New Grad Nursing Resume: Should I leave off my first degree (Criminal Justice)?

Nursing Students Post Graduate

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Hello,

I am graduation this May and I am just about finished with my resume aside from my final GPA. I was wondering: Should I remove my 1st bachelors degree which is Criminal Justice from another college? It seems to not fit in since the rest of my resume is nursing/medically related. I don't know if I should leave it out or not, especially cause my resume goes over 1 page already and I am trying to keep it just a page. If I remove the CJ degree it is exactly a page but I don't know if recruiters would care if nursing is my second degree or not.

Thanks!

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LEAVE it out please. it is irrelevant to nursing:banghead:

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Specializes in Outpatient Psychiatry.

Leave it on there. Include ALL of your education on your resume. It adds to who you are. My resume is littered with degrees and positions irrelevant to nursing. Nursing is not the end all be all occupation.

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Being in purchasing/accounting for 25 years before becoming a nurse, I had no choice but to put it on. Clinicals in school were the only medical I had except for 1 1/2 years as a CNA back in the early 90s. Otherwise, they probably would have thought I was a bum until age 45 :)

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I would leave it. Not only is it part of your educational history, but it also shows you had some training in advocating for others in some way even though you may not see it. Think about how many people go to Law School with that major or join some government related work force. That's just my opinion though. I was a pre-law major before switching to Nursing. I wanted to help people ultimately and felt that nursing was a better fit for me. However, I always mention I was once a pre-law major and tie my passion for advocating for those in need to nursing. My professors and interviewers always ask more about that when I mention it. It's different and I just so happen to think that in today's competitive market, different is good.

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I would leave it on there. I think it makes you more marketable.

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I agree that it should be left on as it does make you more marketable. My educational background includes a B.A in Forensic Psychology, an M.A in Psychology and I am also a credentialed addiction counselor. I just recently finished my Associates in Nursing and I have included everything on my resume. It may not have direct relevance to every nursing unit but who knows if an Emergency room may need someone with forensic background. ..I think it is also a reflection of your commitment.

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Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

I had a section on my resume for education and healthcare related education. I have a AS in CJ a BS in Biology and a Masters in teaching. Education is always important. Try different formats for you resume. I had a friend use a template that made my 2 page resume into one. It can be done! you earned that degree and there are aspects of it (psychology, sociology, knowledge of the law and applications) that are relative to nursing.

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