Bold in Relevance Part 1 of 4

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Welcome to The Bold Brief—

You are a member of this community of top-notch expert nurses and healthcare professionals who aspire to be “bold” in career and life. We want to be bold in our life’s purpose, and bold in life and career choices to live with authenticity, balance, and meaningful challenges.

Relevance refers to the degree to which something is connected to or appropriate for a particular purpose, context, or situation. In the context of your resume, relevance means ensuring that the skills, experiences, education, and qualifications you present are directly applicable and valuable to the job or industry you are targeting, highlighting your fit for the role.

In this 4-part series, we’re going to help you transform your clinical nursing/health professionals resume into an industry powerhouse. The 1st of 4, Understanding the Difference Between Clinical and Industry Resumes will walk you through the key distinctions between your current clinical resume and a strong industry resume, highlighting why making this shift is crucial to landing your dream job – a non-traditional role in industries like MedTech, pharma, and beyond.

So…bold in relevance.

Understanding Clinical vs. Industry Resume

The transition from a clinical resume to an industry-ready resume can feel daunting, but it starts with understanding the fundamental differences between the two. A clinical nursing resume tends to focus on job-specific duties like patient care, documentation, and treatment protocols. In contrast, an industry resume highlights transferable skills, quantifiable achievements, and business-oriented results.

While clinical resumes emphasize daily tasks, industry resumes are designed to showcase your unique, broader contributions, specifically focusing on your transferable skills like leadership and problem-solving abilities in ways that make you stand out to hiring managers in non-traditional roles. Learning how to effectively reframe and communicate your clinical experience can unlock new professional opportunities and help you transition into a role that leverages your skills in a fresh, exciting way.

Evidence Underpinning Strong Industry Resumes

Research shows that the job market outside of healthcare places a strong emphasis on experience and skills like innovation, leadership, and the ability to drive measurable results. A report by the National Bureau of Economic Research highlights that industries like MedTech and pharma are increasingly hiring healthcare professionals, not for their clinical skills alone, but for their leadership, problem-solving, and project management abilities.¹

Bold Nurse Academy job seekers who customize their resume for specific roles—focusing on measurable results and transferable skills—experience greater success in securing interviews and job offers.

Learning About Healthcare Sub-Industries/Sectors

For nurses seeking to transition into non-traditional roles, it's important to understand the diverse sub-industries within healthcare. These sectors such as HealthTech, MedTech, Biotech, Pharmaceuticals, and Medical Devices, offer unique opportunities to apply clinical expertise in innovative ways.

Later this month, I will share with you examples of roles that are suitable for expert nurses as well as roles that Bold Nurse Academy Graduates have earned.

1. HealthTech and MedTech (Healthcare Technology and Medical Technology)

   HealthTech involves software solutions and digital tools designed to improve healthcare access and efficiency. MedTech, on the other hand, focuses on devices and technology used by healthcare professionals to diagnose, treat, and monitor patients.

2. Biotech (Biotechnology)

   Biotech centers around the development of medical products using biological processes. Companies in this space are at the forefront of producing therapies for complex conditions like cancer or genetic disorders.

3. Pharmaceuticals (Pharma)

   The pharmaceutical industry is dedicated to researching and producing medications and vaccines. Pharmaceuticals play a critical role in disease treatment and prevention.

4. Medical Devices

   The medical device industry designs, manufactures, and distributes tools used to diagnose, monitor, and treat health conditions. Medical devices are essential in clinical settings, and their development involves rigorous testing to meet safety and regulatory standards.

5. FemTech (Female Technology)

   FemTech encompasses technology, products, and services specifically designed to address women’s health needs. This industry focuses on solutions for areas such as reproductive health, pregnancy, menopause, gynecological conditions, and general well-being. Examples include fertility tracking apps, wearable devices for monitoring hormonal changes at any stage of life, and innovations in maternal healthcare.

