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Nurses General Nursing

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I was wondering what kind of things really stick out to you on new grad resumes? How much do really great letters of recommendation matter? Since we all complete the same required classes, what makes one candidate get the interview versus another? Any tips on how to stand out from the crowd?

Thanks :)

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Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.

Make your resume look professional. Print it on nice paper with flawless font, English, spelling, and word spacing. Keep it short and to the point. List pertinent education and experience, gearing the resume to the particular job, not just employment in general.

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Specializes in Telemetry & Obs.

I agree with the previous poster :)

I also designed my own letterhead (with Printmaster) that had just a *touch* of green, printed it out on really nice paper, printed matching business cards, and put it all in a matching green folder.

I was told that mine was the most professional looking job packet the nurse manager had ever seen....and my CI used it as an example for her clinical groups :D

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should i put job shadowing (of an RN) on there?

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

Yes. List any pertinent experience that will set you out from the mass of other candidates.

As for your resume, when I reviewed them (in my former life as a nurse manager), I tossed any that had spelling or grammatical errors, or that were so poorly organized that I had to struggle to follow. I managed a NICU, where conscientiousness and precision were of the utmost importance. If a candidate couldn't be conscientious and precise in his/her resume, I couldn't be bothered to interview him/her.

Another thing: Keep it to one page. A resume is meant to be a brief synopsis, not a life story. If it is more than 1 page long, chances are good that it won't be read.

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Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.

I agree, no more than one page. For references you can put at the end: references on request. The first thing you want is to get the person to actually READ it, so it needs to be noticeable, so some color can be a good thing. Then your use of words must be flawless so you show you know the resume is important and you WANT to make a good impression. Include job shadowing if it relates to the job you're applying for, but not if it doesn't. You can only fit so much on a page!

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

Do NOT get cutesy or clutter up your resume with a lot of extra formatting, art work, etc. Plain and simple ... "clean" looking ... easy to read ... with the most pertinent facts easy to see. Don't hide the good stuff under a bunch of clutter.

Be sure to include evidence that you are "better than average" -- evidence that you have achieved things or done a very good job at the things you have done in the past.

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Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.

Right, it's not an art project...it's a resume! :nuke:

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Although GPA/class ranking is an important piece of information, it is not sufficient to make hiring decisions.

In addition to previous posters comments (which I definitely agree with), I look for evidence of "character". Let me explain ... all new grads pretty much start from the same place knowledege-wise. What is important to me is clear evidence of extra effort & accomplishments. How much effort did you make to obtain additional clinical experience? Were you involved in professional activities - your SNA? Have you ever assumed responsiblity for something you felt was important? Is nursing really your passion?

I know you will need additional clinical development time before you are fully competent - I just want to make sure that my investment in you will be worth while.

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How long of a letter of reference is too short? I just got one back from one of my instructors and it's pretty short, just one succinct paragraph. It was all very nice things in it, but I don't know if this is a bad one to use since it's honestly the shortest letter of recommendation I have seen in my life. Any thoughts??

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Does getting extra certs such as ACLS, PALS, FHR, NRP help much? What about taking online CE type stuff for patient safety, etc? Going to Nursing conferences & teleconferences? What about academic & professional affilations such ANA, Student Body Association, academic honors societies? I did some job shadowing right beofre nursing school, but it was only 16 hours. That just happened to be the same department that I got less than expected clinical experience. Should I list it if it is not the department I am applying for? Should I list if I have a begining level of understanding of a language such as Spanish (college level intro class taken in last month or two), even if I'm not fluent? What about a language much less common that I have studied over 4 yrs of (in the not to distant past) and can definitely utillize to communicate with my patients in?

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Specializes in Management, Emergency, Psych, Med Surg.

I like neat handwriting on the application. I want to see a resume that is concise with correct grammar and no spelling errors. I give first priority to students who have already had experience working in a hospital setting. During the actual interview I want to see someone that is professionally dressed. Don't come see me in sweats or jeans or any attire that shows your underwear of your tats. I want to see honesty. Don't be cocky. The applicants who have made the best impression on me were the one's who stated that they were nervous about getting a new job. Were afraid that they might not be able to handle it. Honest and up front. Don't try to give me the impression that you know everything and PLEASE don't tell me that you are "just not a people person". As for letters of reference, I almost never read them. Anyone can get someone to write them a letter. I want to know what your favorite rotation was in school. I would want to know how you view yourself, as a detail person or someone who can multi task. Either answer is correct depending on where you want to work. If I am hiring you for the pediatric intensive care unit I want someone that is detailed. If I am hiring you for the ED or med surg I want someone who can multi task. Make sure that YOU have questions to ask. 1. What can I expect in terms of orientation? 2. Will I be with the same preceptor all the time? 3. What are your expectations of a new graduate? 4. What is the most positive thing about working for your organization? 5. How do you want feedback given to you? In writing, in person, via email etc. 6. How long is the orientation period for a new grad? DON'T lie on your application, especially when in comes to information that we are going to find in a back ground check. On every application there is an area where you have to state any past criminal activity. If you had a DUI, say so. If you were convicted on assault, say so. I will ask for the details and your hiring will depend on the circumstances. I won't rule you out for hire, depending on the circumstances. However, I will not hire you at all if I find out that you lied on your application. Just be up front. Professional, friendly, good eye contact, strong, proper handshake, sense of humor. Clean and well dressed. You'll make a good impression. If you are saying "well that's just not me. I can't dress like that. I want to be able to demonstrate my true self (tats, green and purple hair, tons of jewelry, etc). If that is how you choose to present yourself, fine, but you won't get a job with me. I have been in nursing 30 years so I am kind of old fashioned about this sort of thing. The person hiring you might feel the same.

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