Resume question-help

[jenOK9]

I have 30 years of experience, all positive results.  I moved back to WI suddenly 2 mo ago for an urgent family need and I will be staying here.  However, 1 week after I arrived a large HSHS closed unexpectedly as well as several of its clinics, and another smaller affiliate hospital.  That leaves a very different job market than I anticipated.  My family matter is settled down, and I am ready to start applying, but now my resume needs to be polished because of the job competition.  I want to list skills from some of my med surg experiences, but what do I list?  "I can freaking do everything? LOL?"  It seems silly to list the obvious skills like Ivs, like some resume samples do. These medical pts were large city, downtown, complex with a great variety of diagnosis, and I did not serve on committees or have any special roles or certifications.  What do managers actually want to see?  Thanks for any help you can give.   

[Julia Liou, RN]

Hello jenOK9, it's so amazing that you have so many years of nursing experience! You will definitely be an asset in the field! To polish your resume in a competitive job market, consider these tips:

1. Quantify Your Experience: Mention the diverse settings and types of cases you've managed. Specific numbers make an impact.

2. List Specific Skills and Technologies: Even fundamental skills like managing IVs are worth mentioning, along with any medical equipment you're familiar with, and electronic charting systems you have used.

3. Showcase Soft Skills: Emphasize adaptability, communication, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities.

4. Highlight Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking: Detail how you've managed complex patient care and adapted to challenges.

5. Patient Care and Outcomes: Focus on your approach to patient care and contributions to positive outcomes.

6. Professional Development: Mention any continuing education or workshops you've attended.

7. Tailor Your Resume: Customize your resume for each application based on the facility's needs and job posting keywords.

Focus on what makes you a unique and valuable candidate, not just on technical skills but also on how you've contributed to patient care and adapted to new environments. Highlight whether or not you have been a preceptor to nursing students, and have been a charge nurse, as they tend to love those that have leadership skills. Remember, the resume shouldn't be longer than 2 pages, and normally recruiters only spend an average of 30 seconds on looking at a resume, so the first page should highlight the most important points!

Some key words that can be used in your resume are: patient centered care, holistic care, evidence based practice, and multidisciplinary team collaboration.
 

[ponderingDNP]

In addition to the above, I would mention patient teaching on health maintenance/preventive techniques in preparation for discharge, and emphasize your role in caregiver education which includes the expectation of caregiver role strain and the need for a second caregiver to help minimize chances for re-admission within that crucial 30-day post discharge window as well as prevent delays or interruptions in home care.