Helpful Tips to Writing a Nursing Resume

If you are a recent nursing school graduate or are just looking to make a career change into nursing, then you know how important a good nursing resume is to make you stand out to employers. Writing a resume can seem daunting, but with the right tools under your belt and some good advice, you can write one that is certain to improve your chances of landing a great job in the nursing field.

Gathering information

Before you begin to write your resume, gather all the information you need. Locate records including previous employers' addresses, contact information, your dates of employment and salary information. You may need to provide references; make sure you have current contact information for personal and professional references. Also, make certain you have details about all of your education. You want to provide your future potential employer with information that is accurate and complete. If a potential employer discovers that your information is wrong, this can reflect poorly on you and suggest you are lying to get the job.

Creating your resume

Once you have your information collected, find a template online to help you structure your resume to look professional and get noticed. By following a template, you are sure to put the information in a format that is easy to read and understand. Browse various templates so you can see different resume styles and find a professional format that shows off your skills and experience in the best possible manner. Remember to use consistent fonts, underlining, bold or italic lettering and spacing. Include your duties and responsibilities in each past position, and definitely include any awards, honors or specific accomplishments. Your resume is the venue to brag about yourself.

Edit carefully

Once your resume is complete, do not neglect to check spelling and grammar. Many qualified candidates are dismissed without an interview because their resumes have syntax errors. Ask a friend who has experience editing to review your resume. A fresh set of eyes can discover errors you have missed.

As you can see, there are many things to consider when you are building a resume for a nursing position. Once your resume is ready, aggressively seek out opportunities and submit your resume as often as possible. Remember to periodically review your resume and add updates when appropriate. A well written resume is your first step toward a satisfying new nursing position.