10 Tips for Resume Readiness

Melissa Mills, BSN

Nurses should have their resume in working order at all times. Whether you are actively looking for a new opportunity or just warding off bad job mojo, it is important to stay on top of changes on your resume.

Below are 10 quick resume tips that will keep your nursing resume in great shape no matter what may happen tomorrow.

Proper Contact Information

Ensure your resume includes the best contact information before sending it out to hiring managers.

If your personal email has "sexy nurse" or similar phrases in it, create a new email just for the purpose of getting a new job. Make sure to include a phone number that has voicemail

capabilities set up so that you don't miss out on opportunities.

Don't Use Resume Templates

Be sure to create a one-of-a-kind resume. Templates may look generic and often fail to highlight your skills.

Your resume is the only shot at getting an actual interview with the nurse manager. It needs to be eye-catching, current and easy to skim for details. If you are uncertain how to create a unique resume, hire a career coach or resume writer for assistance. It will be money well-spent.

Lead with Qualifications

The use of an objective statement is no longer the best way to get the hiring manager's attention.

Objectives focus on what you want. At this point in the game, you are trying to be a solution to the staffing problem the nurse manager is experiencing. You want to highlight your skills and qualifications to attract their attention when reviewing your resume.

This section should offer a picture of what you have to offer through the use of a narrative statement that includes your goals, specialty area, level of experience, and credentials.

Highlight Your Skills

Provide a keyword-rich bulleted list of your skills. This can provide a snapshot of who you are as a professional. Be sure to include your specialty, training, and certifications.

Showcase Your Experience

If you have many years of nursing experience, this may be easy. Include details of the facility and units where you have worked.

If you are newer to nursing, it is okay to include details of your nursing experiences from school and any clinical or preceptor experiences. If you worked in a healthcare role while in school, include those roles. This shows that you have some diverse experiences that may help in your new nursing role.

Capture Your Return

If you have been working in a non-related field and are re-entering the nursing field - no worries. Instead of listing your resume in chronological order, simply break it into 2 sections.

Call one section "Nursing Experience" and the other "Additional Work Experience". This allows you to bring the older, nursing experience towards the top of your resume even though it may be older than your additional work experience.

Degrees and Licenses

Make sure you always create a specific section for Education. Be sure to include any honors, awards, scholarships or fellowships you have been awarded. If you are a new grad, include your GPA, if it is impressive.

Also include all licensures and certifications you hold. Never provide your nursing license number on your resume. Once invited in for an interview, the hiring manager will likely gather this information from you at a later date.

Keep it Positive

Most nurses start looking for new opportunities when they are unhappy with their current employer for a variety of reasons. No matter how bad or justified your views of your employer may be, don't include your opinions on your resume.

Once you are given the opportunity to interview for the position, you can share with the hiring manager your challenges at your current employer. Always proceed with caution when discussing previous employers in a negative light.

Demonstrate Your Performance

Don't simply list your past employers. Be sure to detail your contributions to each employer. Provide statistics or data if possible.

Be sure to include any of the following:

Positive contributions to patients, coworkers, families or the community
Participation on boards, councils or committees
Presentations given
Creation of new programs or services
Skills you were known for, such as patient advocacy or IV skills
Contribution to audits or accreditation visits
Roles such as trainer or preceptor
Awards received

Talk to your References Now

References are no longer included on resumes, but if you get invited in for an interview, things may move quickly. Be prepared

Contact 3-5 professional colleagues who are willing to provide a professional reference. Obtain their best contact information, including both phone and email.

Keeping your resume up to date can be challenging. If you are in a role you enjoy, you will likely allow your resume to collect some dust. It is best to keep it in good working order at all times.