Nurse.org

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.

The Ultimate Guide to Nursing Resumes by Nurse.org

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.

Defining your personal brand as a nurse to make your resume stand out

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?

How to get around resume reading robots for nursing jobs

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 

registered nurse description for resume

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

registered nurse description for resume

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

registered nurse description for resume

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.

registered nurse description for resume

By clicking download, you agree to receive email newsletters and special offers from Nurse.org. You may unsubscribe at any time by using the unsubscribe link, found at the bottom of every email.

Your request has been received. Thanks!

registered nurse description for resume

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 Walker

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.

Nurses making heats with their hands

Plus, get exclusive access to discounts for nurses, stay informed on the latest nurse news, and learn how to take the next steps in your career.

By clicking “Join Now”, you agree to receive email newsletters and special offers from Nurse.org. We will not sell or distribute your email address to any third party, and you may unsubscribe at any time by using the unsubscribe link, found at the bottom of every email.

registered nurse description for resume

Build my resume

registered nurse description for resume

  • Build a better resume in minutes
  • Resume examples
  • 2,000+ examples that work in 2024
  • Resume templates
  • Free templates for all levels
  • Cover letters
  • Cover letter generator
  • It's like magic, we promise
  • Cover letter examples
  • Free downloads in Word & Docs

7 Registered Nurse (RN) Resume Examples for 2024

Stephen Greet

Registered Nurse (RN)

Registered Nurse (RN)

Best for senior and mid-level candidates

There’s plenty of room in our elegant resume template to add your professional experience while impressing recruiters with a sleek design.

Resume Builder

Like this template? Customize this resume and make it your own with the help of our Al-powered suggestions, accent colors, and modern fonts.

  • RN Resume by Education
  • RN Resumes by Experience
  • RN Resumes by Type

Registered nurses (RN) are a profession in very high demand. In addition to a hiring rush during COVID-19, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts a 12 percent growth in demand for RNs through 2028.

Nursing is a tough enough profession in its own right. So, don’t be discouraged if you’re struggling to draft your  nurse cover letter  or  write a resume  that puts your best foot forward.

We’re here to help with seven great RN resume samples that guarantee success in the challenging world in 2024. It doesn’t matter if this is your first job out of nursing school or if you’re a seasoned vet; these resumes are a great starting place when writing or updating your own.

Registered Nurse (RN) Resume

or download as PDF

Registered Nurse (RN) resume example with 6 years of experience

Why this resume works

  • You’re undergoing a career change,
  • You just finished nursing school and this is your first RN job, or
  • You’re going to customize it to the  nursing job description .
  • If none of those are relevant to you, skip the objective!
  • Two other relatively common requirements for RN positions (though certainly not all positions) are Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) and Basic Life Support (BLS). Explicitly mention those in your resume if you have them.

RN BSN Resume

RN BSN resume example with 6 years of experience

  • Next, delve into outstanding performances like streamlining shifts and reducing scheduling conflicts. Also, adding measurable impact further elevates your suitability.

New Grad RN Resume

New grad rn resume example with 5 years of experience

  • If the activities are related to healthcare or show you in a professional, positive light and you need some help filling out your new grad RN resume , then include one or two.
  • Color is one way to show some personality on your resume while still portraying professionalism. Try a strong accent color while keeping the color basic everywhere else, as seen in many of our  resume examples .
  • P.S. You can catch this mistake easily when you take advantage of our  resume builder  and its AI-powered tips. 

Experienced RN Resume

Experienced rn resume example with 11 years of experience

  • As you gain more and more experience as an RN, try your best to show a progression in responsibility and ownership on your experienced RN resume. 
  • Here’s the trick: Keep a master copy of every job and a working list of job description bullet points for each. Then, pull from this master list and customize it according to the specific role for which you’re applying now.
  • Two other quick things you can do to fit more content are to reduce vertical spacing and reduce page margins, which is a simple click of a button in our  AI resume maker .
  • Hit the highlights in your resume, but you can delve further into these details when creating a cover letter .

Travel RN Resume

Travel RN resume example with 10 years of experience

  • Mentioning and quantifying outcomes possible through your keen eye and observation (hint: cut documentation errors by 28%) is a great way to make this attribute count.

Med Surg RN Resume

Med surg rn resume example with 7 years of experience

  • Pay attention to the skills, qualifications, and responsibilities listed in the job description to gain ideas on what you should include in your skills section.
  • RNs can work in a ton of different areas in medicine. If you’re applying to a specific job (like Med/Surg Nurse) and you have experience in that area, be sure to match your job title to that of the job description.
  • White space is a commonly overlooked factor in resume design, and if it’s a concern for you, try simplifying the process by picking one of our  free resume templates .

ICU RN Resume

Icu rn resume example with 8 years of experience

  • Check your resume  to ensure you’re using action verbs that propel your bullet points forward and keep hiring personnel engaged.
  • Another way to demonstrate impact is by quantifying it, that is, tying the outcome of your work to a number. By linking a number to your claims, proof of impact becomes clear.
  • Ultimately, nursing is a profession involving people. So if you can show that you’re comfortable with the human aspects of the job (patient care, plans of care, family interactions, etc.), speak as much as possible concerning that experience in your ICU RN resume .

Related resume guides

  • Physician Assistant
  • Medical Assistant

Create my free resume now

Registered Nurse Resume Examples and Templates for 2024

Registered Nurse Resume Examples and Templates for 2024

Jacob Meade

  • Resume Examples

How To Write a Registered Nurse Resume

  • Resume Text Examples

As a registered nurse, writing a quality resume that focuses on your patient care experience can help you land the best job for you. Registered nurse resumes should include information about your previous work in patient care, data about your patient load, your ability to improve or advance care in your previous roles, and your nursing education and certifications.

  • Entry-Level
  • Senior-Level

Entry-Level

1. Create a profile by summarizing your registered nurse qualifications

The first part of your resume should be a concise profile summary. This section is where you can list your current job title and years of experience, and it should include any specialties you have worked in. While this section should still be focused on how you can help the potential employer and not what you can get out of the job, it’s okay to note what type of nursing you’re looking for, especially if you’re making a lateral move.

Senior-Level Profile Example

A Registered Nurse with over 12 years of clinical experience providing quality care to critically ill patients in ICU, oncology, and surgical units. A strong history of identifying opportunities to drive patient-centered care and improve clinical operations.

Entry-Level Profile Example

A Registered Nurse with three years of experience specializing in oncology, clinical operations, patient-centered care, and continuous improvement. A proven track record of delivering empathetic care to pediatric and elderly patients within oncology care units.

2. Create a powerful list of your registered nurse experience

The professional experience section will take up the bulk of your resume, so it needs to be crafted in a way that shows a hiring manager the value you can bring to their facility. Ensure to include metrics, such as how many beds the facility had and your normal patient ratio. Look for key competencies listed in the job description, such as checking vital signs and teaching diabetes management, and use those to inform what you put in your bullets.

Senior-Level Professional Experience Example

Nurse Manager Saint Francis Memorial Hospital, San Francisco, CA | January 2014-Present

  • Manage a team of 30+ RNs, LPNs, and nursing assistants in a hospital with over 230 beds and ensure compliance with disease prevention protocols during Covid-19
  • Provide triage services within the emergency department and reduce wait times for patients by 15% by improving staffing levels and enhancing clinical efficiency
  • Deliver training to medical teams on patient-centered care protocols, Covid-19 safety regulations, and communication best practices to ensure quality healthcare services

Entry-Level Professional Experience Example

General Registered Nurse Memorial Hospital, Jacksonville, FL | January 2020-February 2020

  • Provide pre and post-operative care to a range of pediatric and elderly patients in the oncology care unit of a 167-bed hospital with a 1:5 patient ratio, which included monitoring vital signs, installing IVs, and performing blood tests
  • Deliver wound care following radiation treatments and educate patients on diagnosis, symptoms, and side effects of oncology treatments with empathy and compassion
  • Achieve a 93% positive rating from patients for delivering quality care, understanding, and emotional support

3. Add your registered nurse education and certifications

Many registered nurse positions require a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, so include an education section on your resume so hiring managers know you meet the job’s requirements. You may also want to include any relevant continuing education credits or certifications you’ve completed. Certifications in a nursing specialty, such as pediatrics or oncology, show hiring managers what you’re interested in and that you’ve gone above and beyond to ensure you’re able to offer patients a high standard of care.

Certifications

  • [Certification Name], [Awarding Organization], [Completion Year]
  • Pediatric Nursing Certification Board Certified Pediatric Nurse, 2010
  • [Degree Name]
  • [School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] – [Graduation Month and Year]
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • The University of Central Boston, Boston, MT – June 2014

4. List your key registered nurse-realted skills and proficiencies

Nursing requires a combination of technical skill, medical knowledge, and the ability to deliver patient-centered care. This balance may not always be easy to fit into your professional experience section, but a key skills and proficiencies list lets you show hiring managers you have the skills they’re looking for. If you need some ideas on what to include in this section, you can look at the job description or check out those commonly seen below:

Key Skills and Proficiencies
Active listening Attention to detail
Collaborative care Conflict resolution
Continuous learning and professional development CPR and basic life support
Critical thinking Cultural sensitivity
Documentation Ethical and legal considerations
Health promotion Infection control
IV therapy Medication administration
Patient advocacy Patient assessment
Patient education Wound care

How to Pick the Best Registered Nurse Resume Template

A good nursing template provides enough space to list your qualifications, is able to be easily tailored to the job posting, and can be skimmed quickly by a hiring manager who’s trying to get through a stack of applications.

Choose a template that is organized with headers and bullets, and stick to a common black font like Arial or Times New Roman. Make sure your skills and education are listed prominently and that the resume is structured in a way that allows for adequate white space.

