Nurse Resume Tips for Nursing Specialties
If you're applying to a specific nursing specialty or a remote position, tailoring your resume into a 'future resume' can set you up for success, not only now, but also in the long run. In this article, let's explore unique resume tips for applying to your dream specialty.
Everyone has heard that we should tailor our resumes to the jobs we are applying for, but what about the careers we want? Have you ever thought of your resume as a career roadmap? Using your resume as a GPS roadmap and not just a career story will guide you for years to come. What do I mean? How to tailor it? Can I explain? Of course! Here’s how tailoring my resume to highlight relevant experiences, qualifications, and certifications has worked as a strategy throughout my career:
Research your desired position: Look into the experiences and certifications that are commonly required.
Create a 'future resume': Outline the skills and certifications you need and then work towards achieving them.
For example, in nursing school, I aspired to work in the Emergency Department (ED). I noticed that every ED nurse had ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) and many had PALS (Pediatric Advanced Cardiac Life Support) certifications from the American Heart Association. So, I added these certifications to my future resume. Additionally, I realized that working in Miami required basic Spanish proficiency, so I added "Spanish: Intermediate Level" to my future resume as well.
The key is to not just add skills but to achieve them. Before graduation, I completed my ACLS certification and passed proficiency exams in Spanish to prove my intermediate level. My resumes are not only my career stories but also my roadmaps. They guide me on where I want to go and what I need to get there.
When applying for specialties, consider these questions:
Where do I want to go?
What does daily life look like in those specialties?
What skills are essential for working in those specialties?
What steps do I need to take to get there?
Make the job easy for the hiring manager. Prove that you are the right candidate by showing your commitment to the position. Show, don’t tell. One of the questions in my nursing school interview was, “What have you done to prepare yourself for a career in medicine?” I confidently responded, “I joined the military to gain experience in medicine before attending school.”
Ask yourself: What are you doing to prepare for the specialty?
Emergency Department: Have you taken ACLS, PALS, or IV courses? Have you worked on your time and crisis management skills? Have you learned about trauma, psychiatric, and basic wound care?
Remote Positions: Have you decided which remote position is right for you? Have you looked into the skills needed for those positions? Have you worked on your typing speed and ensured you have strong internet speeds at home? Have you demonstrated problem-solving skills and the ability to work autonomously?
With a proactive approach, your resume can take you further than you ever imagined. Just like the saying goes, “Dress for the job you want, not the job you have.” Always remember to:
“Tailor your resume to the job you want, not the job you have.”
Once you know which way you are going, if you need an ATS (Applicant Tracking System) friendly template to help your resume into the hands on a real human being, consider purchasing my resume and cover letter template package. You will receive multiple templates to choose from with tips and tricks to help you along your journey:
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