some advice on my resume

[ashleyisawesome, BSN, RN]

im trying to improve my resume to get a tech job while im in school to get more acute care experience, and maybe help my chances of getting a job when i graduate. ive applied for maybe 40-50 positions at every hospital within an hour of me and only got called for one interview, and didnt get called afterwards for the job..

sooo, i thought maybe beefing up my resume would be a good start... first i was wondering what exactly my objective should be.. ive been putting something similar to: "I would like to obtain a job as a PCA at ____ Hospital." Would it be better to elaborate and say "I am a nursing student at ___ School of Nursing, and would like to get more acute care experience as a PCA at ___ Hospital while I continue my studies."? or is that too much?

Also I've been wondering if it is appropriate to add that I am proficient in American Sign Language. I know its by no means as sought after as Spanish, but I also think it is a rare skill that is still needed. The problem is I am not professionally certified in ASL interpreting, and would not like to present myself as a substitute for one, but I plan to pursue that route one day (after nursing school). My boyfriend is Deaf, so I consider myself pretty proficient.. proficient enough to have normal conversations with Deaf people, and possibly make them feel a little more at ease being in the hospital. I have encountered 2 Deaf patients in clinical already who were very grateful to have someone sign to them. So should I put it on my resume even though I have no certifications?

Should I include all jobs in my employment history? I am only 22 so my employment history is not that extensive. I worked at a small restaurant from age 15-16, pizza hut for 6 months, the kitchen of a MR state hospital for almost 4 years (age 18- the beginning of this year), and now an assisted living facility for almost a year. Since I havent had much employment experience I include them all, but if they were to call the restaurant or pizza hut, i dont think those places even remember who i am, and even if my manager from pizza hut did, he doesnt even work there anymore. so what is the point of them calling there?

Another thing that i think about putting on my resume that i never do is my Hospice Volunteer experience.. I was a Hospice Volunteer, and I am sure that looks great, but I only did it for 2 months, then school took up my time and I was stressed and had no time to do it anymore. I explained to them and they understood, but I feel like it wouldnt really help my resume too much...

thank you for reading, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

[Tait, MSN, RN]

im trying to improve my resume to get a tech job while im in school to get more acute care experience, and maybe help my chances of getting a job when i graduate. ive applied for maybe 40-50 positions at every hospital within an hour of me and only got called for one interview, and didnt get called afterwards for the job..

sooo, i thought maybe beefing up my resume would be a good start... first i was wondering what exactly my objective should be.. ive been putting something similar to: "I would like to obtain a job as a PCA at ____ Hospital." Would it be better to elaborate and say "I am a nursing student at ___ School of Nursing, and would like to get more acute care experience as a PCA at ___ Hospital while I continue my studies."? or is that too much?

Also I've been wondering if it is appropriate to add that I am proficient in American Sign Language. I know its by no means as sought after as Spanish, but I also think it is a rare skill that is still needed. The problem is I am not professionally certified in ASL interpreting, and would not like to present myself as a substitute for one, but I plan to pursue that route one day (after nursing school). My boyfriend is Deaf, so I consider myself pretty proficient.. proficient enough to have normal conversations with Deaf people, and possibly make them feel a little more at ease being in the hospital. I have encountered 2 Deaf patients in clinical already who were very grateful to have someone sign to them. So should I put it on my resume even though I have no certifications?

Should I include all jobs in my employment history? I am only 22 so my employment history is not that extensive. I worked at a small restaurant from age 15-16, pizza hut for 6 months, the kitchen of a MR state hospital for almost 4 years (age 18- the beginning of this year), and now an assisted living facility for almost a year. Since I havent had much employment experience I include them all, but if they were to call the restaurant or pizza hut, i dont think those places even remember who i am, and even if my manager from pizza hut did, he doesnt even work there anymore. so what is the point of them calling there?

Another thing that i think about putting on my resume that i never do is my Hospice Volunteer experience.. I was a Hospice Volunteer, and I am sure that looks great, but I only did it for 2 months, then school took up my time and I was stressed and had no time to do it anymore. I explained to them and they understood, but I feel like it wouldnt really help my resume too much...

thank you for reading, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

• Extended objective: Good idea. I would definitely let them know you are a nursing student looking for experience.
  
• ASL: I don't think it would hurt, you don't have to be certified to have a language as a skill.
  
• Employment: I would only go back a few years. Probably just list the two most recent jobs as they show longevity and commitment (if I read it right that you were at one place for 4 years and current at the other).
  
• I would list the Hospice Volunteering just as that. Then if they ask you in the interview you can talk about what a rewarding experience it was even though it was short lived. (Oh Lord, no pun intended there!) I volunteered for a few months before I started school and I listed it and discussed it as a learning experience.
  

Best of luck!!