Transition: Student to

Professional Nurse

By Angelica Brathwaite
&
Erica Sanchez
 Resume Preparation
Objective
 Your objective is the one that clearly underlines your aims and aspirations in that
profession. For example a Nursing Graduate will have to write an objective which is
concise and precisely speaks about his role that he wants to play in the Organization.
Eg: To secure a responsible position as Graduate Nurse, in which my education,
training and skills may be effectively utilized towards advancement.

Education
 Details of your education should be mentioned in a tabulated format with respect to
the degrees or the courses that the candidate would have undertaken in the past. The
latest degree or course comes first followed by the last completed course and hence
forth going backwards.
Eg: Graduate Nurse who has completed a post graduation or graduation course
is applying for a job or to a company their details should look below
 Associate in Applied Science June 2009
Experience/Clinical Training
 Training or experience is important when applying for a job so it should be well
presented. Most of the questions during an interview will be related to
previous jobs or clinical training received so you should be well prepared for it.
The name of organization, length of time, responsibilities and the
achievements that you may have achieved during your time there. The
experience/training portion should look like:

Long Island College Hospital School of Nursing Brooklyn, NY

Student Nurse August 2007 to June 2010
 Assisted in assessing, diagnosing, planning, implementing, and evaluating a
plan of care for patients.
 Conducted physical assessments.
 Performed personal care for patients with alteration in self care.
 Document ed in the patient’s medical record utilizing the nursing process.
 Conducted patient teaching/discharge instructions to patients under the
direct supervision of instructor.
 Performed procedures and treatments such as wound care and insertion of
catheters under the supervision of instructor.
 Administered prescribed medications with supervision of instructor.
Honors/Scholarships/Awards
 If you have won any competitions then they could also be highlighted here. For example a
Graduate Nurse could lay stress If they are a part of any honorary society or any nonprofit
organization .
 The honors section of a Graduate Nurse should look like below:
 Lilian Wald Scholarship
 LICHSON Service Award for Service to the School

Volunteer Service
 If you have volunteered at any organization then that should be added here
 Cobble Hill Nursing Home Brooklyn, NY Patient Care Technician
 Assisted patients with activities for daily living
 Taking vital signs

References
 The References are generally required so your teachers or college professors’ details could
be placed here. Ensure that the people whose names you enter know you well and do
inform them that you are placing their names as reference.
 For example the references section of a Graduate Nurse could also look like:
Nancy M. Dimauro, MA, RN, BC
Long Island College Hospital School of Nursing
(718) 780 - 1560
 The Interview
Pre-Interview Prep
The first items you should have ready are your credentials. The credentials you absolutely
need for your
nursing job interview are as follows:
 A copy of your complete résumé. Be sure to proofread for any mistakes.
 Copies of your nursing license or, if you have them, a copy of your notice of passing
board scores.
 Two copies of a complete, typed list of all references and previous managers. You will
need one copy for the HR department and one for the hiring manager. Be sure to include
their complete names, titles, current addresses and telephone numbers.
 You may be asked to give permission for a criminal background check. Be sure to have a
list of your addresses from the previous five to seven years.
 You may also want to bring along a copy of your recent cumulative grade report to show
that you are not at risk for failing the licensing exam.
Know the company
You should know about the hospital or institution you are interviewing for.
 Use the hospitals website to familiarize yourself with the company’s mission statement
and history. Understanding the hospital or company will give you a greater
understanding as to what they are looking for and you will not appear to be uninterested
during the interview. Your interest in the institution needs to appear genuine.
Appearance
What's the appropriate dress code for an interview? You'll want that first impression to be not just a
good one, but, a great one. The candidate dressed in a suit and tie is going to make a much better
impression than the candidate dressed in scruffy jeans and a t-shirt. Examples of how to dress for an
interview:

Mens Interview attire

• Suit (solid color - navy or dark grey)
•Long sleeve shirt (white or coordinated with the suit)
•Belt
•Tie
•Dark socks, conservative leather shoes
•Little or no jewelry
•Neat, professional hairstyle
•Limit the aftershave
•Neatly trimmed nails
•Portfolio or briefcase

Women's Interview Attire

•Suit (navy, black or dark grey)
•The suit skirt should be long enough so you can sit down comfortably
•Coordinated blouse
•Conservative shoes
•Limited jewelry (no dangling earrings or arms full of bracelets)
•No jewelry is better than cheap jewelry
•Professional hairstyle
•Neutral pantyhose
•Light make-up and perfume
•Neatly manicured clean nails
•Portfolio or briefcase
Interview Questions
Below is a list of standard nursing interview questions you should be prepared to answer.
 How would you describe your skills as a team player?
 How will you deal with difficult doctors?
 How will you deal with difficult patients and/or their families?
 How will you handle unexpected circumstances, such as being short staffed and having
to perform a treatment you have not done
 before?
You should also practice answering the tough nursing interview questions ahead of time.

Have a list of your own interview questions to ask your interviewer.

 What is the nurse-to-patient ratio?
 Is there support staff on the unit to assist nurses?
 In what ways are nurses held accountable for high qualities of practice?
 How much input do nurses have regarding systems, equipment and the care
environment?
 What professional development opportunities are available to nurses?