Graduate Nurse Resume/ Job Search Help

springgarden · Sep 7, 2011

Please, if anyone is willing to critic my resume, please send me a PM.

I am not sure I am allowed to post my resume here, even though I will remove all the identifying information.

NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN · Sep 7, 2011

You should be able to post it here, I have see others do that. Good luck. I also need guidance to beef up my resume, so I look forward to the responses as well.

springgarden · Sep 7, 2011

this is resume,

can you please critque, tell me what to remove, add etc

thanks

aaaaaaa bbbbbbb, rn

1111 john street ∙ john, john 11111 ∙ (111) 222 3333 ∙ [email protected]

graduate nurse - seeking to obtain a position as a registered nurse

∙experienced nursing assistant/home health aide with a passion for helping others

∙hardworking and energetic; flexible; adapts easily to change of environment and schedule

∙maintains critical thinking skills essential to providing competent and dignified patient care

∙ personable with positive attitude; interfaces effectively with patients, families and nursing staff

education / credentials

associate in applied science, nursing 2011; gpa 3.4

community college of aaaaaaaaa – nln center of excellence

bbbbbbb state registered nurse license, 2011, rn111111

cpr; bls certification

clinicals rotation experiences

ttttttttt university hospital: med-surgery unit

ttttttttt hospital: cardiac unit

ttttttttt medical center: med-surgery unit

the tttttt community at ttttttt: long term care

ttttttt hospital partners: acute care

community college of ttttttttt community rotation

skills:

-direct care of patients

-charting and documentation of patient care

-educated patients for home care and discharge planning

-maintained sterile fields and application of dressings

-catheter, iv and suctioning training

-administered flu shots to the tttttt community at ttttttt residents

-medication administration including po, iv, im and subcutaneous injections

experience: nursing assistant/home health aide: tttttttttt, bbbbbbbb, ab. 8/2007- 2/2010

-cared for various clients including post-op, quadriplegic, cerebral palsy and als clients

-assisted with personal hygiene and grooming

-assisted with activities of daily living (adls)

-charted and documented activities

honors and awards:

-academic honors list every semester

-phi theta kappa international honor society, 2007 - present

roser13, ASN, RN · Sep 7, 2011

"skills:

-direct care of patients"

what kind of patients? what units? what kind of care did you/can you provide?

-charting and documentation of patient care

what kind of charting and documentation? are you computer literate?

33762FL · Sep 8, 2011

i used to work in hr before i got into nursing. i wasn't in the healthcare industry but general job-search information applies across any industry.

1 -- do i need a cover letter?

absolutely. make each one unique to the job and facility you're applying to. make it short and sweet, and convey why you want to work there.

2 --- do i need to list my references on my resume?

no, references don't belong on the resume.

3 --- does my resume have to be only 1 page?

ideally yes. for you, definitely, since you say you have little experience besides nursing school.

4 ------ should i list jobs like student cafeteria supervisor? i am a new graduate rn with little or no experience

yes but just list the job title, place of employment, and dates employed. use one line for each non-nursing job. ideally put it at the bottom, under all the nursing related information.

5 ------ should i add my gpa of about 3.4? is it too low to add?

only add a gpa if it is outstanding, like a 4.0. no need to add a b average

6 ----- should i add graduate with "high honor" without my gpa?

"graduated with high honors" is fine, don't put the 3.4 gpa

7 ---- should i just walk into the hospitals, ltc facilities etc and ask for the nurs manager and submitt my resume? or should i apply online?

you can try, but 99% of the time it will be a waste of time and gas. managers are busy and don't want to bother with walk-ins.

