HEALTHCARE CAREER GUIDEBOOK
Table of Contents 1. Introduction Page 3 2. Before You Graduate Page 4 3. Gaining Experience Page 4 4. Employment Options Page 5 5. Making the Most of your Clinicals Page 6 6. References Page 7 7. Creating a Resume Page 8 Action Words Page 9-10 Resume Format Page 11 8. How to Create a CV Page 12-13 Sample Resumes and CV Sarah Stone (Intern) Page 14 Katerina Rogers (Soon to be grad BSN) Page 15 Mary Smith (Soon to be grad BSN) Page 16 Kat Parker (Chronological/Skill focus recent graduate) Page 17 Parminder Nagra (Recent graduate) Page 18 Anthony Rivera (CDP) Page 19 Jamie Jones (Experienced RN) Page 20 Jane Malinowski (Chronological Combined Degree CDP) Page 21 William Burns (FNP) Page 22 Kara Carducci (Physician Assistant CV) Page 23-24 9. Correspondence Page 25 - Writing a Personal Statement Page 26-27 Letter of Inquiry/ Cover Letter Page 28 Letter of Approach Page 29 Thank You Letter Page 30 Reference Sheet Page 31 Networking/Informational Interview Request Letter Page 32-33 10. Interviewing for the Job Page 34 Questions for Nurses Page 35 Questions for PAs Page 36 11. Professional Organizations Page 37-39 Nursing Page 37 PAs Page 38 FNP &Nurse Educators Page 39 12. Information/Job Search Websites Page 40 13. Hospitals by Location Page 41-42 14. Contact Us Page 43 2 P age
Introduction This booklet is designed to provide you with practical insight and information to guide you through the process of planning your career and conducting your job search. Career Services encourages you to use this guide, as well as our other services to assist you in reaching your goal. Visit our homepage at pace.edu/careers to view a variety of resources including the Pace erecruiting job board, job search strategy guides, and health career related websites where you can find job postings and pertinent information. Make an appointment with a Career Services Counselor to develop your resume and strengthen your interviewing skills. The key to successful career planning is a combination of opportunity and careful preparation. Career Services is there to help you locate opportunities and prepare an effective job search. Good Luck! 3 P age
Before You Graduate Your education and preparation will be the key to meeting your professional goals. Planning your future and exploring the many opportunities available to you are all part of the educational process. Should you continue on for an advanced degree? What are the opportunities in healthcare? As you begin to plan and explore, your goals should become clearer. Here are some recommendations for developing your career action plan before you graduate: Take stock of yourself. Assess your skills, strengths, preferences, values, needs, limitations, hopes and dreams Gain a strong understanding of how the healthcare system works Become knowledgeable about professional options and where they currently exist Get involved in professional organizations and student chapters Attend job and career fairs. Use the Internet research employers before you go Gain experience working in a healthcare setting with a variety of populations Seek out volunteer opportunities Develop professional contacts and conduct informational interviews with Pace alumni Try to develop readily transferable skills such as computer applications or the ability to speak and understand a foreign language Create a professional resume or cv Develop your personal action plan Gaining Experience Getting a head start in your career may be accomplished in several ways. You might be able to gain pre-professional experience by obtaining a summer part-time job in your field of interest. For example, you might want to specialize in cardiac care. An internship in a hospital emergency room or step-down/telemetry unit may help you solidify your desire to be in that specialty. A part time job or volunteer work in a similar situation will also help you decide if that particular interest should be your career goal. Many students also find work in camps, nursing homes, or healthcare facilities through temporary employment agencies and internet websites specializing in healthcare positions. Get started by setting up an appointment with a counselor in the Career Services office. 4 P age
Employment Site Options The list below reflects the various environments where healthcare professionals are working. Many of them do require master s degrees and further preparation. As you embark upon your career path, consider working in the following areas: Ambulatory Care Centers Armed Services Birth Centers Business and Industry Centers for Nursing Research Mission Services Clinics and Medical Centers Colleges and Universities Community Education Programs Correctional Facilities Daycare Centers Diabetes Care Clinics Dialysis Centers Educational Institutions (K-12) Embassies/Consulates HMOs Healthcare Staffing Agencies Healthcare Websites Home Healthcare Agencies Hospices Hospitals Humanitarian Organizations Indian Health Service (HIS) Insurance Companies Law Firms Medical &Health Publications Medical Equip. Manufacturers Medical Marketing Firms Mental Health Facilities Military Bases National Institute for Nursing Government Agencies Non-Governmental Orgs. Nurse-Run Clinics Nursing Care Facilities Outpatient Surgery Centers Peace Corps Pharmaceutical Companies Physicians Offices Medical Groups Private Households Professional Associations Psychiatric Hospitals Mental Health Agencies Public Health Service Red Cross Rehabilitation Centers Religious Organizations Schools of Nursing Senior Centers Social Service Agencies State & Local Health Depts. Summer Camps Teaching Hospitals Travel Companies Veterans Affairs Wellness Centers World Health Organization *Hospitals locations are listed on pages 5 P age
Making The Most of Your Clinical Experience Your clinicals are an important part of your education and career development experience. Take advantage of the time you spend in various health care settings to establish yourself as a hard working, enthusiastic, and flexible professional. Keep some of the following thoughts in mind when completing your clinical courses: Look at each location as a possible potential employer. As soon as you begin the rotation you may be evaluated as a future employee or someone to be recommended for employment elsewhere Seek out your instructor so that you can make a positive lasting impression as well as to gain feedback about your work Keep a journal of your experiences. These details will be helpful when updating your resume or cv and when preparing for interviews Observe all professional activities within the facility. Are there any you could take advantage of or participate in to begin to network or gain additional experience? Obtain letters of recommendation prior to the clinical ending for your records and future use Obtain the name of the recruiter and try to set up an exploratory interview with him/her. Discuss your resume and general requirements for entry level employment Be sure to end your experience positively. Send a note to the instructor with a copy of your resume or cv 6 P age
