Resume advice

[curlysue82]

I am trying to make a career change from administrative work to health care and could use some suggestions on a eye catching objective.

HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[curlysue82]

FYI - All of my prior experience is administrative. I have dealt with a diverse group of people. For the past 3 years I have worked as a legal assistant. In this position I have dealt with clients with mental illnesses, dibilitating illnesses, and some that simply lack common sense. No matter who I am dealing I have the ability to build repour(?) quickly. Although the attorney does the job, I am the one in constant contact with the client.

[llg, PhD, RN]

So ... what types of jobs are you applying for? What are your actual objectives? Start there, by identifying what you really want. Then (and only then) move on to state them in an eye-catching way.

[curlysue82]

Besides caring for my children and family members when they're sick I have no health care experience. That being said I am looking at positions for patient care/caregiver. I am not certified nor do I have the time to spare. I would need something that would not require certification or be willing to train me. On the other hand I have compassion for others. I want to make a difference in someones life. In my previous employment I have dealt with a diverse group of people; especially as a legal assistant. Many of our clients suffer from mental illness, some have chronic illnesses, and often they are not at the best place in their life. I am great a defusing stressful situations. I just can't find a way to link that to physically caring for people.

[llg, PhD, RN]

I don't think there ARE any jobs where you really get to do direct patient care that don't require formal education. People are not going to turn the care of their cherished loved ones over to a stranger with no credentials.

My suggestion: Get some training. Perhaps start as a Certified Nursing Assistant or Home Health Aid. Talk to people at your local community college to see if they can steer you towards some courses that will give you the training you need to be given responsibility for the well-being of other people.

Another options (which may be right for you) is to do some volunteer work. Volunteer at a hospital or nursing home or some other place that appeals to you. Volunteers help people in many ways, though it doesn't involve "patient care" at the same level as a paid worker. Spending time in such an environment could satisfy your desire to help people while also giving you a chance to see what types of work goes on in such places. You may find a paying job there (in a clerical or administrative capacity) and/or be inspired to get some education so that you can do actual patient care. Either way, you will gain valuable experience while helping others and learning about the health care field.

[CLUVRN, MSN, RN]

I agree w/ llg---try get some CNA training. It may vary from state to state, but my CNA training was only six weeks including clinicals. Also I was lucky enough to get paid training and my state exam paid for in exchange for working for this facility for at least a year after I became certified. Maybe you could try to look for hospitals/nursing homes that offer paid training. It doesn't take long, and you'll get good experience while to trying to figure out where you fit in the healthcare field.

[curlysue82]

That is exactly what I am looking for - paid training. I have found a few places that except no experience but I'm having a hard time coming up with a way to link my experience with health care. Working in the customer service and legal fields requires very good people skills. Clients trust me with alot of information, and I see them at their worst. I think my people skills will add me in establishing relationships with my patients.

[SierraMoon, ADN, BSN, RN]

Assisted living facilities sometimes do not require certification.

I was a clerk in a law firm before I moved to KY and let me tell you, don't kill yourself writing a resume :chuckle. I don't think anyone read mine.

I believe I emphasized that I was organized, discreet, and committed to maintaining client privacy.

Good luck.

[ExpatHopeful, LPN, LVN]

There are positions involving patient care that offer on the job training. I worked as a medical assistant at a women's health clinic that provided on the job training and I eventually had a lot of hands on patient care responsibility.

As for your objective and selling yourself I think you're already doing a great job. Look at what you've said here:

"I have dealt with a diverse group of people."

"I have dealt with clients with mental illnesses, debilitating illnesses"

"No matter who I am dealing I have the ability to build raport quickly." "I have compassion for others. I want to make a difference in someone's life."

"I am great at defusing stressful situations."

All of these would look great on a resume as an objective or listed as "Personal Qualities" or "Strengths". Do a non-traditional resume that lists these strengths above your less-relevant work experience. Also, you can highlight other things like organization, time-management, computer skills etc.

It might be helpful to tailor your objective to the area of health care that you're applying to work in or to say what skills you want to gain (ie. hands on experience).

Good luck!

[curlysue82]

Thanks guys for all the help. I think I am just going to take the objective out all together and emphasize what qualities I have. I'll let ya'll know what happens:D