Nursing Student Resume Examples and Templates for 2023

How To Write a Nursing Student Resume

As a nursing student at the start of your career, crafting a strong, accomplishment-driven resume as you pursue entry-level nursing positions is important. Because your hands-on experience will be limited, you must keep documentation during your nurse externship. Think about the size and volume of the hospital and any relevant quality metrics. This exercise will also save you time in the future as you advance your career.

In addition to providing job responsibilities and achievements from your externship, you should also feature relevant coursework and medical skills for specific areas of healthcare you plan on targeting. For example, if you plan on working in an oncology unit, you’d want to highlight your knowledge of disease prevention protocols and administering oncology treatments. Throughout this guide, we’ll provide valuable insights to help you build a professional nursing student resume.

1. Write a compelling profile summarizing your qualifications

Because your industry experience will be fairly limited, you’ll want to craft a strong summary to make a positive first impression on the hiring manager. In addition to drawing attention to key skill sets, you should create a snapshot of who you are as a healthcare professional. For instance, if the organization you’re applying to has a strong reputation for patient advocacy, it might be beneficial to mention your commitment to the delivery of patient-centered care.

2. Add an accomplishment-driven professional experience section

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3. Include relevant education and certifications

In addition to your education, you should include any relevant coursework and training that bolster your chances of landing the interview. If possible, you should also pursue certifications that align with the healthcare unit you wish to work in. For instance, if you plan on pursuing an RN position in a pediatric unit, you’d want to obtain a Pediatric Advanced Life Support Certification.

4. List relevant key skills and proficiencies

Most organizations rely on applicant tracking systems to speed up the hiring process. The ATS scans resumes during the initial screening process to determine if they contain target keywords that match the job description. If your resume doesn’t contain any of these target keywords, there’s a good chance your application will be rejected before it reaches the hiring manager.

As you review the job posting, you should make a point to incorporate key terms that align with the organization’s needs. This will give you the best chance of securing the interview. Below, you’ll find a list of skills and keywords that you may encounter during the job search:

How to Pick the Best Nursing Student Resume Template

Although modern templates with flashy colors and graphics may seem appealing, it’s better to select a simple, well-organized template in most instances. Hiring managers are more interested in your qualifications than your graphic design skills, and you don’t want to choose a template that may distract the reader from your content. If you select a modern template, use a top-down approach rather than splitting the center of the page with multiple resume sections.

Nursing Student Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples

Years of Experience

Frequently Asked Questions: Nursing Student Resume Examples and Advice

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).