New Grad, Sad Resume

[land64shark]

I will graduate in December and would like to start applying for positions. I don't have a current resume and am baffled as to what I should include in it. I know there have been numerous threads on resumes with lots of website references, but they don't seem to address my questions.

I have zero previous medical experience. I chose to stay home and be with my 3 kids as much as possible, therefore I was never a tech/extern/CNA, etc. (Actually, this summer I took 2 prerequisite classes towards the BSN instead.)

I've been in school for the past 3 years. My last job was 4 years ago part-time in a print factory as a quality control inspector for 2 years. The 2 years prior to that I worked part-time for a contractor unloading and sorting boxes for UPS at the airport. (Both of those jobs were strictly to help support my daughter's VERY expensive ice skating habit.) Previous to that, I was a TOTAL stay at home mom for 8 years. Before that, I was a project supervisor (with 100 employees over 3 shifts under me) for a now defunct computer drafting company for 4 years. But sheesh, now we're talking about over 15 years ago! Before that, I fixed manufacturing equipment at IBM for a couple of years.

Do you see my problem? Do I include any of that lame work history? How much, how far back?

I am an excellent student. I've gotten A's in all of my nursing and science classes. I was nominated by my instructor last semester and received the Nurse Leadership Award from my school. I get excellent reviews from my clinical instructors. I'm just afraid my resume will be lacking the appropriate representation of what I am really worth because of the work history of the past 15 years with no medical experience and I have no idea how to put that into convincing writing.

Any thoughts would be apprediated.

[KulRN]

Never had any problem applying after grad. For 5 years, I became a fulltime Mom and fulltime student. After graduation, I found a job right away. Hospitals needs nurses! Without having any experience in the medical field (only clinical rotations in school) they will start you as entry level ( I did). You'll do fine. Good luck!

[nursemike, ASN, RN]

My nurse manager was discussing the importance of good grades with me and another co-worker when we were in school. As she put it, in 25 years as a nurse, no employer asked about her grades. What they wanted to know was, did she have a valid nursing license?

I'm not saying grades and past experience don't matter, but when you get your license, you're over the biggest hurdle. Also, I agree with others that your work history sounds pretty darned respectable.

Bear in mind, too, that the nursing ranks are overwhlemingly female. If any occupation understands the "mommy track" and the needs of working mothers, it's nursing. Finally, while healthcare experience is a valuable asset, some of the best nurses I know had none prior to graduating nursing school.

[Halinja, BSN, RN]

I PM'd you about a sample resume, but just in case...

I had the same problem. I graduated in June. I'm 48 and spent most of my life raising my four children. During that time I had done some things, but none of them were 'normal'. (8-5, m-f) So...I would list what I had done, and then put the top three or four skills that I felt that particular activity had needed, especially if they pertained to nursing, like "time management".

I did list my clinicals, but just briefly, to let them know what exposure I had had. I did list jobs, but again, briefly. They were 25 years ago, so not terribly interesting except to show that SOMEONE had thought I was worth hiring.

Even keeping house and raising children involves skills that are valuable to nursing, and the life experience that you have makes you a fabulous gift to nursing. Capitalize on that. Point it out on the resume. You are much less likely to be intimidated by things, less likely to worry about non-essentials, more willing to jump in than you may have been when you were 20.

I was very successful with my resume. And I LOVE my new job. Good luck!

[Suninmyheart]

I referenced a book on resumes specifically for health-care professionals. The book specifically had a "new grad" resume that highlighted clinical experience., I do not recall the name however if you search it on your library database I am sure it would come up. I would be happy to send you a few samples I have on hand if you PM me.

Good luck

Sun

[land64shark]

Thank you all for your responses. I feel a little better. Actually, I was never worried about being able to find "a" job. I know hospitals are begging for nurses, especially here in Florida. I guess what worries me is if my resume/experience is enough to get interviews for the more competitive specialties like the OR or NICU? I really really want the OR. That's why I went to school. But few places here hire new grads into the OR and I want it to be ME! (NICU as a second choice would be good too.) I just doubt my resume will be special enough to get a second look by these areas.

[deeDawntee, RN]

You forgot one obvious, yet extremely important component in your job search. You just graduated from nursing school and passed the NCLEX!! You have NOTHING to be ashamed of... that is the entree into the nursing fields you are looking at... if you state clearly what your goals are, to work in a NICU (or whatever) and present yourself professionally and competently you should do OK...perhaps the hospitals you really want to work at will have a recommended progression to those areas....and that would have to be something that you are willing to do. Being a new grad is in itself a huge accomplishment...DO present yourself as being competent and up for the task...because you are!!!

(I would think just being a mother would be extremely helpful.)

You have been entrenched in the medical field for how ever many years you have been in school. Lack of medical "work" experience, as in getting paid for it, is not a disadvantage whatsoever. Just show them good past job performance, like attendance etc, and you will be as desirable as ANY other new grad.... I PROMISE!!!!!

See yourself succeeding and you will!!!

:yeah: