Technical abilities, such as patient assessment, wound care, and medication administration, are examples of hard skills that nurses must master to provide safe and effective care.
Nursing Resume Examples & Templates
Looking to showcase your skills? Our nursing resume examples help you emphasize compassionate patient care, teamwork, and clinical expertise to catch the eye of potential employers.
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Popular Nursing & Related Resume Examples
Check out our top nursing resume examples that emphasize skills such as patient advocacy, critical thinking, and effective communication. These samples illustrate how to highlight your qualifications and stand out in a competitive job market.
Ready to build an impressive resume? Our Resume Builder offers user-friendly templates designed specifically for nursing professionals to help you shine.
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Clinical nurse specialist resume
What this resume does well:
The resume's clean layout and use of resume fonts improve readability and help key achievements stand out. These design elements show the applicant's attention to detail, leaving a positive impression on potential employers by presenting their qualifications in an organized way.
Nurse practitioner resume
What this resume does well:
This resume effectively balances key skills like patient care management and critical thinking with substantial work experience. By showcasing these abilities alongside a history of powerful roles, employers can easily gauge the job seeker's qualifications and their practical application in healthcare settings.
Registered nurse resume
What this resume does well:
This resume skillfully uses bullet points to present key achievements and responsibilities, allowing hiring managers to quickly grasp the applicant's extensive experience. The clear headings and organized sections create a visually appealing layout that highlights critical qualifications without cluttering the page, making it easy to navigate.
Resume Template—Easy to Copy & Paste
Min Nguyen
Seattle, WA 98103
(555)555-5555
Min.Nguyen@example.com
Professional Summary
Dedicated nurse with 8 years of experience, skilled in patient care, clinical assessments, and team leadership, seeking to improve patient outcomes.
Work History
Nursing
Harmony Health Center - Seattle, WA
June 2021 - December 2025
- Managed patient care for 20+ individuals daily
- Reduced patient wait time by 25% through streamlined processes
- Led a team of 5 nurses in daily operations
Registered Nurse
Riverside Medical Group - Silverlake, WA
June 2017 - May 2021
- Developed patient care plans reducing re-admissions by 15%
- Assisted in training 10 new nurses effectively
- Administered medication to 30 patients with zero errors
Caregiver
CareWell Home Services - Silverlake, WA
June 2015 - May 2017
- Provided in-home care for elderly clients safely
- Improved client satisfaction scores by 30%
- Monitored vital signs for 10 patients daily
Skills
- Patient Care
- Clinical Assessments
- Medication Administration
- Team Leadership
- Patient Education
- Emergency Response
- Therapeutic Communication
- Quality Improvement
Certifications
- Certified Advanced Practice Nurse - American Nurses Association
- Basic Life Support (BLS) - American Heart Association
Education
Master of Science Nursing
Northwestern University Evanston, Illinois
May 2015
Bachelor of Science Nursing
University of Illinois Champaign, Illinois
May 2013
Languages
- Spanish - Beginner (A1)
- French - Intermediate (B1)
- Italian - Beginner (A1)
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How to Write a Nursing Resume Summary
Your resume summary is important because it's the first thing employers will see, setting the tone for the rest of your application. As a nurse, this section should highlight your compassion, clinical skills, and any specialized training you possess.
To grasp what makes an effective nursing resume summary, compare these examples. They demonstrate what captures attention and what might fall short:
Weak resume summary
As a dedicated nurse with years of experience, I am seeking a position that allows me to use my skills while helping others. I value teamwork and hope to work in an environment that promotes a positive atmosphere. My goal is to contribute positively to the healthcare team and develop professionally.
Why this summary misses the mark:
- Lacks specific details about nursing skills or experiences, making it sound generic
- Emphasizes personal desires rather than concrete contributions the applicant can make
- Uses vague phrases like 'dedicated nurse' without demonstrating what sets them apart from other job seekers
Strong resume summary
Compassionate registered nurse with 7 years of experience in critical care environments, focusing on cardiac and respiratory patients. Successfully improved patient recovery times by 20% through the implementation of evidence-based care protocols. Proficient in patient assessment, medication administration, and using advanced monitoring technologies to improve patient safety.
Why this summary works:
- Begins with clear articulation of experience duration and clinical focus
- Highlights a specific achievement that quantifies improvement in patient outcomes
- Showcases relevant technical skills and competencies that align with nursing roles
PRO TIP
If you're new to the nursing field and feel short on experience, consider using a career objective in your resume. This can effectively showcase your passion and goals. You can find numerous tailored resume objective examples to inspire you.
Showcasing Your Work Experience
The work experience section is the focal point of your resume in nursing, where you'll provide the bulk of your content. Good resume templates always emphasize this important section.
This part should be arranged in reverse-chronological order, detailing your previous roles. Use bullet points to effectively highlight your key achievements and contributions in each nursing position.
