Stretching the truth...

Nurses Job Hunt

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When I apply for nursing positions that ask for nurses who have experience I use my years of clinicals and volunteering. Does that count? or does the experience have to be actually working a job?

Specializes in GI.

Unfortunately no, although it is something to emphasize in your cover letter

Specializes in Surgical, quality,management.

No. This is not experience in nursing. It is experience as a student etc but you are NOT the nurse you do NOT have the experience.

I have just been culling applications today. One stated that she had 4 years experience yet also completed her grad year last year (in Australia this is a year long supported program).

Mind you I also culled applications for a ward clerk post - worded very clearly Sat/Sun/Monday only. I recieve a cover letter and multiple calls from a person stating that she should be employed, but she can't work Saturdays. I don't want 4 ward clerks. Been there done that. I want 2 one T/W/T/F and one S/S/M. And I interview you can't just get all agro on the phone and expect me to agree to give you job.

* sorry bad day! and crazy calls about the clerk post all last week. And I have no chocolate in the house!

Specializes in Neonatal Nurse Practitioner.

* sorry bad day! and crazy calls about the clerk post all last week. And I have no chocolate in the house!

Man, I need some chocolate right now...:smokin:

Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

No, that does not count as experience. You are actually making it harder to get an interview, as it appears you are trying to pull one over or just think the HR people are stupid. They can look at your resume and see if you have ever worked as an RN or not.

It is a career that revolves around integrity. You are going to have to demonstrate that all through this process.

K+Mg...

*Sending you makings for s'mores with caramel chocolates for the middle. *Winks...its near enough to summer to start!

Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.

OP, take a look at your thread title ... and ask yourself, "would I hire this person?"

My son has a trach and g-button and I can't use that has experience either.

Specializes in none.

has to be job experiance.

I don't know any reason why honestly documented experience of any kind shouldn't be included on a resume. As a new grad with work experience but no nursing experience, I got all kinds of conflicting advice on resume content (including to list my specific classes taken as "skills." Thanks for nothing, Career Services!).

In the end I used 2 separate sections: one for work experience and one clearly labeled "Clinical Experience" where I listed hospitals I had clinicals at and duties/skills that I personally had performed. Where you would normally put the job title I put "ASN student". The same can be done for volunteer, as long as you are very clear, ie a section titled "Clinical & Volunteer Experience" with specific listings done in your chosen resume format.

Will they conisder it "experience"? Depends on what the employer is looking for. The purpose of a resume is to to showcase yourself. If you have history that makes you more suitable for the job, it's fair to include that.

Specializes in Oncology/Haemetology/HIV.

People that list clinicals as "nursing experience" pretty much get their application filed in the circular "no return" file from my standpoint.

Virtually EVERY GOOD legimate nursing school requires multiple clinicals and clinical sites. Thus this iis basic education NOT nursing experience.

If you wish to include volunteering, that could be listed in another section, but it is not "nursing experience". If you had a special minipracticum that is pertinent to a particular position, it would be good to list under Education.

Specializes in Ambulatory care.

No never "stretch the truth" how many years exp is a yes or no question and they want it as how many years exp as nurse. As a new graduate I dont have nursing experience and its normal because where would i get it after all. You'll just have to hope someone would be willing to take a chance and interview/hire ya. Lying on a job app is nono .. as then the next step is if you're going to fib on this what else would you lie on? Med Error? etc etc.

On mine its obvious that I'm a new grad no nursing exp, work history with my volunteer work on top, followed by work history, then section for clinical rotations, awards, skillls

Ok anyways be truthful and dont' try to stretch anything as companies do run a background check and should anything not be as you stated you can will be fired on the spot. Usually stuff like this would be caught at the telephone interview part or earlier

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