Resume Objective for Nursing Student

[JaxiaKiley]

Hello all -

I thought this might be a good place to ask for advice regarding my resume. I am hoping to start nursing school in the Spring (waiting on my letter!) and I would like to start working now as a unit secretary or monitor tech. I have 10 years of experience in computers (system administration, web technology...) but no experience in healthcare so I am not really sure what my resume should look like.

Right now, my resume is two pages of really detailed technical experience. I know that is overkill. I've decided that I should really play up my customer service experience, so I left that in my resume, and took out most of the really techie stuff. It is now down to just one page, which makes more sense since I am entry-level in this field.

I've never included an objective on any of my past resumes, but I wonder if I should now? If so, what should it look like since I *hope* to start nursing school in the Spring but am not yet officially a nursing student? Is it even important, or will it be clear what I am looking for because of the jobs I am applying for? Under education, I did put 'College name -- Nursing major.' Is that okay?

I appreciate any advice! Thanks

[EricJRN, MSN, RN]

I'm a big fan of omitting the objective. A good cover letter should take care of it.

[JaxiaKiley]

Yeah, I'm not a fan of either one, normally. But, most applications are online and form based, and do not have room for a cover letter. So, it's either an objective or nothing...

[fleur-de-lis, BSN, RN]

I am in the same situation with no medical experience, so I did put an objective even tho I usually don't. I did the same as you in playing up my customer service and supervisor experience in the body of the resume and downplaying the technical stuff. My objective says something about obtaining a part time position in a health care setting that is suitable for a nursing student. Since I see you are in DFW, I have learned that many of these type positions in our area are not advertised, so you might try calling the hospitals HR depts directly. Most have online application, but it is hard to get on that way. Good luck!!!

[JaxiaKiley]

Thanks for that info -- I will be sure to give them a call!

Did it work for you?

[fleur-de-lis, BSN, RN]

Thanks for that info -- I will be sure to give them a call!

Did it work for you?

Well, after my 1st week of classes, I decided not to look for a job. I am in an accelerated program, and really the only time I could work is weekends, and I decided spending a little time with my hubby/dogs/horses on the weekends was more important than a few hours of work, even though the experience would be great. I just need my weekends too much to recoup from our hellish week, not to mention get in a little extra studying! It was my clinical instructor that recommended calling the HR or nurse managers directly, so I was passing along her wisdom! Good luck!

[romie]

I've never been a fan of the objective on a resume. If I absolutely have to use an objective, I always use an objective that defines what I am bringing to the company, not what I want. Here is my illustration:

Bad Objective: To obtain a FT position that will increase my skills and talents.

Better Objective: Contribute to client and agency outcomes as a _______ through development and implement of program services by interacing with clients and their interdisciplinary team while utilizing knowledge of ________ regulations and __________________.

Notice how the first objective defined what I wanted from the company? The second objective defined what I wanted to do for the company.

As a manager with hiring power, nothing grosses me out more than a resume with a bad, greedy and self centered objective.

[JaxiaKiley]

That is wonderful advice for an objective! That is thing I hate most about typical objectives -- they are so self-serving. I still haven't decided what to do about the objective, but if I use one, I will take your advice :)

[castfireuponem]

great advice! thanks alot