Letters of Recommendation Letters of recommendation have long been a part of the screening and selection process in the healthcare field. At some point during the employment process you will be asked for references. Letters of recommendation should be gathered well in advance of your job search. Ask faculty, clinical supervisors, employers and other professionals to write your references. We suggest 3-5 five letters. Plan ahead and allow plenty of time for them to write them. Explain to your references the areas which you would like them to write about in the letter. By doing this, you will be assured that each letter will cover different aspects of your talents and activities and will be specific to you. Provide your references with a timeline and stamped addressed envelope for return. Write your references a thank-you note to let them know you appreciate their time and effort. Helpful Information to Provide Recommenders may ask you for any of the following to make writing the reference easier: Resume or curriculum vitae Copy of transcript and/or list of courses completed Copy of a graded paper or an exam written for a course Explanation of the student s career goals or type of job or graduate school he/she hopes to enter A list of the student s accomplishments Any suggested topics the student has on what s/he would like to be addressed in the letter Copy of the application essay or fellowship statement of purpose Any literature that describes the fellowship, program, job for which the student is applying Specific recommendation forms or questionnaires (if they are provided for the letter writer) to complete in advance of the date the recommendation is due Phone number and address of where the student can be reached 7 P age
Creating Your Resume Your resume is your ticket to the interview. Depending on your educational background, experience and career goals, you may want to craft a Curriculum Vitae. See page 14 for more information. Both CVs and resumes are a summary of your education, experiences, skills, achievements, knowledge, accomplishments, licensure and strengths. These documents are your marketing tool to sell or advertise yourself to a potential employer. Begin by gathering your thoughts, by considering your education, work experiences and your accomplishments. A resume should be more than just a historical account. Think about your specific healthcarerelated skills: assessment, diagnostic, intervention and evaluation. Review the skills you ve developed, your accomplishments and the activities in which you ve been involved. As you think about these and your past jobs, review the list of action verbs and personal characteristics on the following pages. These should help you describe activities and accomplishments. Include specific results and outcomes on your document by using such phrases as benefited the team by..., or improved patient care. These kinds of statements show more than just your responsibilities on a particular job. Keep in mind the following guidelines for putting together your RESUME: Create a 1 page resume, 2 pages if necessary Stress your inventory of readily transferable (these are skills that were developed in one setting but can be applied to other settings) and highly desirable job skills such as interpersonal communication, critical thinking, clinical decision making, and the ability to work as a team member Highlight the skills and experiences most relevant to the position which you are seeking, your achievements and results Use bullets, bolding, indentation, and capitals as well as positive action words (see pages 12-13) Check grammar and spelling carefully-proofread!! Make sure that your resume is neat and visually appealing Make sure to use resume quality paper when printing the resume Include a phone number with an outgoing message that is concise and professional Include your e-mail address and remember to check for messages daily Include your clinical experiences and preceptorships List most recent and relevant experience, not necessarily your entire employment history 8 P age
Action Words abstracted chaired determined expressed accelerated changed developed extracted achieved charted devised fabricated acted clarified diagnosed facilitated acquired classified directed familiarized activated coached discharged filed adapted collaborated discovered filtered addressed collected dispensed figured adjusted combined displayed fixed administered communicated disposed forecasted adopted compiled disproved formulated advertised completed dissected forwarded advised composed distributed founded aligned computed diversified framed allocated computerized diverted gathered amplified conceived documented generated analyzed conceptualized doubled governed anticipated conciliated drafted greeted applied concluded dramatized guided appointed condensed drew headed appraised conducted drove helped approved confronted edited hired arbitrated consolidated educated identified arranged constructed effected illustrated ascertained conserved eliminated implemented assembled consulted employed improved assessed contracted enabled improvised assigned controlled encouraged inaugurated assisted coordinated endorsed incorporated attained corrected enforced increased attracted corresponded engaged indexed audited counseled engineered indoctrinated augmented created enlarged influenced authorized cultivated entered informed balanced decentralized entertained initiated billed decreased established innovated bought deferred estimated input budgeted defined evaluated inspected built delegated examined inspired calculated delivered executed installed calibrated demonstrated exhibited instituted captured designed expanded instructed interacted perfected rendered subscribed interpreted performed renegotiated succeeded intervened persuaded reorganized suggested interviewed photographed repaired summarized introduced piloted replaced supervised 9 P age
