Continuing Education on New Grad Resume/Question about New grad programs

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Question on new grad resumes, I attended one continuing education conference for 6.5 contact hours and did a pressure ulcer online training for 1.5 contact hours, as a new grad, does it look stupid to put that as a subheading? Like "continuing education" then list those and what the content was?

Another, maybe stupid, question: I have this essay/personal statement type thing on why I'm going into nursing. It's pretty well written and I feel it gives an accurate picture of who I am and how passionate I am about nursing. When I applied to my externship last year, there was an option to "attach any documents you feel necessary" or something like that, so I attached it and the recruiter said she loved it and I got the position. So, when I start applying to new grad programs/residencies, is it weird if I attach it? Is it unprofessional/weird? Haha any responses are greatly appreciated :)

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I wish somebody would answer this. I have the exact same questions.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

As for the Continuing Education Credit ... I recommend making a section for that just as you describe. If you were talking about only a single 1/2 hour program, I would say it was not worth it. However, yours was substantial enough to include. As time goes by and your resume develops with more experience, you can either drop that section or have a short section called something like, "Pertinent Continuing Education" and only include those items that are particularly recent and/or pertinent to the job you are applying for.

As for your personal essay ... that's a little trickier. If it is a short essay, can you work some of the best points into your cover letter? That's the type of thing cover letters are for and I believe your best option if it is possible. But if it is too long for that, you might attach it as an extra document and state in your cover letter that you are including it to give them a better understanding of who you are. Too much extra stuff can be a turn-off to a reviewer ... particularly if it is all "flowery" and sounding like a young student wrote it instead of a professional. Most employers are looking to hire mature professionals these days. That's why I recommend incorporating some of the best points into your cover letter -- that's what a mature professional would do. But if you feel that is not an option, then at least be sure it doesn't sound like a naive kid wrote it.

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Asats! Some answers...but note: I am not a nurse manager or RN recruiter. Just a good-ole ICU step down floor nurse :)

Definitely do not put a section for continuing education in your resume. you're a new grad. why would you even need continuing ed?

I would not include an essay about why you love nursing. Agree with previous poster - try to weave that into a cover letter paragraph and leave it at that. Feel free to post your resume (with ID info left out) and we can give more specific advice. My new grad resume was one page, highlighted only my CNA experience and letters of clinical reference.

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Though I'm a new grad, I feel like continuing education is relevant in my case. I want to get into the OR, and I didn't have an OR preceptorship. My school does not offer one. So showing that I've completed CE relevant to OR nursing shows I'm motivated and I know some stuff (though I have done far more research about the OR than just those CE credits).

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.
Though I'm a new grad, I feel like continuing education is relevant in my case. I want to get into the OR, and I didn't have an OR preceptorship. My school does not offer one. So showing that I've completed CE relevant to OR nursing shows I'm motivated and I know some stuff (though I have done far more research about the OR than just those CE credits).

I agree. That's the kind of situation in which I feel it WOULD be appropriate -- for the reasons you state. But I would not advise new grads to try to "pad" their resumes with continuation education that is not substantial and/or directly related to the specialty they are applying for.

Good luck to you!

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One suggested format was found at http://www.askanadvisor.org/2012/03/listing-continuing-education-classes-on.html :

EDUCATION

ABC Community College & City College of XYZ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Spring 05/2012

Event Planning Continuing Education

. . . • Relevant Coursework: Venue Contract Negotiations, Hospitality Management

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