A nurse resume example is a sample document that showcases the skills, qualifications, and work experience of a nurse. It is typically used as a guide for creating a professional resume for nursing job applications. A nurse resume example may include sections such as a summary of qualifications, education and training, professional experience, skills, and certifications. These examples can be found online or in resume writing books and can be customized to fit the specific needs of each nurse’s job search. A well-crafted nurse resume can help a candidate stand out from the competition and increase their chances of landing a job interview.
How to Write a Nurse Resume
Writing a nurse resume requires careful consideration of the skills, qualifications, and experiences that make you a strong candidate for nursing positions. Here are some tips for creating an effective nurse resume:
✓ Choose an appropriate resume format: A chronological resume format is typically the most effective for nurses. This format focuses on your work history and progression, highlighting your most recent and relevant experiences.
✓ Create a strong summary or objective statement: A brief summary or objective statement at the beginning of your resume should clearly state your nursing specialty, level of experience, and any specific skills or certifications that make you a valuable candidate.
✓ List your educational background: Start with your highest degree earned and list your education in reverse chronological order. Include the name of the institution, the degree earned, and the date of graduation.
✓ Highlight your work experience: List your work history in reverse chronological order, including the name of the employer, job title, dates of employment, and key responsibilities and accomplishments in each position.
✓ Emphasize your nursing skills: Make sure to include specific nursing skills and qualifications that make you a strong candidate, such as patient care, medication administration, and critical thinking.
✓ List your certifications and licenses: Be sure to include any relevant certifications or licenses, such as RN or LPN licenses, BLS/ACLS certifications, or specialized nursing certifications.
✓ Use keywords: Use industry-specific keywords throughout your resume to ensure that it is easily found by employers and applicant tracking systems.
✓ Proofread and edit: Before submitting your resume, proofread it carefully for spelling and grammatical errors, and have someone else review it for clarity and content.
By following these tips, you can create a nurse resume that highlights your skills and qualifications and increases your chances of landing your desired nursing position.




















What Nurse Resume Should Include?
A nurse resume should include key information about your education, work experience, nursing skills, certifications and licenses, and other relevant qualifications. It should also be formatted in a clear, easy-to-read manner and tailored to the specific job you are applying for.
Nurse Resume Summary
A nurse resume summary is a brief statement that summarizes your nursing experience, qualifications, and skills. It is typically included at the top of your resume, just below your contact information, and serves as an introduction to your professional profile.
A nurse resume summary should be concise and tailored to the specific job you are applying for. It should highlight your most relevant experience and qualifications, and give the hiring manager a clear idea of why you are the best candidate for the job.
Here is an example of a nurse resume summary:
“Compassionate and dedicated registered nurse with over 5 years of experience providing patient-centered care in a hospital setting. Skilled in patient assessment, medication administration, and patient education. Proven track record of delivering high-quality care, improving patient outcomes, and collaborating effectively with healthcare teams. Certified in BLS, ACLS, and PALS.”
In this example, the nurse highlights their experience, skills, and certifications in a clear and concise manner. This summary gives the hiring manager a quick overview of the nurse’s qualifications and why they are a strong candidate for the job. A well-crafted nurse resume summary can help you stand out from other applicants and increase your chances of getting an interview.
Nurse Resume Skills
Nurse resume skills refer to the specific abilities and competencies that a nurse possesses, which are relevant to the nursing profession. These skills are essential for performing various nursing duties, providing patient care, and ensuring that patients receive the best possible outcomes.
Some of the key nurse resume skills may include:
- Patient assessment and care planning
- Medication administration and management
- Intravenous (IV) therapy and blood draws
- Wound care and dressing changes
- Patient education and counseling
- Clinical judgment and critical thinking
- Interpersonal communication and collaboration with healthcare teams
- Electronic medical records (EMR) and charting
- Emergency response and crisis management
- Leadership and supervision of nursing staff
Here is an example of how to incorporate nurse resume skills into your resume:
Skills:
- Expertise in patient assessment and care planning, including developing individualized care plans for patients with complex medical needs
- Proficient in medication administration and management, with a strong understanding of drug interactions and adverse reactions
- Skilled in wound care and dressing changes, with experience treating acute and chronic wounds using advanced wound care techniques
- Excellent communication skills, with a proven ability to effectively communicate with patients, families, and healthcare teams
- Proficient in electronic medical records (EMR) and charting, with experience using a variety of EMR systems in a hospital setting.
By highlighting your specific nursing skills and competencies in your resume, you can showcase your qualifications and increase your chances of getting noticed by potential employers.
