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44 Nursing Resume Examples - Here's What Works In 2024
The essential role that nurses play has never been so obvious. with the profession increasingly in demand, now is the perfect time to apply for nursing roles. this guide contains everything you need to write an effective nursing resume, including essential skills to include and resume templates you can use..
Nursing is a demanding but incredibly rewarding field, requiring dedication, compassion, and a lot of hard work. Nurses can choose from dozens of specialties and a variety of settings, including frontline hospital work, education, and private healthcare. Whatever your role, as a nurse, you’ll find that soft skills — including communication, problem solving, and conflict resolution — are essential, as are hard skills in patient care, technology, and basic medical procedures. There are multiple pathways leading to nursing, all culminating in the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). Aspiring nurses can pursue a Diploma, Associate Degree, or Bachelor of Science in Nursing, while accelerated programs are open to those with an existing undergraduate degree or experience in the field. In 2023, the face of nursing is expected to change significantly. Shortages elsewhere in the medical field are likely to lead to an increased demand and higher responsibilities for Nurse Practitioners and more nurses choosing to specialize. Nurses are also likely to see a greater emphasis on technology in healthcare, including telehealth visits, medical chatbots, and online education programs. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 12% job growth for nurses over the next several years, well above the national average.
Nursing Resume Templates
Jump to a template:
- General Nurse
- Experienced Nurse
- Certified Nursing Assistant
- Registered Nurse
- Psychiatric Nurse
- Nurse Case Manager
- Nursing Student
- Travel Nurse
- Nurse Practitioner
- New Grad Nurse
- Director of Nursing
- Nursing Supervisor
- Clinical Rotation Nurse
- Charge Nurse
- Remote Nurse
- Preceptor Nurse
- Relief Charge Nurse
- LPN Nurse (Licensed Practical Nurse)
- LVN Nurse (Licensed Vocational Nurse)
- ICU Charge Nurse
- Prior Authorization Nurse
- Clinic Nurse
- Medical Surgical Nurse
- Patient Care Technician
Jump to a resource:
- Keywords for Nursing Resumes
Nursing Resume Tips
- Action Verbs to Use
- Related Medical Resumes
Get advice on each section of your resume:
Template 1 of 44: General Nurse Resume Example
Nurses are integral to the healthcare system. Under the guidance of a doctor or surgeon, nurses support and perform crucial patient care duties. Nurses are often most hands-on with day-to-day patient treatment. They perform a wide variety of tasks, including administering medication, monitoring patients health status, performing blood tests, administering IV fluids, running testing, and more. To become a nurse, you can choose a few different educational paths. You may earn an associates in nursing and go on to earn your LPN (licensed practical nurse) license. You also could get a bachelor’s degree in nursing, and go on to receive your RN (registered nurse) license. LPN’s are slightly more limited in their job scope than RN’s. In any case, great nurses will have a strong medical background, a caring and calm demeanor, a deep understanding of safety procedures, and strong multi-tasking skills.
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Tips to help you write your General Nurse resume in 2024
gain hands-on patient experience.
While in nursing school, it’s wise to gain hands-on patient experience. This typically comes in the form of getting a position as a certified nursing assistant, healthcare aid, or medical assistant. You will learn how to perform basic activities of daily life with patients in these roles, and it gives you an opportunity to learn from the nurses you will work under.
Consider learning a second language
Hospitals see everyone under the sun, and it’s no secret that many people speak a different language than English. Hospitals often look for bilingual staff and find them incredibly valuable when trying to communicate treatment and get consent from those who speak a foreign language. Find out what foreign language is most popular in your area, learn it, and highlight it on your resume.
Skills you can include on your General Nurse resume
Template 2 of 44: general nurse resume example.
The most important duty of a nurse is patient care, but that’s far from their only responsibility. As a nurse, you’ll be administering medication, monitoring and evaluating patient progress, and working closely with doctors to provide care in hospitals, clinics, residential homes, and a variety of less typical environments. To land a nursing position, you’ll need to emphasize both hard and soft skills in your resume.
Good use of skills section to highlight nursing skills
If you feel like a comprehensive list of nursing skills could easily take up half your resume, you aren’t wrong. Even so, a good skills section shouldn’t include more than about 5-10 skills, which means you’ll need to read the job description carefully and pull out the most important skills recruiters are looking for.
Lists additional qualifications relevant to nursing
At minimum, you’ll need a nursing degree or diploma to begin a career in nursing. If you have additional qualifications, like field-specific qualifications or general first aid, CPR, or basic life support (BLS) certification, it’s worthwhile to list those, too. You can include these in an additional section at the bottom of your resume or in your education section.
Template 3 of 44: Experienced Nurse Resume Example
As an experienced nurse, you've seen it all. You're the backbone of the healthcare system, working long hours to care for patients and being a team leader. In recent years, the healthcare industry has seen a growth in roles that require experienced nurses due to an aging population and the increasing complexity of care. When tailoring your resume for this role, it's important to highlight your experience, specialized skills, and the results you've achieved. While the pandemic has put nursing roles in the spotlight, it's also crucial to show how you adapted during these challenging times. Hiring managers are looking for nurses who can handle crises, adapt to changes quickly, and take a lead role in a team. Showcase your resilience and leadership skills in your resume and make sure it feels personal. No two nursing roles are ever the same, just as no two resumes should ever be identical.
Tips to help you write your Experienced Nurse resume in 2024
highlight your specialized skills.
As an experienced nurse, you've no doubt gained some specialized skills. Perhaps you're an expert in critical care, or you've got a knack for pediatric nursing. Highlight these specialties on your resume. Not only do they showcase your experience, but they also show you're a nurse with a wider skill set.
Show off your leadership skills
In a job where difficult decisions are made daily, leadership is crucial. You may have mentored new nurses, spearheaded a new initiative, or simply taken charge in a crisis. Show hiring managers you're not just a team player, but a potential team leader. It's these qualities that differentiate experienced nurses from the rest.
Skills you can include on your Experienced Nurse resume
Template 4 of 44: experienced nurse resume example.
As an experienced nurse, you’ll want to emphasize your experience in the field and advanced skill set. You may find yourself moving into positions of leadership or other increased responsibilities, which means highlighting transferable skills and evidence of solid career progression. Your accomplishments are key — instead of listing as many bullet points as you can, consider your most impressive achievements, particularly ones that demonstrate leadership and commitment.
Bullet points feature strong action verbs to highlight nursing accomplishments
Choosing the right action verb is key to presenting your accomplishments in a positive, proactive light. Verbs like “assisted” and “collaborated” show your ability to work well in a large healthcare team, while ones like “organized,” “coordinated,” and “spearheaded” emphasize your willingness to take on leadership roles and higher-level responsibilities.
Emphasize career growth in the nursing field
As you move on to more experienced roles, you’ll want to emphasize career progression in your resume. You can demonstrate growth through your job titles, bullet points, or both. Even if you haven’t been formally promoted or your job titles don’t show an obvious progression, you can make this clear by highlighting increased responsibilities in your accomplishments.
Template 5 of 44: Certified Nursing Assistant Resume Example
As a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), you're likely familiar with the critical role you play in patient care. While your daily tasks might involve things like personal care, taking vitals, and assisting with mobility, your resume needs to do more than just list these duties. Recently, employers have been valuing CNAs who can demonstrate empathy and effective communication, in addition to technical skills. When crafting your resume, remember to weave in how you've made genuine connections with patients and supported their wellbeing. Moreover, in light of the pandemic and the changing healthcare landscape, it's impressive if you can show adaptability and willingness to learn new protocols and technologies. This isn't just a list of your tasks - it's a narrative about how you've used your skills and traits to make an impact in your past roles.
Tips to help you write your Certified Nursing Assistant resume in 2024
include relevant certifications.
As a CNA, you should include any specialized certifications, like CPR or dementia care, on your resume. This isn't just about meeting the job description requirements - it shows potential employers that you're committed to professional development and maintaining high standards in patient care.
Demonstrate emotional intelligence
Aside from technical skills, you should reflect your emotional intelligence on your resume. Try to describe how you've managed sensitive situations, provided emotional support to patients, or how you've communicated effectively with patients' loved ones.
Skills you can include on your Certified Nursing Assistant resume
Template 6 of 44: certified nursing assistant resume example.
As a certified nursing assistant, you’ll work closely with patients under the supervision of registered nurses. Your nursing assistant resume should emphasize the hard skills you’ll need to do the job, including performing routine medical procedures like taking blood samples, monitoring vital signs, cleaning and sterilizing equipment, and assisting patients with eating, dressing, and bathing. You’ll also need a solid understanding of relevant policies and legislation, including HIPAA.
Use a relevant resume title
One of the easiest ways to bypass resume screeners and ensure your resume lands on the desk of a hiring manager is to include the exact title of the job you’re applying for on your resume. Including a resume title not only does this, it also clearly shows that you’ve customized your resume for this particular job — always a necessity.
Include volunteer work where you used your nursing skills
If you don’t have a lot of traditional work experience, consider including volunteer work on your resume. You can create a separate volunteer work section, or simply list it alongside paid work experience. If you do this, you should list it in the same way, with an employer heading, dates of employment, and action-oriented bullet points.
Template 7 of 44: Registered Nurse Resume Example
Registered nursing is a step up the nursing ladder, allowing you to provide care directly to patients. Licensure as a registered nurse (RN) is also a pathway to graduate nursing programs, practice as a nurse practitioner, and specialty certification. As an RN, you’ll provide education and advice to patients and coordinate with physicians and other members of your healthcare team, meaning communication skills are also essential.
Tips to help you write your Registered Nurse resume in 2024
emphasize hard skills related to nursing.
As an RN, you’ll need a firm grasp on essential skills. Focus on technical skills you’ll need, like phlebotomy, rehabilitative care, triage, and electronic health record (EHR). If you want to include soft skills or more than a handful of hard skills, use your accomplishments to highlight accomplishments that demonstrate them in action.
Use bullet points provide context on your nursing achievements
Focusing on accomplishments in your bullet points is good, but even better is if you can provide the context for those achievements. A bullet point reading “triaged 50+ patients daily” is far more descriptive than simply “triaged patients.” Try to give clear numbers when talking about the size of teams you’ve led or number of patients you’ve cared for.
Skills you can include on your Registered Nurse resume
Template 8 of 44: icu nurse resume example.
As an ICU nurse, you're stepping into a high-stakes world where precision, quick decision-making, and resilience are part of everyday life. Your resume should reflect this reality and showcase your competencies, experiences, and specializations. It's important to note that hiring trends within ICU roles are leaning towards value-based healthcare delivery. Hiring managers are on the lookout for nurses who are able to provide holistic care, focusing on patient outcomes and satisfaction. When crafting your resume, remember to highlight your accomplishments in these areas, rather than just listing your duties.
Tips to help you write your ICU Nurse resume in 2024
highlight specialized icu skills.
As an ICU nurse, you've developed a unique skill set. On your resume, be sure to highlight your expertise in areas like critical care, advanced life support, and specific ICU equipment. Demonstrate how you've applied these skills in previous roles to deliver quality patient care.
Emphasize on team collaboration and leadership
ICU environments are high-stress, high-intensity spaces that require strong teamwork and leadership. Be sure to showcase any experiences where you've effectively coordinated with a team, or led initiatives to improve patient outcomes or processes within the ICU.
Skills you can include on your ICU Nurse resume
Template 9 of 44: icu nurse resume example.
Working in the intensive care unit (ICU) of a hospital means working in an emergency setting providing care to critically ill patients. As an ICU nurse, you may also work in an emergency room or burn center. The crucial and fast-paced nature of ICU nursing means you’ll need extensive nursing experience and additional certifications. Your resume should also emphasize transferable skills recruiters are looking for, including quick thinking and decision-making.
Focus on ICU experience
When applying for a specific role like ICU nurse, it’s best to focus your resume on experience that’s relevant to that position. If you have past experience as an ICU nurse, it’s a good idea to include more bullet points for that job and cut down on the space you give to less closely related experience, like general nursing positions.
Clearly list certifications related in nursing
The more specialized the role, the more likely it is that you’re going to need specific qualifications. If you already have the qualifications hiring managers are looking for — like critical care or life support certification — list them in your education section or in an additional section at the bottom of your resume.
Template 10 of 44: NICU Nurse Resume Example
As a NICU nurse, you'll be working in a fast-paced and highly specialized environment, caring for some of the most vulnerable patients. When crafting your resume, it's important to emphasize your skills and experience that are especially relevant to neonatal intensive care. There's a recent trend in the industry that focuses on evidence-based practices and mental-health support for families, so showcasing your knowledge in these areas will give you an edge. Additionally, with advancements in technology and medical devices, many NICU departments prefer nurses who are skilled in using the latest equipment. Mention your experience with different monitors, ventilators, and other NICU-specific devices on your resume, as this can demonstrate your ability to adapt to a rapidly evolving field.
Tips to help you write your NICU Nurse resume in 2024
highlight relevant certifications.
In addition to your RN license, emphasize any advanced certifications that are relevant to neonatal care, such as the Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) or the Certification for Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing (RNC-NIC). These certifications demonstrate your commitment to providing high-quality care for NICU patients.
Showcase your teamwork and collaboration skills
NICU nurses work closely with a multidisciplinary team of professionals. Highlight instances on your resume where you collaborated effectively with physicians, respiratory therapists, social workers, and other nurses to develop and implement comprehensive care plans for your patients.
Skills you can include on your NICU Nurse resume
Template 11 of 44: nicu nurse resume example.
Neonatal intensive care (NICU) nurses provide critical care for premature and severely ill infants. As an NICU nurse, you’ll also run NICU equipment, support women during labor, provide neonatal services to healthy newborns, and document patient histories. You’ll need a high level of compassion, the ability to work in a stressful, fast-paced environment, and specific skills in neonatal care, telemetry monitoring, and neonatal medical equipment.
Tailored to the NICU nursing job
Tailoring your resume to the specific job you’re applying for is essential. One easy way to do this is by including a resume title that matches the job title. Another is to tailor your skills list — for example, by listing NICU-specific skills like neonatal health monitoring and assessment.
List skills and certifications separately
If you’re listing additional qualifications and skills together in an “other” section of your resume, make sure you don’t just lump everything in together. Using separate subsections for skills and certifications allows you to list more information while ensuring that a recruiter can still easily skim your resume to find the information they’re looking for.
Template 12 of 44: Psychiatric Nurse Resume Example
As a psychiatric nurse, your role entails assessing, supporting, and treating patients with mental health disorders in a variety of settings. In recent years, there's been an increased focus on the importance of mental health care, which has led to a higher demand for psychiatric nurses. When crafting your resume, it's crucial to highlight your clinical experience, therapeutic communication skills, and empathy for patients, as these are qualities that set you apart in this specialized field. In addition to showcasing your clinical skills, it's also important to mention any specific areas of expertise or certifications you hold within the psychiatric nursing field. This not only demonstrates your dedication to the profession but helps you stand out to potential employers who may be seeking nurses with specialized experience to meet the evolving needs of mental health care.
Tips to help you write your Psychiatric Nurse resume in 2024
emphasize therapeutic communication skills.
As a psychiatric nurse, your ability to communicate effectively with patients is paramount. Highlight your proficiency in therapeutic communication techniques, such as active listening, empathy, and validation to show potential employers that you can provide exceptional care to patients in need.
Showcase specific mental health certifications
If you have any mental health certifications, like a Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse (CPMHN) credential or training in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), include these in your resume. This not only showcases your advanced knowledge in the field but indicates your commitment to continually improving your skills in psychiatric nursing.
Skills you can include on your Psychiatric Nurse resume
Template 13 of 44: psychiatric nurse resume example.
A psychiatric nurse is a specialized healthcare professional who focuses on the identification and treatment of psychiatric disorders. These nurses are responsible for determining a patient’s mental status, providing appropriate treatments and solutions, monitoring patient safety, and more. Psychiatric nurses must have a strong educational background in both psychiatry and general nursing. To land this role, you should have an undergraduate degree in psychology or nursing and then go on to earn your LPN or RN credential. Many people who land this role will have a dual-degree with a major in nursing and minor in psychology, or vice versa. After you’ve become a licensed nurse, you should gain hands-on psychiatric experience. Hiring managers will look for nurses who are sensitive to the needs of psychiatric patients, display great listening skills, and problem solving abilities.
Highlight your ability to de-escalate and negotiate with patients
When dealing with psychiatric patients, you will need to have the ability to de-escalate high emotion situations, provide useful mental health interventions, and negotiate with agitated patients. It’s important to highlight any experience you have using these skills.
Highlight your knowledge in behavioral analysis
Psychiatric nurses will identify problematic behaviors in patients and have the knowledge to prescribe treatment plans based on behavioral symptoms. As such, any knowledge in behavioral analysis or behavioral therapy will be valuable for this role.
Template 14 of 44: Psychiatric Nurse Resume Example
Psychiatric nurses are responsible for supporting patients with mental health and substance abuse issues. As a psychiatric nurse, you’ll be spending more time with a smaller number of patients, developing strong relationships and building trust in order to support patients over the long term. Soft skills in this role are a must, so use your accomplishments to highlight your empathy, resilience, and people skills.
Short resume summary tailored to psychiatric nursing field
Including a summary at the top of your resume is a great idea if you want to provide extra context for your work history or quickly highlight one or two particularly impressive accomplishments. It’s also a handy place to put anything that doesn’t fit elsewhere on your resume — for example, if you’re changing careers or transitioning to a new specialization.
Highlight transferable skills
Never list soft skills in your skills section. Instead, use your bullet points to highlight transferable skills. Rather than listing something like “attention to detail,” which is far too subjective, include a bullet point like “administered medications while ensuring correct dosage, frequency, and accuracy,” which shows how you demonstrated that skill in action.
Template 15 of 44: Nurse Case Manager Resume Example
Nurse Case Managers are vital in the healthcare industry as they coordinate patient care and improve healthcare outcomes. They manage and monitor patient cases, ensuring the best possible care is provided to address patients' unique needs. To write a resume for a Nurse Case Manager role, it's essential to stay up-to-date on industry trends and showcase the skills that make you an exceptional candidate. Emphasize your ability to work with interdisciplinary teams, manage patient cases, and navigate complex healthcare systems. In recent years, the focus on preventive care and patient advocacy has grown significantly. Therefore, a Nurse Case Manager's resume should demonstrate the ability to assess patients' needs holistically and develop personalized, comprehensive care plans. It's essential to show your understanding of the importance of patient-centered care and the impact of industry trends on your role as a Nurse Case Manager.
Tips to help you write your Nurse Case Manager resume in 2024
highlight care coordination skills.
In your resume, emphasize your experience in coordinating care, working with interdisciplinary teams, and managing communication between patients, families, and healthcare providers. Nurse Case Managers need to effectively collaborate with various stakeholders to ensure seamless, efficient care delivery.
Showcase your expertise in patient advocacy
Nurse Case Managers play a crucial role in advocating for the needs and preferences of their patients. Highlight instances where you've successfully advocated for patients, secured resources, or facilitated access to necessary services. This demonstrates your commitment to patient-centered care and your ability to navigate complex healthcare systems.
Skills you can include on your Nurse Case Manager resume
Template 16 of 44: nurse case manager resume example.
Nurse case managers are registered nurses (RNs) who provide dedicated recovery plans to individual patients, often in a hospital or acute care setting. In addition to licensure as an RN, you’ll need an understanding of patients’ health needs, the ability to monitor patients and work with other care professionals to ensure continued recovery, and the knowledge and background to source cost-effective care solutions.
Includes numbers and metrics to emphasize case manager achievements
Including numbers and metrics on your resume isn’t just for show. Quantifying your achievements makes them more objective and reliable, and numbers speak to the exact nature of your achievement and its impact on the company or organization. Plus, they’re also just more impressive — consider “managed clinic referrals” versus “managed an average of 400 clinic referrals per month,” for example.
Focuses on hard skills as a case manager
As a nurse case manager, you’ll need more than just people skills to succeed. Your resume should list any hard skills the job requires, including HCPCS, MEDITECH, and billing software. You should aim to pick 5-10 of the top skills you need and list them at the end of your resume, in a skills or additional information section.
Template 17 of 44: Nurse Case Manager Resume Example
Unlike most nursing positions, the role of a nurse case manager is more administrative in nature. As a nurse case manager, you’ll be in a supervisory role, with responsibilities including making decisions regarding budgets and scheduling, managing a team of nurses, and developing patient care plans. Your resume should highlight soft skills like leadership, decision making, and communication alongside hard skills in patient care and technology.
Use hard numbers and metrics relevant to nursing
Using concrete numbers in your bullet points can be the best way to demonstrate your achievements. Instead of “lowered spending costs,” be specific and write “lowered spending costs by 25%.” If you led a team of 30, managed records for 500 patients, or oversaw a 26-bed unit, including those details will help your accomplishments stand out.
Highlight key skills in nursing
In a role like nurse case manager that requires specific hard skills, you can list these in a separate skills section at the bottom of your resume. This includes specific software like HCPCS or MEDITECH systems, which are often keywords that hiring managers or applicant tracking systems (ATS) will be screening for.
Template 18 of 44: Nursing Student Resume Example
As a nursing student, you’ll be relying less on traditional work experience to fill out your resume and more on the skills you’ve gained through coursework and student nursing placements. Even without much experience, you can distinguish yourself by listing your student nursing experience the same way you would paid experience, focusing on your accomplishments and making sure to include relevant skills and keywords.
Tips to help you write your Nursing Student resume in 2024
emphasize student nursing experience.
If you’re still a student and don’t have any relevant paid work experience, that doesn’t mean your resume should be blank. You can list your student nursing experience in your professional experience section, listing the location you worked at as the employer and “student nurse” as your job title.
Lists specific competencies relevant to nursing
Even without paid work experience, you’ll be graduating with plenty of the skills you’ll need in your first role. Include a skills section at the bottom of your resume where you list a few of the skills that are most relevant to the job you’re applying for — typically between 5-10 skills.
Skills you can include on your Nursing Student resume
Template 19 of 44: travel nurse resume example.
As a travel nurse, your resume should reflect your unique skill set and adaptability to different clinical environments. With the healthcare industry constantly evolving, it's important to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and practices in the field. When writing your resume, showcase your experience in various medical settings and emphasize any specialized skills or certifications you hold. Travel nursing is all about being flexible and reliable, so highlight your ability to adapt quickly and maintain high-quality patient care in an ever-changing environment. In recent years, travel nursing has become more competitive, and employers are looking for candidates who can easily transition between different roles and facilities. Your resume should not only highlight your clinical skills and experience, but also demonstrate your strong communication and interpersonal skills to ensure seamless collaboration with your colleagues.
Tips to help you write your Travel Nurse resume in 2024
demonstrate adaptability in clinical settings.
As a travel nurse, you'll be placed in various medical environments, so it's crucial to showcase your adaptability in your resume. Mention instances where you've successfully adjusted to new procedures, protocols, or environments, making sure to highlight the positive outcomes for your patients and team.
Emphasize specialized skills and certifications
In the competitive world of travel nursing, having specialized skills and certifications can set you apart from other candidates. List any relevant training or certifications, such as Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) or Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN), to show potential employers that you're well-prepared for the challenges of travel nursing.
Skills you can include on your Travel Nurse resume
Template 20 of 44: travel nurse resume example.
Travel nursing is a unique experience, allowing you to travel across the United States or even around the world. Many travel nurses still work in traditional hospital and clinic settings, but on temporary contracts. As a travel nurse, you may be entitled to additional benefits, including a higher salary and free accommodation or tax-free housing stipend. You’ll need a high level of flexibility to succeed in this role.
Use metrics to emphasize soft skills, like communication, which is core to nursing
Want to show off your leadership and teamwork skills? That’s great! Just don’t fall into the trap of listing soft skills in your skills section. Demonstrate them through your accomplishments instead, using metrics like “educated 15 precept nurses in best practices” or “collaborated with 10+ medical specialists” to emphasize how you’ve used these skills in a professional setting.
Contact information includes LinkedIn profile (make sure your LinkedIn is up to date too!)
Your contact information is a small but important part of your resume. If you don’t already list your LinkedIn profile as a contact option at the top of your resume, you should. This is particularly true as a travel nurse, since you may be more difficult to contact than local applicants — especially if you’re in a different time zone.
Template 21 of 44: Nurse Practitioner Resume Example
A Nurse Practitioner (NP) role is a step forward from a registered nurse, allowing you to really hone in on a specialty of your choosing. As more healthcare facilities are seeking out NPs for their advanced training, it's a hot position on the market. You’re often the first point of contact for patients; this calls for a well-rounded combination of clinical expertise, empathy, and excellent communication skills. When crafting your resume, you need to reflect this diversity of skills and your potential as a healthcare leader. Healthcare trends lean towards a team-based approach, so your resume should showcase not only your clinical competencies but also your ability to work within interdisciplinary teams.
Tips to help you write your Nurse Practitioner resume in 2024
highlight relevant certifications and specializations.
You've worked hard to obtain your specialized certifications in addition to your RN license. It's crucial to list them proudly on your resume. This could be a Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate or a Pediatric Primary Care NP certificate, for example. This really sets you apart in the NP field.
Showcase your patient care outcomes
As an NP, results matter. Don't just say you've managed patient care - show the outcomes. Did you achieve a high patient satisfaction rating? Or maybe you led a project that reduced hospital readmissions? Any data you can provide to demonstrate your direct impact on patient care will make you stand out.
Skills you can include on your Nurse Practitioner resume
Template 22 of 44: nurse practitioner resume example.
Nurse practitioners serve as primary care practitioners, often with responsibilities approaching those of physicians. Nurse practitioners need at least a master’s degree but command a higher salary and a greater return on investment than a full medical doctorate. As a nurse practitioner, you’ll have the ability to perform physical examinations, prescribe medication, assist in surgical procedures, and even practice independently in some states.
List your most relevant and recent experience first
Your work history should always be listed in chronological order, with your most recent experience at the top. The more recent and relevant the position, the more space it can command on your resume — you can get away with listing as many as 5-6 bullet points under your current job, while much older or less relevant roles should only get 1-2.
Includes appropriate keywords relating to nurse practitioners
The higher responsibilities of a nurse practitioner mean you’ll need to emphasize a high level of skill and competency. Make sure you’re highlighting keywords that show your range of experience, including medical diagnosis, physical examination, education, consultation, and patient care.
Template 23 of 44: New Grad Nurse Resume Example
As a new grad nurse, you're entering an ever-evolving healthcare field with unique challenges. Your resume should not only showcase your nursing skills but also emphasize your adaptability and eagerness to learn. Employers are looking for candidates who can adapt to changes in the industry and effectively communicate with patients and colleagues alike. Healthcare organizations are increasingly focusing on patient satisfaction and outcomes, so highlighting your clinical experience and ability to work in various settings will position you as a strong candidate for such roles. When writing your resume, it’s vital to be specific about your nursing education, clinical rotations, and any relevant certifications.
Tips to help you write your New Grad Nurse resume in 2024
highlight clinical rotations and experiences.
Detail the clinical rotations you completed during your nursing program, describing the type of units you worked on and the skills you gained. Showcase any experiences in diverse or high-acuity settings to demonstrate your adaptability and competence.
Emphasize soft skills and teamwork
Since new grad nurses often work in interdisciplinary teams, emphasize your soft skills, such as communication, empathy, and collaboration. Use specific examples from clinical rotations or team projects to showcase your ability to work effectively with others.
Skills you can include on your New Grad Nurse resume
Template 24 of 44: new grad nurse resume example.
