Phi Theta Kappa - Haven't we all been invited?

Nurses New Nurse Nursing Q/A

I was recently invited to join Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) and was wondering if anyone who has experience with this honor society has found it beneficial other than it looking nice on resumes. My thinking is that most nursing students qualify for this honor due to the grades that must be maintained/acquired for nursing school. How would this make someone stand out in the field of nursing if most nursing students probably qualify?

Has anyone found that it helped them get any new-grad positions when they graduated? Did it help with scholarships? Did it look good when you wanted to transfer to a university? Did you find it helpful in terms of networking? Did it apply to any or none of the above?

I was also wondering what the GPA cutoff is? How low can your GPA fall before they kick you out? I could always ask this at the orientation meeting, but that isn't anytime soon.

I had also heard of Sigma Theta Tau (specifically for nurses) and was wondering what one would need to do in order to be invited to join?

Thanks for reading.

Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

I joined. It's on my resume. I don't know that it helped, came up, or was even noticed in interviews or with hiring. But it certainly didn't hurt anything, and IIRC, it was a nominal fee, and I got a pretty yellow sash and pin when I graduated. ?

Specializes in mental health / psychiatic nursing.

I joined. It shows up on my transcript and I have received some recruitment letters from 4 year schools because of it. It has also given me access to scholarships for when I transfer. I don't know if it will make a big difference but I don't think it hurts to join.

Hi. I was asked to join the honors society at my community college. I don't have an answer to your questions (sorry). However, i'll like to know a little background information about honors societies (pros and cons). What are the benefits of being in the honors society? And I do understand that every honor society is different. With that being said, I am inquiring about a more general and personal perspective. I plan to set an appointment to meet with someone at my school to get a clearer understanding.

The main reasons I decided to join were the access to a *lot* of good scholarships and the opportunities for networking (recommendation letters, contacts, etc). I'm sure if I put more time into it, I'd get even more benefits, but I haven't even been to a meeting yet.

A good friend was interviewed - and hired - by someone who did not hire new grads because of her membership. It set her above.

Specializes in neurology, cardiology, ED.

My school's chapter requires a 3.7 to join, so there were only a couple of us from my program inducted (minimum GPA to stay in the nursing program is a 2.75) I don't know if it helped me get my job offer for after graduation, I think my work experience had more to do with that, but it made my mom proud!

Um, I am a member of PTK and when I completed my last pre-req, I received a partial refund for the cost of my class. Reimbursement/refund is one of the perks.

Specializes in ICU.

Wow! What a great incentive to join (& earn the good grades to do so). Excellent idea.

Specializes in NICU.

I became a member of PTK after my first semester in Freshman year, I got my associates degree in general ed and now at UMBSON for my BSN. PTK looks great on a resume and application to higher institutions. Also, if you plan on transferring from a 2-year to a 4-year, some schools even offer scholarships specifically to a PTK transfer student, so look into it if you are interested in transferring for your bachelors.

Specializes in Psychiatry.

I am invited to join the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. At first I was excited but then I saw it costs $75! If I were to join, would this help me in the long run, or is that $75 basically for a special tassel at graduation? Will it help me get into nursing school or get a job? Anybody else in the same boat?

I agree with everyone else. That's why when I got my invitation to join I did. Besides, the fee is only a one time thing. Congrats on the invite!

Specializes in Critical Care.
I am a member of Phi Theta Kappa at my school. There are many benefits to the honor society, and being a member can be beneficial in many ways.

First, there are a lot of schools that offer transfer scholarships when transferring to a four year institution. Next, there are many additional scholarships that are only available to Phi Theta Kappa members. Also, they will write letters of recommendation to schools as well as employers. A letter of recommendation from an academic honor society looks good. Additionally, the organization offers you an opportunity to perform community service projects. Finally, once you are a member there is a stamp of "Phi Theta Kappa" on your transcript. These are just to name a few. A $75 fee to gain access to $1,000's of dollars in scholarships, letters of recommendation, and the prestige of being a member of a international honor society is well worth it.

Some will say that it isn't really that big of a deal. However, it speaks volumes on your work ethic, discipline, ability to accomplish a task set before you, your teachability, as well as your ability to excel.

You should consider anything that will set you apart from those that your are competing with.

Agree, agree, agree!!!! :yeah: Everything you said is exactly what I was going to say!

To the OP:

Join PTK - you'll reap the benefits in a lot of ways - I know I certainly have! Congratulations on being accepted into PTK!! :D :yeah::yeah:

Specializes in Dialysis.

I haven't joined even though I've gotten the letter the last few semesters for one main reason. Will I lose my status once I'm in nursing school if my grades drop? I would hate to spend the money and have it taken away for my GPA dropping. Would this happen?

+ Add a Comment