So I have heard time and time again from nursing professors and clinical adjuncts that "4.0 students often have a hard time transitioning to the floor, B or C students make better nurses". While I totally get that there are some people out there that are so cerebral that they don't do well on the floor, I think this blanket statement is a bunch of bunk.
I bring this up because I am a 4.0 student. I am also involved in clubs and student groups, volunteer outside of school, and often get complimented in clinicals. However, even with that I still hear the comment over and over that A students don't make as good of nurses as B and C nurses.
What do you nurses who are actually out there on the floor think?
Personally I think grades and where you went to school matter when you are applying for your first job in the field.
Things may have changed in almost 40 years, but when I interviewed for my first Nursing job, the subject of where I went to school and what my grades were never came up.
Things may have changed in almost 40 years, but when I interviewed for my first Nursing job, the subject of where I went to school and what my grades were never came up.
They usually come up for the nurse residency programs, which are often very competitive and highly sought out by new grads. But I haven't heard about a lot of new grads being asked for GPA when they apply for regular staff nurse positions.
On another forum I visit, I'm reading that new college graduates applying for jobs in the business, engineering, and IT sectors are not only being asked for GPAs, but their SAT scores as well! I find that pretty outrageous.
Things may have changed in almost 40 years, but when I interviewed for my first Nursing job, the subject of where I went to school and what my grades were never came up.
Did you not have to provide a transcript when you applied for your first job? They would know your GPA and school from that.
They usually come up for the nurse residency programs, which are often very competitive and highly sought out by new grads. But I haven't heard about a lot of new grads being asked for GPA when they apply for regular staff nurse positions.
On another forum I visit, I'm reading that new college graduates applying for jobs in the business, engineering, and IT sectors are not only being asked for GPAs, but their SAT scores as well! I find that pretty outrageous.
I had to provide transcripts, not just my diplomas.
My GPA was also on my resume.
When I interviewed applicants for a previous position, we absolutely looked at transcripts, grades, and participation in school activities/professional groups. Higher grades indicated, to the hiring group, effort applied, ability to grasp and apply concepts efficiently, and dedication to the profession.
And as an A-student with honors, I can assure that I do not have OCD nor am I inflexible. Those are not necessarily traits of Type-A people nor A-students.
I'm not 40 years in, but I can answer that yes, they had my transcript but my grades were never brought up. Not once.
I got hired as a GN, so my transcript was my "proof" that I completed school.
Like Jensmom says, things are different now.
Right, but on your transcript were your grades and GPA. They obviously were happy with it. :) If your transcript had nothing but Cs on it, they might have mentioned it or perhaps not hired you in favor of someone else. It's hard to know if they didn't tell you, which doesn't necessarily mean it didn't make an impact.
Right, but on your transcript were your grades and GPA. They obviously were happy with it. :) If your transcript had nothing but Cs on it, they might have mentioned it or perhaps not hired you in favor of someone else. It's hard to know if they didn't tell you, which doesn't necessarily mean it didn't make an impact.
Things may have changed in almost 40 years, but when I interviewed for my first Nursing job, the subject of where I went to school and what my grades were never came up.
It was never asked during my interview, because it's on my resume, but in almost every interview I've ever had they mention where I went to school. It's totally regional. It's likely that no one outside of Washington and Oregon even realizes my school has a nursing program. Maybe this area is more pretentious than your area.
It was never asked during my interview, because it's on my resume, but in almost every interview I've ever had they mention where I went to school. It's totally regional. It's likely that no one outside of Washington and Oregon even realizes my school has a nursing program. Maybe this area is more pretentious than your area.
During my first degree people stressed over GPA, in part because if you get a psych degree you're going to need to go back to school, so it made sense to keep track of grades. During my nursing degree people talked about pass rates instead. Which is more collectivist, so I was okay with that. Everyone wins at a school with a high pass rate.
During my first degree people stressed over GPA, in part because if you get a psych degree you're going to need to go back to school, so it made sense to keep track of grades. During my nursing degree people talked about pass rates instead. Which is more collectivist, so I was okay with that. Everyone wins at a school with a high pass rate.
Yep. My Psych degree was 4.0.
"I'm more proud of my 80 something average from nursing school", she mused.
Jensmom7, BSN, RN
1,907 Posts
Things may have changed in almost 40 years, but when I interviewed for my first Nursing job, the subject of where I went to school and what my grades were never came up.