[studymom39]

My GPA was on my resume.

I was quizzed with patient scenarios. I had to know that the patient was hypoglycemic and then they asked me to describe what the patient would look like and what I'd do about it. Luckily, I just had that in critical care.

We recently were given a way to remember hypoglycemia in a meds pub review which would have helped 2 years ago. So, here it is for someone else:

TIRED
Tired
Irritable
Restless
Extreme Appetite
Diaphoretic

(And I'm going to add - quick onset since my daughter has this from time time, common in adolescents/young teens.)

[gotnurse333]

wow who told you people don't ask for your GPA? It's one of the most looked at factors for hiring, especially if you have little experience. Also, if you ever want to go back to grad school it's pretty important as well.

[studymom39]

I never said people don't ask - and I guess I assume all nursing students have great GPA's because that is what it took to get into nursing school and maintain your competitive edge in the program - what I said was that it's not all there is.

GPA has subjectiveness to it. For example, people can fluff with art classes or electives. That's why admission into a program is good when they isolate their prereqs and those classes only.

GPA can be questionable based on what determines the grade for the course. One nursing program may be known for having 3 tests and that composes the grade vs. a program that uses 2 tests, an exam, and 2 papers or a group project. You know?

GPA can be skewed by which teacher you get. We know which teachers grades heavier on papers vs. those teachers who have killer tests.

That's the point. Ironically, the people who had THE highest GPA's in my program have yet to pass HESI 3 times out. I have a great GPA and the difference between mine and theirs is miniscule but I passed Hesi with a superior score. Our class of 20 had grades on top of each other. We all excelled - and that had to be established over and over again. One problem in programs like these is that good students are the norm. We all are the top dogs in other classes and now there's a group of top dogs. It has to be established that we're all smart so "get over yourself".

So - point taken? Let's not forget work ethic, physical, get your hands-in-there-and-do-the-physical-work work ethic. Attendance. Etc.

If I was an employer, I'd look at GPA but I'd want the complete package and I'd take GPA with a grain of salt.

[gotnurse333]

I'm in no way directing this at you personally so don't take offense. I'm just stating it matter of factly. All the things you said are true, however that doesn't change the fact that interviews can only be so long and both prior to the interview and after the interview the interviewer will undoubtedly put a lot of weight on a candidates GPA, especially a new nurse with which there's little else to judge performance on. Therefore the GPA is important. That's all I'm trying to emphasize.

[jbeau]

Originally Posted by studymom39

I never said people don't ask - and I guess I assume all nursing students have great GPA's because that is what it took to get into nursing school and maintain your competitive edge in the program - what I said was that it's not all there is.

GPA has subjectiveness to it. For example, people can fluff with art classes or electives. That's why admission into a program is good when they isolate their prereqs and those classes only.

GPA can be questionable based on what determines the grade for the course. One nursing program may be known for having 3 tests and that composes the grade vs. a program that uses 2 tests, an exam, and 2 papers or a group project. You know?

GPA can be skewed by which teacher you get. We know which teachers grades heavier on papers vs. those teachers who have killer tests.

That's the point. Ironically, the people who had THE highest GPA's in my program have yet to pass HESI 3 times out. I have a great GPA and the difference between mine and theirs is miniscule but I passed Hesi with a superior score. Our class of 20 had grades on top of each other. We all excelled - and that had to be established over and over again. One problem in programs like these is that good students are the norm. We all are the top dogs in other classes and now there's a group of top dogs. It has to be established that we're all smart so "get over yourself".

So - point taken? Let's not forget work ethic, physical, get your hands-in-there-and-do-the-physical-work work ethic. Attendance. Etc.

If I was an employer, I'd look at GPA but I'd want the complete package and I'd take GPA with a grain of salt.

How can work ethic matter if you are a new grad with no experience? Everyone is going to say they're a good worker, and you choose references who will say nice things about you. GPA is technically objective data.

[Simpleplan]

There were cheat sheets I refused to use floating around my school with questions and answers to previous tests. I know for a fact I could of increased my GPA by several points had I have cheated. Especially since I missed A in 3 classes by a fraction of a point. I may not have a 4.0 but I have my integrity.

