Did they ask for your GPA, yes or no?

Nurses Job Hunt

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So I am in my last semester of nursing school when we are supposed to be hustling and bustling to submit our applications all over the place. Long story short, my GPA sucks :/ I work so much, and I always volunteer so I can promise I am a competent person and I love working with people during my clinicals. My grades just don't show it unfortunately. So to my nurses out there, and to my fellow students who have already applied places:

Did the place A. Ask for your GPA, and B. What specialty did you apply to?

Specializes in public health, women's health, reproductive health.

Yes. I applied to new grad residencies and they asked for my GPA...and it mattered. Jobs after that? No. Then there was the graduate school application where it really mattered. So yeah, it depends.

No, I don't ever remember being asked for my GPA, only proof of licensure. :nurse:

Of course, that does not mean it won't happen to you.

From what I have heard from friends who are nurses, the only time it ever mattered was when they wanted to further their education. Just like when you apply for nursing school, your GPA mattered, especially if you were applying for a competitive program.

With regards to actual jobs, none of my friends have ever been asked their GPA, and it is never mentioned at work. In fact, one of my friends had a very high GPA upon graduation - I believe hers was close to a 4.0, and she was understandably proud; needless to say, when she covertly bragged about it at work it did not go down well with her peers who just found her (in her own words) arrogant and objectionable....she learnt from that mistake, and after switching jobs she has never mentioned it at work again.

Hence, in my opinion, once you get your license, for the most part your GPA is irrelevant (unless you want to continue with your education). Most of the learning you will do is going to be on the floor anyway.

With regards to actual jobs, none of my friends have ever been asked their GPA, and it is never mentioned at work. In fact, one of my friends had a very high GPA upon graduation - I believe hers was close to a 4.0, and she was understandably proud; needless to say, when she covertly bragged about it at work it did not go down well with her peers who just found her (in her own words) arrogant and objectionable....she learnt from that mistake, and after switching jobs she has never mentioned it at work again.

How does one "covertly brag"? Did she "accidentally" leave her transcript on the bulletin board in the break room?

Specializes in Med/Surg/Infection Control/Geriatrics.

So I am in my last semester of nursing school when we are supposed to be hustling and bustling to submit our applications all over the place. Long story short, my GPA sucks :/ I work so much, and I always volunteer so I can promise I am a competent person and I love working with people during my clinicals. My grades just don't show it unfortunately. So to my nurses out there, and to my fellow students who have already applied places:

Did the place A. Ask for your GPA, and B. What specialty did you apply to?

No. Med/Surg. A GPA doesn't show what kind of nurse you will be. You can emphasize your positive qualities that you mentioned. I'd hire you. The rest is "detail."

How does one "covertly brag"? Did she "accidentally" leave her transcript on the bulletin board in the break room?

LOL! That is a very good question. I am going by what she told me, and that is how she described it. Don't worry - she was given a large serving of humility and brought down a peg or two very rapidly. It was a steep learning curve for her. I admire her for being willing to admit it!

She's much more humble now...she was a new graduate at the time, and I guess was hoping her high GPA would be admired and give her brownie points....it had to opposite result!

Most job applications ask for past work experience. No GPA required. Even when I was applying for new graduate positions, the hospitals did not ask for GPA results.

Specializes in Neuro ICU and Med Surg.

In all my years of nursing (since 2001 when I graduated) not one single place of possible employment has ever asked for my GPA.

I had to turn mine in for some POC lab certification...apparently the nursing license I have isn't good enough--the state needs to see my college transcript to prove that I am competent enough to do a finger stick glucose. This was well I after I had a job. Pretty sure no one looked at my GPA.

I had to do this also...it didn't happen to be a hospital system that started with a G did it?

Specializes in Emergency, Telemetry, Transplant.
I had to do this also...it didn't happen to be a hospital system that started with a G did it?

LOL, no. Maybe the same state though (pretty sure it was a state DOH regulation). :bag:

Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, ICU.

Regarding the previous poster stating a high GPA is looked down upon, that's completely nonsensical. It's surprising when people say grades don't matter for new grads because my experience has been the complete opposite. My class noticed all the top students got into residency programs at nearby hospitals while the B-/C+ students were still waiting on their first interview or got jobs in rural/less desired areas. How much their grades had to do with that, I can't say for sure, maybe it was a coincidence. Regardless, most people did get jobs so keep that in mind.

For me though, I was asked about grades when networking and ended up with an interview that way with a residency program. Got the job. A classmate of mine who had a similar GPA was asked during her interview and also asked about her GPA for her other degree. She also got the job. My advice if you're applying for residencies at least is to be prepared to explain an extremely low GPA. But while grades can definitely be a plus for new grads, I really think if you work hard to impress interviewers and network, you'll be fine and land a job somewhere. Good luck.

Regarding the previous poster stating a high GPA is looked down upon, that's completely nonsensical. It's surprising when people say grades don't matter for new grads because my experience has been the complete opposite. My class noticed all the top students got into residency programs at nearby hospitals while the B-/C+ students were still waiting on their first interview or got jobs in rural/less desired areas. How much their grades had to do with that, I can't say for sure, maybe it was a coincidence. Regardless, most people did get jobs so keep that in mind.

For me though, I was asked about grades when networking and ended up with an interview that way with a residency program. Got the job. A classmate of mine who had a similar GPA was asked during her interview and also asked about her GPA for her other degree. She also got the job. My advice if you're applying for residencies at least is to be prepared to explain an extremely low GPA. But while grades can definitely be a plus for new grads, I really think if you work hard to impress interviewers and network, you'll be fine and land a job somewhere. Good luck.

I am assuming you're referring to post? Please note I was only going by something I was told from a friend who is a peer (which I did make clear in my post); she talked/bragged about her high grades with her peers at work, and hence it wasn't taken very well. In terms of advancing yourself, I think good grades can, of course, be very helpful. I guess my post was more to advise those with great GPAs to keep quiet about it unless asked or it is in a job interview!

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