lala90

It is not impossible to graduate from a BSN program with a 4.0, but it is very challenging. I started nursing school with a 3.5 GPA from my first 2 years of college (put forth a very average amount of effort), made all A's in my BSN program for 5 semesters, and graduated magna cum laude with a nursing GPA of 4.0/cumulative GPA of 3.74. I matured, and made nursing school my priority - I did really well my first semester, pulled out my calculator and suddenly realized I could get all A's that semester if I got a certain grade on my finals - and I did. Then, I got the fever….nothing less than the best was acceptable. There are a lot of factors that go into the final product. I was single, had no children, no debt while in school. My main motivator in my BSN program was to be a competitive candidate for graduate school for either NP or CRNA. I am hopefully one step closer to that goal, and I am awaiting to hear if I will be accepted to a CRNA school for which I interviewed. I am a strong believer that you really have to do your own in-depth studying and analysis of material to really understand it. Those students who rely on class and their professor to present them what they need to know do not do well at ALL. For me, I didn't think I truly understood it until I understood it perfectly and could teach it to someone else. THe importance of the 4.0 depends on your future goals. I have worked with some excellent nurses who graduated with very average or even below-average GPA's. The GPA doesn't necessarily affect the quality of your work on the job, but it does affect your knowledge level and opportunities for advancement. Good luck.

Thanks, y'all. Every school really is different, one in my area actually recommends an online chemistry course from University of New England, some don't specify, and some don't even require chemistry…but I want to take it anyway.

Hello! I have a BSN and I am currently working as an RN in CVICU, with 1 year of prior experience in a level 2 emergency department. My plan is to apply to several CRNA schools over the next year, hopefully to start in 2016. I am preparing for the CCRN exam right now and trying to get registered for some science pre-req courses so I will be prepared. I have not taken college chemistry yet, so I am trying to find a good course right now (want to start off with general chemistry and then take organic over the next year). Do any current SRNA's have recommendations as to what type of chemistry course I should take - does it matter if it is from a local community college, online, or from a 4-year university? Is a lab required? I know criteria varies from school to school, but I'm just trying to get a general idea. Thanks