Education Section for a Nurse Resume
The education section of a nurse resume should provide information about your academic background and any relevant training or certifications that you have completed. This section is important because it gives potential employers an idea of your level of education and qualifications for the nursing position.
Here’s an example of how to format the education section of a nurse resume:
Education:
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), XYZ University, Graduation Date
- Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN), ABC College, Graduation Date
- Registered Nurse (RN) License, State Board of Nursing, Date of Licensure
- Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification, American Heart Association, Expiration Date
- Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) Certification, American Heart Association, Expiration Date
In this example, the nurse has listed their education in reverse chronological order, starting with their highest degree earned. They have also included their RN license and relevant certifications, such as BLS and ACLS.
It’s important to include the name of the institution, degree earned, date of graduation or licensure, and any relevant certifications or licenses that you hold. If you have completed any additional training or certifications related to your nursing specialty, you should also include that information in this section.
Overall, the education section of a nurse resume is an essential component that helps potential employers evaluate your qualifications and assess your fit for the nursing position.
Work Experience Section for a Nurse Resume
The work experience section of a nurse resume is where you list your previous nursing positions, including the name of the employer, job title, employment dates, and a summary of your duties and responsibilities. This section is important because it provides potential employers with a clear understanding of your nursing experience and expertise.
Here’s an example of how to format the work experience section of a nurse resume:
Work Experience:
Registered Nurse, ABC Hospital, Employment Dates
- Provide direct patient care to medical-surgical patients, including medication administration, wound care, and patient education
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary healthcare team to develop and implement comprehensive care plans for patients
- Accurately document patient care in electronic medical record (EMR) system
Travel Nurse, XYZ Agency, Employment Dates
- Worked in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities
- Provided high-quality patient care, including medication administration, IV therapy, and wound care
- Adapted quickly to new environments and worked effectively with healthcare teams to ensure positive patient outcomes
In this example, the nurse has listed their work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with their most recent job. They have also provided a brief summary of their duties and responsibilities, as well as any notable accomplishments or achievements.
When listing your work experience, it’s important to highlight your nursing skills and expertise, as well as any specific patient populations or healthcare settings that you have experience working with. Be sure to use action verbs and quantifiable metrics whenever possible to demonstrate the impact of your work.
Overall, the work experience section of a nurse resume is a crucial component that showcases your nursing experience and qualifications to potential employers.
Nurse Resume Example for Entry-Level
Here’s an example of a nurse resume for an entry-level position:
[Full Name]
[Address]
[Phone Number]
[Email]
Objective:
To obtain an entry-level registered nurse position in a hospital setting where I can provide high-quality patient care and gain valuable nursing experience.
Education:
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), XYZ University, Graduation Date
- Registered Nurse (RN) License, State Board of Nursing, Date of Licensure
- Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification, American Heart Association, Expiration Date
Clinical Rotations:
- Medical-Surgical Nursing, ABC Hospital, Dates
- Pediatrics, DEF Clinic, Dates
- Obstetrics/Gynecology, GHI Medical Center, Dates
- Psychiatric/Mental Health, JKL Healthcare, Dates
Skills:
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively communicate with patients, families, and healthcare teams
- Proficient in medication administration and management, with a strong understanding of drug interactions and adverse reactions
- Skilled in patient assessment and care planning, including developing individualized care plans for patients with complex medical needs
- Familiarity with electronic medical records (EMR) and charting, with experience using a variety of EMR systems in a clinical setting
- Basic knowledge of wound care and dressing changes
entry-level nursing position
In this example, the nurse has listed their relevant education, clinical rotations, skills, and objective statement at the top of their resume. They have also included their RN license and BLS certification, which are essential for working as a registered nurse.
Since this is an entry-level nurse resume, the work experience section is blank. However, the nurse has included their clinical rotations to showcase their practical experience and familiarity with various nursing specialties.
Overall, this entry-level nurse resume highlights the nurse’s education, clinical experience, and relevant skills, making them a strong candidate for an entry-level nursing position in a hospital or clinical setting.
Nurse Resume Example for Experienced Professional
Here’s an example of a nurse resume for an experienced professional:
[Full Name]
[Address]
[Phone Number]
[Email]
Summary:
Experienced and compassionate registered nurse with [number] years of experience providing high-quality patient care in diverse healthcare settings. Skilled in patient assessment, care planning, and medication management. Proven track record of achieving positive patient outcomes and effectively collaborating with interdisciplinary healthcare teams.
