Do You Need a Good GPA to Be a Nurse?

When you think about difficult majors, nursing is at the top of the list � with long difficult classes, plenty of cramming, the physical demands of clinicals, and stringent requirements for graduation, it's universally agreed to be one of the hardest degrees to pursue.

But did you know that your nursing school GPA doesn't need to be that high for you to graduate? Depending on the level of the program you're in, and the specific job you'd like to be in after graduation, your GPA may not matter much at all.

Below we will go over the GPA you need for entering and graduating from nursing school, as well as the impact it has on your future employment and how to become a nurse regardless of your grades.

GPA Requirements for Nursing Students

From requirements to enter a bachelor's nursing program to what grades you need to graduate and get a good job, here's everything you need to know about your nursing school GPA.

To Enter a Bachelor's Nursing Program

If you're planning on entering a bachelor's program for nursing right after you graduate from high school, your high school GPA plays an important determining factor in whether you'll be accepted.

Most universities require a minimum GPA of 3.0 to be accepted into a bachelor's nursing program.

The problem is that there are often more prospective students applying than there are spaces in the program � which means that competitive applicants will need a GPA higher than 3.0 to have a chance of being accepted. Some programs have been known to require a minimum GPA as high as 3.7 when spaces are limited.

Many aspiring nursing students aim for a GPA between 3.5 and 4.0, take advanced courses, and do extracurriculars or volunteering to bolster their applications.

So, while the minimum GPA to enter nursing school is an achievable 3.0, you'll need to be ready to put far more effort into your grades and transcripts if you want to get into a bachelor's nursing program on the first try.

To Graduate from a Bachelor's Nursing Program

Let's say you got into your nursing program - now what? What nursing school GPA do you need to graduate?

It depends on the program, but the required GPA to pass undergraduate classes in most colleges is a 2.0 � otherwise considered a C. Specific nursing courses sometimes require a higher grade to pass, usually a 3.0 or B.

Students who want to pursue graduate nursing education should work toward a 4.0 and check the GPA requirements for their graduate program of choice; students who plan to join the workforce after completing their bachelor's should just focus on passing classes.

As long as bachelor's students pass their classes and master the material in them, they'll graduate from their program.

But what about after graduation? Is your nursing school GPA still relevant when you're looking for employment?

Does Nursing School GPA Affect Job Prospects?

As a new graduate looking for your first nursing job, your nursing school GPA is very influential.

Without prior work experience under your belt, your university grades are one of the only ways to determine how good of a nursing student you were � and how good of a nurse you'll be.

In the absence of work experience, employers want to know how diligent and hard-working a student you were. This will tell them a lot about your future work ethic, how dependable and capable you'll be, and how likely you are to have the necessary knowledge to get your job done.

One of the best ways to determine these things is by checking your grades and nursing school GPA � with the notorious reputation nursing programs have, it's easy to assume only a hard-working, capable student can get a high GPA.

While there's no specific GPA that will guarantee you a job, the higher your GPA is, the better your chances are of getting a good job when you're just starting out.

Ways to Become a Nurse Despite a Low GPA

What can you do if you have a low GPA?

For high school students who want to enter a nursing program, you might want to consider a lower-level program. Associate nursing degree (ADN) programs sometimes require a minimum GPA as low as 2.0.

Once you've completed your ADN, you can start working as a nursing assistant and work your way up in experience to a higher nursing level or use your improved grades from the program to pursue a bachelor's degree.

For nursing school graduates with a GPA that's lower than you'd like, take the time to volunteer at a clinic, nursing home, or hospital to gain healthcare experience before applying for nursing jobs.

You could also work in an adjacent healthcare position that doesn't require a nursing degree first before transitioning to a nursing-specific position.

Find a Degree Program That Works for You Today

Now that you know everything you need to about the nursing school GPA you need, how it can affect your job opportunities, and how to compensate for a low GPA, it's time to start your nursing program and begin your journey toward making a difference in the healthcare field today.