help with resume after career change to nurse

[anangelsmommy, ADN, BSN, RN]

I am getting ready to graduate and need help to get together a resume but am unsure what information to include and how to include it. The first thing is that i cared for my own son, for 14 years that required nursing care - with tube feedings, seizure disorder, oxygen, suctioning, and multiple surgeries and health issues. I am unsure if I should include this at all but it is 14 years of pediatric experience. also I have a bachelors in microbiology and have worked for 3 different pharmaceutical companies, a company doing clinical trials, and a medical manufacturer where I was a product manager - so hands on experience with all the medical lab products as well as managerial experience. I am graduating with my lpn and am already registered for rn classes but i want to get some part time work for experience. Would love to hear from all experienced nurses, nurse managers or anyone with any opinion on how to and what to incorporate!!

thanks

jp

[OC_An Khe]

This is always a difficult question. Some employers maybe put off by your degree and non nursing employment background,by this they may feel you are over qualified for an entry level LPN position. I personally feel you should be as complete as possible in education and paid work experience. As far as caring for your son I would list it as simply caring for a family member in a non paid capacity that included all that you have listed above.

Was there a home health care agency or MD involved in your sons care that you could use as a reference that would corroborate your experience?

Good luck with employment and school.

[SunnyAndrsn]

I would include, in a cover letter, your pediatric experience with your own child. I had experience doing wound care for a foster child who had 3rd degree burns over 50% of his body, and I included that in my cover letter.

Include your skills with the home care equipment in the resume, the technical experience part of things. Your previous jobs should be listed in chronological order, last first. I did, and had a similar background with a biology degree.

I started as an LPN while I finished my RN, it did not hinder me in getting a job.

[wonderbee, BSN, RN]

I see no need to dumb yourself down. Knowledge of micro is an integral part of nursing work and you have it bigtime. Especially at a hospital, management knows they are hiring an RN in LPNs clothing for now. I would scoop you up in a heartbeat as an investment in the future of my facility if I were hiring and do everything in my power to retain you. As for the skills you have had to use, you might want to mention that you have the skills but not how you came to use them. That should be reserved for the interview. Working for the pharmaceutical companies can also be a plus. You know your drugs. Everything you have mentioned is related to nursing. I think you should use all of it.

[sunray12]

this is always a difficult question. some employers maybe put off by your degree and non nursing employment background,by this they may feel you are over qualified for an entry level lpn position. i personally feel you should be as complete as possible in education and paid work experience. as far as caring for your son i would list it as simply caring for a family member in a non paid capacity that included all that you have listed above.

was there a home health care agency or md involved in your sons care that you could use as a reference that would corroborate your experience?

good luck with employment and school.

i didn't know it was possible to be overqualified to be a nurse (assuming that you're a new grad nurse). that's kind of like saying that some people are too good to take care of their child, spouse, parent or other loved one when they're sick.

[Jules A, MSN]

Here, especially in LTC they would hire a LPN if a mirror under their nose fogged, lol. I would include your experience with you son in your cover letter and all your work experience in your resume. Since my work background wasn't even remotely health related I also included the clinical hours I participated in during nursing school and the four rotations in the speciality where I wanted to work. It worked for me but not everyone would agree with doing it that way. Good luck. With your impressive background I'd hire you!

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

good luck with your job search and in nursing school. employers know that new grads have no nursing experience and do not expect to see any on a resume. you will need a recommendation from one of your nursing instructors. nursing employers will not be interested in your previous employment other than to find out if you had a good attendance record and if your were a problem employee (if they can get their hands on that information). i would find a way to mention the home care you did for your son on the resume. here are weblinks to help with writing a resume, specifically for nurses.

• http://career-advice.monster.com/resumes-cover-letters/resume-writing-tips/resume-tips-for-nurses/article.aspx
  
• http://career-advice.monster.com/resumes-cover-letters/resume-writing-tips/avoid-the-top-10-resume-mistakes/article.aspx
  
• http://career-advice.monster.com/resumes-cover-letters/resume-samples/sample-resume-nurse/article.aspx - sample resume for a nurse
  
• http://www.collegeboard.com/student/plan/high-school/36957.html - "resume-writing 101". includes a set of links at the bottom of the article to the resume information at the major job seeker sites.
  
• http://www.nurseweek.com/features/99-8/resume.html - "looking good on paper: professional advice for building powerful resumes" from nurseweek. a short article on the critical basics to incorporate into your resume
  

[anangelsmommy, ADN, BSN, RN]

:yeah:wow, thanks to all of you for the help!! And I hadnt even thought to get a reference from my instructor- She has given me glowing reviews so she should be a good source. and thank you DAYTONITE - I got a book from our school library but it isnt that good.

thanks to all you!

JP

[nminodob]

One of the nice things my school did was require us to submit our resumes in the final semester to be scanned by the instructor and given suggestions on improving them. Since I am also a second career person, it was suggested that I include my many years in another field under the heading, "Other Work Experience." I would be happy to send you a copy of my resume which followed the general rubric given to us in class - you can use the layout for yours if you like it!

[Nay-Nay]

If you don't mind It would really help if you could forward me your resume for an example. I would appreciate it. Thanks

[anangelsmommy, ADN, BSN, RN]

I havent completed it yet. When I am done, I can share it with you but I have been so overwhelmed with other things that I havent even been able to work on it. I did a search online and was able to find some examples and that also gave me a starting place.

JP

[Nay-Nay]

Thanks Angelsmommy. I know the overwhelmed feeling all too well myself. I will search on line & see what I can find.