As a new graduate nurse, you're entering a highly competitive job market where employers are seeking the best candidates to fill their open positions. In recent years, the nursing industry has seen an increasing demand for skilled nurses, but also a higher number of job applicants. To stand out, it's crucial that your resume effectively showcases your education, clinical experience, and key strengths. Crafting a tailored resume will not only help you land interviews, but also demonstrate your professionalism and commitment to a career in nursing. Resumes are particularly important in the nursing field, as hiring managers need to assess your clinical competencies, ability to work under pressure, and adaptability. Both tactical and strategic recommendations can help you create a resume that highlights your skills and makes you an attractive candidate for potential employers.
As a new grad nurse, you might lack extensive work experience, so it's important to emphasize your clinical rotations and any hands-on experiences you've had during your education. Include the facility's name, department, and a brief description of the patient population and any specialized skills you practiced.
Focus on soft skills and certifications
While technical skills are essential, nursing is also about communication, empathy, and teamwork. Highlight your soft skills, such as active listening, problem-solving, and time management, throughout your resume. Additionally, mention any relevant certifications (e.g., BLS, ACLS) that showcase your commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
Template 25 of 44: New Grad Nurse Resume Example
As a new graduate nurse, you’ll face a steep learning curve, so be prepared to learn and adapt on the go. Without much professional work history on your resume, you should highlight any nursing experience you’ve gained during your studies, including student nursing placements, clinical practicums, and any experience as a technician or extern.
Includes student nursing and practicum experience
As a new grad, hiring managers aren’t expecting you to have extensive work experience. Any experience you’ve gained as a nursing student or early in your career can go on your resume in place of paid work experience. Simply list your practicums and student nursing experience the same way you would any job, using action verbs to highlight your accomplishments.
Lists specific skills relevant to nursing
Even graduate nurses need a firm grounding in essential skills. When it comes to your skills section, be explicit about the skills you’re proficient in, but don’t feel the need to list every skill you’ve ever learned — choose the top ten or so skills that fit the specific job you’re applying for and list those.
Template 26 of 44: Director of Nursing Resume Example
Also called a nursing director, this professional is tasked with managing and overseeing the nursing staff in a healthcare establishment. Some of your tasks will include distributing nurses and resources effectively, creating targets and strategies for the department, and ensuring that all nurses under you follow all healthcare protocols and regulations. To qualify for this job you will need a degree in nursing and an RN license. Beyond that, you will need to show managerial and leadership experience in the nursing field. You must have the ability to work under pressure and in a very fast-paced environment and you must have critical problem-solving skills. Take a look at this successful resume sample.
Tips to help you write your Director of Nursing resume in 2024
show a career progression in nursing..
The director of nursing position is a very senior position. Recruiters will appreciate seeing a steady upward career progression reflected on your resume. It will give them confidence that you understand the jobs and functions of all your subordinates and will also show them that you are an excellent and driven employee. This applicant has risen in the ranks from a registered nurse to a director of nursing.
Use metrics to show maximized efficiency and minimized cost.
As much as healthcare facilities are built to offer healthcare to the community, they still need to work to maximize efficiency and reduce costs without reducing the standard of care. It is usually a balancing game that all healthcare directors must play. It is beneficial to show recruiters how successful you have been at increasing efficiency or reducing costs without affecting the standard of care. Use metrics to further impress recruiters. This applicant has done this very effectively.
Skills you can include on your Director of Nursing resume
Template 27 of 44: nursing supervisor resume example.
As the name suggests, a nursing supervisor supervises the nursing staff at a healthcare facility. Tasks you can expect include assigning staff, interviewing incoming nurses, monitoring the nurses, and overseeing patient care. Your main function is to ensure your nursing staff is providing the best possible care and that they are satisfied and happy in their jobs. Your resume must show a degree or diploma in nursing and you must have a valid nursing license. Beyond that recruiters would appreciate any history as a nursing supervisor and evidence of great organizational and interpersonal skills. Here is a recruiter-approved resume sample.
Tips to help you write your Nursing Supervisor resume in 2024
highlight the nursing teams you have worked with and their relevant achievements..
This is a leadership role and as such recruiters would like to see the size of nursing staff you have managed in the past and the kind of things the team has been able to achieve under your leadership. For example, this applicant supervised 25 nurses in their most recent position, and under the applicant’s leadership, the team managed to the reduce infection rate by 76%.
Begin your resume with a key achievement.
Including a key achievement in the introduction is a great way to get recruiters impressed from the beginning of your resume. They are bound to look more favorably on the rest of your resume because of it. Try and include a nursing supervisor achievement that is rare or hard to achieve.
Skills you can include on your Nursing Supervisor resume
Template 28 of 44: er nurse resume example.
As an ER nurse, you're on the front lines of healthcare, providing immediate care and treatment to patients in crisis. Nowadays, hospitals and clinics are on the lookout for nurses who not only possess the necessary skills and qualifications, but also display resilience, adaptability, and the ability to work under immense pressure. When crafting your resume for ER nurse roles, remember it's your chance to show how you've excelled in high-stress situations, and how you've used your skills to improve patient outcomes. Moreover, with the recent impact of COVID-19 on healthcare settings, there's a significant increase in demand for ER nurses with experience in infectious diseases, as well as experience supporting critically ill patients. Your resume needs to reflect these industry demands and trends, displaying your comprehensive understanding of emergency care, including your familiarity with ventilators, and infectious disease protocol.
Tips to help you write your ER Nurse resume in 2024
emphasize on-job emergency experience.
You should make a point to list the types of emergencies you've handled. Have you treated patients in trauma situations? Have you dealt with cardiac arrests, strokes, or acute respiratory issues? Showing your breadth of on-job emergency experience can make your resume stand out.
Showcase infectious disease understanding
Given the recent pandemic, hospitals are particularly interested in ER nurses who understand infectious diseases. Include specific training or experiences you've had dealing with infectious diseases - this could be anything from measles, to COVID-19.
Skills you can include on your ER Nurse resume
Template 29 of 44: er nurse resume example.
Being an ER Nurse is no walk in the park. This job requires a unique blend of quick thinking, medical expertise, and genuine compassion. When you're crafting your resume, it's essential to wrap this trifecta in a neat, compelling package. Recently, there's been a trend of emphasizing special skills like triage, emergency procedures, and trauma care. More and more, ER Nursing roles require a balance of technical abilities and emotional intelligence. Therefore, your resume needs to show not just your qualifications, but also your knack for handling stressful situations and interacting with patients. Additionally, these days the hiring process has evolved considerably. Many hospitals and healthcare institutions use Application Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter through the flood of resumes. To dodge this digital gatekeeper, you need to include relevant keywords and demonstrate your experience through quantifiable achievements. A well-made ER nurse resume is not just a list of duties, but a showcase of your skills and contributions in a high-pressure environment.
Detail your emergency room skill set
It's crucial to list down the specific skills that make you a great ER nurse. For instance, if you're proficient in emergency procedures, acute patient care, or triage, do mention them. If you have crisis management skills, don't forget to include that too.
Feature scenarios where you shone
Describe situations where your quick thinking and nursing skills made a significant difference. It could be a life-saving intervention or a time when you managed a serious crisis. Just remember—it's not bragging if it's fact.
Template 30 of 44: Clinical Rotation Nurse Resume Example
Being a Clinical Rotation Nurse is a unique role in the healthcare field. It’s a position where you'll gain hands-on experience across numerous departments, such as the ER, ICU, and Pediatrics, giving you a versatile skill set. As the healthcare sector evolves, many hospitals are looking for nurses with varied experience, making Clinical Rotation Nurses increasingly valuable. When crafting your resume, keep in mind that hiring managers are looking for evidence of your adaptability, quick learning, and breadth of nursing experience across different departments.
Tips to help you write your Clinical Rotation Nurse resume in 2024
include specific clinical rotations experience.
On your resume, explicitly list the clinical rotations you've completed and the related skills gained. Remember, this position's essence is to gain diverse experiences. Mention the departments you've worked in and the unique practices you learned there.
Illustrate Problem-solving Skills
As a Clinical Rotation Nurse, you must rapidly adapt to new environments and challenges. Use examples to depict how you've employed problem-solving skills during your rotations. Maybe you dealt with a unique patient case, or implemented a new process that improved patient care.
Skills you can include on your Clinical Rotation Nurse resume
Template 31 of 44: charge nurse resume example.
The Charge Nurse role is a pivotal one in healthcare. As a Charge Nurse, you're essentially the team leader, the one who sets the pace and coordinates the entire nursing staff. It's a job heavily reliant on excellent communication and management skills. Nowadays, nurses are not just caregivers but also patient educators and advocates, role flexibility that employers love. So one key thing when writing your resume is showcasing how you perform nursing tasks while leading the team. Additionally, with the digitization trend in healthcare, showcasing comfort and competency with medical software or telehealth can really make you stand out. The industry has shifted slightly too, employers are putting a lot of emphasis on soft skills. They want leaders who can handle high-stress situations, manage conflicts and bring teams together. So, your resume should reflect not just the tasks you can perform but also your leadership style and how that contributes to an efficient and collaborative work environment.
Tips to help you write your Charge Nurse resume in 2024
include key leadership accomplishments.
As a Charge Nurse, your leadership accomplishments can set you apart from other candidates. Ensure to include specific instances where your leadership led to improved patient outcomes or staff efficiency. Use numbers or percentages to quantify these improvements.
Showcase Digital Competency
With the rise of telehealth and digital record keeping, it's important to demonstrate your capability in navigating such platforms. If you've used these technologies, or even led the implementation, highlight this experience on your resume.
Skills you can include on your Charge Nurse resume
Template 32 of 44: charge nurse resume example.
Being a Charge Nurse is an interesting blend of clinical expertise and leadership. You not only need to be up-to-date with the latest medical practices, but also have the ability to manage a team and coordinate patient care. Recent trends in the industry show an increased demand for Charge Nurses with advanced degrees and certifications, like a MSN or a CNL. When writing a resume for a Charge Nurse, understand that hiring managers are looking for both your clinical competence and your leadership abilities. They want to see your capacity to manage a team and improve patient care, alongside your nursing skills.
Showcase Leadership Experience
As the Charge Nurse role involves managing a team of nurses, it's vital to display your experience in leadership roles. Include details of previous positions where you were in charge, even if it was outside of healthcare. Describe your responsibilities and any improvements you implemented.
Highlight Certifications and Education
In this role, academic qualifications, like a master's degree in nursing or relevant certifications, provide an edge. Therefore, you should clearly list your degrees, courses, or any nursing specializations you've attained. But remember, don’t just resort to listing them, delve into how they will be beneficial for your role as a Charge Nurse.
Template 33 of 44: Remote Nurse Resume Example
If you're seeking a remote nursing position, your resume needs to reflect your unique set of skills. Remote nursing roles often require a higher level of independence, self-motivation, and tech savvy abilities, as you won't have physical assistance from colleagues or direct supervision. The recent shift towards telehealth and online patient care, especially during COVID-19, has created a surge in these types of roles. When you're putting together your resume, remember that hiring managers for remote roles are looking for specifics - they want to see how your skills translate to the digital realm. With the rise of digital health platforms, telemedicine, and remote patient monitoring, quite a few healthcare providers are seeking remote nurses who are comfortable with technology. While traditional nursing skills are important, you also need to demonstrate your familiarity with these new technologies and how you've used them in patient care. Your resume should not just outline your skills, but also showcase how those skills were applied in a remote context - a nurses' station is vastly different from a home office.
Tips to help you write your Remote Nurse resume in 2024
emphasize your technical competencies.
With remote nursing, your ability to use various software and applications for patient care is more important than ever. Include in your resume specific programs and tools you're comfortable using, such as telehealth platforms or electronic health record systems.
Showcase your communication and self-management skills
As a remote nurse, you won't have in-person contact with patients or team members. Demonstrate how you've managed patient care from a distance and the methods of communication you've effectively utilized, such as video calls, emails, and instant messaging.
Skills you can include on your Remote Nurse resume
Template 34 of 44: preceptor nurse resume example.
Being a Preceptor Nurse means you're a blend of mentor, educator, and leader. You guide newly hired nurses or student nurses through the complexities of the real-world nursing environment. The role itself is evolving, as many healthcare institutions are increasingly recognizing the importance of structured mentoring programs to improve staff retention and patient outcomes. So, in your resume, you need to strike a balance between showcasing your clinical prowess and your ability to effectively instruct and inspire others. Make sure to highlight your nursing experience, specialized skills, and ability to shape fellow nurses' careers.
Tips to help you write your Preceptor Nurse resume in 2024
demonstrate your leadership and mentoring abilities.
It's imperative that you convey your skills in mentoring, leadership, and supervision, as these are vital for a Preceptor Nurse role. Make sure to include specific instances where you have guided, trained, or supervised new or student nurses in your previous job roles.
Showcase your advanced clinical skills
As a Preceptor Nurse, you are expected to have advanced clinical skills that you can teach others. On your resume, list any specialized nursing experience or skills you have, using concrete examples from your work history. This could be your ability to handle complex medical equipment, specific procedures you're skilled in, or even patient handling techniques.
Skills you can include on your Preceptor Nurse resume
Template 35 of 44: relief charge nurse resume example.
A Relief Charge Nurse is a unique nursing role where you have to show your versatility and adaptability. Being a transitional leader, you're not just filling in the gaps, but actively steering the unit during your shift. Lately, I've seen a trend for companies seeking nurses skilled in crisis management and staff delegation, reflecting our challenging healthcare environment. When you're crafting your resume for this role, remember, you need to illustrate how you've tackled tough situations and made critical decisions under pressure, all while providing excellent patient care. For this role, it's crucial to demonstrate your ability to step in and lead. Your resume should articulate how you've handled both clinical and administrative tasks, while seamlessly transitioning between regular and relief charge nurse duties.
Tips to help you write your Relief Charge Nurse resume in 2024
show your leadership skills.
Be specific about your experience as a nurse leader. Did you lead a team during a crisis? Have you mentored junior nurses? Discuss these instances, focusing on the number of people you've managed and the outcomes you've achieved.
Showcase your adaptability
Relief Charge Nurse roles require flexibility. Display moments where you've stepped into different roles or handled fluctuating patient volumes. Remember, it's about showing how well you cope with change and unexpected situations.
Skills you can include on your Relief Charge Nurse resume
Template 36 of 44: lpn nurse (licensed practical nurse) resume example.
Becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is all about showing you've got the chops to provide high-level care under the guidance of registered nurses and physicians. When crafting your resume, remember that it's not just about showing your clinical skills, but also demonstrating your ability to support patients emotionally. This field is rapidly changing with technologies like telemedicine and electronic health records becoming more prominent, which means you need to show you can keep up. Given that many LPNs work in elder care, where we're seeing a surge in demand, emphasize any relevant experience or skills in this area.
Tips to help you write your LPN Nurse (Licensed Practical Nurse) resume in 2024
include relevant certifications and training.
As an LPN, you've likely completed a bunch of certifications, such as IV therapy or gerontology. Make sure these are clearly outlined in your resume, particularly if they're ones that the job description specifically mentions.
Detail your patient care experience
Hiring managers want to see that you can handle patient care responsibilities, so include details of the type of care you've provided. For instance, if you worked in a long-term care facility, describe how you managed patient hygiene, medication administration, and vital signs monitoring.
Skills you can include on your LPN Nurse (Licensed Practical Nurse) resume
Template 37 of 44: lpn nurse (licensed practical nurse) resume example.
As you pursue a role in the world of nursing as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), you must be prepared to showcase your unique blend of clinical skills and empathy. In recent times, healthcare settings are increasingly relying on LPNs not just for basic nursing care but for their ability to connect with patients. They appreciate LPNs who can balance human touch with technical proficiency. So, when drafting your resume, remember to present a compelling mix of your technical knowledge, patient care skills, and ability to work under pressure. The industry is moving towards more specialized care, which means your resume needs to emphasize any specific nursing skills or areas of expertise you've developed. Similarly, companies value LPNs who are continuous learners and are adapting to the evolving healthcare landscape. It's critical to demonstrate your commitment to ongoing education and upskilling on your resume.
Show your hands-on experience
Keep in mind, recruiters are likely to favor LPN applicants who can prove real-world experience. Be sure to detail your clinical rotations, duties performed, and the types of healthcare settings you've worked in.
Emphasize your specialized skills
If you have expertise in a specialized area like geriatrics, palliative care, or rehabilitation, make it prominent on your resume. Don't bury unique skills, these can set you apart from other LPN applicants.
Template 38 of 44: LVN Nurse (Licensed Vocational Nurse) Resume Example
As an LVN (Licensed Vocicational Nurse), you have a key role in healthcare that is rewarding and challenging. The demand for LVNs is quite high due to an aging population and an increasing need for healthcare services. However, the competition for positions in prestigious facilities is as fierce as ever. Your resume, therefore, needs to clearly communicate your technical skills, hands-on nursing experience, and compassion for patients. And although patient care is paramount, do not underestimate the importance of displaying soft skills such as communication and teamwork. Keeping up-to-date with current trends, such as the shift towards home health care, can also give your resume an edge.
Tips to help you write your LVN Nurse (Licensed Vocational Nurse) resume in 2024
include relevant certifications and trainings.
As an LVN, you've probably undergone additional training or earned complementary certifications, like IV certification or wound care. Include these to demonstrate your commitment to continuing education and to stand out from the competition.
Emphasize your patient care experience
You should explicitly list the types of care you have provided to patients. Whether it's administering medication, assisting with personal hygiene, or working with specific patient populations (like geriatrics or pediatrics), your experiences can make you particularly attractive to certain employers.
Skills you can include on your LVN Nurse (Licensed Vocational Nurse) resume
Template 39 of 44: lvn nurse (licensed vocational nurse) resume example.
As a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN), you play a vital role in the healthcare industry, often serving as the backbone of patient care. Your resume should reflect your robust skills set — your ability to assist with diagnostic tests, take vital signs, and provide emotional support to patients. Recently, the industry's focus has increasingly shifted to holistic care, and as an LVN, you're more likely to work in interdisciplinary teams. When crafting your resume, it's essential to convey the breadth of your nursing skills and your ability to work well with a diverse set of professionals. In the ever-evolving world of healthcare, trends tend to focus on emerging technologies and automation of administrative duties. This doesn't reduce the value of an LVN, but rather increases the demand for interpersonal and technical skills. Your resume should show your adaptability to new technologies, and your knack for juggling both patient interaction and administrative tasks. Remember, your resume doesn’t just outline your past jobs—it tells your professional story, offering a glimpse into who you are as an LVN.
Showcase your expertise in patient care
To stand out as an LVN, you should convey your extensive knowledge in basic patient care. This includes taking vitals, administering medications, and wound care. Make sure to detail your hands-on experiences in these tasks on your resume.
Highlight your technical and interpersonal skills
Since the LVN role involves working with a variety of tech tools and diverse teams, your resume should reflect your ability to navigate both. Mention any software you're proficient in, and provide examples of your teamwork skills within your past roles.
Template 40 of 44: ICU Charge Nurse Resume Example
As an ICU Charge Nurse, you're the backbone of the Intensive Care Unit, handling not only patient care but team leadership as well. In recent times, the demand for experienced and skilled ICU charge nurses has soared; critical care has become a focal point due to the pandemic. When writing your resume, remember ICU charge nursing is not just about medical proficiency, but also leadership and crisis management. With hospitals increasingly prioritizing these qualities, it's crucial to convey these attributes effectively on your resume. Balancing between the dual nature of the role, both as a nurse and a team leader, can be challenging. However, your resume should demonstrate your nursing expertise while not neglecting your leadership acumen. Ensure you portray yourself as a competent medical professional and a proficient manager, adaptable to high-pressure situations, and capable of making crucial decisions swiftly.
Tips to help you write your ICU Charge Nurse resume in 2024
emphasize your leadership achievements.
You should detail your leadership roles and accomplishments in your previous positions, specifically in crisis situations. Explain how you coordinated the team, handled emergencies, and managed resources efficiently. It's critical to show you can successfully lead a team under stress.
Demonstrate your specialized ICU nursing knowledge
As an ICU Charge Nurse, you need advanced knowledge in areas such as mechanical ventilation, advanced life support, and patient assessment. Provide specific examples of how you have used this specialized knowledge in critical situations to improve patient outcomes.
Skills you can include on your ICU Charge Nurse resume
Template 41 of 44: prior authorization nurse resume example.
When creating a resume for a Prior Authorization Nurse, it doesn't follow the traditional nursing resume structure. It's essential to know that though medical knowledge is a plus, employers look out for administrative prowess and excellent communication skills. In the recent past, companies hiring for the prior authorization nurse role focus on those with solid experience in insurance protocols, and electronic health record (EHR) systems. Realistically, when writing your resume, you'll need to emphasize these aspects. Moreover, with the healthcare industry becoming more digitized and the significance of cost management, there's an increasing demand for nurses who can navigate insurance issues efficiently. You must consider this when crafting your resume — underscore your capability in handling insurance matters and proficiency in digital health systems.
Tips to help you write your Prior Authorization Nurse resume in 2024
emphasize insurance knowledge.
Understanding insurance company operations, criteria for prior authorizations and claims processes is crucial. Ensure you elaborate on your grasp of Medicare and Medicaid procedures, private insurance policies and your ability to interpret and apply complex insurance documents.
Detail Proficiency in EHR Systems
With the move towards digitization in healthcare, you should underscore your proficiency in EHR systems. Discuss your experience in using these platforms for patient data management, billing, and prior authorization requests. It will demonstrate your ability to work efficiently in today's digital health environment.
Skills you can include on your Prior Authorization Nurse resume
Template 42 of 44: clinic nurse resume example.
As a clinic nurse, your role is extremely dynamic and multifaceted. Your resume should reflect this. You're not just administering care to patients but educating them, assisting physicians, and keeping track of medical records. An increasing trend in the healthcare industry is the need for nurses to be technologically adept to handle electronic health record systems. Writing your resume for this role needs strategic emphasis on these unique skill areas. When penning down your resume, bear in mind that you're writing for hiring managers possibly shifting through hundreds of applications. They're looking for the standout features they can pick up in seconds. Make their job easy by providing punchy, concise details of your experiences and skills.
Tips to help you write your Clinic Nurse resume in 2024
showcase your technical competency.
As more healthcare facilities embrace technology, your competence in using electronic health record systems is of high value. Mention specific systems you have experience with and any related accomplishments.
Highlight patient education skills
As a clinic nurse, you're often the bridge between doctors and patients, translating complex medical jargon into understandable terms. Illustrate instances in your career where your ability to educate patients made a marked difference, be it in patient recovery, satisfaction scores or clinic efficiency.
Skills you can include on your Clinic Nurse resume
Template 43 of 44: medical surgical nurse resume example.
Medical Surgical Nurses, or Med Surg Nurses, are a vital part of the healthcare team. They work in a highly dynamic environment, providing care to patients post-surgery, and are often the ones providing round-the-clock monitoring. The medical field is evolving rapidly, with technological developments influencing care delivery methods. Therefore, in writing your resume, you need to showcase your ability to adapt and learn quickly. It's also important to note that the healthcare sector is increasingly seeking a holistic approach to patient care. This means demonstrating not only your technical skills but also your capability to provide patient-centered care.
Tips to help you write your Medical Surgical Nurse resume in 2024
evidence of continuous learning.
In this rapidly changing field, it's critical to show that you're up to date. Include any additional training or certifications you've obtained, especially those relating to new technologies or procedures in surgical care.
Demonstrate a blend of skills
Beyond your clinical skills, recruiters are looking for nurses who can provide compassionate patient care. Be sure to include experiences that emphasize your communication skills, empathy, and ability to work in a team.
Skills you can include on your Medical Surgical Nurse resume
Template 44 of 44: patient care technician resume example.
Patient Care Technician roles are evolving rapidly with the ever-changing dynamics of the healthcare field. Nowadays, PCTs do much more than just direct patient care; they are often involved in medical record maintenance and can even assist with minor procedures. This increased responsibility has made it crucial for PCTs to demonstrate a wider range of skills on their resumes. Not only medical knowledge and hands-on skills, but soft skills like communication and teamwork are rising to the forefront. Remember, while the trend is to digitize, the role remains hands-on, and your resume should reflect this balance. In crafting your resume, it's important to know that hiring managers are seeking versatile candidates who can swiftly adapt to new protocols and technologies, while still delivering high-quality patient care. The key here is to clearly project both your technical proficiency and human touch. So when you're working on your resume, work towards striking that perfect balance.
Tips to help you write your Patient Care Technician resume in 2024
showcase your certifications and training.
As a Patient Care Technician, your certifications and specialized training are essential and should take center stage on your resume. Clearly, list your PCT certification, CPR training, any additional relevant certifications, and your proficiency in using electronic health record software.
Highlight patient care experiences and achievements
To paint a full picture of your practical skills, mention specific experiences where you provided high-quality care to patients. For example, you might talk about a time when you effectively managed the care of multiple critically ill patients. If you've ever been recognized for your patient care skills, don't hesitate to share that too.
Skills you can include on your Patient Care Technician resume
As a hiring manager who has recruited nurses at top hospitals like Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, and Johns Hopkins, I've seen countless nursing resumes. The best ones always stand out by showcasing the candidate's unique skills, experience, and impact in a clear and concise way. Here are some tips to help you create a strong nursing resume that will catch the attention of hiring managers and help you land your dream job.
Highlight your nursing specializations and certifications
Nursing is a broad field with many specializations. Make sure to highlight your specific areas of expertise and any relevant certifications you have earned. This will help you stand out from other candidates and show that you have the skills and knowledge needed for the job.
Here are some examples of how to showcase your specializations and certifications:
- Certified Critical Care Nurse (CCCN) with 5+ years of experience in intensive care units
- Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN) with expertise in administering chemotherapy and managing cancer patients
- Certified Wound Care Nurse (CWCN) skilled in assessing and treating complex wounds
Quantify your nursing achievements and impact
When describing your nursing experience, don't just list your job duties. Instead, focus on the impact you made and the results you achieved. Use specific numbers and metrics to quantify your accomplishments whenever possible.
Here are some examples:
- Reduced patient falls by 50% through implementing a new fall prevention protocol
- Improved patient satisfaction scores from 75% to 95% by providing compassionate and attentive care
- Trained and mentored 20+ new graduate nurses to help them transition to practice
In contrast, here are some examples of what not to do:
- Provided patient care
- Administered medications
- Collaborated with healthcare team
Tailor your resume to the specific nursing job
One mistake many job seekers make is using the same generic resume for every job application. Instead, take the time to tailor your resume to the specific nursing position you are applying for.
Here's how:
- Read the job description carefully and identify the key skills and qualifications the employer is looking for
- Highlight any relevant experience or accomplishments that match those requirements
- Use the same language and terminology as the job description to show that you are a good fit
For example, if the job description emphasizes experience with electronic health records (EHR), make sure to include any EHR systems you have used and how you leveraged them to improve patient care.
Showcase your nursing soft skills
While technical skills are important for nurses, soft skills are equally crucial. Employers want nurses who are compassionate, empathetic, and able to work well in a team. Make sure to highlight these soft skills in your resume.
Some examples of nursing soft skills include:
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to work well under pressure and in fast-paced environments
- Attention to detail and ability to multitask
- Empathy and compassion for patients and their families
You can showcase these skills through your job descriptions, achievements, and even volunteer experiences. For example:
- Collaborated with a multidisciplinary team to develop and implement a patient education program
- Provided emotional support and guidance to patients and families during end-of-life care
Include any relevant volunteer experience or leadership roles
Nursing resumes shouldn't just include paid work experience. Any relevant volunteer experience or leadership roles you have held can also help you stand out to employers.
