How to summarize clinical exp on resume.

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Anyone have ideas on how to summarize each of my clinical rotation on my resume?

Each rotation all though different, the nursing care and goals were the same, so it seems repetitve. Like I may not have had ortho patients during my cardio rotation, but the goal and nursing plan is the same, so should i explain in each rotation perhaps specifics i did on each or what?

Anyone's insight will be very much appreciated! Thank you so much in advance.

JustBeachyNurse, LPN

13,952 Posts

Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

It's controversial to include clinical rotations on your resume as all new nurses are expected to have gone through clinical rotations. Many members have posted that hiring managers have commented about their resume that includes a large section listing/detailing clinical rotations stating that so what, everyone else does clinicals as it is required to graduate from nursing school.

What is often suggested is if you had a unique experience, practicum, or rotation to include that in your resume. Such as, if you had a rotation where you were able to request a particular unit that not everyone else experienced that would be something to highlight (like a Burn or Trauma ICU, which would be an experience that not many other student nurses would have opportunity for.)

Or if one of your rotations were at the facility to which you are applying (such as you are applying for a new grad pediatrics rotation at ABC Hospital. You had an awesome clinical rotation, the nurses likely remember you and your clinical instructor wrote a glowing recommendation. You can also state this information in your introductory cover letter. Such as "I was motivated to apply for this new graduate pediatric nursing position after having an inspiring experience while completing my clinical rotation in pediatrics and pediatric intensive care at ABC Hospital from April through June 2012. I had the opportunity to assist the nursing staff in direct patient care and assessment, medication administration and participate in family care planning meetings. Enclosed is a recommendation from my clinical instructor from my pediatric rotation."

JustBeachyNurse, LPN

13,952 Posts

Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Also, I saw from your other posts that you are not a new graduate and are applying for a new nursing job. If anyone includes clinical rotations, its usually only new graduates who have no paid clinical nursing experience. You should highlight the skills and experiences of your current nursing role rather than focus on what you did as a student.

SummitRN, BSN, RN

2 Articles; 1,567 Posts

Specializes in ICU + Infection Prevention.

Rotation Type - Hours - Class - Hospital

For Example:

MICU - 400 hours - Junior Practicum - Sacred Heart Hospital

IF YOU ARE A NEW GRAD, all the hiring managers want to know where you rotated because they want to know...

Whether you had this experience:

Medical/Telemetry - 96 hours - Medical Surgical II - Sacred Heart Hospital

Surgical Inpatient - 96 hours - Medical Surgical I - Sacred Heart Hospital

Medical/Surgical - 96 hours - Pediatric - Regional Pediatric Research Hospital

Or this experience:

Long Term Care - 84 hours - Medical Surgical II - Bargain LTC of America

Outpatient - 84 hours - Medical Surgical I - Dr. Doodle's Family Practice

Day Care - 36 hours - Pediatric - Kid Zoo Play Place

gloryfied

106 Posts

THANK YOU GUYS FOR YOUR INPUT.

Just beachy Nurse, I am a new nurse, I have been working at a hospital for 7 monts now, my fist RN job since graduating last year, I still consider myself new, till atleast that 1 year experience everyone wants hit. lol. I think I would like to list my clinical experience because besides my med surg position now, its where i experienced variety.

Thanks again guys, much appreciated.

Sun0408, ASN, RN

1,761 Posts

Specializes in Trauma Surgical ICU.

I would be careful at how you list your clinical experience.. At first glance HR or the NM may think you are a new grad with no experience and not just a new nurse. 7 months is better than none and I would highlight that.

JustBeachyNurse, LPN

13,952 Posts

Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
THANK YOU GUYS FOR YOUR INPUT.

Just beachy Nurse, I am a new nurse, I have been working at a hospital for 7 monts now, my fist RN job since graduating last year, I still consider myself new, till at least that 1 year experience everyone wants hit. lol. I think I would like to list my clinical experience because besides my med surg position now, its where i experienced variety.

Thanks again guys, much appreciated.

I would still highlight your 7month Med-surg experience as that is going to hold a LOT more weight to a hiring manager than what you accomplished during your clinical rotations as a student, unless you had a unique experience that relates to the position you are applying for. You can always highlight this in your cover letter. Cover letters are an introduction tool, entice them to review your resume. Plus your opportunity to highlight what you think makes you unique to the job. Highlight whatever training and experiences you've had.

Again, as another poster indicated pushing your nursing school experiences to the front of the page is inclined to imply that you are a non-experienced new graduate. Most new grad positions require graduation within the past year and 6 months or less of paid nursing experience. Some employers will take 7 months experience into account when the job posting states minimum one year, it means a lot more than the no paid experience applicant.

BellasMommyOBRN

400 Posts

Specializes in Maternity.

I agree with the poster above.....My new position required A YEAR of OB experience in which I only had 8 months. The HM said, "I consider 8 months close enough."

I'm sure some workplaces enforce and strictly adhere by there "requirements" while others use requirements like a speed limit sign....(to give nurses a rough idea of what is expected for that area) They also have to consider what you learned in YOUR 7 months because it may be worth more than what someone else learned in their year.

I wouldn't add clinical rotations. I haven't received good feedback from NR when I did that.

Good luck.

gloryfied

106 Posts

Most definitely i am going to put my 7months professional experience in, no way im leaving that out. lol. I just wanted to add my clinical experience too because my 1 year isnt done, and i want them to be aware of my experience in other units as well.

So should I just leave my clinical experience out. I was thinking about putting it after my professional experience. input?

JustBeachyNurse, LPN

13,952 Posts

Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

If you had a specific clinical experience that is relevant to the job you are applying to...such as your paid experience is adult med-surg but, you had an extra rotation in the NICU or LDRP unit and are applying for a nursery position then include it in your resume as a highlight of your nursing education and your cover letter. This way the recruiter/manager knows that you've had additional exposure to newborn/neonatal care.

If you only had the standard clinical rotations in med surg, geriatrics, mental health, OB/women's health and pediatrics then don't include it. It is understood that you would have been exposed to these rotations as part of your nursing education and just adds extra words to your resume.

gloryfied

106 Posts

Cool. Thanks so much.

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