8 ---- is linkedin useful in my looking and get a job?

you can try, you have nothing to lose, but in my personal experience it's been worthless. what's best is networking with people you know who work at facilities you're interested in. the easiest way to get your resume seen is to be put in as an employee referral from someone who already works there

MrChicagoRN, RN · Sep 8, 2011

1 -- Do I need a cover letter?
2 --- Do I need to list my references on my Resume?
3 --- Does my resume have to be only 1 page?
4 ------ Should I list jobs like Student cafeteria supervisor? I am a new graduate RN with little or no experience
5 ------ Should I add my GPA of about 3.4? Is it too low to add?
6 ----- Should I add graduate with "High Honor" without my GPA?
7 ---- Should i just walk into the hospitals, LTC facilities etc and ask for the nurs manager and submitt my resume? or should I apply online?
8 ---- Is Linkedin useful in my looking and get a job?
Thanks

1. Yes

2. No

3. For a new grad, yes.

4. Yes. Work experience is valuable, even if in a different area

5, 6. If you were awarded high honors, its fine to include.

7. Apply online, See if you know anyone or can connect with someone from your target facility. Then send that person an email and attach your resume. Walking in may work, but don't be intrusive, and don't be upset if you get the brush-off.

8. Linkedin is a great tool to make professional connections and to find past acquaintances and to make new connections. May be of less value to a new grad, but is worth a shot.

RazzleNdazzle · Sep 8, 2011

aaaaaaa bbbbbbb, rn

1111 john street ∙ john, john 11111 ∙ (111) 222 3333 ∙ [email protected]

instead of "graduate nurse" this needs to be your "objective"...read up on resume websites. so you'll instead write something along the lines of "objective: to expand my knowledge in the nursing profession while contributing to the success on ___ unit"

graduate nurse - seeking to obtain a position as a registered nurse

∙experienced nursing assistant/home health aide with a passion for helping others

∙hardworking and energetic; flexible; adapts easily to change of environment and schedule

∙maintains critical thinking skills essential to providing competent and dignified patient care

∙ personable with positive attitude; interfaces effectively with patients, families and nursing staff

just "education" is fine. gpa is not needed

education / credentials

associate in applied science, nursing 2011; gpa 3.4

community college of aaaaaaaaa – nln center of excellence

this section (below) is 'certifications/license'

bbbbbbb state registered nurse license, 2011, rn111111

cpr; bls certification

clinicals rotation experiences

ttttttttt university hospital: med-surgery unit

ttttttttt hospital: cardiac unit

ttttttttt medical center: med-surgery unit

the tttttt community at ttttttt: long term care

ttttttt hospital partners: acute care

community college of ttttttttt community rotation

skills: everything you've listed is understood when you first graduate

where you say graduate nurse and you list your personal skills that separates you from someone else that belongs down here in skills.

-direct care of patients

-charting and documentation of patient care

-educated patients for home care and discharge planning

-maintained sterile fields and application of dressings

-catheter, iv and suctioning training

-administered flu shots to the tttttt community at ttttttt residents

-medication administration including po, iv, im and subcutaneous injections

experience: nursing assistant/home health aide: tttttttttt, bbbbbbbb, ab. 8/2007- 2/2010

-cared for various clients including post-op, quadriplegic, cerebral palsy and als clients

-assisted with personal hygiene and grooming

-assisted with activities of daily living (adls)

-charted and documented activities

honors and awards:

-academic honors list every semester

-phi theta kappa international honor society, 2007 - present

some people say not to include references but i say list then down here anyhow. what's the harm? it's not like it will be a secret from prospective employers for long. this way they're readily available.

response to questions:

1. i've worked 2 hospitals and never needed a cover letter

2. don't need to but it's nice to have them.

3. as a new grad you don't have enough info to fill more than that-if you are it's probably just fluff info. think of your resume as a quick snap shot of yourself. put down most significant-those looking at your resume are looking at countless others and need to cut to the chase.

4. your na job is your experience and that's all you will have for now. i wouldn't put down that other experience unless it was somehow related to the job you're applying for. if you want you list the title and dates-underneath you put bullets of descriptors that would translate into the nursing profession

5. not needed but good gpa for nursing. your call. either is fine.

6. again, your call, but it's more flattering to put that and separates you from the pack.

