I've been a SAHM with one job, how do I sell myself?

[annaid]

Hello! I am a new grad and have been working on my resume and cover letter and could use some help. I am 35, have 4 kids and have always been a stay at home mom. I did work for 3 years at a preschool, and for 2 years watching my friends daughter while she worked. Both of those jobs, I was approached by them - I wasn't actually looking for a job! Other than that, you'd have to go back to when I was a teenager working at a grocery store!

So, I have a few questions - what exactly should I put and not put on my resume? I did go and see someone while I was in nursing school to help write my resume and she listed all my clinical rotations - I'm not sure if that is appropriate either as my resume is now 2 pages. Several clinical instructors did tell me to include venipuncture, aquapheresis, LVAD on my resume as a lot of students in this area are not allowed to start IVs and the other experiences are rare. But maybe it's best to just list all the places and then some skills?

Here is a copy here and would love feedback. I also have questions about a cover letter which I will make a separate post as this one is already quite long. I appreciate you all taking the time to read this!

Annaid RN

XXX Here Street Anywhere, PA 1XXXX

XXX-XXX-XXXX

OBJECTIVE: To obtain a position at X Hospital where I will bring my commitment to promote human dignity and respect while providing quality patient-centered care as a Registered Nurse

Licensure/Certification:

PA RN License: RNXXXXXX

BLS for Healthcare Providers, American Heart Association

EDUCATION:

XX University, XX, PA Present

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

XX Community College, XX, PA

Associate of Applied Science - Nursing 2014

Honors: Cum Laude

Member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society

CLINICAL EXPERIENCE:

Provided situation-specific nursing care to a diverse population of patients in a variety of Medical-Surgical and Mental Health Units by utilizing the nursing process

Intensive Care Unit, XX Hospital

§ Successfully cared for patients on mechanical ventilation with ABG interpretation

§ Provided nasopharyngeal and oral suctioning of critically ill patients

§ Skilled Insertion of nasogastric tube

Emergency Department, XX Hospital

§ Proficient at Venipuncture and Intravenous Therapy

§ Full Assessments with use of Primary and Secondary Survey

§ Placed 12 Lead ECG placement on patient suspected of acute MI

Cardiovascular Nursing, XX Hospital

§ Evaluated and interpreted ECG strips to monitor and/or detect changes in patient's condition

§ Supervised four student nurses overseeing their patient care and documentation

§ Provided complete care and documentation for patients on aquapheresis and those requiring an LVAD

The Diamond Stroke Center, XX Hospital

§ Utilized the Glasgow Coma Scale to monitor changes in the patient's condition

§ Educated patients on how to use effective speech strategies

§ Provided wide-ranging wound care including packing and debridement

Oncology Unit, XX Hospital

§ Maintained Neutropenic precautions for immunocompromised patients

§ Preserved chest tube integrity by monitoring patient and chest tube drainage collection device

§ Use of PICC lines, Central lines, Groshong, and Hickman Catheters

The Birth and Family Center, XX Hospital

§ Evaluated fetal monitoring strips to detect changes in the normal heart rate pattern during labor and delivery

Pediatric Unit, XX Hospital

§ Use of cluster care and scheduling for infant experiencing drug addiction withdrawal

Mental Health, XX Hospital

§ Coordinated and directed a mental health group meeting on stress reduction which included the use of therapeutic techniques to manage stress

Mental Health, XX Hospital

§ Followed HIPAA guidelines for patient documentation and care

§ Provided one-on-one care with a schizophrenic patient, including use of therapeutic communication which incorporated motivational interviewing

WORK EXPERIENCE:

Private Nanny / XX, PA 2005-2007

§ Cared for newborn baby t0 age two by creating a safe and nurturing environment

Pre-School Teacher / School, XX, PA 2008-2011

§ Provided a safe and healthy learning environment to assist students in developing self esteem and confidence

§ Assessed developmental needs of the children to create an environment that supports learning

§ Maintained and updated an educational, safe, and engaging classroom to encourage intellectual, social, motor, and language development

RELATED EXPERIENCE:

Breathing Room Foundation / XX School District 2005-Present

§ Collected and separated donations into individualized baskets to be distributed throughout the community

Color Day Fundraiser / XX School District 2009-Present

§ Planned and executed largest grossing contribution to the Home and School Association

Community Service / XX 2013-2014

§ Provided blood pressure screenings and educated clients on results

§ Designed a men's health exhibit to raise awareness on the importance of early detection and treatment of preventable disease

Disaster Drill / XX Township 2014

§ Participated in county wide exercise to assist personnel in their training on biological attacks

Professional Organizations/Memberships:

American Nurses Association Present

[MrChicagoRN, RN]

I'd flip the 2 halves of your objective. Delivery of quality care is your primary objectives.

Only list those student experiences that are unique, and truthful. Proficient IV skills? Interpret EKG, is that truly an accurate statement? You may consider saving the truly unique skills for your cover letter.

Combine the 2 psych experiences into one heading. Also, the term motivational intreviewing, while accurate, can be confusing to a non psych person.

finally, if you lose the bullet points and use brief descriptive sentences, you should free up some space.

[annaid]

Thank you for the feedback; I especially like the idea of flipping the objective statement.

I actually did shorten the clinical experiences and combined the mental health rotations. As far as ECG (on telemetry) and venipuncture (in ED) I was told by each clinical instructor during those rotations to include those on my resume. Interpreting ECG strips were pretty big in school and each rotation our instructor printed them out for us to study and interpret. The nurses on that unit were great teachers and were constantly calling us to the monitors and going over them with us. I was actually pretty good but, but yeah, maybe I should change the wording. In the ED, we were allowed to start IVs which no other rotation was allowed to do and from what I have heard, most students aren't allowed to in this area so they said to highlight it. I'll go back over and tweak it again. I appreciate the input!