Need help with resume~ stressed out, please help

[wolfwing]

Hi, I currently want to get into a few accelerated nursing programs in the New York area. E.g. Stonybrook, NYU, etc. I recently graduated from a four-year college and have a BA in psychology with a 3.4 overall GPA. I am currently attending my local community college as a non-degree student to complete my nursing pre-reqs. I am doing good in those classes so far. However, I do not have anything good to show on my resume.

The problem is, I don't know where or how to look for them! The only things I currently have to show on my resume are my five part-time retail jobs as a cashier. And I volunteered once awhile back at a hospital. I go on this forum and I see everyone has fulfilling resumes filled with research positions or internships, and I have no idea how to get into any of those things. I've searched online for nursing internships but most of them are for people who are already in nursing school. I've looked for doctors assistant or research, but I never have enough credentials to get any of those positions. I'm so stuck! I hear accelerated nursing programs are extremely competitive, and that even people with 4.0 gpas can't get in. I'm so worried, I'm not sure what to do. Any advice would be great!

[ka1626]

Try doing volunteer EMS if your area has it. It it better then an research job because it will actually put you in emergency situations with patients. You can try to volunteer at the hospital again just to add more hours onto your resume. Also you can try to get a job in the medical setting such as a Nursing Asst.

[wolfwing]

but don't you need a certificate of some sort to become a nursing asst?

I don't care about being paid, I just want some nice experience. I'll go back to volunteering with the hospital but is that even enough?? I'm not even sure how much experience I need to be considered for an accelerated nursing program. >.

Whenever I look at admission requirements, they never let you know exactly what they want from you. Except maybe CPR cert.

[itsnowornever, BSN, RN]

Get BLS certified and volunteer at a local school. If you have a bio background, then assist in the science classes- volunteer to teach PE (no funding, no PE teachers), volunteer with the local AYSO (coaching, equipment managing)...there are places out there.

[wolfwing]

Thank you for your input. I'll get BLS/CPR certified, that sounds good.

And I'm going to start volunteering at that hospital again.

I just want to know how much experience is needed to be considered competitive for an accelerated nursing program?

[itsnowornever, BSN, RN]

I'd call them and ask what they are looking for

Posting from my phone, ease forgive my fat thumbs! :)

[kmp23]

The BLS/CPR is a definite and will look good on your resume. I also volunteered at 2 hospitals a year before I applied to accelerated programs. Also if you do not have a strong resume, make sure you have a strong personal statement. Goodluck!