7. never walk-in. managers are busy and rarely have time. online is key. apply, harass hr, get your interview and go from there.

8. i've never heard of someone goingn there for rn jobs. i'd say look to your area and the facilities you are interested in, go to their website and look for available positions you can apply for there.

springgarden · Sep 8, 2011

Thanks a million people!

It is much help.

springgarden · Sep 12, 2011

please, this is the newest version of my resume. i think i took into consideration all the inputs.

please can you critique, subtract, add this latest version.

thanks a lot.

also, should i put my nursing license number on my resume? in some other posts about this, it is said the number should not be on the resume because of identity theft. however in some others, it said it should be on the resume so that employers can easily confirm the rn license.

please which is the case for someone like me who is new and needs a job quickly? thanks

aaaaaaa bbbbbbb, rn

1111 john street ∙ john, john 11111 ∙ (111) 222 3333 ∙ [email protected]

obejective seeking to obtain a position as a registered nurse where i can apply my practical and clinical knowledge and my strong computer skills, attained from nursing school, while providing quality nursing care to clients and patients.

education / credentials

associate in applied science, nursing 2011; high honor

community college of aaaaaaaaa – nln center of excellence since 9999

certifications/license

bbbbbbb state registered nurse license, 2011, rn111111

cpr; bls certification

clinicals rotation experiences

ttttttttt university hospital: med-surgery unit : administered po, iv, sc, topical medications, completed physical assessments, checked vital signs, planned interventions, performed morning care such as bathing, recorded intake and output, attended patient care rounds, educated patients on medications and incentive spirometry.

ttttttttt hospital: cardiac unit : administered po, iv, sc, topical medications, completed physical assessments and checked vital signs, recorded intake and outputs, attended patient care rounds,assisted in transfers, assisted in wound care, assisted in tube feedings, assisted in tracheostomy care, documented care, performed morning care such as bathing and changing bed linens, educated patients on medications and side effects, communicated effectively with the health care team, presented a lecture on patient falls and safety to cnas, rns, and management, attended antimicrobial therapy grand rounds, shadowed nurses in cardiac intensive care unit and cardiac catheterization lab.

ttttttttt medical center: med-surgery unit

the tttttt community at ttttttt: long term care : administered po, iv, sc, topical medications, completed physical assessments and checked vital signs, administered flu shots to all the residents on the alzheimer's and dementia floor at watermark at logan square, planned recreative and excercise activities for the resdents.

ttttttt hospital partners: acute care : administered po, iv, sc, topical medications, completed physical assessments and checked vital signs, recorded intake and outputs, assisted in transfers, performed morning care such as bathing, changing bed linens, and wound care, educated patients on importance of mobility/incentive spirometry, medications and side effects, shadowed physical therapy and occupational therapy, attended dermal defense day lectures, attended tracheostomy care lecture, and attended compartment syndrome and pain management in-service.

community college of ttttttttt community rotation : assisted the school nurse with collection of body mass index, vision and hearing results (roman), helped the school nurse with sick student assessments (roman), performed blood pressure screenings/education and sti education at health fairs

experience: nursing assistant/home health aide: tttttttttt, bbbbbbbb, ab. 8/2007- 2/2010

-cared for various clients including post-op, quadriplegic, cerebral palsy and als clients

-assisted with personal hygiene and grooming

-assisted with activities of daily living (adls)

-charted and documented activities

.maintained a high degree of safety with no falls by any of my clients

honors and awards:

-academic honors list every semester

-phi theta kappa international honor society, 2007 - present

community college of ttttttttt student ambassador, 2007 - 2008

springgarden · Sep 12, 2011

Please can someone help me?

