Resume troubles

Fiona59 · Mar 4, 2011

If you are still in Alberta, you have to apply on-line and produce a resume for the interview (at least that's how it worked the last time I went for an interview).

Day surgery really isn't going to gain you many points with a manager on a surgical unit. They are interested in can you manage 3-4 patients post op on a day shift. Wound care is big as is timely med administration.

So, I'd play up any and all wound care you perform.

State something like (if applicable) Full scope LPN on an acute care floor. Duties included med admin, documentation, wound care, personal care.

If you get an interview, they ask at the interview what time of wounds you've looked after. How do you manage a busy shift? They love asking questions about diabetics and post op vitals.

Just use what you've got. General surgery and ortho are always hiring. They are heavy and tiring in the City facilities. Wound vacs are not as common as some would have you believe. They seem to come in cycles. Know your drains.

mLPN79 · Mar 6, 2011

Thanks, Fiona59....I have gotten the oppportunity where I am to do post-amputation, wound vacs and plenty of decubitus ulcers for wound care. I do know my drains fairly well, much of what I learned in school and clinicals has stuck with me. I guess it shouldn't be as hard to get the resume done as I make it, but, I feel somewhere along the line I must be doing something wrong...........or, we're back to the times such as in the recession where getting an interview is next to impossible?

CanadianGirl79 · Mar 6, 2011

If you can, try going back to your college you graduated from. Many colleges offer their graduates help with resumes and cover letters through their career center.

Fiona59 · Mar 6, 2011

Thanks, Fiona59....I have gotten the oppportunity where I am to do post-amputation, wound vacs and plenty of decubitus ulcers for wound care. I do know my drains fairly well, much of what I learned in school and clinicals has stuck with me. I guess it shouldn't be as hard to get the resume done as I make it, but, I feel somewhere along the line I must be doing something wrong...........or, we're back to the times such as in the recession where getting an interview is next to impossible?

It's not you it's the system. I know nurses who are looking to move units. Should be fairly easy, right? Wrong. Find a position on a unit you are interested with a similar FTE? Wait to see if you even make the short list, seniority is big here. If it's a "light or clean" unit, you haven't got a chance because the accomodations will be slotted into those vacancies. Competitions go up, close, and nobody is ever contacted.

Just because it's posted, doesn't mean they are going to fill it. It's also near the end of the fiscal year, so managers are holding off. Positions have been eliminated when they came vacant, and AHS didn't even notifiy the managers that the lines had been axed. Only when they wanted to know when they were posted did they find out they'd lost a nurse, service aide, etc.

We might not have Duckitt to blame anymore but HR is still sneaky.

indyanprincess · Mar 6, 2011

I agree with CanadianGirl. They are usually a good resource to use. Also, maybe it's just me but I would include all relevant experience including your last preceptorship. It can't hurt.

mLPN79 · Mar 7, 2011

I've got a co-worker who is going to help me tweak the resume a bit and then all i can do is cross my fingers and hope I can get something I would really like!

Fiona59, I must agree that HR can be sneaky and I just feel it's unfair that they can sit in their offices and select resumes without ever meeting the people they have chosen. I wish we could go back to the days where you walked in a place and actually met face-to face with management and handed them the resume.