New grad - ? re: resumes. Is one cramped page better than 2 pages?

I just tried to tweak my resume before I sent it out to prospective employers. My question is: is it better to have one page that looks a little cramped (to me, anyway), or a 1-1/3 to 1-1/2 page resume that is spaced a littel better? I could cut out my work history that has nothing to do with nursing, but one of my instructors thinks I should include it b/c I have a degree in Psychology, and she thinks I should include some employment history after I got my 1st degree. (FYI, I have no work history for the last 10 years due to being a stay-at-home-mom, and I have NO work history in nursing). The work history I DO have is managing workers' compensation claims, if that matters.

What do you think? Is one page always better? What I have looks ok, but I liked it better when the font was bigger, and it was longer...
I was always taught to keep everything to one page, employers only want the highlights. I was also informed to always have a cover page. I've actually witness a employers throw out a two page resume (cover letter not included) stating that they were not going to read the person's entire history. short and to the point, express self in cover letter and interview. good luck.

I would list the education, and the work experience in w/c. Try to keep it short, with single spacing.

Quote from vlomankilli was always taught to keep everything to one page, employers only want the highlights. i was also informed to always have a cover page. i've actually witness a employers throw out a two page resume (cover letter not included) stating that they were not going to read the person's entire history. short and to the point, express self in cover letter and interview. good luck.

The set margins are usually 1.00" on Top, Bottom, and the two sides. One is allowed to "reduce" this to .65" margins. I actually went with .50". I believe if the material is presented nicely, and provides the needed information...it should not matter. If it does matter to a particular Human Resource individual, I do not wish to work for such a place. Rules are rules, then there is just plain ridiculous! Don't sweat over this! Your resume will be passed up, due to other numerous factors, and it will not be anything to do with quality of your resume.

Quote from chloecatrnit's not true that a one page resume is key any longer. from donna cardillo's website:[color=#7b1622]q: i've been told my resume should be only one page. is that true?[color=#7b1622]a: no, not for nurses. by the time you list your experience, your education, your licenses and certifications, you are already on two pages, even with limited experience. two pages is perfectly acceptable. don't go any longer than that, though, unless you have extensive high-level and unusual experience and credentials.

Quote from vlomankillI was always taught to keep everything to one page, employers only want the highlights. I was also informed to always have a cover page. I've actually witness a employers throw out a two page resume (cover letter not included) stating that they were not going to read the person's entire history. short and to the point, express self in cover letter and interview. good luck.

Quote from diligent-trooperThis may explain why some Hospital systems can turn into "crap-shoots" in no time. I have had it with Human Resources and their useless 15 minute BS interview sessions. I bet some 10 year-olds would be better in interviewing then some of these Master degree idiots.

Quote from JolieHave you ever had the "pleasure" of sifting thru 75 resumes to hire for a single position?While setting limitsmay not seem reasonable to a candidate who thinks his/her resume is the cat's meow, it is more than reasonable to the poor sap who has to look at all of those resumes, most of which are loaded with useless information such as "School Clinical Experience" and "My Sorority Volunteer Experience."

Quote from CaliLvr000I have been working on my resume and is it bad to include school experience? I have listed the hours and locations of our rotations, because I do not have prior hospital experience. My resume is looking a little slim, but what can I do its all the truth!

Quote from JolieHave you ever had the "pleasure" of sifting thru 75 resumes to hire for a single position?While setting limitsmay not seem reasonable to a candidate who thinks his/her resume is the cat's meow, it is more than reasonable to the poor sap who has to look at all of those resumes, most of which are loaded with useless information such as "School Clinical Experience" and "My Sorority Volunteer Experience."

I used to tell students to omit most of their school experiences -- and to include only those that were "special," "unusual," and/or related directly to the position they were applying for. I used to believe that most schools provided similar clinical experience -- and that therefore it was a waste of time for me as someone who hired new grads to read through those basic experiences on every resume submitted.However, in recent years, a lot of new RN programs have opened up that are "accelerated" -- which in some cases (but not all) means that the school provides less experience than one would expect. In my area of the country, there are some really lousy schools who do a very poor job of preparing their students clinically. Even some school of traditional length are doing a pretty poor job these days. It therefore becomes crucial for us as employers to evaluate the quality of an application's education -- and we need some additional information to do that. "What's the quality of the school this applicant went to?" is now one of our most important criteria for moving a new grad into the "interview" pile. Adding evidence that you went to a really good program is a good thing. (e.g. in-depth clinicals, preceptorships, special projects, etc.)I therefore now recommend that new grads include information on their school clinicals -- BUT - do it on a separate page that is clearly labeled as school experiences so that there is no possibility that it looks like you are trying to pad your resume. On the front page of your resume, you can list your school and then say something like "See attached sheet for a summary of student experiences." That allows the reader to look at those things if they care, but keeps the basic resume clear and uncluttered.With so many people competing for jobs, it is important for my hospital to receive enough information to be able to distinguish one applicant from another. So, we like a resume that is approximately 2 pages in length. Too brief, and there is not enough "meat" there to make distinctions between applicants. Too long, and it is probably too cluttered and hard to plow through.I recommend that an inexperienced nurse submit a 1-2 page resume with the initial application (with student clinicals as a separte sheet of paper). If appropriate, bring a longer version to the interview -- along with examples of your work, etc. That's the time to go into more detail.

Quote from chloecatrnit's not true that a one page resume is key any longer. from donna cardillo's website:[color=#7b1622]q: i've been told my resume should be only one page. is that true?[color=#7b1622]a: no, not for nurses. by the time you list your experience, your education, your licenses and certifications, you are already on two pages, even with limited experience. two pages is perfectly acceptable. don't go any longer than that, though, unless you have extensive high-level and unusual experience and credentials.