Nursing School GPA Question

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in Ortho and Tele med/surg.

In my nursing program, an 80 is a "C" which is the minimum you need to pass in the program. The grading scale goes: 80 to 87 is a "C" , 87-93 is a "B", and 93-100 is an "A." I personally think it's ridiculous because I got a 93 in pharmacology and it's saying I got a "B." I got an 83 in nursing and now my overall GPA is a 2.20. Do you guys have this problem at your school? What's your grading scale like? I applied for an externship and was denied because they said my GPA was too low. I tried to explain that the 2.20 doesn't mean I got somewhere in the 70's, but they already made their decision. I'm worried about getting in a BSN program! I would love to start off in ICU, but my boss told me that you have to have an "A" to start out in the ICU. Am I doomed? :confused: Also, I would like to pursue CRNA, but most schools won't even look at your application if your GPA is below 3.0. :(:(:(:(

Thanks

That's... pretty ridiculous.

I have problems worse than that -- believe me and I am 48. Flunked out of two nursing schools but I have continued to educate myself with everyday opportunities to help my studies. I was not fortunate enough to have help or could manage with a nursing asst. position. Therefore, my grades suffered and looks like every time I turned around something stupid would interrupt my studies --- weather without electricity; overstudying the wrong information or something stupid with the computer. However, I will no let this overthrow me forever. There will be some way you will get in the BSN program and make it. Don't give up; I have not no matter what it looks like. What helped me a few months ago from dying or committing suicide about a terrible, terrible clinical instructor that I clashed with was to volunteer my services to a friend and care for his sick mom. It was trying but I used my nursing skills in the situation and advocacy at her doctor's visits and I saw her progress before my and every one else's eyes. That alone re-enforced and enhanced what I had learned from lecture but had never got a chance to practice except for the dinky clinicals that I went to.

I even learned how to deal with others (NP, docs and other medical staff) as a result. My ankles look like little hams but the experience was intriguing for me. Try your best in class and experience things outside of class and use other books as reference which can break things down a little better at times. It's worth the try to just do better in your BSN program to meet your goal.

God Bless

Specializes in ICU, ER, EP,.

sry, mine was the same as yours. we had a high drop rate, but a very successful board pass rate. It can be done, I survived it and my GPA was 3.98, one whole b in a psyc class, but I slept very little. I promise the time will pass quickly, good luck.

Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

You won't be able to change the grading scale, so you need to change the grades. Some people actually take courses a second time in order to bring up the grade. Have you considered a tutor? Mentor?

I had a 3.0 in ADN school, had to retake two classes to get into BSN, but 4.0 by the end of grad school - I guess it was beginning to make sense. You can do it!!!

Specializes in Ortho and Tele med/surg.

I look at this way, if I try my hardest and get a 90 across the board and still have low GPA, then that's just ridiculous! But then again, I chose this program and I will have to live with the consequences.

Specializes in TCU.

I just wanted to say that the program I am in grades on the same scale, and I believe that most NS do grade the same way.

Good Luck in your future as a nurse! :up:

Specializes in Cardiothoracic Transplant Telemetry.

I would say that the majority of nursing schools have a very similar grading scale. As a matter of fact, the BSN program that I am in now requires 95% for an A. Other programs that you apply to will likely assume this type of grading scale and set their expectations accordingly. Nursing school is very demanding, and you will likely have to work harder than you have ever worked in your life for anything to get anywhere near the grades that you want.

Specializes in Med/Surg.

93-100 A

83-92 B

74-82 C

This is for a BSN program. The pass rate is a 74% and the average of your test scores must be at least a 74% in order to pass the class. The latter of that statement has failed many students who do not make the 74% test average but may have a higher grade because of paperwork etc. I'll be a senior this year trying desperately to hold onto my 3.5 before applying for grad school!

In my nursing program, an 80 is a "C" which is the minimum you need to pass in the program. The grading scale goes: 80 to 87 is a "C" , 87-93 is a "B", and 93-100 is an "A." I personally think it's ridiculous because I got a 93 in pharmacology and it's saying I got a "B." I got an 83 in nursing and now my overall GPA is a 2.20. Do you guys have this problem at your school?

I'm sure it's not much comfort, but what you're describing is a pretty typical standard/grading scale for lots of nursing programs.

(I'm not trying to be hypercritical, but I'm somewhat confused -- you say that 80-87 is a C, 87-93 is a B, and 93-100 is an A; but an 87 can't be both a C and a B, and a 93 can't be both a B and an A. Did you possibly mean 80-87, 88-93, and 94-100? Or something similar?)

The UNLV scale is similar except that they have plus and minus grades:

A 93-100

A- 90-92

B 83-87

B+ 88-89

B- 80-82

C+ 78-79

C 75-77

C- 70-74

D+ 68-69

D 63-67

D- 60-62

F below 60

In order to progress through the program you have to get at least 75% on the standardized tests at the end of the semester, and you have to get at least 75% on exit exam to graduate.

The UNLV scale is similar except that they have plus and minus grades:

A 93-100

A- 90-92

B 83-87

B+ 88-89

B- 80-82

C+ 78-79

C 75-77

C- 70-74

D+ 68-69

D 63-67

D- 60-62

F below 60

That's the same grading scale that my school uses. We have to earn a minimum of a C in a course - if it's a C-, it is considered failing and it must be repeated. You're only allowed to repeat a course/clinical ONCE and if you fail the second time, you get kicked out of the program and cannot re-apply for at least 5 years (I'm not overexaggerating on that, either!)

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