Listing GPA on resume?

BubbysMa · Jan 25, 2009

In my leadership class, that was something mentioned. Only if you have a 3.5 or above, you include your GPA. If not, you do not include.

Penguin67 · Jan 25, 2009

They will see it when you submit your school transcript anyway. I wouldn't list it. Use the space to highlight another favorable attribute of yours.

Jules A, MSN · Jan 25, 2009

I'll be honest and don't get me wrong I would have loved to add mine also when I was a new grad with no health care experience but I don't think its appropriate. My biggest concern is that I have seen a lot of negative feedback with regard to people with high gpas. It often seems those that struggled to pass are quick to label those of us that did well with theory as the types that can do the book work but are useless in practice. You don't know the history of the person hiring. Just my two cents though. :) I did add the number of clinical hours we completed in the program and the speciality sites that were pertinent to the job I was applying for. Good luck.

neongirl · Jan 25, 2009

That may be true.. they may use it for picking potential employees. BUT.. again.. with nursing school and the grading scale (where I am) that 3.5 is not a true representation of my classroom ability. I do well, I do not get A's in my nursing class (94% or higher) I do get between 91-93..I wish.. wish.. they would give us what we earn.. a 3.0 (B) on a 8 credit class has made my GPA plumet drastically when I feel I have earned a bit higher.. a- b+ something like that.. Now.. if employers are using grades as a determining factor... I REALLY think i should get what i have earned.. I am happy with my b's .. because I know they were highs ones.. but no one else does.. the way my transcript reads i"m a 87% student.. and I'm not..it just frustrates me. one one end you have everyone saying.. "no one cares what your grades are as long as you get through and pass boards..I have never had a patient or a doctor ask me my gpa" and on the other.. I have potential employers wanting my grades..I have NO problem giving them out.. but something in the back of my head wants to say.. I don't think it's any of your d@#* business..

Sensoria17 · Jan 25, 2009

Jules A-

I didn't even think about mentioning clinical experience. Thanks for pointing that out.

Pepperlady · Jan 25, 2009

Hey is my problem with GPA's. Its only relevant to your school and your class .... because in my school and my class the exams are different, the instruction is different, a crappy instructor who can't convey the information may have a whole course with low scores on exams.

And so what if you have a 3.5 GPA, if everyone else has a higher one then you are still "the bottom of the class".

Don't get me wrong, my GPA was high, but its only within the context of my school that it makes any difference.

If I graduate from Harvard with a 3.5 thats one thing, but if I graduate from a school that is known to not be so good with a 3.9 does that mean I am smarter?? Or that the standards at the school were different??

I take issue with an employer who would consider other nurses "so smart enough" because they have a lower GPA. Exam smart and clinical smart are two vastly different things in my opinion.

rngolfer53 · Jan 25, 2009

ya know.. I am in the application process and one of the hospitals here e-mailed me and wanted and unofficial copy of my transcripts. I have NO idea why, i sent them as my GPA is 3.5. My question is as long as I get my RN.. why should it matter if I got good grades or got through by the skiin of my teeth?

Resume inflation, otherwise called lying, is a problem in all fields. They are probably just checking something verifiable to see if your resume is factual or "enhanced."

As to the OP, if you have not a lot of work experience, then stress your academic accomplishments. Great students don't always make great nurses, but there is something about your ability and dedication to be learned from your grades. Especially if your school has a good reputation in the market you're looking at.

rngolfer53 · Jan 25, 2009

Hey is my problem with GPA's. Its only relevant to your school and your class .... because in my school and my class the exams are different, the instruction is different, a crappy instructor who can't convey the information may have a whole course with low scores on exams.
And so what if you have a 3.5 GPA, if everyone else has a higher one then you are still "the bottom of the class".
Don't get me wrong, my GPA was high, but its only within the context of my school that it makes any difference.
If I graduate from Harvard with a 3.5 thats one thing, but if I graduate from a school that is known to not be so good with a 3.9 does that mean I am smarter?? Or that the standards at the school were different??
I take issue with an employer who would consider other nurses "so smart enough" because they have a lower GPA. Exam smart and clinical smart are two vastly different things in my opinion.

:twocents: The caveat here is that employers usually have a pretty good idea of what the local schools are like. If you've done well at a well-regarded program, that counts for something. Particularly if you graduated with a higher GPA than the person who interviews you, who also happens to be an alumnus of your school :coollook:

vashtee, RN · Jan 25, 2009

I'd like to see the HR person's GPA, perhaps by her/his standards he/she is not intelligent enough for her position or she would've hired the people that actually "fit" the job the first time.

Of course you make a good point. They seem to have adjusted their requirements in order to solve this problem. Anyway, it's not my policy; I am merely stating what I was told. In a market where there is a shortage of RNs, GPA probably doesn't matter much, nor will it matter once a nurse has experience. However, for a new grad coming into a saturated market, GPA may indeed be important.

Jules A, MSN · Jan 25, 2009

The caveat here is that employers usually have a pretty good idea of what the local schools are like. If you've done well at a well-regarded program, that counts for something. Particularly if you graduated with a higher GPA than the person who interviews you, who also happens to be an alumnus of your school

I'm just not feeling that its a good thing to do anything better than the person that interviews you. Close to as good sure but better...nope.

neongirl · Jan 26, 2009

exactly... I know lots of people with book smarts.. that can't find their way out of a wet paper bag.. or balance a check book. I'm not trying to imply anything with my 3.5.. like i think I'm smart.. I think the employer should take a look at my recomendations they speak louder than any grade ever will.. I was simply trying understand why someone would put a gpa on a resume.. why the hospital would want my transcripts.. ( i still don't think it's their business how i do on tests) AND that IF this is the new way of screening students.. I want what i earned.. most nursing students (where I am) run between a 3.2 - 3.6 we can only drop to a 2.7. i want my a-"s and b+'s!!!

I personally don't think gpa should be put on a resume.. the internship i did yes.. the extra classes I took.. maybe.. but what do i know.. one place asked for it.. the rest didn't.. for all i know that woman might have someone in her office.. who wanted to know my grades..(love small town life)

Virgo_RN, BSN, RN · Jan 26, 2009

The facility I work at asks for GPA on job applications.