Your nursing resume should demonstrate how you deliver high-quality, compassionate care to diverse patient populations and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to enhance the patient experience. This guide provides expert tips to help you create a results-driven resume highlighting the most compelling aspects of your experience as a nurse.
Key takeaways:
- Emphasize specializations: In your resume summary, quickly emphasize your nursing specialties and commitment to patient care to capture the attention of hiring managers from the start.
- Detail quantifiable achievements: In the professional experience section, use specific numbers and outcomes to illustrate your impact in previous nursing roles, such as patient satisfaction rates or improvements in care delivery.
- Use keywords for Applicant Tracking Systems: Include relevant nursing skills and keywords from the job posting in your resume to ensure it passes through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and reaches hiring managers.
Most Popular Nursing Resumes
Nursing Assistant Resume Example
Why This Resume Works
Sarah’s resume highlights her commitment to patient care through quantifiable achievements, like managing a caseload of 20+ residents. By emphasizing teamwork and certifications, Sarah positions herself as a valuable team member in health care settings. Learn more about what to include in a resume.
ICU Nurse Resume Example
Why This Resume Works
Selena’s resume demonstrates expertise in critical care nursing through quantifiable achievements, such as a 20% reduction in readmissions. Her focus on teamwork and advanced certifications strengthens her candidacy. Discover more tips for a strong nursing resume.
ER Nurse Resume Example
Why This Resume Works
Kevin’s resume demonstrates his ability to thrive in high-pressure environments while achieving measurable improvements, like reducing wait times by 30%. His leadership experience sets him apart. See why quantifying achievements matters.
LPN Resume Example
Why This Resume Works
Jennifer’s resume effectively highlights her practical nursing experience with measurable achievements, such as reducing wound-related complications by 20%. Her strong focus on patient education adds value to her profile. Learn how to tailor your resume to the job description.
Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) Resume Example
Why This Resume Works
Brian’s resume emphasizes his hands-on experience in both clinic and nursing home settings. His achievements, like improving satisfaction rates by 18%, reflect his impact on patient outcomes. Explore tips for building a standout nursing resume.
Pediatric Nurse Resume Example
Why This Resume Works
Maria’s resume focuses on her pediatric nursing specialization and quantifiable results, such as a 25% improvement in compliance. This aligns her expertise with the specific needs of pediatric patients. Discover the best format for your nursing resume.
Oncology Nurse Resume Example
Why This Resume Works
James’s resume showcases a deep focus on oncology nursing, supported by measurable results like a 30% reduction in pain levels. His ability to counsel patients and families highlights his empathetic approach. Learn more about showcasing achievements on your resume.
Neonatal Nurse Resume Example
Why This Resume Works
Emily’s resume highlights her NICU expertise and quantifiable achievements, such as a 20% improvement in discharge readiness. Her focus on family education and care coordination makes her a standout candidate. Discover how to list your certifications on a resume.
Home Health Nurse Resume Example
Why This Resume Works
Oliver’s resume highlights his in-home patient care expertise and measurable achievements, like improving healing rates by 25%. His ability to educate patients demonstrates his commitment to holistic care. Learn how to emphasize your skills on a resume.
Psychiatric Nurse Resume Example
Why This Resume Works
Sophia’s resume effectively demonstrates her expertise in mental health care through measurable results, like reducing emergency incidents by 30%. Her strong focus on patient and family education adds depth to her experience. Discover why highlighting your education is critical.
Travel Nurse Resume Example
Why This Resume Works
Charlotte’s resume highlights her adaptability and diverse experience as a travel nurse. Her ability to deliver measurable improvements, such as workflow efficiency, makes her a valuable asset. Explore how to make your resume stand out.
Public Health Nurse Resume Example
Why This Resume Works
Liam’s resume demonstrates his ability to impact community health through quantifiable achievements, such as administering 2,000+ immunizations annually. His focus on outreach and program development strengthens his value as a public health nurse. Learn more about building an impactful resume.
Telemetry Nurse Resume Example
Why This Resume Works
Ava’s resume highlights her expertise in cardiac care and her ability to improve patient outcomes. Her success in increasing recovery rates by 20% reflects her dedication to delivering quality care. Discover how to create an effective resume summary.
Hospice Nurse Resume Example
Why This Resume Works
Grace’s resume showcases her palliative care expertise and compassionate approach to patient and family support. Her quantifiable achievements, such as managing care for 12+ patients weekly, reflect her dedication. See tips on quantifying achievements in your resume.