invented pioneered reported supplied inventoried planned represented supported invested played researched surpassed investigated predicted resolved surveyed judged prepared responded synthesized launched prescribed restored systematized lectured preserved restricted tabulated led presented retrieved talked lightened presided reviewed taught liquidated prevented revised tended listened printed revitalized tested localized prioritized rewrote tightened located processed rotated timed maintained procured saved traced managed produced scanned traded mapped programmed scheduled trained marketed projected screened transcribed measured promoted selected transferred mediated proposed served translated memorized protected settled transmitted mentored provided set up treated minimized publicized shaped trimmed modeled published simplified tripled modernized purchased sketched troubleshot modified quoted sold tutored monitored raised solved uncovered motivated reasoned sorted undertook navigated reclaimed sparked unified negotiated recommended spearheaded updated networked reconciled specified upgraded observed recorded spoke utilized obtained recruited started validated operated redesigned stimulated vitalized ordered reduced straightened volunteered organized referred streamlined widened originated regulated strengthened withdrew overhauled rehabilitated stretched won oversaw related structured wrote participated remodeled studied 10 P age
Resume Formats There are two basic formats for the resume: chronological and functional. You may also use a combination both. CHRONOLOGICAL The information is organized in reverse chronological order and the most recent information appears first. This is best used by people who have a solid work history in the same field in which they are seeking employment. FUNCTIONAL This format is organized by specific skill areas or functions. For example you may select three or four skills to highlight such as clinical, problem solving, analytical and management skills. This style of resume allows you to focus the attention on your skills and strengths while it de-emphasizes dates and job titles. What to Include on Your Resume HEADING Name, address, phone, e-mail. Make sure your name stands out clearly. OBJECTIVE OR PROFILE (OPTIONAL) An objective should state a specific goal. A profile is 1-3 sentences summarizing your experience, strengths and focus. SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS For experienced grads, highlights of your accomplishments or overview of your strength areas. May include clinical skills that you would like to highlight. EDUCATION For new graduates, put this before work experience. More senior candidates put this toward the end. Include honors and awards, scholarships, GPA (if over 3.0). LICENSURE/CERTIFICATIONS Include types, states and license #. CLINICAL EXPERIENCE For new grads, list where you were placed and what units. Include specific training and exposure here. You might also decide to separate your clinical rotations from Preceptorships in another section to highlight it. ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE This includes any work experience that was non clinical in nature. It demonstrates your work maturity and general knowledge of what it means to be an employee. PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS/AFFILIATIONS AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES List groups you belong to and positions you held, if any. You may include your volunteer work here. SKILLS Include foreign language, computer, etc. REFERENCES (OPTIONAL) Upon Request (This is usually filler) 11 P age
HOW TO CREATE A CV (Curriculum Vitae) What are the differences between Resumes and CVs? Resume Generally limited to one page Concise, brief listing of relevant experiences and skills Primarily used in the U.S. Used when applying to positions outside of academia Contains no personal information (birth date, marital status, nationality, etc) Is used to create a professional identity Tailored to the position you are seeking Curriculum Vitae Longer than a resume, up to two or more pages Used in the U.S. when applying for academic, education, scientific or research positions Provides more detailed synopsis of your background and skills than a resume Includes a summary of your educational and academic backgrounds as well as teaching and research experience, publications, presentations, awards, honors, affiliations and other details Is used to create a scholarly identity Tailored to the position one is seeking Often used by Physician Assistants What is a CV? Curriculum vitae, also known as a CV, literally means Course of Life. A CV is a more extensive summary of what one has done professionally than a resume. It is your chance to provide both a detailed and comprehensive description of your academic credentials and experience. It is viewed as a marketing tool and is used primarily by those who hold master s or doctoral degrees when they apply for teaching or research positions at colleges, universities and research institutions. A CV should be updated frequently based on the developments in a scholar s career. What should I include? Your CV is your paper introduction to potential employers. It should be clear, concise and easy to read so that you will be considered for an interview by a search committee. The following categories are often included: Contact info (Name, address, telephone and e-mail) Business info Licenses Education (Degrees, awarding institutions and dates) Dissertation or thesis title(s), names of advisor and committee members Awards/grants Post-doctoral training/fellowships Academic appointments Hospital affiliated appointments (if applicable) Publications and conference presentations Teaching experience and interests Related experience (for example, administrative or editorial experience) Languages or other skills (including technology) Extracurricular activities/community service Service and membership in professional associations 12 P age
