Just passed my nclexpn help!!!

lina.561 · Oct 5, 2009

There are websites that you can use that will let you download for free. Just search on the internet get ideas if you cant find a free download, use Microsoft Word to make a nice resume. Check out samples! Thats how I did mine.

xLovelyMakeupx · Oct 5, 2009

thanks i have been looking, but some places require cover letters too so im a little freaked out

Kaper · Oct 5, 2009

The school you graduated from probably has assistance in accomplishing resumes. Ask them as I imagine they will be happy to help you.

Best wishes.

belgarion · Oct 5, 2009

Don't make a cover letter over one page. It is basically an introduction anyway. Keep it simple and straight forward and whatever you do, don't ever embellish. Just tell them what you want, who you are, and why they should consider hiring you. HR people get thousands of these things every year and their eyes tend to glaze over when they have to slog through a bunch of BS before the applicant gets to the point. In your case a short paragraph stating your education and goals would be good as well as any specialized clinical training you might have received. Telling your GPA can work for you or against you. Some recruiters like it, some don't. Make sure you include the fact that you have your license but don't give them the number until they ask you for it. Also include any certifications you may have picked up.

There are as many forms for resumes as there are people writing them. Basically, I always start off with my header which contains my name, address, etc. Then a single sentence stating what I am looking for. Don't be so specific that you paint yourself into a corner but just saying "I want to be a nurse" will guarantee that the whole thing will go into the nearest round file.

Since your education is your experience, go with it next. School, date attended, graduation date, etc. You can go into more detail here than in your cover letter but again, NEVER embellish. If you are really proud of your GPA, you can include it but if it is average, just leave it off. If you have any specialized training such as IV school, phlebotomy, EKGs, this is the place.

A short section on experience where you give a brief summary of your clinical experience would be appropriate but remember, you just got out of school. Just a couple of lines about where you did your clinicals such as MedSurg, LTC, Rehab, Psych, etc. If you have any particular experience this would be a good place to put it down. Also, any certifications you may have.

Don't include references unless you are asked for them. It just makes for more of that reading that HR people hate to do. DO have references lined up just in case and never, ever use someone for a reference without getting their permission first. You might get a nasty surprise. (Voice of experience here)

Resume writing is an art that takes a lot of practice. You might check out professional resume services or a CE class at a local college. There's a about 30 or 40 million different books you can buy, some good, some totally useless. If you decide to try it on your own, have someone read it over and critique it for you. If you know an HR person, let them look at it.

Remember that the cover letter and the resume are an INTRODUCTION. Their purpose is to get you an interview. So practice your interview techniques as well. It doesn't do any good to have a killer resume only to totally lock up in the interview. Again, practice make perfect.

Good luck to you.

smn2010, BSN, RN · Oct 5, 2009

xlovelymakeupx:

there was a similar question regarding cover letters some months back. i remember the thread because i responded with a post that others found helpful. the thread is located at: https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/new-grad-rn-374238.html

you will be able to read about an "exploratory" cover letter. you can create generic letters that you will probably use with most of your resumes for the same type job ( i.e. letter for critical care unit positions, letter for a cardiac unit, letter for a ltc facility, med/surg...).

it may seem hard at first but you will become better and better at preparing letters and/or resumes. if you have any questions, just send me a pm message and i'll be glad to help--offer suggestions.

good luck!! :up: