New Grad Job questions

Jolie, BSN · Nov 27, 2008

hi! i am a recent rn grad. wondering if anyone might have answers/advice/insight to the following questions. thanks in advance!!
job app qs:
(1) i am considering more than one specialty area. is it ok to indicate to potential employer that i am willing to work in either area, or does this make me seem not committed.
perfectly ok to do so.
(2) would you recommend handing my resume/cover letter to nurse managers even if they are not hiring right now?
yep. get it in as many hands as humanly possible. this increases your odds of getting interviews.
(3) will taking acls/pals in advance improve my chances of getting hired?
maybe. no one expects a new grad to have these certifications, and i'm not sure it would make a huge difference to a manager, other than saving the unit some money in terms of paying you to attend these courses. but if you have the money, time and interest and would like to take them, it certainly won't hurt.
resume q: in listing my past work experience, i have been advised to eliminate the months when indicated dates of employment. this saves space (which is needed) but might be misleading since in some cases it appears that i had two years experience when really it was just over one year.

if you can "neaten" your resume by leaving out the months, that's fine, or consider listing the information numerically, such as 6/07 - 6/08, if that looks ok in print. you will be expected to list exact dates on your application, so make sure you have that information on hand when filling out applications. remember, your resume is a summary, not your life story, chapter and verse.

good luck to you!

gizzypup628 · Dec 1, 2008

Unfortunately, ACLS and PALS will not really increase your chances of getting hired.