Nursing Resume: Job Description, Sample & Guide

Writing a nursing resume is often the first step to obtaining a job as a nurse. In this article, you'll find an example of a nurse resume that you can use as a template for creating your own resume. We'll also provide tips for writing a strong nursing resume, so you can maximize your chances of getting an interview. Finally, we'll discuss the most important qualifications for a nursing job, so you can make sure your resume is tailored to the position you're applying for.

We will cover:

How to write a resume, no matter your industry or job title.
What to put on a resume to stand out.
The top skills employers from every industry want to see.
How to build a resume fast with our professional Resume Builder.
What a resume template is, and why you should use it.

Plus, we will provide expert resume writing tips and professional examples to inspire you.

What does a Nursing do?

Nurses provide care for individuals, families, and communities so they can attain, maintain, or recover optimal health and quality of life. They work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, extended care facilities, and private residences. Nurses provide direct patient care, including administering medications and treatments, monitoring vital signs, providing emotional support, and educating patients and their families about health and wellness. They also collaborate with other healthcare professionals to ensure that patients receive the best care possible.

We’re about to begin, but first, here are some other Nursing related resume examples:

What are some responsibilities of a Nursing?

Assessing and monitoring patient's health and wellbeing
Carrying out treatment plans
Developing care plans
Providing advice and emotional support
Organizing workloads
Promoting health education
Managing acute and chronic illnesses
Administering medication and injections
Performing diagnostic tests
Providing post-operative care

Sample Nursing Resume for Inspiration

Name: Jane Doe

Address: 123 Main Street, Anytown, USA

Phone: (123) 456-7890

Email: jane.doe@example.com

Dedicated and reliable Nurse with 5 years of experience providing compassionate patient-centered care. Experienced in working in inpatient and outpatient settings. Familiar with a range of medical conditions and treatments. Currently seeking an opportunity to contribute to a health care team in a challenging environment.

Work Experience:

Registered Nurse, Anytown General Hospital, Anytown, USA (2015-2020)

Provided direct care to diverse patient populations, ranging from neonatal to geriatric.
Performed patient assessment and developed tailored plans of care.
Educated and counseled patients and families on health maintenance.
Evaluated patient progress and modified care plans accordingly.

Education:

Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Anytown University, Anytown, USA (2012-2015)

Skills:

Patient Assessment
Treatment Planning
Patient Education
Documentation
Medication Administration

Certifications:

Registered Nurse (RN), State of Anytown, USA (2015-Present)
Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), American Heart Association (2019-Present)

Languages:
English (Native)

Resume tips for Nursing

Creating a perfect, career-launching resume is no easy task. Following general writing rules can help, but it is also smart to get advice tailored to your specific job search. When you’re new to the employment world, you need Nursing resume tips.
We collected the best tips from seasoned Nursing - Check out their advice to not only make your writing process easier but also increase your chances of creating a resume that piques the interest of prospective employers.

Highlight your strengths - Showcase any special skills, training, or certifications that make you stand out as a nurse.
Include an objective statement - This succinctly states your nursing goals and why you are the best fit for the job.
List relevant experience - Include any experience related to nursing, such as volunteer work or internships.
Describe your skills - List any special skills or proficiencies you have as a nurse, such as knowledge of certain medical software.
Proofread and proofread again - Check for spelling and grammar errors, as well as ensuring that all information is accurate.

Nursing Resume Summary Examples

A nursing resume summary or resume objective is a great way to quickly summarize your qualifications and career goals to potential employers. It can help them quickly assess if you have the necessary qualifications and experience to meet their needs. A well-crafted summary or objective can also give employers an insight into your personality and your commitment to the profession. It is a great way to set yourself apart from other applicants and land the job you want.

For Example:

Experienced and compassionate Registered Nurse with 8 years of experience in critical care and medical-surgical nursing.
Energetic Nurse with 3 years of experience in pediatric nursing and a passion for patient care.
Caring and dedicated Nurse with 5 years experience in hospice and home health nursing.
Certified Nurse with 7 years of experience in intensive care and emergency room nursing.
Motivated Nurse with 6 years of experience in psychiatric nursing and a commitment to providing excellent patient care.

