Expert Tips for Crafting a Nursing Resume & Cover Letter
Crafting an effective resume for the College of Nursing involves organizing information, using a consistent writing style, including required details like contact information, education, and clinical experience, and focusing on a strong header and objective. Following these guidelines will help you create a compelling and targeted application.
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Rsums and Cover Letters for the College of Nursing The Writing Center at CU Denver
Qualities of a Successful Nursing R sum Organized, easy to follow format Provides all required information Audience centered Targeted toward a specific position Free of errors
Writing Style Use consistent formatting--dates, spacing, etc. Begin each bullet with an action verb Be consistent with periods at the end of lines Use numerals (1,2,3) rather than writing out numbers Keep lists to fewer than 3 bullets (avoid sub-bullets) Use strong descriptive statements Do not use first person pronouns (I, me, myself)
Required Information Contact information Education Clinical experience Certifications
Header Include a line to divide header from body Make the information stand out Larger size, bolding, use of capitalization, etc. Place your name at the very top Provide one street address, phone number, and email Do not title them (email, phone, address) Email address should be professional Remove hyperlink from email address
Objective If you're applying for a specific position, consider adding an objective at the top States the position you are applying for Includes job title and position number Is audience centered and concise Acts like a thesis statement/global organizer Uses specific keywords
Objective If you include an objective, use strong, specific words Good: New graduate seeking a position and hands-on experience in quality patient care. Better: Responsible and compassionate new graduate with hands-on clinical experience and exceptional interpersonal skills seeking an RN position at Children's Hospital to provide the highest quality of patient care.
Summary/Profile Describes how you match the required qualifications Tailor to the job posting Avoid first person pronouns (I, me, myself) Includes industry-specific keywords Uses strong, descriptive statements and verbs
Summary/Profile Good: Committed, patient-centered, and fast-paced RN who excels at quickly identifying patient needs through astute assessments, prioritizing based on acuity, and vigilantly monitoring for adverse reactions. Bilingual: communication skills in English and Spanish. Demonstrated strong clinical skills including blood draws and transfusions, cardiac meds, IV therapy and drips, 12-lead EKG interpretation, charting, and airway management in ICU and ER. Developed equal proficiency in nursing administration, admissions, discharge, and patient education.
Summary/Profile Better: Committed, patient-centered, and fast-paced RN who excels at quickly identifying patient needs through astute assessments, prioritizing based on acuity, and vigilantly monitoring for adverse reactions. Bilingual: communication skills in English and Spanish. Demonstrated strong clinical skills including blood draws and transfusions, cardiac meds, IV therapy and drips, 12-lead EKG interpretation, charting, and airway management in ICU and ER. Developed equal proficiency in nursing administration, admissions, discharge, and patient education.
Education List education first (with some exceptions) List in reverse chronological order Be consistent with dates May 28, 2012 or 5/28/12 Be consistent with degree Bachelor of Science, B.S., or BS High school is not relevant
Healthcare Experience Company/organization City and state Job title with months and years Clinical Rotations Include senior level rotations--Practicum, Public Health, MedSurg I & II. Include place (hospital/faculty), Unit, # of hours (on and off campus, simulation lab), and (if seeking specialty) include any rotations with that specialty Consider creating a chart for Clinical Rotations Volunteer/apprenticeship experience, if relevant
Other Sections Certifications Additional Experience Includes work you've done that may not be healthcare related Use bullets and strong verbs to describe transferable skills Honors or Awards Merit-based and discipline specific scholarships, fellowships, or recognitions
Helpful hints: 1. Keep language professional Good: Good at helping others Better: Excellent interpersonal skills with a focus on patient-centered care 2. Be concise and direct Good: Able to help patients and communicate with other healthcare staff to ensure quality care and well-being for patients Better: Communicate with patients and providers to ensure quality patient care
Helpful hints (cont.): 3. Be specific Good: Provide quality patient care Better: Provide primary care to 6-7 pediatric, orthopedic and post- surgery patients 4. Avoid using templates for your resume as they may not translate to the employer s software program. Use .pdf or .docx format 5. No two resumes are alike choose the style that fits you!
Business Letter Format Be professional Use an identical header to your r sum Include date, name, and title of the hiring agent, the company, and the company s address Use block format Single-spaced After the closing, skip four lines before your name List enclosures (r sum , writing sample, portfolio)
Write with Your Audience in Mind Express how you will be an asset to them Only include information relevant to the position Demonstrate you have the qualifications they require or value Research the hospital/facility and demonstrate your knowledge and interest in your letter
Power Positions and Specifics Research shows reader will scan the letter in 30 seconds or less Power Positions Introduction First and last sentences of paragraphs Specifics To the hospital, department, organization Demonstrate your research/knowledge
Organization Approximately 4-5 paragraphs Introduction (1) Body Paragraphs (2-3) Conclusion (1)
Introduction What are the hospital s key strengths/characteristics and why/how can you support them? Express your interest in the specific position State how/why you are qualified for the position Forecast what you will discuss in the rest of the letter
Body Paragraphs Claim A distinct qualification you want to prove about yourself Do not put your r sum in paragraph form Evidence Support claim with examples that include a situation, action, and result Connection Connect to hospital s or employer s values and needs
Conclusion Mention any enclosures or attachments Or list enclosures at the bottom of the page Express interest in an interview, if appropriate Offer to provide further information Thank the reader for his/her consideration
Evidence Back up your claims with evidence and examples Establish yourself as an unique candidate SAR Situation Action Result
Situation, Action, Result While a nursing student at Sunrise Hospital, I demonstrated exceptional communication skills working with the nurses and the physicians. My initial clinical site was in the Trauma Systems Therapy department, where I worked under Dr. Peterson. After about two weeks of observing, I was tasked with discussing the overnight progress of two patients with the charge nurse and reporting in detail their mental and physical statuses to the doctor on staff each day. Shortly after being given this assignment, the overnight charge nurse informed me that one of my patients had spent most of the night in extreme emotional distress. The next morning, I reported this to Dr. Peterson, and she informed the mental health team and the patient s family. My communication needed to be accurate and efficient in order to inform the doctor of the patient s current state. With my information, the doctor was able to make the appropriate diagnoses. My ability to communicate effectively will continue to help facilitate interaction between both nurses and physicians in order achieve the best possible outcomes for patients at Sunrise Hospital. S A R
Review In this workshop, we covered Organizing successful nursing r sum s Formatting and writing style Tailoring for a specific position Building audience awareness Organizing cover letters Using evidence to back up claims
The Writing Center For more information please visit us: Denver Campus, North Classroom Building Auraria Library, Anschutz Medical Campus, Health Sciences Library CU Denver South Campus, Liniger Building CU Denver Business School Campus Village at Auraria, North 3rd Floor Common Room
The Writing Center Online Assistance: Synchronous Online Consultations The Online Drop Box http://writingcenter.ucdenver.edu
30 Online Resources http://www.bc.edu/offices/careers/jobs/resumes.html Boston College Career Center website. Provides great link to list of action verbs. www.vpul.upenn.edu/careerservices/nursing/resume.html Excellent resource from U Penn. Click on 'Online Resume Workshop' under the 'Resume Guidelines for Undergraduates' tab for a voice-over presentation with PowerPoint slides regarding creating a resume. Also click on the 'Samples' link to find sample resumes from the UPenn School of Nursing.