[Proverbs 16:3]

Originally Posted by aegirl

I just applied for an externship that required a transcript. Just because someone can maintain a 4.0 GPA, doesn't mean they have a good bedside manner, doesn't mean they don't have a good bedside manner either. However, if you're looking at 2 applicants, one with a 4.0 and one with a 2.5, the one with a 4.0 will probably get the interview. You don't know the circumstances each of those applicants were under during nursing school. The one with the 4.0 may have had all the time in the world to study, or maybe not. The one with a 2.5 may have been working full time with 2 small children, or may have had all the time in the world. Who knows? I just don't think it's right to judge by someones GPA, especially before you even interview the person.

It could go the other way. The one with the 4.0 could be a mom with three kids working at a hospital while enrolled in a full time nursing program taking 19 credits. My friend was like that. In that case, it should tell the employer this person can handle lots of stuff and still do well. I bursted my behind working fulltime and taking 20credits and still aced everything.
I don't think employers use GPAs only as a deciding factor. I know C average students who are great at the people and great at what they do during clinicals or even work and so it wouldn't be wise to judge them by their grades.
On the other hand, i know one hospital here in philly that only takes BSNs wth 3.2 GPA or above. I did an extenship there and they required 3.0 for externs so i don't know if this 3.2 is an increase or if they have different requirements for nurses. For a specific position, they needed people with 3.5 and above. I thought that was a little over the top.

Honestly, some hospitals don't care. I put my GPA on my resume but my employer didn't ask for a transcript or even a letter of recommendation. They just hired me (a week after the inteview)...who knows if they checked my references instead cuz i had four of them. I know i wasn't the only applying for that position...well, the position said "experienced nurse but will consider new grads".
This is a good hospital and i know people who applied and were turned away. It makes me wonder what made them not get the job if this employer doesn't ask for stuff like that. Another girl was shadowing on the same floor with me the same day i interviewd.

it's wierd but thing is some hospitals care and some don't care when it comes to the GPA.

[Proverbs 16:3]

Originally Posted by Simpleplan

There were cheat sheets I refused to use floating around my school with questions and answers to previous tests. I know for a fact I could of increased my GPA by several points had I have cheated. Especially since I missed A in 3 classes by a fraction of a point. I may not have a 4.0 but I have my integrity.

I think it's why employers don't use gpa as a deciding factor. Some don't even consider it. Although i have to say the only cheat i saw in my school was someone who never made anything beyond a C. I was actually amazed at how far she'd gotten in the program. Anyway, her cup runneth over, she couldn't pass the third class and was kicked out. I think cheating in nursing is scary and dangerous because we're gonna end up having someone who has no clue as to what they're doing.

[Proverbs 16:3]

Originally Posted by CT Pixie

I had my 2nd interview the other day (landed the job BTW ) and was asked what my GPA and position in class was.

The DON who interviewed me first didn't ask about my GPA.

I am of the mind set that a great GPA indicates book smart it doesn't mean that it will indicate great nurse.

I am proud of my GPA and class standing but I don't think for one second that because I have a high GPA, that I am or will be a better nurse than someone who has one lower than me. Nor do I think I am not as good a nurse as the couple of students who graded higher than I did.

Wooow.....position i class? never been asked that question. On the other hand, i only had two interviews at two hosp i applied to in MD and none of them ask for my gpa or class standing. i wouldn't know my class standing if they'd asked. i did have my gpa on my resume but the manager didn't even have my resume in front of her when she was interviewing. The other one had it but she hadn't had the time to look through it and when she did glance through it, she only looked at my job history and went "so you work as an extern."
i hope hospitals don't focus on class standings and gpas only. I had a letter of recc. from my current nurse manager and most of the people on my references where nurse managers i'd had or clinical instructors. Some hospitals ask for LoRs from clinical instructors so they can determine the candidates work ethic

[CitrusBeeRN]

I wasn't directly asked what my GPA was during the interview, but all the hospitals I applied to required transcripts and most "suggested" not applying if your GPA was not above a certain specification. I suppose that was their roundabout way of finding out!