Grading scale

RhodyGirl, RN · Nov 5, 2008

BSN program here, 74 = C....anything below is a failing grade. We can only retake one course throughout the program; get below 74 on second shot and you are dismissed.

chevyv, BSN, RN · Nov 5, 2008

Check out your schools pass rate for the NCLEX this past year. Our school changed from 78% avg on all exams to 80% on each exam. Our instructor told us it was because of the latest test results from state. We must of all looked puzzled and she realized that she oopsed. She had no choice but to tell us the whole story. Turns out we had like a 50% pass rate this past year. It wasn't even listed on the state site yet.

Apart from the 80% rate on each exam, if we fail something 2x's, we are out of the program. Thankfully, I'm in my last semester.

THAT Nurse., MSN, RN, APRN · Nov 5, 2008

chev,

Initially they told us stories about low student pass rates on NCLEX.

We were not having low pass rates. (We weren't the highest around, but we were I think 2% below the next highest school). So, that turned out to be a questionable argument.

Another supposed reason was that due to our low NCLEX pass rates (non existing, we pulled the numbers and saw it was not low) the state was considering decertifying our school. Well, as it turned out, the state was NOT about to do that.

Frankly, I am curious as to what other schools have as grading scales, because I think it is another lie we were told. The students universally hate our Director, as you can imagine. On top of screwing us, we had three faculty members virtually pushed out the door over the summer. They did not support our great Director as much as new untenured instructors who do not hold PhDs in something are supposed to. I actually work in the same facility my Director of the SON used to work in, turns out, she was not very well liked here either. Big shock.

Regardless, I am interested in hearing what other students have as their grading scales. It seems that failing only 1 class is pretty standard. Oh, and chev, ADN or BSN program?

gdsgrl · Nov 6, 2008

We have to have an 80% to pass and that is considered a "C". Anything less, you don't go on and can only fail twice and your out.

80-86 = C

87-92=B

93-100=A

A 76 or 78% would be a blessing for us.

chevyv, BSN, RN · Nov 6, 2008

chev,
It seems that failing only 1 class is pretty standard. Oh, and chev, ADN or BSN program?

I'm in an ADN program. I'm stumped as to why your school is doing things the way they are and not telling the students. My first thought was the pass rate for the NCLEX just because that seems to be what prompted our changes. Usually, there is some reason for such changes to occur. I'd be interested in knowing the why.

I wonder if you got our Nursing Director. She was run out when state came in and everything came a tumblin' down. She wasn't well liked either. Our new one was an instructor who rose up the ranks. She's tough but fair. I figure she'll be out the door in no time.

Keep us posted if you find anything out. Other than that, I can say it sure is tough to get 80% on each exam, and that's for a C. UGH!!

THAT Nurse., MSN, RN, APRN · Nov 6, 2008

Ours is a local to this area, so I doubt we got your old one.

The why gets us as well. We see no reason for the change. I know of one instructor so against it she refuses to use the new scale. Pretty bold move of hers, but then, she can get away with it. Course, she is not well liked by our dear Director.

I know what you mean on tough grades. Our class size is around 24. One of the MedSurge instructors (who I have this semester for MS 2) failed 41% (9 students) of the class in Level 2 Med Surge. On our last test a LOT of people had issues with some questions (never heard about them before, and we had no clue where they came from, cause they were not in lecture, PP notes, or the book). The instructors response? Well, you should have known. Sometimes everyone gets it wrong. The idea that we had not been taught never crossed her mind.

neongirl · Nov 6, 2008

i'm in a ASN program. we must maintain a 2.7 GPA or higher overall. Our Grading scale for the Nursing classes are also higher that the regular University scale.We must have a C or higher in everything... but- not really a C is a 2.0

OUR SCALE:

81-87 C

88-93 B

94 and up A

We also do not get the GPA boost a C+ or B+ or A- would give... It's a VERY hard pill to swallow.... I get A's on almost everything end up with a 91-92% at the end of the semester (I'm in my 3rd and have a 92.7) But i have to take the 3.0 to figure in, (I would be graduating with honors if I got what i feel i earned - 3. something.. 5, 7) way it sits it will finish with a 3.4.... all that work for what? to look like i'm a B student.--- which i guess I am. 3.0 over an 8 credit class drops your gpa fast. X4 and yuck.

Not to mention.. GPA for some things has a baring on Grant money, aid packages.. the higher the better, scholarships...

justme1972 · Nov 6, 2008

I attend an ADN program at a community college (RN).

Passing standard is 80 or above.

94 to 100 is an A

85 to 93 is a B

80 to 84 is a C

Anything below an 80 is failing.

justme1972 · Nov 6, 2008

The why gets us as well. We see no reason for the change. I know of one instructor so against it she refuses to use the new scale. Pretty bold move of hers, but then, she can get away with it. Course, she is not well liked by our dear Director.

Your instructor is trying to fight a battle she isn't going to win that could ultimately cost her their job.

If the department sets the criteria, then all instructors must use that.

Unless she has it in her employement contract that she can use her own grading scale inconsistent with the deparmtment and without college approval (which I can tell you now she doesn't), she'll be required to use it.

THAT Nurse., MSN, RN, APRN · Nov 6, 2008

2009,

She found a way around it, and nobody is stopping her. She is not hiding it, and between tenure, and the fact she has been there for a while, she gets to do what she wants. Since she is fair, students sure are not complaining. (Even though it isn't easy, she is fair, which is all I really ask for.)

justme1972 · Nov 6, 2008

2009,
She found a way around it, and nobody is stopping her. She is not hiding it, and between tenure, and the fact she has been there for a while, she gets to do what she wants. Since she is fair, students sure are not complaining. (Even though it isn't easy, she is fair, which is all I really ask for.)

I think many of your classmates are under the misguided impression that a college instructor is somehow an independent employee and doesn't have superiors to report to. How long someone has been at a job doesn't make any difference and one of two things are happening:

1. If you are mid-program, they cannot change the grading scale. College handbooks are actually legal contracts and you are under the same "contract" when you started the program to when you finished it, as long as you stay "on contract". This is what prevents colleges from adding coures mid-program in order to force you to stay in the program longer.

So if you are in mid-program she might be STATING to the class she "refuses to use it"...but the truth is, it's not implemented until the new incoming class starts.

2. She's pulling your leg along with the rest of the class.

You don't really and truly beleive that college professors are exempt from following written policies of a college or department do you and can just simply "refuse" to comply?

Seriously...you do understand that instructors are employees, they do have supervisors to report to, they don't make their own rules, and consistency in the grading scale throughout a nursing program is one of the accreditation requirements from the BON of your state?

Even if an intructor has tenure...if they violate college polices, they can STILL lose their job.

I really, really hope your classmates are not falling for that.