Develop a cover letter, resume, philosophy statement, and other professional resources that meet the requirements outlined in the Career Planner Guide.
NRNP 6675: PMHNP Care Across the Lifespan II
Career Planner Guide
Your Nurse Practitioner Professional Career Planner is due by Day 7 of Week 10. It is highly recommended that you begin planning and working on this Assignment as early in the quarter as is feasible for you. The following checklists outline all of the items you should include in your Career Planner. Additionally, the resources below have been provided to assist you in its development.
Refer to the Walden University Career Center website for resources and information on how to create cover letters, resumes, and professional portfolios. You may also choose to make certain portions of your Career Planner accessible online to members of your professional network or potential employers through platforms such as LinkedIn. Sharing on social media is a useful way to network for many, but it is not a requirement for this assignment.
Checklist for Cover Letter
Cover letters are typically tailored to individual jobs and companies. For this Assignment, you will select a job posting you would like to or could potentially apply for and create a cover letter for it. Your cover letter should be:
- Presented and formatted in professional business manner
- Addressed properly
- Clear and concise (no more than one page) and include:
- Content introduction
- Content body
- Content conclusion
- Written in a professional tone and include:
- Correct spelling, punctuation, and grammar
- Clear and accurate sentence structure
Checklist for Resume
Your resume should be clear, concise, and well organized, and it should also include your:
- Name, location (city/town and state), business phone number, and email address (centered at top of resume)
- Objective: 2–3 sentences describing your goal/objective for employment
- Certifications & licenses
- Education
- Professional experience
- Honors/Awards (as applicable)
Checklist for Portfolio
Your Portfolio should be clear, concise, and well organized, and it should also include your:
- Personal philosophy statement (1-page)
- Personal goals (short term and long term)
- Self-assessment
The following items do not have to be submitted but should be available on request for employers:
- Achievements
- Letters of recommendation (2)
- References (list names, affiliation, and contact information) (3)
- Certifications and licenses
- Prior degrees
- Transcripts (Note: An unofficial transcript will meet this requirement.)
- Certificates of attendance for continuing education
- Publications
- Research
- Oral presentations and/or poster presentations
Learning Resources
Resume and Cover Letter Resources:
Canva. (n.d.). https://www.canva.com/
Canva has many resume templates and formats that may inspire your creativity. (Using Canva is optional.)
Cover Letter Advice (n.d.). Nurse practitioner cover letter sample 1. http://www.coverletter.us/nurse-practitioner-cover-letter/
DeCapua, M. (2019). A nurse practitioner’s guide to the perfect cover letter. Health eCareers. https://www.healthecareers.com/article/healthcare-news/np-cover-letter
Hicks, R. W., & Roberts, M. E. E. (2016). Curriculum vitae: An important tool for the nurse practitioner. Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 28(7), 347–352.
Gibson, A. (n.d.). Nurse.org career guide series: Ultimate guide to nursing resumes. Nurse.org. https://nurse.org/resources/nursing-resume/
Walden University Career Services. (n.d.). Resumes & more. https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/careerservicescenter/resumesandmore
Portfolio Resources:
Chamblee, T. B., Dale, J. C., Drews, B., Spahis, J., & Hardin, T. (2015). Implementation of a professional portfolio: A tool to demonstrate professional development for advanced practice. Journal of Pediatric Health Care, 29(1), 113–117.
Clarke, M. (2019). The importance of a professional nursing portfolio. HealthLeaders. https://www.healthleadersmedia.com/nursing/importance-professional-nursing-portfolio
Nurse Practitioner Business Owner. (n.d.). This is why you want to create your professional portfolio today! https://npbusiness.org/professional-portfolio/
Portfolium. (n.d.). https://portfolium.com/
Portfolium is one example of portfolio software that you could use to create a portfolio. You may choose your own tool, and it may be online (Google Sites, Portfolium) or offline (Word, pdf), as long as you can easily submit the portfolio files or link to your Instructor.
Cover Letter
[Your Name] [Your Address] [City, State, Zip Code] [Your Email Address] [Your Phone Number] [Date]
[Hiring Manager’s Name] [Company Name] [Company Address] [City, State, Zip Code]
Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],
I am writing to express my interest in the [Job Title] position advertised on [where you found the job posting]. As a highly skilled and compassionate Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), I am eager to contribute my expertise in mental health care to your esteemed organization.
With a strong background in providing comprehensive mental health assessments, diagnosing psychiatric disorders, and developing tailored treatment plans, I am confident in my ability to make a meaningful impact on the lives of patients across the lifespan. My clinical experience has equipped me with the skills to effectively manage a wide range of psychiatric conditions, including mood disorders, anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders, and substance use disorders.
In my previous role at [Previous Employer], I demonstrated proficiency in medication management, psychotherapy, and crisis intervention, consistently achieving positive patient outcomes. Additionally, my ability to collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and community resources has facilitated holistic care delivery and enhanced patient satisfaction.
I am particularly drawn to [Company Name] because of its reputation for providing high-quality psychiatric care and its commitment to innovation and excellence. I am excited about the opportunity to join your dynamic team and contribute to the continued success of your organization.
Enclosed is my resume, which provides additional details regarding my qualifications and professional experience. I welcome the opportunity to discuss how my skills and expertise align with the needs of [Company Name]. Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the possibility of contributing to your team.
Warm regards,
[Your Name]
Resume
[Your Name] [Your Address] [City, State, Zip Code] [Your Email Address] [Your Phone Number]
Objective: Dedicated Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner seeking to leverage clinical expertise and compassionate patient care to provide high-quality mental health services in a collaborative healthcare setting.
Certifications & Licenses:
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Certification
- Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) License, [State]
- Registered Nurse (RN) License, [State]
Education:
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program, [University Name], [Year of Graduation]
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), [University Name], [Year of Graduation]
Professional Experience:
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, [Current/Previous Employer], [Dates] Responsibilities:
- Conducted psychiatric evaluations and assessments of patients across the lifespan.
- Developed and implemented individualized treatment plans based on evidence-based practice guidelines.
- Provided medication management and monitored treatment efficacy and side effects.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary team members to coordinate comprehensive care.
- Educated patients and families about psychiatric disorders, treatment options, and self-care strategies.
Honors/Awards:
- [Name of Honor/Award], [Issuing Organization], [Year]
Portfolio
Personal Philosophy Statement
As a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), I am committed to providing compassionate, evidence-based care to individuals across the lifespan who are experiencing mental health challenges. I believe in a holistic approach to mental health care that addresses the biological, psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions of wellness. My practice is guided by principles of empathy, respect for diversity, and collaboration with patients, families, and interdisciplinary teams. I am dedicated to promoting mental health awareness, reducing stigma, and empowering individuals to achieve optimal mental wellness.
Personal Goals
Short-Term Goals:
- Enhance proficiency in psychotherapy modalities to better meet the diverse needs of my patients.
- Attend workshops and seminars on emerging trends and best practices in psychiatric nursing to stay current in the field.
- Strengthen collaborative relationships with community resources to improve access to mental health services for underserved populations.
Long-Term Goals:
- Pursue advanced training and certification in a specialized area of psychiatric nursing, such as child and adolescent mental health or geriatric psychiatry.
- Explore opportunities for involvement in research projects aimed at advancing knowledge and treatment options in psychiatric care.
- Develop educational materials and resources to support mental health awareness and destigmatization efforts in the community.
Self-Assessment
- Strong clinical assessment and diagnostic skills
- Proficient in medication management and psychotherapy interventions
- Effective communication and interpersonal skills
- Collaborative team player with a commitment to patient-centered care
- Lifelong learner dedicated to professional growth and development