12.4 Applying for a Nursing Position
Many students begin applying for their first nursing position before they graduate or take the NCLEX-PN. Read tips for employment in the following box.
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During your job-search process, it is helpful to begin by reviewing Medicare’s quality ratings of health care agencies and providers. The “overall star rating” is based on how well the agency performs on various quality indicators and client satisfaction surveys.
Review Medicare ratings of hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies, and providers at Medicare.gov’s Find and Compare Provider web page.
When applying for a job position, a resume and/or portfolio is typically included as part of the application process.
Resume
A resume is a document that highlights one’s background, education, skills, and accomplishments to potential employers. There are many types of resume formats, and some individuals elect to use online services to create a professional resume.
A resume typically includes the following components:
- Personal contact information
- Professional objective statement
- Education
- Work experience
- Awards and achievements
- Community service
- Languages, hobbies, volunteer experiences (optional)
When creating a resume, it is helpful to highlight skills and experience that separate you from the other candidates applying for the position. It is also helpful to tailor your resume to the skills and experience expressed in the job description.
Read more details about what to put in a resume and nursing resumes and cover letters PDF.
View a sample resume.
View a sample Online Resume Service.
Portfolio
A portfolio is a compilation of materials showcasing examples of previous work demonstrating one’s skills, qualifications, education, training, and experience. They can be submitted in electronic or paper form. See Figure 12.3[1] for an image of a sample electronic portfolio.
Some schools of nursing require portfolios to be completed throughout the program. These portfolios are a representation of work demonstrating the student’s accomplishments.
Portfolios typically include the following:
- Personal contact information
- Resume
- Professional goals
- Skilled work with examples (e.g., a nursing care plan, process recording, teaching plan, etc.)
- Accomplishments (e.g., dean’s list)
- Degrees
- Certifications (e.g., CPR)
- Professional memberships (e.g., Student Nurse Association)
- Community service activities
- References (if requested)
Read more about what to include in a portfolio.
Visit an online portfolio service.
Interviewing
After applying for a position and submitting your resume and/or portfolio, you may be contacted to set up an interview. When you’re interviewing for a position, you will be asked about your skills, experience, and your education. Some questions may be basic, such as, “Why did you become a nurse?” Other questions may be more difficult to answer, such as “Explain your strengths and weaknesses as a