We've talked to many organizations that hire nurses and put together a strong resume example that you can use to get a head start.
Let's cover the most important sections of a Nurse resume.
A Nursing resume needs to emphasize protocol, sanitation, and patient care. The resume should include specific examples of experiences working in an Emergency Room, Labor and Delivery Unit, Intensive Care Unit, or a Telemetry Unit. Employers usually scan for the type facilities candidates have worked in to check for relevant experience. Experiences should highlight outcomes by quantifying patient flow. Skills should include medical specialty skills, administrative skills, and computer skills. It's important to emphasize skills based on specific job criteria. Education and Certifications must be included on a nursing resume.
The resume summary or objective is the section that draws the most attention on your resume. It's where you need to prove in the fewest words possible that you're qualified to do the job, and you're up for the new challenge. It's important to tailor your resume summary to the job. Here's an example:
Licensed Registered Nurse with 3+ years of clinical experience seeking to improve patient care at a critical care unit using demonstrated skills in administration, compliance, and quality improvement.
Read our guide on how to write the perfect resume summary to learn how to nail this section.
Here are some ideas on writing about your experiences and responsibilities as a Nurse on your resume depending on the level of experience you have.
Tip: Create a Strong Work Experience Section - It's important to include action verbs and quantify results. Use this list of over 350 resume action verbs as a guide to craft the most effective bullet points.
Tip: List Licenses & Certifications Correctly - Make sure to list any licenses or certifications on your resume in the right section for the best chance to win the interview.
This section is a great place to call out accomplishments and achievements in Organizations on a Nurse resume as shown in the examples below.
This resume section is a good opportunity to highlight specific skills relevant for a Nurse job. Be sure to review the job requirements and adjust your skills accordingly. Take a look at the example Nurse below.