Tips for New Grad Nurses on Resumes, Applications, and Interviews

by | May 29, 2018 | Podcasts, Nursing Jobs & Interviews | 0 comments

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Who You’ll Hear

Kati Kleber, MSN RN– Nurse educator, former cardiac med-surg/stepdown and neurocritical care nurse, author, and speaker.

Melissa Stafford, BSN RN CCRN SCRN – highly experienced and currently practicing nationally certified neurocritical care nurse.

Elizabeth Mills, BSN RN CCRN – highly experienced neurocritical care nurse, current Stroke Navigator for a Primary Stroke Center.

Resumes

  • Perfect, no typographical errors
  • Don’t put all of your clinical experience
    • Put things that are relevant to this job
  • Put people other than your clinical instructors; nurses on the unit, MD’s, manager
    • Get a team of cheerleaders – people who will vouch for you
  • Networking begins in nursing school
    • Make a good impression EVERYWHERE
  • Don’t think only clinical people can write resumes
    • Volunteers, administrators, administrative assistants, leadership

Applications

  • Don’t wait until graduation to apply
    • Do this way before graduation
    • Look at the websites of prospective facilities
  • HR departments are slow
    • Give it a few weeks before calling about the status of an application
    • Many won’t even let you call them; they just update online portals
  • Video interview tips
    • Don’t look at the floor
    • Look at what’s behind you – remember they are seeing that!
    • Don’t wait until the last day

Interviews

  • First impression begins with scheduling the interview
    • Don’t be difficult to schedule because it looks bad
  • Look up information on the facility, work into the conversation
  • Questions beforehand
    • Go over them at home, with others – even if it looks silly!
  • Strike the balance between confident and cocky
  • Handwritten thank you note post-interview – looks awesome
  • Make sure you’re speaking positively about yourself and not negatively about others to make yourself to look good
  • Dress appropriately for the interview. Check out this post for tips: What to Wear to a Nursing Interview

More Nurse Job Application, Resumes, and Interview Resources

Want to stand out and get hired fast?

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Job hunting right out of nursing school is so overwhelming. One minute you’re trying to figure out what to wear to the interview, and the next you’re spiraling because you forgot to ask a question at the end. Hired is your no-fluff, step-by-step guide to standing out in a sea of new grads. Learn exactly what hiring managers are looking for (from nurses who’ve interviewed hundreds of new grads!), how to answer tough questions without rambling, and what not to do on your resume. With real-world examples, scripts, and subtle insider tips, this course is your job-hunting playbook. You bring the ambition. We’ll help you get in the door.
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Picture of Kati Kleber, founder of FRESHRN

Hi, I’m Kati.

I'm a nurse educator, author, national speaker, and host of the FreshRN® Podcast. I created FreshRN® – an online platform meant to educate, encourage, and motivate newly licensed nurses in innovative ways.

Connect with me on YouTube, Pinterest, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook, and sign-up for my free email newsletter for new nurses.

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