Does GPA matter in terms of getting a job?

labcat01, BSN, RN · Jun 28, 2008

Here's the deal on GPA- all other arguments aside, you have to have a good GPR if you want to be competitive for SOME INTERNSHIPS!!! In my nursing class, there was a broad range of GPAs and everyone was still offered internships- so I wouldn't worry about it too much if I were you.

In some hospitals/units it is more about who you know then how good your grades are.

galenanurse2b · Jun 28, 2008

At our school a 78% is just passing! And a 93% is a B! it's crazy. They test us exactly the same way NCLEX does, to prepar us to pass boards.

Us students came up with a "you know your a nursing student", tee-****, and #1 says "78 becomes your favorite number....good enough!

:yeah:

Jen

november17, ASN, RN · Jun 28, 2008

you may never make it to be a CRNA or something with a low GPA, but you certainly can get any RN job you set your sights on. It just takes hard work, experience, and common sense.

JessicaSN · Jun 29, 2008

I started a thread about this topic a month ago because I was asked my GPA in an interview.

You can read the thread here:

https://allnurses.com/forums/f121/interviewer-asked-about-my-gpa-307299.html

It seems that as least some nurses nowadays are being asked their GPA. I think someone's GPA is just another piece of the puzzle when a hospital is trying to find a good nurse. I did a lot of extra credit in school to bump up my grades and I'm glad I did. I did some extra work in my psychology class just to make my grade go from an A to an A+ :chuckle

JessicaSN · Jun 29, 2008

If I literally just pass nursing school, will I have trouble getting a job at a prestigious hospital after passing the NCLEX? I'm really worried because everyone is so competitive in my program, and I am just scraping by!
Thank you in advance.

Well, if I were the interviewer I would want to know more about you.

Do you have any work experience and have good references from past employers?

Could you have a clinical instructor write a letter of recommendation for you?

Did you demonstrate leadership abilities in nursing school or else where?

I would highlight any of that on your resume to make you stand out.

GIRN · Jun 29, 2008

My personal experience was that no one EVER asked what my GPA was. I had worked very hard to keep it high and if I had to do it over again, I would have relaxed a little and enjoyed my family more. I ended up with a nursing license and the job I wanted....but I would have also got that with a C average. No one but me cared what my grade point was! But I missed out on some fun times with my family because I always had my nose in a book. My advice is....allot a certain amount of time for studying but remember not to put the rest of your life on hold for perfect grades....it's not worth it. A B or C will get you the same job that an A will (at least in my hospital) but you'll never have your childrens' childhood years back.

djc1981 · Jun 29, 2008

the valedictorian of my high school class is probably one of the best pharmacists around, but the vs of the classes before and after me - no way. i'd tell my boss to shred their resumes if they came in.
one of my former co-workers used to say, and not in jest, "what do you call a doctor who graduated last in his class? a doctor" and i told him that i would probably rather have that person than the one who got top grades because that person had to struggle to get where they were and didn't have it handed to them.

i've always heard the line, "what do you call a doctor who graduates last in his class? --the defendant" .

but seriously, gpa is important. you never know when you will want to go on to graduate studies or another field, and your grades will be looked at by someone. our nursing schools cutoff is 80%, so essentially a b average or you're gone.

mesixfuture · Jun 29, 2008

i've always heard the line, "what do you call a doctor who graduates last in his class? --the defendant" .
but seriously, gpa is important. you never know when you will want to go on to graduate studies or another field, and your grades will be looked at by someone. our nursing schools cutoff is 80%, so essentially a b average or you're gone.

love the quote! is this an rn or lpn program that has the 80% cutoff? i'm in an rn program now, but i know when i went thru lpn school our grade cutoff was high. good luck in your program btw.

vashtee, RN · Jun 29, 2008

While I agree it isn't necessary to get straight As to be a good nurse, it seems like a good idea to understand the material being presented to the best of your ability. It's possible someone's health may depend upon it some day.

djc1981 · Jun 29, 2008

Love the quote! Is this an RN or LPN program that has the 80% cutoff? I'm in an RN program now, but I know when I went thru LPN school our grade cutoff was high. Good luck in your program btw.

It is a RN-ADN program. Good luck to you too...go Mountaineers.

Drysolong · Jul 3, 2008

I would hope to god that a nursing school would not pass a student who maintained a 2.0 GPA. There should definitely be a cut-off GPA when it comes down to health professionals.
At my school you fail if you get less than a 75% in a class (that 75% must come from exams), or if you fall below a 2.75, you fail the program.
But back to the OP question, I don't think many hospitals would look at your GPA. Last year when I interviewed for my nurse apprentice position, my manager did ask me what my GPA was. And I know some big name hospitals will require a transcript. There is a children's hospital in another state I was looking at that not only required a GPA of 3.5 and an official transcript, but it also required 2 letters of references from past clinical instructors!

For better or worse - Some schools do just require maintenance of a "C" average. Mine (LPN - technical college) was one. As do some of the RN programs in my area also

cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN · Jul 3, 2008

i haven't ever been asked about my GPA in any job interview. what is important is having your license....the end!

I was required to submit my transcripts at my interview, and specifically asked my GPA. I was also the only new grad hired...