do grades really matter after graduation?

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i was wondering if grades really matter after graduating from nursing school??? since there's a nursing shortage, i figured a new grad can land a job after nursing school... but, now i'm kind of worried because i hear it's competitive in getting into nurse internships after school. is that true??? can anyone provide some info on this?

thnks!

Specializes in Emergency.

When I was researching nursing internships/preceptorships, a ran across a couple that had set grade standards for nursing graduates who applied. I don't know how seriously they took the marks, but I they were listed.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

No potential employers or bosses have ever asked about my grades. They don't even care which school I attended, just as long as I am a warm body with a nursing license who is ready to fill their staffing needs.

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No potential employers or bosses have ever asked about my grades. They don't even care which school I attended, just as long as I am a warm body with a nursing license who is ready to fill their staffing needs.

:thankya: :yeah: :roll Love, Love, Love your reply!!!!!!!! Spoken from a someone who really knows the field. I totally agree, grades??????????? What grades??????????? All they want is your nursing license?????????:monkeydance: :lol2:

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Specializes in ICU, ER, HH, NICU, now FNP.
:thankya: :yeah: :roll Love, Love, Love your reply!!!!!!!! Spoken from a someone who really knows the field. I totally agree, grades??????????? What grades??????????? All they want is your nursing license?????????:monkeydance: :lol2:

Heh - I worked for a couple of agencies a number of years ago - at the same time - and took the shift which paid the most. When people asked what I was doing I told them I was "whoring my license to the highest bidder" and that pretty much described it.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Cardiothoracics, VADs.

Grades only matter for school - if you want to go back, that is.

I would rather have the more enthusiastic and willing learner than the new grad with a higher GPA and no other obvious attributes.

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thanks for all the replies! :monkeydance: i really appreciate it. i'm kind of wondering though.... how many new grads do they take in per internship? i mean, don't they have a limit esp. on the popular fields like nicu or er esp. in dallas hospitals? juss wondering...

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Specializes in Med/Surg.
Heh - I worked for a couple of agencies a number of years ago - at the same time - and took the shift which paid the most. When people asked what I was doing I told them I was "whoring my license to the highest bidder" and that pretty much described it.

OMG guage14iv I almost peed myself laughing at your response....I love it!!!

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Specializes in ICU, ER, HH, NICU, now FNP.

There were 10 in my NICU internship - 5 were experienced nurses but without NICU experience, 5 were new grads. In the end, only 5 survived the 12 week internship - 3 of the experienced nurses and 2 of the new grads. A couple changed their minds about the whole NICU concept, one left on maternity leave and decided not to come back and 2 were advised that they were probably better off working someplace else.

There were 10 open positions they expected to fill. Bummer, huh?

Yes they limit the number, but they also have to hedge bets.

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Specializes in Peds Cardiology,Peds Neuro,Pedi ER,PICU, IV Jedi.

The grades you make during nursing school are for YOUR BENEFIT. They (sometimes) accurately reflect YOUR COMPREHENSION of the material you are tested on. Better grades do not make better nurses, but when people look at them they are seeing..."wow, Jenny really had a handle on nursing school..she didn't get anything lower than a B". That makes you look better in the eyes of some, but others on here are right - the license is what matters.

Study seriously...something I failed to do the first time around.

vamedic4

Glad the snow melted.;)

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Specializes in Anesthesia, CVICU.

Yes, GPA and your nursing extern/tech. experience are the only things that seperate you from every other graduate nurse (GN) looking for a job. Also, if you plan to go back to graduate school, your GPA will be a major factor in you ability to get in. Below are the The Methodist Hospital in the Texas Medical Center requirements to apply for a job.

Requirements Include

  • Successful completion of an accredited BSN program
  • Eligible for RN licensure in Texas and GN permit
  • Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater

Graduate Nurses will be selected in November for January employment. In the Resume portion of the on-line application, please include your top three areas of interest (even if these areas are not listed above) and your current GPA.

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I graduated nursing school with a 2.8 GPA. I was worried about this as well. When I applied for jobs they asked me for my GPA, and I gave it. But I interviewed and let my personality and love of nursing shine through. And I was offered and accepted a Graduate Nurse internship in OR. So no, grades do not necessarily matter.

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Specializes in Operating Room.

I think everyone 'wants' to graduate nursing school with a 4.0, but I think it's unrealistic for most.

I was told that my 87 for semester 1 was a nursing school A. haha (Actually, a 77 is failing in my program!)

So, a C = 78 - 83. ....You could make a 83, and still graduate with a C average.

Why should grades matter in this case?

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