“You only get one chance to make a first impression.” It’s an old adage that couldn’t be more true for travel nursing applicants looking to win their dream job.
A job application is a crucial introduction between you and a hiring manager or potential employer. A well-organized resume gives your future boss a quick glimpse into a lifetime of experiences and accomplishments, helping them decide whether or not you’d get that call for an interview.
Whether you’re a fresh graduate, a newly registered nurse, or one who’s been working in the field for many years, it’s important to keep your nursing application well-polished and up-to-date.
So how do you make an impression as the best candidate for a travel nursing job? Below are some tips and advice to help you stand out from the competition and get that job you’re seeking:
Earn a degree.
To stand out from the crowd, a nurse should consider earning a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. While a bachelor’s degree is enough for nurses to gain knowledge and demonstrate their dedication to the field of healthcare, the rapidly growing number of professional nurses with a bachelor’s degree has become the norm.
An MSN degree on your resume or CV can help boost your chances of getting the job. A nurse with an MSN degree has the advanced knowledge, training, and expertise required to not only provide high-quality patient care but also to lead and guide their colleagues.
Spice up your resume and cover letter.
Even before entering the professional world, fresh graduates should highlight their school activities, volunteer work, special projects, and other notable involvement in student nursing organizations.
If you’re new in the field, you can also talk about previous job experiences, even if it’s not in the health care setting. If you’re a newly registered nurse, you should also offer examples of your great work ethic.
Meanwhile, seasoned nurses should write in detail about their job experiences, skills, and ability to contribute to and work with a team. They can also focus on their enthusiasm, eagerness, and dedication to staying up-to-date with the latest technology and theories in nursing, as well as their readiness to embrace change.
Of course, make it a habit to proofread, edit, and double-check errors on your resume or cover letter before submitting it to a potential employer. Make sure there are no mistakes in your grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Additionally, use fonts that are readable and easy on the eyes, such as Arial.
Not sure how to get started with your resume? Don’t fret. You can find writing help online, straight from experts and professionals. Whether you need nursing essay writing services or writing and editing assistance for your nursing application, you can always turn to a seasoned writer or editor to help polish up your papers. It’s easy, it’s convenient, and it’s affordable, too.
Put the spotlight on your clinical experience and areas of expertise.
Simply stating that you’re a registered nurse who has earned a degree won’t grab the attention of potential employers and earn you a slot for an interview. Instead, take some time to list down your areas of expertise. This way, you’ll give your future boss an idea of the specific skills you’re adept in.
While skills are usually described in detail during the interview process, highlighting them in your job application could be your key to earning that face-to-face meeting with a potential employer. For nurses, consider including a section, preferably near the top of your resume, where hiring managers can easily find your skill sets and expertise. This could be anything from intravenous (IV) infusion certification, emergency/critical care experience, management and administration, nursing informatics, and more.
Stress the importance of workplace values.
Describing your workplace responsibilities won’t be enough to impress an employer or hiring manager, especially in the health care setting. They will want to know how you, as a professional nurse, had a direct contribution to improving the overall quality of patient care, care delivery processes and reduced the cost of care in your previous job experience.
When presenting your travel nursing application, make sure you’ve included specific descriptions of your workplace values and accomplishments. Sure, showcasing your honors, awards, and certificates can be helpful, but they’re not the only way to express value.
As a nurse, you should look for chances to measure your job accomplishments in a tangible way, one that can be conveyed in your resume. Consider adding quantifiable information, like the number of employees or trainees you’ve supervised or the increase in your department’s productivity rate at the time you were working for them. Even small details like the average number of patients you can handle each day can provide a clearer picture of your nurse’s achievements.
For professional nurses, a job application is a great opportunity to put your best foot forward, both in your present and potential workplaces.
Remember: It’s important not to make your resume stand out for the wrong reasons. Follow the simple tips above while filling out your travel nursing application, and you’ll be one step closer to your dream travel nursing job!
