Medical Surgical Nurse Resume Examples and Templates for 2023

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Frank Hackett

Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW)

Frank Hackett is a professional resume writer and career consultant with over eight years of experience. As the lead editor at a boutique career consulting firm, Frank developed an innovative approach to resume writing that empowers job seekers to tell their professional stories. His approach involves creating accomplishment-driven documents that balance keyword optimization with personal branding. Frank is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches (PAWRCC).

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Medical surgical nurses provide expert care and medical education to patients in a variety of clinical settings. The average salary for a registered nurse is $75,330, and nursing positions as a whole are expected to grow by 9% over the next decade. Even though the demand for nurses remains high, you’ll find no shortage of competition for the most desirable roles.

Building a resume that features key aspects of your medical and clinical experience will be essential for helping you separate yourself from other job seekers during the hiring process. Below you’ll find downloadable resume examples for both entry-level job seekers and those with experience. You’ll also find helpful tips for tailoring your resume to individual job descriptions.

Downloadable Resume Examples

No Experience
Medical-Surgical-Nurse_No-Exp.pdf

Example #1 No Experience

2-3 years
Medical-Surgical-Nurse_2-3-Years.pdf

Example #2 2-3 Years

5-10 Years
Medical-Surgical-Nurse_5-10-Years.pdf

Example #3 5-10 Years

10+ Years
Medical-Surgical-Nurse_10-Years.pdf

Example #4 10+ Years

Medical Surgical Nurse Resume Examples

Years of Experience
  • No Experience 0
  • 2-3 Years 2-3
  • 5-10 Years 5-10
  • 10+ Years 10+

Harold Rogers
(123) 456-7890
youremail[email protected]
123 Your Street, Seattle, WA 12345

Profile

A recent nursing graduate with entry-level work experience, specializing in orthopedics, pediatric care, relationship building, and patient management. Adept at interfacing with patients to support ADLs and provide quality care based on empathy and cultural awareness.

Professional Experience

Nursing Extern, UW Medical Center, Seattle, WA
April 2020 – June 2021

  • Monitored patient vital signs, collected blood samples, administered medication in accordance with physician treatment plans, and performed patient testing under the supervision of Registered Nurses (RNs)
  • Assisted patients with ADLs, performed physical examinations, and supported Registered Nurses (RNs) with patient intake and discharges
  • Provided support for the transport of patients and ensured a safe environment in compliance with hospital regulations
  • Created medical reports and documentation of patient symptoms

Volunteerism Experience

Volunteer, Seattle County Retirement Home, Seattle, WA
May 2019 – April 2020

  • Assisted Registered Nurses delivering care to elderly and disabled citizens, which included feeding meals, providing support for daily activities, and transporting residents

Education

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Nursing
University of Washington, Seattle, WA September 2017 – June 2021

Relevant Coursework

  • Nursing Theory
  • Pharmacology
  • Nursing Ethics
  • Anatomy
  • Statistics
  • Physiology
  • Community-Based Care
  • Psychology

Key Skills

  • Patient-centered Care
  • Telemetry
  • Wound Care
  • Surgical Care
  • Electronic Health Records (EHR)
  • Patient Management
  • Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
  • Team Leadership

Certifications

  • Registered Nurse (RN), State of Washington, License #12345678, June 2021
  • Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification, June 2021

Alison Wu
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
123 Your Street, San Francisco, CA 12345

Profile

A Medical Surgical Nurse with three years of experience, specializing in wound care, EHR systems, acute care, and multi-disciplinary collaboration. A strong track record of developing relationships and trust with patients to identify optimal treatment plans. Adept at partnering with diverse medical teams to drive ideal clinical outcomes.

