Getting a "C" is not the end of the world.

RedhairedNurse2Be · Jun 1, 2012

At my college, you have to have a B or better in Bio and English classes, but I personally do not think a C is a bad thing. Some students do better with different instructors. If I had a class where most of the grade was counted by test I would be happy with a C.

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · Jun 1, 2012

In certain areas, a C grade makes you ineligible to apply. One problem with AN is that people come on here from all over the country and forget that what works in Kansas may not work in California. Furthermore, Northern Cali (where I live) is different from So Cal.

I have a good friend who attended Sac State and took all of her prenursing courses there. She was unaware / didn't do her research and received B's and C's. While she completed all of her prereqs, she was unable to even be eligible to apply to her own college for nursing school. She is now attending tech school to get an LVN and then will apply to the tech school's LVN to RN program.

In some areas, a C might allow you to remain eligible to apply. But, where I live, even 1 C will lower your GPA to a point where you are very unlikely to get into the BSN through the State University. The community colleges near me are also switching to a partial merit / point based system in which you have to have a certain number of points to be eligible for the random lottery.

I hope this info helps another prenursing student in need.

Darkstar1485, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN · Jun 1, 2012

In certain areas, a C grade makes you ineligible to apply. One problem with AN is that people come on here from all over the country and forget that what works in Kansas may not work in California. Furthermore, Northern Cali (where I live) is different from So Cal. I have a good friend who attended Sac State and took all of her prenursing courses there. She was unaware / didn't do her research and received B's and C's. While she completed all of her prereqs, she was unable to even be eligible to apply to her own college for nursing school. She is now attending tech school to get an LVN and then will apply to the tech school's LVN to RN program.In some areas, a C might allow you to remain eligible to apply. But, where I live, even 1 C will lower your GPA to a point where you are very unlikely to get into the BSN through the State University. The community colleges near me are also switching to a partial merit / point based system in which you have to have a certain number of points to be eligible for the random lottery.I hope this info helps another prenursing student in need.

I agree. Some schools are very strict with grades, others are more forgiving. I live in Florida and the public schools are SUPER competitive. 4.0s get turned away. I got accepted into a private school in FL.

commonsense · Jun 1, 2012

I have seen a few posts about getting C's in pre-req courses. It's not the end of the world.
I got a C in my A&P 2 class. I thought my I blew my shot at nursing school. I was upset and depressed. I was wasting time worrying about a grade that I could not change.
AN helped me see that there was still hope and a C will not always ruin you.
You know what? I got into nursing school with that C!
Grades are important, but don't beat yourself up repeatedly because you got a C.
Work harder next time.
Remember, a C is a passing grade (just don't make it a habit if you can help it).
DON'T GIVE UP!

Good point about C's not being the end of the world, but like many people have stated, sometimes a C will make you ineligible for certain nursing programs. However, if you are in that boat just repeat the course you made the C in, the higher grade is the one that's kept (in my experience).

Stephalump · Jun 1, 2012

Double post!

Stephalump · Jun 1, 2012

I agree. Some schools are very strict with grades, others are more forgiving. I live in Florida and the public schools are SUPER competitive. 4.0s get turned away. I got accepted into a private school in FL.

Well of course you can circumvent poor grades by paying more money for a private school. It's a long-standing technique

However, many people cannot afford places like that, or have no desire to plunge themselves into debt, on which case, "C"s do matter. I don't see it as a bad thing...I think a firm understanding of A&P is necessary to get you through NS, and there are limited ways to test that in students. So I guess I see retaking things like A&P as a good thing!

Aongroup1990, CNA · Jun 1, 2012

yes i know i get crazy over my grades sometimes it seems like c's are the end of the world because they want you to be so perfect and get straight a's ...

CT Pixie, BSN, RN · Jun 1, 2012

Well of course you can circumvent poor grades by paying more money for a private school. It's a long-standing technique

While I can't speak for all private colleges, I can speak for the one I attend. My schools minimum grade requirements for pre-req classes is the same grade or higher (on some classes) than that of the community colleges. So there would be no way to circumvent poor grades. You implying you can get around poor grades for pre-reqs by going to a private school is a bit offensive and not accurate.

(FWIW I attend a private Catholic college..a C would not meet the pre-req requirements nor would a C in the remaining sciences be passing. Anything lower than a B average in any nursing class is failing. And you are only allowed to repeat a class once, with a total of 2 different classes being repeated, anything after that you are removed from the program)

applewhitern, BSN, RN · Jun 1, 2012

I went to a private college (yes, very expensive) and a C would have failed you.

pixiestudent2 · Jun 1, 2012

There is a huge different between private and forprofit schools. I'm going to a private catholic university and they are very generous and gave me scholarships. It now cost less for me than a public university.

Stephalump · Jun 1, 2012

While I can't speak for all private colleges, I can speak for the one I attend. My schools minimum grade requirements for pre-req classes is the same grade or higher (on some classes) than that of the community colleges. So there would be no way to circumvent poor grades. You implying you can get around poor grades for pre-reqs by going to a private school is a bit offensive and not accurate.

How is it inaccurate? The OP just demonstrated it. Perhaps it isn't true for your school, but it's reality in a lot of cases. Especially in for-profit schools like the poster above me said.