For example:
- Volunteered at a local free clinic, providing basic healthcare services to underserved populations
- Served as a board member for the American Nurses Association, advocating for nurses and advancing the profession
- Led a quality improvement project to reduce hospital-acquired infections, resulting in a 30% decrease in infection rates
These experiences show that you are dedicated to the nursing profession and have taken on additional responsibilities outside of your day-to-day job duties. They can help demonstrate your leadership skills, initiative, and commitment to providing high-quality patient care.
Writing Your Nursing Resume: Section By Section
header, 1. include your full name and credentials.
Start your header with your full name, followed by your nursing credentials. This quickly establishes your identity and qualifications. For example:
- Jane Smith, RN, BSN
- Michael Johnson, APRN, MSN, FNP-C
Avoid nicknames or short forms of your name. Use your legal name as it appears on your nursing license. If you have a preferred name you go by, you can note that in parentheses.
Elizabeth (Liz) Thompson, RN
2. Add your phone number and email
Next, add your phone number and email on a single line below your name. This makes it easy for hiring managers or recruiters to contact you. For example:
- [email protected] | 123-456-7890
- [email protected] • 987-654-3210
Double check that your email address is professional. Avoid outdated email providers or informal handles like:
- [email protected]
Instead, stick with a standard format using your name and a modern provider like Gmail.
3. Decide if you should include your location
In the past, including your full mailing address was standard. However, with more digital and remote job searching today, including your city and state is usually sufficient. For example:
- Seattle, WA
- Tampa, Florida
If you're applying for jobs in a different city than where you currently live, consider listing your targeted location instead. This signals to employers that you are serious about relocating for the role.
In some cases, you may decide to omit your location entirely, especially if you are searching for fully remote nursing roles.
Summary
As a nurse, your resume summary is an opportunity to highlight your most relevant qualifications, skills, and experiences that make you an ideal candidate for the role. While a summary is optional, it can be particularly useful if you are a career changer or have a diverse background that may not be immediately apparent from your work history alone.
When crafting your summary, focus on your nursing expertise, specializations, and key accomplishments. Avoid using an objective statement, as it shifts the focus away from what you can offer the employer. Instead, use your summary to provide a snapshot of your nursing career and the value you bring to the position.
To learn how to write an effective resume summary for your Nursing resume, or figure out if you need one, please read Nursing Resume Summary Examples , or Nursing Resume Objective Examples .
1. Tailor your summary to the specific nursing role
When writing your nursing resume summary, it's essential to customize it to the specific role you are applying for. This demonstrates to the hiring manager that you have carefully considered how your skills and experiences align with their needs. Consider the following examples:
- Experienced registered nurse seeking a challenging position in a healthcare facility.
- Dedicated and compassionate nurse with 5+ years of experience in various healthcare settings.
While these summaries provide an overview of the candidate's nursing background, they lack specificity and fail to target a particular nursing role. Instead, try something like this:
- Critical care nurse with 5+ years of experience in fast-paced ICU environments, skilled in managing high-acuity patients and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams.
- Pediatric nurse with 3+ years of experience in providing compassionate care to children and their families, adept at patient education and fostering a positive healthcare experience.
2. Highlight your nursing specializations and expertise
As a nurse, you may have specialized skills or certifications that set you apart from other candidates. Your resume summary is an excellent place to showcase these qualifications and demonstrate your expertise in a particular area of nursing. For example:
Oncology nurse with 7+ years of experience in providing comprehensive care to cancer patients. Certified Oncology Nurse (OCN) with expertise in chemotherapy administration, symptom management, and patient education. Skilled in collaborating with oncologists and multidisciplinary teams to develop personalized treatment plans and improve patient outcomes.
By highlighting your oncology nursing certification and specific skills related to cancer care, you demonstrate your specialized knowledge and commitment to professional development in this field.
3. Quantify your accomplishments and impact
To make your nursing resume summary more impactful, include quantifiable achievements that demonstrate your value as a healthcare professional. This could include metrics related to patient outcomes, process improvements, or leadership initiatives. Consider the following examples:
- Experienced nurse with strong clinical skills and a commitment to patient care.
- Skilled in managing a busy unit and mentoring new nurses.
While these summaries touch on important nursing skills, they lack specific, quantifiable evidence of the candidate's impact. Instead, try incorporating metrics like this:
- Experienced emergency room nurse who treated an average of 50 patients per shift, maintaining a 95% patient satisfaction rating.
- Nurse leader who mentored and trained 15 new graduate nurses, resulting in a 20% reduction in staff turnover rates.
To identify your key accomplishments and quantify your impact, reflect on your nursing career and consider instances where you:
- Improved patient outcomes or satisfaction
- Implemented process or quality improvements
- Assumed leadership roles or mentored others
- Received recognition or awards for your work
By highlighting these achievements in your summary, you'll give hiring managers a clear picture of the value you can bring to their organization.
For more insights on crafting a compelling resume, try using Score My Resume , which provides instant, expert feedback on your resume based on 30+ key criteria that hiring managers look for.
Experience
Your work experience is the most important section of your nursing resume. It's where you show recruiters and hiring managers how you've applied your skills to make an impact for previous employers. It's also the best place to position yourself as a qualified applicant.
In this section, we'll break down everything you need to know about writing an effective work experience section for your nursing resume, including what to include and what to leave out, how to list your work experience, and tips for making your experience stand out.
1. Focus on your relevant nursing experience
When listing your work experience, it's important to focus on the nursing positions that are most relevant to the job you're applying for. This means including your clinical experience, as well as any relevant volunteer work, internships, or externships.
Be specific when describing your nursing experience. Instead of simply listing your job duties, use action verbs to describe how you contributed to patient care, improved processes, or made an impact on your unit.
- Developed and implemented a new patient education program that reduced medication errors by 15%
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary team to create a fall prevention protocol that decreased patient falls by 20%
- Provided compassionate end-of-life care to patients and their families, ensuring their comfort and dignity
2. Quantify your accomplishments with metrics
Whenever possible, use metrics to quantify your accomplishments and show the impact of your work. This helps recruiters and hiring managers understand the scope of your experience and how you can contribute to their organization.
For example, instead of saying:
- Responsible for administering medications to patients
- Administered medications to up to 20 patients per shift, ensuring accurate dosing and timely delivery
Other examples of metrics you can use include:
- Number of patients served
- Infection control rates
- Patient satisfaction scores
- Number of staff trained or supervised
3. Highlight your clinical skills and expertise
Your nursing resume should showcase your clinical skills and expertise, as well as your ability to work effectively in a healthcare setting. Use your work experience section to highlight specific skills and competencies that are relevant to the job you're applying for.
This can include:
- Patient assessment and triage
- Medication administration
- Patient and family education
- Electronic health record (EHR) documentation
Skilled in conducting comprehensive patient assessments, developing individualized care plans, and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to ensure optimal patient outcomes. Proficient in EHR documentation using Epic and Cerner systems.
4. Include relevant certifications and training
In addition to your clinical experience, be sure to include any relevant certifications, training, or continuing education you've completed. This shows your commitment to staying current in your field and can help set you apart from other candidates.
Some examples of certifications and training to include:
- Basic Life Support (BLS)
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
- Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC)
- Certified Critical Care Nurse (CCRN)
You can also include any relevant coursework or academic projects that demonstrate your knowledge and expertise in a particular area of nursing.
Education
The education section of your nursing resume is a crucial component that showcases your academic background and qualifications. It demonstrates to employers that you have the necessary knowledge and training to excel in the nursing field. Here are some key tips to keep in mind when crafting your education section:
1. Highlight your nursing degree
As a nursing professional, your nursing degree is the most important aspect of your education section. Make sure to prominently feature your degree, including the full name of the degree, the institution you attended, and the year of graduation.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Graduated: May 2018
2. Include relevant coursework and clinical experience
If you are a recent graduate or have limited work experience, you can strengthen your education section by including relevant coursework and clinical experience. This helps employers understand the specific skills and knowledge you gained during your nursing education.
Avoid listing every course you took. Instead, focus on courses that are directly relevant to the nursing position you are applying for, such as:
- Advanced Medical-Surgical Nursing
- Pharmacology for Nurses
- Community Health Nursing
3. Showcase your nursing licenses and certifications
In addition to your nursing degree, it is crucial to highlight your nursing licenses and certifications in the education section. This demonstrates to employers that you have met the necessary requirements to practice as a registered nurse and have specialized knowledge in certain areas.
Include the following information for each license or certification:
- Name of the license or certification
- Issuing organization
- Date of obtainment
- Expiration date (if applicable)
Registered Nurse (RN), California Board of Registered Nursing License Number: 123456 Expires: February 2024
4. Keep it concise for experienced nurses
If you are a mid-level or senior-level nurse with extensive work experience, you can keep your education section brief. Employers will be more interested in your professional accomplishments and skills rather than your academic background.
Here's an example of what to avoid:
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) New York University, New York, NY Graduated: May 2005 Relevant Coursework: Advanced Pharmacology, Healthcare Informatics, Nursing Leadership and Management GPA: 3.8
Instead, keep it concise and focus on the essentials:
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) New York University
Action Verbs For Nursing Resumes
You probably know that it’s important to focus your bullet points on your accomplishments. But how? Frame your achievements in a positive light by using strong action verbs at the start of each sentence. Structuring your bullet points this way emphasizes what you actually did and avoids listing bullet points that read more like a job description. In addition to technical skills and medical know-how, nurses need a lot of transferable skills — think qualities like leadership, communication, empathy, and resilience. The best way to show that you have these qualities is through your choice of action verbs. If you’re applying for an entry-level nursing assistant role, you might want to emphasize your ability to follow instructions and work as part of a team, so choose verbs like Assisted or Prepared. If you’re looking for a more senior role, highlight your leadership potential with verbs like Implemented or Oversaw.
- Coordinated
- Administered
- Implemented
For more related action verbs, visit Nursing Action Verbs .
For a full list of effective resume action verbs, visit Resume Action Verbs .
Action Verbs for Nursing Resumes
Skills for nursing resumes.
Targeting your skills section is the easiest way to tailor your resume to the specific job you’re applying for. You can use a separate section at the bottom of your resume for this or include these skills as part of your bullet points. If you are using a dedicated skills section, make sure you’re only listing hard skills — soft skills, like communication and attention to detail, should be demonstrated through your accomplishments instead. Often, recruiters will be looking for specific skills and may even be using ATS to automatically screen resumes for certain keywords. You can get a feel for what keywords you should be including by reading over the job description, or by checking out our list of recommended skills and keywords or using our free Targeted Resume tool.
- Healthcare Management
- Patient Safety
- Inpatient Care
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
- Healthcare Information Technology (HIT)
- Nursing Management
- Quality Improvement
- Nursing Education
- Clinical Research
- Patient Education
- Public Health
- Patient Advocacy
- Medical-Surgical
- Electronic Medical Record (EMR)
- Nursing Process
- Critical Care Nursing
- Customer Service
- Strategic Planning
- Emergency Nursing
How To Write Your Skills Section On a Nursing Resumes
You can include the above skills in a dedicated Skills section on your resume, or weave them in your experience. Here's how you might create your dedicated skills section:
Skills Word Cloud For Nursing Resumes
This word cloud highlights the important keywords that appear on Nursing job descriptions and resumes. The bigger the word, the more frequently it appears on job postings, and the more 'important' it is.
How to use these skills?
Other medical resumes, dental assistant.
Respiratory Therapist
Nursing Resume Guide
- Dental Assistant Resume Guide
- Case Manager Resume Guide
- Respiratory Therapist Resume Guide
- Medical Billing Resume Guide
- Therapist Resume Guide
- Quality Control Resume Guide
- Care Coordinator Resume Guide
- Occupational Therapist Resume Guide
- Clinical Research Resume Guide
- Radiologic Technologist Resume Guide
- Pharmacy Technician Resume Guide
- Medical Technologist Resume Guide
- Microbiologist Resume Guide
- SLP Resume Guide
- General Nurse Resume Example
- Experienced Nurse Resume Example
- Certified Nursing Assistant Resume Example
- Registered Nurse Resume Example
- ICU Nurse Resume Example
- NICU Nurse Resume Example
- Psychiatric Nurse Resume Example
- Nurse Case Manager Resume Example
- Nursing Student Resume Example
- Travel Nurse Resume Example
- Nurse Practitioner Resume Example
- New Grad Nurse Resume Example
- Director of Nursing Resume Example
- Nursing Supervisor Resume Example
- ER Nurse Resume Example
- Clinical Rotation Nurse Resume Example
- Charge Nurse Resume Example
- Remote Nurse Resume Example
- Preceptor Nurse Resume Example
- Relief Charge Nurse Resume Example
- LPN Nurse (Licensed Practical Nurse) Resume Example
- LVN Nurse (Licensed Vocational Nurse) Resume Example
- ICU Charge Nurse Resume Example
- Prior Authorization Nurse Resume Example
- Clinic Nurse Resume Example
- Medical Surgical Nurse Resume Example
- Patient Care Technician Resume Example
- Tips for Nursing Resumes
- Skills and Keywords to Add
- All Resume Examples
- Nursing CV Examples
- Nursing Cover Letter
- Nursing Interview Guide
- Explore Alternative and Similar Careers
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The Ultimate Guide to Nursing Resumes in 2024
How to write a nurse resume, nurse resume research, nursing resume readers & robots, choose a nurse resume format, nurse resume format & design, writing your nursing resume, common resume mistakes, nursing resume templates, nurse resume faqs.
Expert Reviewed by: Amanda Guarniere, NP, Founder of the Resume RX
In 2024, a vague, uninspiring nursing resume just won't cut it. Recent years have fostered growing competition for the best nursing jobs , creating a greater need for nurses to learn how to write exceptional nursing resumes. With vast opportunities and diverse requirements from various employers, every nurse must put their best foot forward to market themselves for the best positions.
However, this ever-changing world of online applications and robotic resume readers makes it more complex for nurses to get to the first rounds of interviews. This article will help you tackle the daunting task of writing a nursing resume that stands out. We'll help you build a better nursing resume by giving you an inside look at how robotic resume readers work and providing tips on how to make your resume, things you should and shouldn't include, and provide examples and templates.
Think of your job search as your own personal marketing campaign. And the product is you! Your resume is an advertisement for your professional nursing brand. A brand is more than a logo - it’s the overall impression you give your audience. In this case, your audience is a potential employer.
As with any advertisement, the goal of your nursing resume is to pique your audience’s interest in a limited amount of time. It’s commonly said that hiring managers will spend less than ten seconds reading your resume. And in many cases, it has to first be screened by a resume-reading robot before it reaches human hands.
So, you must carefully curate your brand for these employers. Captivate them with your professionalism, unique skillset, experience, and personality using your nursing resume. These tactics may help get your foot in the door for an interview, where you can close the deal by impressing them in person.
The first and most important step in any marketing campaign is the research phase. The more you learn about potential employers, the better you can tailor your registered nurse resume to their requirements.
Initial Employer Research for Nursing Resumes
Before you begin tailoring your resume for specific jobs, take some time to answer the following questions about each company:
- Who are they?
- What is their company culture?
- What do they struggle with as an organization?
- What qualities are they looking for in a potential candidate?
- Which of their desired qualities do you possess?
Researching Company Culture and Values
The internet has made it fairly easy to hop online and start your research right now from your mobile device. Employers' websites and social platforms will give you an inside glimpse at their culture and values.
Instead of simply reading a job posting, take a few extra steps to investigate the employer's online presence:
- Check out the company website - what does their mission statement say?
- See what they tweet about
- Investigate what photos they post on Instagram
- Learn about the articles they share on Facebook
- Check their LinkedIn - do you have any connections at the company?
- Look at their Google ratings
Examine Required vs Preferred Nursing Qualifications
The research phase isn't just about investigating the company - you also need to understand the job description. Specifically, understanding the difference between "required" and "preferred" qualifications will help you build a tailored resume for each job:
Required Qualifications
These are just what they say - requirements. Those who do not possess these qualifications will not be considered.
Preferred Qualifications
Skills that are desired but are not deal-breakers for the employer. You may still be considered even if you do not possess these.
As you personalize your nursing resume to different opportunities, these qualifications will, in part, guide what you do and do not include. You should include any and all required qualifications if you want an employer to consider your candidacy.
If you do not possess some or all of the preferred qualifications, you can apply anyway and still be in the running. However, including the ones you do possess on your tailored nursing resume is always the best practice.
Build a Master Resume
You may want a solid starting point from which you can use your research to build a dedicated resume for each position you apply for. Queue the "master resume," a comprehensive working document that highlights everything you've accomplished and every skill you've fostered as a nurse thus far.
We recommend starting with a foundational nurse resume so that you can alter it for each role you apply to. This way, you won't be rewriting a new resume for every single position. But you'll also avoid submitting "cookie-cutter" resumes that employers won't bother looking at twice.
Use Research to Personalize Your Nursing Resume
Dale Carnegie once said that “A person’s name is, to that person, the sweetest and most important sound in any language.” Personalizing your RN resume matters, with both how you mention and address the future employer and how to include your specific qualifications that match what they are looking for.
Using your research and leveraging your professional brand and personality to target your nurse resume could lead to the interview of your dreams. Not targeting it, however, could lead you on the fast track to nowhere.
The internet revolution transformed the hiring process, impacting the entire labor market in a very short time. 15 years ago, printing your resume on off-white linen paper and hand-delivering it to employers was the status quo. But as little as five years later, doing so might only get you some perplexed looks and urges to apply online.
Technological advances will continue shaping the job market in 2024. USC Annenberg reports that up to 55% of companies are making investments in AI recruiting measures. But even now, many employers screen online applicants using resume-reading robots.
This section explores how these bots impact the hiring process and how to get your nursing resume past them and into a real person's hands.
What Is a Resume Reading Robot?
ATS systems are highly technical but can only do what their program says, unable to come close to human discretion. So, knowing how ATS systems work can help you write a resume that passes their screening.
Here's a brief overview of how employers use ATS software to screen nursing applicants:
1. Knockout Questions
Recruiters can use an ATS to scan for keywords or "knockout questions" like "Do you have an active Washington State Nursing License?" These functions help them swiftly eliminate unqualified candidates.
2. Disqualifying Statements
They may also configure the ATS to include “disqualifying statements.” An ATS searching for these statements will automatically reject nursing resumes with certain keywords or phrases.
For example, an ATS screening for bachelor's-trained nurses might reject resumes that mention an associate's degree. If you have both, consider listing only your BSN.
3. Keyword Screening
Finally, recruiters may use the ATS to find resumes with exact keywords or phrases. These may include qualifications listed in the job description, degrees, or skills. They can program the ATS to reject any application that does not include their specified keywords.
How Does ATS Work?
Not all ATS systems are created equally. They vary greatly in their functionality and behavior. Most ATS systems are programmed to score resumes according to keywords. However, they can be configured to search and score resumes based on various other criteria.
The results are imperfect. Some ATS systems can't differentiate between titles, such as Clinical Nurse II and Registered Nurse, or distinguish between the terms BLS and Basic Life Support. So how do you navigate these intricacies in your nursing resume?
Best Practice: R ead the job description and use the exact wording for the qualifications listed that you possess.
If you use acronyms and abbreviations, make sure to spell out the entire word, followed by the shortened version. It would be disappointing to have all the requested qualifications but be filtered out by the ATS because you used only the acronyms when the robot was programmed for the full phrases spelled out.
What Are the Shortcomings of ATS?
The problem is that ATS does not ‘read’ a resume as a human would - it simply collects data. It doesn’t care about aesthetics, either. It is programmed by an employer to search for the right keywords, in the right order, on the right part of the resume.
Also, the system can get confused pretty easily. For example, if the font is too fancy or if it encounters unrecognizable symbols, it may score the resume as ‘unqualified’ and move on to the next resume. It does what it is configured to do, nothing more and nothing less.
While ATS has streamlined the hiring process for employers, it’s also made job search extremely challenging for the job seeker. In fact, 94% of hiring professionals say that ATS has positively influenced their hiring goals, while 80% of job seekers say that their online job search is stressful.
What Other Hiring Technology Might I Encounter?
Recently, some employers have started to use artificial intelligence in a different way - during the interview process. Rather than having strict ATS filters, they offer more candidates the opportunity to interview, but there is a catch.
You don't interview with the employer but with a computer. In these one-way or “on-demand” interviews, you essentially get the opportunity to record your video response to interview questions. After you submit it, hiring managers or recruiters review the video responses before choosing the candidates for formal interviews.
Does Every Employer Use ATS?
While many employers use ATS, there are definitely employers who still rely on human resource professionals to screen resumes. In those instances, a human resources professional usually skims the resumes and invites the most qualified candidates in for an interview.
The problem here is that most employers will receive hundreds of resumes for a single opening. To get through the resumes quickly, the HR professional may resort to a simple scan of the resumes knowing that even qualified applicants may not make it. It’s simply a way to reduce the number of applicants.
In either case, the goal of the modern resume is to ‘sell’ yourself in an organized, targeted manner for a specific role. The best way to design an effective, attention-grabbing resume is by making strong assertions in the beginning followed by supporting evidence.
How to Get Past the ATS
- Target your resume to the specific position. Do this by reading job descriptions and selecting keywords noted in the descriptions - competencies, skills sets, education, and experience.
- Match individual experiences to keywords/key skill sets found within the job posting.
- Research the employer and target the resume based on the facility's values and culture.
- Make strong assertions within the top ⅓ of the resume.
- Follow those assertions with supporting evidence.
- Include a “ Professional Summary ” if you are an experienced Nurse.
- Only apply to roles that you match 100% of the “Required Qualifications.”
- Use simple fonts such as Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri.
- Never use smaller than 10-point font. See Part 5 for more styling suggestions.
- Use simple black bullet (dots) points, not special bullet symbols.
- Save your resume as a .doc, .docx, or .pdf format.
- If using an abbreviation, always spell out the words followed by the abbreviation or acronym. You never know how the abbreviation was entered into the ATS.
- Use standard, simple section headers such as “Work History” or “Education.”
- Settings you’ve worked in
- Patient demographics
- Policies/procedures
- EMR/EHR used
- Medications administered
- Equipment used
- Don’t use the same title as at your current employer if it is different from the title in the job description. Use the title in the job description.
- Don’t overload your resume with keywords. Use them appropriately. Overusing keywords will flag a resume and could cause the ATS to lower your score.
- Don't forget to support the keywords you use with evidence throughout your resume.
- Do not put your contact information in the header section because ATS will not see it.
- Do not include tables because most ATS can’t read them. Other ATS can only read them if their operator programmed them to do so.
- Do not use creative section headers such as “Where I’ve Worked” because the ATS likely doesn’t understand what that means.
- Don’t include a headshot, graphics, special fonts, photos, colored fonts, or unique bullets.
- Do not state, “References available upon request.” It takes up too much space and is unnecessary. If employers want references, they’ll ask.
- Don’t place skills at the bottom of the resume. Many ATS systems only scan the top ⅓ of the resume for keywords. If you have important keywords at the bottom, the ATS may not see them and could disqualify your resume.
- Don’t use “I” statements; resumes should be written in the third person.
- Do not rely on resume builder software. Stay in control of your registered nurse resume.
How to Spot an ATS
If you’ve ever visited a job posting and seen an “APPLY NOW” button, you’ve encountered the elusive resume-reading bot. ATS requires candidates to enter data on the front end.
Maybe you’ve gone through the steps to create a login, complete the application and upload your resume. Perhaps you didn’t realize at the time that you were entering your information into an applicant tracking system.
Raise your hand if you never heard back from an employer after applying online. Raise your other hand if you received an automated response “thanking” you for your interest and never heard back!
Now, keep in mind that it can be difficult to stand out when you are applying for a job online, especially when there is an ATS involved. As you consider your overall job search strategy, try to think of other ways that can increase your chances of getting a job. Don’t be afraid to ask your network connections for referrals and recommendations, or let friends and family know what type of position you are looking for and where. While your resume is absolutely important, it isn’t the only tool that can lead to you getting a job.
Prior to ever typing words onto your resume, it’s important to first decide on a resume format. There are three types of resume layouts. While we highly recommend the reverse-chronological layout for most nursing professionals, we’d encourage you to make the best choice for yourself.
Here’s a breakdown of the three most popular types of resume layouts:
1. Reverse Chronological Nursing Resume
This layout focuses on career history and lists jobs in reverse chronological order. We recommend this type of registered nurse resume for the majority of healthcare professionals and will focus the details of this article on the format. It is best suited for:
- New nursing graduates
- Nurses with fewer than 5 roles within the past 5-7 years.
- Travel Nurses with <10 completed assignments
- Nurses with experience in only 1-2 specialties
- Nurses applying for a similar role
- Nurses wanting to show vertical career progression
2. Functional Nursing Resume
This nurse resume layout places emphasis on skills and deemphasizes work history. However, it does not pass the ATS test well, and hiring managers overall do not prefer it. We recommend against this layout for the majority of nursing professionals. Typically, people who use this format are:
- Changing careers
- Have large gaps in employment
- Do have years of experience in the role in which they are applying
3. Combination Nursing Resume
This layout is a mixture of the reverse chronological and the functional resume. While it places emphasis on skill sets, abilities, and accomplishments, it also highlights applicable work history. We recommend combination resumes for nursing professionals with the following background, goals, and barriers:
- Nurses with experience in multiple specialties and/or medical professions
- Seasoned travel nurses with >10 completed assignments
- Nurses with multiple small gaps in employment
- Nurses looking to change specialties
- Nurses interested in changing careers
Writing a nursing resume can feel overwhelming. It’s no easy task! Nowadays, nursing resumes must be able to pass through resume reading software before it even reaches a recruiter. That’s why we’ve put together THREE nurse resume templates to cater to your unique professional needs and employment situation.
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The first formatting and design consideration you should make when creating your nursing resume is how well an ATS will read them. We recommend the following comprehensive design and formatting guidelines to appease common ATS systems:
Many experts believe you can achieve the perfect balance of text to white space in your nursing resume using the following margin settings:
- Top Margin: 1"
- Side Margins: .63"
Left alignment is standard since that’s how most people (and robots) read. You may think a justified alignment looks tidier, but it can leave uneven gaps between words and ultimately make text harder to read.
In the nursing profession, length should not be the focus of the resume. While we recommend 1-2 pages, some nurses may have resumes with 3 (or more) pages.
Don’t stress over length too much. If the resume is slightly over the page amount by a few lines try changing the margin, font style, font size, or shortening statements. The bottom line is it should look visually appealing and should include keywords.
We recommend Times New Roman or Arial to best utilize the functionality of the ATS. However, this is your personal preference. Take note that Times New Roman can be difficult to read if it is smaller than 11pt.
If you are striving for a resume that looks visually appealing when printed, there are great ways to achieve that without going overboard with design. For example, you could use the “small caps” feature for headings, which keeps the font the same but adds a bit more character and differentiation. Or, you could try a font pairing, using serif fonts for headers and sans serif for body text.
Important Note: Different font styles will take up different amounts of space. See how these identical statements look vastly different despite both being in 11 pt font:
Experienced Travel Nurse with 8 years experience in critical care nursing.
Throughout the resume, there should be different-sized fonts. We recommend the following for each section:
Name | 18 - 22 point |
Contact Info | 10-11 point |
Section Headers | 12-14 point |
Descriptions | 10-11 point |
It’s important to note that 10-point font should be the smallest size on the resume.
While some ATS systems claim to read colors, we encourage you to simply use black.
Special Characters
We recommend keeping the resume very simple. Basic bullet points (black dots) may be used when desired. Simple lines are acceptable as well.