Professional Experience

Medical Surgical Nurse, UCSF Medical Hospital, San Francisco, CA
July 2019 – Present

  • Administer care to diverse patient populations in a 40-bed hospital with a 1:3 ratio, which includes evaluating patient data and symptoms to identify appropriate treatment methods
  • Interface with patients to provide support for activities of daily living (ADLs), which includes providing resources and aid throughout treatment
  • Maintain electronic health records (EHR) and updated patient medical files

Nursing Extern, St. Francis Hospital, San Francisco, CA
June 2018 – June 2019

  • Coordinated with Registered Nurses (RNs) to manage cases and deliver care to patients in the OR, which included monitoring vital signs, blood pressure, and EKG readings
  • Developed relationships with patients throughout the treatment process and delivered empathetic care in alignment with physical and emotional needs

Education

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Nursing
University of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, September 2015 – May 2019

Key Skills

  • Patient-centered Care
  • Wound Care
  • Surgical Care
  • Electronic Health Records (EHR)
  • Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
  • HIPAA Regulations
  • Telemetry

Certifications

  • Medical Surgical Nurse – Board Certified (MEDSURG-BC™), Expected 2022
  • Registered Nurse (RN) License, State of California, #12345678, June 2019
  • Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification, June 2018
  • Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) Certification, June 2018

Jennifer Robinson
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
123 Your Street, New York, NY 12345

Profile

A Certified Medical Surgical Nurse with seven years of professional experience, specializing in surgical care, patient education, and treatment plan development. A strong background of collaborating with interdisciplinary healthcare teams to deliver patient-centered care within high-volume acute surgical environments.

Professional Experience

Medical Surgical Nurse, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY
April 2017 – Present

  • Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to analyze patient data, evaluate diagnosis, and implement treatment plans based on symptoms, age, and mental health needs
  • Deliver patient-centered care in a 50-bed hospital with 1:6 patient ratios and educate patients and families on prognosis, treatment plans, and at-home care
  • Administer medication, perform physical examinations of patients, collect blood samples, deliver IVs, and perform EKG testing

Medical Surgical Nurse, New York City and Health Hospital, New York, NY
June 2014 – April 2017

  • Conducted patient assessments, coordinated triage, documented and evaluated patient symptoms, and developed treatment plans with physicians and interdisciplinary medical teams to provide high-quality care in a 35-bed hospital unit
  • Ensured compliance with infection prevention procedures and hospital safety guidelines
  • Administered medication, supported physicians during invasive procedures, non-invasive procedures, and exams, and conducted medical testing

Education

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Nursing
University of Syracuse, Syracuse, NY September 2010 – May 2014

Key Skills

  • Patient-centered Care
  • Acute Surgical Care
  • Orthopedics
  • Pediatric Care
  • Patient Triage
  • Electronic Health Records (EHR)

Certifications

  • Medical Surgical Nurse – Board Certified (MEDSURG-BC™), April 2016
  • Registered Nurse (RN), State of New York, License #12345678, June 2014
  • Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification, June 2014
  • Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) Certification, June 2014

Jamal Morgan
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
123 Your Street, Newtown Square, PA 12345

Profile

A Certified Medical Surgical Nurse with 10 years of professional experience, specializing in patient-centric care, case management, oncology, and hospital operations. A proven track record of leading nursing teams to perform patient assessments and improve clinical outcomes. A strong history of serving as a patient advocate.

Professional Experience

Senior Medical Surgical Nurse Supervisor, Crozer Hospital, Chester, PA
April 2016 – Present

  • Deliver patient-centered nursing care to a diverse group of patients across the acute care surgical unit, which includes managing cases, performing assessments, and delivering care based on age, risk factors, and cultural needs
  • Manage a team of nurses in a 250-bed hospital, provide support, and coordinate patient flow, admissions, and discharges to ensure efficiency and quality of care
  • Coordinate with physicians to provide patient care across Urology, Oncology, Gynecology, and Colorectal surgical lines
  • Maintain, update, and manage patient medical records, ensure compliance with HIPAA standards, and improve organizational processes to enhance workflows

