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

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So I just "completed" my first semester in my ADN program, a fundamentals of nursing class. It's a NINE (9!!!!) credit hour class and I got a C in it 1 point away from a B. I am a 4.0 student, you can only imagine what this has done to my GPA. I would like to think I would be able to get into a master's program sometime in the future (NP, PA, CRNA) but now it seems like that is something I will have to rethink because I know they want competitive GPA's for programs like that. And due to the structure of my program, someone getting an A in one of the nursing courses would be like seeing a unicorn on any given day. Should I drop and pursue another path, or just complete the program living by the phrase "C = Nurse" and accept my fate?

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

You really is focusing on the wrong things, your grades.... i got a C just like you...i knew i had to many changes if i wanted to survive nursing school..well i did not focus on my grades..i just studied and quit my job. i got all As and Bs through out my program ..and my last semester...i got my big C...guess what i graduated...proudly,...i have passed the Nclex and just got my first job, iam already enrolled in my BSN program and i will go all the way to be a NP. Nothing will stop me from doing that unless i chose to myself, its determination and you have to stay focused.....stop beating yourself too hard....At the end of the day we all will be nurses and your Degree doesn't even contain your grades. All the best

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Specializes in Cardiology, Cardiothoracic Surgical.

I started my program with a 4.0. Suffice it to say I'm now down to a 3.0. Passing was my

biggest concern, and since I did that, anything else is gravy. I'll worry about getting my

grades up as a senior next year. Grad school is at least 3-4 years away, because I have

some $$$ to make first!

I did learn I was 1 point away from a B in Med Surg II, irritating, but that's life.

As a nursing student, you will learn you will fail some tests, and you will have to pick yourself

up and keep on truckin'. It makes you resilient and thankful for the small things.

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You definitely have three more semesters to prove yourself. Being a 4.0 student is fantastic, but maybe you're being a bit hard on yourself. Focus more on improvement rather than any past faults and I'm sure you'll be fine. You made it this far, and it was a struggle. C does not = Nurse unless you let it.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Alright, but I'd still like to know why they made the hardest semester (arguably) worth the most credit hours

Because as nurses we have peoples lives in the palms of our hands....it shouldn't be easy. We need to learn how to be better and be better so that we can keep people safe.

Now focus on the present....grad school will be there when you finish. Concentrate on the now and be the best you you can be.

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You still don't get it? Your waiting for someone to tell you to quit. It has to be, cause your still not getting the point from all these good people. Over a "C"!

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Because as nurses we have peoples lives in the palms of our hands....it shouldn't be easy. We need to learn how to be better and be better so that we can keep people safe.

Now focus on the present....grad school will be there when you finish. Concentrate on the now and be the best you you can be.

I understand, I never thought nursing school was gonna be a cake walk (like all my pre-req classes), but, the teachers even told us during orientation: "first semester is the hardest semester, if you have what it takes to get past 1st semester, you can get through it all" is what they said. Thus that leads me to think why if they knew first semester would be the most challenging, why would they make it worth the most credit hours if only to help hurt peoples gpa's.

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This is going to come off as incredibly rude, so please bear with me. I am saying this because it's in your best interest to hear it. Here I go.

Really, seriously? You make one C, and you're ready to give up and quit. Here's a newsflash: you aren't going to have a 4.0 while you're in nursing school. I made a 97 A during first semester, and I've made two Bs during Nursing 112 and Nursing 211 (I was one point from an A during 211). I currently have a 3.80. No one in my class has a 4.0, and I do not know any nurses who ever finished school with a 4.0. That's the way nursing school goes, and you have to accept that. My first semester was 10 credit hours, and so was my second semester.

Secondly, you cannot get into a master's program unless you have your BSN. Once you get your ASN, do your BSN online while you work. Use this time to increase your GPA, and make yourself competitive for a master's program. You can also use this time to save some of the money you earn while working. You can then use this money to pay for your master's program.

If this C in fundamentals is enough to scare you this badly, then you need to do some serious thinking. Things will only get harder from here (trust me, I speak from experience). If you can't handle this little bit of pressure, how do you think you will handle things when they get ten times harder? If nursing is what you really want, take the C, be glad you passed, and stop complaining. Also, stop worrying about how this will make your GPA look for a master's program. You have to finish an ASN and a BSN before you can even think about an MSN. You've got a long time. Focus on getting through your ASN right now.

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Specializes in Oncology/hematology.

Secondly, you cannot get into a master's program unless you have your BSN. Once you get your ASN, do your BSN online while you work. Use this time to increase your GPA, and make yourself competitive for a master's program. You can also use this time to save some of the money you earn while working. You can then use this money to pay for your master's program.

While I agree with everything else you said, you're not correct on this aspect. I have an opportunity to go from associates to masters. It's a program that only takes 2 years, but it's a super intensive 70 hour per week program. I do not need a BSN in the interim.

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Specializes in Forensic Psych.

Really? You're going straight from RN to CRNA?

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I wasn't aware of that. I eventually want to do my master's at Duke University (in either oncology or adult acute care), and their first requirement is a BSN from an accredited and nationally recognized school of nursing. They would throw an application in the trash if they found out the applicant didn't have a BSN. This goes for all of their NP programs as well as their CRNA program.

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Specializes in Med-Surg/urology.

Yup, there are a few ADN-MSN programs out there. I know of one program in my area, but their masters program is geared towards nurse education, not advanced practice nurse practitioners. Frontier University also comes to mind.

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Specializes in Forensic Psych.

There are ADN to MSN programs...obviously they don't require a BSN, but I'm pretty sure you have to have a BSN for every CRNA program.

Which is what OP is aiming for. So the original point stands. He has plenty of time to make up for one C.

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