Hi all, I recently graduated from nursing school and passed my NCLEX (woot woot)! :)Two hurdles down with one to go---landing my first RN position in a highly competitive market.
I was given a general format recommended by my nursing school, however I noticed a few differences from other RN resumes I've seen.
1. My original resume did not have a place for my clinical skills to be summarized. I added this underneath the clinical rotations I listed. Is that a good place for it?
2. I added a few more points under my capstone clinical description, which I'm a tad concerned is too wordy.
3. Although some resumes I've seen completely eliminate job descriptions from employment experience that is unrelated to nursing, I couldn't bare to do it!!! 
I felt like I was erasing all my valuable experience with guests that has made me into the nurse I am today that enjoys communicating with patients and working as team. Should I erase the descriptions or summarize them more?
4. Is it ok to abbreviate common terms (ie IV, ICU, B.S., A.S.).
5. If I only assisted the preceptor in venipuncture should I word it differently? I've not actually punctured the patient's skin trying to stick them, I prepared their arm and the catheter b/c most of patients were hard sticks.
6. Is there anything else I could emphasize to make my resume stand out to an ED unit? Maybe skills they like to see that maybe I haven't included.
*Note the formatting is wonky and so pay no attention to it. It looks better in my document.*
If you have any advice please let me know.
First Last Name, RN
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------(xxx) xxx-xxxx * [email protected] * 123 Street, Town, State, Zip
Objective: a RN position in emergency care unit at _________ Health System.
Education:
_________ University B.S. in Nursing, Expected Graduation _____ 2015
Town, State Honors: Dean's List 2012-2014
_________ School of Nursing Diploma in Nursing, Conferred _____ 2014
Town, State Honors: Dean's List Winter 2013 term
Clinical Rotations Completed:
- Hospital 1 - Nursing home, 150 hours (Fall 2012)
- Hospital 2 - Fundamentals Medical-Surgical 150 hours (Winter 2013)
- Hospital 3 - Introduction to Medical-Surgical, 180 hours (Spring 2013)
- Hospital 4 - Pediatric, 60 hours (Fall 2013)
- Hospital 5 - Obstetric, 60 hours (Fall 2013)
- Hospital 6 - Psychiatric, 60 hours (Fall 2013)
- Hospital 7 - Advanced Medical-Surgical with ICU and ER,180 hours (Winter 2014)
- Hospital 8 - Community and Leadership rotation, 180 hours (Spring 2014)
Clinical Skill Highlights: (this is bulleted in 2 columns)
- Medication Administration
- Oxygen Therapy
- Wound Care
- Jackson Pratt Care
- Ostomy Care
- Tracheostomy Care
- Gastronomy Tube Suction and Irrigation
- Timely and Complete Documentation
- Patient and Family Advocacy
- Ability to care for 4 patients under nursing instructor guidance
_____ College A.S. - Biological Science, Conferred Month 2011 Town, State Honors: Dean's List 2010-2011
Healthcare Experience:
Capstone Clinical 3B Medical-Surgical Telemetry floor (192 hours total)
Hospital 9, Town, State August 2014-October 2014
- Worked independently under RN preceptor managing 1:5 patient load. Prioritized to perform assessments, bedside care, oral, injection, and intravenous medication administration based on acuity of patient. Provided education and documented care and interventions in electronic medical records via PIE-SBAR notes. Monitored labs and provided wound and ostomy care and venipuncture. Collaborated with healthcare team and received and gave patient report to physicians and nursing staff. Admitted and discharged patients under the direction of preceptor.
First Last Name, RN
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (xxx) xxx-xxxx * [email protected] * 123 Street, Town, State, Zip
Hospital 10 Nutrition Care Assistant
Town, State September 2011- March 2012
- Provided compassion care and service to patients while attending to their meal requests with keen attention to prescribed dietary restrictions and food allergies.
Hospital 11 Volunteer Front Desk Receptionist
Town, State October 2000 - October 2001
- Greeted family and escorted them to hospital departments, received and connected calls to staff and patients, filed paperwork and addressed mail.
Employment:
Employer 1, Town, State Event Server, March 2012-September 2014
Worked in collaboration with other team members to provide an excellent experience for guests.
Employer 2, Town, State Server, June 2008- March 2012
Attended to guests by being personable, knowledgeable of menu items and suggesting selections that will heighten their dining experience. Exceeded the guest's expectations by taking special attention to specific requests.
Employer 3, Town, State Pastry Cook & Server, February 2005- May 2008
Managed and trained new employees. Regulated menu planning, inventory, plating designs for restaurant service and banquets of up to 350 people.
Employer 4, Town, State Line Cook, May 2003- November 2004
Gained knowledge working in a multi-outlet food and beverage establishment. Improved kitchen efficiency by organizing pastry and pantry line.
Licenses & Certifications:
- State Registered Nurse License # xxxxxx issued _____: Active
- American Heart Association BLS for Healthcare Providers issued _____
Qualifications & Skills:
- Compassionate and caring with genuine desire to help others
- Excellent interpersonal communication skills paired with a team player attitude
- Punctual; able to prioritize care
- Ability to use Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, Excel, Sunrise, Sonis skillfully