Medical Surgical Nurse, Taylor Hospital, Ridley, PA
June 2014 – April 2016

  • Coordinated with multidisciplinary healthcare teams and physicians to deliver patient-centered care in a 300-bed hospital setting
  • Provided education to patients on surgical risk factors, medication side effects, and treatment plans and performed both preoperative and post-operative care
  • Administered medication, assessed patients, supported physicians during procedures and exams, and conducted various forms of medical testing

Registered Nurse, Glen Riddle Hospital, Lima, PA
June 2011 – June 2014

  • Delivered care to patients across the ER, administered medications, monitored treatment plans and vital signs, and provided IV therapy
  • Maintained and updated electronic health records (EHR) and ensured patient confidentiality in compliance with HIPAA

Education

Master of Science (M.S.) in Nursing
Widener University, Chester, PA June 2012 – June 2014

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Nursing
Widener University, Chester, PA June 2007 – June 2011

Key Skills

  • Patient-centered Care
  • Case Management
  • Surgical Care
  • Oncology
  • HIPAA Regulations
  • Trauma Care
  • Team Leadership

Certifications

  • Oncology Nurse Certification (ONC), June 2016
  • Medical Surgical Nurse – Board Certified (MEDSURG-BC™), April 2016
  • Registered Nurse (RN) State of Pennsylvania, License #12345678, June 2011
  • Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification, May 2011
  • Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) Certification, May 2011

Common Key Skills and Action Verbs for Medical Surgical Nurse Resumes

Nearly all medical organizations and hospitals use some form of Applicant Tracking Software (ATS) to filter out unqualified candidates. In order to get your resume past the ATS and into the hiring manager’s hands, you’ll need to optimize it with the appropriate keywords that the ATS has been programmed to choose. These keywords can consist of both skills and action verbs. Below, you’ll find a list of common skills, action verbs, and medical terminology you may encounter in job postings. Consider including them throughout your medical surgical nurse resume provided they match the job description and are true to your professional experience.

Key Skills and Proficiencies
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) Acute Care
Case Management EKGs
Electronic Medical Records (EHR) HIPAA
Medication Administration Oncology
Orthopedics Patient Advocacy
Patient-Centered Care Patient Discharge
Patient Intake Patient Management
Pediatric Care Physical Examinations
Post-Operative (Post-Op) Care Pre-Operative (Pre-Op) Care
Surgical Care Wound Care
Written Communication Team Management
Telemetry Trauma Care
Treatment Plans Triage
Action Verbs
Administered Analyzed
Conducted Coordinated
Collaborated Delivered
Developed Diagnosed
Drove Enhanced
Executed Identified
Interfaced Implemented
Improved Led
Managed Oversaw
Partnered Performed
Provided Resolved
Supported

Tips for Writing a Better Medical Surgical Nurse Resume

Write an eye-catching professional profile

Creating a compelling professional profile at the top of your medical surgical nurse resume can help to differentiate your document from other applicants. Focus on your key areas of expertise that align with the job posting. Avoid using cliche terms such as “problem solving” or “hard working, as these characteristics won’t tell the hiring manager anything about what makes you a qualified candidate. If the organization has a particular emphasis on specific areas such as pediatric care or oncology, you’ll want to integrate those skill sets into your first sentence.

Example #1

Good


A Medical Surgical Nurse with five years of experience delivering care to diverse patient populations in oncology and pediatric care units. A strong background in applying multi-disciplinary approaches and collaborating with physicians to develop optimal patient treatment plans.

Bad


Nurse with multiple years of experience. Passionate about delivering patient care. Expert problem solver and communicator. Seeking a high paying position as Medical Surgical Nurse.

Example #2

Good


A Senior Medical Surgical Nurse with eight years of experience, specializing in patient-centered care, surgical care, and trauma care. Adept at developing treatment plans and coordinating patient flow in high-volume hospital settings. Expertise in recruiting and training nursing teams to improve clinical outcomes.