Design Features to Avoid
The following design features are best left off the resume:
- Multiple font styles
- Special characters
As you’ve learned, ATS systems skim resumes and locate specific information in the correct order. We’d suggest using the following categories and section headers to optimize your nursing resume for ATS scoring.
Contact Information
This is the first section of the resume and does not require a title. Your name should be front and center. Don’t make the recruiter search for it. Make sure it’s the largest font on the page. While there are varying opinions on the exact placement of the name, we recommend a simple classic version in the following format:
Your name should be the first thing a recruiter, hiring manager, or ATS system sees on your nurse resume. It should share a line with your nursing credentials and be in a bold, readable, 18-22 pt font. If you go by a different name, make sure to list both in this section.
Nursing Credentials
Your nursing credentials should directly follow your first and last name on a nursing resume. The preferred order to list these in is Highest degree earned, Licensure, then National Certifications.
We've included a credential quick reference guide below to help you fill out your resume perfectly.
The days of listing your home address on a resume are over - most employers don't need this information, and we advise against including it on your resume as a security precaution. However, this is a personal decision you can make at your own discretion.
You should never leave your location off completely because many employers have location parameters set in their ATS systems. Ensure you include your city and state in the contact information portion of your nursing resume.
Phone/Texting Number
Oh, technology! Yes, some employers will actually text their candidates. Make sure to indicate if you receive texts and whether the phone number is a cell phone or a home phone. This is a great time to make sure your voicemail message states your full name and is professional.
Email Address
It is in your best interest to ensure that you have a professional email address that does not reveal your age. Age discrimination is real, and listing your birth year or using an antiquated email service like AOL can definitely trigger it.
Your email address should include a variation of your name and some numbers if necessary. You can even make a totally separate email account and use it only for your job search.
LinkedIn Profile
If you have a LinkedIn profile definitely include it. If you don’t have a LinkedIn profile, you could be missing out on opportunities. Now is the time to create one!
In your settings, you can easily create a shortened LinkedIn URL that doesn’t have a bunch of random numbers and letters.
How Your Digital Footprint Impacts Your Nursing Job Search
Though you may not list it, you should consider your social media and online presence when you complete the contact information portion of your resume. Potential employers will likely look you up online. Many Recruiters tell us that looking a candidate up on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter is one of the first things they do. So, make sure everything you post online is what you would want an employer to see.
Additionally, online behavior can benefit you. Do you have a nursing-related website or blog? Are you an Instagram celebrity? Maybe you created a successful YouTube channel when you were a newbie nurse. Include all this on your resume if it relates to nursing. This is all part of your unique brand!
Nursing Resume Credential Quick Reference Guide
According to the American Nurses Credentialing Center (AACN), the preferred order is Highest degree earned, Licensure, and National Certification.
Educational degrees include doctoral degrees (Ph.D., DrPH, DNS, EdD, DNP), master’s degrees (MSN, MS, MA), bachelor’s degrees (BS, BSN, BA), and associate degrees (AD, ADN).
Licensure credentials include RN, LPN, CNA, and APRN.
National certification , which is occasionally voluntary for nurses and obligatory for advanced practice nurses, is awarded through accredited certifying bodies such as the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), includes RNBC (Registered Nurse-Board Certified) and FNP-BC (Family Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified).
You may also choose to include awards and honors:
Outstanding achievements in nursing, such as FAAN (Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing).
Other certifications that recognize additional skills, such as the EMT-Basic/EMT, awarded by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians.
Here is an example of contact information on a nursing resume that puts it all together:
Penny Lite, BSN, RN Los Angeles, CA | Text/Call: (987) 654 - 3210 | [email protected] | www.linkedin.com/pennylitern
Professional Summary
Don’t make an employer (or ATS) search your entire resume for reasons to invite you to an interview. Tell them right off the top exactly why you are the best candidate for the role.
Every position is unique, and this is your first opportunity to optimize the resume for ATS and to also catch the employer’s eye. Spend a little time to target it and let your qualifications and accomplishments shine.
While there is some debate about how to introduce your resume, we suggest using a professional summary as opposed to a career objective. The professional summary can be formatted in either a short paragraph or a bulleted list asserting qualifications and providing a concise career snapshot.
How to Write a Professional Summary for a Nursing Resume
Think of your resume summary as an “elevator pitch” - a quick, attention-grabbing, loaded statement that entices the reader to want to continue on. Your professional summary is unique to you and should be targeted to a specific role, just like the cover letters career counselors used to tell us about.
However, it could definitely include the following information:
- Number of years of experience in a specialty
- Common keywords found in nursing job descriptions e.g., excellent patient care, acute care, family education, compassionate
- Facility designations or info about facilities
- Supervisory experience and number of subordinates
- Special certifications or awards
- Language abilities
- Soft skills such as patience, compassion, and a cooperative spirit
Nursing professional summary example:
4+ years nursing experience with strong clinical background in critical care (CCU) and intermediate care nursing (IMCU). Proactively streamlines operations, initiates tasks, and supports the healthcare team while prioritizing excellent patient care. Champions patient and family education by providing compassionate, inclusive care that encourages self-sufficiency. Recipient of the Daisy Award. Bilingual in English and Spanish.
Nursing Skills and Areas of Expertise
List your nursing skills within the top ⅓ of the resume - Don't make the common mistake of adding them last. With the popularity of ATS, this mistake could cost you an interview. This is especially true in nursing, as the profession requires very specific skills.
Additionally, your hard skills should be directly targeted to the role as expressed in the job description. Is the employer asking for a specific EMR that you are experienced with? List it! Are you an expert at starting IVs because of your five years of experience in the emergency room? List it!
This should not be a generic list of skills but a specific list that is as quantified as possible. It’s possible that if you are a newer nurse or are making a specialty pivot you may not have hard skills to include. In that case, it’s okay to omit this section and highlight your transferable soft nursing skills within your job history.
While most nurses list their license titles on their resumes, it’s been our experience that they leave off a few very important details - most notably, whether the license is active and the expiration date.
Why is this important? Including this information lets potential employers know that you are ready to start work ASAP. They don’t have to wait for the licensing process. Including your license number is optional, and you can make this decision based on your privacy comfort. The employer will likely be verifying your license online anyway (this is all public information).
If you are an advanced practice nurse, you may decide to leave off license numbers for privacy purposes, especially your DEA number or controlled substance registration number.
Here’s an example of how to list your licensure:
Registered Nurse - California, #RN00101, expires 4/17/2024.
Certifications and Credentials
This is another key section where some important details are typically missing on the nursing resumes we’ve seen. While most nurses list their credentials, it’s important to list them in a specific manner.
Don’t simply list acronyms, as some ATS systems may not be programmed to read shortened versions. Make sure to list the accrediting body, credential/certification number (where applicable), and expiration date.
Here’s an example of how to list your certifications and credentials:
Basic Life Support (BLS), American Heart Association, expires: 12/1/2021
Work History
Employers want to know what you can do for them, period. Nurse recruiters we’ve talked to will zero in on this section. What are they looking for? Evidence, facts, quantifiable points - proof to support the assertions made in your resume summary.
Vague work histories are particularly frustrating to employers - especially when applicants copy and paste job descriptions. To avoid falling into those pitfalls, try incorporating these tips:
Use simple section headers such as “Work History” or “Relevant Experience,” these are ATS friendly. “What I’ve Done” is not.
List your experience in reverse chronological order. If you have a lengthy employment history, you may consider only including the most recent 10-15 years of experience. This will shorten your resume and also limit the chances that you’ll encounter age discrimination. Looking at the big-picture experience from 25 years ago doesn’t necessarily speak to your recent nursing experience because employers care about what you can do for them now.
Work History Format
Adding your work history in a logical format can help your nursing resume beat the ATS and impress recruiters. We recommend using the following format for each work history segment:
1. Job Title and Specialty
This is a controversial subject, but we believe employers care more about what you’ve done than who you’ve worked for. Use the job title as it is listed in the job posting, or use a more industry-wide job title. Registered Nurse as opposed to Clinical Nurse II.
2. Facility Name
Add the name of the facility or company you worked for after your job title. You can add this on the same line or a different line, but using the same line will optimize space.
3. Employment Dates
These are important and can be listed in a number of ways. However, it’s been our experience that specific dates are not necessary for a resume. On an application, yes, on a resume, not so much. You can simply list the months and years (mm/yy - present).
4. Facility-Specific and Unit-Specific Information
This information is helpful and important to employers but is left off the majority of resumes we’ve seen, it includes:
- Trauma level: level I, II, III
- Facility Designations
- Total Hospital beds
- Total unit beds
Primary Duties and Accomplishments
This section looks best in a bulleted list of no more than six points and should include duties, noteworthy accomplishments, and achievements. It’s important to emphasize specific duties and not be too vague.
Also, try your best not to simply regurgitate basic nursing duties that would be assumed of your role. This will take up valuable space on your resume and not really tell the reader much about you !
Wondering what specifics to include? Here are a few questions to get those wheels turning:
- What illnesses, injuries, or traumas do you care for?
- What cases do you work on?
- What type of medications do you administer and how?
- What therapies do you perform?
- What equipment do you use?
- How have you improved processes?
- When have I been first or best?
- No. 1 achievement in each position?
- Which achievements have the most impressive numbers?
- When have I been publicly recognized?
Write Strong Nursing Resume Bullets
Wondering how to order your bullets and what to include? Try this: start with a verb leading to quantifiable data or a specific point and include a relevant duty.
Use our comprehensive tables to build compelling nursing resume bullets that make your achievements shine:
Adhered | Displayed | Planned |
Administered | Educated | Preserved |
Applied | Ensured | Provided |
Assessed | Evaluated | Reacted |
Assisted | Executed | Reported |
Built | Explained | Responded |
Collaborated | Followed | Scheduled |
Communicated | Helped | Shared |
Contributed | Led | Supervised |
Decided | Listened | Taught |
Delegated | Managed | Tracked |
Delivered | Measured | Trained |
Demonstrated | Negotiated | Treated |
Developed | Observed | Updated |
Directed | Performed | Wrote |
Assertive | Friendly | Productive |
Attentive | Hard-working | Professional |
Balanced | Honest | Qualified |
Broad-minded | Independent | Realistic |
Cheerful | Inventive | Reliable |
Committed | Knowledgeable | Resourceful |
Compassionate | Mature | Responsible |
Conscientious | Motivated | Sociable |
Consistent | Objective | Tenacious |
Creative | Patient | Traditional |
Direct | Persistent | Trustworthy |
Dynamic | Practical | Unconventional |
Eclectic | Proactive | Unique |
Here is a brief work history resume example for nurses that puts it all together:
Registered Nurse, Acute Care - Example Medical Center 09-19 - Present
- Supervised staff of 15 registered nurses, 8 certified nursing assistants, and 7 paramedics while multitasking excellent patient care.
- Cared for up to 4 patients per shift with acute neurological disorders, including strokes, spinal cord injuries, and head trauma.
Education and Training
In the nursing profession, education and training are of utmost importance. If you have work experience, this section can be fairly brief. You should list your relevant degrees in chronological order.
There are varying opinions regarding the specific ordering of education. However, we believe that the degree or certification title should be listed first. Employers care firstly that you have the education requirement they need and secondarily where you obtained the requirement.
We suggest the following format: Degree or Certification Title (acronym), Institution Name
Here’s an example:
Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (BSN), University of Washington
Should I Include Graduation Dates on a Nursing Resume?
You are not required to include your college or high school graduation dates on your nursing resume , as it could reveal your age. Age discrimination is the top form of employment discrimination and affects all age groups. If you graduated more than 10-15 years ago, it may be a good idea to omit the date. But this is a personal decision you should make at your own discretion.
Should I Include My GPA on a Nursing Resume?
Including your GPA in your nursing resume is optional. If you are particularly proud of your GPA, by all means, add it! However, it is not required. If you graduated with honors that you are proud of, you can definitely include that as well. Again the resume is a unique snapshot of you!
Should I Include my Non-Nursing Degrees and Credentials?
If you possess other degrees not related to nursing, it is not necessary to include those on your nursing resume. Some second-career nurses like to list this information, especially if there has been an interesting career pivot or one that brings a lot of value to your role as a nurse. Remember, you are telling your personal, unique story, and you get to decide what to include.
How Do I Add In-Progress Advanced Education Programs?
If you are currently enrolled in higher education to advance your studies within the nursing field, that should be listed on your resume and state that the degree is pending or in progress. However, if you started a graduate degree program, never finished, and do not plan on finishing, it is unnecessary to include it on the resume.
Should I Include my High School Education?
Nurses do not need to include their high school diplomas on their resumes. The nursing profession requires completion of higher education, and therefore, your higher degree trumps your diploma.
Awards, Accomplishments, and Affiliations
Though this section is not required, we encourage including awards and accomplishments that are relevant to the nursing profession. These details will provide the potential employer with more proof and evidence of who you are as a nurse.
In this section, you can include:
- Awards and recognitions that are specific to the hospital or facility where you work, e.g. the Daisy Award, Employee of the Month, and Nursing Excellence Award
- Professional memberships and affiliations relating to nursing and/or healthcare
- Volunteer work, if it relates to nursing
We suggest the following format: Title, organization, year
Here are a couple of examples:
- Recipient, Nursing Excellence Award, Washington Medical Center
- Volunteer, American Red Cross - Haiti - 2012
Naming Your Nurse Resume Save File
One last thing, saving! Don’t just give your resume any old name! Hiring professionals sometimes receive multiple documents from candidates, and they don’t want to waste time sorting through every document to find the resume. Some prefer to organize resumes by specialty. Tell them exactly which document is your resume.
We suggest the following format: firstlast_specialty_resume.doc
Here’s an example:
PennyLite_ICU_resume.doc
We’ve seen a lot of resumes over the years, and you might be surprised by the amount of strange information people have included on them. So, here are the top mistakes we’ve seen:
| This should be a no-brainer but make sure to proofread and even have another set of eyes proofread for you. |
| Huge red flag for age discrimination. |
| An employer could assume your salary is too high or too low, so just don’t list it. |
| Don’t include things like photos, religious affiliations, Social Security Numbers, marital status, kids. |
| If you go by a different name, include both your legal name (the one on your license) and your nickname, e.g. Penny "Penelope" Lite. |
| Make sure your resume includes your most current and relevant positions. |
| Avoid using pronouns such as “I” statements. A resume should be in the third person. |
| An ATS will not see it there. |
| An appropriate email address is [email protected] but not [email protected]. |
| No need to be fancy, a simple ring is fine, and a professional greeting is great! |
| Recruiters go through hundreds of resumes a day, so keeping track of all those files can be difficult. Make it easy for them. |
Woot! If you’ve made it this far you should have an excellent understanding of how to write a great nursing resume. We know it’s a lot of information right now, and we hope that you’ll use the information to advance your career.
For a little more help, try using our free resume templates. And when you’ve landed your next interview, check out the next part in this series, The Complete Guide to Nursing Job Interviews .
>> Download free nurse resume templates!
What should be included in a nursing resume?
- A nursing resume should include your education, experience, including clinical, work, and volunteer, any certifications you have, and skills.
How do I write a nurse resume?
- You can use a template to fill out your nursing resume or fill out your own.
How do I list my nursing skills on my resume?
- List skills that are in the job description or outline on the facility’s website. For instance, common nursing skills include critical thinking, teamwork, communication, team management, and high ethical standards.
Do you put RN after your name on a resume?
- You can include "RN" or "RN, BSN" if you have other credentials. If you haven’t passed your NCLEX yet, you can put G.N. for Graduate Nurse.
How long should a nurse's resume be?
- A nursing resume should be no longer than 1-2 pages.
What is your greatest skill as a nurse?
- The most valuable skill you have as a nurse may depend on your exact role and specialty, but in general, communication, kindness, empathy, and critical thinking are highly valued traits as a nurse.
How far back should a resume go?
- If you’re a recent graduate, you don’t need to go to high school, just include your college experience and degree. For experienced nurses, include all relevant experience.
Amanda is an Ivy-league-educated nurse practitioner and career mentor who helps nurses find and land their dream jobs. She founded The Résumé Rx in 2018 to help nurses with career and résumé strategy Learn more about Amanda and her products at www.theresumerx.com and follow her on Instagram @theresumerx.
Angelina has her finger on the pulse of everything nursing. Whether it's a trending news topic, valuable resource or, heartfelt story, Angelina is an expert at producing content that nurses love to read. She specializes in warmly engaging with the nursing community and exponentially growing our social presence.
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33 Nursing Resume Examples That Worked in 2024
- Nursing Resumes
- Nursing Student Resumes
- Nursing Resumes by Credentials
- Nursing Resumes by Role
Writing Your Nursing Resume
Although the demand for nurses is growing, getting a job in the nursing industry isn’t easy, especially if you’re making a start or submitting a letter of resignation at your current position.
How are you supposed to know how to write a stunning resume so employers will immediately want to hire you and create a cover letter detailing your accomplishments?
Getting into the nursing field is tough, so we analyzed dozens of nursing resumes to learn what works and what doesn’t to help you get a great nursing job .
No matter your specialty or where you are in your nursing career, we’ve got 33 nursing resume samples to help you make a resume online from scratch or update your current resume to get you your next nursing job in 2024!
Nursing Resume
or download as PDF
Why this resume works
- One of the quickest ways to do so is by including your licenses in your title. This clearly signals to the employer that you’re qualified for the position.
- Adding an optional licenses section is another way to demonstrate your abilities, so if you have the room, make sure to add that section.
- Instead, tailor your resume to the nursing job description . What keywords did they list? What responsibilities do they expect you to complete? Use this as your guide to include what employers most want to see.
Experienced Nurse Resume
- Some professions require CVs for senior-level officials, while other industries are fine with a resume no matter their seniority level. Check the job description to see what kind of information the employer requires, so you know what to write.
- Try to demonstrate the different specific responsibilities you’ve had throughout your career. What kinds of clinical techniques have you done? For example, have you assisted with ADLs, administered particular tests, or diagnosed specific types of diseases?
Nursing Student Resume
- The key is to be specific about what you contributed or learned during your time in school.
- How did you assist your peers or supervisors? Did you witness anything especially noteworthy? What did you learn? Listing details like these helps employers qualify your abilities.
- While an objective is strictly optional, it’s a great way to convey your excitement for the position and some of your relevant skills.
New Grad Nursing Resume
- If you lack experience, that’s okay! Just include more details about your clinical rotations. You can also mention non-healthcare-specific work experience if you have it.
- For example, does the job description talk a lot about compassionate care? Then you should include the phrase “compassion” in your skills section.
New Nurse Resume
- Including devices and software such as Hill-Rom smart beds, Omnicell, PeraHealth’s Rothman, and Vocera Badge shows employers that you’re all ready to hit the ground running and help senior nurses treat patients with the latest gadgets in hand.
- As you progress, unleash quantified achievements in your previous roles, emphasizing how you helped patients and improved outcomes (hint: reducing medication errors by 28% and enhancing patient safety).
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Resume
- In addition to your title, if you have any certifications or additional licenses, include them on your resume in a designated section.
- If you’re struggling to know what to write on your CNA resume, it can help to look at CNA resume examples and local CNA job descriptions to determine what employers want to see and what metrics to include.
RN BSN Resume
- Go beyond helping patients and list all the times you’ve helped doctors treat a condition more quickly or improved after-surgery recovery rates. Add how you’ve endeavored to assist patients remotely during tough times (if any) such as providing remote sessions during COVID-19.
Registered Nurse Resume
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Resume
- If your current specialization is different from the job description, don’t stress! You should still be specific about your experience, but focus on transferable skills that go hand-in-hand with other fields.
- For example, do you specialize in long-term care, nephrology, or developmental disabilities? Include how you applied those abilities throughout your LPN resume.
- Of course, you need to include where you got your nursing degree, but don’t stop there! Adding a certifications or licenses section can show off your training and catch a hiring manager’s eye quickly.
Nursing Home Administrator Resume
- Begin with a careful analysis of the job listing and grasp the matching qualifications, skills, and requirements that resonate with your own experiences. Found them? Fantastic! Now, strategically incorporate those golden nuggets into your resume. In addition, picture how Amanda flaunts her nursing license–if you’ve got similar credentials or those shiny certifications, mention them somewhere in the side column.
Psychiatric Nursing Resume
- Take Sarah, for example. She didn’t just casually namedrop accomplishments like “reducing 30-day readmission rates by 14%” and “spreading awareness of mental health services among 1,280+ community members.” Nope. She made those wins pop out in her resume with bolding and underlining to wow the recruiter from the get-go.
Nursing Manager Resume
- How far back should you go? You wonder. If you have a master’s degree in nursing or healthcare management, make that the centerpiece of your education section. Otherwise, a bachelor’s degree fits the bill! Of course, don’t forget to add the institution’s name and the year you graduated.
Critical Care Nursing Resume
- Gain promotion and assume a new role with greater responsibility after that. Use this to show your dedication by backing your achievements with numbers.
Director of Nursing Resume
- List down all the variety of software you’re proficient in and write how you’ve used each right from the beginning of your career. Last but not least, never forget to add your RN license!
NICU Nurse Resume
- Use the career objective to frame your clinical experience through the lens of NICU by highlighting your ability to communicate with families or work in high-pressure environments.
Operating Room Nurse Resume
- Surgeons are always seeking cutting-edge technology that can unlock new medical capabilities. Showcase your expertise in working with these innovative systems—like robotic arms—to enhance your operating room nurse resume .
School Nurse Resume
- Are you skilled in using platforms specific to educational institutions, such as SchoolMessenger? Include them on your school nurse resume to prove that you’re prepared to handle the caseload.
Telemetry Nurse Resume
- You can bolster your telemetry nurse resume by listing any special certifications that further qualify you for the task, such as Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS).
Nurse Practitioner Resume
- The best format for nurses in 2024 is the reverse-chronological format since it shows how you’ve grown your skills over the years. However, if you have a gap in your job experience, there are other formats you can use to disguise that.
- Adding a few splashes of color to your nurse practitioner resume makes it look prettier and helps readability. Just be sure to choose a color that is easy on the eye (no neons, please).
ICU Nurse Resume
- To avoid the fear of the blank page, start by using a resume outline to give you a basic structure to follow and show you what your finished resume should look like.
- So, when you’re writing the work experience bullet points, use general responsibilities like “provided effective care”), but be specific about how you helped your patients (and what resulted from your ministrations).
Travel Nurse Resume
- To help stand out above the competition, clarify your work experience sections so employers know if you’ve had traveling nurse contracts or not.
- More likely than not, you don’t need a resume objective or summary, nor do you need to list individual projects. Remember that you can go into more detail about achievements and skills in your nursing cover letter .
Charge Nurse Resume
- For example, have you had the opportunity to manage or lead co-workers? Have you ever trained a nurse and oversaw scheduling? Be specific about how you’ve managed projects and people and what resulted from your leadership.
- Want to know a quick and easy way to write a charge nurse resume ? Start by using a resume template to format your information, then fill in the blanks with specific details about your past experience and skills.
Chief Nursing Officer Resume
- This formatting showcases your career growth and leadership development by highlighting your most recent (and likely most relevant) job.
- We recommend you include six to 10 skills, with at least 70 percent hard skills such as BLS, QA/QC, federal compliance, and fiscal health analysis.
Telehealth Nurse Resume
- Luckily, there are multiple resume tips you can incorporate to make your resume a cut above the rest, including choosing specific hard skills in your skills section and formatting your resume in reverse-chronological order.
- If you have a degree higher than a high school diploma, ignore your high school information since employers don’t need it. If you have multiple nursing degrees, include all of them.
Nurse Consultant Resume
- Use business-related numbers like sales growth or revenue/profit increases to demonstrate your worth as an employee.
- Don’t forget to add other sections to showcase your training and certifications.
- If you decide to include these sections, keep them brief and include only what’s relevant to the job you’re seeking.
Office Nurse Resume
- Do your homework on the environment you’re applying to work in, and ensure you showcase why you’re a good fit for that specific job. After all, an ER unit with high patient turnover may be much more interested in your high-efficiency standards than an in-home clinic that consistently services a much smaller patient load.
- Sure, your resume may look good when you finish writing it, but have you run it through a resume checker yet? You might not realize you’ve been using passive voice or inconsistent punctuation, and even though you’re not applying for a job as an English Teacher, a hiring manager won’t be thrilled if you overlook little details when they’re going to literally put lives in your hands.
Home Dialysis Nurse Resume
- Unfortunately, as much as it may be interesting for you to look back over your life history, most hiring managers won’t be quite as thrilled about the prospect. Adding a career summary to your resume can give recruiters the highlights, without drowning them in a sea of information.
- Trust us on this, nothing bothers a hiring manager more than a resume that is 1.01 pages long.
ER Nurse Resume
- Certifications like the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) and Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) depict that you’ve done the work and undergone the rigorous training needed to be an ER nurse.
Labor and Delivery Nurse Resume
- If you’ve spent your time outside work organizing events to promote women’s health and reproductive rights, it’s a powerful statement that shows your passion and commitment and deserves to be mentioned in your resume.
Nurse Manager Resume
- If you’re well versed with a particular HR management tool or medical management software, it’s one less thing a hospital or healthcare center will have to train you on.
Pediatric Nurse Resume
- An extensive program, like a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, from an esteemed institute like Johns Hopkins University, for example, is a worthy inclusion in your pediatric nurse resume , demonstrating that you’ve learned from the best.
Staff Nurse Resume
- Take a good look at Allianah’s staff nurse resume and notice how she leverages a Registered Nurse (RN) license. This isn’t just another document that’s good to have but proof of the grit and effort it takes to be a professional nurse, which further adds to her existing value.
Related resume guides
- Physician Assistant
- Dental Assistant
Hiring managers typically receive a torrent of resumes whenever there’s an open position, so if you prepare your nursing resume haphazardly, you are more likely to get the boot than the job. To avoid that sad scenario, you need to make your nursing resume readable, logical, and pleasing to the eye. It should showcase your skills and experience while being ATS-compliant, and it should show off a bit of your personality, too.
It make sound like an impossible task, but before your get overwhelmed, start by taking it one step at a time. First, choose your formatting style: reverse-chronological, functional, or hybrid.
Reverse-chronological, functional, and combination/hybrid format
A well-structured resume is essential for your job search. Even if your resume has perfect content, if your resume isn’t easy to skim at a glance, it’s unlikely you’ll be called for an interview. Your content matters, but so does how you present that content. Therefore, proper resume formatting is a salient feature you don’t want to get wrong.
There are three popular formatting options for designing your resume in 2024: reverse-chronological, functional, and hybrid.
- Focuses more on your skills
- Ideal for a recent graduate or an entry-level candidate
- Reverse-chronological format
- The most common format
- Lists relevant experiences and skills in reverse-chronological order
- The best for making it past the ATS
- Combines functional and reverse-chronological features
- Highlights both your skills and experience
- Ideal if you have a handful of experience or are re-entering the workforce
The best bet for a nursing resume would be the reverse-chronological format. This helps the recruiter see your upward career progression. If you started as an intern in a given health organization, and then moved up the career ladder to become a full-fledged nurse, your potential employer will be able to track your progression and assess your qualifications faster.
Contact header
It’s important to include the relevant contact header information in the right order. If you’re a nurse, your contact header should have the following:
- Your name —Employers won’t automatically know you, so you need to include your first and last name.
- Phone number —Use your personal cellphone number instead of a work phone in case a potential employer calls when you’re not on the job.
- Email address —Include a professional email address, preferably combining your first and last name.
- City & state —This is optional but recommended so employers know if you’re local.
- LinkedIn —Some employers require your LinkedIn profile, but even if it’s not mandatory, it’s helpful for employers to see your career progression.
The contact header should be, you guessed it, at the top of the page. Good font choices are Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri, all at 12 point size. When it comes to color, remain conservative with black and white. Some resume templates can format your resume to strikingly display your contact information, just like this header:
Will your nursing resume beat the ATS?
Optimizing your resume for the Application Tracking System (ATS) increases your chances of being called for an interview. The ATS is a tool that many companies use to quickly scan resumes and weed out applicants without relying on someone to read through them first.
Most resumes aren’t designed to beat ATS, and end up being filtered out before they ever reach the recruiter. However, if you know how to properly format your resume , you’ll pass the ATS scan and make your way to a person. Here’s what you should know about the role of fonts, font size, margins, header names, logical order, skills, and page length, as far as ATS-friendly resumes are concerned:
- ATS-friendly fonts make it easy for a computer to read your resume. Some of the most commonly used ATS-friendly fonts include: Times New Roman, Calibri, and Arial. Preferably, they should have a font size of 10-12 points.
- Beyond just font type, font size also matters. Preferably, your body font size should be 10-12 points, while your headers can be bigger.
- Margins also matter, since the ATS automatically assumes your margins are the standard size of one-inch all around. Any bigger or smaller, and the ATS might mis-read your resume.
- Keywords are the main focus of the ATS, so make sure your skill keywords and header names match what’s in the job description.
- The ATS is not sensitive to the number of pages, but one page is the standard across professions.
Writing your nursing resume
Putting together an effective nursing resume may seem overwhelming and not worth your effort. However, putting in the extra effort now will pay off when you get an interview. And remember, you’re not doing this alone. We’re dedicated to helping you write an amazing resume by providing advice on common frustrating decisions like this:
- When an objective is most useful on your nursing resume
- When a summary can be the preferred choice
- How to list your most relevant nursing work history
- Adding volunteer work and academic endeavors when work history is light
Do you need an objective or summary on your nursing resume?
When crafting your nursing resume, you have the option to use career objectives and summaries.
When to include a career objective in your resume:
- You can use an objective when changing or modifying your career.
- For instance, if you plan to change from a surgical assistant registered nurse to an emergency room registered nurse, you’d use an objective to highlight that you’re pursuing a new subfield within nursing.
- Use a career objective if you’re looking for an entry-level job and lack experience.
When a summary is right for your resume:
- Use a summary to highlight your most valuable experience and skills. These are ideal when you have vast experience in nursing.
- For example, if you’ve worked in a health setting for 10 or more years, you can include a summary.
- A summary is effective for connecting varied work experiences.
When not to use objectives or summaries:
- Skip the objective or summary if you’re not planning to customize it to each position you apply for. Otherwise, it’s generic filler that takes up too much white space.
- This lacks specificity and reads “I just need a job to pay the bills.” While that may be true, employers want to know you’re passionate about your work and will improve your workplace.
- This lacks depth and work history details that should hallmark a summary. It’s void of substantial expertise, specializations, and skill specifics.
When objectives or summaries are worth including:
- This objective highlights the years of experience and the candidate’s field of expertise while also naming the potential employer.
- This summary highlights their years of experience, the key areas they’ve worked in, and their specialities within those fields.
Nursing work experience?
Don’t forget to indicate relevant experience in your resume. While we wouldn’t recommend including every job you’ve had since you were 16, you can get away with adding work experience from different fields if you’re an entry-level candidate.
However, if you’re applying for a senior position, you’ll need to include at least three nursing positions on your resume, especially if you’re applying for a managerial or specialty position. For instance, a director of care management requires nine years of experience, four of which must be managerial.
Conversely, a registered nurse position may require one year of direct patient care. The responsibilities, in this case, are not very demanding. If you lack experience overall, you can include any academic projects and volunteer work that is relevant to the nursing job description .
Writing your job experience bullet points for your nursing resume
Three examples of poor job experience bullet points for nurses:
- Generally, you should avoid using “I,” and you should include specifics, not just generic statements of experience.
- This bullet includes “I” and lacks job specifics and quantifiable metrics.
- Although it may sound nice on the surface, it doesn’t answer exactly what the patient did and the results of their work.
Three examples of good job experience bullet points for nurses:
- This uses an action verb combined with quantifiable metrics.
- Again, this uses an action verb but furthermore, it describes exactly what the candidate provided (primary care training).
- Specific, pertinent job duties show employers your skills and can also help you pass the ATS; two thumbs up for this one!
Quantify your impact as a nurse
When preparing your resume, remember that no employer wants to waste time reading vague statements about your performance. Instead, they want to see supporting details. So, whenever you can, you should quantify your impact and achievements.
For instance, if you say you “served many patients daily,” a potential employer might wonder about the exact number because ‘many’ is a relative term.
Examples of how to quantify metrics:
Suppose the nursing job description asks for a training specialist who can train other nurses. In that case, you can indicate the number of training sessions you conducted per day in your previous employment.
- Number of clinical training sessions per day
- Trained 75% of new hires on pre and postoperative care >20 days per month
Some of the health facilities labor under tremendous pressure. The number of patients you serve per day can help potential employers gauge whether you will cope well under pressure. So, it’s lucrative to include the number of patients you served per a specific amount of time.
- Number of patients served in a day
- Worked in a setting with a 6:1 patient-nurse ratio, receiving 400+ visitors per day
Top skills for your nursing resume
It’s helpful to understand the differences between hard and soft skills to list in your resume skills section . Keep the number of skills you list in between six and 10 to avoid overwhelming the reader.
Hard skills are those tools you use to do the job, aka technical abilities that require training.
Examples of hard skills:
- ERM systems
- Medical documentation
- Infant and child care
- Emergency care
- Ambulatory care
- CPR certified
On the other hand, soft skills are abilities that are harder to quantify and are more personality-based.
Examples of soft skills:
- Communication
- Professionalism
- Positive attitude
Get noticed! Look for keywords within a job description:
- Many companies use ATS to scan resumes for keywords from the job description, so it’s in your best interest to include the right keywords.
- Include keywords in both your nursing cover letter and resume.
- Choosing keywords from the job description helps you customize your resume and thus, makes you more appealing to the hiring manager.
- Employing the right keywords makes your resume relevant and noticeable, giving you an edge over the competition.
Nursing education and certifications
When preparing your nursing resume, include all the elements that will increase your chances of getting the job. You need to indicate the following:
- Your education level
- Any certifications or licenses
- Your experience in other nursing environments
- Your years of experience as a nurse
On the topic of licenses, you need to share your area of specialization. Specialists include registered nurses (RNs), certified registered nurse anesthetists, and clinical nurse specialists. Including your area(s) of expertise helps potential employers determine whether you’re the right candidate for the job.
Besides, including this information is easy to do and shouldn’t take up much space! Simply place certifications and licenses in a short section toward the bottom of your resume:
Should you add projects, interests, or hobbies to your nursing resume?
Most of the time, you don’t need to include projects or interests/hobbies on your resume . However, you may be able to add them depending on your level of experience and the type of role you’re seeking.
If you’re an experienced nurse, you’ve likely gained tangible experience that’s more important than undergraduate projects you’ve completed. Instead, you should highlight your key areas of experience and show your new employer how you’ll impact their business.
In the same vein, you may not need to indicate your hobbies or interests unless it’s encouraged. However, you can gain an advantage over the competition if you have strong qualifications and hobbies that match the company culture.
To help you determine whether or not to include hobbies, visit the company’s website and read the “About Us” section to gauge whether they have a unique cultural fit.
If you’re an entry-level candidate or a recent graduate, listing hobbies and projects can help you fill space and showcase your personality. However, it’s always good to review the job description to ensure these additions are relevant. Either way, keep the project and hobbies lists short and at the bottom of your resume.
Examples of hobbies/interests:
- Volunteering for community health services
- Learning new languages
Examples of projects:
- Organized and led breast cancer awareness campaign for two consecutive semesters
- Researched mental and psychiatric issues for semester-long experiment
Adjust your nursing resume for every job application
Remember to customize your resume when applying for a new job. Even if you’re only applying for specific roles, like LPN jobs, that doesn’t mean every job description for that title requires the same qualifications. There’s usually something unique to each position. Thus, for every application, make sure you tailor the following sections:
- (These can stay mostly the same, but you should adjust responsibilities and keywords slightly.)
To recap, each job description comes with different skill requisites. Furthermore, remember to note keywords you can use within the body of your resume and cover letter.
Your nursing resume must be error-free
As a nurse, you need to show the hiring manager that you’re observant and have an eye for detail. Remember, you’ll be working with patients and should demonstrate accuracy and precision. To ensure a flawless resume, run your document through a resume checker and have your colleagues proofread it. Don’t let typos cost you a job!
Confidently land your next Nursing gig
Many job seekers languish in the job market, especially considering the number of nursing graduates produced by universities each year and the fierce competition. So, you must be creative and savvy to survive the market. Happily, you’ve already taken the first steps by reading this guide, so congratulations!
We know you’ve worked hard to get this far, and we wish you all the best as you write a power-packed nursing resume and get ready for interviews in 2024!
The Best Resume Guide for Nurses
How to Write a Nursing Resume
Addressing required vs. preferred qualifications, types of nursing resumes.
- What Should Your Resume Include
Are you ready to earn your online nursing degree?
Whether you are a recent nursing school graduate or an experienced healthcare professional, writing a nursing resume that accurately and persuasively depicts your education, skills, and characteristics is the first step to getting an interview.
Since this important document is the initial impression you will make on a hiring manager, you must craft a resume that creatively addresses the employer’s requirements and highlights your professional achievements, helping you stand out from other qualified applicants.
The nursing field heavily relies on extensive practical training, certification and registered nurse licensure , and specialization, so it is important that your resume highlights your qualifications. Even personal qualities should emphasize practical applications (e.g., how your compassionate nature enables you to connect with patients or how your bilingualism helps you accommodate diverse populations as a nurse ).
Being specific can make a resume exceptional. Through this guide, you can learn how to tailor your nursing resume to an employer’s mission and job description.
Do Your Research
Learning how to write a nursing resume requires dedicated research that allows you to target information to your potential employer. On top of carefully going through the job description, look at the employer’s website and social media platforms to figure out their culture and values.
Some healthcare facilities emphasize education and certification, while others want nurses with more clinical experience. Find out what they want in an ideal employee and tailor your application accordingly. It is equally important to consider your needs and if the job fits your standards for professional advancement and personal happiness.
Write Down Your Key Points
Format your resume.
For more details and examples, see our tips for writing a nursing resume .
Addressing a potential employer’s specifications is the main objective in writing a nursing resume. But before writing, it’s important to identify required versus preferred job qualifications.
Because this profession necessitates advanced academic and professional training in addition to licensure and nursing clinical experience , job postings for nurses include extensive requirements that are either required or preferred criteria. Required reflects qualifications a candidate must possess to warrant consideration, while preferred is typically a wishlist of additional skills, experiences, and character traits that benefit the position but are not mandatory.
An effective resume details how an applicant fulfills required qualifications and as many of the preferred qualifications as possible without crowding the page and rendering the information inaccessible. Nurses can take advantage of a cover letter to elaborate and fill in additional qualifications with anecdotal evidence and data, if possible.
While some healthcare facilities outright reject applicants who do not possess all their required qualifications, most see the job listing as a guideline and not a checklist. Even if a nurse does not meet all the standards, they should still apply if they can impress during the interview.
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Ultimately, a resume represents the individual person, their academic standing, professional achievements, personal qualities, and career potential. How do you write a nursing resume that gets all these points across? Choose the proper formatting.
There are three main resume formats, each with their unique structure and distinct purpose: the reverse chronological, the functional, and the combination. Nurses need to use the resume style that best suits their particular skill set and the position they are vying for.
Reverse Chronological
The most commonly used resume type, this form benefits nurses who possess extensive and relevant professional experience. Here, past employment is the most important element, with positions listed in reverse chronological order. However, this reliable resume structure comes with drawbacks, as it can highlight gaps in employment, frequent job changes, and the candidate’s age.
Also referred to as the skill-based resume, this format highlights awards, accomplishments, and training, making it preferable for recent college graduates and other professionals who lack relevant work history. One of the major drawbacks of the functional resume is that it can expose a candidate’s limited experience in the nursing field.
Combination
The most complex resume type, the combination format eschews the either-or structure of the previous forms, enabling professionals to showcase relevant professional experience and skills and training. Experienced nurses, especially those with clinical specializations, benefit most from this resume form. However, versatility also renders it more difficult to construct, as the large amount of information can confuse readers if not conveyed clearly.
What Should I Include on a Nursing Resume?
Education and training.
The American Nurses Credentialing Center provides a standardized way of listing all your credentials. The preferred sectional order is education, licensure, state designations, certification, awards and honors, and additional certification. Start with your highest degree, then work backwards.
You do not need to include high school information or graduation dates. If you are currently working on a degree, state that completion is pending or in progress. Whether you provide GPA information is up to you. Generally, it is only worthwhile if you graduated in the last three years and earned a 3.5 or better.
Display professional nursing experience in reverse chronological order, starting with your current or most recent position. If you have gaps in employment, prepare to address them. Consider listing facility- and unit-specific information, including total beds, trauma levels, and patient demographics. Specificity when writing a nursing resume elevates it from good to great.
For example, while both positions require a great deal of stamina, a nursing home nurse does not fulfill the same responsibilities as an urgent care nurse. By framing professional experience through a personal lens, your resume stands out among the rest.
Out of all the resume sections, this one benefits from keyword use the most. You can usually find out what skills an employer wants by analyzing the job description. Tailor this section to meet those needs. Work in categories, such as basic care, technical, administrative, and computer skills.
Be strategic and specific. Instead of “defibrillation insertions,” list “automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator insertions.” Finally, do not neglect soft skills for nurses , like reliability and adaptability or special skills like a foreign or sign language. These details can set you apart from other applicants.
Licensure and Certifications
As a registered nurse, you’ve earned a state-specific nursing license . And because the profession consists of diverse and advanced nursing specializations , you also may have pursued certification exams and postdegree training in areas like gerontology or cardiac-vascular nursing. List them in their entirety and avoid acronyms.
For licenses, use this order: license type, licensing state/body, license name and number, nurse license compact , and expiration date. For certifications, start with the name, followed by conferring organization, expiration, and certification number, if applicable.
Awards, Accomplishments, and Affiliations
Celebrate all relevant achievements, but do it honestly and in a way that reflects your ongoing commitment to nursing and capacity for high performance in the new position. These achievements may include academic recognition; official awards; and competitive scholarships, fellowships, grants, and internships. Also display membership in professional organizations, such as the American Nurses Association or Sigma Theta Tau, the international honor society of nursing.
As an experienced professional, you may find that you possess an abundance of awards and accomplishments. In these instances, narrow them to the most prestigious, current, and applicable to the job you are applying for.
Volunteer Work
Unpaid positions let prospective employers know you understand the importance of community education, outreach, and engagement. Only include volunteer work that relates to nursing or the health services field. As always, when writing a nursing resume, furnish specific details that showcase your skills in action (e.g., you managed a 10-person team to canvas a neighborhood about HIV/AIDS prevention).
What Should I Put on My Nursing Resume If I Don’t Have Any Experience?
For recent college graduates, professionals switching careers, and those with limited clinical experience, learning how to write a resume for a nursing job may seem overwhelming. You can make up for inexperience by using a functional hybrid resume format that places academic credentials, qualifications, and skills above the employment section. Additionally, you have completed extensive training as a student and perhaps continuing education, so highlight state licensure, optional certification, and organizational membership to further bolster your resume.
Start with a personal introduction that states more than just the obvious (that you want the job), but also speaks to your professional values as a nurse and the training and education you possess. The lack of contextualization can represent a major pitfall of the functional resume. Avoid this by making your skills applicable to actual work scenarios that relate to a nurse’s duties.
Hospital managers seek employees who display skills, such as critical thinking, safe practice, customer service, and interpersonal communication. As a nursing student, you completed hours of clinical training. Use these experiences to show employers your skills in action, framing them in terms of achievements.
Finally, take full advantage of volunteer positions, giving them their own section, to show that you not only display the practical qualifications for the job, but also care passionately about the well-being of patients and healthcare equitability for all communities.
What Is a Resume-Reading Robot/ATS?
To deal with a flood of candidates, many employers use an applicant tracking system (ATS). Like a hiring manager quickly scanning for standouts among the group, the ATS ranks and categorizes nursing resumes by how many designated keywords they contain. This automated process reduces an employer’s manual workload and theoretically vets resumes with a large amount of filler content, an indication of unqualified applicants.
However, the ATS may also unnecessarily reject qualified nurses as part of automated software processes. To avoid this unfair outcome, learning how to write a nurse resume requires working within and overcoming the ATS framework.
Tips for Outsmarting an ATS
- Simple Headers: To accommodate the ATS, use header terms common enough to show up in keyword searches, such as “skills,” “professional experience,” and “education.” Do not neglect to include city, state, and, if living outside the U.S., country, because employers generally vet candidates by location.
- Clean Format: Engaging visuals are useless if they make your resume difficult to read. Use a simple format that contains no graphics or unusual fonts because the standard ATS cannot process such information, resulting in an automatic rejection. In general, Verdana, Tahoma, and Arial fonts at the 10.5 point size or above are acceptable.
- Keywords/Phrases: You can usually glean relevant keywords from the job description. If not, conduct some research into phrases commonly found in the nursing field, such as “patient care,” “clinical research,” and “community outreach.” Avoid abbreviations in all cases.
- Industry-Specific Jargon: ATS keywords reveal a candidate’s relevant skills and experiences. The more specific a keyword is to the particular position you are applying for, the better. When in doubt, use the hiring employer’s phrases first, industry standards second, and your current or previous employer’s terminology third.
- Choose the nursing resume type that best highlights your experience, personality, and qualifications.
- Be specific; specificity helps your resume stand out from the rest.
- Format your resume using headers and keywords that make it easy to read — whether by a person or an applicant tracking system.
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Jessica Lang (123) 456-7890 [email protected] LinkedIn | Portfolio 123 Carpenter St., Philadelphia, PA 12345
An RN with three years of experience delivering quality health care services to diverse patient populations. Adept at coordinating with nursing teams and medical personnel to drive positive patient outcomes in high-volume hospital environments.
Professional Experience
Registered Nurse, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA June 2023 – present
- Deliver nursing care to newborns, infants, and children with acute and ambulatory conditions in a 40-bed unit
- Perform health exams for illnesses, injuries, and life-threatening conditions, develop treatment plans, and provide emotional support to patients
- Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of over 15 health care professionals to improve patient outcomes, resulting in a 3% reduction in mortality rates
Student Nurse Practicum, TUV Clinic, Philadelphia, PA March 2023 – June 2023
- Completed a 150-hour practicum in the surgical ICU under the supervision of an RN and ensured compliance with hospital protocols
- Prepared surgical tools and operating theaters, replenished medical inventory and equipment, and ensured compliance with sanitation and hygiene regulations
- Oversaw the preparation of over 12 patients for surgery per day and supported post-surgical care before transfer to the recovery unit
Certifications
- Registered Nurse, State of Pennsylvania, License #123456, 2023
- Basic Life Support Certification, American Heart Association 2023
- Case management
- Communication
- Patient-centered care
- Surgical care
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Nursing Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, September 2019 – June 2023
Amar Singh (123) 456-7890 [email protected] LinkedIn | Portfolio 123 Bedford Ave., New York, NY 12345
An RN with seven years of experience providing high-quality, compassionate care to diverse patient populations. A proven track record of collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to enhance clinical workflows and drive positive patient outcomes.
Registered Nurse, St. Andrew’s Hospital, New York, NY October 2019 – present
- Achieve patient satisfaction ratings of over 93% year-over-year, communicate empathetically with diverse patients, and drive the delivery of patient-centered care
- Coordinate events to provide long-term patients with entertainment options and activities to raise morale of patients suffering from debilitating illnesses
- Collaborate with local nonprofits on fundraisers to expand the hospital children’s library and incorporate tablet computers and game consoles
Registered Nurse, Brooklyn Medical Center, New York, NY May 2016 – October 2019
- Delivered high-quality care to a diverse range of patients at a trauma center with over 300 beds and a 1-to-5 patient ratio
- Coordinated with multidisciplinary teams to improve care delivery, resulting in a 15% increase in patient satisfaction
- Served as the voice of the Trauma Center on committees such as the JCAHO Readiness Taskforce and the Readmission Reduction Planning Committee
- Registered Nurse, State of New York, License #123456, 2016
- Basic Life Support Certification, American Heart Association 2016
- Clinical operations
- Pediatric care
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Nursing Columbia University, New York, NY September 2012 – May 2016
Skyler Thompson (123) 456-7890 [email protected] LinkedIn | Portfolio 123 Bridge St., Boston, MA 12345
A patient-focused RN with over 12 years of experience in post-operative care and rehabilitation. Administered patient-centered care using individual care plans. Achieved consistently high levels of patient satisfaction by delivering compassionate care and emotional support.
Registered Nurse, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA November 2016 – present
- Communicate empathetically with diverse patients, build rapport, and drive the delivery of patient-centered care to achieve a 94% patient satisfaction rating
- Support an interdisciplinary team with direct nursing care for patients and assist with developing care plans to improve patient outcomes
- Lead, mentor, and coach a team of more than 15 LPNs and identify opportunities to enhance clinical workflows, resulting in a 10% reduction in average wait times
Registered Nurse, St. Luke’s Hospital, Boston, MA May 2011 – November 2016
- Coordinated with nursing teams and physicians to improve clinical operations, patient intake, and discharge, which increased the number of patients seen in 30 minutes or less from 72% to 80%
- Conducted comprehensive assessments for new patients and prepared individualized care plans with physicians for a 175-bed unit
- Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), 2016
- Registered Nurse, State of Massachusetts, License #123456, 2011
- Advanced Pediatric Life Support, American Heart Association 2011
- Nurse management
- Process improvement
- Trauma care
Master of Science (B.S.) Nursing Harvard University, Cambridge, MA September 2014 – May 2016
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Nursing Boston College, Boston, MA September 2007 – May 2011
Raheem Richardson (123) 456-7890 [email protected] LinkedIn | Portfolio Baltimore, MD 12345
A dynamic ICU nurse with six years of experience providing critical care to patients in fast-paced clinical environments. A proven track record of collaborating with high-performance nursing teams to enhance patient care delivery and reduce mortality rates. Adept at communicating effectively with patients and family members in high-stress situations.
ICU Nurse, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD October 2020 – present
- Deliver high-quality patient care in a 12-bed ICU and manage a wide range of cases, including trauma, surgical, neurological, and cardiac patients
- Achieved the Nurse of the Year Award in 2021 for clinical excellence and leadership
- Coordinate with the nurse manager to implement a new patient monitoring protocol and evidence-based care standards, resulting in a 15% increase in positive patient outcomes
ICU Nurse, St Mark’s Hospital, Baltimore, MD
June 2018 – October 2020
- Provided exceptional care to critically ill patients in a high-stress clinical environment, served as a patient advocate, and developed treatment plans in alignment with the cultural, emotional, and physical needs of patients
- Communicated medical updates with empathy and compassion and maintained a 93% patient satisfaction rating
- Critical Care Registered Nurse Certification, CCRN, AACN, 2020
- Registered Nurse, State of Maryland, License #123456, 2018
- Evidence-based treatment
- Patient advocacy
Master of Science (B.S.) Nursing
John Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD September 2018 – May 2020
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Nursing
John Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD September 2014 – May 2018
Raymond Ortiz (123) 456-7890 [email protected] LinkedIn | Portfolio Philadelphia, PA 12345
A critical care nurse with seven years of experience providing advanced life support and educating patients and families in high-pressure environments. A strong history of utilizing evidence-based care techniques to improve patient outcomes and survival rates.
Critical Care Nurse, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA October 2019 – present
- Coordinate with physicians and nursing teams to deliver high-quality, evidence-based care to diverse patient populations in a high-volume hospital with a 1-to-6 patient ratio, successfully improving patient outcomes by 10%
- Deliver advanced life support in critical situations, including advanced cardiac life support (ACLS), pediatric advanced life support (PALS), and neonatal resuscitation program (NRP)
- Educate patients and families on clinical diagnosis and complex medical procedures while providing emotional support and compassion
Critical Care Nurse, Temple Hospital, Philadelphia, PA
June 2017 – October 2019
- Provided wound, pain, and trauma care to patients in a 10-bed ICU, monitored vital signs, and alerted physicians to emergencies and changes in patient condition
- Administered medication to patients in critical care, adjusted dosages as necessary under the direction of a doctor, and ensured minimal adverse side effects
- Critical Care Registered Nurse Certification, CCRN, AACN, 2019
- Registered Nurse, State of Pennsylvania, License #123456, 2017
- Evidence-based care
- Medical triage
- Patient education
University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, PA September 2017 – May 2019
University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, PA September 2013 – May 2017
Aliya Jackson (123) 456-7890 [email protected] LinkedIn | Portfolio Newark, NJ 12345
A dedicated school nurse with a strong background in pediatric nursing and emergency medical care. A proven track record of effectively managing student health records, administering emergency treatment, and developing comprehensive health education programs.
School Nurse, Newark Elementary, Newark, NJ July 2021 – present
- Provide immediate medical attention to over 300 students each year, evaluate symptoms, and successfully treat health emergencies and minor injuries
- Develop and implement new programs to educate students on health-related topics, including nutrition, personal hygiene, and sexual health
- Provide counseling and support to students dealing with health issues and communicate effectively with parents and guardians
Pediatric Nurse, University Hospital, Newark, NJ
June 2019 – July 2021
- Provided high-quality nursing care to pediatric patients in a 50-bed unit and collaborated with clinical teams to enhance clinical operations, which contributed to a 14% reduction in average patient wait times and a 10% increase in patient satisfaction
- Educated parents, guardians, and patients on symptoms, treatment options, and medical procedures with empathy and understanding
- Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN), PNCB, 2019
- Pediatric Nursing (RN-BC), ANCC Pediatric Nursing Board, 2019
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), 2019
- Registered Nurse, State of New Jersey, License #123456, 2019
- Health education
- Program development
- Student health record management
Rutgers University, New Brunswick, September 2019 – May 2021
Rutgers University, New Brunswick, September 2013 – May 2017
John Bergsen (123) 456-7890 [email protected] LinkedIn | Portfolio 123 Bridge Street, Boston, MA 12345
A Nurse Manager with eight years of professional experience, specializing in clinical operations, case management, acute care, and people management. A proven track record of leading diverse nursing teams to achieve positive outcomes and improve patient care. Adept at identifying opportunities to reduce operational costs and enhance organizational effectiveness.
Nurse Manager, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA July 2015 – Present
- Oversaw clinical operations for a 245-bed hospital, built and managed a team of 25+ registered nurses, and coordinated 24-hour operations for seven patient care units, including SICUs, PICUs, MICUs, ambulatory care, and neonatal intensive care
- Drove change management initiatives to improve nursing metrics, utilization, patient flow, and OR staffing and reduced average length of stay from four days to three
- Improve patient room turnover rate by 10% during periods of 90%+ occupancy and ensure compliance with infection prevention and Covid-19 safety protocols
Nurse Manager, St. Robert’s Hospital, Boston, MA June 2013 – July 2015
- Managed a team of 30+ nurses in a high volume medical facility with 260 beds and oversaw all aspects of patient care delivery, including intake, assessment, treatment planning, telemetry, and safe discharge
- Delivered mentorship to team members and built a collaborative work culture centered on diversity and inclusion, resulting in a 15% increase in employee retention
- Evaluated nursing performance, drove continuous improvement, and monitored KPIs to ensure compliance with departmental goals and objectives
Master of Science (M.S.) Nursing Harvard University, Cambridge, MA May 2011 – May 2013
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Nursing Harvard University, Cambridge, MA September 2007 – May 2011
- Healthcare Management
- Patient Flow
- Human Resources Management
- Clinical Operations
- Certified Nurse Manager and Leader (CNML), May 2013
- Registered Nurse (RN) State of Massachusetts, License #12345678, May 2011
- Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification, May 2011
Jennifer Robinson (123) 456-7890 [email protected] LinkedIn | Portfolio 123 Your Street, New York, NY 12345
A Certified Medical Surgical Nurse with seven years of professional experience, specializing in surgical care, patient education, and treatment plan development. A strong background of collaborating with interdisciplinary healthcare teams to deliver patient-centered care within high-volume acute surgical environments.
