Resume Writing for Travel Nursing
Standard resume writing rules really do not apply to Travel Nurse Resumes. A standard resume usually does not include the information that the Recruiter is looking for. The resume you submit doesn't usually get to the hospital or provider where you are applying. The agency you use will normally generate your resume based on the information you entered in your online application. But a great resume will make it easier to get onboard with the agency you desire.
First of all, the length of your resume does not matter at all. A one page resume is beneficial for conventions or job fairs but irrelevant when applying online. A complete resume which contains all your information is a great thing to have on hand. Then you have all the information in one place when you need it. Agencies use applicant tracking systems to generate the resumes they submit and this resume is usually massive. They contain page breaks and use large fonts with lots of spaces in between the lines and sections. Sometimes a one page resume can take two to three pages when submitted to the Agency's system.
First of all you should start with all the information about your certifications and licenses. This should be a specific heading strictly for this information. List each certification and license you have with the correct significations. Be specific. You would want to list that you have an RN license, not a nursing license, which could be either RN or LPN. If applicable, list the license or certification number. Some have numbers and some do not. If you don't include the license number the recruiter may have to look it up. Hospitals require the license number be included in submitted profiles. Normally a copy of the license verification from the state board's website is also required to assure that the candidate truly is licensed and that there are no disciplinary actions noted. If you include your license numbers it makes the recruiters job that much easier as there may be multiple people with the same name in your state, especially if you have a common name. Make sure to list the licensing or certifying body for each license as well as their expiration dates.
List all your specialties. A heading called Specialty or Specialties is good if you have more than one. List all the specialty acronyms and their full name and how many years experience you have for each. Normally your profile will include a list of skills and this is where you can include any details about special skills you have acquired.
Under the Work History Section you will want to be very thorough. Travel Nursing is unique and this part of your resume will be quite different from a conventional one. You will want to include the hospital's full official name to alleviate your recruiter having to look it up. Make sure to list your official job title and the exact dates of your employment at each facility.Also, list the details for each facility including what type of facility it is (trauma, acute care, children's, surgery, teaching) and the total beds. You can also include the patient ratio you were working with. List specific duties you performed at each facility as well. Be specific, don't generalize. If you have ever taken Charge Duty make sure and list that. Computer and/or charting systems you have used should be included. You will want to list the supervisor and their contact information for each assignment as well as what type of assignment. Was it a permanent position, travel assignment or PRN? The agency and contact information should be provided if it was a travel assignment.
In the Education section of your resume you will want to include the following information for each institution that is part of your nursing degree. List the full official name, the address and telephone number, the dates you attended and the degree you achieved from that facility.
There are also a few other items you may want to include on your resume such as any professional affiliations and of course any awards or professional honors you have received.
Finally if there are gaps of 30 days or more in between jobs you will want to explain these.
Remember the goal is to provide everything needed in your resume to minimize the time spent on submission and improve the chance of getting the job you are going for.
Here are some useful links:
Mary Crawford, HealthCare Employment Network
