Nursing can be competitive. It’s paradoxical. There are tons of nursing jobs, and yet each hospital needs only a handful of people. While you probably won’t have trouble finding work as an RN, you may struggle to land your dream job.
What is the recipe for a resume that will allow you to stand out against the competition? In this article, we take an in-depth look at factors that help nurses find work. Read on to learn more!
What Features Improve a Nurse’s Resume?
Though the world of healthcare may be in need of new nurses, that isn’t to say that the hiring process never gets competitive. Whether you are applying for a specialty position or simply looking for work in an unusually crowded marketplace, it’s important to have a resume that stands out.
Effective resumes:
· Reflect on your experience: This is particularly important for people who want to work in a specialized nursing field. Many specialty certifications will require you to log a certain amount of hours working in a setting related to the one you want to pivot into. For example, if you want to be a forensic nurse, you will need to work in a position related to forensic nursing before you can become certified. Know the requirements for the position you are interested in and work on developing a resume that satisfies them.
· Highlight your USP: In marketing and sales, USP stands for “unique selling point.” The thing that makes one product different from its competitors. What makes you different than the other job candidates? The key is to identify this and communicate it as concisely as possible.
· Be concise: Keep in mind that resumes are just the first touch point during the hiring process.
This isn’t the time to tell your life story. The job of a resume is simply to communicate to a potential employer that you are worth interviewing. One good page is usually plenty.
Psst. Over here. Quick tip? If you’re new to nursing or otherwise lacking confidence in your resume, that’s ok. Nurses have the benefit of working in a seller’s market. Hospitals need what you’ve got. If your resume isn’t quite competitive enough to land you your dream job yet, that is ok.
Gain experience. Work hard. Seek out additional certifications. You’ll get there eventually. There are TONS of ways for experienced nurses to pivot into exciting careers. Sometimes, it just takes a little while to get your foot in the door.
What is the Quickest Way to Become a Nurse?
Let’s say you are considering pivoting into a career in nursing. That’s exciting news! Nursing is a popular second career because it gives people the chance to earn a competitive salary doing work that feels meaningful to them.
Because there is such a high demand for nurses, there are also many pathways toward this career.
If you already have a college degree, you can become a nurse relatively quickly by participating in an accelerated program. These courses typically take around 18 months to complete. Naturally, they move very quickly and require almost full-time dedication to your education.
If you are ineligible for an accelerated program or simply cannot commit to a curriculum that moves that quickly there are other options to keep in mind.
You can become a registered nurse through a traditional four-year program that involves earning your bachelor’s degree. This route takes longer, but it does provide a little bit more flexibility. If your life gets busy, you can slow down and take on a lighter semester. If you wind up with free time, you can potentially complete your degree a little bit quicker.
There’s also no reason to stick to a traditional timeline. Start slow with a few courses once a semester. Decide if you are even truly interested in nursing before you take the plunge as a full-time student.
Some people find that they like the idea of nursing but are overwhelmed by the pressures of the job. If you can figure that out before you’ve completed an eighteen-month training program, it’s all the better.
Bottom line? Figure out which path toward certification works best for you.
Are There Other Ways to Stand Out?
One of the best ways to stand out in the field of nursing is to earn additional degrees or certifications.
Nurses willing to go to graduate school can become nurse practitioners. Not only does this move have the potential to increase your salary significantly, but it also allows you to work with much greater autonomy in the healthcare field of your choice.
You specialize. Focus on aspects of nursing that are the most interesting and rewarding to you.
If you don’t want to get a graduate degree, you can achieve similar results by seeking out additional certification programs. These opportunities are generally less intensive than graduate school.
They are also usually more affordable. You can generally complete them while working as a nurse. Sometimes, your job responsibilities may even satisfy certain certification completion requirements, making it easier to complete the curriculum. If you are interested in a nursing certification program, speak with your current employer to find out if they have tuition assistance.
Note also that you may be able to apply for jobs that require additional certifications without actually having completed the program. Employers are often willing to work with talented nurses who want to get certified in a specialty field.
In certain cases, they may even pay for you to complete the program.
In all cases, your résumé as a nurse will develop and improve over time. With the demand for nursing being as high as it is, you may find quick employment right out of school. That doesn’t mean you’ll land your dream job right away.
It does mean you have a good opportunity to gain experience, strengthen your résumé, and be more competitive the next time a position you are truly passionate about opens up.