Medical Surgical Nurse, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY April 2017 – Present
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to analyze patient data, evaluate diagnosis, and implement treatment plans based on symptoms, age, and mental health needs
- Deliver patient-centered care in a 50-bed hospital with 1:6 patient ratios and educate patients and families on prognosis, treatment plans, and at-home care
- Administer medication, perform physical examinations of patients, collect blood samples, deliver IVs, and perform EKG testing
Medical Surgical Nurse, New York City and Health Hospital, New York, NY June 2014 – April 2017
- Conducted patient assessments, coordinated triage, documented and evaluated patient symptoms, and developed treatment plans with physicians and interdisciplinary medical teams to provide high-quality care in a 35-bed hospital unit
- Ensured compliance with infection prevention procedures and hospital safety guidelines
- Administered medication, supported physicians during invasive procedures, non-invasive procedures, and exams, and conducted medical testing
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Nursing University of Syracuse, Syracuse, NY September 2010 – May 2014
- Patient-centered Care
- Acute Surgical Care
- Orthopedics
- Pediatric Care
- Patient Triage
- Electronic Health Records (EHR)
- Medical Surgical Nurse – Board Certified (MEDSURG-BC™), April 2016
- Registered Nurse (RN), State of New York, License #12345678, June 2014
- Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification, June 2014
- Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) Certification, June 2014
Madeleine Schuler (246) 642-2468 [email protected] LinkedIn | Portfolio 123 Main Road, Salt Lake City, UT 86420
An Emergency Room Nurse Manager with eight years of experience developing, managing, and leading dynamic nursing teams to drive positive patient outcomes. A strong history of enhancing clinical operations and improving response times within ER units.
Senior Emergency Room Nurse, University of Utah Medical Group, Salt Lake City, UT September 2014 – Present
- Manage teams of up to 20 ER nurses, provide coaching and mentorship, and reduce understaffing incidents by 23% over three years
- Supervise student nurses and deliver training to ensure comprehensive understanding of ER procedures and protocols
- Deliver treatment during life-threatening incidents, administer crucial medications, direct staff, and coordinate with physicians and nursing teams to enhance clinical operations and improve response times by 12%
Emergency Room Nurse, Intermountain Healthcare, Salt Lake City, UT July 2012 – September 2014
- Assessed patients on admission to determine their physical and psychological health and gather a social history
- Worked collaboratively with teams of up to 7 practitioners to generate an emergency care plan and communicated the details at handover meetings
- Provided emotional support to parents and their families in challenging circumstances, receiving a consistent 98%+ satisfaction rating
- Met with interdisciplinary teams to determine discharge and transfer plans
Bachelor of Science in Nursing UNIVERSITY OF UTAH, Salt Lake City, UT, September 2006 – June 2010
Master of Science in Nursing (Care Management) UNIVERSITY OF UTAH, Salt Lake City, UT, September 2010 – June 2012
- Team Leadership
- Staff Development
- Patient Care
- Emergency Room Operations
- Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Certification, State of Utah, 2012
Elsbeth Smith (123) 456-7890 [email protected] LinkedIn | Portfolio 789 First Street, Boston, MT 12345
A Certified Medical Surgical Nurse with eight years of experience, specializing in surgical care, patient education, and telemetry. A strong background of collaborating with interdisciplinary healthcare teams to deliver patient-centered care within high-volume acute care environments.
Registered Nurse, Mission West Hospital, Boston, MT September 2016 – Present
- Provide patient-centered care to up to 25 patients for the acute care unit of a high volume medical center with over 200 beds and a 1:7 patient ratio
- Coordinate with multi-disciplinary teams to enhance clinical operations and care standards, resulting in a 10% reduction in average length of stay
- Onboard, train, and mentor over 40+ RNs and nursing assistants on compassionate care standards, hospital protocols, and clinical operations
Registered Nurse, Central University Teaching Hospital, Boston, MT June 2014 – August 2016
- Provided support to physicians and surgeons by monitoring patient vital signs, preparing patients for surgery, and administering medication
- Achieved a 94% positive score from patients for compassionate care
- Delivered care to critically ill patients within the oncology and surgical units and communicated empathetically with family members on patient condition
Bachelor of Science in Nursing The University of Central Boston, Boston, MT, September 2010 to June 2014
- Continuous Improvement
- Registered Nurse, MT Board of Nursing, License #12345, 2014
- Basic Life Support Certification, 2014
- CPR Certification, 2014
An attention-grabbing nursing resume will showcase your relevant certifications, experience, and accomplishments. To advance your career, use specific information about the type of nursing work you’ve done before, including data such as patient load, efficiency and satisfaction rates, and number of team members you supervised, if applicable. Focus on your skills and tangible examples from your career to illustrate your unique background within the health care industry.
1. Write a brief summary of your nurse qualifications
Your profile, also known as the summary of qualifications, is one of the most important aspects of a resume. It’s the first thing the hiring managers see when they review your document, so provide an impactful snapshot of your professional career.
One way to approach the summary is to incorporate three to four specializations related to the job you’re applying for in the first sentence, such as patient-centered care, patient education, acute care, and health care management. Leading with your specializations will show hiring managers that you have some of the key qualifications the organization seeks within seconds of reviewing your resume. Below are examples to guide you in creating your professional profile:
Senior-Level Profile Example
A registered nurse (RN) with over 10 years of experience providing high-quality, compassionate care to pediatric patients. A proven track record of collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to enhance clinical workflows and drive positive patient outcomes.
Entry-Level Profile Example
A RN with three years of experience delivering quality health care services to diverse patient populations. Adept at coordinating with nursing teams and medical personnel to drive positive patient outcomes in high-volume hospital environments.
2. Outline your nurse experience in a compelling list
The key to crafting a compelling professional experience section is to create bullet points that draw attention to your strongest career achievements within the health care sector. As you translate your experience into bullet points, establish a sense of scope for your achievements. For instance, if you worked in a high-volume hospital, display the nurse-to-patient ratio or the number of beds. These details will help hiring managers better understand how your background can benefit their team and organization.
Senior-Level Professional Experience Example
- Communicated empathetically with diverse patients, built rapport, and drove the delivery of patient-centered care to achieve a 94% patient satisfaction rating
- Supported an interdisciplinary team with direct nursing care for patients and assisted with developing care plans to improve patient outcomes
- Led, mentor, and coached a team of more than 15 LPNs and identified opportunities to enhance clinical workflows, resulting in a 10% reduction in average wait times
Entry-Level Professional Experience Example
3. add nurse education and certifications.
Along with your education and nursing licensure, consider including any additional certifications or training courses you completed throughout your nursing career. This information is essential if you plan on pursuing a position in a specialized unit, such as oncology or pediatrics. Obtaining additional certifications will also show hiring managers your array of knowledge of various areas of health care, which may differentiate you from the competition.
- [Degree Name]
- [School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] [Dates Enrolled]
- Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Nursing
- College of Notre Dame, Baltimore, MD, September 2014 – June 2018
- [Certification Name], [Awarding Organization], [Completion Year]
- Registered Nurse, State of Maryland, License #12345, 2010
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certified, American Heart Association, 2010
4. Make a list of your nurse-related skills and proficiencies
Applying to jobs doesn’t just mean impressing the hiring manager. It means getting past the applicant tracking systems (ATS). An ATS automatically sorts resumes into categories and highlights candidates with the right keywords, instantly identifying the best matches for each job posting. The more keywords you use in your resume, the more likely you can make it to the hiring manager’s desk and land an interview. Here are some of the phrases you might use to demonstrate your skills as a nursing applicant:
Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
---|---|
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) | Acute care |
Case management | EKGs |
Electronic Health Records (EHR) | HIPAA |
Medication administration | Oncology |
Orthopedics | Patient-centered care |
Patient discharge | Patient intake |
Patient relations | Pediatric care |
Post-operative (post-op) care | Surgical care |
Telemetry | Treatment planning |
Physical examinations | Pre-operative (pre-op) care |
Trauma care | Triage |
Wound care |
How To Pick the Best Nurse Resume Template
As a nursing professional, you must select a well-organized and straightforward template. If your template has bulky graphics or distracting colors, you may draw the hiring manager’s eye away from your accomplishments. When in doubt, choose a well-structured template that keeps the reader’s focus on why you’re qualified for the position rather than only on visual appeal.
Frequently Asked Questions: Nurse Resume Examples and Advice
What are common action verbs for nurse resumes -.
It’s easy to run short on action verbs during the resume-building process. Often a limited number of verbs accurately convey your work experience and career achievements, especially as a health care professional. Incorporating a mix of action verbs can enhance the impact of your bullet points and improve the reading experience. To keep your content fresh and engaging, we’ve compiled a list of action verbs to craft your nurse resume:
Action Verbs | |
---|---|
Administered | Analyzed |
Collaborated | Communicated |
Conducted | Coordinated |
Delivered | Diagnosed |
Enhanced | Identified |
Implemented | Improved |
Interfaced | Led |
Managed | Oversaw |
Performed | Provided |
Resolved | Supported |
Treated |
How do you align your resume with a job posting? -
Although nursing positions are expected to increase by 6% over the next decade, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics , you’ll still need to tailor your resume to the job description to maximize your chances of landing the interview. One of the most important aspects of creating a strong nurse resume is highlighting the nuances of your experiences within the health care industry.
For instance, if you’re applying to an organization with a strong reputation for patient-centered care standards, you may want to include insights showcasing your patient advocacy history. If you’re pursuing a position in an oncology unit, you might emphasize your background in interfacing with cancer patients or supporting physicians during surgeries. Tailoring your resume to individual job postings is the best way to differentiate yourself from the competition during the job search process.
What is the best nurse resume format? -
Always use a reverse chronological format when crafting your nurse resume. This will ensure that your most recent achievements are featured at the top of your document. It’s best to avoid using a functional resume format in most instances, as this approach highlights skill sets without providing context or specific accomplishments for the hiring manager.
Although not every job posting will require a cover letter, many organizations still ask for them during the hiring process. To maximize the impact of your cover letter, mention something unique about the hospital’s reputation or work culture. Including this information will show hiring managers that you’ve researched beforehand and are genuinely interested in the position. For more guidance, you can visit our nurse cover letter guide.
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Frank Hackett
Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW)
Frank Hackett is a professional resume writer and career consultant with over eight years of experience. As the lead editor at a boutique career consulting firm, Frank developed an innovative approach to resume writing that empowers job seekers to tell their professional stories. His approach involves creating accomplishment-driven documents that balance keyword optimization with personal branding. Frank is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches (PAWRCC).
Check Out Related Examples
Medical Surgical Nurse Resume Examples and Templates
Nurse Manager Nurse Resume Examples and Templates
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The Best Nursing Resume Guide for 2024 With Templates
Mar 14 2024
Career Resources / Job Searching / Nursing Resume Guide
Reviewed by: Kiley Griffin, R.N.
Imagine a registered nurse going into a patient’s room without a stethoscope or wearing sandals with their scrubs . The patient would feel confused and uneasy. This example is extreme, but it would relay to the patient their nurse isn’t prepared.
The same holds true regarding your nursing resume. You don’t want to walk into an interview without a quality resume to present to the hiring board.
You may be thinking
“I don’t have time to write a resume, and if I did, where would I start?”
Nurses work long shifts, which can make it difficult to devote time to working on anything outside of their scheduled hours. Accordingly, we have created a guide to help you quickly and easily craft a resume.
This guide will help you enter the interview feeling confident and prepared. We will explore:
Nursing Resume Templates
Steps to formatting a professional nursing resume, what to include in your contact section, how to get around the ats, writing your nursing resume objective or summary, how to showcase your skills and duties.
- Keys to Writing Your Experience Section
How to Organize Your Credentials Field on a Nursing Resume
Additional sections to add to your nursing resume.
- Write a Cover Letter to Go With Your Resume
Introducing Resume Wizard
AI-powered resume builder for nurses.
We’ve provided three sample nursing resumes as guides along with templates so you can create your own.
Hiring experts generally agree that formatting and content are the most critical elements to focus on when crafting a resume.
Many healthcare employers are now using applicant tracking software (ATS) as part of the hiring process. This means up to 75% of resumes get rejected before the hiring manager ever sees them.
An ATS quickly scans resumes and then sorts and ranks them based on qualifications. Optimizing your format to key on education and experience can help you gain approval from an ATS.
While you can choose how to format your resume, we encourage you to incorporate a reverse chronological design . This format lists jobs beginning with the most recent first.
Next, it is essential to choose a format that employs effective white space and utilizes efficient subheadings . We suggest that you set your margins to 1 “. You should align your text to the left since it makes it easier for the ATS robots to scan.
The best fonts to use for an ATS are Times New Roman or Arial .
No need to overthink this. It doesn’t take a quantum leap to make this deduction: Your resume always needs to begin with your name at the top. It would also help to make it the largest font on your resume.
Next to your name, make sure you include:
- Credentials : Starting with your highest degree earned, license, state designation, and national certifications.
- Location : You don’t have to include your physical address. City and state will suffice.
- Phone number : Check that you include the phone number to receive text messages from as some employers will text candidates.
- Email address : Use a work-appropriate email here. An employer might not take you seriously if your email is: [email protected] . Specifically, for 35% of employers, an unprofessional email address is a major problem.
The applicant tracking software has helped make the recruiting process much more efficient for hiring managers. While there isn’t a definitive process to always beat the ATS, there are general rules to follow to create a resume that will increase your success rate.
- Design your resume to match the job description
- Optimize for the ATS by aligning your resume keywords to the job description
- Use the long-form and spelled out acronyms such as BSN (Bachelor’s of Science)
- Save your file as a .docx, .doc or .pdf format
- Don’t use headers or footers
- Use plain, black bullet points not any special bullet types
- Do not include tables since an ATS can’t read them
- Don’t include a photo or use creative fonts
Think of your nurse resume objective or summary as an elevator pitch. Crafting a good objective is all about precision and brevity.
When to use an objective
Whether you write a nursing resume objective or summary depends on your experience. If you don’t have a lot of experience in nursing, then you should write an objective . Objective statements highlight training and goals for the future.
Don’t make the mistake of over-emphasizing your relative inexperience.
Highlight what experience or training you have accumulated. For example, lead with any licensure or state designation you’ve earned to begin your objective. Then go into some of your skills that make you a good fit for the job.
When to use a summary
If you have experience in the field, we suggest that you use a resume summary.
Within the summary, make sure you include how many years you’ve been in the field with your designation or licensure and specific field expertise. Then outline your goal in applying.
Here’s an example:
Hard-working and passionate Registered Nurse with over eight years of management/supervising experience and paramedic background looking to continue to grow and enhance my skills for the wellness of the facility. Currently completing my master’s in nursing with a specialty in Executive Leadership .
A good nursing resume will highlight hard and soft skills. A lot of your job depends on performing specific duties, and the recruiter will hone in on those when scanning your resume.
Most professions emphasize accomplishments in a resume over skills and duties . For many, accomplishment-driven resumes highlight what an individual can do for a company. However, the nursing field prefers a skill-driven resume . Healthcare employers need to feel comfortable that you can perform the skills necessary for the job.
That said, employers also want to know about your accomplishments as well. The best nursing resumes are able to incorporate a professional accomplishment with a skill.
- Hard skills display your understanding of job-specific roles and obligations (such as taking vital signs or administering medication).
- Soft skills demonstrate your personality fit within the team (such as communication or leadership skills).
Tailor your skills to the role outlined within the job description. If you have administered chemotherapy drugs or radiation therapies, then place it in there. Be specific!
Keys to Writing Your Experience Section
This is the meat and potatoes of your resume. Writing a striking experience section will go a long way in securing a terrific nursing job.
Nursing recruiters are not looking for fluff or abstraction. They want specific and detailed accounts of your work over the years.
Make it scannable
To start, you want to use easily distinguishable section headers such as “employment history” or “relevant experience.” These buzzwords make the ATS happy.
We suggest writing your experience down in reverse chronological order.
Start with your most recent position and go from there. Now, if you have held jobs dating back to the Reagan administration or when The Sopranos was on TV, maybe don’t include those.
Try to keep your job history within the last 20 years.
Quantify your experience
Instead of just listing your responsibilities with bullet points, convey your accomplishments using quantitative measurements when possible.
For example, instead of saying: “Helped discharge patients.”
Try instead: “Administered 10 discharges an hour during my shift. Provided ample health care education to patient and family members.”
The second example is more specific and detailed. It gives your employer a good idea as to your efficiency. Also, “administered” evokes more responsibility than “helped.”
Here’s an example of an excellent experience section:
You should also consider including the unit type you worked in. Did you work in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit or an Emergency Room ?
Be descriptive
When highlighting your experience, use strong action verbs such as “assisted” or “displayed.”
Lastly, highlight transferable attributes that can apply to any position , including leadership skills, project development, or communication.
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You may have significant credentials to help you secure a great nursing position. There’s no problem with having credentials. The problem occurs when you don’t know how to organize your credentials effectively.
Imagine a symphony conductor with great individual cello players that don’t know how to play in sync with each other–it would be chaos.
The same goes for organizing your certifications. You may have great credentials, but not arranging them correctly could create issues for your resume.
Luckily, there is an industry-standard for listing your credentials.
The following order is encouraged:
Education : Start with the year you graduated, degree type and major, university name, and GPA (if it was 3.5 and above). If you went to a prestigious school, you could also start with that. Additionally, if you are worried about age discrimination, we’d suggest you leave out the years studied. Unfortunately, ageism sometimes plays a role in the hiring of nurses.
2012-2014 Master’s of Science in Nursing Duke University School of Nursing, 3.7 GPA
Your Licensure : With licensure, the important part is determining where to put them. If nurses have one or two licenses they will put them after their degree. However, if you have an extensive list of licenses, it may be better to place them in their own section.
It’s crucial to include the following:
- License number
- License type ( LPN , RN , or CNA )
- Name of the license (if different than the name on your resume)
- State of licensure
- Expiration date
- If you have a license that falls under the nurse licensure compact
Sample Nursing Resume License Entry:
Registered Nurse (RN): License number 3378931 Arizona State Board of Licensing, Active since January 2018
State Designations: These generally include more advanced destinations for nurses at the state level. Examples include the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist and Nurse Practitioner .
Certifications : Your certifications demonstrate a commitment to improving as a nurse. Nurses can work without certifications in many cases. However, some jobs offer pay raises for nurses that have them.
We suggest the following order for listing your certifications:
- Name of the Certification and the Acronym: For example, Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, ACNP-AG
- The Certifying Organization: Such as the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
- The Certificate’s Expiration Date
- The Certification Number
Sample nursing resume certification:
Acute Care Nurse Practitioner from the American Association of Critical Care Nurses, Current – 2018
Awards and Honors: Your awards and honors can include those received in school or at another job. You want to list the name of the award, the awarding body, and the date received.
You may feel like you’ve put a lot of work into your resume up to this point. You have. Since you’re trying to land the perfect nursing job, you want to make sure that you round out your resume . The other sections you should add to your resume are:
Conferences and courses
List any additional terms you have completed as a nurse and any conferences you may have attended or even spoken at.
The ability to speak multiple languages gives you a leg up over your other nursing competition. Don’t hesitate to put in if you know other languages and designate your level of proficiency.
An employer is hiring a human being, not a robot. They want to hire someone who they can get along with, so listing your hobbies and interests may serve you well. Additionally, listing a hobby might give your supervisor an idea of whether or not you’d be a good culture fit on the team.
Before you wrap up your resume, make sure you proofread it , and if you can, have someone else read it over for you.
You don’t want your resume to get rejected because you spelled “stethoscope” wrong. Last, when saving your resume, make sure you cave it as a word document or PDF compared to any alternative, older file.
Write a Cover Letter to Go With Your Nursing Resume
Our last parting wisdom to you is to have a cover letter that complements your resume.
The cover letter gives your recruiter the confidence that you are interested in them specifically.
Having a great resume is fine and all, but it’s much like giving someone a handshake and not giving a greeting. It’s a complementary piece that needs a cover letter to reinforce and expound on the ideas covered within it.
In other words, the cover letter explains why you chose the company and helps them understand that you aren’t just spamming several companies with your resume.
You’ve made it. Congratulations!
By this point, you’ve put a lot of time into your resume. You should feel proud of yourself. You’re on your way to landing that new job. Now, it’s time to prepare for the interview . If you need help with that, we’ve got you covered as well.
Resume FAQs
You can write it either way. However, make sure you separate each with a comma. For example, write Jane Doe, RN, BSN or Jane Doe, BSN, RN.
There isn’t one skill that stands above the rest as nurses have to possess many different skills. However, some of the most important ones include problem-solving, attention to detail, organizational skills and multitasking.
The Doctor of Nursing Practice ( DNP ) is the highest degree a nurse can obtain within academia.
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Nurse resume examples & templates
- What's the best resume format for a nurse?
The job market for healthcare professionals has changed. Decades ago, it was seen as an exclusive field with limited "space under the sun." But today's unprecedented pressures on the healthcare workforce are creating new opportunities and challenges alike for members of the nursing profession. The need for an exceptional nurse resume, customized to your background and goals, has never been more critical. There is no turning back from milestones like this one reached in 2018: healthcare positions in the U.S. surpassed manufacturing and retail, becoming the largest source of jobs in America .
Simply put, nurses are in high demand. But this doesn't mean you should settle for the first nurse job listing you see, regardless of its quality. More than ever, it means you can aim for a dream job. And Resume.io is here to help.
We're here to provide our HR research-based guidance, our resume samples , and builder tool so you can get a nursing job opportunity that changes your life for the better. We hope it jumpstarts a career that is stable and fulfilling.
This nurse resume example and writing guide will cover:
- The role and job outlook for nurses
- How to write a nurse resume that shines through hundreds of applicants, first passing through the Applicant Tracking software filter
- Choosing the best format to structure your nurse resume
- How to showcase your most important skills
- Ways to impress by custom-tailoring the content and tone of your nurse resume
- Optimizing each section of your nurse resume
- Professional resume layout and design hints.
How to write a nurse resume
First, you need to know what sections comprise your nurse resume. Your resume should contain the following elements:
- The resume header
- The resume summary (aka profile or personal statement)
- The employment history section
- The resume skills section
- The education section
Next, you need to know the technology you are up against.
The job market has become so saturated with candidates that instead of hiring more recruiters, employers rely on electronic screening solutions. Hospital Applicant Tracking System (ATS) software analyzes your nurse resume for keywords and ranks it against other resumes on the same basis. Only the highest-ranking nurse resumes will get passed on to a human recruiter.
Keyword matches are the most basic aspect of ATS . In specific sections of this nurse resume example and guide, we'll offer tips for choosing the correct keywords so your resume doesn't get filtered out by an ATS.
Be open to alternative interview and resume-submission methods. Video interviews, automated chats and other recruitment tools are used more and more in healthcare. Understanding them rather than avoiding them will give you a competitive edge.
Need more inspiration? View our other related resumes from the same medical industry
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Choosing the best resume format for nurses
In most instances, the most suitable format for structuring a nurse resume will be reverse chronological . This generally works well for job seekers in any occupation whose work history follows a linear path in a series of employee positions.In that resume section, progressive job experience and accomplishments are organized by employer/workplace in reverse order from most recent to earliest dates.
An alternative resume format may be appropriate for nurses who are new to the workforce or changing careers. Those with a more varied occupational background or especially impressive education might also look at the alternative “functional” resume format. It‘s also an option for some self-employed professionals with an assignment or contract-based background.
Nurse resume summary example: Professionalism and empathy
The summary of your nurse resume should highlight your strongest professional qualifications. But nursing is also one of the most people-focused jobs in the world, so be sure to give your resume summary a touch of warmth and emotion.
There are two equally important factors in writing an effective nurse resume summary. The first relates to perception: the resume summary is your first personal introduction to a human reader, not an automated filter. This is where you present yourself as a caring and warm nurse, not one who comes across as cold and detached.
The second factor comes back to the ATS algorithm for scoring your resume based on keywords. Not every hospital will use scoring filters, but it's better to be on the safe side and not risk having your resume be overlooked on purely technical grounds.
So, how do you know which keywords and professional details are the most important ones? Analyze the nurse job description with care. You'll often find certain qualities, ideas, or technical requirements mentioned more than once, sometimes with different phrasing. This should be your signal that the employer values them more than others.
A recent study from TalentNeutron shows that the second most requested keyword for nurses is "bilingual." In the U.S., the most requested second language is Spanish. If you speak a second language, even imperfectly, make sure to include this in your summary and/or skills section. If either is too cluttered, put it in the one that has more space.
Last, but definitely not least, is the human element of your resume summary. Nurses are the heart and soul of many hospitals. Many health facilities rely on nurses to not only perform medical duties but also support patients emotionally and create a warm, caring environment. So, that's exactly the image to project on your nursing resume, alongside your impressive formal qualifications.
Strive for language that’s energetic and positive, using action verbs that describe your professional outlook and history.
A passionate and dedicated nurse with over six years of healthcare experience in a variety of medical settings, including private family practices, emergency units, ICU, neonatal units, geriatric units, and rehabilitation centers. Vast experience dealing with a very broad range of medical conditions. Bringing forth the ability to thoroughly and accurately assess the health of patients and prescribe the proper treatment programs for optimal health moving forward. Adept in working as a collaborative team member to ensure that patients receive the highest level of care possible.
Employment history sample: Diverse experience
Nurses comprise one of the most diverse professions in terms of background and age. While past nursing positions always take priority in the employment history section of your nurse resume, you can also highlight your varied life and job experience.
There's plenty of good news to go around for anyone seeking to work as a nurse. For starters, top hospitals are happy to hire certified nurses even if they're not graduates in their 20s. In fact, nursing applicants 40 years and older who are transitioning from other careers and have rich life experience are becoming more common.
Medical-administrative terms may vary from country to country, and even from state to state in the U.S. So look carefully at the job listing vocabulary, or even visit the employer's website, to make sure your resume wording is matches.
Also, remember there are differences between healthcare facilities in different locations. Include helpful details in your nurse resume about your previous workplaces to clarify. Here are some examples:
- Facility type: rehabilitation hospital, acute care, long-term care, teaching hospital, etc. If applicable, specify trauma center level (1 to 5).
- Type of hospital unit (ICU, MS, ER, and so on) and any specifics such as dealing with patient overflows.
- Bed count (both facility and unit) and other indications of the scope of your responsibilities.
Refer to initiatives you were responsible for, milestones, team efforts, and measurable results. For example, did you help develop new policies or procedures? Did you receive favorable patient review scores?
Newly graduated nurses with little or no work experience should include their clinical rotations. Relevant past employment in other professions also belongs here.
Nursing Assistant, St. Joseph's Medical Center, Dallas October 2019 - July 2021
- Worked to the best of my ability with an interdisciplinary team to provide optimum care to patients.
- Assisted patients with admittance and release.
- Assisted nurses and physicians in carrying out all treatments and day-to-day protocols.
