If you’ve got a mind for medicine and caring for others is second nature, you may want to figure out how to write a nursing resume. Don’t worry. We’re here to help you create an effective document so you can get hired into that nursing job fast!
If you are ready to secure a nursing job, start your job search on ZipRecruiter. ZipRecruiter is free for job seekers and you can apply for jobs with a single click.
What Is Unique About A Nursing Resume?
On the surface, a nursing resume looks just like any other resume. However, it’s strategically created to help you break into or get ahead in the nursing profession. If you want assistance in writing your resume, consider using a professional resume writing service.
What Should Be Included On A Nursing Resume?
Your nursing resume should include all of the standard resume elements, such as:
Contact Information
Under your name, list your professional-looking email address and your cell phone number. That way, a prospective employer can easily contact you to schedule an interview. You should also consider adding a link to your LinkedIn profile (if it’s complete and well-written).
Pro Tip: Make your nursing resume stand out instantly by including your highest degree and nursing license beside your name. For example, the line could read Jane Doe, MSN, RN.
Summary or Objective Statement
If you’re a seasoned nurse, use this section for a career summary statement, where you succinctly capture your most significant professional achievements. But, if you’re newer to the field, write a career objective statement explaining what you want to achieve next and how your previous education and experience will help you succeed.
Pro Tip: Add quantifiable details in this section. For example, you could include years of experience, number of direct reports, or number of hospital beds.
Work History
List your work experience in reverse chronological order, beginning with your last or current nursing job. Include your title, your employer's name, and the dates employed for each position. Then, record your most impressive accomplishments in three to five bullet points.
Compelling bullet points feature action words and numbers to drive home what you’ve done, the scope of your role, and the results of your efforts. A few examples include:
- Supervised a team of two nurses and seven certified nursing assistants on a 50-bed dementia unit in a nursing home
- Treated up to ten patients per shift in the emergency department
- Reduced medicine administration errors by 10% by implementing a new procedure
As you describe your experience, be sure to add in as many specifics as possible. Recruiters and hiring managers want to know how many patients you saw each shift as well as the type of:
- Facility you worked in (e.g., hospital or nursing home) and unit you worked on (e.g., emergency room or dementia ward)
- Patient you cared for (think elderly, pediatric, trauma, cancer, etc.)
- Care or treatment you provided (such as wound care or G-tube feeding)
- Equipment you used (like a stethoscope, automated IV pump, or portable pulse oximeter)
By sharing these details, you help them see that you’re an ideal candidate for their open position.
Education, Licenses, and Certifications
Include your relevant education, starting with the highest degree you earned first. State the name of the degree, the granting institution, and your graduation year (if you’re early in your career).
If you have a professional license, such as Registered Nurse (RN), list it in this section. You should include your license number and when it expires.
Join The Break Community
If you have certifications, like cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or emergency medical technician (EMT), that information should go here, too. Provide the certifying institution, the state where you earned the credential, and when it expires (if applicable).
Skills
Use this section to showcase your most relevant skill set. A good rule of thumb is to keep your list around ten items.
Awards
If you’ve gotten recognized for excellence in your career, this is the place to brag about it! You can include honors like the Daisy Award or a Nurse of the Year award.
Pro Tips: For best results, tailor your resume to each position you pursue, and proofread the document before submitting your application.
What Should Be Left Off A Nursing Resume?
When you’re done drafting your nursing resume, take a critical eye to the document and delete anything that doesn’t position you as an ideal candidate for the nursing job you want. But, of course, when you’re a recent grad or trying to switch careers, you may keep seemingly irrelevant information because it’s what you currently have to offer.
However, you can still frame your education and experience to illustrate how it’s prepared you for an entry-level nursing role. For example, if you volunteered in a nursing home, assisted living facility, or hospital, you undoubtedly picked up skills that will help you be an effective nurse, such as time management, communication, emotional intelligence, and the ability to handle sensitive information.
Important Job Skills For Nursing Resumes
Your nursing resume should feature a healthy mix of hard and soft skills. Let’s take a closer look at both categories.
Hard Skills
Hard skills are the competencies you need to be successful in a particular position or profession. Examples include:
- Patient education
- Wound care
- G-tube feedings
- Phlebotomy
- ICD10 billing codes
- Electronic medical record (EMR)
- Care planning
Soft Skills
Soft skills are capabilities that can help you succeed as a professional in many different roles and include:
- Adaptability
- Patience
- Problem solving
- Compassion
- Teamwork
- Communication
- Good under pressure
Pro Tip: Make sure most of the skills you include come verbatim from the job posting. That way, you increase your odds of passing the initial screening of the company’s applicant tracking system.
Related: How To Become A Nurse
Frequently Asked Questions
What should be included in a nursing resume?
Your nursing resume should include your relevant experience, education, skills, achievements, and awards.
How do I make my nursing resume stand out?
You can make your nursing resume stand out by having an advanced degree (MSN), sharing specific, quantifiable achievements, and tailoring it to each position you pursue.
How long should a nurse’s resume be?
A nurse’s resume should typically fit on a single page. However, your resume may spill onto a second page if you’ve had a long career.
Should I put my GPA on my nursing resume?
You should put your GPA on your nursing resume if you’re a recent grad and it’s above 3.5. However, your GPA is irrelevant if you’re an experienced nurse, and if your GPA is under that threshold, it’s not impressive.
The Bottom Line
You should now be able to write an impressive nursing resume. But, if you need some additional guidance (or want someone else to write it for you!), check out one of our top selections for the best resume writing service. Then, search and apply for nursing jobs on the ZipRecruiter website!
