Resume Help- new graduate

Rodoon, BSN, MSN, RN · Dec 15, 2011

Cayles, I'm retired but I wanted to offer a few comments. I'm guessing this is the standard resume your classmates will use too, but this is a dry uninteresting read. Were you voted any honors in nursing school? Did you present a checklist or give a talk that gathered attention? You've got to lift this up a bit so you stand out.

Did you sit with a relative with Alzheimer's or support a good friend through a grief episode. Did you volunteer at all. Do you have second language skills? If nothing else, change the order of your skills to the ones you think might be the most important to a NM. For instance, I'd move daily teaching of family and patients to number one, but change "did" to a stronger verb. Assisted patient in learning self care techniques for diabetes including etc etc etc. Spell out teaching you were especially proud of, don't just dump it under "did patient teaching." The reason I mention this is because it doesn't seem important to you as is, but it's important on the unit.

Experienced with patients on cardiac telemetry. Change this to Experienced and familiar with basic EKG and managing monitoring devices. ( Say this only if you do recognize basic dysrhythmias)

Obtained vital signs and managed basic respiratory and oxygenation devices. Can trouble shoot blood glucose monitors and anything else you can add.

Is there anyway you can add the name of the hospital electronic system you're familiar with? You can't go wrong identifying particular skills. At the very least they will note you went an extra step in your resume. When you don't know people or have networks to help you the resume is your only tool. Don't over do it, but change the ordinary into the extraordinary. BTW, the plural for diagnosis is diagnoses (check in your resume). Good Luck.

optimistic_newgrad · Dec 30, 2011

For my resume, I changed the template. Instead of listing my experience after the objective, I listed my certifications first. Followed by my education, including honors. Lastly was my work experience. I put my work experience last because I dont have any experience as an RN. I kept my resume to one page, easy to read with built points. Each employer is looking for something different. I think it is equally important to have a strong cover letter. The first new grad program I applied and interviewed for, hired me!!! I wish you the best of luck and make sure you proof read your resume. Make sure everything is perfect.