for the lower GPAs and poorer NCLEX passage rates is because this group of nursing students do not treat nursing school as their primary priority. They can't because they have other personal responsibilities. These nursing schools operate knowing that this is a reality within their population of nursing students.

If you have been accepted into this program, think of it as your opportunity to attend nursing school. Do the best you can with it. It sounds like the school is sympathetic to the demands of the working person. Most nursing programs are not and would not have a problem booting someone out for "C" level work--they don't care what the person's personal situation is. Read some of the posts in the General Nursing Student Discussion Forum by students who are upset at failing out of their programs with grades of 80%! As many say. . .a "C" still = RN. Once you pass the NCLEX and get your license, no one looks at, or cares about what your grades were in nursing school except the next university that is looking at your transcript for admission.

FYI. . .most grad schools want master degree candidates with at least a 3.0 GPA and a 3.2 or 3.4 is preferred. Why the interviewer told you that a GPA of 2.0 was acceptable for a grad program is beyond me, but she was wrong. You can go onto any website for the Master's in Nursing programs and check this out. I attended CSU in Cleveland and we were constantly encouraged to eventually apply to the Master's nursing program at Case Western Reserve University's Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing. CWRU accepted nothing less than a GPA of 3.4 at the time and I doubt that it has changed.

[♪♫ in my ♥]

I can only imagine how hard it would be to be a successful nursing student while working full time. I'm sure that some can do it but I'd be awfully careful about choosing that path.

Daytonite's right on the money about grad school. Flat out, you'll not get into any reputable graduate program with a 2.0 in nursing school.

[itsinthegenes]

Being a nursing student while working full time must be tough. I agree with the previous posters regarding graduate programs - I just applied to Case Western Reserve University for a graduate course (the DNP) and they stated they required a 3.5 GPA in both pre-reqs and previous degree.

Hope that helps

[amjowens]

My goal is to become a nurse practitioner, so grades are really important to me, too.

I was on a waiting list for my RN (start Jan '09), so I decided to do a LPN program while waiting. I thought, why not, then can earn experience and somewhat good salary while in nursing school. I earned a 4.0 GPA in all my pre-req nursing courses. I'm finished with half of my LPN, and I must say...nursing school is a different game, and even if it is an LPN. Still have to be prepared for NCLEX (PN) and still take Pharm, Med-Surg, etc. Only difference, in one year (including summer)! Must say, the RN DOES have more courses over two years, but basically, all the fundamentals are taught in LPN.

I relied on financial aid, and plan to over summer and fall semesters. I think, just a year, and if do well/give up "lifestyle" for this year, allow for wonderful options for many years...I was planning to work, but don't work much after experiencing course load.

The people who work a lot are NOT passing. They've already signed up for pharm for summer, so behind already by two semesters. There are people on this site who say they work and go to school, and I do think the RN is less intensive (time-wise), but if you want high grades, you're going to have to leave yourself some room for potentially needing to cut back on work after you see how you do on your first exams.

There are two students in my class (me one) to earn an "A" in Pharm. I earned As in all of my other courses, too. I'm really proud of myself, and do have a feeling of accomplishment (no, nobody knows about it in my class, I'm not a "bragger"!). So far, it's totally worth it. I'm one step closer to my dream. It can be done. But, I've made sacrifices. And, I'm the type who thrives on balance. I want time to work-out, spend some time relaxing, etc. For me, I knew I'd need to schedule this into my life in order to be successful when I do actually sit down to study. Maybe I'm spoiled about taking care of myself, but hey, it's what we make it! You can do it. Just be honest with yourself about what YOU need to succeed and with no shame! If the person next to you can work 40 hours and pass with Cs and feel accomplished, kudos for her. That's her dream she's living. I recommend focusing on your own, and it will take a few weeks (and a test or so in every course) to find out what you need to make your dream happen.