Float Nurse, University of Iowa Medical Center, Iowa City September 2017 - September 2019
- Provided high level patient care during heavy patient load periods needing additional personnel.
- Assisted hospital staff and other RNs in day-to-day tasks in accordance with patient care plans and physician's orders.
- Assisted with duties in the ER, Rehab, and Med-Surg units.
- Provided a level of care in accordance with the medical center's stellar reputation.
Nurse Extern, Mayo Clinic of Austin, Austin August 2016 - August 2017
- Assisted with obtaining personal information of patients and prepared paperwork in a timely and efficient manner.
- Worked to maintain a neat and functional admitting department, conducive to high-quality care.
- Provided quick assessments and helped to determine the treatment needed for patients requiring critical care.
Nurse resume education example
Some occupations don't put too much emphasis on formal credentials but the medical and other healthcare professions absolutely do. Not only is high-caliber training a vital requirement for nurses, but it could have a bearing on your resume. If you're applying for a nurse job in the U.S., the education section has a HIGHER-than-usual priority in your nurse resume.
The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) has developed recommendations regarding the order of your formal credentials and where they are placed in relation to other sections.
- If you're an experienced nursing professional, the education section can go either above or below your employment history . This can be at your discretion, or according to local standards or employer preference.
- If you're a new nursing graduate with no work experience, place your education section first, right below the summary.
Are you using the resume.io builder to create your nurse resume? It's easy to list your licenses or similar credentials in the "school" field of the education section. Just as you would normally identify the college or other learning institutions, indicate the jurisdiction/organization that issued your nursing licenses or designations.
Where does the information go, and in what order? The ANCC recommends the following priority for listing credentials in nurse resumes:
- Highest earned degree — in your education section .
- Licensure — in your summary and/or education section. For a considerable number of licenses, you can create a custom "Licenses" section below the section you use.
- State designations or requirements (such as APRN, NP, etc.) — once again, in your summary and/or education section.
- National certifications — in your education section or create a separate section for these.
- Awards and honors (from schools, professional organizations, past jobs, etc.) — placement as above.
- Other certifications (optional, ONLY if space allows) — in your education section or create a custom section.
Our resume builder tool really simplifies this whole process. It is very flexible for easily adjusting or adding to the template sample categories. You can rearrange sections up and down, easily fill in sample fields as you choose or create custom "Licenses" and "Certifications" sections.
- Master of Nursing, Iowa State University, Iowa City January 2015 - August 2018 - Graduated with a 3.8 GPA.
- Bachelor of Biology, University of Arizona, Phoenix August 2011 - May 2015 - Member of Student Nursing Association.
Skills section example: Necessary and valued
Nurses work at the intersection of practical knowledge, technology, and softer human interaction. The nurse job is about versatility, and so is your skills section. It's important to show equal love to both your hard and soft skills categories.
Hard skills enable your day-to-day productivity as a nurse, and your ability to solve most clinical and administrative problems. Specifically, they will vary depending on your past nurse education and experience.
Pay close attention to the nurse skills listed in the job description and descriptive wording. Using the same terminology not only ensures you pass the ATS but also shows the recruiter that you're an attentive, detail-oriented nurse.
Remember we mentioned an additional language as being the second-most requested nurse skill? Well, TalentNeutron studies reveal the MOST commonly requested are computer skills — especially electronic medical/hospital records software. Common program packages are Meditech and Epic software.
In the U.S., knowing your way around billing codes (ICD10 and ICD9) is also a common advantage.
Soft skills are the more abstract, people-oriented attributes you have as a nurse. They reflect your ability to interact positively with patients, understand the people around you, feel subtle emotional shifts or just generally be a kind, warm individual.
- Patient advocacy
- Strong interpersonal communication skills
- Teamwork skills
- Trauma and ER experience
- Knowledgeable in medical terminology and procedures
Resume layout and formatting: First impressions
The visual appearance of your nurse resume is what employers will notice first about your job application. That makes it the first impression they will have about you. A messy, cluttered resume format or a poorly organized resume layout that lacks clearly defined sections may hurt your chances of being considered for an amazing professional nurse opportunity.
What's the best resume format for a nurse?
Visual structure conveys character on your resume. Consider how your resume layout, design, and formatting could project attentiveness, a focus on details, and a certain measure of discipline. A template can help you achieve this without looking too cold or rigidly formal (like the resume of a lawyer or auditor, for example). The Resume.io collection has a wide variety of resume styles to choose from, including those with the perfect balance of "disciplined" and "emotional." We suggest the Paris, New York, Stockholm, and Santiago templates as a great fit for a nurse resume.
These templates can also protect you from being unwittingly sabotaged by formatting that may not translate well to electronic systems, or is not readable at all.
Use field-tested templates backed by metrics. These samples are beautifully designed and attention-grabbing. These templates will also help you avoid hidden technical pitfalls.
The nurse job market
So, what is the nurse job market like nowadays? The simple answer: it's wide open for candidates.
Developed countries have a high demand for nurses. In 2017, the American Nurses Association (ANA) projected that the U.S. will need one million more registered nurses by 2022 to fulfill the nation's needs. By 2022, when RN retirements will have opened up more than a half-million replacement positions, there will be far more registered nurse jobs available than any other profession , at more than 100,000 per year. That nursing shortage has taken an added toll on the health and well-being of nurses during the pandemic crisis. According to a March 2021 survey report by the American Nurses Foundation , the ANA’s charitable and philanthropic arm, 41% of nurses stating they plan to leave the profession cited insufficient staffing as a reason. The number was higher — 48% — among nurses who treat COVID-19 patients directly.
The BLS projects a 9% growth in the job market for nurses between 2020 and 2030, as fast as the average occupation.
Key takeaways for a nurse resume
- To get an amazing job instead of a mediocre one, your resume needs all the advantages available.
- Start the resume writing process armed with knowledge and the appropriate technological tools.
- Each resume section should be tailored to the job listing wherever appropriate.
- Whenever possible, provide details on your past work experience.
- Pay special attention to the way your nursing credentials are organized in the education section.
- Write out your skills based on research and the job listing.
- Your resume layout is incredibly important. Make sure your format is visually pleasing and conforms to the ATS. Resume templates can help.
If you want the perfect tool to save yourself time and win your dream nurse position, use our helpful resume builder with field-tested resume templates!
Beautiful ready-to-use resume templates
Registered Nurse Resume Examples & Writing Guide
Are you seeking a rewarding career as a Registered Nurse in a high-growth field ? Now is a great time to hunt for your dream job. Our first-class Registered Nurse resume samples are the best starting point to make sure that your resume stands out from the crowd. After all, your resume is the first impression you give to the hiring organization.
Do you want to make sure that your resume will get you that interview? We will walk you through it in detail in this How to make a Resume Guide for a Registered Nurse.
What you can read in this article
12 Registered Nurse Resume Examples
Or download these examples in PDF at the bottom of this page for free
Registered Nurse Resume Writing Guide
Resume sections.
- Contact information
- Profile Summary
- Work History
- Achievements
- Skill Section
- Certification & licensing
- Extras: Languages/Awards/Publications/Volunteering/hobbies
- > Professional information
1. Contact Information
- First Name and Last Name
- Physical Address
- LinkedIn Profile / Portfolio Link
What to highlight in a Registered Nurse Resume
No matter how short or long you have been working as a Registered Nurse, there are a few key things that employers need to know to make sure you are a good fit for their team.
As a Registered Nurse, you’ll play an essential role in promoting health and wellness, and help improve the quality of life of people. Your responsibilities involve caring for all kinds of patients, but it will vary depending on your specialization and the organization. The first thing to highlight in your resume is your experience with a diverse patient population and your specialties such as neonatology, critical care, gerontology, and pediatrics.
Be as specific as possible and use the job description as your guide. Do you have the required responsibilities and qualifications? By mentioning the same words, you speak their language which will lead to recognition. Don’t forget to include this in your summary at the top of your resume, as well as within each position description.
Next, employers are not only looking for skilled Registered Nurses, but they also want to add passion, dedication and commitment to their team. The promise of most healthcare organizations is to provide compassionate care that respects the dignity and rights of the patients. Show your compassion as a Registered Nurse. For instance, mention your role in transforming healthcare and millions of lives as a result and the values you embrace and the passion you bring to achieve this.
Lastly, as a Registered Nurse, you may be required to respond to critical issues on a 24/7 basis. You are frequently required to stand, walk, lift heavy, push, pull, stoop, crouch, twist and reach. You also will be exposed to blood or other body fluids, fumes or airborne particles and toxic or caustic chemicals. Employers need to be sure about your compassion and dedication to help others despite the hard work, long hours and physical parts of the job.
Make sure you include the following details:
- Current Registered Nurse (RN) license, applicable for practice in the requested state
- Where are you registered as a nurse?
- Where did you study? And what is your GPA?
- Medical and nonmedical volunteer work
- The placements you did in school
- How many shifts and how many hours per shift you worked
- Prior experiences as a Registered Nurse including your duties and responsibilities
- Your specialization as a Registered Nurse and the line of patients you worked with
- Proficient in PC software computer skills that include Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook
Career Objectives & Examples
With the little time, hiring managers have to go through all the resumes, you want yours to stand out early on. Write the most critical information first to capture their attention: your value. Keep your career objective concise and to the point. If it catches their attention, they will most likely read the rest of your resume too.
Start your career objective with your years of experience in healthcare, your line of work and your primary responsibilities. Always use the job description as your guide when deciding which responsibilities to add. For instance, if the vacancy emphasizes expertise in making nursing diagnoses and experience with individuals with psychiatric disabilities, mention the same words in your objective. The more you sound like them, the better fit you will seem.
Next, add a line that showcases any outstanding qualities that will help the company, the team and of course the patients. A hiring manager would be interested in your “strong communication skills” and “the ability to use logical reasoning for simple and complex problem-solving.” Include these qualities also in the professional experience section.
Lastly, close with your educational degrees and any certifications you may have that are pertinent to the job.
Two Example Career Objectives:
“A caring and curing Registered Nurse with 5 years of clinical experience in acute care. I have a desire to improve the well-being of patients and my focus is caring for every patient the way we would care for our family members. I strive to provide patients with services designed to achieve quality care and quality of life by combining care and cure treatments.”
“ A loving, flexible and hardworking Registered Nurse with 5 years experience in planning, coordinating and managing the clinical services in various nursing units. Responsible for the coordination and of nursing care and services provided to patients in the various units while facilitating the interdisciplinary team. Experienced in care and treatment involved individuals with a variety of physical, emotional, mental and psychiatric disabilities.”
Nurse Job Descriptions & Responsibilities
Depending on your career stage and educational level, the following proven foundational duties and skill sets would be expected within an applicant’s resume.
- Provide direct patient care
- Monitor the health of the patient
- Maintain and update health records via the electronic system
- Phone triage
- Test results
- Medication refills
- Conveying plans of care
- Provide care under the prescribed treatment plan
- Assess the patient consistent with the Public Health Practice Reference, Nursing Scope, and Standards of Practice
- Observe and report on the well-being of patients
- Keep a record of each patient about their medical history and their symptoms
- Perform diagnostic tests and analyze the results
- Operate medical equipment
- Administer medicines to patients
- Administer treatments to patients
- Teach your patients about managing their injuries or illness
- Develop nursing care treatment plans
- Treat patients for their injuries or illness
- Perform routine lab work
- Educate patients about their health
- Provide leadership by delegating, supervising, and participating in safe nursing care activities
- Supervise other staff, including other nurses
- Administer medications and injections
- Assist doctors
- Assess the condition of patients
- Develop treatment plans for patients
- Discuss treatment plans and explain their conditions to the patient
- Oversee patient records
- Write publications about your research
- Evaluate patient care and identify opportunities for improvement
- Collaborate with the healthcare team
- Utilize all available resources to provide quality cost-effective patient care
- Serve as a role model/preceptor to new graduate nurses and less experienced personnel
Highlight your Nurse Accomplishments
Your experience is more than a list of duties you performed that match the job description. If you want to set yourself apart from other applicants with similar experience, you need a different approach.
Try this different approach by mentioning action-packed statements on what sets you apart, what you are most proud of or what you have accomplished in your previous roles.
Flat, simple duty:
- The number of patients you took care of
- The hours you worked per shift
- How many shifts you worked per week
- The number of colleagues you worked with
Accomplishment statement:
- Delivered responsive, compassionate, patient-centered care to a caseload of up to 50 patients per shift
- While assessing patients consistent with the Public Health Practice Reference, Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice, my main focus is to comfort the patient in a gentle and caring way
Quantifying Your Resume
Can you include specific numbers in your CV? Try to be as accurate as possible:
- The number of patients you took care of?
- The hours you worked per shift?
- How many shifts you worked per week?
- The number of colleagues you worked with?
- Maintained all necessary documentation and clinical records of up to 100 patients per day, following office procedures while focusing on patient confidentiality.
- Performed blood draws and completed necessary lab work of up to 20 patients per day while supporting the patients regarding medications and medical concerns.
Education Section
1989 -1993 Ridgefield High School, High School Diploma Ridgefield, NJ Maintained an 85 average over five years and I achieved a B or better in Biology, Chemistry, and Algebra
1993 – 1997 Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Long Island University, NJ Gained knowledge about meeting the health needs of individuals, families, communities, and populations. College GPA of 3.0
1997 – 1999 Master of Science in Nursing, University of San Francisco Advanced within the field by gaining experience to develop and manage patient care plans.
Nurse Resume Skills Section
Although the Registered Nursing field requires specific educational and technical skills, employers also look for other skills. These so-called soft skills are the type of skills that make you a good employee and colleague. Incorporate these into your career objective and your accomplishment statements.
Qualifications for your skills section:
- Strong Interpersonal Skills
- Professionalism
- Adaptability and Flexibility
- Self-Starter
- Compassionate
- Prioritize and productively manage time to ensure compliance with deadlines
- Work independently and within diverse teams
Additional Nurse Soft skill Examples
- Strong problem-solving skills
- Analytical skills
- Excellent communication skills both verbal and written skills
- Ability to communicate productively with individuals
- Ability to interact productively with multidisciplinary teams
- Possess planning
- Conflict resolution
- Negotiation
- Interpersonal skills
- Interact with individuals at all level of the organization
- Organize, prioritize and manage multiple priorities
- Professional
Download Registered Nurse Resume Examples
All these downloads are free and in PDF. Do you wish to make all these designs yourself? Then use the resume build tool. Its easy, fast en creates stunning resumes for you:
Registered Nurse Resume 3.PDF
Registered Nurse Resume 4.PDF
Registered Nurse Resume 5.PDF
Registered Nurse Resume 6.PDF
Registered Nurse Resume 7.PDF
Registered Nurse Resume 8.PDF
Registered Nurse Resume 9.PDF
Registered Nurse Resume 10.PDF
Registered Nurse Resume 11.PDF
Mental Health Nurse Resume
Certificates associated with Registered Nurses
ICD-9 | ICD-10 | CPT coding |
Nursing Licensure Exam (NCLEX) | Basic Life Support BLS | CPR certification for the Healthcare Provider |
Action Verbs for your Nurse Resume
Organized | Administred | Applied |
Assessed | Educated | Planned |
Provided | Observed | Monitored |
Coordinated | Prioritized | Cared |
Specialization and types of nurses
- Registered Nurse
- Registered Nurse I
- Registered Nurse II
- New Grad Registered Nurse
Professional information of Nurses
Sector : Healthcare Person type : Carer, friendly, steady, professional Education levels : Associate Degree in Nursing or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), optional a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree Salary indication : From $ 40.000 to $ 110.000 per year Labor market : Great perspective Organizations : Hospitals, outpatient facilities, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, dialysis centers, home healthcare agencies and physicians’ offices.
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6 New Grad Nursing Resume Examples + How To Write
Are you a new grad nurse or about to complete your nursing degree? If so, congratulations on your impressive accomplishment! At this point, you may be wondering what is your next action in the strategy to secure a job. If so, read on for vital information to help you successfully navigate the unchartered territory of finding employment as a nurse. Preparing a top-notch resume is an essential step in securing a position after graduation. When thinking about how to compose a resume, you might ask, what are some exceptional examples of new grad nursing resumes? This article, 6 best new grad nursing resume examples, will guide you through the process of creating a professional new grad nursing resume that is sure to impress. Additionally, well-structured resume examples will visually aid you in designing your resume that is sure to catch the eye of your future employer.
What Exactly is a New Grad Nursing Resume?
How is a new grad nursing resume different from an experienced nursing resume, 4 reasons why an exceptional resume makes a difference to new grad nurses, 1. you may be competing with experienced nurses-, 2. there may be many candidates-, 3. highlights new skills-, 4. helps to get your foot in the door-, what are some exceptional examples of new grad nursing resumes, example #1: resume of diane joyner, diane joyner, licenses and credentialing, clinical experience, student nurse.
• Performed new mom, baby and labor and delivery patient care duties on a 12-bed obstetrics unit. • Team leader for student nurse rotation on 2 occasions. • Developed nursing care plans on 2-3 patients each week. • Completed 75 clinical hours in obstetrics.
• Performed patient care duties on a busy 28-bed pediatric unit. Commended by clinical instructor, preceptor, and unit nurses for ease of adaptation, enthusiasm, and expert nursing care of children on unit. • Team leader for colleagues on 4 occasions. • Developed nursing care plans on 3-10 patients per week. • Developed and instituted engaging quiet activity lessons and entertainment boxes for children while in the hospital. • For children in quarantine, developed exercises to promote circulation and heart health while recovering in isolation, if applicable. • Completed 75 clinical hours in Pediatrics.
• Provided nursing care in a busy inner-city ER, ICU, and CCU. • Completed 90 hours total of critical care clinical hours. • Evaluated at 100% by the instructor for competence in critical care skills.
• Completed 30 outpatient hours as a public health nurse, either traveling for home visits or at a community clinic. • Evaluated and developed plans of care for patients from 7 months to 70 years old. • Completed 30 additional outpatient hours in a public elementary and middle school.
• Performed basic nursing care in a 400-bed community hospital with 2-4 adult patients daily. • Administered nursing services to seniors and disabled patients in community rehab and nursing facilities. • Completed 100 hours total of med-surg clinical hours.
Work History
Certified nurses aid.
• Performed basic hygiene and health aide services in a 300-bed nursing facility during vacations and summer.
Secretary to Bloomsburg University Department of Nursing
• Performed basic office duties such as filing, answering phones, and typing reports.
Babysitter for 2 diabetic sisters
• Hired to babysit and carefully monitor 2 diabetic children where carb counting, blood sugar monitoring, and insulin injections were necessary.
• Hostess, waitress, cook, and dishwasher duties as needed in a bustling restaurant.
Volunteer Work
• Mother of a newborn • Candy striper • Campus Catholic Organization • Church nursery worker • St Francis Soup Kitchen • Campus blood drive
What Makes This An Exceptional New Grad Registered Nurse Resume:
Example #2: resume of jan beck, licenses and credentialing.
1/2021-4/2021 Boseman, Montana
• Performed new mom, baby, and labor and delivery patient care duties on an 8-bed birthing center. • Developed nursing care plans on 1-2 patients each week. • Completed 75 clinical hours in obstetrics.
9/2020-11/2020 Boseman, Montana
• Performed patient care duties on a busy 20-bed pediatric unit. • Developed nursing care plans on 2-4 patients per week. • Completed 75 clinical hours in Pediatrics.
1/2020-5/2020 Boseman, Montana
• Provided nursing care ER, ICU, and CCU. • Completed 90 hours total of critical care clinical hours. • Evaluated at 99% by the instructor for competence in critical care skills. • Selected consistently by the staff and clinical instructor to work on Covid and burn units along with special cases.
11/2019-12/2019 Boseman, Montana
• Completed 30 psychiatric clinical hours at a 150-bed psychiatric hospital. • Completed psychiatric evaluations and instituted and monitored mental health treatment plans on 2 patients per day.
9/2019-10/2019 Boseman, Montana
• Completed 30 outpatient hours in a high school health clinic.
1/2019- 5/2019 Boseman, Montana
• Performed basic adult nursing care in a 200-bed community hospital with 2-4 patients daily. • Completed 100 hours total of med-surg clinical hours.
WORK HISTORY
University lab assistant.
5/2019-Present Boseman, Montana
• Selected by nursing faculty to assist in Anatomy and Physiology labs along with Microbiology lab.
Student Tutor
1/2020-Present Boseman, Montana
• Tutored students in course work for science, health, computer technology.
HONORS AND AWARDS
• Graduated second in nursing class with a 3.96 GPA • Received 4.0 in all clinical rotations • Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor Society • Award for future nurse in excellence and scholarship
Example #3: Resume of Joan Zimmerman
Joan zimmerman.
1/2021-4/2021
• Completed 60 clinical hours rotating between urgent care and family health clinic. • The preceptor stated she felt very confident in all skills and knowledge to independently care for patients under her supervision.
9/2020-11/2020
• Performed patient care duties on a busy 60-bed pediatric unit. • Developed nursing care plans on 2-4 patients per day. • Completed 75 clinical hours in Pediatrics.
1/2020-5/2020
• Provided nursing care ER, ICU, and CCU. • Completed 90 hours total of critical care clinical hours. • Evaluated at 100% by the instructor for competence in critical care skills. • Team head 3 out of 10-week rotation. • Nurses on the unit commented daily on my advanced knowledge of cardiovascular conditions and ability to handle patient care efficiently.
11/2019-12/2019
• Completed 30 psychiatric clinical hours at a 241-bed psychiatric hospital. • Completed psychiatric evaluations and instituted and monitored mental health treatment plans on 2 patients per day.
9/2019-10/2019
• Completed 60 outpatient hours rotating between units for women’s health, labor and delivery, NICU, PICU, and newborn nursery.
1/2019-5/2019
• Performed basic nursing care on adults in a busy 600-bed hospital with 2-4 patients daily. • Completed 100 hours total of med-surg clinical hours.
Walmart Cashier
5/2017-Present
Honors and Awards
• Graduated first in nursing class with a 3.99 GPA • Received 4.0 in all clinical rotations • Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor Society • Future Nurse Leader Award • School of Nursing Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award
Volunteer and Leadership Experience
• President of Student Nursing Association • Captain of the high school basketball team
Example #4: Resume of Lizzie Arndt
Lizzie arndt.
1/2021-5/2021 Jersey City, New Jersey
• Completed 60 clinical hours performing home health services on patients of a variety of ages and conditions, including prenatal and postnatal care. • Developed new mom instructional videos on breastfeeding and bathing.
9/2020-11/2020 Eastman, New Jersey
• Performed patient care duties on a busy 62-bed pediatric unit. • Developed nursing care plans on 2-4 patients per day. • Completed 75 clinical hours in Pediatrics. • Rotated onto pediatric burn unit.
1/2020-5/2020 Eastman, New Jersey
• Provided nursing care ER, ICU, CCU, and adult burn unit. • Completed 90 hours total of critical care clinical hours.
11/2019-12/2019 Eastman, New Jersey
• Completed 30 psychiatric clinical hours at a state prison on both men’s and women’s units. • Completed psychiatric evaluations and instituted and monitored mental health treatment plans on 1-3 patients per day.
9/2019-10/2019 Eastman, New Jersey
• Completed 60 outpatient hours rotating between units for women’s health, labor and delivery and NICU, PICU, and newborn nursery. • Achieved 100% on clinical skills and knowledge testing. • Developed competency checklist for pre- and post-natal teaching of pregnant women and new moms. • Established support reference material for new mom packet.
1/2019- 5/2019 Eastman, New Jersey
• Performed basic adult nursing care in a busy 575-bed hospital with 2-4 patients daily. • Completed 100 hours total of med-surg clinical hours in the hospital and adjoining rehabilitation center.
Swim Instructor and Lifeguard
5/2017-Present Jersey City, New Jersey
• Graduated first in nursing class with a 3.95 GPA • Received 4.0 in all clinical rotations • Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor Society • Outstanding Nursing Student Award • Scholarship for swimming • Scholarship for academic excellence
Extra-Curricular Activities
• Division I swimming all 4 years in college
Example #5: Resume of Lynn Horton
Lynn horton.
• Performed new mom, baby and labor and delivery patient care duties on a 50-bed women’s health unit. • Completed 75 clinical hours in obstetrics.
• Performed patient care duties on a busy 20-bed pediatric unit. • Developed nursing care plans on 2-4 patients per week. • Rotated onto pediatric oncology unit to care for 1-2 oncology patients per day. • Completed 75 clinical hours in Pediatrics.
• Provided nursing care in ER, ICU, and CCU units. • Completed 96 hours total of critical care clinical hours.
• Completed 30 psychiatric clinical hours at a 40-bed detox and substance abuse facility. • Completed psychiatric evaluations and instituted and monitored mental health treatment plans on 2-3 patients per day. • Assisted nursing and psychiatric staff with detox and substance abuse treatment and therapy.
• Completed 30 outpatient hours in a home health agency to include care for adults and children with cancer.
• Performed basic nursing care in a 600-bed community hospital with 2-4 patients daily. • Completed 100 hours total of med-surg clinical hours.
Certified Nurse Assistant
• Provided comfort and basic care to adult patients with cancer.
• Graduated Magna Cum Laude • Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor Society • Award for future nurse in excellence and scholarship
Volunteer and Extra-curricular Activities
• Served as a companion and nurse’s aide to a friend dying of cancer • Division III university softball player
Example #6: Resume of Paul Linney
Paul linney.
1/2021-4/2021 Tampa, Florida
• Performed new mom, baby and labor and delivery patient care duties on a 30-bed birthing center. • Performed basic nursing and prenatal care to walk-in women’s health center. • Completed 75 clinical hours in obstetrics and women’s health.
9/2020-11/2020 Tampa, Florida
• Performed patient care duties on a busy 38-bed pediatric unit. • Developed nursing care plans on 2-3 patients per week. • Completed 75 clinical hours in Pediatrics.
1/2020-5/2020 Tampa, Florida
• Provided nursing care in ER, ICU, and CCU units. • Completed 90 hours total of critical care clinical hours.
10/2019-12/2019 Tampa, Florida
• Completed 30 psychiatric clinical hours on a 62-bed psychiatric unit, which included detox and substance abuse treatment. • Completed psychiatric evaluations and instituted and monitored mental health treatment plans on 2-4 patients per day. • Assisted nursing and psychiatric staff with detox and substance abuse treatment and therapy. • Achieved 100% for clinical rotation. • Selected as team leader 5 out of 8 weeks on unit. • The Nurses and the preceptor remarked weekly about comfort level and ease with working with psychiatric patients.
9/2019-10/2019 St. Pete, Florida
• Completed 30 outpatient hours in a community center for at-risk youth. • Held group sessions for abused and traumatized teens. • Met individually with 2 patients per week for individual counseling and psychiatric sessions and care.
1/2019-5/2019 Tampa, Florida
• Performed basic nursing care in a 300-bed community hospital with 2-4 patients daily. • Completed 100 hours total of med-surg clinical hours.
VOLUNTEER AND EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
• Boys Club of Clearwater • Paxton Ministries Soup Kitchen • Special Olympics
How to Write an Exceptional New Grad RN Resume?
1. proper format.
