Q: How do I prepare a resume?
A: Most potential employers only spend about 30 seconds reviewing a resume. With this in mind, yours should make a strong first impression to the hiring manager and nursing leadership team. Make sure your resume uses keywords and phrases that match the position description because employers often track these keywords and phrases during the resume screening process. A resume that reflects these keywords and phrases is more likely to be chosen.1-4 Your resume should be free of spelling and grammar errors, and the language should be action-oriented instead of passive. Students may be concerned that they don't have sufficient experience to include in a resume. However, you can focus on your service and accomplishments in nursing school, such as involvement in a nurse's association, volunteer work in the community, and current and prior work unrelated to nursing.1-4
Components of a resume
Resume form, style, and content vary. Sections may include, but not be limited to, the following:1-4
1. Personal information: Your name, phone number, email address, and position title are prominently placed at the top of the resume's first page.
2. Resume summary: A summary statement highlights why the applicant is qualified for the position in a couple sentences. The statement should address your unique value, knowledge, and intent.
3. Education: Include your school's name, city, state, and date of degree or certificate earned.
4. Licenses and certifications: Include licenses such as RN and LPN/LVN, a Board of Nursing issuing license, and expiration date. You should list certifications, such as advanced practice RN specializations, and other post-licensure education and certifications, such as in gerontology or medical-surgical nursing, with the credentialing body's name and certification expiration date.
5. Work experience: List each employer's name, city, state, and your position title and employment date in chronologic order. Use action verbs to describe the position's responsibilities and a related significant accomplishment(s). For example:Position ResponsibilitiesAssessing patient acuity.Prioritizing patient care assignments.Evaluating patient outcomes.Significant Accomplishment(s)Creation of a policy reducing nurse-patient ratio from 1:6 to 1:4.
6. Awards and honors: Celebrate achievements that include academic recognition, scholarships, grants, internships, fellowships, and recognition for service in professional and community organizations. Include the names of organizations presenting awards and honors and dates recognized.
7. Volunteering: Nonsalaried service in professional and community activities shows your commitment to helping people in need and its relationship to an applicant's personal and professional growth. Include organizations and dates of service.
Tell your story
A resume that concisely tells the story of your qualifications will convey to the hiring manager and nursing leadership team that you can organize thoughts and present yourself in a professional manner, even before an interview takes place. Select a resume template that best showcases your qualifications and neatly presents them to potential employers. Make a strong first impression to the leadership team and soon your interviews will await.
Did you know?
Resume vs. curriculum vitae
A resume is generally one to two pages and summarizes the most relevant education, work experience, and skills used in the industry aside from academics. Conversely, a curriculum vitae (CV) is used in academia to describe in detail education and professional career, with a listing of scholarly activities, including but not limited to publications, presentations, and funded grants. A CV is not limited in page number.5
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