Resume Help

Nursing Students General Students

Published

Specializes in Trauma.

I don't know why, but writing my nursing resume seems harder than any other. I know I ONLY have clinical experience as far as nursing is concerned, but the problem is I am ONLY allowed to upload 100kb for my resume. I seem to be running into problems with listing "key" things that I have done that pertain to the position I am applying. What types of things would catch the eye of a nurse recruiter when they glance over the resume of a new grad? Can anyone offer me any advice on this and give me some examples of what is important?

Ie: performed excellent wound care, obtained vital signs, performed head to toe assessments, etc.

Thank you:)

How about excellent clinical reviews? My first clinical instructor had me copy my reviews to put into a folder for future use for applying for jobs and instructed me to keep all my reviews and any letters of recomendation I get in it. I am going into second semester and already have a couple letters written for scholarships by professors, as well as clinical evals.

How about personal attributes such as self motivation, critical thinking skills, being a team player, good communication skills? Did you participate in your colleges chapter of the student nurses organization? volunteer for blood drives or flu shot clinics etc?

Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

having worked with nurse recruiters and hiring new grads i can tell you that they know what new grads have and haven't done in their nursing schools. they know students have only done one or two of this or that procedure and that they have by no means mastered any of them, so don't even try to go there. they will know if anyone tries to b.s. them in any way. please don't misunderstand--i am not being at all critical of you. but, i've been on the interviewer side of the desk and i'm just telling you what they already know. i promise, they know you have very little experience as an rn. their criteria in hiring new grads is almost exclusively based on evaluations of your character that they are going to get from your instructors and the impression you make with them at an interview and on paper. i understand this is a very important task that you are working on. i was just looking over my list of job skills and attributes that employers look for in nurses. did you volunteer to do things, did you do any special projects that gave you extra special knowledge of a special area of nursing, did you do an internship or externship in some area, were you a class officer or an officer of your local student nurses association, were you involved in any programs to help other nursing students, etc. these kinds of things will indicate that you have initiative, motivation, leadership potential, energy, are productive and are responsible. does that make some sense to you? it also indicates that you have some intelligence in how to present yourself. so, look over the list of characteristics i've posted below and see if there is some smooth way you can think of to incorporate a few of them as your "key" things on their resume. good luck!

  • problem solving
  • manual dexterity
  • help instruct/teach others
  • physical stamina
  • initiative
  • motivation
  • positive attitude
  • dynamic energy
  • responsibility
  • ability to give good customer service
  • capacity to learn
  • productivity
  • flexibility
  • leadership
  • team work
  • ability to tolerate pressure
  • analytical ability
  • desire to develop professionally

Specializes in Trauma.

As usual, you have helped me:) I was hoping that you would reply to this thread. I did everything that you said. I wasn't overly this, that and the other. I listed some things that I did do and was exposed to and I listed my volunteer within that hospital and also being involved with my local chapter of student nurses.

Thanks Daytonite:)

Great adice, Daytonite. If you are a new grad, it would be a mistake to try to pad your resume with a lot of 'fluff'. Nursing recruiters do not expect you to have much, if any, experience so keep it short and sweet. The attention getter in this case would be a really good cover letter to sell yourself as a person who's energetic, adaptable, and willing to learn.

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