Do honors help gain a job

caliotter3 · Jul 31, 2015

No prospective employer ever brought up my GPA or whether or not I had Honors classes. They never even bothered with my education as a topic of the interview. The interview centered around my paid nursing experience since they had already verified that my license was clear. That does not mean that you should go out of your way not to achieve honors. You will know during the hiring process whether or not the subject of academic achievement should be discussed. Don't lose sleep over this.

xxdiscoxxheaven · Jul 31, 2015

I'm confused as to what your point is then. Should we not try to do well in school? I externed at this hospital because through my honors senior thesis, they saw a demonstrated in the area of nursing I chose and now work in. This institution is affliated with one of the top medical universities in the country. I ultimately chose NOT to work there because of job dissatisfaction amongst the nurses because nursing is becoming so business like. So they were considered with both things you mentioned.

I don't think honors will make or break a job for anyone. However, if you do plan to go back later for grad school (which I admittedly will), it will matter. And no, don't lose any sleep over it. A job eventually turns up for everyone.

Mavrick, BSN, RN · Jul 31, 2015

I'm confused as to what your point is then. Should we not try to do well in school? I externed at this hospital because through my honors senior thesis, they saw a demonstrated in the area of nursing I chose and now work in. This institution is affliated with one of the top medical universities in the country. I ultimately chose NOT to work there because of job dissatisfaction amongst the nurses because nursing is becoming so business like. So they were considered with both things you mentioned.
I don't think honors will make or break a job for anyone. However, if you do plan to go back later for grad school (which I admittedly will), it will matter. And no, don't lose any sleep over it. A job eventually turns up for everyone.

Are you responding to the OP or someone else?

amoLucia · Jul 31, 2015

And the score is tied ...

To some employers, it matters. To others, NOT. But it matters to me!!! I care MORE about "with Honors" on my resume than I care that I did the course work to graduate. I did so-so for my Associate. Didn't PLAN on striving for high BSN grades. But as I started to make those good grades, I continued to work for them. And I struggled! But I made 'with Honors".

I just simply list it; I don't bring it up. And in all my career, nobody ever asked/commented. Kind of like 'don't ask, don't tell'.

KatieMI, BSN, MSN, RN · Jul 31, 2015

xxdiscoxxheaven,

my point is that honors in resume need to be used cautiously and tailored using information about potential employer. And, yes, honors may not be that helpful in that first job hunt but they may add to many other good things from sense of accomplishment to entering better grad school.

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Aug 1, 2015

I chose not to join Sigma Theta Tau, though I was eligible to and received an invitation, because I didn't want to pay the membership fee or seek out letters of recommendation. Seemed like a lot of effort for something useless to me. I've been a nurse for 8 years and I haven't found it to be a hindrance at all. My new grad job was the only job I applied for my senior year of college and I had it secured by March of that year. Graduating with honors might help you with your first job but after that, no one cares. That you graduated with honors is irrelevant to employers after you've been working as a nurse- they want to know what kind of nurse you are.

amoLucia · Aug 1, 2015

I chose not to join Sigma Theta Tau, though I was eligible to and received an invitation,

On the contrary, I DID join and have remained a membership all these many years. It means something to me the same way "with Honors'.

I taught a semester in an RN program. My Dean commented about our joint membership when I interviewed and I believe that Sigma membership was the impetus for my hire. The whole faculty was very active in our local chapter. They still are and some have gone on further for Board seats locally, state and national.

I attended meetings more freq and was more active in local while I was at the SON - kind of was expected.

Wrench Party · Aug 2, 2015

Never had any Honors classes or was top of the class in nursing school. You were doing really well if you could achieve a 'B' in any class with a major clinical component. An 'A' meant you were really that, an exceptional student.

Never had anyone ask me anything about my GPA; they did ask me for a copy of my BSN and my license number.

RNrhythm, BSN, RN · Aug 2, 2015

I recently interviewed at a prestigious Los Angeles hospital that required a very specific portfolio, which included transcripts, and a cover page that included your GPA. Also, upon arrival, we signed in on a roster that also included a column for GPA.

ClaraRedheart, BSN, RN · Aug 2, 2015

The hospital system that I work for (a Texas based system) asks what your GPA is on the application pre-screen. I don't think my manager hires based on GPA or honors, but some do. It just depends on who you want to work for. I think it would certainly broaden your options.

xxdiscoxxheaven · Aug 2, 2015

I was responding to someone else. KatieMI

Jules A, MSN · Aug 2, 2015

I recently interviewed at a prestigious Los Angeles hospital that required a very specific portfolio, which included transcripts, and a cover page that included your GPA. Also, upon arrival, we signed in on a roster that also included a column for GPA.

As I'm sure you know but I wanted to pass along to student nurses is that

usually:

Prestigious name = lousy pay