New Grad Resume Critique! Give it to me straight! ;)

[TNursingStudent]

I'm a student looking to graduate in May, and the hospitals I am aiming for have already begun listing positions. I'd like to begin applying as soon as possible. I'm both attaching a copy of my resume and simply copy/pasting it. Any critique--good or bad--is more than welcome and greatly appreciated!

First Last

Address, City, State XXXXX

XXX-XXX-XXXX; [email protected]

February 17, 2016

Nurse Recruiter

Medical Center

Address Road

City, State XXXXX

Hello,

I am writing in response to a position announcement you have recently posted in regards to XXXX Medical Center's New Nurse Graduate Residency Program. Your mission is to improve the health and well being of XXXXXXX, and I believe I can help you achieve that. As you can see in my resume, I will graduate May 2016 from XXXXXXXX Community College, an accredited school of nursing in XXXXXX, XXXXXXX. I belong to the Student Nurses' Association there.

In the near two years I have attended nursing school, I have participated in many clinical areas. I have had the opportunity to participate in both pediatric and adult medical-surgical clinical rotations of various specialties. I have also had clinical experience in a state psychiatric institution, critical care, and I am currently participating in obstetrics. I have observed at a hemodialysis clinic and in the operating room. I will begin my management preceptorship at a location to be determined in April 2016. My clinical experiences have allowed me to care for a variety of patients with cultural differences.

I have worked as a patient care technician in a float pool at XXXX Medical Center--a Level-1 trauma center since May 2015. This has helped me to develop an excellent bedside manner. I provide support and compassion to patients while still performing my tasks in a timely manner. I have received numerous comments from nurses on many floors about their appreciation for my attitude and teamwork when I work with them. I am not afraid to get my hands dirty, and I will do anything within my scope of practice to assist others.

I have developed leadership skills throughout life. I continue to actively volunteer within my community. I help a 4-H group in various ways, whether it be helping to coach a team or being a part of event committees. I have helped to plan a fun run in the community to encourage healthy living, and it was so successful, it has become an annual event. Classmates and I recently served underprivileged community members at a health fair put together by members of our class. We provided healthy snacks, warm weather clothing, and basic health assessments to participants. I am currently serving on the pinning committee for my graduating class.

I am very interested in beginning my nursing career at XXX Medical Center. I have an appreciation for your recent Magnet status, and I believe my experiences make me a good candidate for the position. Please feel free to contact me anytime at XXX-XXX-XXXX or [email protected]. I will contact you soon.

Thank you for considering me for this position,

First, Last

P.S. I have attached a comprehensive list of units I have participated on to the end of my resume.

---------------------------(new page)------------------------------

First Last

Address

City, State XXXXX

XXX-XXX-XXXX

[email protected]

Summary

· Student Nurse; Anticipated Graduation Date: May 06, 2016

· Clinical Experience: Long Term Care, Pediatrics, Medical Surgical, Psychiatric Facility, Critical Care, and Obstetrics

· Patient Care Technician since May 2015

· Seeking full-time new graduate position in nurse residency program to build greater competence and confidence in nursing practice

Education

Associate of Applied Science in Nursing

(In-Progress; Anticipated Graduation Date: May 2016)

· XXXXX Community College (August 2009-May 2012; August 2014-Present)

o Student Nurses' Association Member (2014-2016)

o (Clinical Rotation Experience Attached)

· University of XXXXX (August 2012-April 2014)

o Dean's List (Fall 2012)

o Provost's Scholarship

Work Experience

Patient Care Technician (May 2015-Present)

XXXXX Health System (Level 1 Trauma Center: City, State)

· Collaborate with a team of healthcare personnel to assure adequate patient safety and satisfaction

· Assist with activities of daily living: Feeding, hygiene, and mobility

· Take vital signs and record in electronic health record

· Discontinue IV lines and foley catheters

· Venipuncture

Certified Digital Photo Specialist (August 2012-January 2015)

Drug Store (City, State)

· October 2013 Customer Service Employee of the Month

· Part of a two-person team devising plans and events to increase customer satisfaction and sales

Team Member (October 2010-September 2012)

Fast Food (City, State)

Licenses and Certifications

· Basic Life Support (BLS) Certified (Expiration: November 2017)

Skills

· Computer Skills

o Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel

o Electronic medical record documentation familiarity

o Exceptional typing skills: 98 words per minute; 99% accuracy

· Greater than four years direct customer service experience

· Assures patient privacy

· Manages and utilizes time wisely

· Provides compassion and empathizes with clients and families

· Works well independently and in a team

· Exceptional bedside manner

-------------------(new page)-----------------------------

Clinical Rotations

Long Term Care (October-November 2014)

· Care Center of XXXXX; City, State

Medical Surgical (January 2015-November 2015)

· Pediatric Unit

o XX Hospital; City, State

· Neurological/Diabetes Unit

o XX Hospital; City, State

· Gastrointestinal Unit

o XX Hospital; City, State

o XX Hospital; City, State

· Cardiac Unit

o XX Hospital; City, State

Psychiatric (November-December 2015)

· XX Hospital; City, State

Critical Care (February 2016)

· Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit

o XX Hospital; City, State

· Cardiac Care Unit

o XX Hospital; City, State

· Medical Intensive Care Unit

o XX Hospital; City, State

Labor and Delivery (February-March 2016)

· XX Hospital; City, State

Observations

· Operating Room (March 2015)

o Pediatric Hospital at XX Hospital; City, State

· Hemodialysis (February 2016)

o Dialysis Office; City, State

Management Preceptorship

· To be determined (April 2016)

Blanked Out Cover Letter and Resume.docx

[JazzyJane]

Hi there. Congrats on being in the home stretch of nursing school. Now that's said, onto the critique. I am in no way a resume/cover letter expert, but a few things jumped right out at me.

One, both of these seem to be very long. You want them to be a page or under. Adding in a third page for your clinical experiences only seems appropriate though.

Secondly, I would highlight your work As a tech much more strongly. What departments did u work in? All med surg? I want to know how that experience is going to relate for me as a hiring manager. I wouldn't say get your hands dirty. I would say willing to perform any and all necessary tasks to ensure the best possible outcome for my patient.

You need to clean up your clinicals. I got bored just reading it. Say critical care and hospital. But you listed so many departments in wondering how long you spent in any of them. everyone rotates out to another dept for a day or two but where was your primary clinical? If you did clinical on a tele floor or medical oncology highlight that. Because that's different. Did you handle heparin drips? Deal with TPN? Wounds? Reverse precautions? What did you learn? pay special attention to the skills relevant to the job you're applying for.

next get rid of the ps. In your letter simply state that you have attached your resume and list of clinical postings

Finally, get rid of things such as how fast you type. I'm not going to hire you for that. And your summary is way too long. That should be a very quick statement. What's relevant??? A hiring manager is going to spend a minute or two glancing over everything. Key words, professional language, and make the most of what you learned.

I know it's a pain, but modify each resume that you send out for the position that your applying for. Two or three stellar resumes is better than twenty blanket resumes.

Good luck!

[TNursingStudent]

Thank you so much!!

[SarahMaria, MSN, RN]

Hello,

Just my opinion, but I would get rid of the Skills section. Most everybody has those applying for a nursing job. Perhaps eliminate the photo job and highlight the PCT job.

[TNursingStudent]

Thank you!!