Many people are interested in finding travel nursing jobs but are also nervous that their resumes will not accurately reflect their skills and attributes. This is a natural fear – it can be difficult to craft a resume that walks the fine line between compelling and overly self-promotional. For a travel nurse, this task can be especially difficult, as the traits that make a strong candidate are often hard to accurately reflect on paper.
However, this doesn't mean that prospective travel nurses need to resign themselves to an insufficient resume. As a travel nurse, you will most likely work with a travel nursing agency to secure your assignment. Your recruiter will understand which characteristics make a good travel nurse and what most employers in the field look for in a strong candidate. By working together, you will be able to create a concise resume that helps you stand out and speak to potential employers.
Not all about the resume
When asked about how they make hiring decisions, many employers say that, while the resume plays a role, so do other elements like cover letters, interviews and recommendations.
More often than not, a good resume is a foot in the door, but far from a guaranteed offer. Focusing on the other elements that contribute to the decision will help you be a much more well-rounded candidate who brings more than just job experience and academic performance to the table. This doesn't mean that you should disregard your resume, but it should help take some of the pressure out of the process.
Attitude
Travel nursing involves a great deal of specific knowledge and training, but it also relies heavily on interpersonal skills and a positive attitude. These traits are by definition harder to show on paper, so it is important that you address them as best you can. Highlight these qualities and give specific examples during your interview.
Related experience
According to Allhealthcare, showcasing related experience you have can help you demonstrate to potential employers your "soft skills," which are incredibly important in the healthcare field.
To do this, the source recommends dividing your experience into two sections: Nursing Experience and Additional Experience. The second section can include positions where you've had to provide care, work closely with people or operate under stress.
Personal approach
Healthcare employers know that travel nurses work closely with their colleagues and patients, so it is essential that they hire someone who will complement their staff and work well with others. Peer references and past supervisor references will provide a potential employer with information on how you would fit into their team or culture, as well as how you interact with patients and co-workers. Your recruiter will work with you to obtain references that will help you shine.