Education:
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), XYZ University, Graduation Date
- Registered Nurse (RN) License, State Board of Nursing, Date of Licensure
- Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) Certification, American Heart Association, Expiration Date
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) Certification, American Heart Association, Expiration Date
Skills:
- Strong clinical skills in patient assessment, medication administration, and care planning, with a focus on providing evidence-based nursing care
- Proficient in using electronic medical records (EMR) and other healthcare technology to document patient care and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams
- Skilled in communicating with patients and families in a compassionate and empathetic manner, with a focus on patient education and empowerment
- Strong leadership skills, with experience leading and delegating tasks to nursing assistants and other healthcare team members
- Experience working with diverse patient populations, including pediatrics, geriatrics, and patients with chronic medical conditions
Work Experience:
Registered Nurse, ABC Hospital, Employment Dates
- Provide direct patient care to medical-surgical patients, including medication administration, wound care, and patient education
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary healthcare team to develop and implement comprehensive care plans for patients
- Serve as a charge nurse, delegating tasks to nursing assistants and other healthcare team members and ensuring high-quality patient care
Travel Nurse, XYZ Agency, Employment Dates
- Worked in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities
- Provided high-quality patient care, including medication administration, IV therapy, and wound care
- Adapted quickly to new environments and worked effectively with healthcare teams to ensure positive patient outcomes
In this example, the nurse has included a summary at the top of their resume that highlights their years of experience and key nursing skills. They have also included their education and certifications, including ACLS and PALS, which demonstrate their expertise in providing advanced cardiac and pediatric care.
The work experience section is listed in reverse chronological order, starting with their most recent job. The nurse has provided a brief summary of their duties and responsibilities, highlighting their leadership and collaboration skills, as well as their ability to provide high-quality patient care.
Overall, this nurse resume example for an experienced professional showcases the nurse’s extensive experience and expertise in providing high-quality patient care in diverse healthcare settings.
Tips for Crafting a Stand-Out Nurse Resume Example
Here are some additional tips for crafting a stand-out nurse resume:
- Tailor your resume to the job you’re applying for. Review the job description and requirements carefully and make sure your resume highlights the skills and experiences that match the job.
- Use strong action verbs to describe your accomplishments and responsibilities. Examples include “administered,” “coordinated,” “collaborated,” and “managed.”
- Quantify your achievements whenever possible. Use numbers and statistics to demonstrate the impact you’ve had in your previous roles. For example, instead of saying “improved patient outcomes,” say “improved patient outcomes by 25%.”
- Highlight your continuing education and professional development. Include any additional certifications or training you’ve received, such as certifications in specialized nursing fields or continuing education courses.
- Use a clean and professional design. Choose a simple, easy-to-read font and make sure your resume is well-organized and visually appealing.
- Proofread and edit carefully. Spelling and grammar errors can undermine your credibility, so take the time to review your resume for mistakes.
- Include a cover letter. A well-written cover letter can help you stand out and provide additional context for your qualifications and experience.
By following these tips and carefully crafting your nurse resume, you can increase your chances of standing out to potential employers and landing your dream job in the nursing field.
Buzzwords to Use in Nurse Resume
Here are some buzzwords that you can consider using in your nurse resume example:
Category | Buzzwords |
Clinical | Patient assessment, Care planning, Medication administration, |
Infection control, Wound care, Chronic disease management, | |
Acute care, Emergency care, Critical care, Cardiac care | |
Interpersonal | Communication, Collaboration, Patient education, Empathy, |
Interdisciplinary teamwork, Cultural competency, | |
Patient-centered care, Compassion, Advocacy | |
Technical | Electronic medical records (EMR), Healthcare technology, |
IV therapy, Medical equipment, Diagnostic testing, | |
Telehealth, Patient monitoring, Quality improvement | |
Leadership | Management, Delegation, Team building, Staff development, |
Performance evaluation, Conflict resolution, | |
Decision-making, Budget management, Change management | |
Educational | Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Continuing education, |
Advanced practice certifications (e.g. ACLS, PALS), | |
Professional development, Research and evidence-based practice |
Remember to use these buzzwords in context and make sure they accurately reflect your skills and experience as a nurse.
Key Takeaways
Crafting a strong nurse resume is essential to landing your dream job in the nursing field. Your resume should include a clear summary of your qualifications, relevant skills, and work experience, as well as your education and any additional certifications or training.
Use strong action verbs and quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate the impact you’ve had in previous roles. Tailor your resume to the job you’re applying for and use buzzwords that accurately reflect your skills and experience. Finally, proofread and edit carefully to ensure your resume is error-free and well-presented.
By following these tips, you can create a stand-out nurse resume example that will help you stand out to potential employers and showcase your expertise as a skilled and compassionate healthcare professional.