Nursing Resume Templates and Examples for 2024

Nursing Resume Templates and Examples (Downloadable)

• Entry level
• Midlevel
• Senior level

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PDF

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Google Docs

PDF

DOCX

Google Docs

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.

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.

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 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.

3. Create a results-driven professional experience section

To craft a results-driven professional experience section, create bullet points that emphasize 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, emphasize your ability to collaborate across medical departments because, as a nurse, you will be working with medical professionals and patients with diverse care needs.

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.

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.

5. List pertinent key skills

Most organizations rely on some form of applicant tracking systems (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:

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:

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.

Nursing Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples

Frequently Asked Questions: Nursing Resume Examples and Advice

How do you align your resume with a nursing job description?

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.

What is the best nursing resume format?

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.

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Andrew Stoner

Executive Resume Writer and Career Coach

Andrew Stoner is an executive career coach and resume writer with 17 years of experience as a hiring manager and operations leader at two Fortune 500 Financial Services companies, and as the career services director at two major university business schools.