Newer RN looking for a change

Nurses Job Hunt

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Hello Everyone -

I am a newer RN. I graduated in December of 2011 and I was fortunate to have a position on a Cardiac Pulmonary Medical unit before graduation. After a year and half, I feel I need to move on to another location. The culture of this unit is very negative and feel it is affecting me both personally and professionally. I have applied for many, many positions with only a few interviews and after interviewing, nothing seems to go any further. It's like my application gets lost or something. No follow up calls... No.."we are pursuing other candidates"...Nothing. Was wondering if anyone has any tips or suggestions that maybe I am missing in this process? Also, I am posting my current resume. Any advice on how I can improve on it?

Professional Summary

Several years experience in primary care at acute care facilities, specializing in cardiac, pulmonary, stroke, and medical patients. Thrive to maintain strong reputation for achieving high levels of patient satisfaction while being culturally sensitive to patients' needs.

Licenses

Registered Nurse n the State of Wisconsin, License number XXXXXX-30

Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification, 2011 to current

Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Certification, 2012 to current

ONS Chemotherapy and Biotherapy Provider, ONS #XXXXXX

Cardiac Rhythm Interpretation

Clinical Experience

December 2011 to XXXXX Hospital

Current XXX, WI

Registered Nurse I

- Cardiac Pulmonary Medical Unit

- Performed all tasks with a patient-centered focus while seeking opportunities for improvement of processes and treatments.

- Provided necessary health education training for patients.

- Acted as patient advocate and implemented total patient care through a team nursing process covering 4-5 medium to high acuity patients per shift.

- Assisted patients with multiple chronic diagnoses including CAD, CHF, COPD and asthma.

- Responsible for primary care, case management and medication management.

- Evaluated patient care needs, prioritized treatment and maintained patient flow.

- Accurately documented all elements of nursing assessment, treatments, medications, discharge instructions and follow-up care.

- Utilized strong assessment skills to determine necessary patient care.

June 2011 to XXXX Hospital

November 2011 XXX, WI

Student Nurse Clinical

- Health Restoration II: Responsible for the total cares of two postoperative and/or medical patients each week.

- Cares included head-to-toe assessments, vital signs, medication administration, documentation, toileting, ambulation, and other necessary comfort measures as needed under the supervision of a Registered Nurse.

December 2010 to XXXX Hospital

April 2011 XXX, WI

Student Nurse Clinical

- Health Restoration I: Responsible for the total care for post-surgical patients each week.

- Care included frequent postoperative head-to-toe assessments, vital signs, medication administration, documenting, toileting, ambulation and other necessary comfort measures as needed under the supervision of a Registered Nurse.

December 2008 to XXX Hospital

December 2011 XXX, WI

Certified Nursing Assistant

- Modified Care Unit (MCU) - specialized care of cardiac and stroke patients

- Provide assistance to nursing staff on an as-needed basis

- Assist in ADLs, personal cares, blood sugars, vital signs, and documentation

- Often float to other units within hospital to assist with staffing

Education and Training

2013 Cardinal Stritch University

Milwaukee, WI

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

2011 Cardinal Stritch University

Milwaukee, WI

Associate Degree of Nursing

Any advice would be SO very appreciated, so maybe next time....I can go further than the interview.

Thanks.

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Specializes in LTC, med/surg, hospice.

I doubt your resume is the problem if you are getting interviews and even still you may be good at interviewing but someone is better or knows someone there.

Is there an option to transfer within your current hospital system?

Have you networked with any past coworkers or classmates? Knowing someone at a facility has been the golden ticket for lots of people I know.

Timing is another factor.

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I am so sorry you are going through this!

While I am still in Nursing School, currently I have been the hiring manager for over 10 years for the company I work for. I conduct, on average, 20 phone interviews a week and read 100's of resumes every week! My biggest pet peeve, are resumes that are longer than one page. If the applicant can not tell in me one page or less why they are right for my company, then I do not have time to read the resume. It is my understanding that the more than one page resume is becoming more popular these days, but from my perspective, I just don't have time to read long resumes AND try to decipher if they would be a good fit. A concise resume, tells me everything I need to know. Do you really need to mention that you can do head-to-toe assessments, vital signs etc for example? Those are standard nursing tasks, put in your resume things that make you special! Again, just my opinion, and it is just a suggestion!

Also.. you should not have one resume that you pass out to everyone. Every resume AND coversheet should be altered and individualized for the position which you are applying.

Good luck!

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Moved to Nursing Rsume help.

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ebailey1218 -

Thanks for the input! You have given valuable insight and I will be taking a look at where I can edit my resume to shorten it a bit. I also will consider the different resumes for different positions and see if that will help. At this point, I am willing to try anything that helps get my "foot" in the door.

Wish me luck!

