Cover letter and resume advice

[snoday]

This is the most recent version of my cover letter and resume. I'm open to ANY advice - the good, the bad, and the ugly! My undergraduate experience looks nicer in my word processor and I realize my training looks like a mess, but I don't have any paid work experience to list.

Is my cover letter too long? I tried to address the specific requirements they listed online, but they had many more than I mention.

Should I avoid mentioning that I want to work on my bachelors during employment? I worry they'll assume that I want them to pay for it or accommodate my work hours. Since it's a teaching hospital, should I say something about teaching projects I did?

Does it help to pay out of pocket for additional training (like ACLS) or to join a nursing organization? I want to work in critical care, but I'm open to any RN job. I'd hate to pay out of pocket for that stuff and then end up in psych or something.

I also included a page after my resume for my references. All the online applications want my references anyway, so I gave specifics about how I know the person and what they can tell them about me. (i.e. name, position at XXX college, clinical instructor, contact info, familiar with my psych clinical experience, clinical project and leadership skills)

Thanks for any help!

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My contact info

Date

Human Resources contact info

Dear Hiring team:

I am extremely interested in the emergency department RN position that was advertised online. I am a recent graduate of an Associate degree nursing program. Some of my former classmates were hired into this facility and have recommended employment here. I believe that my qualifications closely match the requirements of this position.

I have my RN license and current CPR certification. I have undergraduate experience caring for a diverse patient population in a variety of settings, including the emergency department. My clinical projects and my volunteer activities have improved my leadership and planning skills and better prepared me for efficient coordination of patient care.

I am able to remain calm in an emergency and pride myself in the meticulous provision of care based on the best current evidence. I enjoy challenging assignments, learning on the job, and have a passion for acute care. I strive to make the hospital experience as pleasant as possible for patients and their families. I believe I would do well in this environment. I am flexible with scheduling and am open to RN positions available on different shifts or in different departments.

I previously chose to stay home to raise my family and earn my degree, which has helped me improve my prioritization and time management skills. I am now looking to gain RN experience. An acute care environment such as yours will provide me with the opportunity to strengthen my nursing skills. My family and I will be relocating closer to the XXX area, so the location is ideal. I would be honored to join the health care team at the XXX hospital.

I would welcome the opportunity to learn more about your nursing needs and discuss my qualifications. Please contact me at XXX-XXX-XXXX or by email at [email protected] to arrange a meeting at your convenience. Thank you in advance for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

My name RN

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My contact info

EDUCATION, LICENSURE, and CERTIFICATION

XXX College May 2013

Associate Degree Nursing, RN program

Address

* Completed over 500 clinical hours in nursing homes, VNA, school systems and hospitals.

* Led therapeutic painting project on psych unit at XXX Hospital and made donations.

* Volunteered with SNA for Ronald McDonald House and 2012 XXX Breast Cancer fun run.

Registered with the Ohio Board of Nursing August 2013

License number XXXXX

* Expires August 2015.

BLS & First Aid certified August 2013

Through American Heart Association

* Expire August 2015.

UNDERGRADUATE CLINICAL EXPERIENCE

* XXX Hospital - location

MedSurg, ICU, Oncology

* XXX Hospital - location

MedSurg, Orthopedics, Radiology, ER

* XXX Hospital - location

MedSurg, OB, Psych, Perioperative, Cardiac cath lab

* XXX Children's Hospital - location

MedSurg, Radiology

* Visiting Nurse Association - location

Home Health, The Waterford

* XXX High School - location

Screenings, Physicals

* XXX Elementary School - location

Health Fair

* XXX High School - location

Screenings

* name of nursing home - location

Long-term care

TRAINING

* Infection control, isolation procedures, surgical scrub, perioperative monitoring, dressings,

maintaining sterility, pain management, CAM, heat and cold therapies, central venous access,

specimen collection, preparation and follow up for diagnostic studies, suction, postmortem care

* Medication dosage calculations, administration, and side effect monitoring for adult and

pediatric patients - oral, topical, parenteral (IV, IM, Z-track, SQ, ID), intranasal, inhaled, oxygen,

ophthalmic, otic, sublingual, translady partsl, rectal, enema, bladder irrigations, blood products

* Physical assessment, care planning, positioning, ROM, restraints, therapeutic communication,

admission, SBAR, discharge, home care, SOARIAN and CERNER documentation

* Assessment, monitoring, care and complication management of tracheostomy, BiPAP,

ventilators, G-tube, TPN, incisions, wounds, ostomies, suprapubic catheters, ECG rhythms,

traction, increased ICP, OB, L&D, postpartum, newborn, immunosuppression, crisis intervention

* Insertion, care, complication management and removal of IVs, NG tubes, urinary catheters