Nurse Resume: Examples and Top Tips
Create a nursing resume that will highlight your relevant certifications, skills, achievements, and more.
The nurse job market is highly competitive, and not everyone makes it among the most successful professionals in the field. Nurses might be needed at all times, but without a decent resume, one cannot hope to get the job they apply for.
Because of this, you need to know how to stand out from the crowd, and the best way to do that is to write the best professional resume. To learn how to write a resume for a nurse position, read as we share the best nurse resume and provide you with invaluable nurse resume examples as well as full nurse resume templates you can learn from.
Nurse Resume Samples
There are different types of nursing resumes that you can create depending on your level of experience or field of practice.
Review the following nursing resume templates to help you build your resume.
Registered nurse (RN) resume example
Why This Resume Works
- Uses measurable results (97% patient satisfaction, 98% positive scores, 20+ patients) to prove real impact.
- Shows leadership by mentioning how they took charge in onboarding and training 15+ new nurses.
- Balances clinical expertise and patient-centered care, highlighting both technical skills and compassion.
John Doe
Registered Nurse
+1-404-766-8554
nurse@randomemail.com
Summary
Licensed RN with 7+ years of clinical experience, seeking to ensure top quality care at Evangelical Medical Center through proven daily care skills. Maintained 97% patient satisfaction at Best Body Health. Successfully onboarded and trained more than 15 new nurses.
Experience
Best Body Health
Registered Nurse
2018–2025
- Handled both long-term and short-term health care plans and safety for 20+ patients. Awarded 12+ times for speed, efficiency, and problem-solving skills by the preceptor.
- Assisted patients with limited mobility in all necessary movement training. Maintained 98% positive patient scores for patience, cooperation, and compassion.
- Created assessments, diagnoses, and plan-of-care for high-volume of patients.
- Onboarded 16 new nurses and trained them in quality, personalized care, and compliance policies.
Key Achievement
- Personally supervised the refurbishing of meeting rooms in order to create a more comfortable, friendly space for difficult discussions with patients and/or their families.
Education
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
University of Alaska
Completion: 2017
Certifications and Licensure
- Registered Nurse, Alaska Board of Nursing
- Phlebotomy Certification
- Patient Care Technician Certification
- Basic Life Support Certification (BLS)
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
- CPR Certification
- Elementary psychology training undergone
Skills
- Wound Care
- Patient Assessment
- Safe and Speedy Patient Transfers
- Stress Management
Others
Interests
- Young patient and child care
- Nursing workshops and training
- Psychology
- Everyday Emergency Podcast
Languages
- German (Conversational)
ICU nurse resume example
Why this resume works
- Shows specific metrics and outcomes (e.g., reducing out-of-range MAP events by 18%, SEP-1 compliance from 82% to 96%) to demonstrate measurable impact.
- Shows off relevant licenses and certifications, which validate advanced expertise in critical-care nursing.
- Shows a broad skill set in critical-care nursing, from ventilator management to sepsis protocols, making the candidate versatile and highly qualified.
[Jordan Nurse, RN, BSN, CCRN (Adult)]
[ICU Registered Nurse]
[123 Main Street, Cleveland, OH 44114 | (216) 555‑0148 | jordan.nurse@email.com ]
Summary
Critical‑care nurse with 5+ years of experience in mixed medical–surgical ICUs (1:2 and 1:1 assignments). Expert in ventilator management, hemodynamic monitoring, and titration of vasoactive drips. Known for zero‑harm practices (12 months CLABSI‑free) and rapid response under pressure. Preceptor and relief charge nurse with strong teamwork and family education skills.
Experience
ICU Registered Nurse
Lakeview Regional Medical Center | Cleveland, Ohio
2021 – Present
- Managed 1:2 and 1:1 assignments in a 22‑bed mixed ICU serving cardiac, neuro, and septic patients.
- Titrated norepinephrine/vasopressin using A‑line data to maintain MAP goals, reducing out‑of‑range events by 18%.
- Led bedside sepsis alerts and bundle audits; raised SEP‑1 compliance from 82% to 96% in 9 months.
- Supervised 12 new hires; built a two‑week orientation plan and competency checklist for vasoactive drips.
Progressive Care (Step‑Down) Nurse
Cuyahoga County Clinic | Cleveland, Ohio
2018 – 2021
- Escalated deterioration early; activated 30+ Rapid Response calls with timely SBAR handoffs.
- Educated families on post‑discharge care (HF zones, COPD action plans), contributing to a 14% readmission reduction on the unit.
- Maintained meticulous documentation and medication safety (BCMA), achieving 99.7% MAR accuracy.
Skills
- Ventilator modes (AC/VC, SIMV, APRV)
- Spontaneous breathing trials
- Vasoactive drip titration (NE, Epi, Vaso)
- A‑line & CVP monitoring
- Sepsis bundle/SEP‑1
- RASS/SAT/SBT
- CRRT (Prismaflex)
- EKG interpretation
- Post‑op cardiac & neuro care
Licenses & Certifications
Registered Nurse, Ohio (Active) – CCRN (Adult)
AACN – ACLS, BLS
American Heart Association – NIHSS
Education
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Kent State University, Kent, OH
Professional Affiliations
- Member, American Association of Critical‑Care Nurses (AACN)
ER nurse resume example
Why this resume works
- Includes quantifiable results (e.g., <10-minute triage, 120+ stroke/STEMI activations, >99% MAR accuracy) to prove efficiency and impact in high-pressure environments.
