Nursing Students- Were Any of You "B" Students- and Still Got Accepted?

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Specializes in School Nursing.

Hi nursing students! I don't want to take you away from your studies for too long but I was hoping you can answer some questions for me.

Are there any of you out there that were mostly "B" students that got into nursing school. If so, how long did it take? Were there other factors you think set you apart from other applicants?

To all students: What was your acceptance GPA? How many schools did you apply to? Anything special set you apart?

Thanks ladies and gents!

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Specializes in Acute Care.

I had a 3.9. My only B was in anatomy (ugh- haha). I was accepted right away. I dont really know what else they could be looking for- its got to be up to the school. Is there a waiting list where you are? On the other hand- since being in the program... I've got a new philosophy... Screw the As- just get me through! haha- one of my instructors said, "Yeah- I used to be an A student too- then I got to Nursing school". Good luck- if you dont get in just keep applying- and take courses that will raise your GPA. Or if youre really having trouble- retake the courses you got Bs in.

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I am a high B student, mostly because I always worked full time in demanding real career(s) while going to school. My only stint as full-time student was the initial associate degree that I did as a kid. Try as hard as I could, I could not get an A in either A&P I or A&P II. But I later found out that I had taken those at the most demanding public college in the area. So, perhaps it's not just GPA but the actual level of difficulty that is taken into consideration. When you have several feeder schools offering prereqs for RN, the RN schools have to eventually figure out which ones are the most demanding schools and which ones are high-GPA mills.

Each school has its own preadmission test, as well. The HESI, as far as I know, can be custom tailored by the school, and they can have very difficult questions that don't count toward the score but they help show the school a student's ability, nonetheless.

Now with all of the glut of applicants, schools can raise the bar on GPA, since there are more students that seat. So, yes, I am hearing that many schools take only 4.0s or close to it.

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Dear mjmoon,

Why are you opening up a thread so others could have a pi****g contest at your expense? Where does it say only "A" students are accepted into nursing school. I'd rather have a "marginal" book tpye of nurse who has his/her skills down pat than a "book smart" nurse that is CLUELESS when it comes to patients, procedures, and manners.

A little forewarning: Everyone and their brother claims to have a GPA hovering around a 4.0. If you believe that, send me a private e-mail because I have a bridge to sell to you in Brookklyn. Cheap. I don't care what kind of family background students have, how much they made at their previous jobs, how many apps they have on their I-phone. I. Don't. Care. And neither does anyone else. It's these threads that only serve to violate those that are trying and not flashing their "look what I have and what you don't" catty personalities.

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Specializes in Acute Care.

Tyler- I get your point. But- just so I specifically dont look like a smuck (as I feel like your post does just that lol). The OP did ask what our acceptance GPA was. Mine was a 3.9. But I did also mention that it is in, NO WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM now. Nursing school is TOUGH- and my days of an A average are over. Like I said- I actually agree with you that many people will boast their GPAs around due to the thread. But- I think more times than not... people WILL have high GPAs. Nursing school is tough to get into more often than not- and a high GPA helps. Its not everything though. So- to the original poster- as I stated originally- apply and see what happens- if they want a higher GPA, see what you can do to get it up. Best of luck to you!! I'm sure itll work out one way or another.

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Specializes in School Nursing.

I was honestly hoping to hear from some people who's GPA's were so perfect get in. I'm not a total idiot, I know some people may inflate their grades... but I'd hope most people would be honest.

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Specializes in School Nursing.

Also- I am applying for several programs. Right now I'm doing quite well in my prereqs and may actually have a decent GPA when all is said and done..

Noting wrong with being curious, is there?

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I'm so glad I don't live in an area where it's so competitive that getting "Bs" is an issue. To answer your question....I was a "B" student before entering the nursing program. Now I'm a high "B", low "A" student in my 3rd semester. I honestly don't remember my entering GPA and don't feel like looking it up, lol....low 3.0 something. Only applied to one program and got in right after my prereqs were done. Good luck!

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Specializes in Labor and Delivery.

Well I think I understand why you started this thread...In this past summer when I submitted my nursing school application sometimes I would go on here and be very discouraged.. So many people claiming (and maybe they do) to have 4.0 and scoring 95's and up on their teas test which is teh test my school used and I felt so bad about myself lol...but I submitted my application with a 3.7 gpa and a 84.5 on my TEAS and I got accepted! It was my one and only application to nursing school so I was very very happy.. beyond happy... But I have talked with otehrs that got accepted in my class and many had B's in different classes..Nursing school is competitive but I'm glad I didn't let it scare me off from trying :) Which I alsmost did if it wasn't for my husband and his support :)

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Specializes in New Critical care NP, Critical care, Med-surg, LTC.

It's going to depend on the schools you're applying to. For the program I'm in there are three acceptance criteria- GPA (50%), TEAS score (25%) and A&P I (25%) grade. After all the applicants are reviewed, they are ranked in order based on those three criteria. Sixty percent of the class is the top of the ranking list. Then, everyone that met the minimum requirements is put into a pool and the other 40% of the class is chosen randomly. So, theoretically, someone with a 2.7 GPA, a 67.5 on the TEAS and a C+ in A&PI could be in my nursing school classroom. I don't know whether I was accepted ranked or lottery, because I know that many people have better GPAs than myself (somewhere around 3.6).

I've heard of some programs where once you meet the minimum requirements you just wait to get in from a waiting list. Check with the schools you're interested in for the criteria and admission process.

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It is possible. I had a 3.1 TOTAL GPA average from ALL of the schools I've attended. I didn't do so well at my first university, but then transferred and got A's and A-'s in all of my pre-reqs. I also did well on the TEAS (92). I ended up getting into a very good program, which was also my top choice.

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I was on a waiting list, it didn't matter if you had a 4.0, or if you just had a "C" ave. as long as all of your classes that you needed for nursing school was a c. That is a good thing or I wouldn't have made it in, since my gpa sucks because of being young, stupid, and not caring about grades at one time(and college algebra) I know that the universities(BA) are not taking many under a 3.5 gpa, that is in the handbooks(Ususally need a 4.0 because it is very competitive), but ADN programs are easier to get into(but longer waits)...As soon as I get my ADN i am going for my BA, and GPA doesn't matter(it is all online)

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