A
COVER LETTER
is a unique letter to a specific person for a specific reason with a unique
message tailored for each situation while a
RESUME
is a document you hope to use over and
over again, it is a single document that gives a broad-based overview of your career.
Resumes are a snapshot of you and should be used to highlight your skills and education.
Resumes may also be the first and only impression that the employer gets of you before an
interview. Therefore, a resume should be accurate, well organized, concise and professional.
There are many styles of resumes but the areas you should make sure to include are:
Education (list BSN at the top of all other education)
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Clinical rotations (with # of hours) with a focus on senior clinical placement
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Work experience
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Things that make you unique (travel, language skills, honors, leadership, volunteerism, skills, hobbies)
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Cover letters are career marketing letters to market the job seeker, highlight notable
qualifications and career successes and generate invitation for a personal interview. Objectives
of your Cover Letter should be to:
Introduce yourself and clearly define who you are
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Highlight your most notable qualifications, experiences, credentials, skills, and achievements
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Identify the value you bring to an organization
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Capture your readers interest and motivate them to call and offer you an interview.
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Many career websites offer resume and cover letter samples. Here are a few that can be helpful
for nursing graduates:
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