How should I organize my CV? Two common strategies that apply to CV's as well as resumes are gapping and parallelism. Gapping is the use of incomplete sentences in order to present your information as clearly and concisely as possibly. Parallelism is also very important to a strong CV. Generally, you will want to keep the structure of your phrases and/or sentences consistent throughout your document. Thus, if you use a particular verb tense in one portion of your CV to describe your duties, try to use the same throughout your CV. Additionally, be consistent in your use of punctuation, type face and indentation. Finally, liberal use of white space and judicious use of bold type can help make your CV easier to read. Use topical headings and consider that what comes first will receive the most emphasis. New job seekers usually open with their academic preparation, drawing attention to their degrees. Experienced job seekers, however, may begin with their current positions. How long should my CV be? Content determines the length of the CV. A current student will likely have a CV two to four pages in length, however, more experienced individuals can create vitae that may be ten pages or more. DOs: Maintain plenty of white space (in the margins, between listings, etc.) Using large enough type font to make it easy to read Preserve order by labeling each page with your name and the page number Organize content by providing clear explanations and intuitive listings/sections Proofread information to catch errors Include name and page number on each page after the first DON Ts: Don t have any typos due to spelling or grammatical errors Don t rely on your computer program s spell check function; it won t always detect when you ve substituted the wrong word Don t ignore aesthetics: Don t skimp on space by cramming your content together, minimizing margins or lumping separate ideas into lengthy paragraphs; emphasize independent points with separations so that your CV will be easy to read Don t include private personal information such as age, ethnicity, political affiliation, religion, social security number, marital status, place of birth, height, sexual orientation, weight or health information Don t rely on a template Your CV should be designed to showcase your unique experiences. Your primary goal is to highlight the talents that make you stand out. Play to your individual strengths and don t worry if you use a different format than others. If you speak a challenging foreign language or two, list them. Spotlighting specialties in your background might increase your eligibility for specialized scholarships. Finally, meet with a career counselor to review your CV and show it to your professors to solicit their feedback. BOTH RESUME AND CV SAMPLES ARE DISPLAYED ON PAGES 16-26 13 P age
Sample: Summer Internship Sarah Stone Present Address Permanent Address Pace University, Box 165 758 Hunter Street Pleasantville, NY 10570 Queens, NY 10469 (914) 555-5101 (718) 555-2531 sstone@pace.edu sstone@pace.edu OBJECTIVE A summer position in the field of nursing to complement my academic program. EDUCATION Pace University, Lienhard School of Nursing New York, NY Bachelor of Science in Nursing Expected June 20xx Pace Merit Scholarship GPA: 3.2 COURSEWORK SKILLS: Anatomy & Physiology, Health & Health Promotion, Chemistry, Nursing & Health Restoration for Individuals and Families, Substance Abuse Knowledge of MS (Word, PowerPoint, Excel), Internet CLINICAL Columbia Presbyterian Hospital New York, NY ROTATIONS Newborn Nursery Spring 20xx The New York Hospital Cornell Medical Center Psychiatric North Central Bronx Obstetrics Lenox Hill Hospital Medical/Surgical New York, NY Fall 20xx Bronx, NY Spring 20xx New York, NY Fall 20xx RELATED Our Lady of Mercy Hospital Bronx, NY EXPERIENCE Nurse s Aide July 20xx-Present Assist patients with activities of daily living including bathing, dressing, and ambulation Take vitals (blood-pressure, pulse, temperature, and respiration) Assess the progress of the patient as well as any needs the patient might have for medical intervention and report to the medical team Follow proper protocol in infection control for the safety and well-being of all patients ADDITIONAL YWCA New York, NY EXPERIENCE Junior Counselor/Day Camp Summer 20xx AFFILIATIONS Student Nurse Association at Pace, President 14 P age
Sample: Soon-To-Be Graduate Katerina Rogers 50 Skyview Drive, Apt. 7 Peekskill, NY 10566 (914) 555-7887 KR57540p@pace.edu EDUCATION Pace University, Lienhard School of Nursing, Pleasantville, NY Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree candidate CERTIFICATIONS & LICENSURE Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certified, American Red Cross National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses Expected 5/20xx 6/20xx-Present Expected 6/20xx PRECEPTORSHIPS Emergency Room Externship, Northern Westchester Hospital, Mt. Kisco, NY Spring 20xx Built first-rate critical thinking skills and provided urgent care during triage assessment Monitored patient flow with a focus on the highest level of care Provided support to the healthcare team and formed an excellent rapport Administered medications, urinary catheterizations, performed IV insertions and blood transfusions Worked with both patients and their caregivers to ensure their understanding of their care plan upon discharge Maintained accuracy and confidentiality when charting and documenting patient information Transplant Unit Externship, NY Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY Fall 20xx Gained insight into the planning and implementation patient care Ensured that established procedures were followed and that any patient changes were noted Performed the changing of dressings, sterile dressing of PICC lines, pre-op checks and glucose monitoring CLINICAL ROTATIONS Leadership: Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, NY Fall 20xx Critical Care: VA Hospital, New York, NY Fall 20xx Cardiac Step-Down/ Telemetry: Montefiore Einstein, Bronx, NY Spring 20xx Pediatrics: Maria Fareri Children's Hospital, Valhalla, NY Spring 20xx Medical/Surgical: Montefiore Einstein, Bronx, NY Fall 20xx Psychiatric: Stamford Hospital, Stamford, CT Spring 20xx Geriatrics: Schnurmacher Nursing Home, White Plains, NY Spring 20xx Pediatrics: St. Mary s Children s Hospital, Ossining, NY Fall 20xx Obstetrics: Phelps Hospital, Tarrytown, NY Fall 20xx RELATED EXPERIENCE Patient Cart Technician, NYU Medical Center, New York, NY 8/20xx- Present Provide care for critically ill cancer patients in the ICU Respond to patient calls and requests for assistance promptly Assist with personal hygiene and feed patients if they are unable to feed themselves Monitor and record vital signs - temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and respiration rates Observe, record and report a patients physical, mental, and emotional condition Set up and operate therapeutic equipment and supplies Comforted patients and families with end of life process Childcare Provider, The Clark Family, Westchester, NY 1/20xx-Present Provide childcare to three boys, one of whom has Insulin dependent diabetes SKILLS Computer literate: well-versed in Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint 15 P age
