Landing first nursing job with 3.2/3.3

Nurses General Nursing

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I'll be graduating this spring with hopefully a 3.3 GPA from a nursing program in Houston. What is the market like in Houston? Will I be able to find a job? I'm currently freaking out feeling like I'm at the bottom of my class. I studied but maybe not enough... I made too many Bs with sprinkles of As. Is there anything I can do this spring to round out my resume? What can I do to get hired in Houston?

I'm so ashamed I don't even want to walk at graduation because everyone will know I had below a 3.5 since I won't have a cord.

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No employer really cares about your GPA.

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Specializes in ICU.

Not one employer has ever asked for my GPA, including my new grad residency.

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What do you need to do to get hired in the Houston area? Pass NCLEX.

Since becoming an RN in May 2016, I have been hired for three different nursing jobs. None of my employers asked for my GPA.

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Specializes in mental health / psychiatic nursing.

Most employers do not care about gpa. I've had many hiring managers say to leave gpa off the resume entirely, they don't care.

The only time it may matter if, if applying to a competitive residency program, there is a minimum gpa requirement - usually a 3.0.

I should think what will matter far more in your job search is having a good resume, solid interviewing skills, and the ability to network your connects to open doors.

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

I don't care about your GPA. I don't even know what your GPA is unless you volunteer that information. What I care about: do you have your RN license? How do you present yourself at your interview?

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Specializes in Assistant Professor, Nephrology, Internal Medicine.

Employers will not care about GPA. Passing NCLEX is what matters.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

The military is one of the few employers that cares about your GPA. So unless you're looking to commission, don't sweat it! :)

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Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.
I'm so ashamed I don't even want to walk at graduation because everyone will know I had below a 3.5 since I won't have a cord.

You know what they call the nursing student with the 3.2 who passed her NCLEX? RN! Nobody will care (although it may matter down the road for grad school if you want that).

I have no idea whether Houston is hiring new nurses. Up here in the NTX there is a shortage of well-trained nurses but all the hospitals want you to come in with experience. You may need to look in a more rural place for a first job (but again, that has to do with the market and not your GPA).

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