RazzleNdazzle · Sep 12, 2011

aaaaaaa bbbbbbb, rn
1111 john street ∙ john, john 11111 ∙ (111) 222 3333 ∙ [email protected]
obejective seeking to obtain a position as a registered nurse where i can apply my practical and clinical knowledge and my strong computer skills, attained from nursing school, while providing quality nursing care to clients and patients.
education / credentials
associate in applied science, nursing 2011; high honor
community college of aaaaaaaaa - nln center of excellence since 9999
certifications/license
bbbbbbb state registered nurse license, 2011, rn111111
cpr; bls certification
clinicals rotation experiences
ttttttttt university hospital: med-surgery unit [color=yellow]: [color=yellow]administered po, iv, sc, topical medications, completed physical assessments, checked vital signs, planned interventions, performed morning care such as bathing, recorded intake and output, attended patient care rounds, educated patients on medications and incentive spirometry.
ttttttttt hospital: cardiac unit[color=yellow] : [color=yellow]administered po, iv, sc, topical medications, completed physical assessments and checked vital signs, recorded intake and outputs, attended patient care rounds,assisted in transfers, assisted in wound care, assisted in tube feedings, assisted in tracheostomy care, documented care, performed morning care such as bathing and changing bed linens, educated patients on medications and side effects, communicated effectively with the health care team, presented a lecture on patient falls and safety to cnas, rns, and management, attended antimicrobial therapy grand rounds, shadowed nurses in cardiac intensive care unit and cardiac catheterization lab.[color=yellow]
ttttttttt medical center: med-surgery unit
the tttttt community at ttttttt: long term care[color=yellow] : [color=yellow]administered po, iv, sc, topical medications, completed physical assessments and checked vital signs, administered flu shots to all the residents on the alzheimer's and dementia floor at watermark at logan square, planned recreative and excercise activities for the resdents.
ttttttt hospital partners: acute care[color=yellow] : [color=yellow]administered po, iv, sc, topical medications, completed physical assessments and checked vital signs, recorded intake and outputs, assisted in transfers, performed morning care such as bathing, changing bed linens, and wound care, educated patients on importance of mobility/incentive spirometry, medications and side effects, shadowed physical therapy and occupational therapy, attended dermal defense day lectures, attended tracheostomy care lecture, and attended compartment syndrome and pain management in-service.
community college of ttttttttt community rotation[color=yellow] : [color=yellow]assisted the school nurse with collection of body mass index, vision and hearing results (roman), helped the school nurse with sick student assessments (roman), performed blood pressure screenings/education and sti education at health fairs
experience: nursing assistant/home health aide: tttttttttt, bbbbbbbb, ab. 8/2007- 2/2010
-cared for various clients including post-op, quadriplegic, cerebral palsy and als clients
-assisted with personal hygiene and grooming
-assisted with activities of daily living (adls)
-charted and documented activities
.maintained a high degree of safety with no falls by any of my clients
honors and awards:
-academic honors list every semester
-phi theta kappa international honor society, 2007 - present
community college of ttttttttt student ambassador, 2007 - 2008

your prospective employers should be able to simply take your name and find your license status on their own. simply make sure your name on resume matches with your formal name on your license. if your name is common be sure to use a middle initial to combat ambiguity.

please, please, please run spell check. i know this is a rough copy but it is unforgivable to have typos, misspellings, etc on a resume. (ie, your 'objective')

the objective is too wordy. what you said is understood. just simplify it. example: "to obtain a position as a registered nurse in a facility where i can apply my knowledge, experiences, and strengths in a team-oriented atmosphere." that kind of short.

your resume is semi-colon happy. use commas instead. when you list your bls, just label it as such. example: "bls, expiration: 03/2012" employers want to know your bls is up to date.

detailing your duties during your rotation is entirely unnecessary. it is understood what you did. it's ok to list your sites for your different clinical rotations but all those details are insignificant to prospective employers.

when you say "academic honors list every semester" instead say "academic honors list, 2007-2011" that makes it exact and measurable. "every semester" makes it too casual sounding in a professional resume. same goes for "2007-present." yes, you were in the honors society, but you graduated. therefore, it measures from 2007-2011.

change your resume and repost. we'll all look at it and give our input.