Do grades matter when applying for a job as a New Grad?

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Specializes in Nurse Practitioner.

Sorry if this may sound like a stupid question. Just wondering for all the NPs out there if the grades you obtained during school made an impact on your marketability for jobs as a new grad? I know that grades weren't much of a factor when I graduated from RN school, the only time it mattered was for the New grad residency programs. I am just wondering if anyone even asks about your grades when you apply for NP jobs? Or do they just care that you have a license? I am freeking out because I just recently messed up my 4.0 GPA (got one B last semester). I am pretty sure I want to eventually go back to school to either pursue a doctorate, post masters ACNP, or CRNA which is why I am so psycho about my grades, but I am just wondering if grades will affect job prospects as well?

Thanks!

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Hmmm - no one ever asked me.

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Specializes in Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergy.

Just curious-- why are you doing FNP now if you want CRNA? To answer your question, grades are not a huge help when applying for RN jobs and most likely not for NP jobs either. However, the head of our PNP program does care about grades and uses it in part to determine clinical placement. So, better grades may mean better clinical sites and better job recommendations afterwards.

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Specializes in FNP.

I had one place ask for my transcripts. No one else has. It says suma cum laude and Sigma Theta Tau right on my CV, so I guess they don't think it is necessary.

Every place has asked for preceptor references, however.

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the problem with a GPA 4.0 is there is nowhere to go but down until u finish.

That was a source of stress for me until the last semester. :)I realized it really didn't matter. What mattered was graduating, writing the certification exam and getting a job ASAP as I was short on funds.

Incidentally, no employer ever asked for my GPA or transcript

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You can officially stop being a psycho about your grades now. No one will ask you. They only care about your passing national boards and whatever experience you've had.

The old joke is, "What do you call a doctor who graduated at the bottom of his class? You call him 'Doctor' of course!"

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