Registered Nurse Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples

Jack Moore (283) 183-4726 [email protected] 8 Short Lane, Jacksonville, Florida, 32256

  • Pediatric Care
  • Patient-centered Care
  • Continuous Improvement

Bachelor of Science in Traditional Nursing Jacksonville University, Jacksonville, FL, September 2016 – December 2018

Professional Experience

General Registered Nurse, Memorial Hospital, Jacksonville, FL January 2020 – February 2020

Pediatric Nurse, Memorial Hospital, Jacksonville, FL January 2019 – January 2020

  • Developed care plans for newborns and young children within the pediatric care unit, administered immunizations, installed IVs, and performed blood tests, and communicated with families to provide education on patient condition
  • Performed physical examinations of patients, analyzed medical histories, and coordinated with physicians to develop and implement treatment plans
  • Pediatric Nursing Certification Board Certified Pediatric Nurse, 2019
  • Advanced HIV/AIDS Certified Registered Nurse, 2019

Elsbeth Smith (123) 456-7890 [email protected] 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

  • Clinical Operations
  • Registered Nurse, MT Board of Nursing, License #12345, 2014
  • Basic Life Support Certification, 2014
  • CPR Certification, 2014

Shaun Smith (364) 375-6682 [email protected] 71 Downs Road, San Francisco, California, 94104

Nurse Manager, Saint Francis Memorial Hospital, San Francisco, CA January 2014 – Present

Oncological Nurse, UCSF Bakar Cancer Hospital, San Francisco, CA May 2010 – January 2014

  • Delivered pre-op and post-op care to patients within the oncology unit, including wound care, medication administration, and vital sign monitoring
  • Collaborated with physicians and registered nurses to develop individualized care plans for patients in accordance with emotional, cultural, and physical needs

Master of Science in Nursing  The University of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, September 2006 – May 2010

Bachelor of Science in Nursing  The University of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, September 2001 – July 2004

  • Team Management
  • Clinical Workflows
  • Medical Triage
  • Certified Nurse-Midwife, 2010

Frequently Asked Questions: Registered Nurse Resume Examples and Advice

What are common action verbs for registered nurse resumes -.

Writing the professional experience section of your nursing resume can be the most difficult part because it requires thinking of unique action verbs for every bullet. If you find that you’re running out of words or struggling to come up with powerful verbs that accurately describe the impact you’ve had on patients, try this list to get some more ideas.

Action Verbs
Administered Advocated
Assessed Assisted
Collaborated Communicated
Demonstrated Documented
Educated Evaluated
Facilitated Guided
Implemented Monitored
Prioritized Provided
Resolved Responded
Supported Updated

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

Job opportunities for registered nurses are widely available, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that this sector will continue to experience average job growth for the next few years. It may be easier for you to secure a job offer, but it’s still important to craft a resume that’s tailored to each job posting you’re applying for. To do this, read through the description carefully, note any specific skills, education, or certification requirements, and include those in your resume where applicable.

What is the best registered nurse resume format? -

The best registered nurse format is the one that best highlights your skills and shows that you’re a good fit for the position. Most nursing resumes are in reverse chronological format, showing hiring managers that you have a strong work history and making it easy to see your responsibilities in each position. If you’re a new grad, you may want to consider a combination resume, which can give you more room to focus on your skills without needing several positions to put them under.

A cover letter should accompany every resume you send out, and it should be customized to the job position. As you write your nursing cover letter , focus on the core values or mission of the facility you're applying to and show how you’re able to support these goals and be a valuable member of the team.

Craft your perfect resume in minutes

Get 2x more interviews with Resume Builder. Access Pro Plan features for a limited time!

Frank Hackett headshot

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

Related Resume Example 1

Emergency Room (ER) Nurse Resume Examples and Templates

Related resume example

Labor and Delivery Nurse Resume Examples and Templates

Related resume example

Pediatric Nurse Resume Examples and Templates

Sidebar image

Build a Resume to Enhance Your Career

  • Common Healthcare Interview Questions and Answers Learn More
  • How to Include Licenses and Certifications on Your Resume Learn More
  • How Far Back a Resume Should Go in 2024? Learn More

Essential Guides for Your Job Search

  • How to Write a Resume Learn More
  • How to Write a Cover Letter Learn More
  • Thank You Note Examples Learn More
  • Resignation Letter Examples Learn More

data analyst

Jobscan > Resume Examples > Nursing Resume Examples, Skills and Keywords > Registered Nurse Resume Examples, Skills, and Keywords

Registered Nurse Resume Examples, Skills, and Keywords

Nursing is a field that takes dedication, patience, and a lot of medical knowledge. Writing an excellent registered nurse resume can help you demonstrate your skills to potential employers. This is what you should know to write a resume that gets your application seen.

Jobscan users have been hired by:

company logo

Registered Nurse Resume Sample

Registered nurses are critical to modern medical infrastructure. They’re responsible for the majority of patient care in clinics and hospitals alike. When a medical institution is looking for new nurses, they want to be confident that they’re hiring someone who’s responsible, friendly, and skilled.

Your resume is your best tool to convince employers that you’re worth interviewing. You need to list your technical knowledge and certifications so they know you’re fully qualified for the position. You should also mention soft skills like your interpersonal skills and ability to handle emergencies. Most importantly, you need to do this on one page, because few employers will read a two-page resume.

This registered nurse resume example demonstrates how you can explain your education , certifications, technical knowledge, and soft skills all within a single-page document.

Los Angeles, CA 90013 • (555) 555-1234 • [email protected] • linkedin.com/in/kathryn-hahn

REGISTERED NURSE (R.N.)

Versatile and adaptable professional with 19+ years’ clinical nursing experience across a variety of functions in fast-paced medical settings. Proven history of effectively implementing nursing procedures and training to promote safe, patient-centered care. Serves as a leader and role model in advancing clinical practices to achieve optimal patient outcomes. Excellent communicator who calms patients and collaborates well with personnel at all levels to ensure thorough understanding of necessary treatment plans, procedures, and patient status.

Clinical Expertise | Critical & Emergent Care | Ambulatory & Surgical Care Leadership | Cross-Functional Communication | Patient & Family Relations | Patient Education OSHA & HIPAA Compliance | Confidentiality | Electronic Medical Records (EMR) | Microsoft Office Medical Team Collaboration | Staff Training & Development | Performance Assessment | Medical Research

Prepared patients for surgery, administered pre-op medications and IVs, and coordinated with OR team, patient, and family to develop and revise pre-op care plan.

  • Served as a strong team leader in handling daily activities on the unit, acted as a resource to team members, and promoted and enhanced collaborative relationships
  • Managed Phase 2 post-op care for day surgery patients, including wound care, IV medication, PICC line maintenance, and other post-op medical issues
  • Demonstrated knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to patient needs, including teaching and discharge planning

Provided nursing care to surgical patients and developed individual plans of care in collaboration with other members of the healthcare team in accordance with established guidelines and standards of nursing care.

  • Collaborated with other disciplines to ensure patient safety, create an environment of healing, and facilitate the achievement of exceptional outcomes for patients
  • Educated patients and their families on how to manage their illness or injury, including post-treatment home care needs and medication administration

AHA Basic Life Support (BLS)

Resume written by Lezlie Garr

Why this resume works

Registered Nurse Resume Skills and Keywords

Computers are firmly integrated into the modern medical world, and the hiring process is no exception. Busy hiring teams will use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to check applications for specific registered nurse resume keywords . If your resume doesn’t include the terms they look for, then you might be filtered out automatically. That’s why adding the right resume skills to your resume is so important. They can help you make it past the filters and get seen by real people.

Top Registered Nurse Resume Skills

  • Preventative healthcare
  • ‌Patient evaluation
  • ‌Strong clinical judgment
  • ‌Verbal and written communication
  • ‌Charting and clinical documentation
  • ‌Intravenous therapies
  • ‌Medical laboratory procedures
  • ‌Compassion
  • ‌Wound care
  • ‌Decision making
  • ‌Attention to detail
  • ‌Resilience
  • ‌Safe patient transfers
  • ‌Microsoft Office
  • ‌Patient education
  • ‌Fall reduction
  • ‌Problem-solving
  • ‌Time management
  • ‌Strong ethical compass
  • ‌Patient confidentiality
  • ‌Adaptability
  • ‌Diagnostics
  • ‌Specimen collection
  • ‌Blood draws
  • ‌Pain management
  • ‌Catheterization
  • ‌Domain knowledge (ICU, pediatrics, OB/GYN, etc.)‌

Resume Writing Tips for RNs

Your resume should be written with the same care and precision you would use for a report about a patient. Here are five tips for writing a resume that will help get you hired .

1. Make a good first impression

Traditional resume formatting has become the standard for a reason: it lets you explain a lot of information very quickly. One major element of this format is your resume summary , which is the first full paragraph between your header and your job history. This summary works like an abstract, explaining the rest of your resume in two or three sentences.

One great registered nurse resume example summary is, “Experienced registered nurse eager to provide compassionate and ethical patient care at Brown Hospital. 12+ years of nursing experience include coordinating patient care during staff shortages, assisting with complex medical issues, and maintaining a positive attitude in fast-paced environments.”

Employers reading this summary will take away three important facts. First, they’ll understand what the nurse considers to be their most important skills. Second, they know how long that nurse has been in the industry. Finally, they see three significant past successes that are relevant to the position. This combination helps employers decide whether to consider the candidate for an interview.

2. Tailor your resume to the position

Registered nurses can work in a variety of different environments, from large emergency rooms to OB/GYN to small family clinics. It’s not uncommon for nurses to move from one part of the field to another. That means that you may be applying for positions with major differences at the same time.

If that’s the case, take the time to edit your resume for each job . Years of experience in pediatrics will interest family medicine clinics but might not matter in an ER. Highlighting your ability to quickly calm down anxious families, on the other hand, makes that experience relevant to ERs. If you have the necessary skills and experience for a position, editing your resume helps you best demonstrate that to employers.

