Can I Incorporate This Into My Resume Without Being Tacky?

[iluvdetroit]

I have been an RN for 19 years, with time off here and there to stay home with my kids. I have just started looking at going back to work after being off since 2004. With the job market what it is right now, I am finding it challenging because of my lack of "current" experience, even though I took an accredited RN refresher course earlier this year. I am looking for some way to convey to potential employers that I am a good nurse who was commended during my previous employment for the job I was doing. I saved copies of all of my written performance reviews from my supervisors, all of which are very complementary and positive. I also have a letter that the president of the hospital hand wrote, commending me on my care of a specific patient who then took the time to let my superiors know, hence the letter from the pres. I also have a letter from a house supervisor stating that a physician sought her out specifically to tell her that he really liked the care that I gave his patients.

I am not telling you all of this to sound like I'm bragging, because believe me, if anyone is hard on themself and second guesses themself it is me. However...since I have these performance reviews and letters in my possession, is there any way to incorporate them into my resume other than just stating, as it does now, "consistently received positive performance reviews from supervisors in the nursing profession"? Would it be really tacky to make copies of these letters and performance reviews and attach them to my resume somehow? Should I type what the letters say somewhere in my cover letter? Any suggestions? I really need something to give me a boost in finding a job, since I don't have "current" experience on my side.

[caliotter3]

Don't worry about sounding as if you were bragging. When it comes to employment any strategy is a sound strategy if it gets you a job and no one is going to denigrate you because you chose to highlight your accomplishments. I would certainly use your letters in your job hunt. They can't hurt and might do the trick. Good luck.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Normally, hiring managers are only interested in current documentation. Can you contact your former House Supervisor and see if she/he is willing to serve as a reference for you? That would be very positive.

I would advise you to add a statement to the bottom of your reference indicating that there is additional peformance-related information available on request.

[llg, PhD, RN]

I agree with the previous poster. Actual performance reviews and extra letters are not usually used and could easily appear tacky. However, it would be fine and appropriate to say that copies of actual performance reviews are available upon request.