How to get into MS from Psych? Killer Resume?

[SapphireLove]

Hi everyone..

I'm really trying hard to get a med/surg job. I've been working in geriatric psych and adult psych for 7 months now. I think the best way to get through human resources and to get an interview is to have a killer resume....

Could you guys help me out and take a look at my resume for me? I think the wording of my resume is crucial, particular regarding the geriatric experience because it is very "med/surgy".

(I copied and pasted it, so the formatting is a little off....but in Word its formatted very nicely)

Stephanie *******, BSN, RN

Education

Simmons College, Boston, MA May 2012

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING

• Recipient of the 2012 Ann Kittler Award
  

Northeastern University , Boston, MA May 2007

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE

Licenses/Certifications

• Registered Nurse (######), State of Massachusetts
  
• BLS (Adult/Infant/Child), American Heart Association
  
• Medical Spanish Certification, in progress, expected completion date: November 2013
  
• IV Therapy Certification, in progress, expected completion date: November 2013
  

Clinical Experience

• Preceptorship Emergency Department
  

Jordan Hospital, Plymouth, MA2012

• Med/Surg II Surgical Unit
  

VA Medical Center, West Roxbury, MA2011

• Pediatrics Transplant/Surgical Unit
  

Children's Hospital, Boston, MA2011

• Med/Surg I Burn/Trauma Unit
  

Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA2011

• Rehabilitation Stroke Unit
  

Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Boston, MA2011

• Maternity Postpartum Unit
  

Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA2011

• Psychology Psychiatry
  

Caritas Norwood Hospital, Norwood, MA2011

• Community Integrated Childcare
  

Hand in Hand Childcare, Norwood, MA2011

______________________________________________________________________________

Experience 2013 - present ****** Hospital ******, MA

REGISTERED NURSE

• Delivered safe, effective, age-appropriate nursing care to geriatric patients with mental status changes and various medical diagnoses on a 28 bed Gero-Psych Medical-Surgical Unit in accordance with facility polity and appropriate nursing standards of care.
  
• Demonstrated competence in managing the health/illness status in geriatric patients.
  
• Assessed and provided basic clinical skills for up to 10 patients, administered medications, assisted health care providers with administering treatments and diagnostic tests, provided care and emotional support to patients and families, provided patient and family education.
  

2013 - present ******* Hospital *********, MA

REGISTERED NURSE (CHARGE NURSE)

• Provided quality care to adult and adolescent patients age 13 and up on a 21 bed Acute Psychiatric Unit.
  
• Coordinated with medical and paramedical professionals to provide appropriate input and effectively plan treatment plan for the patient, actively participated in development and implementation of individual treatment plans for patients with broad range of mental health issues and played a key role on interdisciplinary team of psychiatrists, RNs, social workers and mental health associates, performed basic assessment of the patient's nursing care needs, documented observations of patient behavior and status to the administered plan.
  

• As charge nurse, delegated duties to staff members and functioned as a role model to co-workers.
  

2010 - 2012 *********Hospital *******, MA

MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR

• Utilized a therapeutic milieu while leading patient therapy sessions
  
• Maintained patient safety as a top priority
  
• Obtained patient vital signs
  
• Assisted patients in activities of daily living
  
• Utilized therapeutic communication skills with patients and co-workers
  
• Facilitated individual and group learning environments for patients
  
• Actively participated in team meetings
  

2011 ***** Community Center ********, MA

STUDENT NURSE VOLUNTEER

• Administered IM flu vaccinations while adhering to the standards, policies, and procedures of IM injections and administration of vaccinations
  
• Provided a health screening to individuals prior to their immunization
  
• Prepared flu vaccinations and organized necessary supplies
  

2007 - 2009 ******** Corporation *******, MA

OUTREACH CASE WORKER

• Performed psychosocial and admission patient assessments
  
• Created individualized treatment plans for patients and contributed to treatment team meeting
  
• Coordinated patient treatment with other members of the healthcare team
  
• Documented daily and monthly patient progress notes
  
• Executed psychiatric rehabilitation with adults diagnosed with mental illness
  
• Assisted and educated patients activities of daily living
  

2007 Northeastern University Boston, MA

STUDENT RESEARCH ASSISTANT - DEPT. OF PSYCHIATRY

• Applied biological research and experimental methods to psychological research questions
  
• Conducted research utilizing PCR and gel electrophoresis methods of molecular biology
  
• Examined pharmacodynamics of receptor binding and signal transduction, and animal behaviors such as locomotion, learning, conditioned place preference and automated data collection systems
  
• Performed critical analysis of research articles and communicated research findings through weekly write-ups documentation
  
• Analyzed data using methods such as t-tests, ANOVA, Microsoft Excel data analysis tools, and then created graphic charts to simplify data
  

2006 Northeastern University Boston, MA

STUDENT RESEARCH ASSISTANT - SCHOOL OF NURSING

• Conducted a pilot research study to examine the eating habits of females recovering from substance abuse
  
• Analyzed multiple data collection methods
  
• Created surveys and utilized feedback to improve current research methods
  

Leadership * Actively involved in research studies for the medical advancements of evidence based practice from 2006-2007

* Served as an American Red Cross advocate and volunteer from 2009-2011

[Summers_Off]

I hope you have found something by now, but honestly, in my opinion the resume is mostly a formality. Getting a job is more about who you know than what you know. Yes, I am fairly new to nursing, but in my short time in this industry I have not seen anything that has changed my mind about this. Network, network, network.

[hgarza1]

Hi Sapphirelove,

I was not able to cross over from psych to med surge in CA. I started applying outside the state and got two offers immediately. I learned that some state's medicaid programs wont reimburse the hospital unless a certain number of their nurses are experienced in acute care. So my plan is to get my experience and head back. Good luck to you but don't get discouraged, you may have to broaden your search area.