Resume - no related experience, Help!

tmbeede · Mar 17, 2015

Having worked in HR in the past, you should always include your full work history. While it may not all apply specifically to the nursing profession, it shows that you can hold down a job, commitment to previous employers leading hospitals to beleive you will be commited to them as well and maintain employment for a long period of time, it shows that you are reliable, responsible, a team player etc.

newrnontheblock, ASN, BSN, MSN, APRN · Mar 17, 2015

Thanks for your input. So, should I have a two page resume? Or some kind of different format that doesn't list all skills in each position, not to list same old, same old skills. Mostly customer Service. Won't it make me look too old starting with 1986 summer hire job. Or 1987-91 cashier and shift supervisor. I also left off teller on my resume when I first started banking in 94.

Thanks again.

MrChicagoRN, RN · Mar 17, 2015

I wouldn't include your entire resume because you don't want to appear "too old." Dates on my resume only go back to the early 90's, which is plenty. Going back just to 98 with one employer is fine. Consider keeping the titles and years, especially if this is a progressive career path.

Maybe a few sentences that summarizes your transferable skills would work better: customer service, problem solving, prioritizing multiple tasks, etc.

I may get a bunch of resumes from new grads, and I try to find things that makes one candidate stand out. In the absence of hospital experience, that may include work that shows you can hustle, prioritize multiple tasks, strong problem solving skills, etc.

In terms of education, I'd only include things that stand out, or make you desirable in a certain speciality. Otherwise, I'd just summarize it. A presentation, or health fair, include it. Course numbers, omit.

caliotter3 · Mar 17, 2015

Only advice at this point is, as others have suggested, try to trim it down a bit. It is quite common to only include the prior ten years, or even seven, when one has a long work history. When you go through a formal background check, the investigating firm typically looks back seven years. That is why I was told to fill out that length of time on a job app one time.

newrnontheblock, ASN, BSN, MSN, APRN · Mar 17, 2015

Awesome responses, thank you for your thoughts. If I have applied to a BSN program am taking transferable courses now but have not yet been accepted do you think I can put that down as well or do I need to wait until accepted? The school is waiting for my high school transcripts which are taking forever. I've also applied to volunteer for Red Cross and have gone through the whole process just waiting to get an assignment so no way to get that on there until they get me something to do.

RunBabyRN · Mar 28, 2015

I would move your certifications to the top. Those are relevant. Put your RN license expiration date, rather than start date, and move it above your BLS.

Are you able to perform a patient assessment in French? If not, don't bother listing it. I can carry on a conversation, and KIND OF assess someone in Spanish, but it's not enough that someone could rely on me if they need a translator.

Remove the summary of qualifications. Unless you have healthcare experience, unfortunately, this is kind of wasted space. Most of that belongs in your cover letter, anyway.

You can pare down your descriptions of non-healthcare jobs to a couple of lines. It's okay to have a two-page resume, so long as you're not overly wordy with stuff. Show them you are capable of brevity (important for documentation and respecting the time of others). Additionally, consider that a HR manager or even a nurse manager judges your resume in about 3 seconds. How will you stand out? This is a resume one could easily breeze over because there's a lot going on. Make the things that stand out about YOU stand out in your resume.

It's HIPAA, not HIPPA.

All of the skills you listed under your nursing education are basics that EVERY nursing student has. This is wasted space. Ditch it. If you know the names of specific EMRs you worked with, list those, but otherwise, don't bother with this.

One thing I have learned in the many interviews I have had is that when we are older, sometimes managers assume we are not TEACHABLE. Speak to that in your cover letter, and make mention in your interviews. Once I realized THAT was what kept me from getting a job, I started speaking to it, and was offered BOTH positions that I interviewed for after that. I am now working full time.

newrnontheblock, ASN, BSN, MSN, APRN · Mar 29, 2015

Ouch! Thanks for pointing out HIPAA, I will now never write that wrong again! I feel embarrassed I've sent out my resumes with that on it. Even my nursing instructor didn't pick it up.

How were you able to point out that your not too old to learn. Obviously anyone who gets into and out of nursing school has had to learn a lot. Too bad they don't look at in that way. Do i need some examples of how I'm teachable? Just curious how you broach the subject.

Thanks for all the tips. My resume keeps evolving. I've now been accepted for my BSN school so I'll be adding that. I've also signed up to volunteer with the Ted cross they've been very slow in getting me something to do.

RunBabyRN · Mar 29, 2015

Ouch! Thanks for pointing out HIPAA, I will now never write that wrong again! I feel embarrassed I've sent out my resumes with that on it. Even my nursing instructor didn't pick it up.
How were you able to point out that your not too old to learn. Obviously anyone who gets into and out of nursing school has had to learn a lot. Too bad they don't look at in that way. Do i need some examples of how I'm teachable? Just curious how you broach the subject.
Thanks for all the tips. My resume keeps evolving. I've now been accepted for my BSN school so I'll be adding that. I've also signed up to volunteer with the Ted cross they've been very slow in getting me something to do.

I mention that I love learning, I'm eager to learn, one of the things I love about nursing is you never stop learning, etc. Find the wording that's appropriate for you. I put something like that in my cover letter, and I speak to it in interviews.

I think THEY look at it the way you mentioned- you're new and you have a lot to learn. It's that they want to ensure that YOU look at it that way, too. I think that because I had other healthcare experience, I may have come across like I thought I knew it all, when in reality, yes, I have a good foundation, but I have a lot to build on it. I think that was an analogy I used in my cover letter.

Congrats on getting into a BSN program! DEFINITELY put that on there, with your anticipated graduation date. That can make you eligible for places that require (or at least prefer) a BSN.

Look for additional volunteer opportunities. Are there any free clinics in your area? I bet they could use the help! Any causes you believe in?

newrnontheblock, ASN, BSN, MSN, APRN · Apr 1, 2015

Thanks for your response, funny you put you love to learn, I do too, I'm always looking things up that I don't know or am unsure of, it in my nature. I have an interview for ED next week! Hoping I can make a good impression. I also got a call from Red Cross Finally they will have me go through training and then I will be able to select times and days when I am free to help out. Feeling happy, but nervous for the interview. I always get nervous in interviews. Wish me luck, and ill let post how it goes once I find out.