• Your name and contact information at the top of the page • Easy to read (not fancy) fonts such as New Times Roman, Arial, and Calibri • Font size 11 or12 • Stay consistent in fonts and style types • Be concise • No abbreviations or slang
2. Summary or objective
• Professional goals • Name of unit and institution where you are applying • Nursing skills and qualities pertinent to the position • Degrees and professional certifications
3. Licenses and credentialing
• The full name of your license or certification • Institution or body that issued license
4. Education
• Official school name • Location of the school • Dates you attended or graduated • Degree that you completed
5. Clinical rotations
• The type of the clinical rotation • Dates of the rotation and total hours completed • Name of institution (and city/state) of clinical • Name of unit you worked on
6. Work history
• Position held, then the name of the company/organization where you worked and the city and state with starting and ending date of hire • In a few words, describe the job
7. Volunteerism
• Church bake sales, nursery work, chicken BBQ worker, soup kitchen, and vacation bible school assistant • Hospital candy striper • Homecoming committee • Musical lighting and props • Prepped dinners for a homeless shelter • Assistant to professor • Staffed nursing department booth for college fairs • Blood pressure checks for health fairs • Assisted with blood drives on campus
8. Honors and awards
9. skills/language summary, 10. appropriate length, 11. match your resume to the job, 12. proofread, 7 common mistakes to avoid when writing your new grad nursing resume, 1. not including non-work experience-, 2. being too modest-, 3. too wordy-, 4. not personalized-, 5. leaving out accomplishments-, 6. not customizing-, 7. not proofing-, 3 consequences of a poorly written new grad rn resume, 1. you may never get an interview-, 2. your resume sets the stage-, 3. you may receive lower compensation-, my final thoughts, frequently asked questions answered by our expert, 1. what is the difference between new grad nurse resume and new grad nurse cv, 2. as a new grad nurse, when should i write my resume, 3. do i need a different resume for each new grad nursing job i apply to, 4. how long is my new grad nursing resume good for, 5. how many words should a resume be for a new graduate nurse, 6. how much time does it take to write an exceptional resume for a new grad nurse, 7. what is the best resume format for new grad nurses, 8. should i put my gpa on my new grad nurse resume, 9. should skills be on my new grad nurse resume, 10. what is a good objective for a new grad nursing resume, 11. how to list registered nurse license on my new grad nursing resume.
• Full name of nursing license • The body that issued the license • Expiration date
12. Should I Put Clinical Experience On My New Grad Nursing Resume?
13. should i include preceptorship on my new grad nursing resume, 14. can i ask someone else to write my new graduate nurse resume, 15. is it a good idea to use ready templates to write my new graduate nurse resume, 16. are there any online apps or tools that make writing a good resume for a new graduate nurse easy.
New Grad Nurse Resume Example (W/ Templates & Tips!)
You're an aspiring nurse, and you just graduated!
You've mastered the art of patient care, so now you’re out and looking for your first job as a registered nurse.
But when it comes to writing your resume, you're self-diagnosed with writer's block.
It's ironic that after so many detailed reports you've tackled during nursing school, you just can’t seem to show off your skills and experience.
Just take a deep breath.
Preparing a resume might not be as exciting as your first clinical rotation, but it doesn’t have to be difficult.
With the right pointers, you can create the perfect new grad nurse resume!
And guess what? We're here to guide you every step of the way.
In this article, we’re going to cover:
- What an Amazing New Grad Nurse Resume Example Looks Like
- 8 Steps to Writing a Job-Winning Resume as a Recently Graduated Nurse
- The 67 Top Nursing Skills for 2024
...and so much more!
Ready to begin? Let’s jump right in.
New Grad Nurse Resume Example
That’s a spot-on example of a resume for a recently graduated nurse.
Here’s what it gets right:
- Uses the reverse-chronological resume format. This recent nursing grad has a resume that shows their newest experience first and then works its way back, so hiring managers can have a clear look at their experience.
- Starts with a strong resume objective. The nursing resume example above includes a brief paragraph in the header that catches employers’ attention and lets them know the candidate’s top skills, achievements, and professional aspirations.
- Only includes relevant contact information. Social media profiles aren’t appropriate for a nurse job application, so this candidate only lists her full name, phone number, email address, and location.
- Quantifies achievements. The candidate backs up their achievements with relevant data, which lets employers immediately see the benefit of hiring them.
- Expands on education. Since the candidate has just recently graduated, they elaborate on their education and how well-prepared they are for the role.
- Shows off in-demand skills. This new grad nurse resume makes sure the most relevant hard skills are in plain view, so hiring managers can easily see just what the candidate can do.
- Adds optional sections. The candidate leverages sections such as conferences and languages to make their resume stand out from other recently graduated nurses with similar skills and experience.
- Fits everything on one page. This new grad nurse resume uses every bit of space available to fit all the sections on one page.
8 Steps for a Great New Grad Nurse Resume
You know what a spot-on new graduate nurse resume includes, and now it’s your turn to write one.
Luckily, you just need to follow these easy steps:
#1. Choose a Resume Format
Before you can fill in the contents of your resume, you have to decide how it’s going to look.
Start by choosing the right resume format .
You have three main resume formats to choose from:
- Reverse-chronological (sometimes called chronological)
- Functional (sometimes called skill-based format)
- Combination (which blends elements of both)
For the vast majority of nursing graduates, the reverse-chronological resume format is the best choice.
This format shows your most recent work experience, skills, and accomplishments, which are what healthcare employers will want to see first.
It’s also hiring managers’ favorite resume format worldwide, so that should make it your first choice.
Here's a quick glance:
Next, it’s time to perfect your resume layout .
Before a hiring manager reads your resume, they’re going to look at it. But if your resume is chaotic and hard on the eyes, it’ll probably get tossed aside.
Here’s how to make sure your new grad nurse resume leaves a great first impression:
- Adjust the margins. The margins on your document should be set to one inch on all sides so it doesn’t look too cluttered.
- Choose an appropriate font. Your resume’s font should be easy to read and stylish, but not overused. Skip Times New Roman and opt for something like Roboto instead.
- Set the font size. If the hiring manager has to squint to read your resume, they might just stop altogether. Use 10-12 pts for the body of your text and 14-16 pts for headings and section titles.
- Change the line spacing. To make sure your text isn’t too spaced out or overlapping, set the line spacing to 1.0 between text and 1.15 after subheadings.
- Send it in the right file format. Your new grad nurse resume should always be sent as a PDF. This way, your layout stays intact regardless of what device or software the hiring manager uses to open it.
Or Use a Professional Resume Template Instead
Starting your nurse resume from scratch takes a lot of effort.
You have to tweak the margins, adjust the line spacing, pick the best font, and make sure the sizes are uniform throughout your whole resume.
What if there was another way?
Just give any of our free resume templates a go and spare yourself the hassle.
Each of our templates is designed hand-in-hand with hiring managers from around the world, all to make sure your resume meets industry standards easily fits on one page, and lets you show off your personality.
Check for yourself how one of our resume templates compares to a standard text editor template:
#2. Fill In Your Contact Details
Once you’ve taken care of your resume format and layout, you can start filling in its contents.
Your contact information is the easiest section to fill out. All you need to do is make sure it’s factual – this isn’t the place to be inattentive. A single typo in your phone number or email address could cost you an opportunity.
Here’s what you need to include in this section:
- Full Name. (E.g. Jessica Smith)
- Professional Title. Make sure your resume’s professional title matches the specific nursing job you’re applying for. (E.g. Pediatric Nurse)
- Phone Number. If you're aiming for a job abroad, don't forget to include the dial code at the front of your number.
- Email Address. Ideally, use a combination of your first and last name. Quirky email addresses from high school won't cut it. (e.g. [email protected] is great, but [email protected] isn’t.)
- Location. List your city and state/country. If you’re willing to relocate for a job, specify it somewhere in your resume.
Jessica Smith - Registered Nurse +1 234 567 8910 [email protected] San Francisco, CA
Jessie Smith, Nurse 1234 567 8910 [email protected] Cali, USA
#3. Write a Convincing Resume Summary (or Objective)
Hiring managers go through hundreds of resumes daily, and they rarely spend more than a few seconds looking at a single resume . So if you want your new grad nurse resume to make an impression, you need to have an elevator pitch ready.
That would be the brief paragraph in your resume’s header, where you summarize some of your top skills, achievements, and other qualifications that make you right for the role.
Depending on your level of experience, here’s what you can write:
- Resume summary. If you have any clinical experience or internships from your time at university, a resume summary is the ideal choice. It provides a snapshot of your hands-on experience, primary nursing skills, and academic achievements.
- Resume objective. For fresh nursing graduates with limited experience, a resume objective is the way to go. This focuses on your nursing skills, relevant academic accomplishments, and your passion for patient care.
Here's a sample for a new grad nurse with some hands-on experience:
- Committed and compassionate Registered Nurse, seeking a position with Hospital X. With over two years of clinical experience during studies, skilled in patient care, medical documentation, and emergency response. CPR and First Aid certified. Eager to support a team in delivering patient-centered care.
For those just stepping into the nursing profession, here's a resume objective for a student with no experience :
- Dedicated Nursing Graduate, eager to join Hospital Y. Proficient in patient assessments, foundational nursing procedures, and effective communication. Motivated to contribute positively to patient outcomes and grow professionally in a dynamic healthcare environment.
#4. List Your Work Experience
The work experience section of your new grad nurse resume is what hiring managers will pay attention to, even if you're fresh out of school.
Presentation is key, so let's make sure yours is on point.
Here’s how to structure this section:
- List in reverse chronological order. Since you're newly graduated, start with your most recent clinical rotations or internships and then any related roles.
- Add the name of the facility. Specify the name of the hospital, clinic, or healthcare facility, and then its location.
- Include dates. Stick to the mm/yyyy format for clarity.
- Describe responsibilities and achievements. Highlight five to six key examples from your most recent experience in bullet points. Older roles might only need two to three.
But if you’re a recent nursing graduate, just listing your experience the right way isn’t enough.
You need to make it shine. Here’s how:
- Tailor your experience to the job. Look at the job ad and compare it to your experience so far. Your recent pediatric rotation might be more relevant for the position of school nurse than that summer you spent as a lifeguard.
- Focus on your impact. The hiring manager knows what a typical nursing student does, so you won’t impress them that easily. Instead, wow them by focusing on the difference you made during your rotations, such as improving patient outcomes or boosting morale.
- Quantify whenever possible. Put numbers next to any achievement you can. Quantifying your achievements can change the generic "assisted with patient care," into the more impressive "aided in the care of 10-15 patients daily under supervision."
- Use strong verbs. Instead of just "helped" or "worked", use powerful words like "administered", "collaborated", or "monitored" to show you as a proactive worker.
Check out this example for a nursing graduate:
Nursing Intern
St. Peter's Hospital
Seattle, WA
05/2022 - 09/2022
- Collaborated with a team of 5 registered nurses in the cardiac unit, assisting in the care of 10-12 patients daily.
- Administered medications under supervision, achieving a 100% accuracy rate throughout the internship.
- Assisted in patient documentation, updating medical histories and vital signs for over 250 patients during the rotation.
- Monitored and reported changes in patient conditions, resulting in timely interventions on several occasions.
- Received commendation from the head nurse for dedication and keen attention to detail during high-pressure situations.
What If I Don’t Have Work Experience?
Entering the world of healthcare as a fresh graduate nurse might seem overwhelming, especially if your resume feels light on professional experience.
However, your nursing resume can absolutely reflect your dedication and skills, even as you’re entering the field!
It's all about highlighting relevant experience, even if it isn’t professional.
Here are some examples you can choose from:
- Volunteering at health camps or local clinics
- Personal projects related to healthcare
- Academic projects related to patient care
- University health drives or campaigns
For example, if you volunteered at a health camp during your summer break, that’s an invaluable hands-on experience that can elevate your resume as a recently graduated nurse.
Here's an example:
Nurse Intern & Health Educator
Springfield Health Camp
06/2022 - 08/2022
- Volunteered in patient care, assisting registered nurses in administering basic treatments and wound care.
- Educated local community members about preventive healthcare measures, receiving positive feedback for clear communication.
- Assisted in organizing health seminars, ensuring informative sessions on nutrition, and hygiene.
- Collaborated with fellow interns to gather patient feedback, leading to improved patient education materials.
- Partnered with local schools to conduct health check-ups, providing basic healthcare knowledge to students.
#5. Add Your Most Vital Nursing Skills
Nursing is more than just administering medication or checking vitals. The job requires a broad range of skills , and the ones you add to your new grad nurse resume should align with the specific nursing position you're after.
Your skills section shows potential employers your clinical competencies and the depth of your training. If you tailor this section right, they’ll see how prepared you are to step into the role.
Here are some tips for writing a great skills section:
- Tailor them to the ad. Does the job description mention certain requirements for candidates? Whether it's wound care, patient education, or managing specific health conditions, add the skills you have to your resume.
- Research what skills you need. The world of healthcare is ever-evolving and the key to success is ongoing learning. Stay updated on patient care guidelines, innovative treatment methods, or emerging healthcare technologies.
- List hard and soft skills separately. Your new grad nurse resume should keep soft skills and hard skills neatly separate. This way, employers can find exactly what skills they’re looking for at a glance.
You've got the know-how to list your nursing skills.
All that’s left is to figure out which you should include on your resume.
Take a look at this list of the 67 most in-demand hard and soft skills for recently graduated nurses to get started!
67 Most In-Demand New Grad Nurse Skills
51 new grad nurse hard skills.
- Aseptic technique
- Electronic Health Records (EHR)
- EPIC Systems
- Record keeping
- Patient assessment
- Wound dressing
- IV insertion and management
- Medication administration
- First Aid and CPR
- Basic Life Support (BLS)
- Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
- Catheter insertion and care
- Infection control
- Vaccination administration
- Pain management
- Patient education
- Care and discharge planning
- ECG interpretation
- Emergency response
- Surgical assistance
- Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)
- Oxygen therapy
- Endotracheal intubation
- Fluid and electrolyte balance
- Palliative care
- Ventilator management
- SOAP note documentation
- Patient charting
- Patient transport
- Tracheostomy care
- Gastrostomy feedings
- Diabetes management
- Hemodynamic monitoring
- Sterilization techniques
- Seizure precautions
- Ostomy care
- Orthopedic casting and splinting
- Isolation procedures
- Defibrillation
- HIPAA compliance
- Manual blood pressure measurement
- Nasogastric (NG) tube placement
- Critical care
- Telemetry monitoring
- Mobility assistance
16 New Grad Nurse Soft Skills
- Communication
- Adaptability
- Critical thinking
- Time management
- Problem-solving
- Active listening
- Self-awareness
- Stress management
- Interpersonal skills
- Organizational skills
- Conflict re solution
#6. Elaborate on Your Education
In any resume, work experience and skills speak louder than academic credentials. Usually, this section only gets a passing mention.
However, when you’re a newly graduated nurse, you might want to dive into more details.
If you don’t have as much hands-on experience as your peers, your education section is where your resume can shine.
Here’s how you should format the basics:
- Degree Name. (E.g. Bachelor of Science in Nursing)
- University Name. (E.g. Metropolitan University of Health Sciences)
- Location. (E.g. Los Angeles, CA)
- Years Attended. If you haven’t graduated yet, don’t worry about it. Over 74% of new graduate nurses have a job offer lined up before graduation. Instead of using the yyyy - yyyy format, you can specify your expected graduation date. (E.g. Expected graduation: May 2024)
- Optional Details. List any relevant coursework, such as classes, projects, or clinical rotations, that’s relevant to the nurse position you’re applying for.
The goal here is to paint a clear picture of how your studies have prepared you for the hands-on work in the world of nursing. Everything you add should be relevant, so you should skip your high school education.
Here’s an example of how your education section might look:
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Metropolitan University of Health Sciences
Los Angeles, CA
08/2019 - 06/2023
- Relevant Coursework: Pediatric Nursing, Critical Care Nursing, and Nursing Ethics.
- Research Project: "The Impact of Patient-Nurse Ratios on Care Quality."
- Clinical Rotations: Completed practical training in Pediatric, ICU, and Emergency Nursing departments.
#7. Leverage Optional Sections
Once you’ve come to the end of your new grad nurse resume, you have some leftover space.
This is a great opportunity for you to add optional sections, which can take your resume to the next level. These sections can be the cherry on top, giving potential employers deeper insight into who you are both professionally and personally.
Here are some sections you can choose from:
- Licenses and certifications. The more qualifications you have, the more commitment and readiness for nursing your resume shows.
- Awards. Any scholarships, academic honors, or nursing-related competitions you've won are good for showing off on your new grad nurse resume.
- Memberships. Being a part of professional nursing organizations gives you credibility and shows your drive to stay updated with industry trends.
- Languages. Hospitals and clinics appreciate nurses who can communicate with diverse patient populations, so speaking multiple languages is a huge plus.
- Publications or conferences. If you've written healthcare-related articles or created presentations for nursing school or even conferences, list them! It shows expertise and enthusiasm for particular subjects.
- Hobbies and interests. This section gives a glimpse into your personality. Activities like team sports can show teamwork skills and physical stamina, while interests like medical literature or meditation can show an interest in continuous learning and stress management.
- Florence Nightingale Academic Scholarship State Nursing School - 2022
- Top Performer American Red Cross First Aid Competition - October 2021
Memberships:
- National Student Nurses' Association (NSNA) Member - 2020
Always be sure to keep the optional sections you add to your new grad nurse resume relevant. Your interests in cooking or experience in the university drama club probably won’t do.
If you’re based in the USA, you should always include your nursing license number on your resume. But in countries where Nursing graduates are automatically registered with the board, there’s no need to add this credential.
#8. Attach an Equally Well-Made Cover Letter
Once you’ve completed your resume, your work isn’t done yet.
The last step on your resume-writing journey is writing a cover letter .
In reality, not writing a cover letter can significantly lower your chances of getting an interview since hiring managers expect to get cover letters .
There’s no need to worry, though! Your new grad nurse resume can be paired with a matching cover letter in no time.
Just take a look at what a great cover letter for a recently graduated nurse looks like:
You know the drill - you’ve seen a great cover letter, so now it’s time to make one yourself.
Follow our cover letter tips to nail it:
- Include the right contact information. Your new grad nurse cover letter should have the exact same contact information as your resume. Your full name, phone number, professional email address, and general location are enough, followed by the hiring manager’s contact information.
- Address your cover letter. Don’t skip the greeting or use something generic like “To whom it may concern”. Instead, do a bit of research and address the hiring manager by name to make a strong impression.
- Start with a strong opening. Your first paragraph should always include why you’re writing and what skills you can offer the employer, so they’ll want to read more.
- Expand on the details. This is the place to get creative! Elaborate on anything that makes you perfect for the job, but don’t just repeat what’s on your resume. Offer the hiring manager insight they wouldn’t get from just reading your new grad nurse resume.
- Finish it appropriately. Once you’re ready to wrap it up, invite the hiring manager to do something, like contact you. Then add an appropriate closing line and sign your name.
Key Takeaways
And that’s a wrap!
Now you’ll be well on your way to delivering extraordinary patient care.
But before you pick out your new scrubs, let’s recap what we talked about:
- Always add an eye-catching paragraph at the top of your new grad nurse resume. A resume summary is a great way to catch the hiring manager’s attention.
- Don’t worry too much about not having enough professional experience. Hiring managers won’t expect a fresh graduate to have Dr. House’s list of achievements.
- List your soft skills separately from your hard skills so hiring managers can easily find what they’re looking for, and make sure to tailor any skills on your resume to the job ad.
- While your education is usually less important than your hands-on experience, don’t be afraid to give more detail if you’re very inexperienced. It still shows off your medical know-how and it’s better than having blank space.
- Any licenses and certifications are a great addition to your resume as a newly graduated nurse, so make sure to add them right after your most important sections are filled in.
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Top 10 Nursing Resume Summary Examples
A well-crafted resume summary can be the key to capturing the attention of hiring managers in the healthcare industry.
For nurses, concise and compelling summaries highlight their unique skills, experience, and dedication to patient care.
Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a recent graduate, a strong resume summary can set you apart in a competitive job market.
In this article, we present ten outstanding resume summary examples tailored specifically for nursing professionals.
From specialized fields such as pediatrics and oncology to roles in emergency rooms and home health care, these examples showcase the diverse expertise and compassionate care that nurses bring to their roles.
Use these summaries as inspiration to craft your own, ensuring that your resume shines and accurately reflects your qualifications and commitment to nursing excellence.
1. Certified Nursing Assistant with 5 Years of Experience
2. dedicated registered nurse specializing in pediatrics, 3. experienced emergency room nurse, 4. cardiac care nurse with proven track record, 5. compassionate home health nurse, 6. icu nurse with advanced critical care skills, 7. skilled gerontology nurse, 8. public health nurse advocate, 9. oncology nurse with empathetic patient care, 10. highly motivated new graduate nurse.
Crafting a compelling resume summary is an essential step in advancing your nursing career. Use the examples provided as a starting point to highlight your own unique qualifications, experience, and dedication to patient care. A well-crafted summary can make a significant difference in getting noticed by hiring managers and securing your desired position in the healthcare field.
What Our Visitors Are Saying About This Page
The following testimonials highlight the positive feedback we have received from professionals who have visited this page and used our resume summary examples to improve their job applications in the healthcare industry.
Maria S. – Registered Nurse
“The resume summary examples provided here are incredibly helpful. They gave me a clear direction on how to structure my own summary. I’ve already received positive feedback from potential employers!”
James T. – Emergency Room Nurse
“I was struggling with how to summarize my extensive ER experience until I found this page. The example summaries provided focused on all the key points I wanted to highlight. Definitely a game-changer!”
Holly P. – Recent Nursing Graduate
“As a new graduate, I didn’t know where to start. The new graduate nurse example was a perfect template for me to showcase my skills and enthusiasm. It’s made my resume stand out from the rest.”
Laura M. – Oncology Nurse
“Crafting a resume summary that showcases my specialized experience in oncology was challenging until I used the examples here. It emphasized the crucial aspects of my role effectively.”
Mark A. – Home Health Nurse
“The home health nurse example on this page transformed my resume. It highlighted my ability to provide compassionate, tailored care, which resonated deeply with employers. Highly recommend!”
These testimonials underscore the value and impact of having a well-crafted resume summary for nursing professionals. Whether you’re an experienced nurse or just stepping into the field, utilizing these examples can significantly enhance the appeal of your resume to potential employers.
- Top 25 Nursing Resume Objective Examples
- ICU RN Resume Summary Examples
- 10 Entry-Level Registered Nurse Resume Summary Examples
- Top 18 Nursing Student Resume Objective Examples
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Real examples and templates of Nursing resumes, updated for your 2024 job search. Download them for free, plus learn how to update your resume for 2024 standards. ... You can list your student nursing experience in your professional experience section, listing the location you worked at as the employer and "student nurse" as your job title ...
Expert Reviewed by: Amanda Guarniere, NP, Founder of the Resume RX In 2024, a vague, uninspiring nursing resume just won't cut it. Recent years have fostered growing competition for the best nursing jobs, creating a greater need for nurses to learn how to write exceptional nursing resumes.With vast opportunities and diverse requirements from various employers, every nurse must put their best ...
26+ Nursing Resume Examples & Templates. Written By Lauren Mastroni. Reviewed By Conrad Benz. Use our examples as a reference when writing your own nursing resume to land more interviews. Additionally, check out our writing guide below and nursing cover letter example to complete your application. August 2, 2024.
Austin, TX 512-555-0165 [email protected]. Licensed Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) with over 10 years of experience in family medicine and women's health. Dedicated to providing excellent care for all generational needs, specializing in menopause. Recognized as a professional public speaker on women's health care topics.
Writing your job experience bullet points for your nursing resume. Three examples of poor job experience bullet points for nurses: I have eight years of experience in nursing. Generally, you should avoid using "I," and you should include specifics, not just generic statements of experience. I joined the hospital in May.
In Summary. Choose the nursing resume type that best highlights your experience, personality, and qualifications. Be specific; specificity helps your resume stand out from the rest. Format your resume using headers and keywords that make it easy to read — whether by a person or an applicant tracking system.
[email protected]. 123 Bridge Street, Boston, MA 12345. with eight years of professional experience, specializing in clinical operations, case management, acute care, and people management. A proven track record of leading diverse nursing teams to achieve positive outcomes and improve patient care.
1. Use the Right Format for a Professional Nursing Resume. The nursing profession operates in a fast-paced environment that values protocol and sanitation. So, it's important that these values are evident in your resume. Here's how to format your nursing resume the right way: Choose a traditional format like the reverse-chronological resume ...
Registered Nursing resume template and 17 more included. Write a perfect Nurse resume with our examples and expert advice. Registered Nursing resume template and 17 more included. ... To ensure your resume is well-organized, professional, and memorable, consider the following formatting best practices: Creative Elements ...
Duke University School of Nursing, 3.7 GPA. Your Licensure: With licensure, the important part is determining where to put them. If nurses have one or two licenses they will put them after their degree. However, if you have an extensive list of licenses, it may be better to place them in their own section.
Provide 3-4 examples of your responsibilities using bullet points. Specify a key achievement that can impress the recruiter. Use action verbs for a resume to show your initiative. Make sure to add resume keywords that match the job requirements. Check the examples below: Nursing Resume Example: Work Experience.
Nurse resume summary example: Professionalism and empathy. The summary of your nurse resume should highlight your strongest professional qualifications. But nursing is also one of the most people-focused jobs in the world, so be sure to give your resume summary a touch of warmth and emotion.
Professional Nurse Resume Examples. Professional Nurses provide patient care in homes and healthcare units. Typical duties seen on a Professional Nurse resume sample are monitoring health condition, administering medication, handling and maintaining medical equipment, offering advice to patients and their families, and collaborating with ...
Example 2. "A loving, flexible and hardworking Registered Nurse with 5 years experience in planning, coordinating and managing the clinical services in various nursing units. Responsible for the coordination and of nursing care and services provided to patients in the various units while facilitating the interdisciplinary team.
1. Prepare Your Experienced Nurse Resume Using the Right Format; 2. Write a Professional Experienced Nurse Resume Summary; 3. Write About Your Work Experience as an Experienced Nurse; 4. Make the Most out of Your Experienced Nurse Resume Education Section; 5. Prove You've Got the Right Skills as an Experienced Nurse on Your Resume; 6.
Nursing Resumes for Every Professional Level. Entry-Level. Customize This Resume. School Nurse. This resume uses a functional format, which works well for the job seeker who does not have a lot of nursing experience. The focus is on the applicant's transferable skills by providing multiple examples of technical and soft skills that are ...
Here's a step-by-step guide to how you can write your experienced nurse resume: 1. Define your brand. Your job search is an opportunity to market yourself professionally, and your resume is an advertisement for your brand. Consider ways you can create a resume to make a positive impression on hiring managers and potential employers.
Impress employers by featuring must-have skills for a Registered Nurse and achievements that make you an irresistible employee. Find the best content suggestions for your professional summary in our Resume Builder that will wow recruiters. 1. Enter the details about the job title you held.
Your professional nursing resume should do just that. With the 6 best new grad nursing resume examples + how to write a polished and impressive resume, you have the tools to create a resume that will help to land you the job of your dreams. Good luck in preparing an outstanding resume and joining the greatest profession in the world!
New Grad Nurse Resume Example (W/ Templates & Tips!) 29 February 12 min read. our services are featured in. Content. Top ↑ New Grad Nurse Resume Example 8 Steps for a Great New Grad Nurse Resume #1. Choose a Resume Format #2. Fill In Your Contact Details #3. Write a Convincing Resume Summary (or Objective) #4.
7. Skilled Gerontology Nurse. Gerontology Nurse with more than a decade of dedicated care for the elderly. Adept in managing age-related health issues, creating patient-centered care plans, and fostering a compassionate environment for patients and their families. 8. Public Health Nurse Advocate.
Examples of additional resume sections. Your Certified Nurse Assistant resume must include five main sections: contact information, professional summary, work experience, skills and education. However, you can continue customizing your resume with additional sections for any other qualifications you possess.
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