Master's programs- How hard is it to get in?

Nursing Students Post Graduate

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Question for master's degree students and grads (any program):

How competitive and hard is it to get into a master's program?

I know that you will all say that it depends on the program and school, but this is why I'm asking:

I just started in an RN to BSN program. We got the option to test out of pharmacology today. I never studied for it because I thought that there would be no way that I'd be able to test out of a hard class like that.

I took the test anyway to just to see where I stood and I passed it! (BARELY with a "C".)

So now I can either keep my "C" or take the pharm class and try to get a higher grade.

My friend passed it with a "C" as well, but she's taking the pharm class anyway, because she doesn't want the "C" to lower her GPA as she plans to go on to CRNA school, which I know is EXTREMELY competitive.

But what about for someone like me who doesn't want to be a CRNA or NP, but maybe attend some other type of master's program after BSN school?

Am I being lazy and/or shooting myself in the foot as far as grad school goes if I keep a "C" in pharmacology on my transcript?

My employer pays for all tuition and books so cost is not a factor here, just time, blood, sweat, and tears.

What would you do?

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

I would take the class and aim higher than a C. You might very well be able to get into the school of your choice either way ... but you never know ... and you will regret it if you don't give it your best shot and then have problems later.

Your patients (and the profession) deserve nurses who set their standards higher than the bare minimum.

Several years ago, I sat an an admissions committee for a nursing school. While 1 grade rarely made a difference, things like that add up and make a poor impression.

llg

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Your patients (and the profession) deserve nurses who set their standards higher than the bare minimum.

Several years ago, I sat an an admissions committee for a nursing school. While 1 grade rarely made a difference, things like that add up and make a poor impression.llg

You sound exactly like my friend who's taking the class to boost her grade and guilt me with the same "your patients and the profession deserve the best from you" rhetoric so that I take the class with her.

When you talk about impressions from an admissions committee standpoint, part of her motivation is that she feels that of all classes to get a "C" in, she feels that getting a "C" in pharmacology would really make a bad impression when trying to get into a CRNA program.

My problem is that I really don't know what I want to do after my BSN, but I'm starting to think that keeping my "C" may close doors later for me.

I also think that at least pharm is a very useful class that will only help me no matter what I do later in addition to helping my practice today.

I hope to actually become a better nurse from this program and I guess I should start by having more than just a bottom "C" level of pharmacology knowledge.

Thanks for your input.

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Specializes in ICU/CCU/MICU/SICU/CTICU.

I agree with llg on this one. Not only for the patients, but for you as well. Taking the pharmacology class will benefit you no matter what you do in your job or in future education. With all the new drugs coming out, this class can benefit you in more ways than one. I am in an FNP program and classes just started again yesterday.......... Advanced Pharm. Just from the notes that I have printed already in less than 24 hrs I have seen things that I havent seen in years, and have learned things that I didnt know.

Good luck to you!

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

I was going to mention was Cardio just did. A good number of maters programs have a pharm course, so taking it now will help you in the future.

I understand what your saying too. I would be very seriously tempted to take the C and move on. The schools look at the overall picture and aren't probably going to penalize you for this C if overall you've done well. A lot of them won't bat an eye because Pharm is a tough subject. Good luck to you.

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Specializes in Child/Adolescent Mental Health.
You know you're old when your idea of lifting weights is standing up.
:rotfl: :rotfl:
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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.
:rotfl: :rotfl:

hehehehe

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Hi,

Grades are not the only thing that help you get into a graduate program but having good grades sure makes getting accepted a lot easier and faster!!

Good luck

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Specializes in Neuro, Critical Care.
Question for master's degree students and grads (any program):

How competitive and hard is it to get into a master's program?

I know that you will all say that it depends on the program and school, but this is why I'm asking:

I just started in an RN to BSN program. We got the option to test out of pharmacology today. I never studied for it because I thought that there would be no way that I'd be able to test out of a hard class like that.

I took the test anyway to just to see where I stood and I passed it! (BARELY with a "C".)

So now I can either keep my "C" or take the pharm class and try to get a higher grade.

My friend passed it with a "C" as well, but she's taking the pharm class anyway, because she doesn't want the "C" to lower her GPA as she plans to go on to CRNA school, which I know is EXTREMELY competitive.

But what about for someone like me who doesn't want to be a CRNA or NP, but maybe attend some other type of master's program after BSN school?

Am I being lazy and/or shooting myself in the foot as far as grad school goes if I keep a "C" in pharmacology on my transcript?

My employer pays for all tuition and books so cost is not a factor here, just time, blood, sweat, and tears.

What would you do?

Im in a general masters of nursing program (MN) and I would reccommend retaking the class. C's don't look good on a transcript and it couldnt hurt to brush up on your pharm. There are pharm questions on the NCLEX. In my class we only accepted about 30 students and the director went on a case to case basis. My grades in undergrad werent that great as I was young and sloughed off alot of my school but I did really well on the GRE and had a great application. I also had a great interview so those helped me too. THere are students in my class who were straight A students in undergrad who are struggling now. I would say take the pharm class!

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Specializes in Ante-Intra-Postpartum, Post Gyne.

I would re-take it. Most masters programs require at least a 3.0 GPA to be considered. I know my cousin wanted to become a pharmacist, while she was working on her pre-master's getting her B.S. they changed the rules at the school she was wanting to attend to having to have a 4.0 to get in...Never settle for less when you know you can do better.

I was talking to my FIL about how I was applying to two different schools for nursing, I mentioned how the J.C. did not look at your grades or anything, that they would take my name and not even look at that I have a 4.0 in my sciences, an over all GPA of 3.5 with medical experience and put my name in the hat along with he guy with a 2.0...he said, "that would make me feel real comfortable have a 2.0 nurse starting my I.V."....sarcasticlly of course.

If you can get a C without haven ever taken such a hard course, imagine what you could get if you just dug your heals in and took it!!!

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If YOU are happy with the grade, keep it. If you do decide to go on to graduate school, you'll have to take it again anyway. A C in Pharm isn't gonna kill you. It's not about us, or your friend - it's about your own personal standards...

Is it worth the "time, blood, sweat, and tears?"

I would tell you what I would do, but it's really about you...

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