GPA at University of St. Francis

racing-mom4, BSN, RN · Mar 23, 2008

I dont know, I have not heard, but I do know that every semester the pre-nursing students kind of freak out about getting into clinicals...I know I did.

In Fall of 04? or was it 05 ( I worked last night and have not slept--so excuse my fuzzy mind? Anyways---I had to complete 12 semester hours at USF before I could start clinicals and one of my classes had to be a science class either Micro or Patho. Micro was full, so I took Patho. Also that semester I had to complete chemistry. I got a C in chemistry (my only C ever) a B in Patho and an A in religion and Sociology. I got in January. I came to them with a 3.5 from Ivy Tech, but I know that GPA was not transfered --only the credits.

Now in Fall of 06 a friend of mines sister got right in to clinicals 1st semester there. So I am guessing some semesters they have a bigger wait list than others. She also was a transfer student--but her Pharm grade was a C--needs to be a B at USF, so she had to take that again.

Are you enrolled yet and taking classes now? Have you met with your adviser? I clearly remember the day I got into clinicals, it was over Christmas break and they called me about 8am, i had worked 3rd shift the night before and the phone woke me up. I was so excited I was just ecstatic and didnt sleep all day.--they waited till the last possible week to put us in. We all had to waitlist. But every one I knew that was vying for it made it.

I am so excited for you, keep me informed. I will shout from the roof tops how much I love that school.

IndianaRN2011 · Mar 23, 2008

We were informed a week or two ago that there will be a waiting list for the fall clinicals, and so GPA will be the one of the main factors in determining who is accepted into the program. I don't know how many students are expected to be on the waiting list - I know there are about 48 spots. I will not be ready to go into the program this fall, but was just curious about GPA and if you had ever heard the range for the students going into the program. I know 2.7 is the minimum, but I would think acceptance into the prorgram requires something much higher.

I'll stay in touch.

racing-mom4, BSN, RN · Mar 23, 2008

48 spots is what I had in my class---I think 2.7 sounds like that was the minimum too when I got it. I know I was the 1st class to take their Teas test and my class "set the bar" per say. When I got in Teas scored did not matter, but I think they are factoring those in now too.

What is stopping you from getting a Fall seat? How many classes are you in now?

Best of luck--cant wait to hear of your adventures!!!

IndianaRN2011 · Mar 24, 2008

I need to complete A&P I first - one of my conditions of being admitted to the program. Once that class is done, I will have fulfilled all of the requirements and will be ready for clinicals.

I decided against A&P during the summer. It will be one of the classes used to calculate my GPA. I know it can be a difficult class, and did not want to take a chance of getting a C (or worse). What can you share with me about A&P I - best way to study, etc.?

I guess I'll keep my fingers crossed that I can get in the spring clinicals. I work full-time and I'm currently looking for a part-time position so I'll have that in place in case I get into the program in the spring. Plus, A&P is only offered during hours which conflict with my current job.

I am so excited (and nervous) about the possibility of being admitted into the program.....I just want it to happen this spring! However, I need to do really well this semester to have a good GPA and then make it through A&P.

Again, thanks for your input, and I'll check in with you later.

racing-mom4, BSN, RN · Mar 24, 2008

My tip for A&P is a good digital camera to use in the lab. Take a photo of everything, then print it on colored paper and label every part with a number. Take your picture back to class with you the next time and make sure you have the master list that goes with the numbers exact.

Then on a separate piece of paper write the name that goes with that number. Test yourself over and over and over. By the time you take the lab practical you will have seen everything and named it countless times.

I did not learn that trick till A&P2, and I got an A+ in the lab part. I only missed maybe 2 total on all the lab practicals.

As far as the text part, read read read and try and convert it into laymans terms so you will understand it better.

channi2010 · Nov 26, 2009

hello to all, i applied to the university of saint francis and was denied admissions to the bsn program. it was because i repeated a biology class twice and failed the teas test. i was told that i will be admitted as a pre-nursing major and if i take 16 credits at usf and have 2.7 gpa, my status will be change to nursing major. how possible is that? will the biology repeatation still count in the decision making? here is what it said on their website. pls read and tell me what u think:

change of status from pre-nursing to the nursing major

students who do not meet nursing admission criteria may be admitted to the university as a pre-nursing or undeclared nursing major. the following criteria must be met before either pre-nursing or undeclared nursing students can request a change of status to be considered for admission to the nursing major.

1. completion of all courses required by placement testing

2. completion of a minimum of 16 hours at usf. students must have a biological science course (biol 221, biol 222, biol 223, or biol 270) as part of the required 16 credit hours at usf)

3. chem 121, introductory chemistry, if required

4. math 122, college algebra

5. a grade of c or above in all required courses

6. cumulative gpa of 2.7 or above earned at usf

7. teas (test of essential academic skills) entrance examination if not already taken

any required course can be repeated only one time. a change of status will not be considered until all criteria identified above are met.

gocougars · Dec 3, 2009

I take it as the biology repeatition does not count, since you are accepted. They mean the course at USF can only be repeated once, for example, anatomy. Once you meet the requirements, you will be accepted as a nursing student. They have "pre-nursing" for students whose grades don't quite meet the criteria to see if they really put in the time to study. If not, you have the chance to change your major. Biology 221 is Anatomy and Physiology, and from experience, if you don't put tons of time into it, you won't make the grade you need.

is5512 · Jan 27, 2010

There are a few things you'll need to consider:

1) Meeting those criteria will indeed get you bumped up from Pre-Nursing to Nursing Major. However, there are generally more Nursing Majors than there are slots in clinicals for those majors. I do not get the sense from the school that those slots are filled strictly by GPA. I could be wrong on this point, but it seems to me their thinking is something along the lines of, "Student B is sitting at a 3.7 but just got here. Student C is a 3.65, but was here a semester earlier and won't give up. Send Student C The Letter."

...and by the way, an A from Ivy Tech makes people giggle here.

2) It is So easy to die at USF. There are some really bright students who were a semester ahead of me that are now my classmates. If you score a C in Theology or Algebra, you did something dumb. If you fail to get an 80 in Patho, Micro or anything that starts with NURS, then you are a "Failed To Progress." a habit of that, and you might wanna check out their Arts, Business or Education programs. If you fail to smoke the Math exam on the second week of Fundy, you'll be teetering on the edge of the cliff; know I/O and conversions inside and out.

I would be glad to have you as a classmate, but you're in for some hard work, friend.

MistyMiss · Jan 27, 2010

...and by the way, an A from Ivy Tech makes people giggle here.

This Indy student giggles about your NCLEX pass rates and cost of admission, so I guess we are even :)

channi2010 · Jan 27, 2010

Hi, thanks for your respond. So, does that mean the nursing program at usf is intense? Do they have alot of drop out? I am affraid of waiting since I am from a different state. Just tell me little about what u know about their program please. thx

MistyMiss · Jan 28, 2010

I think it is important to take a look at nclex pass rates before starting any program. Here is a link from 2008, I was unable to find anything more recent. Good Luck!

http://www.in.gov/pla/files/Current_Pass_Rates_-_BSN_programs_January_2008_-_December_2008.pdf