New grad resume

[Hopscotch81]

Hello everyone. I just received a temp license last Weds (it'll take about three weeks to get the real thing here in Cali) and am looking to find a job. I have never had to write a resume because I went from being in the military, to being a stay at home mom and then to nursing school. Now that I'm looking for a job this resume business is making me extremely nervous. I heard of only using one page for your resume so I used that whole thing up to write down my clinical experience. I was hoping that someone on here who has perhaps done some human resources might be willing to read my resume and tell me what you think (I will message it to you). I haven't even started on my cover letter, but I will tomorrow. I really want a paticular job that has a hiring closure date of April 23. Thank you in advance.

[MsPdx]

Hey, It's important to be clear in your Objective, which, after your name and contact info should be the first thing a potential employer sees. I put my Objective on a seperate line in italics. It said something like how I want to use my skills from my previous jobs (or military experience in your case) in a career as a bsn-prepred RN.

I started getting nibbles on my resume when I finally altered it to showcase not only my previous work experience, but skills learned in my various clinicals. And I am currently working in my first nursing job. So, for example, right under Education I list my college degrees, then I have a section entitled "Clinical Experiences in Nursing School". I then broke down my various clinicals.

Example: Maternal/Neonate health, ABC Hospital in Somewheresville USA, 60 clinical hours; educated new mothers on breast feeding, provided head-to-toe assessments of newborns including Vit K injections... etc etc.

Then I detailed skills practiced in Peds, Med/Surg, Home Health, Community Health. I tried to be consistent, always listed the number of hours in each clinical and where they were.

Finally, your cover letter!

Dear So & So Team,

It would be an honor to join ABC Hospital as a Whatever-job-you-are-applying for registered nurse.

X number of years ago I decided to make some big changes in my life. I was a corporal in the army/office manager/whatever job you had previously that has translatable skills in nursing. I've committed myself to the pursuit of my education and graduated with honors/while working full time/some other impressive bit of information that will catch someone's attention.

While in school/for years/whatever I've had a deep interest in the field of whatever-job-you-are-applying-to. My clinical experiences provided me with an opportunity to explore and deepen my passion in XYZ type of nursing and my education at so-&-so-nursing-school gave me a strong theoretical foundation. My life experience doing whatever-translatable-to-nursing-skills paired with my deep interest in whatever-type-of-nursing-position-you're-interested-in would compliment of nursing education and make me a strong candidate with ABC Hospital. I am excited to speak with you further regarding this position.

Attached you will find my resume, reference contact list and several letters of recommendation.

I can be contacted at XXX-XXX-XXXX, or by email at [email protected].

Respectfully,

Your Name

[Hopscotch81]

Thank you so much! That was very helpful. After reading your response I'm going to change my objective. It wasn't very detailing. Your example cover letter also helped me, I wasn't really sure how it should look and with your help I can see your example letter going in so many directions and already have a bunch of ideas. Thank you again for your help!