Changing specialties and volunteering

nurse_snapdragon · Aug 16, 2016

I am a nurse who is looking to change careers in nursing. For a little background, I have been a nurse for over 15 years. I have worked primarily in pediatric home care, case management (ped home care), and adult education (CNA, medical classes). I don't have any experience in a hospital setting. Due to life circumstances and what-not, I can't and do not wish to continue in those fields. I recently returned to school to get my BSN to help better my chances for those non-conventional jobs.

I ran across my dream job - at a plastic surgery office. The only requirements listed for the job include 1 year of nurse experience and BSN preferred. It also lists procedure experience preferred (which I don't have and near impossible to get without a lucky break, talking with aesthetic nurses). I need all the help I can get to have my resume better fit what they might want in a nurse to stand out and get in the door!

Other than that, one thing I have considered listing, is my volunteer experience. For the last three years, I have not worked in a paid position, just went to school. During that time, I have worked with many people on my own volunteering my time for people who have had surgery, need information and/or help regarding developmental disabilities, and more. Most of them were family and friends which makes it tricky. But, here is what I listed for my resume:

Private Duty Nurse and Consultant 2013-2016

Volunteer in assisting post-surgical patients at home recovering from plastic surgery and mastectomies.
Provide parents with community resources and skills to assist in the care of children and adolescents with physical, behavioral, and mental health challenges including, but not limited to, Autism, ADHD, Depression, Asthma, Tourette's, and Cerebral Palsy.
Educate adults on pediatric mental, behavioral, and physical disabilities.
Liaison between parent and schools on best practices to care for children with special care needs.

What are your thoughts? Does it just seem like resume padding? Because these were actual things I have done, I hate to leave it out! How would I get references from them without violating their privacy or "prove" my experience when it was volunteer? Thanks so much!