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Circulating Nurse Resume Examples & Templates

Looking to stand out as a circulating nurse? Our circulating nurse resume examples showcase essential skills like surgical support and patient advocacy that will catch employers' attention and help you succeed.

Gabriela Hernandez
by Gabriela Hernandez CPRW, Career Advice Writer
Last Updated: December 9, 2025

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Chris Lee

Brookfield, WI 53010
(555)555-5555
Chris.Lee@example.com

Professional Summary

Experienced Circulating Nurse with a focus on patient safety, surgical efficiency, and team leadership. Proven success in optimizing operations and improving clinical outcomes.

Work History

Circulating Nurse
Harmony Health Center - Brookfield, WI
June 2022 - December 2025

  • Monitored patient status with 98% accuracy.
  • Coordinated with 40+ team members daily.
  • Enhanced patient safety measures by 35%.

Operating Room Nurse
Greenfield Hospital - Brookfield, WI
March 2018 - May 2022

  • Assisted in 300+ surgical procedures.
  • Reduced supply costs by 20% efficiently.
  • Led team training, increasing skills by 25%.

Surgical Services Nurse
Meadowbrook Clinic - Milwaukee, WI
January 2017 - February 2018

  • Improved post-op recovery by 40%.
  • Maintained medical records at 100% accuracy.
  • Streamlined OR scheduling by 15% time.

Languages

  • Spanish - Beginner (A1)
  • Chinese - Intermediate (B1)
  • French - Beginner (A1)

Skills

  • Patient Monitoring
  • Surgical Assistance
  • Team Collaboration
  • Supply Chain Management
  • Patient Safety Protocols
  • Training Facilitation
  • Recovery Process Optimization
  • Scheduling Efficiency

Certifications

  • Certified Perioperative Nurse - Nursing Certification Board
  • Advanced Cardiac Life Support - American Heart Association

Education

Master's in Nursing Advanced Practice Nursing
University of Washington Seattle, WA
June 2015

Bachelor's in Nursing Registered Nursing
Washington State University Pullman, WA
June 2013

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How to Write a Circulating Nurse Resume Summary

Your resume summary is the first thing employers will notice, making it important for creating a strong impression. This section is your opportunity to highlight your unique skills and experiences as a circulating nurse, showcasing your ability to support surgical teams and ensure patient safety.

In this role, you should emphasize your organizational skills, attention to detail, and collaborative approach in the operating room. These qualities are essential for managing instruments and maintaining a sterile environment during procedures.

To illustrate what makes an effective resume summary, we’ll look at some examples that highlight successful strategies:

Weak resume summary

I am an experienced circulating nurse seeking a position where I can use my nursing skills and make a positive impact. I desire a supportive team environment that values collaboration and professional development. I believe my background in surgical settings would be beneficial to any healthcare organization.

Why this summary misses the mark:
  • Lacks specific examples of skills or accomplishments relevant to circulating nursing
  • Overly focused on personal desires rather than showcasing what the applicant brings to the employer
  • Uses generic phrases that do not effectively highlight unique qualifications or experiences

Strong resume summary

Compassionate circulating nurse with over 7 years of experience in surgical environments, adept at coordinating patient care and ensuring adherence to safety protocols. Achieved a 20% reduction in surgery delays by implementing efficient pre-operative procedures and improving communication among surgical teams. Proficient in using advanced monitoring technologies and electronic health records to optimize patient outcomes.

Why this summary works:
  • Begins with specific years of experience and key nursing role
  • Highlights measurable achievements that reflect significant contributions to operational efficiency
  • Demonstrates relevant technical skills essential for the position, showcasing a well-rounded job seeker profile
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PRO TIP

If you're new to the field and lack formal experience, consider using a career objective on your resume. This approach allows you to highlight your goals and enthusiasm. You can find tailored resume objective examples that fit the nursing profession to guide you.

Showcasing Your Work Experience

The work experience section is important for your resume as a circulating nurse, as it contains the bulk of your content. Good resume templates always prioritize this section to effectively showcase your skills and experiences.

This area should be organized in reverse-chronological order, listing your previous positions. Use bullet points to highlight key achievements and responsibilities that demonstrate your expertise in the operating room.

To guide you further, we’ve compiled a couple of examples illustrating what makes a strong work history for circulating nurses. These resume templates will clarify what works well and what should be avoided:

Weak work experience

Circulating Nurse

City Medical Center – Los Angeles, CA

  • Assisted with surgeries.
  • Monitored patients during procedures.
  • Collaborated with surgical teams.
  • Managed supplies and equipment.
Why this work experience section misses the mark:
  • Lacks specifics about the role and contributions
  • Bullet points are generic and do not highlight achievements
  • Fails to mention any measurable outcomes or skills used
Strong work experience

Circulating Nurse

St. Mary’s Medical Center – West Palm Beach, FL

June 2020 - Current

  • Coordinate and manage surgical procedures for diverse patient populations, ensuring compliance with safety protocols.
  • Facilitate communication between surgical teams and patients' families, improving the patient experience and satisfaction scores by 30%.
  • Implement efficient inventory management practices in the operating room, reducing supply costs by 15% while maintaining quality care.
Why this work experience section works:
  • Starts each bullet with dynamic action verbs that clearly outline contributions
  • Incorporates quantitative metrics to showcase tangible results from the nurse's efforts
  • Highlights key skills relevant to the role of a circulating nurse within the context of specific accomplishments

While your resume summary and work experience are important components, don't overlook the importance of other sections that can improve your application. For a detailed approach on crafting an effective resume, be sure to explore our comprehensive guide on how to write a resume.

