Question about relevant experiences on resume

[rachfog]

First off, I am just starting nursing school, but will be certified as a CNA by the end of next semester, so I wanted to get a huge jump-start on this. So, I have a few questions:

1) I have a previous B.S. in communications and international relations. Should I list this on my resume?

2) At the moment, I haven't no relevant work experiences for applying for any CNA/RN job, but I have worked on and off for quite a few years (unless you count the year I worked as a veterinary assistant, haha) . I've got relevant volunteer experience, however....past experience as a volunteer EMT-B/firefighter, and current volunteer experience at a hospital, and volunteer at a local government office dealing with Medicare (don't know if it counts). Hell, there's even a while where I volunteered for a health-related non-profit. How do I go about highlighting these?

3) Lastly, I have had to move A LOT in the past few years...like 6 times in 4 years. Yikes. It's been rough for me to find any job, due to what seems like job-hopping. I have had a few, but they all lasted about 9-12 months. I didn't intend for it to be that way, but I had other extenuating circumstances. Do I really need to put these on my resume? I mean, they weren't remotely medically-related (again, unless you count the work as a veterinary assistant). I don't know how to deal with this issue... I'm at a loss.

Any help would be VERY appreciated. Thanks!

[RunBabyRN]

I would list anything even KIND OF relevant, and be sure to word the description to make it relevant to nursing. If you have some longevity at something more than 4 years ago, you might consider putting it, for the sake of showing that you CAN hold something longer than 9-12 months. List your volunteer experience separately, but list it.

[_firefly, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

I have a very similar background and have been questioning this myself. My latest idea (which I may have stolen from 'You're Hired' - helpful small book) is to do 2 sections on the resume... one for medical experience with details and one for chronological or general history without descriptive info.

This is my third career and my medical experiences are sort of random. However here is what I've learned applying everywhere. Experience in something medical will get you 'points' just like volunteering and certifications, but what tends to win out is who you know, where you live, whether you went to a local university. It is kind of like trying to paint the picture that you are passionate about nursing but also not a flight risk (they are investing big money to train you... again).

I know on online applications they will often only let you list 3-8 past jobs, so you have to guess how to play it. I go with all medical jobs and maybe a longterm job if there is extra space.

[rachfog]

Thank you!