Need help with resume and cover letter

WanderingSagehen · Dec 19, 2012

Mine was a lot more concise. They know you did clinicals in a hospital, only use the word once. You can make a 2 line sentence out of the clinicals section. I would think you don't need to spell out ACLS and BLS certification and AHA for american heart association. There are just so many words- its tiring. Just my thoughts. The resume is just the beginning, get it done and get a job, you have been graduated for 6 months! There are formats online for the second half (resume), use them and I like your cover letter. I think I emailed 50 renditions of mine because each job requires a bit of tayloring.....

BVFD 333 · Dec 19, 2012

Some thoughts...

"Certified EKG- expires may 2012" What is that for a cert as I have worked for 12 years in Cardiology and never have been Certified EKG, I am certified as a Certified Cardiocraphic Technologist aka CCT as a credential, but that is not a class. Also it is expired...you could write something like trained in reading EKG's.

" Certified Phlebotomist- expires May 2012" ...so you are not certified anymore, write experience in Phlebotomy... or renew your certification ( I have numerous certifications in different areas of medicine, not only nursing, never know when they come in handy :) ).

Also agree with wandering's comments.

Get some Volunteer experiences as a nurse, local fire department (depending on state protocolls), hospitals, medical reserve corps and so on.

Just my thoughts!

NursingBro · Dec 19, 2012

I also need help. What is the best way to write the below sentence in my cover letter? I am not sure if I should say medical terminology even though I do know most procedures.

I can also read, write, and speak Spanish fluently, including medical terminology.

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Dec 19, 2012

I have current certifications in Basic life support and Advance Cardio Life Support....I continue to advance my education in nursing by obtaining an Advance Cardiac Life support"

These two sentences contradict each other (current certifications then later obtaining the certification). It's Advanced Cardiac Life Support not Advance Cardio Life Support.

Your expired certifications are irrelevant, either renew or remove from your resume. Check your card for the proper course title, ACLS & BCLS are not longer considered certifications. You can mention in your cover letter "Previously I was employed as a patient care technician (certified by Jones Community College) and trained in ECG measurement and phlebotomy.

- American Heart Association ACLS certified- expires November 2014 (change to: American Heart Association ACLS Provider valid through November 2012)

- American Heart Association BLS Certified- expires August 2014 (change to: American Heart Association BLS Provider--Valid through August 2014)

- Patient Care Technician- expires September 2012 (delete if not renewing)

Certified EKG- expires may 2012 (by what professional entity, I've never heard of "certified EKG"), again delete if you are not going to renew)

- Certified Phlebotomist- expires May 2012 (delete unless you renew, and also specify the credential if you do renew. Some phlebotomy credentials (such as the one from association of clinical pathologists) have more credibility than others that you simply apply online and are mailed a card)

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Dec 19, 2012

I also need help. What is the best way to write the below sentence in my cover letter? I am not sure if I should say medical terminology even though I do know most procedures.
I can also read, write, and speak Spanish fluently, including medical terminology.

Add a skill--

Language--Proficient* in Conversational* Spanish (read/write/speak).

*Are you fluent (as in can easily converse with a native speaker as well as comprehend written language (read/write) just as well as someone who uses the language on a daily basis or a native speaker), proficient (better at speaking than reading/writing sufficient to easily converse with a native speaker). Conversational (can carry on a reasonable conversation and basic to intermediate read/write, able to communicate needs/wants while waiting for a certified translator).

Do not add medical terminology unless you have a credential or certification.

Just like you cannot work as a medical translator unless certified as such. If your Spanish skills are truly fluent, you may wish to look into the medical translation credentials as it could really boost your hiring potential, even while working on earning the credential. There are several certification boards, here is one: PREREQUISITES | The National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters

bigp71 · Dec 19, 2012

thanks wanderingsagehen for advice i know grad like 6 months:grumpy: ago but i really started counting months from when i got my license. so i should use a different format or template for my resume?

bigp71 · Dec 19, 2012

sorry should of wrote down EKG and phlebotomy tech certification:banghead: good thing put it here to filter out my errors

bigp71 · Dec 20, 2012

thanks for advise beachynurse will do

NursingBro · Dec 20, 2012

Add a skill--
Language--Proficient* in Conversational* Spanish (read/write/speak).
*Are you fluent (as in can easily converse with a native speaker as well as comprehend written language (read/write) just as well as someone who uses the language on a daily basis or a native speaker), proficient (better at speaking than reading/writing sufficient to easily converse with a native speaker). Conversational (can carry on a reasonable conversation and basic to intermediate read/write, able to communicate needs/wants while waiting for a certified translator).
Do not add medical terminology unless you have a credential or certification.
Just like you cannot work as a medical translator unless certified as such. If your Spanish skills are truly fluent, you may wish to look into the medical translation credentials as it could really boost your hiring potential, even while working on earning the credential. There are several certification boards, here is one: PREREQUISITES | The National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters

Thank you! I will be sure to learn more about the medical translator certification. Spanish was my first language and to this day they still speak spanish to me even though I always reply in english.

I also bought a spanish medical dictionary to learn names of procedures.