3.25 GPA required for new grad position???!!

[wildsmile24]

I am trying very hard to find my first job as a RN. I live in South Florida. The two hospitals nearby that are hiring new grads, have a special 'versant program'. I have found out that they require a 3.25 GPA just to qualify for the position. I haven't found ANYTHING else. If anyone also lives in south fla and is having trouble finding their first job... do you have any advice or know who is hiring new grads? I just can't believe, after all the hard work I have put in, my grades are being considered for my job. I just can't wrap my head around it.

[Sniper RN]

I agree. GPA does not take into account the other things going on in one's life. I think someone who could graduate as an RN while raising children and working is showes as much initiative or more than RN that graduated with all As but didn't have children or work to put in the mix. There is a lot more to a person than the grade.

[caliotter3]

There was a 26 year old woman in my nursing class who lived with her parents and did not even work. Another one was the same way, had never bothered with even volunteering in health care, and immediately went to the master's program, yet again, to avoid working, although the instructors tried to praise her as if her parent's tuition money was multiplying in their own pockets. How anybody who is nearing 30 years old can go around being proud of living with their parents and not holding down a job, I don't know. While both of these individuals made decent grades, I don't think they were anywhere near 3.5, much less 4.0, students.

[TipitiwichitRN]

Didn't get the job:rolleyes::crying2::crying2:

Im sorry! awwwwww

:redbeathe

[sheronep, MSN, RN]

There was a new grad program in nevada and their minimum gpa was a 3.5! I struggled to get my 3.3 so I can imagine how hard it was to get higher.

[iridius]

Both of my interviews asked for GPA, I have a good one so it wasn't an issue, but I am in the boat of people that didn't have work or have children while in nursing school. (But I did move down to Miami the day classes started, without a car, my wife, any friends or my cat.... so that was a little stressful for the first 3 months)

But a word of advice to those who have a valid cause for a lower gpa. Don't get mad at the question. Explain the situation and not in a way that may be misinterpreted as asking for sympathy/pity (managers don't typically like that), but rather in a way that says, "I can handle more than your average applicant, I did double or triple in some cases what some of the other applicants did and still my GPA was only a few points lower than theirs were."

In other words, focus (and make them focus) on your strengths and ability to handle multiple tasks.

Now, if you were partying or slacking and got a lower GPA, well, then good luck, that's problematic, because to many hiring authorities (not to me, because I don't know you), it's indicative of your work ethic and priorities.

I always said a 4.0 for me was like a 2.0 for some of the other students in my class, some had kids and work and were pregnant.... And it was an accelerated one year program... god bless them.

A great program is "Acing The Interview" by Tony Beshara, it is an audiobook I listened to, that helps give you the right words to some of the tough questions you may get during interviews. It worked. I applied for 100 positions via websites, and got nothing. I had two interviews and was offered both positions by the end of each interview... Remember, the key isn't a pretty resume, a lot of applications, it's getting to talk to a person directly... cut out the middle man (HR) and call the nursing managers directly.

Also, take as many certification classes as you can.

Good luck

[lei7]

I don't think there's anything wrong with a GPA requirement for new grad programs. Or even positions, for that matter.

In the current job market, facilities can be as darn picky as they like.

[sheronep, MSN, RN]

I think that employers want to know the circumstances behind the 2.0.

If you were working and going to school and struggling with kids and family - let them know it! They want to get to know the person behind the application.

[Bobbkat]

I don't think there's anything wrong with a GPA requirement for new grad programs. Or even positions, for that matter.

In the current job market, facilities can be as darn picky as they like.

Exactly, and while I risk being a major b1tch on the thread, I'd like to point out that having a high GPA does NOT mean that you had nothing to 'distract' you from classwork. I hate that generalization. I was pregnant in my first term of nursing school (and it was NOT an easy pregnancy) and then raised my infant through the rest of it all by myself. My husband lived 800 miles away. The semester I had my daughter I had 2 surgeries over the course of 4 weeks, but because I was in school I only missed 1 day the entire semester, and that was only because I was still inpatient. I still managed a 3.5.

Now I realize that we all learn differently and function differently, so I understand that some people work their butts of for a 2.8 even in the most ideal learning environment, while some people don't break a sweat to pull down a 3.8 with three kids and an elderly parent at home (thus my hate of blanket generalizations). It kind of irks me that apparently someone would read my 3.5 as 'she must have had a really great environment to concentrate on school' rather than 'she must of worked her behind off.' Though of course.....as I stated before, my GPA hasn't done me a darn bit of good so far, I haven't gotten a call for any positions that required certain grades.

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

While working in an ER full-time, part-time as a graphic designer, and volunteering as a paramedic, I managed a 3.77 during my ADN program. Working full-time in an ER as an RN and volunteering as a paramedic, I graduated with a 4.0 from my RN-to-BSN program. Granted, I don't have kids, but I do have a husband, and a household of two to manage. :) (And two Pugs, and three cats.) Some people are just good at school ... I am one of them. Doesn't mean I'm a better nurse.

[Bobbkat]

I agree, I don't think GPA doesn't say anything about your skills as a nurse. What I'm saying is that I don't think your GPA necessarily says anything about your life circumstances.

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

What I'm saying is that I don't think your GPA necessarily says anything about your life circumstances.

I agree -- sorry if I didn't make that clear in my half-caffeinated state. People might look at my collective degrees and GPAs and assume I had nothing else going on in my life but school, but people who know me know that is far from accurate. Chronically over-extended, but that's how I roll.

[Bobbkat]

Same here, in fact I worry about it all the time. I have a BS in education, which started out as a BFA in vocal music performance. Some people may accuse me of being all over the place....I just like to think of myself as well rounded and with many varied interests.