G.P.A not so good...

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Nov 2, 2005

Keep your grades up. Review study techniques because studying effectively is a skill that you can learn. If you haven't heard it from your instructors yet, it is generally advised that you spend at least--at least--two hours outside of class working and studying on each subject for every hour of class time you put in. To get an "A" you generally have to put in a lot more time than that. If you take several classes that study time adds up to pretty much no social time!

Have an answer to the question, "Why do you want to be a nurse?" ready for your nursing application and interview. Try to think of something creative to say and not just that you want to help people. You will also be asked what your strong points and weak points are about yourself, so be thinking about those in terms of what characteristics a nurse should possess in order to be successful.

FNPhopeful · Nov 2, 2005

I agree, with Daytonite. Ya know I'd always seen that before on class syllabuses. 3 hrs outside of class for every hour spent in class or something like that. I'd always thought yea whatever. But its so true. If you spent the recommened time studying you'll retain the material just simply from being so familiar with it. Just spent that time reading if nothing else. I read my assigned chapters over and over again just so Im familiar with it. On top of other study stuff.

I'd definitely say study techniques are learned; its just about putting the time in. And you've got plenty of time to get a higher GPA; you havent even taken the sciences yet. Just make it your goal with every new class you start to be the A student in he class. By the way 3.1 is still good!

Lisa CCU RN, RN · Nov 2, 2005

Hello everyone! I'm really stressed out about whether or not nursing is for me. I've got good reccomendations from some doctors and head nurses. But my grades are lacking. At this point I have 3.1 with one year down and I still have 3 semesters left (I have NOT taken any core science courses yet). Does anybody have ANY advice about what I could do to show that nursing is for me, especially when application time comes around?

What's wrong with a 3.1? I know plenty of people with that GPA who have that and a little lower ( me included who have been successful at getting into nursing school and graduate school. It all depends on where you apply.

casi, ASN, RN · Nov 2, 2005

I currently have about the same GPA. I think that the first year of college is the hardest, you just don't quite know what to expect. Study hard and try to bring those grades up. If you have to drop down to a parttime student. See if that helps.