Do you apply when you don't meet all of the criteria???

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I want to apply for a job I saw listed on indeed.com. I don't necessarily have ALL they are looking for. I am a nurse with a diverse professional background which I usually state in my cover letter but I am still unsure whether or not to pursue. The job is a PT position listed to work with a substance population of adolescents. My nursing experience has been in acute medical rehab in which I have worked with TBI, trauma SC patients, etc. who may have had substance abuse problems precipitating their injuries but it was not a traditional substance abuse setting. Also, some of my patients were adolescents but most were adults. I do have a history of working with children and adolescents in my career as a teacher but again not specific to this population. My direct work with the substance abuse population was my very first job out of college in 1994 working as unit clerk on an alcohol/ CD unit, but that was so long ago and has fallen so far off my resume. So I am an RN with a BA in Psych, MS Ed. Is it that far off to apply for this job and if not, any advice on how to approach it?

Thanks so much!

https://allnurses.com/nursing-first-job/i-got-job-791053.html Read what I just posted. Yes I did and Yes I got both jobs!

It doesn't hurt to try and just apply. You have nothing to lose!

Wow-that is awesome! Congrats!

So do you think I should mention any past experiences in my cover letter not in my resume or should I just keep it direct and hope that they call so I can talk through my experiences?

Thanks again!

Wow-that is awesome! Congrats!

So do you think I should mention any past experiences in my cover letter not in my resume or should I just keep it direct and hope that they call so I can talk through my experiences?

Thanks again!

You list work experience and volunteer in the resume really plain:

Work Experience

TRE Hospital: 8/2009-7/2012

YUJ Hospital: 9/2005-8/2009

XYZ retail store 7/2001-9/2005

In the cover letter you will tailor your experience to the job:

My nursing experience has been in acute medical rehab in which I have worked with TBI, trauma SC patients, etc. who may have had substance abuse problems precipitating their injuries but it was not a traditional substance abuse setting

Elaborate on that. Tailor it to the work place. Dont mention that it wasn't traditional substance abuse (what do you mean by that?) but really work yourself up! Think of specific examples for questions relating to your application. It doesn't have to DIRECTLY relate, just be close. As far as the "distant" working with adolescents...well, you worked with them right? They haven't changed much! :)

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