As you get closer to the end of nursing school, you’ll prepare to take your NCLEX examination and begin your career as a registered nurse. While most of the work will be out of the way, you still have one more hurdle to overcome before you can start working: getting hired by a healthcare company. No matter what kind of nursing job you hope to get, building a great resume is essential to your success. Writing a good nursing resume requires attention to detail, good formatting, and solid references. If you don’t know where to start, here are a few tips to get you going.
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Building a nursing resume
As you begin to organize your thoughts, you’ll need to decide what elements you want to include in your resume and what you would like to leave out. While you want to showcase all the great things you have done, avoid clutter. Be selective about what you include on your resume.
Include only the most relevant and recent information in your resume. Remember that anything you include might be asked about in a later interview.
Format
The first thing you’ll need to consider is how to format your resume. Fortunately, there are many free resources online that can be used as a template for a resume. Make sure you include enough information about yourself while keeping it succinct and clutter-free. In addition, choose a professional font and ensure that your name and contact information are easy to find.
In addition to formatting your resume well, you may want to consider including keywords that match the job description you are applying for. Many companies use artificial intelligence to sort through resumes, meaning a computer will scan all submissions looking for qualified candidates. If a job description lists specific required skills or certifications, try to include them as part of your resume.
Cover letter
You do not always have to include a cover letter with your resume, but in most cases, it’s a nice addition. Interviews conducted by Forbes magazine revealed that many employers can be swayed by a great cover letter.
If you choose to write a cover letter, address the recipient by name and make sure to personalize the content to fit the job you are applying for. Make your cover letter stand out by including a few personal details and explaining why your personality is a good fit for the job, in addition to your education and skill set.
Work experience
Including your work experience is one of the most important parts of your resume. You should typically list your most recent work experience first, and do not list more than your four last jobs, if you have more than that. If you have worked in a variety of settings, include the most relevant work experience.
Be prepared to talk about any jobs listed on your resume during an interview. Future employers typically want to understand what you did at your previous place of employment, why you left, and what you learned while you were there.
It’s okay if you have little to no work experience. Everyone has to start somewhere. Most organizations are willing to give new nurses a chance if they are willing to work hard, are teachable, and have a good education.
You can also fill your resume with information about internships, volunteer opportunities, and extracurricular activities. If you have been a full-time caregiver, give information about that experience here.
School information
Any organization hiring nurses will expect applicants to have completed a nursing degree and passed their NCLEX examination. Some healthcare facilities will hire new graduate nurses on a conditional basis, meaning they have to pass their NCLEX exam within a few weeks of their hire date. These are typically listed on job websites as “new-graduate specific” positions.
You do not have to include information about grades or test scores, and it is not typically advised to do so unless you have outstanding grades.
In addition to listing your school name, city and state, and date of graduation, you can list any specialty courses, clinical hours, and research projects you participated in. If you had an internship or capstone semester, include the name of the unit and types of patients you cared for.
Awards, recognition, and extra-curriculars
Extracurricular activities show diversity, leadership, commitment, and drive. If you participated in any team sports, school committees, volunteer groups, or after-school programs, you can include them as part of your resume.
This section is a great place to highlight some of your soft skills such as teamwork, communication, and organization. Be prepared to talk about your experiences during an interview. Explain why your participation in these groups helps you to become a better employee or nurse.
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References
Most employers require job candidates to list at least two references. When you list someone as a reference, avoid using personal relationships such as siblings or parents. In addition, find someone who knows you personally. They will be able to give a genuine response about your behavior, attitude, and abilities.
Teachers and former employers usually make the best choices for references if you had a good relationship with them and left the school or job on good terms.
It is important to ask permission before listing someone as a reference on a job application. Asking permission is not only a polite thing to do, it gives people an opportunity to plan what they would like to say about you. When asking someone to be a reference for you, you may want to explain what type of jobs you are applying for. In this way, they can tailor their response accordingly.
Added certifications
If you really want to be a competitive applicant for nursing jobs, you may want to consider getting a few extra certifications. Having more job-specific certifications shows that you are prepared to take on a specialty, have a good work ethic, and are willing to go the extra mile to educate yourself.
Some of the most popular nursing certifications include:
- ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support)
- PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support)
- NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation)
- CCRN (Critical Care Registered Nurse)
- AGCNS (Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist)
- CIC (Certified Infection Control)
- CPN (Certified Perioperative Nurse)
These certifications may require some years of experience, an extra class, or an examination. If you are determined to specialize in an area like pediatrics or critical care, the extra time and effort it takes to earn a certification will pay off.
In addition to certifications, you may want to list special skills or knowledge. For example, many cardiac nurses are trained in devices such as SWAN-GANZ catheters and mechanical circulatory support devices. Wound care nurses may have specialized training in different dressings and products. Emergency department nurses may be trained in ultrasound IV placement.
Use additional resources
After you create a resume, have a trusted friend, teacher, or relative look it over. Ask for feedback regarding the format, readability, content, clarity, and length of your resume and cover letter.
Most colleges and universities have writing labs with students or professionals who can look over and critique your work. These resources are often free for students and can be used as often as you need them.
Additionally, you can use websites like monster.com or indeed.com to search for and build a resume. Artificial intelligence tools such as ChatGPT can help you get started. However, it’s important to proofread and customize your resume and cover letter after using AI or other online tools.
