Bulleted statements are the devil

[momohime]

I've been a nurse for four years now, working in the same unit I've been in since I graduated. Up to this point, I haven't really had to have a resume. Now, because of a planned upcoming move, I need to put one together to send out to hospitals in my new city.

I'm having a really difficult time with it though. I've got most of the basics covered: my name is on it, licensure & certifications listed, education stuff mentioned. What I'm getting stuck on is the part about my job qualifications. I only have one relevant work experience, so you think it'd be easy enough.. but no, I'm apparently making it a lot harder than it has to be.

It's bullet points. They're killing me.

I don't know what to list. I work in a neonatal ICU. I'm comfortable with pretty much everything we get. I can do admits, discharges, work a baby up. I can manage any kind of airway or intravenous lines, give any kind of med or feeding. Chest tubes, trachs, ostomies, you name it. I know all about interdisciplinary care plans and electronic charting, starting teaching immediately, breastfeeding initiatives, kangaroo care, NAS, etc.

But...that's just basic job description stuff, right? Do I need to put that I know how to do basic skills type things like starting an IV or giving meds? I'm a nurse. That seems pretty standard. Is it better to go with generic statements like "Develop, implement, and evaluate an individualized plan of care from admission through discharge" or "Performed nursing duties with a patient centered focus"?

I want my resume to convey what I'm able to do, but I guess I just don't know how to put everything together in a way that properly does that. Any help would be much appreciated!

[Wrench Party]

Do you know anyone who recently left your unit? Borrow their resume to get an idea of what to do. Make a bullet point of all that you listed above.

-What level NICU?

-Technical Skills: ostomies, trachs, chest tubes, vents

-Education: what did you teach the parents

-certifications

-special classes you took

-conferences/posters/presentations/committees you've been on on the unit ( did you help to implement any changes?)

[momohime]

It's a level III regional NICU with 70 beds.

I haven't really done anything above and beyond my basic requirements--no committees or conferences or anything like that. I have taken some extra CE classes, but I'm not sure if they're anything worth mentioning.

As far as teaching parents go, it's part of my job to make sure they understand why their babies are with us, what our goals and expectations are, what equipment does, what procedures we have to do, and then infant care stuff for when they go home. I could get more specific on that, but.. that's one of my problems. I don't know how much is too much.

[guestng82]

The way I learned to do resumes is to use the general statements that can cover most of what you do, but keep it as concise as possible. You would use the job interview to elaborate more on your duties and how they would tie in to the position you are trying to get. We had several sessions in our college courses dedicated to drafting resumes and landing interviews, and the instructors told us to keep the resume to one page (two at the max) and then do a cover letter to be more detailed about specific job duties, experience, etc.

[SnowShoeRN]

Before I do my bullet points, I typically have one or 2 sentences describing a very small nutshell of what I did at a job. Following that, I mention the big deal/skill things. For example,

Job Title, Hospital Name / city location, STATE / Date hire - present

Responsible for providing high-quality nursing care and education, consistent with federal, state and facility protocols, for critical care neonates, on a blank (#) - bed unit. Commonly seen conditions include: (and I usually put the top 5 or so diagnoses)

* Highly skilled in managing a multitude of airways including...

* Expertise in accessing a variety of intravenous sources including...

* Proficient in providing education and resources to new mothers through..

* Familiar with... (include stuff that you did maybe a few times, but are relatively comfortable with)

* Utilization of (whatever electronic charting you use) to document care (or you could include this software under a "technological skills" heading. I have one that just highlights what electronic systems I'm familiar with, but I don't know your complete experience with that).

What other things have you done? Have you done any precepting, mentoring or teaching of less experienced nurses? You mention CME's. Put them in a special heading under education. Since you've had 1 job I don't think it's unreasonable to expect your resume to be no more than 1 page. But you can certainly highlight the experiences you've had at your current job. Four years in a NICU is certainly worth being proud of.

