about GPA

Otessa, BSN, RN · Jul 26, 2006

I guess my "community college" was different since it was a State College just a 2-year version.

luvmy3kids · Jul 26, 2006

I'm a little confused by your question... Are you asking why one would go to a CC rather than a 4 yr school???

If that is the case... here's my story....

I already have a 4 yr degree. I now have 3 children, a husband, and a home to care for. It took me 10 yrs out of college to realize what I really wanted to do with my life.... and that is become a nurse...

For it to work for me.. I have to attend a Community college in which the courses are more flexible to my schedule and the needs of my family. Not to mention the cost as well....

For me... I am really quite happy with an ADN. I could get the BSN seeing as how I already hold a BS, but I really just want to be an RN and that's all. I don't have any interest in management or anything else for that matter.

I'm not doing it for the money (although a paycheck will be nice LOL)... I'm just really doing this for me (for the first time in a long while)...

So that's why I've chosen the CC. Because you are so young... a 4 year school may be perfect for you... I think it's different for everyone... but I don't think it's any easier.... JMHO

trepinCT · Jul 26, 2006

Well..I guess there is a lot of opinions out there..and they are all just that..opinions. I have had many classmates who attended 4 year colleges and then taken courses at a CC and they said that CC science courses were more difficult. Some CC professors are harder b/c they feel they have something to prove, that they are just as "tough" as 4 year colleges. I live in Connecticut where there are some pretty big 4 year colleges. The bottom line, unless you are going to Harvard or Yale..your GPA from a CC does not look bad on a transcript. I can tell you from my own CC experience that my 3.5 GPA is worth more to me than a student from a 4 year college with a 4.0)..because I earned that GPA while raising a family( 4 children)..ranging in ages from 3 to 13..ran around to Girls Scouts, softball, soccer..my husband is a Firefigher and works 55 hours a week, which includes at least 2 -3 overnight(5pm- 7am) shifts. THe 55 hours does not include his 2nd job, which fill his days off..I have no outside sitter help..we are on our own(hubby uses vac. days when needed to help out)..I chose community college b/c around here they are looked upon (as far as nursing programs) as rigorous and a lot more clinical experience than a 4 year college program. .with the exception of a couple of hospitals , the pay is the same for a staff nurse..ADN, BSN..doesnt matter for staff nursing..same pay rate.I can still go on to get my bachelors, if i chose to decide to go into managerial..but with my ADN and working, my employer can help pay for that.Finances play a small role in my decision. I will be applying to ADN and BSN programs, because my CC credits are easily transferred to the 4 year state colleges in my state, which only tells me that they dont think so badly of the CCand the work I did there. One advisor from a 4 year college told me that the fact that a student can balance the pressures of family and job, means a lot, even with a 3.5.