What would you consider an awesome GPA, after finishing nursing school?

umbdude, MSN, APRN · Dec 18, 2016

Generally a 3.5 GPA would be consider competitive for most NP programs. Some programs nearing the top of the rankings (US News) might have average GPA up to around 3.7-3.8. However, I seriously doubt that GPA will make anyone stand out. Once you fall into that acceptable range, it'll probably all depend on other aspects of the application.

FutureNurseInfo · Dec 18, 2016

Having heard how nursing school is hard and that many of those students I have spoken to said they get Cs, I would say a 3.0 GPA is a great one after finishing nursing school.

jaycam, RN · Dec 18, 2016

I'm going to go with 3.5 myself. Anything high enough for you to have honors of some sort will make you stand out over other applicants. Perhaps wishful thinking though. I barely scrapped through with a 3.5

Xlorgguss · Dec 19, 2016

For graduate programs the requirement is generally a 3.0. For my ADN program that seems to be a really good GPA. It's the bare minimum I am hoping to graduate with. For a BSN I have heard of many nurses keeping a 4.0. I figure if I do that (or close to it) it evens out.

AJJKRN · Dec 19, 2016

For my ADN you needed a 4.0/4 for your gen eds for admittance (especially in your sciences) and on the higher end percentages for the TEAS also. I graduated with a 3.8/4 but of course had a 4.0 going in. Really depends on the individual school requirements along with how many and how competitive the pool of applicants applying consistently are.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Dec 19, 2016

GPA of at least 3.5 - &/or qualification of honors - is generally considered to be indicative of a top-notch student. This is actually the required GPA for entry into some new grad residencies in my neck of the woods. If you're aiming for grad school, GPA is definitely important, but can be mediated by specific types of relevant experience/accomplishments & GRE scores.

kbrn2002, ADN, RN · Dec 19, 2016

My first instinct is to say anything that qualifies as passing is great. I have never, not once been asked by an employer or colleague what my GPA was, all that matters to them is that my license is in good standing. But then I thought that you may want to further your education at some point, then your GPA would be used as one of the criteria for admission. In that case an absolute minimum of 3.0 is probably a must to even be considered and 3.5 or better would be preferred. Of course, GPA is not the only criteria used by admissions but if you don't meet the programs minimum requirements you would not get the chance to have any other criteria considered.

Double-Helix, BSN, RN · Dec 19, 2016

Aim for a 3.5 or better, because that score will usually get you exempt from taking the GRE prior to graduate school.

tnel89 · Dec 20, 2016

It depends on what type of student you are. In my BSN program, nobody finished with a 4.0. We had a few students finish with a 3.9 or higher but realistically I'd say that the majority of my class was in the 3.0 to 3.5 range.

I would also tell you that going back to graduate school is certainly not all about undergraduate GPA. Maximize your opportunities (and your resume) by volunteering in the community and by participating in clubs/organizations while in school. Also, experience matters. My graduate school looked at my experience and overall knowledge (in my interview) more than my undergraduate grades.

CoffeeQ1PRN · Dec 20, 2016

I agree with 3.5! The hospital I work for requires a 3.5 for all new graduates. In many NP programs you can skip the GRE if you have a BSN GPA of above a 3.5 (sometimes a 3.2). Working as a full time RN applying to NP school I am very thankful I did not have to take the GRE.

jj224 · Dec 20, 2016

Depends what school you want to go to. There are some dog**it schools that'll let you in with a 3.0 and zero experience.