I've probably just lost it all....

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You are reading page 3 of I've probably just lost it all....

Nolander

127 Posts

yeah but this is a 9 credit hour class. So it's basically like 3 C's at once

Specializes in Critical Care, Education.
What do you call a nurse that got C's in college? --- "nurse"

All I'm saying is, a's are the exception, not the norm, once you take away grade inflation.

I think the main problem is --- there really isn't any grade inflation in nursing programs & this is very challenging for students coming out of pre-req classes where grade inflation is a fact of life. Once you are in nursing, not only has the bar been raised, in terms of what 'score' = what letter grade, but "success" is based on standardized criteria rather than group norms. It can be a very difficult transition

As far as the OP's worry about grad school & GPA... For most grad programs, the entry exam (GRE, MAT, etc) is given just as much weight as the GPA. And - if you're applying for entrance into a specialty MSN (CNM, NP, etc) your experience will be a huge issue. Most CRNA programs around here require at least 2 years of full time experience in a high level ICU environment.

Bottom line? jennys77 is correct but with rare exceptions... nurses with C-level undergrad GPAs probably won't ever be called 'advanced practitioner'.

llg, PhD, RN

13,469 Posts

Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

One grade in one course (even if it is heavily weighted) does not a career make -- or break. If you end up with a C average, yes, that will hurt you. But one C will have very little effect, assuming you address your problems and improve your grades in the subsequent semesters.

You are a long way from grad school and there are a lot of things you need to accomplish between now and then. If you do well on those things, you will be given serious consideration for graduate school. But there are never any guarantees, even for those with 4.0's. The people who succeed in the long run are those that see the situation as a "long run" and are able to weather the ups and downs along the way.

I got some C's in my senior year of college -- and now have a PhD from a well-respected nursing school. Where there's a will, there's a way.

Good luck.

Crazed

153 Posts

Whoa.

First of all one of the people who inspired me to be a nurse was my NP for five years. She told me, "Crazed you'll do fine in nursing school. I was pretty much a straight C student because I had no idea how to study."

I finished my fundamental course with a B. There is way more to grad school than just a GPA. Grad schools want to invest in students they can see being leaders.

A leader is not defined by a 4.0.

Seriously calm down and think about how many empty seats you saw on your last day and congratulate yourself on passing.

And you said you're an ADN student? Okay you still have all the theory classes and whatnot for the BSN and have plenty of time to bring up your GPA.

As an aside, I know a woman who finished her degree in psychology with a 3.9 GPA, and is a member of MENSA.

Six grad schools turned her down.

I'd rather see a patient laugh than a 4.0. /shrug.

Jacrazz

23 Posts

I am interested in both. I just know that graduate admissions commissions won't want to hear my sob story on how I barely passed nursing school yet have the gall to believe I deserve to be a CRNA/NP/PA.

Because im so sure you are the only one in that boat once you reach that level.... Hang in there....:nurse:

ImKosher

370 Posts

@nolander I don't think your listening to your fellow colleagues on this forum. Do you want someone to tell you your right, you blew your shot at CRNA? Instead of justifying yourself how about you quit your griping and make your grades next semester. There is a lot of great advice on here for you.

rubato, ASN, RN

1,111 Posts

Specializes in Oncology/hematology.

I agree with ImKosher. You've poo-pooed every single person who said that you're taking this too seriously. So, what would you like us to say? If we don't agree with you, we can't say that we do, sorry.

I am a lot like you, so I understand. I just got accepted to my ADN program which starts in the fall, and I've already got all but 1 of the prereqs done for the bridge to CRNA. I am so focused on my future that I sometimes need a big ol' reality check to bring myself back down to what I'm doing this semester, or this week, or today. Don't worry about it. It's one C, or 3 Cs. But still, just rock it out for the rest of the program and it will balance out nicely.

ixchel

4,547 Posts

Specializes in critical care.

We're all used to straight As when we get in the program. Look at how many straight A students become straight B and C students! We've got more than 50 forums on allnurses for student nurses because having 1 general one wasn't enough.

Nursing school is hard. There is a reason why it has that reputation. It makes a straight A student feel good about getting Cs. I get your feeling of fear, I really do. My path is leading me to grad school as well. It's going to kill me to get grades lower than As because I have a touch of OCD and impossibly high standards for myself.

But, there is a learning curve. I know the first semester will be the hardest because it is the first time in these types of classes. There will be 3 more semesters after that. Life will go on. My school accepts its own alumni into their grad program with a 3.0 GPA. I've shot myself in the foot a bit by transferring in, so my 65ish credits at a 3.87 won't matter. The pressure is on.

But, I will forgive myself, especially with the first semester, because if there is anything admissions people like to see, it is that you have learned from your experiences. When you write you application letter, or essay, and you are honest about the first semester kicking your butt, and they can see you did better later, they'll know you have grown as a student and a person, and you are committed to excellence.

They'll forgive that C as much as you should. How do I know that? My first semester back in college I got a C in a&p 1. My school only considers GPA in pre-reqs, and I still had 2 left to go. I think that gave me only about a 3.5. I start my program in the fall.

Lighten up. Go have a beer :)

NICUmiiki, DNP, NP

1,774 Posts

Specializes in Neonatal Nurse Practitioner.
Lighten up. Go have a beer :)
And a shot.

Nolander

127 Posts

Alright, but I'd still like to know why they made the hardest semester (arguably) worth the most credit hours

daisyfleur70

165 Posts

Moving from pre req's to nursing school is almost always an adjustment. Many many students find that their grades drop in the process. I was an A student as well, transfered in with a 3.68 GPA and Have made more B's than A's in nursing school, and even got a C+ in patho.

It's really hard to shake the competitiveness that you get so used to when you are taking pre reqs and getting into nursing school, but one C is not the end of the world. There is so much more to nursing schools, and even when it comes to applying for grad school, if you bust your butt, and you work well with the RNs and clinical sites and your preceptors, letters of reccomendation can go a long way, as well as if you show an improvement as you progress. You may have a C in this first class, but as your learn more and get more comfortable, your grades should level out. And honestly, you can be super book smart and still struggle as a nurse. There are so many other skills to develop, building rapport with patients, working as part of a medical team, and other things that will come to you in clinicals and over time.

Nursing school is super stressful on its own merits, adding stress about grades will only compound this. Give yourself a break!

Sorry for the long rambly reply, but hopefully it is helpful! :)

Stephalump

2,723 Posts

Specializes in Forensic Psych.

I totally get your pain, OP. While I do agree that dropping out of nursing school is a bit...extreme, there's nothing wrong with keeping your eye on your end goal and working toward it. Just being happy you passed isn't the attitude that will get you into grad school, and you'll regret that attitude when it's time to apply and you know it's a long shot...especially if you don't end up being a fan of bedside nursing.

But what's done is done. Admissions committees take in the whole picture. If you struggle your first semester, keep on, and improve, they'll see the upward trend, and it could actually look better than a bunch of mediocre grades strewn across your entire transcript.

It's not time to quite, it's time to get your head back in the game, figure out how to improve yourself, and kick some butt. :-). If you give your best and your grades still aren't good enough, it'll suck but the decision will be made for you, and you'll have no regrets for giving up.

But I do understand and happily accept any comments about being an overachiever. I got up to the point of applying to medical school when I came to the decision that being a mid-level practitioner was a better fit for me. So, I've been through ALL the grade stress in some super tough classes...take a deep breath, let go of last semester, and carry on, brother.

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