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ebailey1218 -

Thanks for the input! You have given valuable insight and I will be taking a look at where I can edit my resume to shorten it a bit. I also will consider the different resumes for different positions and see if that will help. At this point, I am willing to try anything that helps get my "foot" in the door.

Wish me luck!

You are very welcome. It is nice to finally be able to put my experience on this site to use!

Good luck to you, it's tough out there I know, but hang in there!

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Specializes in Pedi.

I would change several things here. First, under your professional summary you say you have "several yearS of experience" when you have ONE year and part of another. I wouldn't call 1 1/2 years "several years". Second, you mix verb tenses in your bullets. Third, you are an employed RN. Your clinical experience is not relevant any more and no one cares that while you were in school you did vital signs, ambulated patients and administered meds. So did every other nurse out there. You are a nurse so it is assumed you can do these basic things.

Though, if you are getting interviews, perhaps it is not your resume but your interviewing skills that are holding you back. What impression do you leave these interviews with? Do you follow-up with the interviewer after the fact?

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KelRN215-

I thank you for your input. The several years experience I was referring to was in a Cardiac Stroke environment as both a CNA and an RN. You make a valid point that I am looking for a nursing position and should state my experience as that. However, with only one and a half years experience at only one place, I felt it was necessary to share facilities I was at during clinicals. And yes, taking out basic skills is definitely something I will NOW remove.

In regards to interviews, when I leave I feel they go very well. I have shadowed on floors and felt my personality was a great fit. Even knowing people on those units, so did the nurses I had shadowed. I guess that is why I am asking for help. I don't know what seems to be the issue that I am not getting these positions. With everything being completely automated, it is difficult to follow-up with the interviewer but have when I able.

Again, thank you for your honesty and I will take it into consideration.

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I think its the format of your resume and maybe your interview skills . Its confusing and it seems like you are a new grad with no experience. Under work experience just list CNA at such and such place and bullet point your skills and do the same for your RN Experience. You can mention clinicals if you feel like its necessary but you should minimize it . Emphasize your CNA and RN experience more.

Are you currently working as RN or BSN? If you are working as a RN see if you can transfer your position to BSN.

What do you hate about your job? The people or your duties? If its the people , be aware there are unpleasant people every where. Just try to socialize with them as least as possible. Of course greet them , and if you need something ask for it. If its your duties deal with it , there are certain aspects in nursing not everyone likes. Stick with the job and try your very best at it, its the only one you got. You might hate being there , but don't show it put a smile on your face. Fake it till you make it.

I think its easier to transfer to another floor in your workplace than to get a job elsewhere . Just stay alert for any job openings. Dose your place have a board or something? There should be some place or way you should find out . Even if you transfer they will ask your current floor about your performance. Have a good reputation is vital. Have you every stopped and think what your co-workers think about you?

Just be grateful you have a job . With the economy the way it is, so many people would kill for yours . Its amazing when we complain less, life runs smoother . Sometimes its not as bad as we think it is .

Good luck with everything.

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Specializes in Pedi.

Are you currently working as RN or BSN? If you are working as a RN see if you can transfer your position to BSN.

What on earth do you mean by this? There is no such thing as working as an "RN" or "BSN". BSN is a degree, not a license or a job title.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
KelRN215-

I thank you for your input. The several years experience I was referring to was in a Cardiac Stroke environment as both a CNA and an RN. You make a valid point that I am looking for a nursing position and should state my experience as that. However, with only one and a half years experience at only one place, I felt it was necessary to share facilities I was at during clinicals. And yes, taking out basic skills is definitely something I will NOW remove.

In regards to interviews, when I leave I feel they go very well. I have shadowed on floors and felt my personality was a great fit. Even knowing people on those units, so did the nurses I had shadowed. I guess that is why I am asking for help. I don't know what seems to be the issue that I am not getting these positions. With everything being completely automated, it is difficult to follow-up with the interviewer but have when I able.

Again, thank you for your honesty and I will take it into consideration.

The job market is tough...what are you saying about leaving your present job? They may think you are a commitment issue.....or a malcontent/hard to please.

Check for spelling and grammar

ACLS, BLS is a certification NOT a license

ONS Chemotherapy and Biotherapy Provider is a competency and not a license

Cardiac Rhythm Interpretation is a skill unless you have taken a competency class.

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What on earth do you mean by this? There is no such thing as working as an "RN" or "BSN". BSN is a degree, not a license or a job title.

I meant a RN with an AS or a RN with a BSN. If you have a BSN you are labled as a RN-BSN nurse. If you have a AS you are just a RN. Well that's how they do it at my hospital it might differ from facility to facility. I didn't mean to confuse you. :)

Yeah if you work as a RN with a BSN you get paid a little bit more or a whole lot more and your duties might differ. It really depends where you work.

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