3. Include your most relevant skills

One way to highlight your registered nurse skills outside of your work history is to just list them out. A skills section is a dedicated heading under which you can list abilities that might not make sense elsewhere.

For example, if you’re familiar with uncommon medical software, you can list that under your skills. Since it’s on your resume, ATS filters can spot it. That can give you an edge with employers that use that software.

An added bonus of the skills section is that it saves hiring teams time. When you make it easier for people to skim your resume, you’re showing consideration for their experience. That might be all it takes to convince them to interview you.

4. Split your education and certifications

The field of nursing is constantly evolving. Registered nurses often take continuing education and certification courses to stay up to date with technology and best practices. If you have certifications, accreditations, or professional memberships, give them their own section.

Certifications like Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) are often necessary to get hired. More advanced certificates like Critical Care Registered Nursing (CCRN) aren’t always required, but they’re valuable for moving into roles with more responsibility. When you put these certificates in their own section, readers can spot them easily and use them to make hiring decisions.

5. Be specific whenever possible

Finally, how you write your resume is just as important as what you include. Passive voice and generic verbs can confuse readers or leave your actual responsibilities unclear.

Avoid phrases like:

  • ‌Participated in
  • ‌Responsible for
  • ‌Worked with

‌Instead, describe exactly what you did with phrases like:

  • ‌Administered
  • ‌Communicated

Build an ATS-friendly resume for free

Many resume builders are advertised as free, but they often charge a fee to download your resume. Jobscan's online resume builder has no hidden costs and it’s ATS-compatible.

Computer with resume

Optimize your resume

person in sofa with computer

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

Registered Nurse Resume Example

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 Example

Registered Nurse Resume 3.PDF

Registered Nurse Resume Example

Registered Nurse Resume 4.PDF

Registered Nurse Resume Template

Registered Nurse Resume 5.PDF

Registered Nurse Resume Example

Registered Nurse Resume 6.PDF

Registered Nurse Resume Example

Registered Nurse Resume 7.PDF

Registered Nurse Resume

Registered Nurse Resume 8.PDF

Registered Nurse Resume Design

Registered Nurse Resume 9.PDF

Registered Nurse Resume Example

Registered Nurse Resume 10.PDF

Registered Nurse Resume Example

Registered Nurse Resume 11.PDF

RN Resume

Mental Health Nurse Resume

Certificates associated with Registered Nurses

ICD-9ICD-10CPT coding
Nursing Licensure Exam (NCLEX)Basic Life Support BLSCPR certification for the Healthcare Provider

Action Verbs for your Nurse Resume

OrganizedAdministredApplied
AssessedEducatedPlanned
ProvidedObservedMonitored
CoordinatedPrioritizedCared

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.

creative resume format download pdf

Nothing Found

Cover Letters and Resume Samples

Registered Nurse Resume Sample and Writing Guide

Registered Nurse Resume Sample Page Image

A Guide to Crafting the Perfect Registered Nurse Resume

Entering the competitive field of nursing requires more than impeccable credentials and a passion for patient care—it demands a resume that convincingly encapsulates your expertise and dedication.

The role of a registered nurse is critical and multifaceted, involving direct patient care, medical teamwork, and a keen awareness of healthcare protocols. In understanding this, we present a comprehensive Registered Nurse Resume Sample that has been strategically formulated to highlight the essential elements that make a successful nursing candidate.

This page serves as a practical resource for nurses at any stage of their career, whether they are just stepping into the healthcare arena, seeking to ascend to more specialized roles, or transitioning to different healthcare environments. Here, we delve into the nuances of constructing a resume that not only meets the professional standards but also showcases individual strengths and achievements.

With a focus on clarity, relevance, and precision, our Registered Nurse Resume Sample provides a blueprint for presenting your qualifications in the most effective light. Follow this guide to craft a resume that opens the door to new opportunities and amplifies your potential in the eyes of employers.

Let’s embark on this journey to professional excellence and make your resume the key to your next fulfilling nursing position.

Sample Resume for Registered Nurse Position

Jane Doe, RN Belleville, NY (000) 123-4567 [email protected] LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/janedoern

Registered Nurse with 8+ years of clinical experience, specializing in ICU and emergency care at Level I trauma centers. Excel at delivering high-quality patient care, effective team coordination, and driving process improvement initiatives. Known for enhancing patient safety and streamlining workflow, resulting in a significant reduction in medication errors and increased compliance with health protocols. Passionate about mentoring new staff and advocating for patient needs.

Licenses and Certifications

  • Registered Nurse (RN) License, State of New York #1234567
  • Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification, American Heart Association
  • Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) Certification, American Heart Association
  • Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) Certification, American Heart Association

Professional Experience

Metropolitan hospital center, new york, ny.

Registered Nurse, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) June 2018 – Present

  • Provided expert care to an average of 8 critically ill patients per shift, with conditions requiring complex interventions such as hemodynamic monitoring and continuous renal replacement therapy.
  • Pioneered a double-check system for medication administration that reduced errors by 30%, ensuring safer patient care practices.
  • Successfully managed and led a team of 10 nurses as a charge nurse, boosting department efficiency and fostering an environment of collaboration and respect.
  • Developed and executed a continuing education program for nursing staff that led to a 100% pass rate for the team on mandatory clinical competency evaluations.
  • Managed comprehensive care for an average of 12 post-operative patients per shift, yielding a post-surgical infection rate that was 30% below the national average.

City General Hospital, Careville, NY

Registered Nurse, Emergency Department September 2016 – June 2018

  • Delivered prompt and efficient care to an average of 20 patients per shift in a high-volume level I emergency department.
  • Instrumental in revising and implementing new hand hygiene protocols, achieving an increase in staff compliance from 70% to 95%.
  • Played a key role in patient education initiatives, resulting in a 40% decrease in post-emergency related follow-up visits due to better in-home care.
  • Identified and recommended changes to the inventory management system for medical supplies, cutting costs by 18% annually without impacting the quality of patient care.

University of New York, New York, NY Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) September 2012 – May 2016 GPA: 3.8/4.0

Honors and Awards

  • Dean’s List for 6 consecutive semesters.
  • Clinical Excellence Award, 2016
  • Proficient with Epic and Cerner EHR systems.
  • Exceptional clinical judgment and patient advocacy.
  • Calm and effective in high-stress situations.
  • Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish, facilitating improved patient relations.

Professional Memberships

  • American Nurses Association (ANA)
  • New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA)

Available upon request.

Tips for Writing a Great Resume for a Registered Nurse Position?

Creating a compelling resume for a Registered Nurse (RN) position involves highlighting both clinical competencies and your personal dedication to nursing. The resume should be designed to catch the recruiter’s attention and display your qualifications clearly and concisely.

Here are some tips to help you construct an outstanding RN resume:

1. Keep It Concise

Aim for a 1-2 page resume that delivers your most pertinent information without overwhelming the reader. Make sure every word counts and contributes to your candidacy.

2. Tailor Your Resume

Customize your resume for the specific nursing role you’re targeting. Use keywords from the job description to demonstrate your ability to fulfill the role’s requirements and to pass through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

3. Professional Summary

Provide a powerful professional summary at the beginning that encapsulates your experience, expertise, and the unique value you bring to the position.

4. Highlight Your Licenses and Certifications

Clearly showcase your nursing license, including the license number and state, as well as other essential certifications such as BLS, ACLS, and PALS.

5. Emphasize Your Clinical Skills

Detail your clinical skills and any areas of specialization, such as ICU, oncology, or emergency care. Show a track record of providing high-quality patient care.

6. Showcase Your Achievements

Rather than just listing job duties, focus on quantifiable achievements that demonstrate your impact on patient care and the healthcare facility.

7. Education is Key

List your nursing degree, including the institution, years attended, and GPA, especially if it is high or if you have recently graduated.

8. Add Professional Memberships

Include your affiliation with professional nursing organizations, which shows a commitment to staying current in the field.

9. Soft Skills Matter

While clinical skills are crucial, do not underestimate the power of soft skills. Skills like communication, teamwork, and empathy are integral to nursing.

10. Bilingual Proficiency

If you are fluent in another language, highlight this—it can be a significant asset in patient care and make you stand out.

11. Use Action Verbs

Start bullet points with strong action verbs to convey your responsibilities and accomplishments dynamically.

12. Keep It Updated

Regularly update your resume to reflect any new skills, experiences, or certifications to maintain readiness for any opportunity that arises.

13. Proofread

Ensure there are no grammatical errors or typos in your resume – attention to detail is crucial in the nursing profession.

14. Format for Readability

Use a clear, professional font and format. Use bullet points, bolding, and proper spacing to make your resume scan-friendly.

15. References Available Upon Request

Instead of listing references, use the space to enhance your qualifications and provide references when requested.

By following these tips, your RN resume will stand out to potential employers as a polished and professional document that speaks to your readiness to excel in a Registered Nurse role.

  • BSN Registered Nurse Resume Sample and Writing Guide
  • Entry Level Registered Nurse Resume No Experience | Sample and Guide
  • Best Intense Care Unit Registered Nurse Resume Example
  • 9 Entry-Level Registered Nurse Resume Summary Examples

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Notify me of new posts by email.

Banner 003 Copy

Registered Nurse Job Description [with Examples]

  • September 20, 2022
  • In Resumes & Cover Letters

Registered Nurse Job Description

A Registered Nurse (RN) is tasked with collaborating with other medical specialists to assist in treating patients with different types of illnesses, disabilities, or injuries. Their responsibilities include discussing patient requirements with doctors and other Registered Nurses, providing IVs and medication to improve the health of their patients, and utilizing medical equipment to track patients’ vital signs. They collaborate closely with supervising physicians to determine patients’ needs, evaluate their progress, provide treatment, and carry out other associated responsibilities.

What does a registered nurse (RN) do?