Top Skills to Include on Your Resume

A well-defined skills section is important for a resume as it allows you to quickly showcase your qualifications to potential employers. This technical skills section serves as a snapshot of your abilities, helping hiring managers see at a glance that you are a strong job seeker.

Strengthen your resume by including a balanced mix of hard and soft skills.

Hard skills include technical expertise in surgical procedures, patient monitoring, and knowledge of anesthesia protocols to ensure optimal patient safety during operations.

Soft skills, such as strong communication, teamwork, and adaptability, are essential for fostering a collaborative environment and delivering high-quality care in the operating room.

When selecting skills for your resume, it's important to align them with what employers expect in a job seeker. Many organizations use automated systems to filter out those who lack the essential resume skills required for the position.

To improve your chances of getting noticed, carefully review job postings to identify which resume skills are emphasized. Tailoring your resume based on these insights will help you stand out to both recruiters and ATS systems alike.

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PRO TIP

Improve your chances of landing an interview by using our ATS Resume Checker. This tool identifies over 30 common mistakes, helping ensure your resume is optimized to navigate through applicant tracking systems with ease.

10 skills that appear on successful circulating nurse resumes

Elevate your resume by highlighting essential skills that are highly sought after in circulating nurse positions. Our resume examples highlight these skills, giving you the confidence to apply effectively and stand out to potential employers.

By the way, consider incorporating relevant skills from your experience into your resume as they can significantly improve your application:

  • 1

    Attention to detail

  • 2

    Teamwork

  • 3

    Critical thinking

  • 4

    Patient advocacy

  • 5

    Time management

  • 6

    Knowledge of surgical procedures

  • 7

    Infection control practices

  • 8

    Adaptability

  • 9

    Effective communication

  • 10

    Problem-solving

Based on analysis of 5,000+ nursing professional resumes from 2023-2024

Resume Format Examples

Selecting the appropriate resume format is important for showcasing your nursing skills and experiences, ensuring that your qualifications align perfectly with the demands of a circulating nurse role.

Entry-Level 0 - 2 years

Functional

Focuses on skills rather than previous jobs

Functional

Best for:

Best for recent graduates and career changers with up to two years of experience.

Mid-Career 3 - 7 years

Combination

Balances skills and work history equally

Combination

Best for:

Mid-career professionals focused on demonstrating their skills and potential for growth.

Experienced 8+ years

Chronological

Emphasizes work history in reverse order

Chronological

Best for:

Experienced nurses excelling in surgical environments and team leadership.

Frequently Asked Questions

Absolutely. Including a cover letter is a great way to showcase your personality and explain how your skills align with the job. It sets you apart from other job seekers by adding context to your resume. If you're looking for help, explore our comprehensive guide on how to write a cover letter or use our Cover Letter Generator for quick assistance.

As a circulating nurse, you may need to use a CV instead of a resume when applying for positions abroad. A CV details your entire career history and qualifications in depth. Explore our resources on how to write a CV and find valuable CV examples, along with formatting tips tailored for international applications.

Soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving are essential for a circulating nurse. These interpersonal skills help build collaboration with the surgical team and promote clear communication with patients, ultimately improving safety and care during procedures.

Highlight your transferable skills, such as communication, teamwork, and critical thinking, developed in previous roles. These abilities demonstrate your potential to thrive in a nursing environment, even with minimal clinical experience. Provide concrete examples that connect your past accomplishments to the essential duties of a circulating nurse, showcasing your preparedness for this position.

Yes, using a cover letter template tailored for circulating nurses is advisable as it provides a clear structure and organizes essential details effectively. This approach allows you to emphasize critical skills such as patient advocacy and surgical assistance, showcasing relevant accomplishments that resonate with hiring managers.

If you're seeking a circulating nurse position with limited work experience, you can find tips on how to create a resume with no experience. Highlight your clinical placements, relevant certifications, and any volunteer activities in healthcare. Emphasize soft skills like teamwork and adaptability that are essential in the operating room. Remember, your passion for patient care can resonate with employers just as much as formal experience.

About the Author

Gabriela Hernandez large profile photo

Gabriela Hernandez CPRW, Career Advice Writer

Gabriela is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and member of the Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches. She focuses on helping job seekers improve their professional resumes to highlight their unique skills and experience. Gabriela holds a B.A. in journalism from the University of Puerto Rico and offers more than four years of specialized experience helping candidates navigate the complexities of today’s online job market, with a strong focus on resume optimization and effective self-presentation.

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