Bummed about GPA

lk_nynurse2b · Dec 18, 2014

Aww!! Yes I totally think it's possible. If you get A's from now on it will bring your GPA back up. It happened to me with my pre-reqs. I remember everyone telling me it's "no big deal" or "A- is still an A!!" Ahhh..but it's not lol. A- drops that GPA while an A doesn't. Good luck! Hope all works out for you!

rob4546, ADN, BSN, MSN · Dec 18, 2014

Hey guy, yes I'm here to vent a little because I'm a tad upset about my GPA. Some of you may think I'm just complaining but bare with me please because I work extremely hard for my grades. I'm a second yr nursing student (ADN) I held a 4.0 until the summer and got an A- in my psych nursing class. Now I just finished OB with another A- which dropped me to a 3.8...I wanted to be valedictorian of my class but now idk how possible that will be! So far I have all As ...2 A+ and 2 A-!! Ugh darn A-ss! I will graduate next semester!! Is it possible I can still get at least a 3.9!

Okay vent a little, it is your right. Just don't make a habit of it!!

My first prereq was college biology, I got a B and was crushed. It had been 20+ years since I went to school and I was underwater. It motivated me and that is the only B I had ever. I was valedictorian of my nursing class and was asked to speak at my graduation as an honors graduate. It can happen, let this motivate you. You can do it!

dorkypanda · Dec 18, 2014

So in nursing school they use minus and plus for grades?? o.O

do most schools use that grading ?

all I can say is wow, A's in NS :nailbiting:

Congrats and keep working hard till the end.

NICUmiiki, DNP, NP · Dec 19, 2014

So in nursing school they use minus and plus for grades?? o.O
do most schools use that grading ?
all I can say is wow, A's in NS
Congrats and keep working hard till the end.

It is completely dependent on the school. My school only uses pluses except for A, which is just an A.

SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP · Dec 20, 2014

Our school doesn't use +/- with grades. You get a 4.0, 3.5, 3.0, 2.5, etc.

I was a 4.0 student until Nursing school. Have had a 4.0 in all classes, except 2 (got a 3.5 in both). Missed a 4.0 by 0.3 points due to no-rounding policy. The second 3.5, missed a 4.0 by 2 points. So, my GPA is now 3.93. I had set a goal for myself to get the best grades possible while in NS. At first, I was super bummed about being so close to that 4.0 and missing it. But you know what? In the big scheme of things, it really doesn't matter. When you sit down for your job interview, no one is going to care what your GPA was in NS. I do plan on pursuing further education at the graduate level and my grades will serve me well in that capacity. That's about all they're good for. I'm there to learn and understand the material. Can I apply this in real life? That's what matters.

I wouldn't worry about being valedictorian of your class. It's nearly impossible to make it the entire way through with a perfect 4.0. I'm sure others in your program have the same issue. Just keep earning good grades and you'll be on the list for consideration :)

Congrats on doing so well so far. Keep up the good work

strawberryluv, BSN, RN · Dec 20, 2014

Wow, good job! I would be ****** too if I studied with the aim of becoming valedictorian

and got less than what I put in for it. I think you need a long swing of beer.

dorkypanda · Dec 20, 2014

Our school doesn't use +/- with grades. You get a 4.0, 3.5, 3.0, 2.5, etc.
I was a 4.0 student until Nursing school. Have had a 4.0 in all classes, except 2 (got a 3.5 in both). Missed a 4.0 by 0.3 points due to no-rounding policy. The second 3.5, missed a 4.0 by 2 points. So, my GPA is now 3.93. I had set a goal for myself to get the best grades possible while in NS. At first, I was super bummed about being so close to that 4.0 and missing it. But you know what? In the big scheme of things, it really doesn't matter. When you sit down for your job interview, no one is going to care what your GPA was in NS. I do plan on pursuing further education at the graduate level and my grades will serve me well in that capacity. That's about all they're good for. I'm there to learn and understand the material. Can I apply this in real life? That's what matters.
I wouldn't worry about being valedictorian of your class. It's nearly impossible to make it the entire way through with a perfect 4.0. I'm sure others in your program have the same issue. Just keep earning good grades and you'll be on the list for consideration :)
Congrats on doing so well so far. Keep up the good work

Holy cow! You're doing pretty darn good! Do you use other resource books to supplement your understanding of course material?

ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP · Dec 20, 2014

Employers don't care about your GPA (unless it is an internship). They care about your degree, if it is accredited, your license and your healthcare work experience.

I am graduating tomorrow with a BSN from an accredited and well-known state school, a 3.77 gpa, three years of healthcare experience, solid references, zero student loans and an interview with my dream job. And yes, I got a fair amount of B's, B+s and A-'s. I survived.

SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP · Dec 21, 2014

Holy cow! You're doing pretty darn good! Do you use other resource books to supplement your understanding of course material?

I use the CDs or publisher's website that goes along with our textbooks. There is a TON of supplemental information, practice NCLEX questions, etc., that you can find using these tools. I also take notes by hand. I do NOT print out the instructor's PowerPoints. I take notes the good old fashioned way. I find this helps me retain the info better than if I am just jotting down a few notes on pre-printed PowerPoint slides. I also record the lectures and will review the sections I feel I don't know as well.

Most of the text books have review questions at the end of the chapters or they have a secondary study guide with NCLEX style questions you can purchase separately. I always review these questions before exams. It really helps, especially reading the rationales for the right/wrong answers. I can't count the number of times my instructors have used similar questions to the ones I prepped with. While they weren't word-for-word the same, they were certainly close enough :)