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Were you accepted and what did you find out about the number of nurses they accept into the program each time and success rate of completion?

Yeah I do also believe that grading scale and difficulty are institution specific, but do know that it is the normal for Nursing Programs to have a more difficult grading scale. I just wasn't sure if that same rule in grading applied in the RN-BSN component, but alas, it does. Just the specific values of what determines the letter grades are different from school to school. In my ADN program there are 3 dosage calculation exams throughout the program and we have to make 100% on each of them. We get three attempts before one is kicked out. Like a previous poster said, Nursing in general has higher academic expectations, so like you said, it makes sense that any level of program will have a steeper grading scale. I'm just happy that the RN-BSN program I picked classifies letter grades a little lower than my current program, hopefully allowing me to salvage and re-calibrate my final GPA. I just pray to the heavens I can get into an FNP program when the time comes.

Luckily, the RN-BSN program I am wanting to enroll in this Fall is 2% lower than my current ADN program which is nice. 83% instead of 85% for a B is a huge difference ^_^

Yeah, I finally found the University's Nursing Dept. Handbook so I could see what their grading scale is compared to my current ADN program's. Luckily, a 'B' is 83% instead of 85% which I find to be a huge relief. I also think the BSN completion classes will be more my style since NCLEX exams will no longer be a thing and I will just be participating in online classes and writing papers. Let's hope I can make all A's and B's..

Can you clarify what you mean by "weren't long tests" as well as "eliminate the painful tests?" I am not sure what you mean.

I am about to finish my ADN this May and as we all know the grading scales in Nursing School are more intense than regular university style programs. Anything below a 77% in my program is failing and all exams are NCLEX style. I attribute this increase in grade standards to NCLEX style learning format and curriculum, examinations/assignments, and conditioning since they differ from regular education formats. (I think most healthcare majors are similar since the student has to be dedicated, serious, and really want to be there.) Since a person will have passed the NCLEX upon the start of an RN-BSN program is it possible to assume that their grading scale at that point would reflect the more universal kind (where a 70% is a C, 80% - B, and so on..)?

I am curious as to grading scales in RN-BSN programs as well as how they compare to traditional school and pre-licensure programs. Quick intro about me. I am about to start my last semester of my ADN program and I already hold a BA in psychology. I have submitted all documents to a state university for the RN-BSN program, and only need to submit the final transcript and completion of the NCLEX-RN results this Summer to start said program. My main question derives from Nursing School grading scales. For ADN and BSN programs alike, I already know that grades are measured differently than in "regular" college/university programs (I.e. psychology, art history, german, political science..any other major). In my program, anything below a 77% is considered failing. I feel like these grading scales are created not only because the healthcare profession and nursing discipline is something that all students must work extremely hard in, but was also created because the testing style reflects NCLEX practice and is not the typical memorization exam like in regular school. Thus, the nursing grading scale reflects the difference in education/testing style from the usual university major. Once enrolled in an RN-BSN completion program, is it normal for these programs to also have a similar different grading scale or does this program type in particular go back to the more universal grading scale since the students are already practicing RN's and no longer need to be conditioned for the NCLEX since they already passed it. In regular classes that aren't nursing related I am usually almost a straight A student, and in Nursing School I am a B/C student which has been lowering my GPA. I am concerned because after I finish my BSN in the next year and a half I want to try to apply for MSN-NP programs. If the 30 hour RN-BSN program is graded like regular school then I feel my chances at making better letter grades would hopefully increase and thus increase my final GPA. Personally, I feel that anything 3.0 or higher with good experience, and letters of recommendation would allow for a competitive application. And, I have noticed for different local MSN programs (I'm most interested in FNP and PMHNP programs) that PMHNP seems to require higher GPA than FNP programs. I tend to get nervous because I think where I sit right now is that if I get a B this last semester (of my ADN) and straight A's for the RN-BSN (is this possible?) that I will finish my last 60 hours (of the BSN) with a 3.2 GPA. If I happen to make a C in this last semester and straight A's in the RN-BSN I will finish with a 3.02 GPA. I just want to hold onto whatever hope I can that becoming an NP is attainable and how likely it is to get straight A's in the RN-BSN program. Otherwise, I feel if I do not make those hypothetical grades it might not be possible (or at least I will feel disheartened). Also, for those of you who have been through and completed RN-BSN programs, do you feel if you are a tenacious enough student that these classes are easier to progress through while also attaining higher grades than pre-licensure programs? I just think that the testing and assignment styles would be so different than it was during my ADN program since at that point I would no longer be studying for NCLEX facilitating that expectations, assignments, and testing would have to be different. I am just trying to get a feel for what is to come and what expectations to have. Thank you so much for your feedback! And sorry if the wording is a bit redundant. I was not aware that topics/posts on this site had such a lengthy requirement..

I am currently in my last semester of my ADN program (already have a BA), and want to finish my BSN through UCM, and then do their FNP program. How high would you say their acceptance rate is? Do you know if they mostly take into account the last 60 credit hours of your BSN (most recent credit hours) for the GPA calculation in the application process? And how have you been enjoying it thus far? I have been trying to do research on this school since Missouri is my home state and they are flexible on start dates and affordable. Hopefully, finishing my BSN through them will increase my odds of getting into their graduate program. I am estimating my GPA at that point will be between 3.0-3.2. Thank you for your advice ^_^

I currently have my BA in Psychology, and am starting on my last semester of my ADN-RN program before taking the NCLEX. I have been doing a lot of research about graduate schools for PMHNP and FNP programs in my state and seem to find a common GPA theme of around 3.2-3.3 minimum, and some of the Universities say that you can be admitted on probationary status if you have a lesser GPA (get a 3.0 in their program or higher first semester to be taken off that list), you can submit a GRE score to balance a lower GPA, or sometimes even just having a good interview/appeal or essay submitted with the application can help make your application still have a good chance for acceptance. I am sure it mostly depends on the competitiveness of the specific institution. But like you were specifically asking, I am pretty sure there are almost if not any, PsychNP programs that would direct admit you without already having your RN because RN is the foundation for any NP track. I have yet to come across an NP program anywhere that would let you be able to sit for NCLEX-RN while still completing said NP program. I know your post was from a while ago, but hopefully this helps. Good luck!