Resume

llg, PhD, RN · Feb 15, 2007

Most people don't list it ... but a few people do, especially new grads. I never have listed mine (though I graduated many years ago). It seems to becoming more common for new grads to list it.

I would list it only if it is exceptionally high and you are concerned that your resume does not include enough to make you look good. As time goes by, it will be less and less appropriate to include it -- but as you graduate, I don't think anyone would really hold it against you if you did (unless it's not very impressive, of course.)

Cattitude · Feb 15, 2007

i would love to hear the answer to this question as well. i've never heard of listing a gpa on a resume,ever. with my bsn, i graduated with honors and it never occurred that i should put that on my resume. i'm proud of my accomplishments but it almost seems irrelevant unless you're going for a certain type of nursing job? i guess what i'm trying to say is that having a higher gpa doesn't necessarily mean you're going to be a better nurse. it just doesn't.

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llg, PhD, RN · Feb 15, 2007

i would love to hear the answer to this question as well. i've never heard of listing a gpa on a resume,ever. with my bsn, i graduated with honors and it never occurred that i should put that on my resume. i'm proud of my accomplishments but it almost seems irrelevant unless you're going for a certain type of nursing job? i guess what i'm trying to say is that having a higher gpa doesn't necessarily mean you're going to be a better nurse. it just doesn't.
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if you graduated "with honors," or some other distinction (e.g. cum laude) that should definitely be listed on your resume. that's the way it's usually done -- with honors included, but not gpa.

as for whether it helps you get a job or not ... it can definitely help get jobs when there is competition. employers like to see that you are high-achiever and can work hard and meet high standards. while success in one are of life doesn't guarantee success in every other aspect of like -- most people would like to see evidence that a job applicant is a high achiever than not see it.

Jules A, MSN · Feb 15, 2007

If you graduated "with honors," or some other distinction (e.g. cum laude) that should definitely be listed on your resume. That's the way it's usually done -- with honors included, but not GPA.
As for whether it helps you get a job or not ... it can definitely help get jobs when there is competition. Employers like to see that you are high-achiever and can work hard and meet high standards. While success in one are of life doesn't guarantee success in every other aspect of like -- most people would like to see evidence that a job applicant is a high achiever than not see it.

I agree and as a new grad I did include my gpa in my cover letter. It was something along the lines of: I graduated from xxx in xxx with a gpa of xxx and passed my boards in xxx. Since I didn't have anything else to offer I figured it might give me a heads up over an equally inexperienced applicant. FWIW I agree that not all students that get good grades make good nurses but with nothing else to go on I'd pick an A student over a C student. Good luck!

twinmommy+2, ADN, BSN, MSN · Feb 15, 2007

I listed mine (if I remember) because I graduated with honors, but if I hadn't done that I probably wouldn't have listed it.

BittyBabyGrower, MSN, RN · Feb 15, 2007

We don't look at the GPAs on the resumes when we consider candidates. We really want to know if you passed your boards and then we will hire you based on your interview with a panel of nurses from the unit.

ebannaw · Feb 15, 2007

Thank you so much for the input. If it is not going to make or break me then I won't list it. I just discovered this site. I wish I had discovered it before now. Take care...