Too much fluff in new grad resume? LMK!

Nurses Job Hunt

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In microsoft word, this resume takes up 2 1/2 pages. It's not even that impressive so I'm starting to think a lot of it is "fluff" that no HR manager wants to see. Here it goes:

Jane Doe

30 Doll Court, Middleofnowhere, XX 10418

H: 9xx-xxx-xxxx | C: 9xx-xxx-xxxx | [email protected]

Professional Profile

Graduate nursing student seeking position as a Registered Nurse in an environment that will promote growth of knowledge and skills within the healthcare team. As a nursing student, I have had the following experiences to develop my clinical and critical thinking skills:

  • Experience in acute care, long term care, intensive care, comfort care and from collaboration with Registered Nurses and other members within the healthcare team.
  • Ability to safely and effectively apply the nursing process within a holistic framework.
  • Experience with many different disease processes and co-morbidities, with much experience with CHF, DM, acute and chronic renal failure, bowel obstructions, post-op patients, COPD, pneumonia and CVA's.

Education

Coolidge College. Coolidge, NY

Associate of Applied Science: Nursing, 2014.

Wiffleball Community College. Wiffle, NY

Associate of Arts: Liberal Arts and Science, 2011.

Work History

Coolidge College Alumni Association. Coolidge, NY

04/2013-03/2014

Student Phonathon Caller

  • Informed alumni of new programs, events, and construction at the college.
  • Raised funds to support college programs, academic departments and student scholarships.
  • Established rapport with Alfred State Alumni.
  • Gained skills in communication, marketing/sales and problem-solving.
  • Data entry.
  • Received award for raising the highest average dollar during the Fall semester of 2013.

Trailside Café. Silver Hills, NY

05/2013-08/2013

Juicer/Barista

  • Prepared smoothies, fresh juices, breakfast and coffee drinks.
  • Promoted menu options and educated customers on the nutritional benefits.
  • Inventory checks and organization of the store and the warehouse.
  • Thrived in a short-staffed, and fast-paced environment.

The Market. Silver Hills, NY

04/2013-08/2013

Cook/Cashier

  • Cooked breakfast and prepared sandwiches.
  • Stocked shelves and other supplies.
  • Handled lottery transactions.

A.C.E. Silver Hills, NY

08/2010-08/2012

Telephone Operator

  • Taking urgent and non-urgent messages for doctors and hospitals and dispatching per client protocol while working in a fast-paced environment.
  • Data entry
  • Obtained excellent communication skills.
  • Supervising and mentoring new employees.

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Volunteer Experience

Nursing Skills Tutor. September 2013-December 2013.

Taught fundamental nursing skills to a group of first semester nursing students. Guided students to perform skills safely and effectively and tailored teaching style based on individual needs.

Clinical Experience

LONG TERM CARE:

Rehab and Nursing Center. Coolidge, NY.

October 2012-November 2012.

MEDICAL/SURGICAL:

Memorial Hospital. Coolidge, NY.

November 2012-December 2012.

Nick's Memorial Hospital. Coolidge, NY.

January 2013-May 2013.

St Peter's Hospital. Coolidge, NY.

September 2013-December 2013.

January 2014-April 2014.

SPECIAL ROTATIONS/EXPERIENCES:

Nick's Memorial Hospital. Coolidge, NY.

Newborn nursery (8 hours), C-section delivery, Respiratory Therapy (8 hours), Operating Room and PACU (8 hours), observation of a Swan-Ganz catheterization procedure and experience with close monitoring of the patient post-procedure (8 hours).

St. Peter's Hospital. Coolidge, NY.

Intensive Care Unit (24 hours) including care of long-term ventilator patient, Operating Room (7 hours), Emergency Department(18 hours), OB/GYN (6 hours), Group Leadership assignment involving management of care for multiple patients (24 hours), Preceptorship on a medical/surgical unit (16 hours).

New Horizons. Coolidge, NY.

November 29th, 2013. Mental Health Rotation. (6 Hours).

Addiction Treatment Center. Coolidge, NY.

November 30th, 2013. Mental Health Rotation. (6 Hours).

Stony Point Pediatrics. Coolidge, NY.

April 10th, 2014. Pediatric Rotation. (6 Hours).

....

Now that I look at this, the font is terrible and harsh on the eyes.

Please give me all the criticism you want.

Thank you!! :D

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Way too much fluff. The first part is unnecessary. Listing all clinical rotations is redundant as all nursing students have clinicals. You can state "as a student I completed clinical rotations at Awesome Hospital medical-surgical and geriatric wards which is one reason I am seeking employment at your facility"

The 6-8hr rotations are really nothing spectacular like a 6-12 week clinical preceptorship. It looks like fluff to pad space. Maybe add if relevant to job applying for so if applying to a psych/mental health job list psych rotations & the 6hr shadow experiences. Listing observation of procedures, such as swan-ganz insertion IMHO adds nothing to your resume or credentials. Try and get it down to one page. Experience expectations for a new grad are not high unless graduating from a LPN to RN program

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Also, what can I call myself? I'm applying for jobs now, but will apply for more when I actually pass my boards (early July-i'm planning on it). But for now, what do I call myself? Graduate nurse? No, b/c i'm not ..a nurse? I don't know! help

thanks

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Thank you! I can't believe I sent that out already.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Also you have a lot of short term (

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How much should I shave off ? what specifically ?

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Oh ok...is it worth mentioning those jobs? I mean, I don't want to go back 5 years, but I don't want to leave any gaps since it might be somewhat of an integrity issue.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

List without details except for first job where you received commendations.

If you graduated then you are generally referred to as a graduate nurse. Most states permit this term though some restrict the title to new grad nurses with a temporary practice permit pending passing NCLEX. I'd say the first section, the profile, would nicely fit in a cover letter or the personal statement of an online application.

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I would avoid saying you have "much experience" with anything in nursing. You don't have any experience compared to an actual nurse. You have just been exposed to these things.

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Good stuff guys

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So instead of having a 'PROFESSIONAL PROFILE', should I keep it brief and save all that other stuff for the cover letter? Can someone give me an example of just the 'professional profile' just so i'm not repeating anything from the CV letter.

Thank you

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

I think a professional profile is irrelevant for a new grad resume just like using words like "nursing experience". Recruiters know that you have yet to establish yourself professionally

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