Registered Nurses often give medical assistance to doctors and their patients while working for hospitals, healthcare clinics, rehabilitation centers, or care homes. To perform care chores, health exams, and provide medicine to their patients, they collaborate closely with other Registered Nurses. They must inject IVs, monitor patients’ vital signs, administer injections, and make patients feel at ease as part of their duties. They could also be in charge of helping a patient’s loved ones learn how to do particular activities once the patient returns home, such as changing bandages or giving medications.

Registered nurse job duties and responsibilities:

Depending on the workplace, an RN’s responsibilities may change; however, they often consist of the following:  

  •  Track and observe patient behavior  
  • Conduct physical exams and diagnostic procedures  
  • Gather the patient’s medical history  
  • Consult with patients and their families to explain treatment options  
  • Handle additional forms of therapy such as changing bandages on wounds and administering medicines
  • Read and analyze patient data, making suitable treatment decisions  
  • Speak with managers and medical professionals to determine the best course of therapy for patients  
  • Manage and oversee the work of nurses, nursing assistants, and nurse aides  
  • Give care both before and after surgery  
  • Collect blood pressure, temperature, and pulse readings from the patient  
  • Manage junior employees  
  • Offer families and patients emotional support  
  • Mentor nursing students

Registered nurse qualifications and skills:

To be a successful RN, an individual has to possess a wide range of skills. These are some examples of the required skills:  

  • RNs must be organized since they frequently care for several patients simultaneously.  
  • An attentive, empathetic, nonjudgmental RN can ease the patient by being kind and caring.  
  • Being able to communicate with patients, colleagues, and doctors is a crucial ability for RNs. Good interaction requires effective communication.  
  • Patience will aid an RN in making wise judgments and coping with stress and misunderstandings.  
  • Being dedicated will enable an RN to keep developing their skills and commit to patient care.
  • An RN stands for lengthy periods, which requires stamina. The profession also calls for physical strength when lifting patients and providing assistance.  
  • An RN must be able to assess, analyze, and judge the many scenarios they encounter and take the appropriate action.  
  • To make appropriate decisions, an RN must have a capacity for observation, resilience, and initiative.
  • When communicating with patients and their families, an RN must have the capacity to handle emotionally sensitive and demanding circumstances and topics.

Registered nurse experience and education requirements

Candidates must hold a nursing associate degree or above; however, many RNs go on to get a bachelor’s or master’s. Obtaining a nursing degree in one of the four specialties—adult nursing, pediatric nursing, learning disability nursing, or mental health nursing—is the primary path to becoming a qualified nurse. A few NHS organizations are currently providing nursing degree apprenticeships. They are comparable to nursing degrees, combining academic study with clinical experience, but they are employer-led rather than university-led. Since the apprenticeship is at the degree level, Level 3 credentials (A level or equivalent) are often necessary. Candidates who have successfully completed a nursing associate apprenticeship will be able to complete a nursing degree sooner than other applicants since the apprenticeship will be counted toward it.

After earning a degree, the candidate must get state licensing by passing the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses. Depending on their state, nurses might need to meet additional licensing requirements. For RNs to renew their licensure, education credits are often required. RNs should have the appropriate training for the role since they need varied training for different work contexts.

Use this registered nurse job description to write your resume and cover letter

To provide the best possible patient care, we are looking for an RN to join our medical team and analyze, develop, execute, and evaluate nursing care plans.  

Primary duties, tasks, and responsibilities  

  • Monitor and evaluate patients  
  • Implement thorough nursing care plans for patients  
  • Provide treatments and prescription drugs  
  • keep track of and report symptoms and changes to the patient’s condition  
  • Consult the medical staff about the patient’s condition  
  • Keep up-to-date, correct patient records  
  • Assist with patient preparation, exams, and treatments  
  • Aid in the interpretation of diagnostic test findings  
  • Provide patients and their families with psychological, emotional, and educational assistance  
  • Maintain a healthy, safe working environment by following all applicable laws and regulations  
  • Follow infection-control guidelines  
  • Follow all protocols and laws pertaining to the administration and storage of medications  

Education, certifications, and experience required  

  • An associate’s, bachelor’s, or diploma from a recognized nursing school  
  • Current registration with the appropriate state nursing board
  • The appropriate certifications, such as BLS, CPR, and ACLS
  • Relevant knowledge

Essential skills  

  • Effective communication
  • Organization and planning
  • Focus on the details
  • Adaptability
  • Aptitude for addressing issues
  • Making decisions and using judgment
  • Resistance to stress

Experience required:

  • Two years of experience as a nurse  
  • A year’s worth of pediatric experience

Different shifts are available. The order of the available shifts will be determined during the interview. It’s necessary to work every other weekend.

XYZ Hospital is growing its team of medical staff in the pediatric ward and seeking a registered nurse to join the hospital and work primarily night and weekend shifts. Must be registered with the state board, with experience in pediatric care and open last-minute schedule changes.

Requirements and duties:  

  • Works with medical professionals and other members of a multidisciplinary team.  
  • Offers medical patients, their friends, and their families emotional and physical support.
  • Determines the needs for patient care through developing a close relationship with patients and their families.
  • Maintains therapeutic standards; compares health results to patient care objectives and institutional or regulatory criteria.
  • Uses interdisciplinary team techniques to address the needs and issues of patients.
  • Keeps the workplace safe and orderly by adhering to policies, guidelines, and rules.
  • Prevents infections by following infection control policies and procedures, medication administration and storage guidelines, and laws governing restricted substances.
  • Ensures that equipment is operating by performing necessary preventative maintenance, requesting repairs, and assessing new tools and procedures.
  • Supports the team’s efforts by completing pertinent tasks as required.

Registered nurse skills and qualifications:

  • Clinical expertise  
  • Good manners
  • Infection prevention
  • An understanding of physiology
  • Dispensing medicine
  • Medical cooperation
  • Multitasking, verbal communication, and listening
  • Upkeep and promotion of health

Requirements for education, experience, and licensing:

  • Licensed Nurse (RN)  
  • Current, appropriate state licensing
  • BLS and ACLS certifications issued by the American Heart Association
  • Clean background check and drug test

Popular related posts:

  • Thank You Email After Interview: Examples, Dos, and Don’ts
  • 7 Ways to Improve Your Cover Letter Today
  • Resume Objective Examples for 2022 [+How-to Guide]
  • Cover Letter Format: A Step by Step Guide for 2024
  • How To Write a Cover Letter With No Experience in 9 Steps

Get Expert Resume Writing Help

No time to polish your resume and cover letter? Send it to our team of resume writing experts.

  • No products in the cart.
  • Resume Writing Service
  • Free Resume Review
  • Resume Templates
  • Career Advice

Resume Worded   |  Proven Resume Examples

  • Resume Examples
  • Medical Resumes

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..

Hiring Manager for Nursing Roles

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.

A resume for a general nurse with an associates degree and prior experience as a healthcare assistant.

We're just getting the template ready for you, just a second left.

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.

Gain hands-on patient experience - General Nurse Resume

   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.

Consider learning a second language - General Nurse 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.

General nurse resume template sample listing appropriate skills and qualifications

   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.

Good use of skills section to highlight nursing skills - General Nurse Resume

   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.

Lists additional qualifications relevant to nursing - General Nurse Resume

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.

Experienced nurse resume highlighting specialized skills and leadership experience.

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.

Highlight your specialized skills - Experienced Nurse Resume

   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.

Show off your leadership skills - Experienced Nurse Resume

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.

Experienced nurse resume template sample with bullet points featuring strong action verbs to highlight career growth

   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.

Bullet points feature strong action verbs to highlight nursing accomplishments - Experienced Nurse Resume

   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.

Emphasize career growth in the nursing field - Experienced Nurse Resume

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.

Screenshot of a Certified Nursing Assistant's resume with focus on skills and certifications.

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.

Include relevant certifications - Certified Nursing Assistant Resume

   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.

Certified nursing assistant resume template sample featuring a clear resume title and showcasing volunteer work experience

   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.

Use a relevant resume title - Certified Nursing Assistant Resume

   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.

Include volunteer work where you used your nursing skills - Certified Nursing Assistant Resume

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.

Registered nurse resume template sample emphasizing hard skills and providing context for accomplishments

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.

Emphasize hard skills related to nursing - Registered Nurse Resume

   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.

Use bullet points provide context on your nursing achievements - Registered Nurse Resume

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.

An effective ICU nurse resume showcasing specific skills, team collaboration, and leadership.

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.

Highlight specialized ICU skills - ICU Nurse Resume

   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.

Emphasize on team collaboration and leadership - ICU Nurse Resume

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.

ICU nurse resume template sample focusing specifically on ICU experience and listing additional certifications

   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.

Focus on ICU experience - ICU Nurse Resume

   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.

Clearly list certifications related in nursing - ICU Nurse 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.

A NICU nurse's resume highlighting relevant experience and certifications

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.

Highlight relevant certifications - NICU Nurse Resume

   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.

Showcase your teamwork and collaboration skills - NICU Nurse Resume

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.

NICU nurse resume template sample tailored to the position and featuring an easily skimmable skills section

   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.

Tailored to the NICU nursing job - NICU Nurse Resume

   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.

List skills and certifications separately - NICU Nurse Resume

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.

Psychiatric nurse resume focusing on therapeutic communication and mental health certifications.

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.

Emphasize therapeutic communication skills - Psychiatric Nurse Resume

   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.

Showcase specific mental health certifications - Psychiatric Nurse Resume

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.

A resume for a psychiatric nurse with a degree in psychatric & mental health, and prior experience as a nursing assistant.

   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 ability to de-escalate and negotiate with patients - Psychiatric Nurse Resume

   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.

Psychiatric nurse resume template sample with a resume summary that uses bullet points to highlight transferable 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.

Short resume summary tailored to psychiatric nursing field - Psychiatric Nurse Resume

   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.

Highlight transferable skills - Psychiatric Nurse Resume

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.