Sample: Soon-To-Be Graduate Mary Smith 45 River Street, Jackson Heights, NY 11372 (718) 555-7995 msmith23@gmail.com PROFILE Highly motivated, team-oriented and compassionate individual ready to give the highest level of care as a RN EDUCATION Pace University, Lienhard School of Nursing, Pleasantville, NY GPA: 3.52 Bachelor of Science in Nursing Expected May 20xx University of Applied Sciences Stockholm Stockholm, Sweden Study Abroad, Nursing Leadership in an International Context July 2010 Examined the strategic and clinical role a nurse leader plays in healthcare CERTIFICATIONS & LICENSURE NCLEX Licensure Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Expected July 20xx July 20xx-Present PRECEPTORSHIPS Veterans Affairs Medical Center, New York, NY Spring 20xx Surgical Intensive Care Unit (150 hours) Assisted RN in providing comprehensive care for critically ill surgical and trauma patients Built skills in the areas of documentation, phlebotomy, monitoring lab values, and medication administration Jacoby Medical Center, Bronx, NY Fall 20xx Medical Intensive Care Unit (75 hours) Shadowed RN in a fast-paced environment learning how to care for critically ill patients with a variety of diagnoses Gained exposure to mechanical ventilators, dialysis, and wound & tracheotomy care CLINICAL ROTATIONS Community: Henry Street Settlement, New York, NY Medical-Surgical (2 Semesters): Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, NY Maternity: Lawrence Hospital, Bronxville, NY Pediatrics: Blythedale Children s Hospital, Valhalla, NY Psychiatric: Beth Israel Medical Center, New York, NY Geriatric: Schnurmacher Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing, White Plains, NY Spring 20xx Fall 2010/Spring 20xx Spring 20xx Fall 20xx Spring 20xx Spring 20xx WORK EXPERIENCE Saint Vincent s Hospital, New York, NY September 20xx-Present One-to-One Companion Provide continuous supervision to patients requiring observation Maintain a safe environment for the delivery of excellent patient care Communicate pertinent observations and concerns of patients to the Registered Nurse Westchester County Medical Center, Valhalla, NY June 20xx-August 20xx Nurse Extern Provided patient care for up to six patients per shift ensuring that each individual s needs were met Performed selected procedures and treatments under the supervision of a Registered Nurse Documented relevant patient information to Eclipsys XA appropriately ACTIVITIES Member, Sigma Theta Tau International Society of Nursing, Zeta Omega Chapter Member, Student Nurses at Pace (S.N.A.P) Volunteer, NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center Fall 20xx-Present Fall 20xx-Present June 20xx-August 20xx 16 P age
Sample: Chronological/Skill Focus Recent Graduate KAT PARKER 867 Main Street Hartsdale, NY 10530 (914) 868-9595 Kp45905n@pace.edu EDUCATION Pace University, Lienhard School of Nursing; Pleasantville, NY Bachelor of Science in Nursing LICENSURE & CERTIFICATIONS Nclex-RN Examination Advanced Cardiac Life Support Basic Life Support May 20xx Expected July 20xx April 20xx July 20xx CLINICAL EXPERIENCE Surgical Telemetry Preceptorship: VA Hospital; Manhattan, NY Spring 20xx Community Nurse: Visiting Nurse Association of Hudson Valley; Tarrytown, NY Spring 20xx School Nurse: Brookside Elementary School; Ossining, NY Spring 20xx NICU Preceptorship: White Plains Hospital; White Plains, NY Fall 20xx Leadership: Westchester Medical Center; Valhalla, NY Fall 20xx Critical Care: VA Hospital; Manhattan, NY Fall 20xx Psychiatric: New York Presbyterian Hospital; White Plains, NY Spring 20xx Cardiac Step-down/Telemetry: Montefiore Einstein Hospital; Bronx, NY Spring 20xx Critical Pediatrics: Maria Fereri Children's Hospital; Valhalla, NY Fall 20xx Medical/Surgical: Northern Westchester Hospital; Mt. Kisco, NY Fall 20xx Pediatrics: Children's Hospital at Montefiore; Bronx, NY Spring 20xx Geriatrics: Schnurmacher Nursing Home; White Plains, NY Spring 20xx Obstetrics: Phelps Hospital; Tarrytown, NY Fall 20xx SKILLS Computers: Proficient in PC & Macintosh applications and internet Clinical: Perform head to toe assessment of all ages, vitals, administering medications & blood products, injections, IV insertion & removal, phlebotomy, glucose monitoring, administering tube feedings, nasogastric tube placement, suctioning, urinary catheterizations, clean & sterile dressing change, proper telemetry & EKG lead placement, postpartum care, documenting patient care, SBAR, therapeutic communication, mini mental status exam, patient teaching and education, application of critical thinking, support nursing staff in delivering patient care WORK EXPERIENCE Power Health Gym; Hartsdale, NY September 20xx-Present Sales Manager Provide first-rate customer service and encourage health, wellness, and fitness Motivate sales staff and monitor their productivity by using protocols and a sales system program Utilize lead system and retention program to follow-up with prospective, current and past clients ACTIVITIES AND VOLUNTEER Student Nurses at Pace, Communications Director; Pleasantville, NY National Student Nurse Association, Member; Pleasantville, NY September 20xx-May 20xx January 20xx-May 20xx References and Portfolio Available Upon Request http://www.linkedin.com/pub/katparker/43/75/865 http://www.eportfolio.com/katparker 17 P age
