New Grad Seeking Resume Advice

[NursePallasFNP2b]

Hi all,

I am a new grad in a city that is pretty over-saturated with nursing programs. Thus, the job market is really competitive. I'm at one of the top schools and they didn't even have a job fair for us, but enough complaining. Would someone mind taking a look at my resume and letting me know if it's just totally wrong or if I'm on the right track? I did have a resume professional at the school look over my resume and tell me it was great, but she does not specialize in nursing; she's a general resume specialist.

I just graduated from an Accelerated BSN program, and 3 students from my class have jobs already (without even passing the NCLEX yet). I'd like to join that pool because right now I feel defeated- like I got myself into debt and did all this hard work only to not be hired anywhere.

I have the resume in .docx and .pdf form (of course I'd remove name and contact info). I would prefer to send it privately if possible (via email of pm). Thanks in advance!

[MallysMama]

I think you have a strong resume! If I were a manager, I would hire you! Unfortunately, I believe the key to getting a job in an over saturated market is all about who you know. You need to network. Do you have friends that are already nurses? Can they introduce you to their manager? Getting past HR is the hard part- so it helps to have a little boost from someone you know! Good luck and don't give up!!

[NursePallasFNP2b]

Thank you so so much @MallysMama!! I do have a few connections, so I am starting to use those more now. Thanks again, that makes me feel a lot better after working really hard to revamp it. :)

[applesxoranges, BSN, RN]

I think it is very wordy. I hit basics and didn't have a complete sentence in mine. The whole preceptorship is very, very wordy in my opinion. Also, for the senior RN extern, is that what they called it? Usually a nurse extern is an actual job.

For my preceptorship, I had it as a line underneath my college. Like X Community College, - Preceptorship at X ICU.

If you have skills, I would consider putting those in such as ACLS, PALS, and even BLS if it is AHA. Many hospitals want employees to have their BLS. I have my BLS instructor. Take out the (CPR & AED) bit. If it is true BLS, it will cover that along with 2 person CPR with a bvm. If it was heartsaver, then you should look into getting the BLS for healthcare providers.

Also you could mention Epic once but I wouldn't mention it too many times. I know of several healthcare facilities and only one of them in my area used Epic. They will train you in their facility's documentation procedures even if you have Epic experience.

The little story with clinical judgement is not necessary in my book. That's something to bring up in the interview, not the resume.

Customer service is usually an important skill.

The way I look at things is that a resume is a snapshot of your work experiences. I haven't had any issues doing a bare-bones approach and straight to the facts. I have had no issues with interviews or getting jobs. I sell myself in the interview and my resume is straight to the fact of who I am to get an interview. If I have time later, I'll send you a copy of my resume.

The formating is screwed up here and it is 1 page long. I have some of the bullet points double up on a line.

Professional Profile

- Reliable, hard worker

- Flexible

- Calm and Professional in Stressful Situations

Certifications

- AHA BLS Instructor

- AHA ACLS

- AHA PALS

- EMT-P in states

- NREMT-P

- Registered Nurse in states (listed states to show I could work in both states I currently applied in)

Education

Ohio University

03/2014 – Expected Graduation 12/2014

- BSN Completion

College

6/2010 – 12/2013

- Associate Degree of Nursing

o Preceptorship completed in X Hospital

School

6/2011 – 6/2012

- Paramedic Certificate

Experience

Registered Nurse

06/20/2014 - Current

X Hospital

X City

- Level III Trauma ER

Registered Nurse

01/2014 – 6/2014

X hospital

City

- Medical/Surgical ICU

Unit Clerk/Paramedic

11/2012 – 1/2014

X Hospital

City

- Emergency Department

- Triaging

- Vital Signs

- IV Starts/Drawing Blood

- EKGs

- Transporting Patients

- Assistant CPR Instructor for BLS

- Communicating with nurses and doctors

- Clerical Duties

[AllInRN, ASN, BSN]

I would say trim it down to one page. To include your volunteer work, list it under

Community Service:

Good luck to you

[applesxoranges, BSN, RN]

Wait, so you are in a MSN-FNP track but you don't have any major healthcare work experience? I would think twice about it before including it on an entry resume because how long will you stay at the nursing job? With clinicals, many FNP students drop to part-time or seek employment where they only have to work two days a week. If the idea of you will be leaving in less than five years crosses the hiring manger's mind, they may go with someone who may seem like they want to work as a floor nurse for 10 years.

The MSN-FNP will probably hurt you more than help you for your first job.

[applesxoranges, BSN, RN]

Also employers will print your resumes off