I think, after a while, we tend to get used to our jobs and think that what we do is routine and not really a big deal. But it actually is. Finding a way to believe that and express it through a resume though can be tricky. I agree with you there.

I hope this helps a bit and best of luck.

[RNNPICU, BSN, RN]

I have tried this in the past

- Managed arterial, Central, dialysis, etc lines

- Adovcated for pt/family...

- Educated families regarding NIUCU....

- Trained families on ostomy, etc

- Managed critically ill infants

- ASsessed family needs

- Implemented patient-family centered care plans

- Developed individualized education plans

Go through your skills and plug in the words. Hope this helps.

[Julius Seizure]

double post fail

[Julius Seizure]

I would put that its a level III nicu, the number of beds, if you charge or precept. Any projects that you worked on, or committees that you served on. What kind of EMR that they use. If you feel its relevant (maybe if its a large childrens hospital), I would put the total number of beds in the hospital. Maybe if its also a birthing center and if you attend births. Basically the hospital "stats"

Your specific certifications (NRP, etc) and skills (if you have taken additional EKG or airway classes) can go elsewhere on the resume as certifications/skills.

Google "nursing resumes" to get ideas :)

[bellabellabijou]

Ask yourself: what did I do in my job that stood apart, above and beyond the "normal" nursing practice duties. Did you do participate in any quality initiatives in your unit? Did you have charge nurse duties at any time? Were you on any committees? Were they any classes you took (ie: hemodynamics, Swan-Ganz, EKG, etc). Did you participate in any educational programs? Were you cited for any special recognition? How about orientation of new hires?

[skatezz]

Hello!

Job description I believe is for entry levels only. From your statement, you do not seem to be under this stage because you have already been working so you do not need to have one. You said that you are also been working as a NICU nurse which is a special area in nursing ( I am also a NICU nurse) which is great. So on this point, do you have like any certifications on this area? Do you have additional trainings etc, acquired new skills, is knowledgeable about certain equipments? You may want to include that as part of your qualifications. It does not matter if you have only worked at one area only or hospital - as long as you have skills to add, these can be your qualifications. If you are having any hardships making your CV don't stress there are many templates you can use as a guide in the internet. Or you may try what I have been using which is CV maker CV in cvmkr.com

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

Looking for a job is an evil, punishing pursuit. I hated it. But I was pretty successful at it.

Look to your job description -- no doubt it says something vague and non descriptive such as "Planned and directed nursing care for neonates requiring intensive care nursing; used the nursing process to deliver excellent nursing care based on the needs and response of the client." Whatever psycho-babble your job description spouts is a good starting place. Just paraphrase it (using as many multi-syballic words as you feel you can toss into an interview and use appropriately.) Those who are hiring know what a NICU nurse does; you just have to demonstrate that you're capable of using their language. Your bullet points should highlight anything extra you did above and beyond your job description. I pulled out the resume I used to find my second job, and some of the things I included were remarkably similar to:

Presented in nursing grand rounds, taking the lead in presenting a complicated patient with multi-system organ failure and outlining our successful plan of care.

Participated in the formulation of the 1978 Goals and Objectives for the Department of Nursing Services

As a member of the Hospital Policy and Procedure Committee, rewrote the hospital procedure for administering blood transfusions.

Acted as team leader and as charge nurse.

Certified in chemotherapy administration using the Blah-Blah Hospital policies and procedures

Attended seminar in beginning telemetry in preparation for our unit becoming the designated telemetry floor.

Just a brief blurb of your job description in language that no one uses in day to day conversation -- but be able to discuss it in words of your choosing.

Then list any extras you've done.

Good luck with your job hunting.

[gonzo1, ASN, RN]

Be sure and google NICU nursing resumes and you will get a better idea of what to do. Being a NICU nurse is a big deal. You are cool. Most nurses are scared to death taking care of these very sick babies. I use a resume builder called PONGO and really love it. Good luck and be proud of these skills you have. Four years at your job speaks very well of you.