Bad


Hardworking Nursing Professional with multiple certifications. Excels in administering care to large numbers of patients. Skilled in teamwork and leadership.

Feature your leadership abilities

As a medical surgical nurse, it’s important to provide tangible examples of your leadership capabilities from your work experience. You want to create compelling bullet points under your profession experience that tell your story. Don’t just talk about assigning duties to those you supervise, brand yourself as a leader who empowers team members and builds inclusive work cultures. Showcase your experience collaborating with physicians and diverse multidisciplinary teams to improve clinical outcomes. Below, you’ll find examples for how to build out impactful bullet points within your professional experience section.

Example #1

Good


Managed and recruited a diverse team of 20+ nurses, provided support for case management, patient flow, and treatment plans, conducted performance evaluations, and provided coaching and mentorship to facilitate professional development.

Bad


Managed nurses, delegated tasks, delivered training on job duties, scheduled meetings, and gave feedback.

Example #2

Good


Oversaw a team of 15+ nurses, collaborated with interdisciplinary medical teams to provide patient-centered care, and built relationships with patients to guide treatment plans.

Bad


Led nurses, worked with various teams, provided care, and met with patients to discuss treatment.

How to Align Your Medical Surgical Nurse Resume With the Job Description

The resume is, for all intents and purposes, a marketing document. You’re selling yourself to potential employers on why you’re the ideal candidate. To accomplish this, you’ll need to tailor your document to specific criteria from the job posting. This will help your resume achieve compliance with ATS programs and make a strong impression on the hiring manager.

Start by carefully evaluating each job description. If the posting continually calls for someone with a background in oncology, you’ll want to make sure that keyword is included in your skills section and bullet points. When a term is mentioned more than once, you can normally assume that this is a keyword in the ATS filter. Below, you’ll see an example of how to identify key terms from the job description and strategically integrate them into your resume.

Medical Surgical Nurse Job Description Example


XYZ Medical Center is a prestigious hospital named one of the best places to work in Washington. Our organization has a strong commitment to delivering patient-centered care to diverse populations. As a Medical Surgical Nurse, you’ll be responsible for managing patient cases at a 1:3 ratio in a fast-paced clinical environment. You’ll be collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams to provide the highest quality care to our patients.

Responsibilities:

  • Responsible for case management, medical administration, telemetry, physical examinations, and the organization of electronic health records (EHR)
  • Work directly under the physician to evaluate patient symptoms, develop treatment plans, and monitor patient response
  • Oversee patient triage, manage patient intake, gather and evaluate patient medical records, deliver wound care and surgical care in the ER and OR
  • Provide education to patients, caregivers, and families on risk factors, treatments, and side effects to identify appropriate treatment plans

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • BLS certification
  • Registered Nurse (RN) license
  • 4-5 years of nursing experience
  • Written Communication and Team Leadership skills

According to the job description, the ideal job applicant should have the following qualities and/or experience:

  • Patient-centered care
  • Wound care
  • Surgical care
  • ER
  • OR
  • Electronic Health Records (EHR)
  • Case management
  • Medical administration
  • BLS certification
  • Team leadership
  • Triage
  • Telemetry
  • Treatment plans
  • Registered Nurse (RN) license
  • Written Communication
  • Team Leadership

Next, take what you highlighted from the job description and make sure to include your experience and skills that match. Below is an example of how to incorporate them in a resume:

Medical Surgical Nurse Work Experience Example


Medical Surgical Nurse

County Hospital, October 2014 – Present

  • Provided wound care and surgical care to 10+ patients per day in the OR and ER, which included overseeing medical administration and case management
  • Coordinated patient triage and telemetry, maintained electronic health records (EHR), and utilized written communication and team leadership skills to improve organizational effectiveness and hospital operations.
  • Developed and implemented treatment plans with nursing teams and physicians.

 

Certifications

  • Registered Nurse (RN) License #12345678, Awarded 2014
  • Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification, Awarded 2014