New Grad - ED Resume Critique

misssrblake · Jan 12, 2015

Looks good, I would elaborate on you ED volunteer experience

CaptCrzy · Jan 13, 2015

Do you have any work experience? Misssrblake is right, elaborate on ED experience. Maybe put it under "Professional experience" and list a summary of your roles and responsibilities. If you have work experience, add it to professional/work experience as well. "Activities" sounds very elementary. You want to impress these people! Activities sounds like a hobby...... like knitting or something.

SimoneB · Jan 13, 2015

In terms of clinical experience, I think it would be more effective to have descriptions of what you did in the rotations that are most pertinent to ED, namely anything critical care related or higher acuity step-down type units since it seems like you didn't have an ED rotation. I would remove the general paragraph from the top and maybe put it under med/surg as those are basic experiences covered in med/surg. I would then remove the descriptions for the rotations that are not as pertinent to ED so you have space to develop the other descriptions. In these descriptions, discuss experiences you had that go beyond basic med/surg such as experiences with particular common diagnoses, procedures, or skills related to higher acuity patients.

Definitely develop a description of what you did as an ED volunteer as this is your only experience in the ED, also put it at the top of the Activities section and rename that section as suggested above. Also you're going to need your ACLS and maybe even PALS for any critical care specialty. An ECG class might be good too.

I don't want to be harsh and I don't know how invested you are in working in the ED, but I think you are going to have a challenge being competitive in ED residency programs as you do not have a preceptorship or clinical experience in the ED.

Keep in mind that you should be developing a different resume for each specialty you are applying to that highlights the experiences pertinent to that specialty. Also, each cover letter also needs to be oriented to the particular specialty and the hospital.

SimoneB · Jan 13, 2015

I just wanted to add, as someone who just finished her new grad job search, I would advise you to apply for variety of units and be open to relocating if necessary, depending on how bad the job market is in your area. If you really want ED, you may have an easier time finding a position in a community hospital rather than a large level 1 trauma center. Good luck, it takes persistence but you will get there and it is good that are planning ahead while still in school. (I was not so diligent lol)