ABSN Gpa

LindaRN01 · Mar 10, 2019

1 hour ago, MSNNP said:
Well, I am in an accelerated bachelor program that is 16 months long. So far I am maintaining a 3.2 GPA with my maximum effort. But I think it will not take me anywhere as I intend to go towards NP. I am taking 6 classes per semester. My question is that do NP schools consider the difficulty levels of ABSN while comparing GPA? I have heard from somewhere that it is approximately 0.2 margin of GPA when masters programs consider the application. Is this true? I hope they do because BSN programs are really hard considering the amount of material in a very short period of time.

Hi,

I recently graduated from a BSN program and I’m currently in the process to start BSN-DNP. During nursing school I did my very best to keep my GPA above 3.5 because all that good schools won’t even look at your application if you have bellow a 3.0 GPA. GPA plays a big role on getting accepted to a DNP program, but it is not everything that they look for when reviewing an application. Recommendation letters, essays, and life experiences can play a big role on getting you a spot into a program. Graduate level nursing schools are not looking for a 4.0 GPA, but they want someone who is well rounded it and has a decent GPA besides all the other requirements. I applied to 2 different schools and I got accepted to 1 and got an interview on the other school with a BSN GPA of 3.72.

umbdude, MSN, APRN · Mar 10, 2019

1 hour ago, MSNNP said:
My question is that do NP schools consider the difficulty levels of ABSN while comparing GPA?

I don't think schools consider that. A 3.2 GPA is fine to get into many NP programs unless you are applying for CRNA programs. Focus on perfecting other aspects of your application and you should be fine.

LindaRN01 · Mar 10, 2019

6 minutes ago, umbdude said:
I don't think schools consider that. A 3.2 GPA is fine to get into many NP programs unless you are applying for CRNA programs. Focus on perfecting other aspects of your application and you should be fine.

I agreed, I really don’t think NP schools will consider the level of ABSN.

ToBeMSNNP · Mar 10, 2019

This is ridiculous. I have some of my friends in other schools who do open book exams and get a higher GPA than me though I know a lot more than them. ( My exams are on site and no open book)

ToBeMSNNP · Mar 10, 2019

I was a foreign physician in past life. Will that help or boost my application?

umbdude, MSN, APRN · Mar 10, 2019

9 hours ago, MSNNP said:
This is ridiculous. I have some of my friends in other schools who do open book exams and get a higher GPA than me though I know a lot more than them. ( My exams are on site and no open book)

I've never heard of open book exams for BSN or ABSN programs. It does a disservice for the students and it'll probably show on the NLCEX pass rates.

However, I would suggest not to obsess over justifying your GPA by saying that ABSN is harder. It is not going to work. There are hundreds of ABSN programs out there with students graduating with high GPA.

umbdude, MSN, APRN · Mar 10, 2019

10 hours ago, MSNNP said:
I was a foreign physician in past life. Will that help or boost my application?

Your experience caring for patients, interviewing and examining patients, and making diagnoses could be a great asset for your essays and interviews. If you can use 1 or 2 memorable experiences caring for patients and articulate how the nursing model will help you provide great care, then I think you are all set.

ShadowNurse · Mar 13, 2019

My understanding is that nursing programs across the board require a minimum 3.0 GPA to be considered for acceptance and to maintain this to retain in the program. You satisfy this requirement, so focus on other things.

0.9%NormalSarah, BSN, RN · Mar 13, 2019

On 3/9/2019 at 9:30 PM, ToBeMSNNP said:
This is ridiculous. I have some of my friends in other schools who do open book exams and get a higher GPA than me though I know a lot more than them. ( My exams are on site and no open book)

Whoa that is so not normal. Our state BRN would shut my school down if any of our professors had offered any type of open book test. They have to test us according to the standard and in a way that truly prepares us for NCLEX. Most programs are highly regulated by the state, so that really shouldn’t be happening.

ToBeMSNNP · Mar 14, 2019

@umbdude

So You are saying difficulty level of ABSN program is the same as the regular bachelor? Come on, dude...

umbdude, MSN, APRN · Mar 14, 2019

1 hour ago, ToBeMSNNP said:
@umbdude
So You are saying difficulty level of ABSN program is the same as the regular bachelor? Come on, dude...

When did I say that? I'm just answering your question - that schools don't consider the difficulty of your specific program. Even if they do, there are still tons of ABSN graduates out there who have high GPAs. Should they then try to consider which ABSN gives harder exams or which ABSN gives more curve?

If you aim to apply to a top NP program and you're concerned about your ABSN GPA, you can take a couple of advanced nursing courses (adv. patho and pharm) and do very well on the GRE. But honestly, if you focus on your essays and maintain your 3.2 (or increase a bit), I think you can get into many places.

Just trying to help. I have no interest in comparing programs. Good luck.