Context

• It is important to make it easier for recruiters to find the most relevant information by creating a resume with a clear visual hierarchy, strategic use of typography and white space, and avoid distracting visuals.

• Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) – employers use an ATS to match their desired skills and keywords against the words in your resume to determine your potential value to the organization. http://blog.bluepipes.com/is-your-nurse-resume-optimized-for-the-ats/

“Recruiters and nurse managers are getting inundated

with applicants and as a result have

mastered the art of “skimming” resumes.”

“Statistics show that employers spend

less than 10 seconds scanning a

resume”

General Resume Guidelines1. An undergraduate resume should be 1 page long…yet you don’t want to exclude experiences that are SIGNIFICANT and/or RELATED to the position you’re applying to!…and some employers have mentioned they do not mind 2 pages at most.

2. All experiences should be organized in chronological order

3. You can change the margins and font size to accommodate your information.

4. Avoid using smaller than ½” margins or larger than 1” all the way around the page.

5. Fonts should be from 10-12 point, except your name, which can be larger. Use standard fonts like Times New Roman, Arial, Georgia, Garamond, Cambria or Trebuchet MS

6. Avoid using a template when writing your resume.

Resume LayoutHeader• Your name

• Licenses (optional)• Address• Phone number • Professional e-mail• Other: personal website, LinkedIn URL, Pinterest address, Blog

Objective (optional)• The position you would like to obtain and includes a persuasive summary

of why you are the right candidate for the position. Highlight what you have to offer through your relevant skills and experiences.

• Example: To obtain the Name of Position with Healthcare Facility Athat will allow me utilize my A, B, and C skills to assist in ____________ (providing what/doing what for Healthcare Facility A).

Michael Garcia105 Morrissey Blvd, Boston, MA 02125Michaelg@yahoo.com 617-222-5533

Objective: To obtain the Registered Nurse position in the Medical/Surgical Unit at Boston Medical Center where my knowledge and skills in patient-centered care and progressive care can be utilized to assist patient care plans.

Jane L. Smith100 Morrissey Blvd. ▪ Boston, MA 02125 ▪ 617-222-5555 ▪ Jane.Smith@gmail.com ▪

http://www.linkedin.com/in/JaneLSmith/

Objective: To obtain a position with Boston’s Medical Center as registered nurse in the pediatrics unit.

Luis Rodriguez107 Morrissey Blvd. | Boston, MA 02125 | Luis.Rodriguez@gmail.com | 617-222-5544

Objective: A self-motivated and compassionate RN seeking the Registered Nurse position in Mount Auburn Hospital’s GI Clinic where extensive training and acquired skills in patient assessment and management, ward charts maintenance and medication administration can be utilized for the well being of the units patients.

Resume LayoutSummary of Qualifications (optional)The Summary serves as introduction to the employer that seeks to answer the question “Tell Me About Yourself” in just a few lines of text. A Summary very quickly tells the employer, “Yes” you have the skills or you are “Qualified” for the job.

Structure of a Summary of Qualifications• Directly below your contact information

• Paragraph form (3 – 5 lines of text) and/or 4 – 6 Bullets

• Should not be written in first person pronouns

• Avoid replicating your resume bullets and sounding like a list of buzzwords

• HEADINGS: Summary of Qualifications, Professional Summary, Summary Statement

• Competencies, Summary of Skills, Summary of Experience

• SKILLS SUMMARY: Core Competencies, Nursing Skills, Relevant Skills, Technical Skills, Skills Summary

Resume LayoutWhat information should I included in my Nursing Summary?

The Summary statement is most effective when it mirrors the skills, qualifications, and overall language in the job posting while accurately describing your skills and experiences.

“Different people have different cards to play based on their level of experience and the specifics of their job search” from an HR Recruiter at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

While referring to a job description, you will want to include the following:• Years of relevant experience• A summary of your qualifications for the job in question• A sense of your work or management style• Personal characteristics that make you a good fit for the job and/or facility• Professional achievements• Education, certifications, or special experience that might make you unique• Measurable improvements that you’ve made for a previous employer• Accolades or awards that you’ve received from previous employers

Prompts to Assist in Creating your Summary• Demonstrated ability to effectively ____________• Recognized for exemplarily ____________• Ability to build rapport with ____________ by __________ • In-depth knowledge and familiarity with ____________ (e.g. medical technologies, medicines)• A __________ newly graduated nurse with __________ (e.g. sound understanding of….)• A __________ with __________ years of __________ experience implementing care plans (or – delivering

patient education; coordinating patient treatment across multiple health care disciplines)• Over ____________ years of ____________ experience working with ____________ on/in ____________

• Nursing: Foley Catheter Insertion, CPR, Nursing Assessment, IV Certification, Quality Measures, Electronic Medication Administration Records, Bedside Verification, Multi-Patient Caseload, IV Insertion, Patient Education, Medication Administration, Appropriate Delegation, Assistance with ADLs, Patient Advocacy, Interpersonal and Therapeutic Communication, Wound Care, Medication Administration Checks and Routes, Care and Suction,