Nurse Case Manager resume screenshot

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.

Highlight care coordination skills - Nurse Case Manager Resume

   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.

Nurse case manager resume template example with numbers and metrics and listing appropriate hard skills

   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.

Includes numbers and metrics to emphasize case manager achievements - Nurse Case Manager Resume

   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.

Focuses on hard skills as a case manager - Nurse Case Manager Resume

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.

Nurse case manager resume template sample using hard numbers and metrics to highlight key skills

   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.

Use hard numbers and metrics relevant to nursing - Nurse Case Manager Resume

   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.

Highlight key skills in nursing - Nurse Case Manager Resume

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.

Nursing student resume template sample featuring student nursing experience and a dedicated skills section

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.

Emphasize student nursing experience - Nursing Student Resume

   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.

Lists specific competencies relevant to nursing - Nursing Student Resume

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.

Travel nurse resume showcasing adaptability and specialized skills

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.

Demonstrate adaptability in clinical settings - Travel Nurse Resume

   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.

Emphasize specialized skills and certifications - Travel Nurse Resume

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.

Travel nurse resume template sample with detailed contact information and effective demonstration of soft skills

   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.

Use metrics to emphasize soft skills, like communication, which is core to nursing - Travel Nurse Resume

   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.

Contact information includes LinkedIn profile (make sure your LinkedIn is up to date too!) - Travel Nurse Resume

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.

A professional nurse practitioner's resume showcasing certifications and patient care outcomes.

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.

Highlight relevant certifications and specializations - Nurse Practitioner Resume

   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.

Nurse practitioner resume template sample listing the most relevant experience first to highlight important keywords

   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.

List your most relevant and recent experience first - Nurse Practitioner Resume

   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.

Includes appropriate keywords relating to nurse practitioners - Nurse Practitioner Resume

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.

New grad nurse resume with clinical experience and soft skills highlighted

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.

Highlight clinical rotations and experiences - New Grad Nurse Resume

   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.

Emphasize soft skills and teamwork - New Grad Nurse Resume

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.

New grad nurse resume showcasing clinical experience and relevant skills.

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.

Focus on soft skills and certifications - New Grad Nurse Resume

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.

New grad nurse resume template sample listing specific skills gained through student nursing and practicum experience

   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.

Includes student nursing and practicum experience - New Grad Nurse Resume

   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.

Lists specific skills relevant to nursing - New Grad Nurse Resume

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.

A director of nursing resume sample that highlights the applicant’s career progression and quantifiable success.

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.

Show a career progression in nursing. - Director of Nursing Resume

   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.

Use metrics to show maximized efficiency and minimized cost. - Director of Nursing Resume

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.

A nursing supervisor resume sample that highlights the applicant’s leadership experience and nursing history.

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%.

Highlight the nursing teams you have worked with and their relevant achievements. - Nursing Supervisor Resume

   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.

Screenshot of an ER nurse’s resume showcasing her emergency and infectious disease experience.

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.

Emphasize on-job emergency experience - ER Nurse Resume

   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.

ER Nurse resume highlighting technical skills and real-life scenarios.

   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.

A resume for a Clinical Rotation Nurse showcasing versatility in hospital work.

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.

Include Specific Clinical Rotations Experience - Clinical Rotation Nurse Resume

   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.

Illustrate Problem-solving Skills - Clinical Rotation Nurse Resume

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.

Resume screenshot showing Charge Nurse's leadership accomplishments and digital competency.

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.

Include Key Leadership Accomplishments - Charge Nurse Resume

   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.

A resume of a Charge Nurse showcasing leadership experience and certifications.

   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.

Showcase Leadership Experience - Charge Nurse Resume

   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.

Highlight Certifications and Education - Charge Nurse Resume

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.

Screenshot of a remote nurse resume showcasing technical competencies and communication skills.

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.

Emphasize your technical competencies - Remote Nurse Resume

   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.

Showcase your communication and self-management skills - Remote Nurse Resume

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.

An exemplary Preceptor Nurse resume showcasing leadership skills and advanced clinical abilities.

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.

Demonstrate your leadership and mentoring abilities - Preceptor Nurse Resume

   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.

Showcase your advanced clinical skills - Preceptor Nurse Resume

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.

A Relief Charge Nurse resume with emphasis on leadership and adaptability.

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.

Show your leadership skills - Relief Charge Nurse Resume

   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.

Showcase your adaptability - Relief Charge Nurse Resume

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.

A resume for a Licensed Practical Nurse showcasing certifications and patient care experience.

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.

Include relevant certifications and training - LPN Nurse (Licensed Practical Nurse) Resume

   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.

Detail your patient care experience - LPN Nurse (Licensed Practical Nurse) Resume

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.

A resume snapshot highlighting the skills and experiences of an LPN Nurse candidate.

   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.

Show your hands-on experience - LPN Nurse (Licensed Practical Nurse) Resume

   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.

Emphasize your specialized skills - LPN Nurse (Licensed Practical Nurse) Resume

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.

LVN resume showcasing certifications and practical patient care experiences.

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.

Include relevant certifications and trainings - LVN Nurse (Licensed Vocational Nurse) Resume

   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.

Emphasize your patient care experience - LVN Nurse (Licensed Vocational Nurse) Resume

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.

A resume of a Licensed Vocational Nurse detailing her skills and experiences.

   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.

Highlight your technical and interpersonal skills - LVN Nurse (Licensed Vocational Nurse) Resume

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.

ICU Charge Nurse resume highlighting leadership roles and specialized knowledge.

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.

Emphasize your leadership achievements - ICU Charge Nurse Resume

   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.

Demonstrate your specialized ICU nursing knowledge - ICU Charge Nurse Resume

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.

Resume example spotlighting insurance knowledge and EHR system proficiency for Prior Authorization Nurse role.

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.

A detailed resume of a clinic nurse showcasing technical skills and patient education expertise.

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.

Showcase your technical competency - Clinic Nurse Resume

   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.

Highlight patient education skills - Clinic Nurse Resume

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.

A medical surgical nurse's resume highlighting relevant skills and experience.

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.

Evidence of continuous learning - Medical Surgical Nurse Resume

   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.

Demonstrate a blend of skills - Medical Surgical Nurse Resume

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.

A resume screenshot for a Patient Care Technician role showcasing key certifications and hands-on patient care experiences.

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.

Showcase your certifications and training - Patient Care Technician Resume

   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.

Highlight patient care experiences and achievements - Patient Care Technician Resume

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

Bullet Point Samples for Nursing

   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.

How to write a resume summary if you are applying for a Nursing resume

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.

Action Verbs for Nursing

  • 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.

Top Nursing Skills and Keywords to Include On Your Resume

How to use these skills?

Other medical resumes, dental assistant.

RDA resume highlighting specialized skills and digital dentistry experience.

Respiratory Therapist

Screenshot of a New Grad Respiratory Therapist's resume showcasing education and internship experience.

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

Download this PDF template.

Creating an account is free and takes five seconds. you'll get access to the pdf version of this resume template., choose an option..

  • Have an account? Sign in

E-mail Please enter a valid email address This email address hasn't been signed up yet, or it has already been signed up with Facebook or Google login.

Password Show Your password needs to be between 6 and 50 characters long, and must contain at least 1 letter and 1 number. It looks like your password is incorrect.

Remember me

Forgot your password?

Sign up to get access to Resume Worded's Career Coaching platform in less than 2 minutes

Name Please enter your name correctly

E-mail Remember to use a real email address that you have access to. You will need to confirm your email address before you get access to our features, so please enter it correctly. Please enter a valid email address, or another email address to sign up. We unfortunately can't accept that email domain right now. This email address has already been taken, or you've already signed up via Google or Facebook login. We currently are experiencing a very high server load so Email signup is currently disabled for the next 24 hours. Please sign up with Google or Facebook to continue! We apologize for the inconvenience!

Password Show Your password needs to be between 6 and 50 characters long, and must contain at least 1 letter and 1 number.

Receive resume templates, real resume samples, and updates monthly via email

By continuing, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy .

Lost your password? Please enter the email address you used when you signed up. We'll send you a link to create a new password.

E-mail This email address either hasn't been signed up yet, or you signed up with Facebook or Google. This email address doesn't look valid.

Back to log-in

These professional templates are optimized to beat resume screeners (i.e. the Applicant Tracking System). You can download the templates in Word, Google Docs, or PDF. For free (limited time).

   access samples from top resumes, get inspired by real bullet points that helped candidates get into top companies.,    get a resume score., find out how effective your resume really is. you'll get access to our confidential resume review tool which will tell you how recruiters see your resume..

registered nurse description for resume

Writing an effective resume has never been easier .

Upgrade to resume worded pro to unlock your full resume review., get this resume template (+ 43 others), plus proven bullet points., for a small one-time fee, you'll get everything you need to write a winning resume in your industry., here's what you'll get:.

  • 📄 Get the editable resume template in Google Docs + Word . Plus, you'll also get all 43 other templates .
  • ✍️ Get sample bullet points that worked for others in your industry . Copy proven lines and tailor them to your resume.
  • 🎯 Optimized to pass all resume screeners (i.e. ATS) . All templates have been professionally designed by recruiters and 100% readable by ATS.

Buy now. Instant delivery via email.

  instant access. one-time only., what's your email address.

registered nurse description for resume

I had a clear uptick in responses after using your template. I got many compliments on it from senior hiring staff, and my resume scored way higher when I ran it through ATS resume scanners because it was more readable. Thank you!

registered nurse description for resume

Thank you for the checklist! I realized I was making so many mistakes on my resume that I've now fixed. I'm much more confident in my resume now.

registered nurse description for resume

Need to start saving with a new ATS? Learn how to calculate the return on investment of your ATS Calculate ROI now

  • HR Toolkit |
  • HR Templates |
  • Job descriptions |
  • Healthcare job descriptions |

Registered Nurse job description

This Registered Nurse job description template is optimized for posting on online job boards or careers pages and easy to customize for your company. Similar job titles include Clinic Nurse and Public Health Nurse.

