Resume Development

Points to remember

Resume or Curriculum Vitae(CV)?

• What is a Resume – Resumes are one to three pages long

• COVER MATERIAL RELEVANT TO THE PURPOSE OF THE RESUME

• RESUMES AT THIS STAGE SHOULD INCLUDE HISTORY OF YOUR COURSE WORK – RATIONALE IS TO HELP INFORM POTENTIAL PRECEPTORS

– Functional resume is one that groups information by subject rather than chronological order • Functional resume is appropriate for those with breaks in

their nursing and educational experiences stresses the strengths of your past experiences.

• Places work experience in categories such as education, practice, volunteer work.

Resume vs. CV• A resume provides the reader with an overview in outline

format of your professional education, professional work experiences, scholarly activities, honors, and volunteer work.

• You may include past work experiences that are not related to nursing that add evidence of the depth of your human development in other areas; areas that may contribute to your nursing capability to take on new tasks such as background in accounting, computer engineering or web page development as an example.

• A CV is much more detailed generally listing courses taught; lengthy for those with academic or research oriented careers

Format

• No standard format for preparing a resume.• The NLN has suggested one style while

applications for grants will require a different style in chronological order termed a Biosketch

• However, a font size of 10-12 point is recommended.

Chronological resume

• Nurses entering a new area of nursing continue to update & build resume over time.

• Nurses with a continuous work history – Work history should be in reverse chronological

order from most recent to least recent– Headings are very important to organizing your

resume and helping the reader follow your career – Brain storm to determine what headings or

categories you will need to include in your resume

Recommended Format & most common headings used

• Center level one heading is your name, address phone numbers and email address– Name & address: Centered at top of page using

Uppercase and Lowercase Heading – Jane Dow – Address – Phone, email address – Bold is not recommended for this heading with

the exception of your name

Resume

• Heading for categories are flush left bold in upper and lower case

• Headings include:• Licensure & Certifications– Valid Dates followed by State BORN, license

number and any certifications you may have including ACLS, CPR, other

Resume Headings contd.• Professional Goal (statement is consistent with the

purpose of submitting your resume; revise each time you resubmit your resume for a different purpose. Ex: Obtain a entry level position as a registered nurse in medical surgical nursing.

• Professional Education (to include ADN)– Dates attending 2009-present Associate degree in

progress School name address, accreditation status, & expected date of graduation• Indent five spaces subheading under program• Courses completed & in progress• Do not include high school education

Resume heading contd.

• Professional Nursing Experience Most recent to least recent, indent left under the

heading list dates for each period of employment followed by:• stating your role title, agency , dates of

employment• brief description of responsibilities

Resume headings contd. • Scholarship– List articles publications, presentations in most recent to

least recent• Professional organizations– List memberships, office held, any positions held in

professional organizations such as chair or member of committee.

• Professional activities– List committees, contributions demonstrate your skills in

leadership & volunteer contributions in your work setting• Volunteer work – List volunteer work in your community, schools, tutoring

handicapped children etc.• Other – List here any other non-nursing related skills that may

provide insight into capabilities you have that are needed in today’s health care systems. For example: computer skills, word processing, web page development

Variations are permissible

• Some prefer to put dates on the right side of

the resume.

Cover letter• When applying for a clinical placement or position,

include a thoughtful professional cover letter. • Address should be in a formal layout with inside

address for the person to whom you are sending the letter.

• In the letter, Include the position you are applying for, when you are available for interview, plans to contact them after they have had time to review your resume.

• A well thought out cover letter can make a good impression and guide you in achieving your desired results.

References

• Harvard University Office of Career Development , Resume development for students. Retrieved on January 31, 2009 from http://www.ocs.fas.harvard.edu/students/resources/resumes.htm

• Welton, R., & Morton, P. (2002). Writing an effective resume. Critical Care Nurse, (Suppl, Career Guide) p. 18-22, 52.