Build a Strong Experience Section for Your Nursing Resume

Having a strong experience section on your nursing resume is essential for demonstrating your qualifications and capabilities to potential employers. It gives employers a better understanding of your qualifications and skills, and allows you to showcase your experience in the nursing field. It can also help to highlight your accomplishments and any awards or certifications you may have earned. Ultimately, having a strong experience section on your nursing resume will help you to stand out from the competition and increase your chances of securing the job.

For Example:

Provided nursing care to a wide variety of patients in a large urban hospital.
Served as a charge nurse on the medical-surgical unit, managing a team of 12 nurses.
Assisted with the development of protocols for the assessment and care of patients.
Delivered comprehensive patient care, including physical assessments, wound care, patient education, and medication administration.
Assessed patient conditions, identified nursing care needs, and developed individualized patient care plans.
Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop and implement plans of care for diverse patient populations.
Performed regular rounds on patients to ensure their safety and comfort.
Served as preceptor to new nursing staff, providing guidance and ongoing training.
Maintained accurate patient records and documentation in the electronic health record.
Participated in quality improvement initiatives to improve patient care outcomes.

Nursing resume education example

Nursing education generally consists of a combination of classroom instruction, clinical rotations, and hands-on practice. To become a registered nurse, you must complete at least an associate's degree in nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Depending on the state you work in, you may also need to pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) before you can practice nursing.

Here is an example of an experience listing suitable for a Nursing resume:

Bachelor of Science in Nursing, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 2017-2021
Associate Degree in Nursing, Lansing Community College, Lansing, MI, 2015-2017
Certified Nursing Assistant, Lansing Community College, Lansing, MI, 2014-2015
Certificate in Gerontology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 2017-2018

Nursing Skills for a Resume

Adding skills to a nursing resume is important because it allows recruiters and employers to quickly identify the applicant's qualifications and how they may fit into an organization. Skills that are needed for nursing jobs may include communication, problem-solving, critical thinking, patient assessment, and medical technology proficiency. Including these skills on a resume can help applicants stand out from the competition and demonstrate their qualifications.

Soft Skills:

Patient Care
Communication
Teamwork
Organizational
Leadership
Empathy
Adaptability
Critical Thinking
Time Management
Stress Management

Hard Skills:

Patient Care
Medication Administration
Clinical Documentation
Infection Control
Vital Signs
Wound Care
IV Therapy
Phlebotomy
Diagnostic Testing
Emergency Response

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Writing a Nursing Resume

In this competitive job market, employers receive an average of 180 applications for each open position. To process these resumes, companies often rely on automated applicant tracking systems, which can sift through resumes and eliminate the least qualified applicants. If your resume is among the few that make it past these bots, it must still impress the recruiter or hiring manager. With so many applications coming in, recruiters typically give each resume only 5 seconds of their attention before deciding whether to discard it. Considering this, it's best to avoid including any distracting information on your application that could cause it to be thrown away. To help make sure your resume stands out, review the list below of what you should not include on your job application.

Not including a cover letter. A cover letter is a great way to explain why you are the best candidate for the job and why you want the position.
Using too much jargon. Hiring managers do not want to read a resume full of technical terms that they do not understand.
Omitting important details. Make sure to include your contact information, educational background, job history, and any relevant skills and experiences.
Using a generic template. Take the time to customize your resume to the job you are applying for. This will show the employer that you are serious about the position.
Spelling and grammar errors. Always double-check your resume for typos, spelling mistakes, and grammar errors.
Focusing too much on duties. Make sure to include accomplishments and successes to show the employer that you are a great candidate.
Including personal information. Avoid including any personal information such as age, marital status, or religious beliefs.

Key takeaways for a Nursing resume

Include your full name, contact information, and educational credentials
List professional licenses, certifications, and awards
Highlight professional experience, including skills and accomplishments
Describe relevant volunteer experience
Include any additional skills, such as knowledge of medical terminology
Include any relevant professional memberships
Mention any language skills
List any computer programs and other technology that you are familiar with

It's time to begin the job search. Make sure you put your best foot forward and land your next postal service job with the help of Resumaker.ai.