Resume Samples, Ideas for a New Grad? Anyone? Please.

llg, PhD, RN · Mar 5, 2004

Because of confidentiality, I can't share real resumes, but here are a few tips from my experience reading resumes and hiring people (including new grads.)

There is no need to pad your resume with details about your clinical experiences in nursing school. At least 50% of what you did in nursing school was the same as every other nursing student in the country and people like me don't want to have to plow through all that stuff in order to find the few items that help make you unique. This is particularly true if you are applying for jobs in the same geographic area as your school. The people doing the hiring are probably already familiar with the typical graduate of your school. (We all learned how to take vital signs, do assessments, provide holistic care for both the patient and the family, etc. so, don't waste space or time emphasizing that stuff.)

So ... only describe those school experiences or projects that were unique for you ... or were of special interest for you ... or were particularly relevant for the job for which you are applying. For example, if you are applying for a pediatric position, you would want to highlight peds things. If you are applying for an adult ICU, you would want to highlight anything related to ICU's or anything that might be considered "advanced med/surg" or that would give you some extra preparation for an ICU environment.

For the above 2 examples, the fact that you spent 4 weeks doing AM care in a nursing home would not be particularly relevent and should therefore not appear on your resume. However, if you are applying for a position working with the elderly, you might want to highlight that experience along with any others that helped to stimulate your interest in that specialty.

Another way to handle the school of nursing stuff is to put it on a separate sheet of paper. On your "real" resume, you could simply list your school, the degree, the graduation date, along with any honors or awards or scholarships received. You can then make the short simple statement that "A list of clinical experiences completed in fulfillment of school requirements is attached." I like this sort of thing as it allows the reader to skim the basics of your resume without getting bogged down in unnecessary details -- yet provides those details to anyone who wants to dig deeper.

I would also be sure to list (briefly, of course) anything that illustrates outstanding performance, leadership activities, etc. For example, if you are an officer in an organization that should be on there -- even if it is not nursing-related -- as it shows you are a leader and/or high-level performer and are viewed by your peers as such. I am often surprised in interviews to discover that people omit these things from their resumes. Showing that you "a winner" is always a good thing.

Finally, be sure to include anything that relates to the type of job you are applying for. You want to show that you have been interested in the field for a while, have taken the trouble to explore it a little, etc. if at all possible. While it is not always necessary to have significant experience, it rarely hurts to show that you have at least a little -- even if it was only volunteer work ... or familiarity because of a family member, etc.

Good luck,

llg

Chrislynn2003 · Mar 6, 2004

I'm getting ready for graduation in May, Yay! In the meantime, I'm working on my resume. We had a class presentation, but not any pointed advice on how to list clinical experiences and keep things under two pages at the same time. Most confusing. Can anyone provide me with an example of a successful resume? Tips on listing clinical experience, anything? I'd really appreciate your advice, samples, websites, etc.
Thanks a million :)

Try http://www.monster.com. It will show you great examples of resumes specific to nursing. Good luck!

Christine

orrnlori, RN · Mar 6, 2004

Get ye to Amazon.com and purchase the book Real Resumes for Nursing Jobs by Anne McKinney. Great book for all nurses, shows the right action verbs etc to use and gives good examples of cover letters. Lots of graduate nursing resumes in there. Lots of ways to write resumes for nurses wanting to change careers. Costs about 18.00 I think.

chris_at_lucas_RN, RN · Mar 9, 2004

even if it was only volunteer work

I was recently told that volunteer work was REALLY important to list.

Just what I heard....

teeituptom, BSN, RN · Mar 9, 2004

always tell the truth ,,,,,,,dont embellish

orchid · Mar 9, 2004

found a great site www.hospitalsoup.com has a lot of QandA that you may be asked on an interview..good luck