New Grad Resume Question

[NurseCait220]

Hi All,

I am a BSN student who is getting ready to graduate in May. I recently started applying to jobs and am wondering if I should keep my nurse extern job listed on my resume.

The reason I am questioning this is because I honestly did not have a good nurse extern experience and only stayed at the position for 6 months and only worked the minimum hours needed to maintain my status. I felt like I did not get the support I needed as a junior year student on a 30 bed ICU and continually had negative experiences on the unit. As a result, I put in my notice after 6 months. The nurse manager was not very understanding of the situation but it had gotten to the point where I wouldn't sleep the night before a shift and I started questioning my decision to become a nurse.

I am not sure what kind of reference my former nurse manager would give me if she were called for a reference. So should i keep the job listed on my resume or delete it?

Any advice and insight is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Larry2016]

Yes, and list the skills you gained as it relates to nursing and how you used them. Example, say you were responsible for ADLs...on a resume put...

Provided safe and effective daily routine care for patients.

Maybe in a little but I'll post an example from my nurse extern job

[NurseCait220]

Thank you for the advice! I really appreciate it.

[Larry2016]

Here is an example from my resume - I graduate this May.

· Telemetry Nursing Unit: apply telemetry unit on patients, troubleshoot telemetry equipment

· Provide direct patient care to a maximum of 10 clients per shift

· Provide clients with safe and effective daily routine care

· Documentation of patient care duties

· Safely ambulate patients per patient or nurses request

· Transfer patients off unit after discharge

· Insertion and removal of Foley Catheters

· Apply wound dressing change to post-operative clients

· Application and Maintenance of specific client equipment (SCDs, Antiembolitic stockings, Foam boots)

· Other duties as assigned by nurses attending to a variety of clients

[kaylee.]

Yeah I would list it. its too valuable not to. Likely the manager when referenced for your job application will be asked to fill out an online thing with a few questions. Even if she gives a mediocre review of you, the experiences you will list will be so important. What kind of opinion do you think you manager has of you? It could only be worrisome if you think she might say things about you that is truly negative - like you dont work well with others or something about your personality...any skill-based faults are workable...Did you form a bond with someone else at the externship that was positive that u could list? Someone that knew more about your day to day that could be positive? That is an option. if not I would include the manager and take your chances.

The PP's resume list looks really good. I would also add something about being a supportive presence for patients and fams. This is an important part of nursing. Then in your cover letter you could tell of an important pt experience and the role you played and what you learned...and how it solidified your calling etc etc. Or a time when you were giving stellar pt care.

This is off topic but i have read covers on here where people just restate the list of skills on the resume...this is a mistake in my opinion..the cover is your chance to provide a compelling story (short) that reveals more about who you are...just a random suggestion that helped me....good luck!!