   FemTech companies are at the forefront of breaking taboos and driving advancements in women’s health, improving access to care, and offering personalized health solutions tailored to women’s unique needs. The industry is rapidly growing, recognizing the vast potential to transform women's healthcare globally. FemTech is my jam: I currently work as the Medical Director for a medical device company (MedDevice) in FemTech (urinary incontinence devices/products).  

By understanding these sub-industries/sectors, nurses can explore new pathways to contribute to healthcare innovation beyond traditional clinical roles. Each sector offers opportunities to impact patient care and drive advancements in the medical field.

What these Differences Mean for Your Work and Life

If you’re transitioning from bedside nursing to an industry role, understanding the differences between clinical and industry resumes is critical. You’ll need to focus on what makes you a unique candidate—your ability to solve problems, collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, and lead projects to completion. Tailoring your resume to reflect these skills will increase your chances of standing out in a competitive job market and landing roles that take your career to the next level.

5 Steps to Transform Your Clinical Resume for Industry Roles

Step 1: Identify Key Differences

Understand that clinical resumes often focus on tasks, while industry resumes emphasize results. Begin by shifting your mindset to highlight achievements and quantifiable outcomes.

Step 2: Translate Your Clinical Skills

Reframe your day-to-day tasks into skills that non-clinical industries value. For example, “charge nurse duties” can be translated to "team leadership" or "project coordination."

Step 3: Ensure Your Resume is ATS-Appropriate

Making your resume ATS complaint is crucial because many companies now use ATS to manage and streamline their recruitment processes. You also need to communicate your qualifications to non-traditional nursing employers. Sadly, your existing RN resume will not land you the non-traditional job you are seeking!

Scroll down to get my FREE PDF Checklist!

Step 4: Focus on Transferable Skills and Results

Emphasize transferable skills like problem-solving, teamwork, leadership, and time management.

Need to learn more about transferable skills for your resume? We will learn this next week!

In your industry resume, showcase the measurable impact you’ve had in your clinical role. Did you improve patient care efficiency for the unit? Reduced error rates, contributing to the success of the unit or organization? These are metrics that industry hiring managers appreciate.

Step 5: Customize Your Resume for EACH Role

Tailor each resume submission to the specific industry and job description. Focus on the skills and experiences that align with the new role you’re applying for.

As you move forward with your plans for a bold career and life change, take these steps and reflections seriously. They are the foundation upon which you can build a happier, more satisfying professional and personal life. Each step is designed to ensure that the changes you make are deeply rooted in your personal truth and professional aspirations.

Why This Approach Works

This approach works because it focuses on aligning your resume with what industry recruiters and hiring managers are seeking—results, leadership, and transferable skills. By transitioning from a clinical task-oriented resume to one that emphasizes business outcomes and innovation, you’re better positioning yourself for non-clinical roles. Industries like MedTech and pharma value these qualities in candidates from nursing backgrounds, as they bring a unique perspective and problem-solving capabilities.

This FREE ATS Resume Checklist for Non-Traditional Nurse Careers will walk you through your resume, ensuring that you enable ATS guidelines used by hiring managers in non-traditional industries.

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Conclusion

By understanding the differences between clinical and industry resumes, you’ve taken the first step toward building a powerful, industry-ready resume. This 4-part series will continue to guide you through every phase of the transition, helping you harness the skills you’ve built as a nurse and position them to thrive in non-clinical roles.

Stay tuned for next week’s edition part 2 of 4, where we will focus on identifying and framing your transferable skills for industry roles! As we start this journey together, remember that each step you take is part of a larger transition toward a more satisfying career and life.

Remember, the bold career and life that you desire is not just a dream—it's within your reach. Let's make it a reality together.

P.S. If you want to learn from me on a daily basis, come connect with me on LinkedIn or in my Facebook Community.

Remember that this is a dedicated space for you, the nurses at the bedside and beyond, the committed healthcare professionals ready to explore transformative career paths beyond traditional roles. Every week, we'll dig into evidence-based strategies, insights, and stories designed to empower you to take bold steps toward a fulfilling career and life outside the hospital setting.

1  National Bureau of Economic Research. Link