To further illustrate this, we will share a couple of examples that showcase effective work history entries for nurses. These examples will help you understand what works well and what doesn’t:
Weak work experience
Registered Nurse
Baptist Health Baptist Hospital – Miami, FL
- Cared for patients daily
- Maintained patient records
- Collaborated with medical staff
- Administered medications as required
Why this work experience section misses the mark:
- Lacks specific employment dates to provide context
- Bullet points are too general and do not highlight unique skills or achievements
- Emphasizes routine tasks rather than compelling contributions or measurable outcomes
Strong work experience
Registered Nurse
Cleveland Clinic – Cleveland, OH
March 2020 - Present
- Deliver comprehensive care to surgical patients in a fast-paced environment, ensuring timely recovery and minimal complications
- Achieved a 30% reduction in post-operative infection rates through rigorous adherence to hygiene protocols
- Mentor nursing students during clinical rotations, improving their practical skills and confidence in patient interactions
Why this work experience section works:
- Uses compelling action verbs to highlight the nurse’s contributions clearly
- Incorporates specific metrics that demonstrate improved patient outcomes
- Showcases relevant skills like mentorship and infection control that are important for nursing roles
While your resume summary and work experience are important, don't overlook the significance of other sections. Each part plays a role in showcasing your qualifications. For more detailed guidance on crafting your resume, be sure to consult how to write a resume for our complete guide.
Top Skills to Include on Your Resume
A skills section is important for a compelling nursing resume. It allows you to quickly convey your qualifications and expertise, making it easier for employers to see your fit for the role.
In nursing, emphasize both technical skills and interpersonal abilities. Highlight proficiency with electronic health record (EHR) systems, medication administration tools, and patient management software, while also showcasing communication skills essential for delivering effective and compassionate patient care.
Interpersonal traits like empathy, active listening, and teamwork are essential soft skills that foster strong patient relationships and improve collaboration within healthcare teams.
When selecting resume skills, it's important to align them with what employers expect from job seekers. Many organizations use automated systems to filter out applicants who lack essential qualifications.
To ensure your resume stands out, carefully examine job postings for insights on which skills are in demand. Highlighting the most relevant abilities for both recruiters and ATS systems will increase your chances of success.
PRO TIP
Ensure your resume stands out to hiring managers by using our ATS Resume Checker, which identifies over 30 common errors that could prevent your application from getting noticed.
10 skills that appear on successful nursing resumes
Highlighting essential skills on your resume is key to attracting the attention of hiring managers in nursing. You can observe these sought-after skills in our resume examples, empowering you to apply for positions with confidence and professionalism.
Here are 10 critical skills you might want to include in your resume if they align with your qualifications and job expectations:
Patient assessment
Team collaboration
Time management
Compassionate care
Crisis intervention
Medication administration
Health education
Documentation accuracy
Infection control practices
Patient advocacy
Based on analysis of 5,000+ nursing professional resumes from 2023-2024
Resume Format Examples
Choosing the right resume format is important for nurses because it highlights key clinical competencies and career advancements effectively, creating a strong impression on potential employers.
Entry-Level 0 - 2 years
Functional
Focuses on skills rather than previous jobs
Best for:
Recent graduates and career changers with limited experience in nursing
Mid-Career 3 - 7 years
Combination
Balances skills and work history equally
Best for:
Mid-career professionals focused on demonstrating their skills and growth potential
Experienced 8+ years
Chronological
Emphasizes work history in reverse order
Best for:
Experienced leaders in specialized nursing practices and patient care management
Nursing Salaries in the Highest-Paid States
Our nursing salary data is based on figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the authoritative source for employment trends and wage information nationwide.
Whether you're entering the workforce or considering a move to a new city or state, this data can help you gauge what fair compensation looks like for nursings in your desired area.
$0$55K$110K
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I include a cover letter with my nursing resume?
Absolutely, including a cover letter can significantly improve your application. It allows you to highlight your unique skills and explain why you're excited about the position. If you're not sure how to write a cover letter, consider checking out our detailed resources or using our Cover Letter Generator for a quick start.
Can I use a resume if I’m applying internationally, or do I need a CV?
When applying for jobs outside the U.S., it's often necessary to use a CV instead of a resume. A CV provides a comprehensive overview of your academic and professional history. To assist you, we offer resources on how to write a CV that guide you through formatting and creation tailored to international standards. Additionally, you can explore various CV examples to see different styles and approaches.
What soft skills are important for nursings?
Soft skills such as empathy, communication, and teamwork are essential in nursing. These interpersonal skills build trust with patients and encourage collaboration among colleagues, which ultimately leads to improved care and a more positive healthcare environment.
I’m transitioning from another field. How should I highlight my experience?
Highlight transferable skills like communication, empathy, and teamwork from your previous jobs. These abilities are important in nursing, showcasing your potential to thrive despite limited clinical background. Share examples of how you've successfully applied these skills in past roles to illustrate their relevance to patient care and healthcare settings.
How should I format a cover letter for a nursing job?
To format a cover letter for nursing positions, begin with your contact information and a warm greeting. Follow up with an engaging introduction that highlights your passion for nursing and summarize your qualifications relevant to the job. Tailor your content to align with the specific requirements outlined in the job description, and conclude with a strong call to action.
Should I use a cover letter template?
Yes, using a cover letter template tailored for nursing can significantly improve your application. It provides a clear structure that organizes your qualifications, such as patient care experience and teamwork skills, making it easier for hiring managers to recognize your suitability for the role.
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