New Nurse Resume

[jade381]

I am a newly licensed registered nurse and am currently getting my resume together. I am interested in working in long term care or psych. I am unclear about what to highlight on each version of my resume. For example, on the resume for long term care, should I list ALL of my clinicals, even if they do not directly apply to long term care? (Ex: One of my clinicals was at a children's crisis center) On the psych resume, which clinicals should I list, as they do not apply directly to psych, except the crisis center. (Three are med/surg,one at a ventilator-dependent facility and one long term care) Also, I have twelve years of experience, working at an out- patient mental health center as a psychiatric aide and one year of in -patient, working as a psychiatric treatment assistant. Should I include this in one and/or both resumes? I would appreciate any feedback. Thanks!

[RN4Little1s]

I would definitely include your work experience, as this will set you apart from other applicants. As far as clinical experience, if you don't want to include all of them (those that seem very irrelevent like OB/peds) then include the ones that apply and give a BRIEF line of what makes them applicable as far as skills you learned in it.

Keep it to one page, simple and clear with nothing too fancy. It should a great snapshot of your experience and the potential you offer. Also, RN resume's often don't look like your average business major's resume so don't get thrown off by certain websites. I have family in HR and have learned a lot!

[Turtle in scrubs]

I was told that there is no need to include all your clinical experiences, b/c everyone who goes to nursing school has the same basic clinicals; peds, OB, med/surg....

On the other hand, anything that you did, that either relates to what you are applying for, or was above and beyond the core clinicals I think is worth making note of.

As for your psych experience, this is great and I would absolutely include it on any and all of your resumes. There are psych pts and psych issues in every pt population. Also the fact that you have 12 years experience at one place tells them something good as well.

Good luck to you

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

I included my school, degree, and anticipated graduation date. I included volunteer work I did with school and church, my EMT experience, involvement with the SNA, and my part time jobs like tutoring and cashiering. You really shouldn't have a hard time getting hired somewhere, especially longterm care. Good luck!