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?
I was invited but didn't join because I was that broke and so broke that I was no longer in school. I would definitely join for the benefit of having the entry for your resume.
I'm glad you asked, cause I'm wondering the same thing. I went ahead and joined...I figured if nothing else for me, it's a symbol of my hard work. There's an orientation at my school to give you more info on membership, maybe you will have one as well.
My school has an orientation as well. I read on another thread that you get to wear the honors collar/cord at graduation, but I am wondering if this would still apply if I went to a different community college (nursing program) than where I earned the award?
I just received an invitation from my community college to join phi theta kappa honor society for two-year colleges. would it be advantageous of me to join ... as in helping me to get into a nursing program over someone not a member, or should I just save my $60 membership fee?
It won't get you into a nursing program, but they do put it right on your transcript. There are also a lot of opportunities to participate in or (more importantly) lead many types of projects.
Nursing school comes with so many commitments, I just don't have time to actively participate in ptk. I like it that it's on my transcript, but even that is only going to matter for my first nursing job. Still glad I did it.
My school has an orientation as well. I read on another thread that you get to wear the honors collar/cord at graduation, but I am wondering if this would still apply if I went to a different community college (nursing program) than where I earned the award?
I paid for it but the only thing I found it good for was putting it on my resume and honestly, I don't think it helps much. you might find more use out of it (and scholarship potential) if you actively participate in your local chapter. but who has time for that in nursing school?
Isn't the Iota Alpha Chapter at TVCC? Were you accepted into their nursing program? I am completing my prereqs and hope to apply this December. I would love to hear your experiances!
I was pleasantly surprised to see my school has listed it on my official school transcript, along with coursework. That could help (and won't hurt!) when I apply for BSN programs.
When I joined, and was surprised there was no one else from Nursing who did. Don't know why - I'm guessing money and that strange perception that as nursing students, we aren't really part of the general student population.
When asking my professors for the recommendation letters, they both went on about what a big deal it is and how good it looks in the academic world.
I was a member of both Kappa Iota and a current member of Sigma Theta Tau. It's just another thing to add to your resume. Anything that you can do stand out to a potential employer is smart in my opinion, especially in this job climate. Like the old lady said when she peed in the ocean, "Every little bit helps."
It will not help you to get into the nursing program, but it has many benefits. Are you planning to continue on for your BSN after you are done? Phi Theta Kappa is on your transcript, and it looks good to perspective schools and employers. There are tons of scholarships that are only available to Phi Theta Kappa members. Additionally, Phi Theta Kappa not only speaks of your GPA, but it also speaks of your work ethic. At a time when many institutions are considering grades as part of the, decision process, the Phi Theta Kappa stamp helps you stand out from the competition a little.
You need to look at the pro's and con's for you. I am a member of Phi Theta Kappa and I believe there are definitely more pro's than con's. One of the school that I am looking to transfer to (major 4 year university) offers a 100% tuition for two years for 25 Phi Theta Kappa members. Some of the others that I looked at offer several thousand dollars towards tuition. These scholarships are only available for Phi Theta Kappa members. I felt that it was well worth the $75 that I paid.
I don't know if this helps at all. I am sure others will not share my opinion.
When I joined, and was surprised there was no one else from Nursing who did. Don't know why - I'm guessing money and that strange perception that as nursing students, we aren't really part of the general student population.
Or it could be because if your grades drop, they drop you from the society and nursing school grades can be "fragile," for lack of a better word.
My personal opinion is that if you don't already hold a bachelor's degree, it may be worth it to join for the scholarship opportunities. If you do have a previous bachelor's in another field, I don't think it's worth the membership fee as you aren't eligible for the scholarships. As for looking good in a resume, I think the benefit there would be minimal - it's not a selective enough organization to really make a candidate stand out, as there are loads of community college students earning good grades.
caliotter3
38,333 Posts
I was invited but didn't join because I was that broke and so broke that I was no longer in school. I would definitely join for the benefit of having the entry for your resume.