Nikoletta Bika

Nikoletta holds an MSc in HR management and has written extensively about all things HR and recruiting.

Registered Nurse responsibilities include:

  • Monitoring patient’s condition and assessing their needs to provide the best possible care and advice
  • Observing and interpreting patient’s symptoms and communicating them to physicians
  • Collaborating with physicians and nurses to devise individualized care plans for patients

registered nurse job description

Want to generate a unique job description?

Looking for a job.

We are looking for a Registered Nurse to care for our patients and facilitate their speedy recovery. You will also be responsible for educating them and their families on prevention and healthy habits.

The ideal candidate will be a responsible and well-trained professional able to give the best nursing care with little supervision. You will be compassionate and cool-tempered. You will also be able to follow health and safety guidelines faithfully and consistently.

The goal is to promote patient’s well-being by providing high quality nursing care.

Responsibilities

  • Monitor patient’s condition and assess their needs to provide the best possible care and advice
  • Observe and interpret patient’s symptoms and communicate them to physicians
  • Collaborate with physicians and nurses to devise individualized care plans for patients
  • Perform routine procedures (blood pressure measurements, administering injections etc.) and fill in patients’ charts
  • Adjust and administer patient’s medication and provide treatments according to physician’s orders
  • Inspect the facilities and act to maintain excellent hygiene and safety (decontaminating equipment, sanitizing surfaces, preparing beds etc.)
  • Provide instant medical care in emergencies
  • Assist surgeons during operations
  • Supervise and train LPNs and nursing assistants
  • Foster a supportive and compassionate environment to care for patients and their families
  • Expand knowledge and capabilities by attending educational workshops, conferences etc.

Requirements and skills

  • Proven experience as a registered nurse
  • Excellent knowledge of nursing care methods and procedures
  • Excellent knowledge of emergency care
  • In-depth knowledge of health and safety guidelines and procedures (sanitation, decontamination etc.) and willingness to follow them at all times
  • A team player with excellent communication and interpersonal skills
  • Responsible and compassionate
  • Outstanding organizational and multi-tasking skills
  • Patient with excellent problem-solving skills
  • BSc or other diploma from a nursing program
  • Valid nursing license

Post this Registered Nurse job to over 200 job boards at once.

Related job descriptions.

  • Nurse job description
  • Personal Care Assistant job description
  • Home Health Aide job description

Related Interview Questions

  • Registered Nurse interview questions and answers
  • Communication interview questions and answers
  • Emotional intelligence (EQ) interview questions and answers

Related Topics

  • How to find Nurses with Boolean search strings
  • How to find Home Health Nurses with Boolean search strings
  • 10 great careers page examples – and why we love them

Available in

Jump to section, share on mastodon.

  • Resume Builder
  • Resume Templates
  • Resume Formats
  • Resume Examples
  • Cover Letter Builder
  • Cover Letter Templates
  • Cover Letter Formats
  • Cover Letter Examples
  • Career Advice
  • Interview Questions
  • Resume Skills
  • Resume Objectives
  • Job Description
  • Job Responsibilities
  • FAQ’s

Registered Nurse Resume Examples

Writing a resume as a registered nurse can be a daunting task. With so much competition for nursing jobs, you need to make sure that your resume stands out among the rest. As a nurse, you will have many skills and qualifications that employers will be interested in, and it is important to showcase these appropriately. This guide will provide you with tips on how to write a standout registered nurse resume, as well as some examples of resumes that have stood out. With the right approach, you can give yourself the best chance of success when applying for a nursing job.

If you didn’t find what you were looking for, be sure to check out our complete library of resume examples .

resume-template-sample

Start building your dream career today! 

Create your professional resume in just 5 minutes with our easy-to-use resume builder!

Registered Nurse

123 Main Street | Anytown, USA 99999 | Phone: (123) 456-7890 | Email: [email protected]

I am a passionate Registered Nurse with 6 years of experience in providing quality care to patients in a variety of settings. My expertise in nursing extends to patient assessment, medication management, wound care, and education. I have the experience and skill- set to work with a diverse array of patients, and I am committed to providing compassionate care. I am an excellent communicator and problem solver, and I am capable of managing multiple tasks simultaneously.

Core Skills :

  • Assessment & Diagnosis
  • Care Planning & Implementation
  • Education & Counseling
  • Medication Administration
  • Crisis Management
  • Infection Control
  • Quality Improvement
  • Patient Advocacy
  • Electronic Medical Records (EMR)

Professional Experience :

  • Staff Nurse, XYZ Hospital – Boston, MA (2015- Present)
  • Provide direct patient care to a variety of patients in the hospital setting
  • Carry out nursing assessments, create and implement care plans, and evaluate patient progress
  • Administer medications and treatments, monitor vital signs and lab results, and provide patient and family education
  • Collaborate with physicians, other healthcare providers, and ancillary staff to ensure quality care
  • Maintain accurate patient records and documentation
  • Clinical Nurse Manager, ABC Medical Center – New York, NY (2013- 2015)
  • Managed and provided direction and oversight to a staff of 20 nurses in the hospital
  • Developed and implemented policies and procedures to ensure quality patient care
  • Supervised nursing staff including providing performance reviews, mentoring and coaching
  • Participated in patient rounds and collaborated with physicians on patient care
  • Oversaw and ensured accuracy of patient documentation and compliance with standards of care

Education :

  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing, XYZ College – New York, NY (2013)
  • Associate of Science in Nursing,

Create My Resume

Build a professional resume in just minutes for free.

Registered Nurse Resume with No Experience

Recent nursing school graduate with a passion for providing quality patient care. Possesses a strong understanding of the fundamentals of nursing, with the ability to use complex medical equipment, assess patient needs, and administer medications. Highly organized, and able to remain composed and professional in fast- paced environments.

  • Clinical knowledge and experience
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
  • Ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams
  • Knowledge of medical terminology
  • Ability to remain organized and composed under pressure
  • Expertise in medical equipment use
  • Ability to provide patient education

Responsibilities

  • Obtain patient vitals and medical history
  • Administer medications and treatments
  • Monitor patient progress and adjust treatment plans as needed
  • Assess and document patient condition
  • Educate patients on health and safety
  • Collaborate with doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals
  • Ensure proper safety protocols and sterilization techniques are followed
  • Keep patient records and confidential information secure
  • Provide emotional support to patients and families

Experience 0 Years

Level Junior

Education Bachelor’s

Registered Nurse Resume with 2 Years of Experience

Dedicated and experienced registered nurse with two years of experience in diverse healthcare settings. Expertise in providing patient- centered care, helping to improve patient outcomes, and creating a positive atmosphere for staff, visitors, and patients. Possesses a highly organized approach to care and a passion for helping others.

  • Comprehensive knowledge of nursing principles, procedures, and practices
  • Excellent patient communication and assessment skills
  • Proficient in the use of medical technology and equipment
  • Skilled in developing and implementing treatment plans
  • Ability to prioritize tasks and manage time effectively
  • Understanding of medical terminology and documentation
  • Ability to work cooperatively with other healthcare professionals

Responsibilities :

  • Assessing and monitoring patient conditions
  • Developing and implementing patient care plans
  • Administering medications and treatments
  • Documenting patient records and medical histories
  • Providing emotional support to patients and family members
  • Educating patients and family members on medical conditions and treatments
  • Monitoring vital signs, such as blood pressure and heart rate
  • Administering intravascular, subcutaneous, and intramuscular injections
  • Performing laboratory tests and analyzing results

Experience 2+ Years

Registered Nurse Resume with 5 Years of Experience

Dedicated and experienced Registered Nurse with 5 years of experience providing medical care in hospital and clinical settings. Skilled in leading teams in providing care and monitoring patient progress. Experienced in patient assessment and in developing and implementing treatment plans, working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to ensure quality and timely patient care. Committed to providing the highest level of quality and patient- centric care.

  • Patient assessment
  • Medical care
  • Treatment plans
  • Patient monitoring
  • Team leadership
  • Multidisciplinary collaboration
  • Quality assurance
  • Assessed patients to identify their needs and develop care plans
  • Administered medications, treatments and therapies according to doctor’s instructions
  • Monitored patient progress and reported changes to physicians
  • Coordinated with multidisciplinary teams to ensure quality and timely patient care
  • Collaborated with physicians and other healthcare personnel to implement patient care plans
  • Assisted in the development and implementation of patient treatment plans and protocols
  • Educated patients and families on home health care needs, treatments and therapies

Experience 5+ Years

Level Senior

Registered Nurse Resume with 7 Years of Experience

A compassionate and accomplished Registered Nurse with seven years of experience in providing quality care to a variety of patient populations. Demonstrated ability to quickly develop trusting relationships with patients and their families. Experienced in promoting cooperation and collaboration among all medical personnel. Highly knowledgeable about the latest medical standards and procedures. Proficient in documentation and communication of patient conditions.

  • Interpersonal and communication skills
  • Leadership and organizational skills
  • Ability to take initiative
  • Attention to detail
  • Critical thinking
  • Compassion and empathy
  • Conducting assessments, diagnostics, and treatments for assigned patients
  • Developing and implementing individualized plans of care
  • Documenting patient assessments and changes in condition
  • Educating patients and families on health maintenance and disease prevention
  • Collaborating with the interdisciplinary team to ensure quality patient care
  • Administering medications and treatments in accordance with physician orders
  • Monitoring patient progress and reporting changes to physicians

Experience 7+ Years

Registered Nurse Resume with 10 Years of Experience

Highly skilled, experienced, and compassionate Registered Nurse with 10 years of experience in providing exceptional care to patients. Possesses an in- depth knowledge of clinical practices, medical terminology, and patient care. Adept at managing time, multitasking, and maintaining patient confidentiality. Strong patient advocate who prides in delivering a positive patient experience.