Dialysis Nurse Resume Example
Why This Resume Works
Nathan’s resume emphasizes his dialysis expertise and his impact on patient adherence, which improved by 25%. His collaborative approach to care planning highlights his commitment to patient success. Explore the best action verbs for your resume.
Case Management Nurse Resume Example
Why This Resume Works
Victoria’s resume demonstrates her ability to manage complex care plans with measurable results, like reducing readmission rates by 15%. Her focus on patient advocacy highlights her dedication to improving outcomes. Discover more resume tailoring tips.
School Nurse Resume Example
Why This Resume Works
Hannah’s resume emphasizes her ability to improve student health outcomes and engagement, such as increasing attendance by 10%. Her focus on health education highlights her proactive approach. See tips on listing skills effectively.
Clinical Research Nurse Resume Example
Why This Resume Works
David’s resume showcases his research expertise and measurable achievements, like increasing enrollment by 20% and maintaining a 98% compliance rate. His contributions to peer-reviewed studies further validate his impact. Learn how to tailor your resume for specialized roles.
Nurse Educator Resume Example
Why This Resume Works
Linda’s resume highlights her dual strengths in teaching and clinical supervision, with quantifiable results like a 90% exam pass rate. Her innovative approach to curriculum design sets her apart. Explore tips for showcasing leadership skills on a resume.
Occupational Health Nurse Resume Example
Why This Resume Works
Ethan’s resume demonstrates his ability to enhance workplace health through wellness initiatives and regulatory compliance. Measurable results, like improving health metrics by 15%, showcase his impact. Discover more ways to highlight your achievements.
Nursing Text-Only Resume Examples and Templates
How To Write a Nursing Resume Example
Using a resume template can help you write an effective nursing resume. Your nursing resume should include these sections:
- Contact information
- Profile
- Key skills
- Professional experience
- Education and certifications
1. Share your contact information
Give your full name, phone number, email address, location, and a link to your online professional profile. Ensure your contact information is current so potential employers can contact you for an interview.
Example
Your Name
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
City, State Abbreviation Zip Code
LinkedIn
2. Write a compelling profile summarizing your nursing qualifications
Creating an impactful snapshot of your nursing career is the best way to set yourself apart from other candidates. Start by listing the job you aspire to achieve, such as emergency room (ER) nurse or pediatric nurse, years of experience, and three to four specializations that align with the job posting. In the following sentences, establish yourself as an expert in the nursing field.
For example, if you have experience delivering high-quality patient care in a fast-paced hospital environment, note this in your profile. Or, if you are known for collaborating across medical departments to develop treatment plants that increase patient outcomes, include this in your summary. Providing these types of insights will help you tell your story and shine light on the value you can bring to prospective employers.
Senior-Level Profile Example
Patient-focused registered nurse (RN) with more than 10 years of experience in post-operative care and rehabilitation for adults, along with neonatal intensive care (NICU) experience. Proven track record for elevating patient satisfaction rates, communicating across medical departments, and driving patient success rates. Known for delivering compassionate care and emotional support in the most complex, traumatic circumstances.
Entry-Level Profile Example
RN with three years of experience delivering quality health care to diverse patient populations. Skilled at coordinating with nursing teams across hospital departments, improving patient outcomes, and communicating effectively with colleagues and patients’ families.
3. Create a results-driven professional experience section
To craft a results-driven professional experience section, create bullet points emphasizing your nursing career achievements rather than job responsibilities. Medical employers are interested in results, and as an RN, you must demonstrate the value of your contributions to improving patient satisfaction, clinical workflow, and care outcomes.
Also, display your ability to collaborate across medical departments because, as a nurse, you will be working with medical professionals and patients with diverse care needs.
Senior-Level Professional Experience Example
Registered Nurse, Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA | August 2018 – present
- Communicate empathetically with diverse patients, build rapport, and drive the delivery of patient-centered care to achieve a 96% patient satisfaction rating
- Triage complex neonatal care cases, collaborating with medical professionals across departments to expedite high-quality, compassionate care, decreasing wait time for procedures by 35% within one year
- Lead, mentor, and coach a team of more than 25 Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) to identify opportunities to enhance clinical workflow
Entry-Level Professional Experience Example
Registered Nurse, Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Minneapolis, MN | June 2022 – present
- Deliver nursing care to a diverse patient population in a 60-bed unit
- Manage patient intake responsibilities to improve workflow and expedite registration by 25%
- Perform health exams for illnesses, injuries, and accidents, develop treatment plans, and coordinate post-hospital care
- Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of over 18 health care professionals across hospital departments
Resume writer’s tip: Quantify your experience
Use numbers and metrics to show the results you achieved in previous nursing roles. Provide context to your work history and give recruiters a better understanding of your scope and impact. You can demonstrate your value and potential as an RN by detailing your clinical contributions and patient satisfaction.
