1. Should I include my RN license number on my resume?

Including your RN license number on your resume is generally advisable when applying for nursing positions. It helps employers easily verify your credentials, demonstrates professionalism, and ensures compliance with job application requirements.

However, be cautious about privacy concerns, especially if posting your resume on public job boards. The relevance of including the license number also depends on the nature of the job; for non-clinical roles, it may be less important. Consider the context and the audience of your resume before deciding.

2. What kind of certifications should I list?

When creating a resume for an RN (Registered Nurse) position, it’s important to include relevant certifications that enhance your qualifications. Here are some key types of certifications to consider listing:

1. Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS): These are essential for most nursing positions, demonstrating your ability to provide basic and advanced cardiac life support.
2. Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS): Important if you are working or planning to work in pediatrics, neonatal care, or emergency services for children.
3. Critical Care Nursing Certification (CCRN): Ideal for nurses working in critical care units like ICU, CCU, or emergency departments.
4. Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN): Relevant for nurses working in oncology departments.
5. Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN): Suitable if you’re looking to work in emergency departments.
6. Certified Operating Room Nurse (CNOR): For nurses working in surgical or perioperative settings.
7. Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC): If you are qualified as a nurse practitioner, this certification is crucial to include.
8. Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN): Relevant for pediatric nursing roles.
9. Wound Care Certification: Important for roles in wound care, diabetic care, or long-term care facilities.
10. Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Certification (PMHNC): If you’re specializing in mental health nursing.
11. Nurse Executive or Nurse Manager Certifications: Relevant for leadership or administrative nursing roles.
12. Informatics Nursing Certification: Useful if your role involves healthcare IT systems.
13. Gerontological Nursing Certification: Important for roles in elderly care and geriatric departments.

Remember, the certifications you include should be relevant to the position you are applying for. Tailoring your resume to reflect the specific requirements of the job can make your application more attractive to potential employers. Always ensure that your certifications are current and include any relevant details such as the certifying body and expiration date.

3. Should I separate my clinical and non-clinical experiences?

Separating clinical and nonclinical experiences on your registered nurse (RN) resume can be a strategic decision, depending on your career goals and the specific position you’re applying for. Here’s how you can decide:

When to Separate Clinical and Nonclinical Experiences:

1. Diverse Career Background: If you have a substantial amount of both clinical and nonclinical experience, separating them can help highlight your diverse skill set and make it easier for employers to assess your qualifications for the specific role.
2. Targeting a Specific Role: If you’re applying for a role that specifically values one type of experience over the other (for example, a clinical role in a hospital vs. a healthcare administration role), separating these experiences can help to tailor your resume to the job.
3. Highlighting Transferrable Skills: Separating experiences can also help in highlighting transferable skills in nonclinical roles that are relevant to the clinical position you’re applying for, or vice versa.

When to Combine Clinical and Nonclinical Experiences:

1. Integrated Skill Set: If your clinical and nonclinical experiences are closely intertwined and collectively contribute to the role you’re applying for, it might be more effective to present them together to showcase how your skills complement each other.
2. Limited Experience: If you have limited experience in either category, combining them can prevent your resume from appearing sparse.
3. Unified Career Narrative: If your career path tells a cohesive story, combining these experiences can help illustrate your overall professional development.

In summary, the decision to separate or combine clinical and nonclinical experiences on your RN resume should be based on how well each format aligns with your career narrative, the specific job requirements, and how you want to present your skill set to potential employers.

4. How should I list temporary or contract roles?

When listing temporary or part-time Registered Nurse positions on your resume, it’s crucial to clearly label each role as temporary, part-time, or contract, along with including the start and end dates, to provide clear context. Detail your responsibilities and any notable achievements in these roles, emphasizing specific tasks and experiences that highlight your adaptability and diverse skill set.

Consider using a functional or combination resume format to emphasize your skills and experiences over chronological work history, especially if you have multiple short-term roles. Grouping similar temporary or part-time experiences under a single section can also help maintain cohesiveness and focus on your resume. This approach ensures that your temporary and part-time roles are presented as valuable and integral parts of your professional journey as a nurse.