Sample: Chronological Recent Graduate, BSN Parminder Nagra 4500 4 th Street (718) 555-6000 Brooklyn, New York 11235 pnagra@aol.com Objective: Education: May 2xxx June 2xxx Honors & Awards: Entry level staff RN position Pace University, Pleasantville, New York Bachelor of Science Major: Nursing Minor: Psychology QPA: 3.55 Brooklyn College, Brooklyn, New York Bachelor of Arts in Psychology Vivien B. Allen Scholarship The National Dean s List Sigma Theta Tau International: Honors Society of Nursing Switzer Foundation Scholarship Licensure/Certification: 6/xx Present Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation 6/xx NYCLEX RN, License # 12345 Clinical Experience: 1/xx Present 9/xx 12/xx 1/xx 5/xx St. Agnes Hospital, White Plains, New York Senior Practicum & Leadership Presentations: Riley-Day Syndrome, CHF Department of Health, New Rochelle, New York Neighborhood Health Center, Mount Vernon, New York Community Health Nursing Presentations: Arthritis, Tuberculosis, Assisted Living Facilities Cornell Medical Center, White Plains, New York Nursing and Restoration of Psychological Health Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York Nursing of the Childbearing Family Presentation: Sexual Abuse and Rape in Children 1/xx 12/xx Work Experience: 6/xx Present Activities: 9/xx 5/xx References: White Plains Hospital and Westchester Medical Center, White Plains, New York Medical Surgical Nursing Presentation: Medications Used in the Treatment of HIV/AIDS YAI/National Institute for People with Disabilities, New York, New York Medical Counselor Administer medication to 20 mentally-handicapped residents Supervise residents in obtaining adequate daily living skills Counsel residents on appropriate behavior in residence and community Student Nurses at Pace, Member Indian Student Association, Social Chairperson Rights & Fellowship: Promotion of Cultural Diversity, Fellow Furnished upon request 18 P age
Sample: Chronological Combined Degree CDP ANTHONY RIVERA 212 West 150 th Street, Apt. 45 New York, NY 10031 (212) 555-8389 arivera@hotmail.com EDUCATION Pace University, Lienhard School of Nursing Bachelor of Science in Nursing Vassar College Bachelor of Arts in Biology CLINICAL EXPERIENCE Psychiatry: New York Hospital, White Plains, NY Advanced Sr. Practicum in Medicine: Einstein Hospital, Bronx, NY Medical/Surgical: Our Lady of Mercy, Bronx, NY Pediatrics: Montefiore Hospital, Bronx, NY Obstetrics: Our Lady of Mercy, Bronx, NY Geriatrics: Schnurmacher Nursing Home, White Plains, NY WORK EXPERIENCE Nurse Leadership Forum, Pace University Assistant to the Editor Conduct research using relevant websites for presentations given by editor Follow up on submitted manuscripts and reviews Perform pertinent literature searches Center of Nursing Research, Pace University Research Assistant Assist faculty with organization of layout and content of grants applications Compile data from structured phone surveys and analyze data Conduct background literature searches on various healthcare related projects Pleasantville, NY June 20xx Poughkeepsie, NY June 20xx Fall 20xx Spring 20xx Fall 20xx Fall 20xx Summer 20xx Summer 20xx Pleasantville, NY 20xx-Present Pleasantville, NY 20xx-Present Department of Pediatric/Hematology-Oncology, Weill Medical College at Cornell University New York, NY Research Technician II 20xx-Present Carry out all aspects of tissue preparation for various types of histological analysis Design protocol related to cryopreservation, paraffin embedding, and staining of tissues from genetically engineered animals Perform immunohistochemistry techniques for light and electron microscopic level Maintain updated records of frozen and fixed tissue samples Archive microscopic slides as they are prepared VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE Office of Volunteers, Yale-New Haven Hospital New Haven, CT Medical Interpreter 20xx-20xx Interpreted medical related conversations and support visits with isolated Spanish speaking patients Assisted patients with appointments in Obstetric & Gynecology Department, plus on-call throughout hospital during evening hours SKILLS Languages: Fluent in Spanish Computers: Proficient in MS Office Software, Freehand 8.0, Canvas and Adobe Photoshop 19 P age
Sample: Chronological Combined Degree CDP Jane Malinokski 861 Bedford Road Pleasantville, NY 10570 (555) 453-9876 jmalinowski@optonline.net PROFILE Compassionate healthcare professional with a diverse background in education, counseling and science Project positive energy with a particular focus on active listening and understanding of individual needs Eager to make a valuable contribution to a healthcare team through diligent work and attention to detail Experienced critical thinker able to solve problems and respond quickly to achieve positive outcomes EDUCATION Pace University, Lienhard School of Nursing, Pleasantville, NY GPA: 3.45 Bachelor of Science in Nursing, CDP Program Conferred January 20xx SUNY Purchase, Purchase, NY M.Ed., Counseling and Human Development August 19xx B.S., Biology June 19xx CERTIFICATIONS & LICENSURE NCLEX Licensure Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Licensed NYS Teacher Permanently certified to teach Biology & Chemistry Expected March 20xx December 20xx-Present September 19xx PRECEPTORSHIPS Intensive Care Unit (90 hours), Lincoln Hospital, Montgomery, NY Fall 20xx Assisted RN in providing comprehensive care for critically ill patients and observed a number of surgical procedures Built skills in the areas of assessment, documentation (Pixis), phlebotomy, cardiac/respiratory monitoring, wound care, isolation procedures and medication administration (all routes) Gained exposure to all types of patients typically with multiple co-morbidities CLINICAL ROTATIONS Community: Henry Street Settlement, New York, NY Fall 20xx Leadership: Jacobi Medical Center, New York, NY Fall 20xx Medical-Surgical (2 Semesters): Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, NY Summer 20xx Maternity: Jacobi Medical Center New York, NY Summer 20xx Pediatrics: Maria Fareri Children's Hospital, Valhalla, NY Summer 20xx Psychiatric: Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, NY Spring 20xx Geriatric: Lawrence Hospital, Bronxville, NY Spring 20xx SELECTED WORK HISTORY Secondary Science Teacher (Tenure granted in April, 20xx) 20xx- 20xx Mt. Hope School District (MHSD), Mt. Hope, NY Taught NYS Regents Chemistry, NYS Earth Science, and Physical Science courses to 9 th and 10 th grade Counselor St. George Rehabilitation Outpatient Clinic, St. George, NY 19xx-20xx Provided alcoholism and drug treatment counseling, mandated and otherwise, to the clinic s outreach population comprising the residents of Washington County in New York Oversaw various aspects of treatment for patients including: individual counseling and psychotherapy, group counseling, and behavior modification ACTIVITIES Oneonta Valley School District (OVSD), Oneonta, New York Fall 20xx - Present Board of Education Trustee Serve the students and taxpayers of OVSD in the governing the District s schools Oneonta Valley Schools Audit Committee Member Fall 20xx - Present Oversee the internal and external audit functions of the OVSD on behalf of the OVSD Board of Education SKILLS High level of technical proficiency, experienced in utilizing EMR & EMAR protocols, & conversant in Polish 20 P age
