Hi all, I am a new grad in a city that is pretty over-saturated with nursing programs. Thus, the job market is really competitive. I'm at one of the top schools and they didn't even have a job fair for us, but enough complaining. Would someone mind taking a look at my resume and letting me know if it's just totally wrong or if I'm on the right track? I did have a resume professional at the school look over my resume and tell me it was great, but she does not specialize in nursing; she's a general resume specialist.I just graduated from an Accelerated BSN program, and 3 students from my class have jobs already (without even passing the NCLEX yet). I'd like to join that pool because right now I feel defeated- like I got myself into debt and did all this hard work only to not be hired anywhere.I have the resume in .docx and .pdf form (of course I'd remove name and contact info). I would prefer to send it privately if possible (via email of pm). Thanks in advance!
NursePallasFNP2b 1 Article; 113 Posts Aug 4, 2014 The edits I've made thus far after searching the forum. What do you think?
CTnewgrad826 115 Posts Aug 6, 2014 I'm a new grad as well but some other advice on resumes I've gathered through this site would be getting rid of a skills section as a new grad unless you worked as a tech or what not and then also I've read about not having any borders on your resume... I'm not sure if this would apply to yours or not seeing as how it's still pretty simple anyways but just some ideas! good luck!
gassy2be 208 Posts Aug 6, 2014 Too wordy. You don't need to outline what you did in every rotation of nursing school; they know you went to nursing school and were exposed to different environments. There is no need for a 2 page resume as a new nurse. Condense it and focus on work/volunteer experiences that make you unique. Consider elaborating on personal qualities that will make you stand out if it ends up being too short.
NursePallasFNP2b 1 Article; 113 Posts Aug 6, 2014 In the second resume, I have removed all of that. It still came out to 2 pages? Hmm, I will get back to work on it.
CTnewgrad826 115 Posts Aug 6, 2014 I have two pages as a new grad and have been told my resume looks excellent...honestly there are so many types of resumes out there with all different info included its hard to say what the "standard" is. While you want your resume to be professional, also remember it is a reflection of you, include what you feel is needed to best help sell yourself.
elemenRN 28 Posts Has 5 years experience. Aug 6, 2014 I think it's visually too busy. The borders/breaks in the page and coloring are distracting. Make it simple and concise! I don't think the skills section is necessary. You're interviewing for a nursing position and you've listed skills that are expected of nurses, not necessarily dynamic. Any volunteer work? What skills did you gain from your internship that will make you a better nurse? Good luck to you in your Job Search!
NursePallasFNP2b 1 Article; 113 Posts Aug 6, 2014 Thanks for your reply Elemen!From my internship, I mainly gained leadership, admin & organizational skills. I listed the skills because the resume specialist I worked with told me to hit keywords* and phrases to make it through the ATS screening bots. This is not my paper resume (just clarifying). I have years and years of volunteer work, but I have no idea how to incorporate that, and keep my resume short.
NursePallasFNP2b 1 Article; 113 Posts Aug 6, 2014 My NameMy Address | My Number | My E-mailEDUCATIONBachelor of Science: Nursing Expected: Aug. 2014University XXX - XXXX, XX Bachelor of Arts: Biological Psychology March 2010University XXX - XXX, XXCertificate of Completion: Biopsych August 2009XXX University - XXX, XXXCLINICAL EXPERIENCESenior Nurse ExternXXXXXX, XXX, XX Summer 2014On Unit XXX, I cared for up to 4 patients per shift while performing the role of a registered nurse, under the supervision of an RN Applied evidence-based practice to the nursing management of patients with Diabetes Mellitus and other endocrine and genetic disorders Facilitated admissions, discharges, and transfers, documented all care using Epic, and collaborated with a multidisciplinary healthcare team Successfully initiated peripheral IV lines on several patients (adult & pediatric) Cared for patients with TPN and tube feedings Exhibited strong clinical judgment and patient-advocacy skills when a client needed a PICC line placed for Q1H lab draws and had slit/finger prick orders chart. Successfully advocated for change in orders to RN and Attending MD. Community Health Spring 2014XXXXXX, XXXX, XX Psychiatrics Spring 2014XXXXXX, XXXX, XX Cardiac Telemetry Fall 2013XXXXXX, XXXX, XX Labor & Delivery Fall 2013XXXXXX, XXXX, XX Pediatrics Fall 2013XXXXXX, XXXX, XXMedical-Surgical Summer 2013University of XXX, XXX, XX CERTIFICATIONS Basic Life Support (CPR & AED) Expires April 2015OTHER WORK EXPERIENCE Paid Summer Intern/Office Automation Clerk xxx - xxxx, xx 2006-2012 Promoted to head intern and managed 4 other interns in department Assisted in implementing a new employee transportation reimbursement system Received monetary award upon leaving department English Instructor XXXX Institute - XX, XXX 2010 - 2012Facilitated English instruction for several youth of all ages Successfully utilized time management skills to effectively incorporate all parts of lesson plans Ranked, by management, among the top 5 instructors at my branch of 16 teachers, 4 times. SKILLS (these are actually formatted into 3 columns)Leadership Multitasking Time management Teamwork Organization Customer service WPM: 72 Microsoft Word Microsoft Excel PowerPoint Community Involvement Bethany House, XXX, XX: Volunteer (2008-Present)Journey to Liberty Non-profit Organization, XXX, XX: Volunteer (2014-Present)Cincinnati Public High Schools, XXX, XX: ACT/SAT Tutor (2013-2014)Yongsan Hospital, XXX, XX: Volunteer (2012)Angel House Orphanage, XXX, XX: Volunteer (2011-2012)Drop-In Center, XXX, XX: Volunteer (2008-2009)Lincoln Memorial Learning Center, XXX, XX: Volunteer/Tutor (2007)Twin Towers Nursing Home, XXX, XX: Volunteer (2006-2007)Ladies of Virtue, XXX, XX: Mentor/Volunteer (2002-2006)Professional Memberships National Student Nurses Association, 2014-PresentAmerican Nurses Association, 2014-PresentI also currently have an MSN-FNP in progress but plan to include that after I pass my boards. My resume is crowded as it is. From what I've read, I may want to be more concerned with cutting this down for my paper resume, but for an electronic resume going through an ATS system, 2 pages is fine.Please let me know what you think about these new edits. Thanks.