• Medication Administration: Oral, Ear, Ophthalmic, and Injectable Medications, Intravenous Therapy and Infusion, Start IVs

• Home Care Management: Admission Criteria, Documentation Requirements, Electronic Medical Record, Safety Practices, Discharge, Hospice, Care of Sick, Respite Care

• Medical: Oxygen Administration, Triage Patient Assessment, EKG Application, Emergency Dispatch, Intravenous Catherization, Intravenous Blood Draw, Chest Decompression, Infant Delivery Hazardous Materials Training

Reference List of Nursing Skills

Sample resume

Resume LayoutEducation (include degrees completed)Institution, City, State Graduation Date Degree and MajorConcentration and/or MinorGPA, Dean’s List, Awards

Research Projects, Academic Projects, Relevant Projects (optional)Consider class projects where you have conducted research to highlight your academic knowledge.

“Project Name” Course Name Semester Year• Use the format “Verb + What/How” to describe the project• Include the research topics, findings, and any relevant skills developed

Certifications and Qualifications (Additional headings for this section can include: Licensure, Skills and Qualifications, Certifications) Include ALL licenses and their locations/state. List additional skills not included earlier (e.g. languages, technology, certificates, etc.)

Licenses: Registered Nurse, Massachusetts Board of Nursing, License # Expiration Month 20XX• NCLEX Exam Date 5/25/16 • • NCLEX Date Pending – Applied February 9, 2015 •

Languages: Fluent in Spanish; Minimum Professional Proficiency in French Technology: List all specific healthcare technologies, Microsoft Applications, Additional Technology, etc.http://careers.state.gov/gateway/lang_prof_def.html

Sample resume

Clinical Rotation ExperienceEmphasize your clinical experience, especially if you have limited healthcare experience, by

highlighting the accomplishments, competencies, and skills acquired while in school.

The main idea is to try and relate your experience during clinical rotations to a real situation or problem faced by the prospective employer

Hospital/Facility, Unit (Total Hours) | Course Name Semester Year• Task: Use the format “Verb + Responsibility + Result/Purpose” to highlight your unique experiences

Examples:• Managed up to 6 acute psych patients with complex medical conditions• Conducted hearing/vision, growth and development assessments• Honed skills in maternal, fetal, newborn assessments and care• Gained proficiency in TURP care, wound care, catheterizations, MRSA/VRE precautions, DVT prevention,

PICC care, blood transfer

Things to consider:• Verbs that indicate your developing a skill: Honed, Establish, Achieved Proficiency, Enhanced Familiarity,

Developed, Practiced, Gained Proficiency, Exercised, etc.• Avoid listing all experiences that are “typical” of most nursing students• Additional experiences: Did you provide training for patients and families? Were you known for a strong

patient-advocacy skills or others? Did you learn or were involved in a atypical procedure? Develop anything?• List the number of total beds/patients you worked with and the types of patients • If there were skills not listed in your Nursing Skills section, you can also simply list them horizontally• Avoid having your descriptions look like a job description, rather focus on accomplishments

Sample resume

Resume LayoutHealthcare Experience (additional headings include Relevant Experience, Nursing Experience)

• Your Employer, Title, Location, and Dates• Bulleted Impact Statements that highlight your related responsibilities and accomplishments Impact Statements are most effective when the mirror the duties specifically mentioned in the job

description

Develop Impact Statements based off research on the employer in question (e.g. types of patients, process and procedures common the employer, etc.)

Create Impact Statements that highlight an accomplishment (e.g. Did you receive any awards or recognition from previous/current employer? Did you contribute to an employer receiving a recognition?)

Additional Experience• This section highlights your additional experience, which is typically not related to the

Healthcare Industry.

• Use the same format shown above.

• Highlight Transferable Skills (e.g. ability to multitask, organizational skills, leadership, etc.)

Resume Impact Statements

Action Verb + What/How + Result = Impact StatementJobs Still Doing = Present Tense Action Verb (e.g. Instruct)

Jobs From the Past = Past Tense Action Verb (e.g. Adapted)

Before• Provided patient care

After• Provided bedside, toileting, and incontinence care while attending to patient needs

Sample resume

Resume LayoutYou may also choose to list any of the following on your resume:• Additional Experience – experiences outside of Healthcare

• Additional Skills & Qualifications – language, computer skills, certifications

• Extracurricular Activities – student clubs, community services, volunteer activities

• Volunteer Activities – include titles, type of volunteering, name of organization/facility, total

hours, and timeline

• Student & Professional Associations/Memberships - Exercise & Health Science Club,

APTA Student Assembly

• Leadership Activities

• Research Experience

• Special Projects/Related Course Projects

• Conference Presentations

• Community Engagement

• Professional Development/Workshops

• Publications and Presentations

Sample resume

Final Resume Tips!

• Carefully review the internship/job description and match the skills & qualifications to your resume

• It is important to incorporate key words in your resume • Highlight your skills and accomplishments • Use the resume resources in My Career Online • Have your resume critiqued by a Career Specialist• Be sure to always check spelling and grammar – do not

rely on spell check • Send employers your resume in PDF Format• Be prepared to explain any gaps in your work history