  • Proactive and organized
  • Exceptional communication skills
  • IV insertion and medication administration
  • Working knowledge of EMR systems
  • Documentation accuracy
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Assessed patient condition and provided appropriate medical care
  • Evaluated patient progress and modified plans as necessary
  • Collaborated with other healthcare professionals in developing patient care plans
  • Administered medications and monitored patient reactions
  • Assisted in emergency situations and ensured patient safety
  • Educated patients and their families on treatments and medications
  • Provided emotional support to patients and families
  • Maintained medical records and patient charts accurately and up- to- date

Experience 10+ Years

Level Senior Manager

Education Master’s

Registered Nurse Resume with 15 Years of Experience

Highly experienced and motivated Registered Nurse with 15 years of experience in providing thorough and compassionate care to patients. Skilled in assessing patient needs and developing treatment plans. Experienced in administering medications, performing medical procedures, and monitoring patient progress. Committed to providing patient- centric care and maintaining a safe and comfortable medical environment.

  • Patient Assessment
  • Patient Monitoring
  • Medical Procedures
  • Treatment Planning
  • Documentation
  • Patient Education
  • Team Collaboration
  • Interpersonal Communication
  • Assessed patient condition upon admission and during treatment
  • Administered medications and intravenous injections as prescribed by physician
  • Monitored patient progress and responded to changing conditions
  • Developed treatment plans and documented patient care
  • Educated patients and families on medical conditions and treatments
  • Implemented infection control measures to maintain safe and sanitary environment
  • Collaborated with healthcare team to ensure quality patient care
  • Responded to patient requests in a timely manner

Experience 15+ Years

Level Director

In addition to this, be sure to check out our resume templates , resume formats ,  cover letter examples ,  job description , and  career advice  pages for more helpful tips and advice.

What should be included in a Registered Nurse resume?

A Registered Nurse (RN) resume is a critical part of the job search process and is the primary way employers will evaluate your skills and qualifications. To stand out from the competition and land your perfect job, you need to make sure that your resume is professional, complete, and up-to-date.

Here are some key elements that should be included in a Registered Nurse resume:

  • Contact Information: Your full name, current address, phone number, and email address should be listed prominently at the top of your resume.
  • Professional Summary: This section should include a brief overview of your qualifications and experience as a Registered Nurse.
  • Education: Include the name and location of the nursing program you attended and the degree you earned.
  • Clinical Experience: List any clinical experience you have, such as internships, practicums, or volunteer work.
  • Certifications and Licenses: Be sure to list any professional certifications or licenses you have earned, such as the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) or the Registered Nurse Practitioner (RNP) credential.
  • Skills: Summarize your skills and abilities, highlighting any specialties you have.
  • Awards and Honors: Include any awards or honors you have received for your nursing work.
  • Professional Memberships: List any professional organizations you are a member of that are related to nursing.
  • References: Provide contact information for two or three professional references.

What is a good summary for a Registered Nurse resume?

A good summary for a Registered Nurse (RN) resume should demonstrate a proven track record of providing quality patient care. It should concisely highlight the RN’s educational qualifications, certifications, specialized training, and relevant experience. The summary should also emphasize the RN’s ability to handle multiple tasks, collaborate and communicate with other medical staff, and provide compassionate care to patients. Most importantly, the summary should emphasize the RN’s commitment to continuing professional development and staying up-to-date on the latest medical advancements. Overall, the summary should showcase skills and achievements that make the RN an outstanding candidate for the position.

What is a good objective for a Registered Nurse resume?

What is a Good Objective for a Registered Nurse Resume?

When you are applying for a job as a registered nurse, you will want to make sure that your resume stands out from the competition. Having a well-crafted objective statement is a great way to make your resume shine. An objective statement is a brief sentence or two that states your career goal and highlights your skills and qualifications.

A good objective for a registered nurse resume should:

  • Highlight your relevant qualifications and skills
  • Showcase your ability to think critically and solve problems
  • Express a desire to be part of a team
  • Showcase your commitment to patient care
  • Demonstrate your dedication to providing quality healthcare
  • Emphasize your desire to stay up to date with the latest nursing practices

By including an objective statement on your resume, you will be giving potential employers a better sense of who you are and why you are the right fit for the job. Be sure to include information that will be relevant to the specific role you are applying for.

How do you list Registered Nurse skills on a resume?

When listing your Registered Nurse skills on a resume, you should include both hard and soft skills that show your expertise in the nursing field. The skills you list will demonstrate to potential employers how you can contribute to their team. Below is a list of the kinds of skills to consider including on your resume when applying for a nursing job:

  • Patient Care: Showcase your skills in providing direct care to patients and helping them reach their health goals.
  • Clinical Protocols: Demonstrate your knowledge of the clinical protocols used in the nursing profession.
  • Diagnosis and Treatment: Highlight your ability to diagnose and treat patients effectively.
  • Communication: Demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively with patients and other medical staff.
  • Computers and Software: Showcase your skills in using computers and software related to the nursing profession.
  • Teamwork: Prove you are capable of working well with other medical staff and providing excellent patient care.
  • Caring: Showcase your strong bedside manner and ability to provide compassionate care to patients.
  • Documentation: Demonstrate your ability to accurately document data and patient progress.

You should also include any industry-specific certifications or licenses you have in the relevant section of your resume. By showing off your Registered Nurse skills on your resume, you can prove to employers that you have the experience and knowledge needed to succeed in the profession.

What skills should I put on my resume for Registered Nurse?

When looking to apply as a Registered Nurse, it is important to showcase your qualifications and experience on your resume. To strengthen your resume, there are certain skills that employers look for when hiring Registered Nurses.

  • Clinical Skills: Registered Nurses are required to possess a wide variety of clinical skills, and it is essential that they are able to demonstrate these skills effectively and efficiently. This includes administering medications and treatments, providing patient assessments, and monitoring patients.
  • Communication Skills: As a Registered Nurse, you must be able to effectively communicate with patients, family members, and other medical professionals. This includes being able to clearly and concisely explain medical procedures and treatments, as well as provide support and comfort to patients and their families.
  • Problem-solving Skills: Registered Nurses must be able to think on their feet, and must possess strong problem-solving skills. In many cases, RNs must be able to recognize and diagnose medical conditions and determine appropriate medical interventions in order to provide the best care for their patients.
  • Leadership Skills: Registered Nurses are often responsible for managing teams of medical staff, and therefore they must possess strong leadership and organizational skills. This includes effective delegation of tasks, being able to mentor and guide other medical staff, and taking initiative in developing new approaches to patient care.

By including these skills on your resume, you will be able to show employers that you have the necessary qualifications and experience to excel as a Registered Nurse.

Key takeaways for an Registered Nurse resume

When crafting the perfect resume for a Registered Nurse, it is important to ensure that the key skills, qualifications and experience are effectively highlighted to capture the attention of potential employers. This blog section will aim to provide some key takeaways that will help you create an impressive resume for a Registered Nurse.

  • Highlight your Nursing Experience: A Registered Nurse resume should begin with a detailed summary of your nursing experience. Include the types of care you’ve provided, the length of time you spent in the position, and any certification or licensure you have. Make sure to also include any clinical experience you have, such as working in specialized areas like hospice, geriatrics, or neonatal.
  • Showcase your Communication Skills: As a Registered Nurse, communication is key. Make sure to highlight your ability to communicate effectively with patients, families, and other healthcare professionals. Include any awards or accolades you have received for your communication skills and any additional training you have done to further develop your professional capabilities.
  • Detail your Leadership Qualities: Nursing is an industry that highly values leadership. Highlight any leadership roles you have held throughout your career, such as team leader or head nurse. If you have any experience working with other healthcare professionals, include this as well. Focus on any areas you have led in that have helped improve patient care and outcomes.
  • Talk About Your Education: Nursing requires a certain level of education. Make sure to include any degrees or certifications you have earned in your resume. Be sure to list your education section in reverse chronological order, meaning that the most recent degrees or certifications you have should be listed first.

By following these key takeaways, you can create an impressive resume for a Registered Nurse that will help you stand out from the competition. Highlighting your nursing experience, communication skills, leadership qualities, and education can help to showcase your skills and make you a top candidate for the job.

Let us help you build your Resume!

Make your resume more organized and attractive with our Resume Builder

Resume template

  • Preparation Tips
  • Interview Checklist
  • Questions&Answers
  • Difficult Questions
  • Questions to Ask

Interview Tips

  • Dress for Success
  • Job Interview Advice
  • Behavioral Interview
  • Entry Level Interview
  • Information Interview
  • Panel Interviews
  • Group Interviews
  • Phone Interviews
  • Skype Interviews
  • Second Interviews
  • Zoom Interviews
  • Job Interview Guides
  • Administrative
  • Call Center
  • Clerical Interview
  • Customer Service
  • Human Resources
  • Office Manager
  • Project Manager
  • Restaurant Jobs
  • Social Work
  • Interview Follow Up
  • Thank You Letters
  • Job References
  • Employment Tests
  • Background Checks
  • Character References
  • Accepting a Job Offer
  • Decline a Job Offer
  • Verbal Job Offer
  • Negotiate Salary
  • How to Resign
  • Job Search Strategy
  • Job Search Tips
  • Respond to Interview Request
  • Letters of Recommendation
  • Surviving a Layoff
  • Sample Resumes
  • Resume Objectives

Cover Letters

Job Descriptions

  • Job Interview Blog
  • Best Articles

Privacy Policy

  • Free Job Descriptions
  • Registered Nurse

Registered Nurse Job Description

Registered nurse job description example.

Typical nursing duties vary according to the area of specialization. This job description clearly lists the general tasks and responsibilities involved in the general overall nursing care of patients.

Nurse with clipboard in hospital setting

Select the relevant duties and job requirements to develop a job description for your specific nursing job.

