Need tips for cover letter / resume / should I get ACLS?

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I am in the process of revising my cover letter and resume because it feels like I'm going nowhere with the ones I currently have :confused: I graduated ADN, got my license in September '11 and up to now, no job yet :(

Please let me know of any advice please:

1. So I was thinking of getting an ACLS course. Would it help having this on a resume?

2. On my cover letter should I mention that I plan to get a BSN in the future, although I'm not enrolled in any program yet?

3. Should I join Nursing organizations and can this be a plus when put on my resume?

4. All throughout nursing school I did not work because I wanted to concentrate on my studies so this put me in a 3 year gap (1 year pre-reqs and 2 years ADN program). How do I mention this in my cover letter?

Ugh.. desperate me :sniff:

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1. ACLS is an excellent idea. It will be tough, take the prep course if you can.

2. Yes, tell them your goals! But only if you are really planning on it.

3. Yes, if you can/want to join nursing organizations, it shows you want to be apart of something bigger and a nurse manager would like to see you reaching out for more information and wanting to identify as a nurse.

4. You can reorganize your resume and make that not as noticeable if you group work experience and education. Then you can list schooling, and then your jobs and then if you did anything is high school (like Latin, Health Sciences to get your CNA, etc.) otherwise just list work.

Hope it helps.

I teach ACLS near Charlotte NC if you are close let me know. Also I teach an ACLS prep course to review pharmacology and ekgs so you are ready for ACLS, I am thinking of offering it online, do you think there would be an interest in that?

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Hello Jobhunting and Hello NurseGreta,

First, Jobhunting, I echo NurseGreta's comments, great advice. ACLS is an excellent idea. Think about it, if YOU were going to hire one new grad out of the 100s of resumes, what would you look for? An applicant who has ACLS? An applicant who is serious and demonstrates that by belong to a nursing organization (p.s. join now for a student discount).....an applicant who lists volunteer experience? An applicant who was a student ambassador, student government, etc? The goal of the resume is make yourself stand out from the competition. Did you observe any new or innovative procedure....then list it :)

Moreover, since the push for Magnet designation is huge for hospitals, a BSN is typically always preferred, so enroll in a program and list it as "to be awarded xxx". Your resume can be chronological or functional formated or even a combined. Use one inch margins, headings, and helvetica, times roman, or arial font / 10-12 pt.

NurseGreta, I think an online prep is a fabulous idea! Let me know if you do so I can tell my colleagues!

Best wishes for continued success!

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Thank you guys so much for your input! :up:

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