How do I create an LVN resume with no related working experience?

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Specializes in Just started in HH.

Hi all,

I am putting together a resume as graduation is just around the corner, and it's a class project due Tuesday, but I am clueless as to how to make it stand out without any paid nursing experience. Does anyone have any suggestions?

I am graduating this next week with a Certificate of Completion from an LVN program, but before entering the program I'd been home full-time raising 4 children for 20+ years. It has been over 20 years ago that I held a full-time clerical job that had nothing to do with nursing/medicine. Prior to that, I worked as a personnel secretary for a now-defunct bank.

Without sounding arrogant, I know I'd make a great nurse and co-worker...doesn't everyone? lol I've been told by my clinical instructor--known to kick students out of the program with no hesitation if she firmly believes they shouldn't be taking care of patients--that I'm very reliable (never absent/late), know my patients well, and have great people skills (with 4 kids, who wouldn't? ha). I can be both funny and serious, depending on the situation. And I have a insatiable hunger for learning. Oh, and I am a middle child...that should count for something when it comes to being part of a team. :D

Anyway, I'd appreciate your help. Oh, and you may privately e-mail me if you prefer.

Thanks so much!

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Specializes in Hospice / Ambulatory Clinic.

Well at my school the career services lady came round with examples of resumes and for us with no related experience she recommended to list our clinical experiences and what skills we used at each facility.

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put together a functional skills resume. that is the type to use when reentering the workforce/being retrained vs the type you put together when attempting to get a job in the same line of work.

use action words and make sure your resume is grammatically correct. proof-read it, and have someone else take an objective look at it.

check online for samples. there are LOTS!

good luck

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Specializes in Rehabilitation; LTC; Med-Surg.
Hi all,

I am putting together a resume as graduation is just around the corner, and it's a class project due Tuesday, but I am clueless as to how to make it stand out without any paid nursing experience. Does anyone have any suggestions?

I am graduating this next week with a Certificate of Completion from an LVN program, but before entering the program I'd been home full-time raising 4 children for 20+ years. It has been over 20 years ago that I held a full-time clerical job that had nothing to do with nursing/medicine. Prior to that, I worked as a personnel secretary for a now-defunct bank.

Without sounding arrogant, I know I'd make a great nurse and co-worker...doesn't everyone? lol I've been told by my clinical instructor--known to kick students out of the program with no hesitation if she firmly believes they shouldn't be taking care of patients--that I'm very reliable (never absent/late), know my patients well, and have great people skills (with 4 kids, who wouldn't? ha). I can be both funny and serious, depending on the situation. And I have a insatiable hunger for learning. Oh, and I am a middle child...that should count for something when it comes to being part of a team. :D

Anyway, I'd appreciate your help. Oh, and you may privately e-mail me if you prefer.

Thanks so much!

Instead of jobs, have a section titled "Clinical Experience." In this section you should list the floors you went to during clinical rotations.

Also mention related courses (I put ALL my nursing courses in that section). Do not forget to include how many TOTAL clinical hours you did for the entire year since employers will sometimes consider those hours to influence your starting pay. Don't forget to put any "community events" you attended while in the program - those are great volunteer listings.

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Specializes in Just started in HH.
Well at my school the career services lady came round with examples of resumes and for us with no related experience she recommended to list our clinical experiences and what skills we used at each facility.

Thank you...that makes sense. :)

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Specializes in Just started in HH.
put together a functional skills resume. that is the type to use when reentering the workforce/being retrained vs the type you put together when attempting to get a job in the same line of work.

use action words and make sure your resume is grammatically correct. proof-read it, and have someone else take an objective look at it.

check online for samples. there are LOTS!

good luck

Thank you, plaza. :)

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Specializes in Just started in HH.
Instead of jobs, have a section titled "Clinical Experience." In this section you should list the floors you went to during clinical rotations.

Also mention related courses (I put ALL my nursing courses in that section). Do not forget to include how many TOTAL clinical hours you did for the entire year since employers will sometimes consider those hours to influence your starting pay. Don't forget to put any "community events" you attended while in the program - those are great volunteer listings.

Thanks for the pointers. :)

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