SAMPLE REGISTERED NURSE JOB DESCRIPTION

General Purpose

Assess, plan, implement and evaluate nursing care plans to facilitate optimal patient care.

Main Job Tasks, Duties and Responsibilities

  • observe and assess patients
  • effect comprehensive nursing care plans for patients
  • administer treatments and medications
  • monitor and report symptoms and changes in patient status
  • collaborate with medical team on patient status
  • maintain complete and accurate patient records
  • prepare patients and assist with patient examinations and therapies
  • assist with diagnostic tests and interpret results
  • modify treatment plans where indicated
  • advise patients on health maintenance and preventative medicine
  • provide educational, emotional and psychological support to patients and family members
  • maintain a safe and clean working environment in compliance with healthcare procedures and regulations
  • adhere to infection-control protocols
  • follow medication administration and storage procedures and regulations
  • monitor and co-ordinate maintenance of equipment operation and inventory
  • check and maintain nursing supplies inventory
  • educate and instruct patients on home care needs

Registered Nurse Education, Qualifications and Experience

  • associate degree, bachelor degree or diploma from an approved nursing program
  • current licensure by the relevant state nursing board
  • certifications as required such as BLS, CPR and ACLS
  • relevant experience

Key Nursing Skills and Competencies

  • communication skills
  • planning and organizing
  • attention to detail
  • adaptability
  • problem-solving skills
  • judgment and decision-making
  • stress tolerance

Use this RN job description as a basis for formulating your own specific nursing job description.

Use this nurse job description to write your resume and cover letter

Need help with writing your resume? Go to the sample registered nurse resume

Include a professional nursing cover letter with your job application.

registered nurse description for resume

NURSE JOB APPLICATIONS

Registered  Nurse Resume

registered nurse description for resume

Nursing Cover Letter Example

registered nurse description for resume

Nursing Resume Template

Nursing job interviews

Be well prepared for your nursing job interview with these excellent interview question and answer guides.

registered nurse description for resume

NURSE INTERVIEWS

Nurse Interview Questions & Answers

registered nurse description for resume

Top Nursing Interview Tips

registered nurse description for resume

Interview Questions to Ask the Employer

RN Interview Guide

Behavioral Nursing Interview Questions

Adapt this job description to clarify the registered nurse requirements for the specific job.

Consider the working conditions when writing your nurse job description

Registered nurses work in different healthcare settings including hospitals, clinics, private physician clinics and care centers. The working conditions should be well defined in the job description including:

  • the working hours including shifts and weekend and holiday work
  • the physical demands of the job 
  • the emotional demands of the job

Registered Nurse Job Description Template

Personal Care Assistant Job Description

To Top of Page

Don't Miss These Latest Updates

Problem-solving is a key skill for today's workplace. Problem-solving behavioral interview questions

Compelling sample interview answers to "Why do you want to work for this company?"

11 essential supervisor interview questions and answers plus industry specific supervisor Q&A .

How to ask for a letter of recommendation with this sample email requesting letter of recommendation .

What are the top 10 reasons for leaving your job? Find out acceptable reasons for leaving a job.

Sample employment acceptance letter and email to properly confirm your acceptance of the job offer and employment contract.

What are your strengths? Find out the 11 essential workplace strengths at list of strengths and weaknesses

Interview Preparation

Interview Questions & Answers

Interview Guides

After the Interview

The Job Offer

Latest News

© Copyright 2023  |   Best-Job-Interview.com    |   All Rights Reserved.

COMMENTS

  1. Registered Nurse Resume Examples and Template for 2024

    Whether you're an experienced nurse who wants to pursue an advanced role or a recent graduate looking for an entry-level job in the health care industry, customizing your resume to reflect the job description of the position you're applying for can improve your chances of being hired. Reviewing resume samples can also help you craft a professional-looking document that impresses employers.

  2. Ultimate Guide to Nursing Resumes 2024

    The Ultimate Guide to Nursing Resumes in 2024. 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.

  3. Registered Nurse Resume Examples & Templates [2024]

    [email protected]. Professional Summary. Dedicated and compassionate registered nurse with 12 years of experience working with HIV/AIDS patients. Proven ability to provide direct patient care in a fast-paced environment. Calm and level-headed with the ability to handle difficult patients and high-stress situations.

  4. Registered Nurse (RN) Resume Examples

    Registered Nurse Resume Objectives. Right. Friendly, compassionate, and positive new RN grad with 80 hours of clinical experience and 15 hours in critical care as a nursing student. Looking to leverage knowledge and passion for elderly patient care as a registered nurse at Roosevelt Care Center. Wrong.

  5. 7 Registered Nurse (RN) Resume Examples for 2024

    So if you can show that you're comfortable with the human aspects of the job (patient care, plans of care, family interactions, etc.), speak as much as possible concerning that experience in your ICU RN resume. Nurses make healthcare work. These 7 registered nurse (RN) resume samples are proven to help you land your next job in 2024.

  6. Registered Nurse Resume Examples and Templates for 2024

    Entry-Level Profile Example. A Registered Nurse with three years of experience specializing in oncology, clinical operations, patient-centered care, and continuous improvement. A proven track record of delivering empathetic care to pediatric and elderly patients within oncology care units. 2. Create a powerful list of your registered nurse ...

  7. Registered Nurse Resume (RN)—Examples & Template

    Registered Nurse Resume Examples—Job Description Good Example. Registered Nurse. General Hospital San Francisco . January 2018-Present. Responsible daily for 12 patients in a 25-bed oncological unit, including monitoring their vitals, treatments, long term health plans, as well as providing company, empathy, and consultation.

  8. Registered Nurse Resume Examples for 2024

    Expand. 1. Emphasize your nursing specialties and expertise. When writing your registered nurse resume summary, focus on your areas of specialization and the skills that set you apart. Consider the following examples: Registered nurse with 5+ years of experience in various healthcare settings.

  9. Registered Nurse Resume Examples, Skills, and Keywords

    One great registered nurse resume example summary is, "Experienced registered nurse eager to provide compassionate and ethical patient care at Brown Hospital. 12+ years of nursing experience include coordinating patient care during staff shortages, assisting with complex medical issues, and maintaining a positive attitude in fast-paced ...

  10. Registered Nurse Resume: Examples & Templates for 2024

    Here are some strong examples for your registered nurse resume: Registered nurse professional summary example: Dedicated and compassionate Registered Nurse with extensive experience in geriatric nursing, committed to providing exceptional care to residents requiring long-term or rehabilitative attention.

  11. 24 Registered Nurse (RN) Resume Examples

    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.

  12. Registered Nurse Resume Sample and Writing Guide

    The resume should be designed to catch the recruiter's attention and display your qualifications clearly and concisely. Here are some tips to help you construct an outstanding RN resume: 1. Keep It Concise. Aim for a 1-2 page resume that delivers your most pertinent information without overwhelming the reader.

  13. Registered Nurse Resume Examples & Template [2024]

    How to write a nursing resume in 7 steps. Step 1: Use a Registered Nurse Resume Template. Step 2: Format Your Contact Information Section. Step 3: Craft a Strong Summary Statement for a Registered Nurse. Step 4: Showcase Your Professional Experience. Step 5: Emphasize Top Nursing Skills. Step 6: Listing Relevant Degrees, Certifications, and ...

  14. Registered Nurse Job Description [with Examples]

    Use this registered nurse job description to write your resume and cover letter. To provide the best possible patient care, we are looking for an RN to join our medical team and analyze, develop, execute, and evaluate nursing care plans. Primary duties, tasks, and responsibilities Monitor and evaluate patients

  15. 44 Nursing Resume Examples for 2024

    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.

  16. Registered Nurse Job Description [+2024 TEMPLATE]

    Registered Nurse responsibilities include: Monitoring patient's condition and assessing their needs to provide the best possible care and advice. Observing and interpreting patient's symptoms and communicating them to physicians. Collaborating with physicians and nurses to devise individualized care plans for patients.

  17. Registered Nurse Resume Samples [+Job Description & Tips]

    Step 1: Pick the best layout for your registered nurse CV. Step 2: Choose the right format for your registered nurse CV. Step 3: Start with contact information and basic personal details. Step 4: Create an intriguing registered nurse resume title. Step 5: Craft a professional registered nurse resume statement.

  18. 6 Great Registered Nurse Resume Examples

    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.

  19. Registered Nurse Job Description Template

    Registered Nurse Job Description [Intro Paragraph] Start with a short description of the role and the primary responsibilities. Note if the nurse would work in a specific department or if they would rotate. About Our Workplace: Use this section of your registered nurse job description to share the benefits of joining your nursing team.For example, you could share the mission, values, company ...

  20. Registered Nurse (RN) Resume Sample

    Here are some examples from the registered nurse resume above: Supervise 30+ nursing staff and manage patient care in a 98 bed facility. Train and mentor new staff with the newest innovations in patient care methodology, increasing efficiency and reducing labor needs by 10%.

  21. Registered Nurse Job Description (With Salary)

    Registered nurse salary. Registered nurses working in the United States make an average of $88,810 per year, plus an average of $11,301 of overtime per year. Several factors influence the amount of money a nurse makes. One factor is their experience. Registered nurses who have less than one year of experience make an average of $80,266 per year ...

  22. 7 Best Registered Nurse Resume Examples for 2024

    Registered Nurse Resume Examples. John Doe. Registered Nurse. 123 Main Street | Anytown, USA 99999 | Phone: (123) 456-7890 | Email: [email protected]. I am a passionate Registered Nurse with 6 years of experience in providing quality care to patients in a variety of settings. My expertise in nursing extends to patient assessment, medication ...

  23. Registered Nurse Job Description

    Use this RN job description as a basis for formulating your own specific nursing job description. Use this nurse job description to write your resume and cover letter. Need help with writing your resume? Go to the sample registered nurse resume. Include a professional nursing cover letter with your job application.