Question for Nurse Recruiters about New Graduate RN Resume

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Specializes in Emergency Medicine, Psychiatric Crisis.

this question is for managers, nurse recruiters or anybody involved in the hiring process or has been involved or is very knowledgeable about the hiring of new nurses in an acute position.

my background: i have been working for an insurance company for about 4 years. while i was working there i was also going to school to get my nursing degree. when i graduated and passed my boards i was offered a position as a telephonic nurse case manager.

obtained my license in october 2010.

i recently hired a resume writing service to write my resume for me because i would like to transition into the hospital setting. she feels that i should not put down my "real job title" ( telephonic nurse case manager) instead i should put down ( medical and disability case manager) because my current position usually requires at least 5 years experience to get into and the recruiters looking at my resume may get confused. this is her specific response when i questioned her

" no, we talked about this on the phone geri. it is misleading to have an rn case manager position as a new grad rn. nurses work for more than five years on average to acquire this level of responsibility, so on your resume it raises red flags. since you are really a new grad, your resume should reflect that and the changed job title will smooth out the wrinkles. we also discussed your pct position and i felt it was a mistake to inlcude that. there is a lot of bias for allied health experience."

what is also concerning is that she does not feel that i should have my patient care technician experience on my resume either????????

is she correct? i thought it was good to have your pct, cna, or any other hospital training on your resume as a new grad? also is that fact that i am currently working as a telephonic nurse case manager a bad thing b/c i am a new nurse? (i understand it usually does take nurses with at least 5 years to get my position, but i have the background with the company and they felt that i would fit perfectly well for the position. i have been doing extremely well.)

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That's nuts. If you are working as a case manager that is what you are. Sure there was a lot to learn but this, is not, rocket science. I know a few case managers who got the job as new second degree nurses.

Case management really is all about business in essence -- it's all about money, making money and saving money for xyz company.

I like to ask opinions often, but really, in the end I usually use the opinions of others as a mini debate to hear the pros and cons of something I'm thinking about doing. In the end, your judgement is always best.

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I'll add that nobody needs to hire someone else to write a resume. All you need for resources is easily found free on the internet. Hopefully you are not paying hourly for that service. I'd drop them and write it yourself. Come here if you want some advice. Just put "xxxxx" over any revealing information prior to posting for critique.

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I have also been running into the same thing with my resume and background. I received my BSN in Dec. 2010 after completing a LVN-BSN program. I figured my 18+ years as a LVN would be to my benefit but have been informed that it is more of a hinderance than an asset- go figure! I can't seem to have the various recruiters/agencies look beyond the fact that I am more than just a 'New Graduate RN' with plenty of experiences that can be utilized-I have talked myself hoorifice pointing to the fact that many of the skills I utilized as a practicing LVN are utilized by RNs and are appropriate to include but it seems that I would get more response from brick walls. I have turned to professional resume writers to help with my resume only to have the same results-very frustrating to say the least. I thought that with my background, I would have a leg up on some of the job positions that I have applied for but no such luck. I'm still scratching my head especially since I can't seem to get any feedback (or any response whatsoever) from any of the facilities/agencies I have applied to so that I can improve my chances in the future. I would also be very interested to hear from those nurse recruiters out there in regards to those of us with experience within the healthcare field but are New Graduate Nurses-how do we approach the job hunt?

Keep your head up and continue to think positive thoughts. Do consider having someone look over and possibly write your resume but don't put all your hopes that a professional writer will have the answer for your resume either. I know for myself, this journey has been a very humbling experience and there are times that I really wonder if it has been worth it especially given the real possibility that I may have to relocate myself away from my family to secure a job in this economy.

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Specializes in Emergency Medicine, Psychiatric Crisis.

Thank you onaclearday! I think that is exactly what I might end up doing b/c in my opinion, her feedback does not make sense....but I was trying to be open to her thoughts and apply for jobs with the resume she provided me but I just do not feel right.....I feel that I should have my patient tech expereince and that I should have my Telephonic RN case manager experience on my resume.....

I just wanted to hear from others what they think because I am not a recruiter and she may be right and I may be wrong.....

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Specializes in Emergency Medicine, Psychiatric Crisis.

chaosacres---Oh wow...you are going through the same thing...It's wierd isn't it? Could it be that they are right? (It's so hard to believe) I guess before I jump the gun and totallly write off what she is saying....maybe I should apply using her format and see what the response rate is....after all I do get my money back if I do not land interviews w/n 60 days......

(But my resume looks so boring now without my PCT experience & with my altered job title:confused:)

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chaosacres---Oh wow...you are going through the same thing...It's wierd isn't it? Could it be that they are right? (It's so hard to believe) I guess before I jump the gun and totallly write off what she is saying....maybe I should apply using her format and see what the response rate is....after all I do get my money back if I do not land interviews w/n 60 days......

(But my resume looks so boring now without my PCT experience & with my altered job title:confused:)

If you do this, I would recommend that you apply to jobs that you would not be likely to accept in order to test the market. That way, you won't waste an opportunity by applying to a job that you want if you don't get a reply.

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Specializes in Emergency Medicine, Psychiatric Crisis.

Thank you GM2RN.

Anyone else?

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