How To Write a Registered Nurse Resume
As a registered nurse, writing a quality resume that focuses on your patient care experience can help you land the best job for you. Registered nurse resumes should include information about your previous work in patient care, data about your patient load, your ability to improve or advance care in your previous roles, and your nursing education and certifications.
- Entry-Level
- Mid-Career
- Senior-Level
1. Create a profile by summarizing your registered nurse qualifications
The first part of your resume should be a concise profile summary. This section is where you can list your current job title and years of experience, and it should include any specialties you have worked in. While this section should still be focused on how you can help the potential employer and not what you can get out of the job, it’s okay to note what type of nursing you’re looking for, especially if you’re making a lateral move.
Senior-Level Profile Example
A Registered Nurse with over 12 years of clinical experience providing quality care to critically ill patients in ICU, oncology, and surgical units. A strong history of identifying opportunities to drive patient-centered care and improve clinical operations.
Entry-Level Profile Example
A Registered Nurse with three years of experience specializing in oncology, clinical operations, patient-centered care, and continuous improvement. A proven track record of delivering empathetic care to pediatric and elderly patients within oncology care units.
2. Create a powerful list of your registered nurse experience
The professional experience section will take up the bulk of your resume, so it needs to be crafted in a way that shows a hiring manager the value you can bring to their facility. Ensure to include metrics, such as how many beds the facility had and your normal patient ratio. Look for key competencies listed in the job description, such as checking vital signs and teaching diabetes management, and use those to inform what you put in your bullets.
Senior-Level Professional Experience Example
Nurse Manager
Saint Francis Memorial Hospital, San Francisco, CA | January 2014-Present
- Manage a team of 30+ RNs, LPNs, and nursing assistants in a hospital with over 230 beds and ensure compliance with disease prevention protocols during Covid-19
- Provide triage services within the emergency department and reduce wait times for patients by 15% by improving staffing levels and enhancing clinical efficiency
- Deliver training to medical teams on patient-centered care protocols, Covid-19 safety regulations, and communication best practices to ensure quality healthcare services
Entry-Level Professional Experience Example
General Registered Nurse
Memorial Hospital, Jacksonville, FL | January 2020-February 2020
- Provide pre and post-operative care to a range of pediatric and elderly patients in the oncology care unit of a 167-bed hospital with a 1:5 patient ratio, which included monitoring vital signs, installing IVs, and performing blood tests
- Deliver wound care following radiation treatments and educate patients on diagnosis, symptoms, and side effects of oncology treatments with empathy and compassion
- Achieve a 93% positive rating from patients for delivering quality care, understanding, and emotional support
3. Add your registered nurse education and certifications
Many registered nurse positions require a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, so include an education section on your resume so hiring managers know you meet the job’s requirements. You may also want to include any relevant continuing education credits or certifications you’ve completed. Certifications in a nursing specialty, such as pediatrics or oncology, show hiring managers what you’re interested in and that you’ve gone above and beyond to ensure you’re able to offer patients a high standard of care.
Certifications
Template
- [Certification Name], [Awarding Organization], [Completion Year]
Example
- Pediatric Nursing Certification Board Certified Pediatric Nurse, 2010
Education
Template
- [Degree Name]
- [School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] – [Graduation Month and Year]
Example
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- The University of Central Boston, Boston, MT – June 2014
4. List your key registered nurse-realted skills and proficiencies
Nursing requires a combination of technical skill, medical knowledge, and the ability to deliver patient-centered care. This balance may not always be easy to fit into your professional experience section, but a key skills and proficiencies list lets you show hiring managers you have the skills they’re looking for. If you need some ideas on what to include in this section, you can look at the job description or check out those commonly seen below:
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Active listening | Attention to detail |
| Collaborative care | Conflict resolution |
| Continuous learning and professional development | CPR and basic life support |
| Critical thinking | Cultural sensitivity |
| Documentation | Ethical and legal considerations |
| Health promotion | Infection control |
| IV therapy | Medication administration |
| Patient advocacy | Patient assessment |
| Patient education | Wound care |
How to Pick the Best Registered Nurse Resume Template
A good nursing template provides enough space to list your qualifications, is able to be easily tailored to the job posting, and can be skimmed quickly by a hiring manager who’s trying to get through a stack of applications.
Choose a template that is organized with headers and bullets, and stick to a common black font like Arial or Times New Roman. Make sure your skills and education are listed prominently and that the resume is structured in a way that allows for adequate white space.
Registered Nurse Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
- Entry-Level
- Mid-Career
- Senior-Level
Elsbeth Smith
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
789 First Street, Boston, MT 12345
Profile
A Certified Medical Surgical Nurse with eight years of experience, specializing in surgical care, patient education, and telemetry. A strong background of collaborating with interdisciplinary healthcare teams to deliver patient-centered care within high-volume acute care environments.
Professional Experience
Registered Nurse, Mission West Hospital, Boston, MT
September 2016 – Present
- Provide patient-centered care to up to 25 patients for the acute care unit of a high volume medical center with over 200 beds and a 1:7 patient ratio
- Coordinate with multi-disciplinary teams to enhance clinical operations and care standards, resulting in a 10% reduction in average length of stay
- Onboard, train, and mentor over 40+ RNs and nursing assistants on compassionate care standards, hospital protocols, and clinical operations
Registered Nurse, Central University Teaching Hospital, Boston, MT
June 2014 – August 2016
- Provided support to physicians and surgeons by monitoring patient vital signs, preparing patients for surgery, and administering medication
- Achieved a 94% positive score from patients for compassionate care
- Delivered care to critically ill patients within the oncology and surgical units and communicated empathetically with family members on patient condition
Education
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
The University of Central Boston, Boston, MT, September 2010 to June 2014
Key Skills
- Oncology
- Patient-centered Care
- Clinical Operations
- Continuous Improvement
- Telemetry
Certifications
- Registered Nurse, MT Board of Nursing, License #12345, 2014
- Basic Life Support Certification, 2014
- CPR Certification, 2014
Frequently Asked Questions: Registered Nurse Resume Examples and Advice
What are common action verbs for registered nurse resumes?-
Writing the professional experience section of your nursing resume can be the most difficult part because it requires thinking of unique action verbs for every bullet. If you find that you’re running out of words or struggling to come up with powerful verbs that accurately describe the impact you’ve had on patients, try this list to get some more ideas.
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Administered | Advocated |
| Assessed | Assisted |
| Collaborated | Communicated |
| Demonstrated | Documented |
| Educated | Evaluated |
| Facilitated | Guided |
| Implemented | Monitored |
| Prioritized | Provided |
| Resolved | Responded |
| Supported | Updated |
How do you align your resume with a job description?-
Job opportunities for registered nurses are widely available, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that this sector will continue to experience average job growth for the next few years. It may be easier for you to secure a job offer, but it’s still important to craft a resume that’s tailored to each job posting you’re applying for. To do this, read through the description carefully, note any specific skills, education, or certification requirements, and include those in your resume where applicable.
What is the best registered nurse resume format?-
The best registered nurse format is the one that best highlights your skills and shows that you’re a good fit for the position. Most nursing resumes are in reverse chronological format, showing hiring managers that you have a strong work history and making it easy to see your responsibilities in each position. If you’re a new grad, you may want to consider a combination resume, which can give you more room to focus on your skills without needing several positions to put them under.
A cover letter should accompany every resume you send out, and it should be customized to the job position. As you write your nursing cover letter, focus on the core values or mission of the facility you're applying to and show how you’re able to support these goals and be a valuable member of the team.
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