Do you really drop a letter grade?

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Is it true that you really drop a letter grade once you are in nursing school? Just curious as I am a B student now and am wondering if this means I have a pretty good chance that I'll drop to a C.

Thanks!

Thank you for all of your answers! These answers have acutally made me feel better! :wink2:

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Specializes in L & D.

I was terrified to begin nursing school after hearing many horror stories! As a wife and a mom of two, I never thought I'd do well even though I had a 4.0 in my pre-reqs. (I'm very blessed that I don't have to work.) I'll be graduating in May, and as of now I've received 2 A+, 1 A and am on track for another 2 A+ this semester.

Anything is possible if you take it one day at a time! Focus on exactly what you need to do to get through that day and week, and don't get frazzled by anything too far in the semester. Honestly, it hasn't been as hard as I imagined!

Best of luck to you!!

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well, my grades have definitely dropped. I was on the Dean's list for most of my undergraduate education and I just started an accelerated nursing program (1.5 for a BSN), and I have been gettinb mostly Cs on tests and As on papers. It is definitely hard and I found that for my program, if you do not have a strong science background or do not have clinical experience that has helped you understand how the body works, it is definitely challenging.

I would suggest working as a CNA now so you will have a leg up! I took my pre-reqs at a local community college and in retrospect, they were a joke!!! I'm sure you'll do great, but a little preparation and experience sure will come in handy.

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Specializes in Med/Surg <1; Epic Certified <1.
I would suggest working as a CNA now so you will have a leg up! I took my pre-reqs at a local community college and in retrospect, they were a joke!!! I'm sure you'll do great, but a little preparation and experience sure will come in handy.

Keeping in mind as per another thread from a week or so ago, not all community college classes are a joke...also, there have been varying takes on working as a CNA, ranging from it's difficult to transition to an RN position of delegating tasks, to the thought that more is expected of you once you're in a program and they're aware of your background (that from students I am in class with -- they say it hasn't been a huge advantage for them).

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From what I can tell in our program, which is full of overachievers, the ones that do the best in the program either have a Biology degree already or have some kind of experience in a clinical setting, either as a CNA or some other clinical experience where they are have patient contact . . . I have to say that everyone I've asked says it's been nothing but a help to them.

I didn't mean to suggest that all community college classes are jokes and I actually learned a lot in my A & P class, but it definitely is not a quarter as challenging as the classes at my current school. I was only speaking about my experience . . .

All I'm saying, coming from someone who is currently struggling with nursing school, is that I wish I had gotten more clinical experience and had a better science background. Just my experience from my current situation. It may also be this way because it is an accelerated program. Who knows.

Good luck!!!

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Specializes in LDRP.

It depends on what you are taking--I have three classes and two clinical rotations--and I have an A (92%) and two B's right now (and my B's are both 90%'s)--I am normally an A-B student. I work my BUTT off for these grades, though. Seriously--it doesnt come as easy as it used to.

Micro and A&P seems like a piece of cake to me now...

I must say it IS frustrating but it also motivates me to do my best. I really want to end the semester with at least one A! :)

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Specializes in Adolescent Psych, PICU.

This is such an individual question and totally depends on the person.

I am doing fine in my BSN program both in the classroom (all As and Bs) and in clinicals ("excellent"). I think because I find it truly interesting and I love it, I enjoy studying the material and therefor do well. I have a very supportive school which makes a big difference I think too. I have worked with outstanding nurses in my clinical rotations.

I am doing good in NS, my grades have not dropped at all so far.

Please go in to NS with a positive attitude!

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In my case, I've dropped two! I was a 4.0 student with about 24 credit hours of pre-reqs, and then got a C for three semesters in Nursing School (and killed myself doing just that). This semester, I've easily gotten a high B average, so that will bump me a little bit...

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Specializes in Anesthesia, CCRN, SRNA.

I think that is a good assumption. I was a 4.0 student in everything before I got to nursing school. Now I have a 3.5 and am trying to push it higher in my BSN program. Of 68 who started this semester 12 have already dropped because of low grades. I'm sure after this semester is over another 15 will drop because of low grades....it is just a matter of time. To get into the program I am in you had to have at least a 3.5 GPA to make the cut.

I'm sure it varies from campus to campus but in my personal expereince.....yes...grades do drop once you get into NS.

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Specializes in Ante-Intra-Postpartum, Post Gyne.

I never got anything less than a solid A on any of my tests in Micro, Physio, Anatomy and Chem. I am a B student now. Its a hard thing to swallow.

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