New graduate nursing student with LOW GPA

[nurse_haika]

I know many of you have answered this question perhaps so many times already.

However i am trying to get some feedback from those graduate nurse who have graduated recently and have below 3.0 gpa. Is it hard to find a job out there?.. or does it depend on specific areas where you want to work?

Second does your gpa matter when looking for a job after one year of experience (internship)?

Thank you.

nurse_haika

[bimmersbabe]

Do all hospitals use GPA's as a hiring criteria - I don't know. IMO, they should not. In our school test grades were the only grades that counted. No grade for clinicals and our clinical calc's tests did not count, labs did not count either. For those that have bad test anxiety or just plain do not test well but do know the information the GPA is not a very good indicator of how you will do as a nurse. Also, nursing is not just about book knowledge - caring attitude, respect, willing to learn are great assets in a new grad!!

[Dixielee, BSN, RN]

I have never worked anywhere that even looked at your grades. Once you pass the NCLEX, you are an RN whether you are at the top of your class or the bottom.

Reminds me of an old joke.....What do you call a doctor who finished last in his class???.......Doctor.

Same if true for nurses. Good luck.

[Mo_RN]

As long as you are an RN they don't care about GPA. We're not in school anymore, where they put your personal worth as high as your GPA. In the real world, if not seeking an intership/extership...they really don't care! :wink2:

[shanika1m1]

No one asked me for my trancripts, you will be fine congratulations and good luck!

[ilstu99]

I had to provide transcripts and recommendations from my instructors, as well as answer questions about any grades that were below A's....during my initial interview. I had a couple of classmates that also applied for critical care positions, and it was recommended that they work in lower-acuity areas for a while to hone their skills, because their grades were not great. That's what all of the hospitals around me do for new grads, as you don't have any work experience as an RN to support your application.

So...I would imagine it depends on the facility you're applying to, the standard for your area, and the type of job you're looking for.

That being said, there are typically (though not always) enough open positions to provide a position for everyone.....and not all facilities care. I would make sure to apply to more than one facility, if possible, and apply in numerous areas of interest.

Good luck!!!!!!

[FERN-tastic]

My job didn't ask for anything related to school. I graduated and passed NCLEX, which was enough for them. I know my apprenticeship during school helped, but they didn't look at my grades at all.

[Mexarican]

Yea...to hire they shouldn't and most really don't. The only time a low GPA comes back to bite you is when you want to go to GRAD school...

Mex

[Christen, ANP]

Yup, as most everyone else said - most facilities only care that you graduated and that pass the NCLEX. The GPA is worth the most when you try to go back to grad school. :)