When it comes to presenting the best possible nursing resume to a potential employer, numbers count. Any time you can quantify an accomplishment, you give it more credibility in the eyes of a hiring manager. In fact, metrics are perhaps the most effective way to highlight your career achievements.

• In the words of executive branding expert David Topus, “Metrics are the language of business. Anything that’s measurable and has metrics associated with it is high impact.”  Topus is the author of Making Your Resume Recruiter Ready.

Everyone has career accomplishments. It may be a matter of digging deep and pinpointing them, but you can find them. Recruiters who scan resumes quickly hone in on them. Their absence becomes an “elimination factor” – in other words, a resume without measurable accomplishments often is rejected without further review.

How to Showcase Your Achievements

For purposes of your resume, an accomplishment is a specific example of how you have made a significant contribution to an employer. At least one recruitment expert has advised that metrics be listed along with at least 40 percent of your resume bullet points.

Here are a few examples that may apply to a nursing resume:

• “Provided bedside care and clinical documentation for an average of 20 patients per day in a critical care facility.”
• “Contributed research for three published articles on geriatric and skilled nursing care.”
• “Trained and mentored two students every semester for a four-year period, tasking their patient care duties and overseeing the results.”
• “Organized a two-day in-service program featuring two keynote speakers and 20 panelists for CEU credit for an audience of 250 RNs and nurse managers.”

If you’re not sure how to get started, follow these tips:

• Set a timer for five minutes and start jotting down accomplishments for your current or most recent position. Write down any achievement, milestone or contribution that comes to mind. Complete this exercise for each position on your resume.
• If you have trouble remembering details, ask yourself the following questions: Did I receive praise or recognition for something I did? Was I promoted or did I receive an award as a result? Was I selected for a special project, committee or task force? Did I successfully complete a particularly challenging assignment?

To assign numbers to your successes, consider:

• Numbers of patients, clients or families served.
• Numbers and percentages of internal benchmarks reached.
• Number of direct reports and people you have managed – and/or hired.
• Sizes of teams you have lead and details of team achievements.
• Number of dollars saved as a result of your initiative. (Characterizing the monetary impact of an accomplishment can be a key differentiator.)
• Percentages by which you have improved efficiency.
• Time frames of accomplishments, especially when you have exceeded deadlines or expectations.
• Performance rankings; for instance, if you were a number one performer or in the top 10 percent.
• Number of awards, publications or successful grant applications.

Do you need more guidance as you fine tune your nursing resume and land your next great job? Consider partnering with the healthcare experts at CPS Recruitment^®. Read our related posts or contact us today to learn more.