Sample: Functional/Experienced PROFILE Jamie Jones, RN 66 E. 6th Street New York, NY 10016 (212) 555-4567 Versatile health care practitioner with over fifteen years of experience in Primary Care in a variety of settings. Extensive knowledge of geriatric illnesses and over ten years educating families. SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS CLINICAL Assessed and treated chronic and acute illness with focus on prevention Assisted patients and families with discharge planning Led 5 support groups for family members of cancer patients TEACHING Developed staff workshops on Alzheimer s and other geriatric diseases Created orientation program for 10 new nurses Trained 25 RN s and LPN s on geriatric unit RESEARCH Chaired staff committee for clinical research on Alzheimer s Published article in American Nurse, January20xx entitled Discharge Planning for the Geriatric Patient EMPLOYMENT HISTORY Westchester Medical Center Supervising Nurse Northern Westchester Hospital Charge Nurse New York University Hospital Educational Specialist Valhalla, NY 20xx-Present Mt. Kisco, NY 20xx-20xx New York, NY 20xx-20xx EDUCATION Pace University Master of Arts in Nursing Education SUNY Buffalo Bachelor of Science in Nursing New York, NY 20XX Buffalo, NY 20XX LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION RN State of New York #76543 Certificate in Geriatric Nursing American Nurses Credential Center 20XX 20XX 20XX 21 P age
Sample: Master Candidate with Experience WILLIAM BURNS 32 West Way Staten Island, NY 10607 (718) 555-1952 OBJECTIVE A position as a Family Nurse Practitioner EDUCATION Pace University, Lienhard School of Nursing, Pleasantville, NY Master of Science, Family Nurse Practitioner, June 20xx Bachelor of Science, Nursing, June 20xx GPA: 3.31 Dean s List LICENSURE & CERTIFICATION Professional Registered Nurse, State of New York #89765 Emergency Medical Technician PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE XYZ University Hospital, New York, NY Staff Nurse/Assistant Unit Manager, 20xx-Present Manage day-to-day operations of 24 bed medical unit including 30 professional and non-professional nursing staff Serve as primary nurse for small patient load Supervise new RN staff Develop and implement quality assurance monitors for evaluation of nursing care outcomes Co-chair medical unit QA committee Participate in facility-wide products committee Helping Hands Ambulance Service, New York, NY Emergency Medical Technician, 20xx-20xx Provided emergency medical treatment to diverse population Coordinated on-site emergency response team Increased response to 911 calls by over 25% Received citation for exemplary service during World Trade Center collapse crisis AFFILIATIONS & PRESENTATIONS Student Nurses at Pace, Secretary, 20xx NY States Nurses Association, Member NY State Student Nurses Conference, Presented, Providing Quality Care in a College Health Center, May 20xx References Available Upon Request 22 P age
Sample: Physician Assistant CV Kara Carducci 17 East 50 th Street New York, NY 10017 (212) 555-2328 kcarducci@gmail.com Education Pace University, Physician Assistant Program, New York, NY MS in Physician Assistant Studies, Anticipated September 20xx GPA: 3.97 Academic Project: Community Oriented Primary Care Summer Assistantship: Collaborated with the North Shore Medical Center "A" Team, a clinic providing care to underserved patients with HIV/AIDS and other Sexually Transmitted Infections in organizing and creating a community awareness campaign regarding Hepatitis C infection/transmission Data from the project was published and used to guide Hepatitis C patient education within the clinic Clinical Rotations: Medicine Lennox Hill Hospital 8 weeks Ambulatory Medicine New York Family Doctors 4 weeks Ambulatory Medicine North Ridge Medical Associates 4 weeks Surgery Lennox Hill Hospital 8 weeks Pediatrics New York Presbyterian Hospital 6 weeks Ob/Gyn NYU Langone Medical Center 6 weeks ICU Lennox Hill Hospital 4 weeks ER New York Downtown Hospital 4 weeks Cardiology MT. Sinai Medical Center 4 weeks Elective (Family Practice) Hudson Family Medical 4 weeks Psychiatry White Plains Hospital 3 weeks Proficient in: Venipuncture, initiation of intravenous infusions, placement of NG tubes, obtaining and interpretation of EKGs, aseptic and isolation techniques, collection of cultures, arterial blood draws, CPR, placement of catheters, Papanicolaou cytology smears, wound care and dressing changes, closure of wounds via suture, staples, and dermabond, administration and prescription of medications. Experience in: Examination of eyes using fluoroscein staining, incision and drainage, removal of ocular foreign bodies, casting and splinting, cardiac defibrillation, assisted respiration, endoscopy, colonoscopy, insertion and removal of central lines, endotracheal intubation, insertion and removal of chest tubes, thoracentesis, paracentesis, lumbar puncture, and bronchoscopy. SUNY Albany, Albany, NY Bachelor of Science, Biology, 20xx GPA: 3.85 Dean s List, 20xx Employment Summary 20xx 20xx Mini Mobil Queens Blood Center Jackson Heights, NY Senior Technician On site supervisor and lead technician during mobile community blood drives. On site coordinator of bone marrow and rare blood donor drives. Supervised 2-15 staff/volunteers per day. Performed venipuncture for whole blood/sample collection. Screened donors for medical history, took vital signs and performed hematocrit testing. Monitored and cared for all donor reactions. Trained and precepted new staff. Also, responsible for post drive summary, donor health reports, computer/data entry, on-site maintenance, post donation evaluation and all on-site consultations with mobile coordinators and clinical program nurses. (40-50 hrs. per week) 23 P age
