Please help my fix my resume!!!

[rencontrezmoi]

I will be graduating in May, so I have been trying to perfect my resume and begin the job search. However, I fear that it has many flaws. Career services at my school has not been very helpful, so I would love some feedback from anyone who is willing to give it! I was told to include my GPA since it is higher than a 3.0, but I am not sure how impressive a 3.23 is going to look to an employer. Should I keep it on? Is there anything else I should add/take off/change? If I add anything else though, my resume will be longer than one page. Is this OK? Thank you so much in advance for any help or advice! (The format may look a little disorganized since I just copied and pasted from Word)

Nursing Bachelor of Science in Nursing,Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA Expected in May 2010 Education ¨ GPA: 3.23

¨ Founder's scholarship recipient, eight semesters

¨ Dean's List, two semesters

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Clinical ¨ Developed and implemented plans of care using the nursing process to deliver safe, quality, and Experience effective patient care

¨ Performed physical assessments, monitored vital signs and I/O, and assisted with ADLs

¨ Assisted with invasive procedures such as chest tube insertion, nasogastric tube insertion, endotracheal suctioning, and administration of blood and plasma products

¨ Maintained sterile fields during urinary catheterizations, wound irrigation, and dressing changes

¨ Administered topical, enteral, and parenteral medications

¨ Conducted accurate patient health chart documentation

¨ Worked closely with a preceptor to ensure adherence to institution policies and procedures

¨ Educated patients and family members on disease management and treatment processes

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Clinical Spring Semester, Senior Year

Rotations ¨ Adolescent Medical/Endocrine, Children's Hospital, Pittsburgh PA Jan 2010 - Present

Fall Semester, Senior Year

¨ Surgical Oncology/Orthopedics, Mercy Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA Sept 2009 - Dec 2009

¨ Hospice/Home Care, Gateway Hospice, Pittsburgh, PA Sept 2009 - Nov 2009

Spring Semester, Junior Year

¨ Wound Care, St. Clair Hospital Wound Healing Center, Pittsburgh, PA Feb 2009 - April 2009

¨ Trauma/Vascular Surgery, Montefiore Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA Jan 2009 - April 2009

¨ Mental Health, Mon Yough Community Services, McKeesport, PA Jan 2009 - Feb 2009

Fall Semester, Junior Year

¨ Medical Oncology, Medical Center Clinic, Monroeville, PA Oct 2008 - Dec 2008

¨ Cardiothoracic Transplant, Presbyterian Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA Sept 2008 - Dec 2008

¨ Primary Care, West End Health Center, Pittsburgh, PA Sept 2008 - Oct 2008

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Other Longhorn Steakhouse, West Homestead, PA

Experience ¨ Server Oct 2005 - Present

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Leadership NSNA (National Student Nurses Association)

¨ Member Sept 2009 - Present

DUSNA (Duquesne University Student Nurses' Association)

¨ Member Sept 2008 - Present

Sigma Kappa Sorority, Kappa Mu Chapter

¨ President Jan 2008 - Dec 2008

¨ Philanthropy Chair, Alzheimer's Research Jan 2007 - Dec 2007

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Certifications ¨ CPR/AED of Adults, Children, and Infants, American Red Cross

¨ Standard First Aid, American Red Cross

¨ HIPAA Training

[Iris Santana]

I would definitely lose the GPA and probably the dean's list and founders scholarship recipients. It is nice but I do not believe that it will really make a difference. It seems you had a pretty good clinical experience which is a plus . Do consider whether you remain confident with those experience as to recall specifics as you may be asked related this matter. I am not an expert in resume but I know that a lengthy resume is not a welcomed item on a desk . In todays world who has time for reading all that . You might consider summarizing your theoretical and clinical application instead of listing every experience. For instance bulleting that you were able to apply theoretical learnings during clinical rounds and feel confident that you will be able to continue to do so for optimal quality patient outcome .

[txhorns10]

I think I would leave the GPA and dean's list, but I would definitely make your points more concise. i.e. - Used aseptic technique, Adhered to institution policies and procedures, Assisted with invasive procedures, etc. It'll leave you more to talk about in an interview, anyway :). Oh and the Longhorn Steakhouse part...I see reasons to leave it and take it out. As it is, it doesn't seem to add a lot. But, you could add a short description of responsibilities/reasons why it may help you. Maybe say you interacted with people, stayed calm during hectic times, managed to juggle work/school and still maintained high GPA.

I'm definitely not a resume expert or even in nursing school yet, but those are just my

[diane227, LPN, RN]

There are tons of books on the market on how to write a resume. I just went to the bookstore and took a look at a couple of them and went from there.

[cookienay]

Congrats on completion of your degree! As someone who used to have to wade through resumes, I have a couple of things to add.

1- Keep you GPA and school honors.

2- Lose the clinical duties part. It is assumed that in school they taught you those and you were clinically competent, otherwise you would not have completed your degree. The outline of clinical experiences is fine to keep though. (IMO)

3- Keep the work hx (steakhouse). It could help you if a potential employer sees that you have been gainfully employed.

4- Formulate a fabulous cover letter. As a new grad, this may help you stand out. Focus on your work ethic, what you could offer the company, your flexibility and willingness to learn and be a team player. Many job-seekers out there believe that the primary purpose of their job is to serve their own purposes. Actually, an employee is to serve the needs of the employer. Conveying that attitude could help give you an edge.

Good luck.

PS- my sister is a hospital recruiter and she concurs with these recommendations.