Members are discussing the benefits of joining Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) at community colleges, focusing on GPA requirements, scholarships, transcript notations, and potential advantages in job applications and transfer to four-year programs. Some users have received scholarships and opportunities through PTK, while others question the value of membership and the exclusivity of the organization. Overall, opinions vary on the worthiness of joining PTK and the impact it has on academic and professional opportunities.
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?
The GPA required to get in and to say in depends on the College in my experience. At my old college it was 3.8 to get in and 3.5 to stay in. It was big deal though - a lot of people joined and it was a large, active chapter. A funny memory I have is at my initiation ceremony (I think thats what its called) there were girls behind me talking about how a certain teacher was out to get them b/c he wouldn't give them anything higher than an A- even though everyone knew their writing was A worthy. I remember thinking 'so this is what its like to sit in a room full of high achievers.' lol :)
To the OP: thank you so much for posting this! I also have been asked to join and wasn't sure about it. I was thinking that it was going to be a waste of time and money, but I am so glad that others have answered your thread! Now, I am definately going to join! And as far as Ham, I believe you can do both. I'm in nursing school and was told that it (PTK) wouldn't interfere.
I joined and honestly I feel it was a waste of cash. But a lot of that had to do with my chapter. I tried to get involved several times and each time it was far to difficult. I had to contact person A to find out the time, then try to get in touch with person B to find out the specifics of location....just a mess.
It turned out that the leadership were all business students and if you weren't in classes with them....it was nearly impossible to get involved.
They didn't offer scholarships to any of the nursing schools in my area and send A LOT of SPAM to my e-mail address about things I can buy from them that say Phi Theta Kappa.
To me Phi Theta Kappa is a scam. I mean come on...pay someone to honor me??? Really? That's not usually how honor societies work from my experience. People don't pay to get inducted into the Rock Hall of Fame, people don't pay to get honored by the National Honor Society in high school. I was asked to join too. I was all for it until I saw I had to pay. That's a bit pretentious to me. (Not knocking anyone who joined...I'm razzing the PTK folks).
When the lady from PTK spoke to me about it looking good in my resume...I told her I would simply put PTK offered and I turned them down. She didn't speak to me anymore.
To me Phi Theta Kappa is a scam. I mean come on...pay someone to honor me??? Really? That's not usually how honor societies work from my experience. People don't pay to get inducted into the Rock Hall of Fame, people don't pay to get honored by the National Honor Society in high school. I was asked to join too. I was all for it until I saw I had to pay. That's a bit pretentious to me. (Not knocking anyone who joined...I'm razzing the PTK folks).
When the lady from PTK spoke to me about it looking good in my resume...I told her I would simply put PTK offered and I turned them down. She didn't speak to me anymore.
I don't disagree about PTK being a waste of cash, but I do believe that it's pretty standard to pay membership fees in most academic honor societies. (I know you do for Sigma Theta Tau....the nursing honor society).
I'm a proud member of Phi Theta Kappa, and highly recommend it. Keep in mind that it costs $75 up front, but it only costs $10 a semester after that.
There are many advantages to being a member - not the least of which are the scholarships. Note that some are general scholarships, completely unrelated to specific programs. Also, having PTK on other (non PTK) scholarship apps looks good, too.
I truly believe that universities and employers seriously consider honor society membership when making their decisions - especially if there is significant competition for an opening. I was recently hired at a hospital that swore it wouldn't hire ADNs. But I stood out.
Each chapter will vary in its activities - it depends entirely on the student leadership. And if you're not happy with it -talk to the faculty adviser (that's what they're there for.) If time allows, get involved. Our chapter does some amazing things in our community. I also found it to be a good change of pace and a welcome break from my nursing studies.
And for whoever was asking - you can join at any time during the year. Just find your adviser and get your paperwork processed.
I had been invited before and blew it off, but this year I went to the college cashier and paid the money and after reading all these posts am so glad that I did!! :)
I think it is worth it. Check with your school; my school does NOT put it on transcripts, so it is up to each school apparently. My PTK advisor will not give letters of recommendation unless you do most community events. First event after I joined, only one other person showed up, so it did not happen. Second event, PTK gave us 2 days' notice (I have a job and children, so 2 days notice was not enough for me to get time off work/midterms were also that weekend/or find a babysitter for 8 a.m. on a Saturday). Then the next one they are doing is an all night event; again, with children, I cannot do it. I was so excited to be able to get involed with my community, but it's been nearly impossible for me in my situation. I think I'll be a nurse before I'm able to give back, but that's okay. So, it depends on your situation. I also, because of school-age children, will not be transferring to any university other than the one close to home, so again, there are no benefits for me so far--I have a very high GPA, but when I did my profile for transfer matches, that university did not show up. I'd love to go to Emory, but I can't move my family out of state, ya know! And the tassle or stole, they cost extra, so those are not included in the membership fee (they told us to buy these from PTK website if we want them for graduation). I am happy to be a part of it--although have yet to do anything--it being on my resume is all I have to show for it other than the pin I receive in the mail and the gold seal for the diploma (you place it on your diploma yourself; that is also mailed to you after they verify your graduation).
That being said, it is still an honor and I am proud to be a PTK member and you should be proud for the invite. I just wanted to let you know that not all of the perks are always available to everyone.
$75 is a pretty cheap "Resume Enhancer" that will impress prospective employers, grad school admission people and any school that you transfer to. It's money well spent, especially now.
To me Phi Theta Kappa is a scam. I mean come on...pay someone to honor me??? Really? That's not usually how honor societies work from my experience. People don't pay to get inducted into the Rock Hall of Fame, people don't pay to get honored by the National Honor Society in high school. I was asked to join too. I was all for it until I saw I had to pay. That's a bit pretentious to me. (Not knocking anyone who joined...I'm razzing the PTK folks). 
She didn't speak to me anymore.
hearts895, RN BSN
465 Posts
The GPA required to get in and to say in depends on the College in my experience. At my old college it was 3.8 to get in and 3.5 to stay in. It was big deal though - a lot of people joined and it was a large, active chapter. A funny memory I have is at my initiation ceremony (I think thats what its called) there were girls behind me talking about how a certain teacher was out to get them b/c he wouldn't give them anything higher than an A- even though everyone knew their writing was A worthy. I remember thinking 'so this is what its like to sit in a room full of high achievers.' lol :)