[SmilingBluEyes]

This is a great thread, thanks. I did receive training on resume and cover-letter writing in my ADN program, thankfully. It was covered in the last weeks of our final semester. A plus for me was, being in the military, I did get the practice for writing resumes, as we had to often submit our own awards packages. And letter-writing was a huge part of my responsibilities in the Air Force, as well. I got really good at it!

But I think ALL nursing programs need to address this very important issue, not just here and there. I thank you for posting this thread-----we all, myself included----could stand to learn a few tricks and brush up our skills. Very informative.

And I do agree, a sticky would be a good idea, here or in the nursing career threads!

[llg]

Originally Posted by SmilingBluEyes

This is a great thread, thanks. I did receive training on resume and cover-letter writing in my ADN program, thankfully. It was covered in the last weeks of our final semester. !

I find it significant that most schools that include any of this content do so in the final weeks of the final semester. By then, it is too late for most people. Most students already have their jobs lined up by then.

Not that the problem is exclusive to new grads. I think it is even worse among experienced nurses, many of whom think they don't have to try anymore because they have experience. The thread could just as easily be titled, "Ever wonder why you can't get that promotion?"

llg

[SmilingBluEyes]

Maybe so, but it helped many of us in rural areas where lining up work was not so easy to do ---especially prior to graduation. Also, it was 7 years ago. May be, by now, policies have changed on this one. Not sure.

[URO-RN]

My school conducted Resume clinics prior to graduation for all senior nursing students. They even brought in the HR person from the hospital across the street.

[plumrn]

Great links! Something we will all need at some time or other. Please sticky this thread, as it will be helpful to so many.

[Bindy]

Originally Posted by SmilingBluEyes

This is a great thread, thanks. I did receive training on resume and cover-letter writing in my ADN program, thankfully. It was covered in the last weeks of our final semester. A plus for me was, being in the military, I did get the practice for writing resumes, as we had to often submit our own awards packages. And letter-writing was a huge part of my responsibilities in the Air Force, as well. I got really good at it!

But I think ALL nursing programs need to address this very important issue, not just here and there. I thank you for posting this thread-----we all, myself included----could stand to learn a few tricks and brush up our skills. Very informative.

And I do agree, a sticky would be a good idea, here or in the nursing career threads!

I absolutely love Belusi....what a shame......Anyhow all the resume comments make sense. Since I am going through a rough time and need to secure employment fast, I hired someone to do the dirty work. He is a professional medical resume writer and his wife who is a nurse manager actually reviews them. It was costly, $175.00 but you have to figure it will pay off by presenting yourself in the right light. Some may think this is unneccesary, which it very well maybe, but if you have a weak link there, it may help. Anyone interested please e-mail me. Second thing I would like to mention. Nursing is in a professional realm, look professional! Not implying anyone here isn't but earrings dangling from your nose, eyebrow, ect......tatoos that say look at me, look at me!......really should be not seen. Just my humble opinion. Bindy

[Kitty-MayRN]

Hi,

Does anyone think, that interviewing as a newly graduate nurse, you can have too much experience working as a student nurse that it would hinder getting hired as an RN? I know someone who is having problems getting hired...

Kitty-MayRN

[mattsmom81]

With a nursing shortage that is 'real', wouldn't one would think recruitors would be less picky? Just another reason to doubt the hoopla about a 'nursing shortage', and see it for what it really is: an excuse for understaffing.

[kadokin]

Originally Posted by NRSKarenRN

look at your RESUME!!!


I've been reviewing resume's for open positions in my department and can't believe the resumes I've received: misspelling, words crossed off, no cover letter, including personal information about family life. Please don't send a resume if you have NONE of the job qualifications, unless your cover letter has explanation eg enrolled in education program etc.


I was taught in LPN and BSN program how to prepare a resume. Is this a lost art being skipped??

Also agree with our bb members that calling facility and finding out who is department manager, then forwarding your resume to them along with HR is great idea.

I work in smaller organization than hospital but has taken me over two months to get open positions advertised and three weeks to get resume's sent to me...those that sent to me directly have interview same week.


Check out:

Resume Writing and Interview Tips for Nurses from Univ. of Pennsylvania:
http://www.vpul.upenn.edu/careerser...dbookindex.html

Sample Resumes

Resume Writing by Donna Cardillo RN--lots of advice:
http://www.dcardillo.com/articles.html

Resume versus CV - what’s the difference?
Resume versus CV: Which Is Right for You?

Questions Interviewers Ask - Boston College
Difficult Interview Questions + a few answers


YOU are interviewing the hospital too:
From Hospitalsoup.com:
Questions for Management Positions
Questions to ask the Employer

AACN: Hallmarks of the Professional Nursing Practice Setting
Where is the top nursing voice in the organization? Are nurses represented in key committees and in governance? Request organizational chart
http://www.aacn.nche.edu/pnn/hallmarksbrochure.htm


Healthcare Resume and Interview Tips ... Polish your interviewing skills with our Virtual Interview, which contains common healthcare interview questions

** Healthcare Resume Readiness Quiz
Are you confident your resume will make it to the yes pile? Take our Resume Readiness Quiz for healthcare pros, and see if your resume passes the test.

Actually, no, my BSN program DID NOT have a course on resume writing.!!! At the time, I didn't think it was necessary for me as I was a "mature" student who had worked in other (non-professional) areas and had applied for numerous other jobs and written more than my share of resumes through the years. I am > 12 years out of nursing school and have worked only one position as an RN (in inpatient psychiatric care). I didn't realize how difficult it would be to update my resume until I tried a few yrs ago when I found myself dissatisfied w/my current position. A resume/skills summary seemed almost impossible to complete. It is such a specialized area (nursing in general and Psych. nursing in particular). Thank you for posting those links. I believe I will bookmark them for future reference. It is not the form, the grammer or the spelling that has me stumped. How do I translate what a nurse does every day into layman's terms? Although I have a BSN, I am "just a staff nurse" and do not have any "notable" accomplishments to list. Although, really, the job I do every day, which involves judgement, discernment, tact and highly developed communiction skills is pretty amazing. I really have a hard time illustrating these as concrete skills. Oh well, thanks for the post. And the links.

[kadokin]

Originally Posted by mattsmom81

With a nursing shortage that is 'real', wouldn't one would think recruitors would be less picky? Just another reason to doubt the hoopla about a 'nursing shortage', and see it for what it really is: an excuse for understaffing.

Makes you wonder, doesn't it?