Do
- “Received an average patient satisfaction score of 4.8 out of 5 in post-visit surveys by demonstrating exceptional patient communication and support.”
Don’t
- “I was responsible for providing exceptional patient communication and support.”
What if you don’t have experience?
Creating a nursing resume can be challenging if you don’t have real-world experience. However, it’s important to remember you still have valuable skills and knowledge from your education and training. Highlight relevant coursework, certifications earned, and achievements during nursing practicum experiences. By focusing on these qualities, you can demonstrate your potential to be a valuable asset to any medical team. Also, if you are a student with previous, relevant work experience, consider adding a section toward the bottom of your resume that notes accomplishments in that role.
4. Include relevant education and certifications
In addition to your education, feature relevant certifications you’ve achieved throughout your nursing career. Although most employers will be more interested in your professional experience, obtaining credentials shows a commitment to continuing education. And as an RN, noting your RN licensure sets you apart from candidates who are still working toward this designation.
As for additional certifications, a Basic Life Support Certification from the American Heart Association shows your aptitude to manage emergency scenarios. An Advanced Practice Registered Nurse certification from the state in which you practice demonstrates experience and commitment to patient care at a higher level.
Education
Template:
[Degree Name]
[School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] | [Graduation Year]
Example:
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Nursing
Temple University, Philadelphia, PA | 2014
Certifications
Template:
[Certification Name], [Awarding Organization], [Completion Year]
Examples:
Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), State of Pennsylvania | 2015
Registered Nurse, State of Pennsylvania, License #12345 | 2014
5. List pertinent key skills
Most organizations rely on some form of ATS to identify qualified candidates for job openings. To get your resume through the initial screening process and into the hiring manager’s hands, incorporate keywords from the job description directly into your profile, professional experience, and skills section. Below, you’ll find a list of key terms and skills that you may encounter while applying for nursing positions:
Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
---|---|
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) | Acute care |
Case management | EKGs |
Electronic Medical Records (EMR) | HIPAA |
Medication administration | Oncology |
Orthopedics | Patient-centered care |
Patient discharge | Patient intake |
Patient relations | Pediatric care |
Physical examinations | Post-operative care |
Pre-operative care | Surgical care |
Telemetry | Trauma care |
Treatment planning | Triage |
Wound care |
Resume writer’s tip: Use common action verbs
Take a strategic approach with the words you use on your nursing resume. In the professional experience section of your resume, use action verbs to communicate your job duties and accomplishments. Instead of listing off responsibilities, start each sentence with an action verb. Show how you executed your tasks through descriptive words and avoid using first-person language (e.g., “I was responsible for…”). Consider using the action verbs below to inject some energy into your nursing 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 To Pick the Best Nursing Resume Template
When selecting your template, prioritize structure and readability over visual appeal. Heavy use of colors and bulky graphics may look nice, but they can distract the reader from your content. Seek a template that organizes your content effectively and showcases your successes as a nursing professional. Hiring managers will always be more interested in your achievements and qualifications than the style of your template.
Frequently Asked Questions: Nursing Resume Examples and Advice
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for RNs are projected to grow by 6% from 2022 to 2032, faster than average for most occupations. This growth is driven by the increasing number of aging adults and demand for support and care for individuals with chronic conditions such as diabetes and obesity. Job growth is expected across health care settings, from hospitals to outpatient care centers.
Although these projections are optimistic, you must align your nursing resume with the job description to secure interviews for the most attractive opportunities. For example, suppose a medical employer is looking for an expert in neonatal care. In that case, highlight your knowledge in this specialty and track record for delivering compassionate care.
Reverse chronological format is ideal for most resumes, including nursing. This approach ensures that your most recent and relevant experience is featured at the top of your document. Even at the entry level, avoid functional resume formats. If you lack hands-on experience, highlight academic accomplishments, certifications, and internship experiences rather than listing only technical skills.
Include a cover letter with your resume
Crafting a strong cover letter helps your chances of landing an interview during a job search. The key to creating an engaging cover letter is to customize your document for the organization you’re applying to.
Check Out Related Examples
Resume Templates offers free, HR approved resume templates to help you create a professional resume in minutes. Choose from several template options and even pre-populate a resume from your profile.