Kara Carducci Page 2 20xx 20xx Phlebotomist Park Avenue Medical Center New York, NY Performed venipuncture for laboratory testing on adults and children in both in-patient and outpatient settings. Educated patients on stool, occult blood and urine testing kits. Ordered and distributed diagnostic tests from outside laboratories. Trained new staff in venipuncture and laboratory procedures. Tended to all patient reactions and complications. (40-20 hrs. per week) 20xx 20xx Camp Counselor NY Parks and Recreation New York, NY Provided twenty-four hour care for children/young adults ages 4 to 21 who were developmentally disabled, learning disabled, ADHD, behaviorally and socially impaired, visual and hearing impaired and physically disabled. Supervised 8-10 campers and 1-2 assistant staff. Assisted campers with daily living and organized all activities and overnight excursion. (120 hrs. per week) 20xx 20xx Medical Records Clerk SUNY Albany Albany, NY Managed the order and distribution of patient medical records, computer registration, and data entry. Organized next-day outpatient files and answered all clinical and patient telephone or personal file requests. (20 hrs. per week) 19xx 20xx Lodge Leader Youth Charities, Inc. Albany, NY Supervised and directed camp based lodges consisting of four to five staff and 30 to 40 camper s ages 5 through 18. Responsible for scheduling and directing all camp activities and excursions. Provided staff scheduling and support. Offered immediate solutions to both common and extreme behavioral problems. (120 hrs. per week) Scholarships 20xx 20xx, US Department of Health and Human Services, National Health Service Corps Scholarship 20xx, SEARCH (Student Experiences and Rotations in Community Health) BDSC Scholarship program, New York Primary Care Association, Albany, NY 20xx, SEARCH, BDSC Summer Internship Scholarship, NJ Primary Care Association, New Brunswick, NJ 20xx, Scholarship Dean s List, SUNY Albany 19xx, Memorial Scholarship, Joseph Jeffers, Albany, NY 19xx, Memorial Scholarship, 1099 Masons, Albany, NY Honors and Awards 20xx, Employee of the Year Nominee, Park Avenue Medical Center 19xx, Saint Francis de Sales Award Certifications 20xx (Pending), Certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants 20xx 20xx, Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers 20xx, Emergency Medical Technician, SUNY Albany, Albany, NY 20xx, Phlebotomy, SUNY Albany, Albany, NY Professional Memberships 20xx 20xx, Student Member, American Academy of Physician Assistants 20xx 20xx, Student Member, New York State Society of Physician Assistants 20xx 20xx, Student Member, Society of Physician Assistant Students Volunteer Experience 20xx 20xx, 4-H Club Westlake Chapter fundraising initiative, NY Women s Shelter Children s Toy Drive, Holy Name Church Annual Summer Fundraising Carnival, White Lake Farms feed the hungry program 19xx 20xx, Habitat for Humanity, Albany, NY 19xx 19xx, Purple Paw Community Medicine: Educated Students on the risk of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections Computer Skills Computer charting and data entry, Word, Excel, PowerPoint 24 P age
Job Search Correspondence All business correspondence with potential employers should be created to make an impact. Your purpose is to seize the reader s attention, peak interest and clearly indicate your written communication and related skills. Don t underestimate the importance of what may be your first contact with a future employer. A well-written and personalized cover letter should accompany any resume sent to a prospective employer. Cover letters are one page, clear, concise, grammatically correct marketing pitches establishing you as a high value potential employee. This is your chance to introduce yourself, sell your background and qualifications and show how you are a good fit for the desired position. There are two types of cover letters: application and inquiry. The letter of application is used for a specific position that you know is currently available. The letter of inquiry is used to contact potential employers about possible job openings that have not been advertised. The examples on the following pages illustrate various types of job search correspondence. Remember to proofread your letter carefully and produce it on bond paper that matches your resume. Personal statement Letter of Inquiry/Cover Letter Thank You Letter Reference Sheet Networking Letter 25 P age
Questions to ask yourself before you write: Writing Personal Statements (Source: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/642/01/) What's special, unique, distinctive, and/or impressive about you or your life story? What details of your life (personal or family problems, history, people or events that have shaped you or influenced your goals) might help the committee better understand you or help set you apart from other applicants? When did you become interested in this field and what have you learned about it (and about yourself) that has further stimulated your interest and reinforced your conviction that you are well suited to this field? What insights have you gained? How have you learned about this field through classes, readings, seminars, work or other experiences, or conversations with people already in the field? If you have worked a lot during your college years, what have you learned (leadership or managerial skills, for example), and how has that work contributed to your growth? What are your career goals? Are there any gaps or discrepancies in your academic record that you should explain? Have you had to overcome any unusual obstacles or hardships (for example, economic, familial, or physical) in your life? What personal characteristics (for example, integrity, compassion, and/or persistence) do you possess that would improve your prospects for success in the field or profession? Is there a way to demonstrate or document that you have these characteristics? What skills (for example, leadership, communicative, analytical) do you possess? Why might you be a stronger candidate for graduate school and more successful and effective in the profession or field than other applicants? What are the most compelling reasons you can give for the admissions committee to be interested in you? General advice Answer the questions that are asked If you are applying to several schools (or scholarships), you may find questions in each application that are somewhat similar. Don't be tempted to use the same statement for all applications. It is important to answer each question being asked, and if slightly different answers are needed, you should write separate statements. In every case, be sure your answer fits the question being asked. Tell a story Think in terms of showing or demonstrating through concrete experience. One of the worst things you can do is to bore the admissions committee. If your statement is fresh, lively, and different, you'll be putting yourself ahead of the pack. If you distinguish yourself through your story, you will make yourself memorable. Be specific Your desire to become a healthcare professional or whatever should be logical should be the result of specific experience that is described in your statement. Your application should emerge as the logical conclusion to your story. 26 P age