Tips for a Stand-Out Nursing Resume

Once the frenzy of nursing school has ended and the NCLEX exam has been passed, graduating nursing school students must begin the process of finding a job within a hospital, clinic or other medical establishment. With the current nursing shortage, nursing jobs are plentiful, but vary depending on the area and the competition for a nursing job can be intense, with some nursing school students complaining about a lack of interviews or job offers after sending out countless resumes. A good resume is as important for potential nurses as it is for those who work in any other field, and the information included in a resume, as well as its visual impact, can make a difference in the amount of job offers a recently graduated nurse receives.

Most human resources directors and hiring managers see hundreds of resumes each week, regardless of the industry. Standing out among the other applicants can be a difficult task, and it is important to catch the attention of the hiring manager by making it easy to see the highlights of the nursing school students’ experience and expertise while in school. A short, but comprehensive objective statement can help clarify the type of position sought by the nursing school student, helping to determine early if the applicant is a good fit for the job.

In addition to the objective statement, a resume that helps quickly clarify and highlight specialties, internships or other “stand out “information can create a favorable impression of the applicant. By pointing out these unique skills, licenses, certifications, opportunities or awards with bullets, the hiring manager can quickly develop a picture of the nursing school student through his or her practical experience. Using buzz words such as, “informatics,” or “palliative care,” can also help define the applicant in the eyes of the hiring manager or human resources professional. Highlight the nuances of the nursing school program that was attended, including any involvement with specialties or research projects within the school. Most schools offer a degree of distance or online class opportunities, as well, and the completion of these programs or an online nursing school can demonstrate the applicant’s ability to remain career focused while achieving educational goals.

When it comes to a resume for recent nursing school graduates, it is important to keep in mind that the first impression given by a resume can determine the placement in the line of calls for an interview that leads to a nursing job placement. By keeping a resume concise, yet informative, a nursing school graduate can stand out among the other applicants, helping to secure a position as a nurse within a hospital, clinic or other medical facility.

Labels: Nursing Career, Nursing Jobs, Nursing School, Nursing Student, Online Nursing School