New BSN grad needs resume and cover letter critique

[samantha3710]

Hi, I would like some outside opinions/criticism and feedback on my resume and coverletter. Please ignore the formatting. Thank You!

Name

Address

City, State, Zip

Cell: xxx-xxx-xxxx

Email: XXX@XXX

November 18, 2014

Nurse Recruiter

Address

City, State, Zip

Phone: XXX-XXX-XXXX

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to express my desire to join the nursing team at XYZ Hospital System. I am particularly interested in the position posted on your website for a new, flexible graduate Registered Nurse on the Critical Care units: SICU, Neuro Intensive care, and MICU.

As a former XYZ employee, I am eager to rejoin your multidisciplinary, Magnet-Recognized team as a new BSN graduate. I will strive to provide high quality care to our patients, families, and the community through excellent professional nursing practice and the application of new knowledge and ideas. I believe that empowered leaders, an innovative environment and a holistic framework are the foundations for the successful future of healthcare. XYZ's dedication to provide the highest quality of patient care with respect and excellence are qualities I seek out and value greatly in an employer. This includes having respect for the patient, being compassionate, being informed of the most effective interventions and working collaboratively to bring the best care to those we serve.

I earned my Bachelors of Science degree in Nursing from XYZ in December 2013. Through my clinical rotations, I have had the opportunity to work in a variety of settings, including medical-surgical, geriatrics, and community care. However, my clinical rotation in the Critical Care Unit and CVRU units at XYZ were of particular interest to me. I learned a broad range of nursing skills, some of which include performing focused assessments, IV medication administration, and nasogastric tube insertions; As well as, caring for patients requiring chest tubes, ventilators, cardiac monitoring and intensive one on-one care. I gained the ability to think on my feet, problem-solve, and effectively communicate with other members of the healthcare team. My educational background, clinical experiences, and prior work experience have provided me with a solid foundation that will allow me to be an effective part of your team.

I am interested in the challenges and opportunities provided by the position of a new graduate nurse in the SICU, Neuro Intensive care, and MICU units at XYZ. I look forward to interview with you. Please feel free to contact me at my cell phone number xxx- xxx-xxxx or via e-mail at [e-mail]. I have enclosed a copy of my resume with this letter. Thank you for taking the time to consider my application. I hope to have the chance to meet you very soon.

Sincerely,

xxx

Name

Address

City, State, Zip

Cell: xxx-xxx-xxxx

email: XXX@XXX

PROFILE SUMMARY

Compassionate, dedicated, and hardworking new graduate nurse, with a desire for learning, and determined to make a difference in the lives of those cared for is seeking a position as a Registered Nurse with XYZ. I am a flexible, reliable team player with excellent interpersonal, communication, and prioritization skills. I aim to provide honest, patient-focused, effective care.

Education

XYZ School of Nursing, XYZ University, City, State

Bachelor of Science in Nursing, December 2013

Dean’s List; 2 semesters

LICENSURE & CERTIFICATIONS

Registered Nurse, License Number XXXXX, XYZ State Board of Nursing

Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers (BLS) certification-American Heart Association (2013-current)

Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification -American Heart Association (2013-current)

Experience

Clinical Rotations:

v Senior Preceptorship- Neuro/Telemetry Unit, XYZ Hospital, City, State (Fall 2013)

v Critical Care- CCU/CVRU, XYZ, City, State (Fall 2013)

v Hospice/ Home health- XYZ, City, State (Fall 2013)

v Geriatric Psych Unit- XYZ, City, State (Fall 2012)

v Medical / Surgical II- XYZ, City, State (Fall 2012)

v Maternity- XYZ, City, State (Summer 2012)

v Pediatric- XYZ, City, State (Spring 2012)

v Medical / Surgical I- XYZ, City, State (Spring 2012)

v Geriatrics/ Community Health/ Rehabilitation- XYZ, City, State (Fall 2011)

Senior Preceptorship (December 2013):

v Neuro/Telemetry Unit, XYZ, City, State

v Performed 124 hours of direct patient care during an intensive preceptorship, working with increasing levels of independence under the general supervision of an RN

v Gained experience with electronic charting, IV infusions, nasogastric tube placement and feedings, sterile dressing changes, central lines, chest tubes, admitting and discharging patients from unit, focused assessments, patient teaching, and identifying key changes in patient status

v Provided empathetic support and practiced therapeutic communication with patients and families

v Communicated effectively with physicians and other members of the health care team

Employment History:

Patient Access Representative, XYZ, City, State

XYZ Emergency Department (2005-2006) XYZ (2006-2010)

v Performed accurate and timely patient bedside registration for the Emergency Room, Outpatient Imaging, Inpatient Admissions, and Physician Offices following Medicare guidelines and maintaining a positive customer relationship with visitors and patients

v Obtained copayments, upfront collection payments toward patient accounts and verified patient demographic information to ensure accurate and timely billing

v Responsible for training new employees and working effectively with nurses and physicians

Server, XYZ (June 2013- present)

v Provide friendly, competent service to customers with attention to detail and professionalism.

v Selected by management to mentor and train new employees on customer service.

v Demonstrate effective communication, multi-tasking, time management, and team work skills

v Adapt quickly, make quick decisions, anticipate the needs of our guests, and attend to difficult situations with poise while providing excellent customer service.

RELATED SKILLS

v Efficient with Electronic Medical Records (EMR), trained in Centricity, STAR McKesson, Microsoft Office

v Able to face a challenge directly while quickly adapting to new people and situations

v Manage multiple tasks simultaneously while exuding professionalism and enthusiasm

v Possess strong interpersonal relationship skills used to develop rapport with clients, family and peers

[RunBabyRN]

Cover letter looks pretty good. Everything is pertinent to the unit and the hospital, and (I assume) addresses their mission statement, which is good.

For the resume:

Ditch the profile summary. This is more for the cover letter. Same goes for the related skills- important to include, but they should be in your cover letter. Can you include the names of the EMR systems you have used somewhere else in the resume? Try to connect them with where you used them, if possible.

Include the number of hours for each clinical rotation. I wouldn't worry too much about including the exact dates.

Put the expiration dates of your certifications and licensure, rather than when you obtained them. Include the month.

You did well relating your other job skills to nursing. Do you have other work experience you can include?