Nursing School GPA

My understanding is GPA doesn't matter much as long as you have other factors to recommend you, like a high GRE score or acceptance into an honor society. I'd think as long as your GPA is above about a 3.5, you shouldn't have trouble getting into grad school. If it's below that, you still can get in, you'd just have to have a good application otherwise.

I am graduating from nursing school with a 3.2 GPA was a 3.7 when I got into nursing school. I am looking at Rush university for my masters and if you have at least a 3.0 gpa you don't have to take the GRE but if you have below a 3.0 then you do have to take GRE and get a good score. Another thing I think that might be even more important or at least a big consideration is the amount of years experience you have. I would think that a person with a say 2.8 gpa and 2-3 years of critical care experience would get picked over a person with just a good gpa an no prior experience depending on what program you are going into.

I can't comment on GPA for Master's program, but I think the old adage of C equals RN is outdated. In this job market, grades DO matter no matter what people say. When my class applied for limited internship spots this spring, we had to include a copy of our unofficial transcript. If you are interviewing a dozen candidates who are equally matched in interviewing skills and recommendations, are you going to take the one with the 2.5 or the one with the 3.8? I'm graduating with a 3.5 after entering the nursing program with a 4.0.

I consider anything above a 3.5 to be a good GPA. I think GPA's really only matter if you are wanting to advance your education. Most of the grad programs I've looked at are competitive, and I think a 3.5 is again a safe bet. Other things factor into that as well, such as work experience, references, standardize test scores, etc. Otherwise if you are happy with your RN, the employers around here are more interested in your skills, not your grades.

Wrapping up my third semester and once again, I am mere points away from an A in more than one class. I entered nursing school with a 3.7, and have been slowly sinking thanks to one B after another. It's very frustrating. The schools I am looking at want a 3.5 or better for their BSN or MSN programs. Some schools also look at certain classes (chem, stats, A&P) and use those grades as criteria as well. If I graduate with a 3.5 I won't be happy, but I won't hang my head either. I keep on truckin' though, and start every semester and take every test with the thought of an A.

The phrase C=RN is irksome as hell.

Thanks for all the replies!

I'm a bit confused, what is 'c = RN' supposed to imply?

spritez said:

Thanks for all the replies!

I'm a bit confused, what is 'c = RN' supposed to imply?

Pretty sure it's the same meaning as "c's get degrees"

Meaning you don't have to graduate with a's to become a nurse. A c will get you the same degree as an a.

GradinMO said:

I can't comment on GPA for Master's program, but I think the old adage of C equals RN is outdated. In this job market, grades DO matter no matter what people say. When my class applied for limited internship spots this spring, we had to include a copy of our unofficial transcript. If you are interviewing a dozen candidates who are equally matched in interviewing skills and recommendations, are you going to take the one with the 2.5 or the one with the 3.8? I'm graduating with a 3.5 after entering the nursing program with a 4.0.

If you have low grades set yourself apart in some other area. I am one of those 2.5 students and secured an internship due to my networking and interviewing abilities. Make yourself stand out in some way.

SAHMStudent said:

Wrapping up my third semester and once again, I am mere points away from an A in more than one class. I entered nursing school with a 3.7, and have been slowly sinking thanks to one B after another. It's very frustrating. The schools I am looking at want a 3.5 or better for their BSN or MSN programs. Some schools also look at certain classes (chem, stats, A&P) and use those grades as criteria as well. If I graduate with a 3.5 I won't be happy, but I won't hang my head either. I keep on truckin' though, and start every semester and take every test with the thought of an A.

The phrase C=RN is irksome as hell.

I get frustrated with my new school because their are only 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 So someone can get the 85% and get the 3.0 or get the 93% and still get the 3.0 why even try if your going to end up in the same bracket. I haven't known anyone in our class that got an A yet but I do know a few that came within 1% of getting it. Thankfully the bridge program I plan on attending is 3.0 or higher. Even getting an 84.5% and getting the C still puts you down to the 2.0 Very frustrating especially when other programs might go back to the 10 point scale.

I have pretty much gotten mostly B's so far in nursing school. I always still shoot for the A though. As impossible as it is seeming.

When I moved here my pre req GPA dropped because of this grading scale. If I got a 3.7 in something it transferred over to a 3.0. Really sucks. I want my old school's grade scale back that had 3.4 3.5 3.6 etc. etc.

That saying annoys me too!

In my area of the country, more organizations are asking for nursing school cumulative GPA as part of the application for GN internships. It is also a factor in admission to graduate programs, however it can be offset by a very strong showing on your GRE.

What's a GRE? I'm a low 3.x student, and might need whatever that is to continue my studies.

Its a test for getting into grad school