- Demonstrates mentorship by supervising new nurses and creating orientation checklists for critical procedures.
- Shows commitment to continuous learning and professional growth with their education (BSN) and professional affiliations (ENA membership).
[Jane Doe, RN, BSN, CEN]
[Emergency Room Nurse]
[123 Main Street, Cleveland, OH 44114 | (216) 555‑0173 | jane.doe@randomemail.com ]
Summary
Emergency room nurse with 5+ years in a high‑volume Level II trauma center (≈65k annual visits) and 3 years prior in telemetry. Strong in rapid triage (ESI 1–5), trauma resuscitation, stroke/STEMI pathways, and procedural sedation. Known for improving throughput and safety metrics while keeping calm communication with patients and families. Preceptor and relief charge nurse.
Experience
Emergency Department Registered Nurse
Lakeview Regional Medical Center | Cleveland, Ohio
2022 – 2025
- Performed rapid ESI triage and primary/secondary surveys; maintained average door‑to‑triage <10 minutes.
- Led or assisted in 120+ stroke/STEMI activations; achieved ≤10‑minute ECG for chest‑pain patients in 95% of cases.
- Relief charge (2–3 shifts/month): assigned staffing, prioritized ambulance arrivals, and coordinated surge plans.
- Supervised 8 new nurses; built a three‑week orientation checklist for triage, ECG acquisition, and IV access.
Medical–Surgical/Telemetry Nurse
Cuyahoga County Clinic | Cleveland, Ohio
2019 – 2022
- Managed 4–5 telemetry patients; interpreted rhythms, trended troponins, and initiated chest‑pain protocols.
- Recognized early deterioration and activated 40+ Rapid Responses with concise SBAR handoffs.
- Cross‑trained to ED fast‑track one shift/week: wound care, splinting, and patient discharge teaching.
- Maintained accurate documentation and medication safety (BCMA), sustaining >99% MAR accuracy.
Skills
- Rapid triage (ESI 1–5), primary/secondary survey
- Trauma resuscitation; stroke & STEMI pathways; sepsis bundle
- ECG acquisition/interpretation, 12‑lead within 10 minutes
- Procedural sedation monitoring; RSI assist; airway adjuncts (BVM, OPA/NPA, LMA)
- IV/IO access, wound closure assist, splinting, orthopedic reductions assist
- Point‑of‑care testing, medication administration, and safe opioid practices
Licenses & Certifications
- Registered Nurse, Ohio (Active)
- CEN (Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing)
Education
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Kent State University, Kent, OH
Professional Affiliations
- Member, Emergency Nurses Association (ENA)
Entry-level Nurse resume example
Why This Resume Works
- Demonstrates hands-on clinical experience through 750+ practicum hours and a capstone in a high-volume unit, building credibility despite being newly licensed.
- Highlights transferable skills from part-time nursing assistant work, such as patient care, monitoring, and documentation.
- Includes education, certifications, and professional affiliations (BSN, BLS, ANA/NSNA memberships).
Sarah Johnson, RN, BSN
Entry-Level Registered Nurse
123 Elm Street, Cleveland, OH 44114 | (216) 555-0198 | sarah.johnson@email.com
Summary
Compassionate and motivated newly licensed Registered Nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Completed over 750 clinical practicum hours in medical-surgical, pediatrics, obstetrics, and community health. Strong foundation in patient assessment, care planning, and evidence-based practice. Eager to apply clinical skills and continue professional development in a fast-paced hospital environment.
Experience
Clinical Nursing Student (Capstone Practicum)
Cleveland Medical Center | Cleveland, Ohio
Jan 2025 – May 2025
- Completed 180+ hours in a high-volume medical-surgical unit, caring for up to 4 patients under RN supervision.
- Gained experience in administering medications, wound care, IV insertion, and monitoring vital signs.
- Assisted in patient education for post-discharge care, chronic disease management, and medication adherence.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary team to deliver holistic care and improve patient satisfaction.
Nursing Assistant (Part-Time)
Sunrise Long-Term Care Facility | Cleveland, Ohio
Jul 2023 – Dec 2024
- Provided daily care for 10–12 residents, including bathing, feeding, mobility assistance, and vital sign checks.
- Supported RNs in monitoring changes in residents’ conditions and ensured accurate documentation.
- Built trust with patients and families, fostering a supportive and respectful environment.
- Recognized by supervisor for reliability and positive patient feedback.
Skills
- Patient assessment & vital signs monitoring
- IV insertion and medication administration (under supervision)
- Electronic Health Records (Epic, Cerner)
- Patient/family education & discharge teaching
- Infection control & safety practices
- Team collaboration and communication
Licenses & Certifications
- Registered Nurse, Ohio (Active, 2025)
- Basic Life Support (BLS), American Heart Association
- Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), in progress
Education
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Kent State University, Kent, OH
Graduated: Dec 2024
Professional Affiliations
- Member, National Student Nurses’ Association (NSNA)
- Student Member, American Nurses Association (ANA)
How To Write a Nurse Resume
There are several ways to format your nurse resume so that it leaves the best impression on your employer. There are resume formats you can consider, depending on your professional skills and experience.
If you’re experienced, you can opt for a reverse-chronological resume format.
This layout is the most recruiter and ATS‑friendly because it shows your most recent bedside work and clinical impact upfront.
This will help you lay out your:
- Resume summary
- Nursing experience
- Nursing skills
- Education
- Nursing licensees and certifications
However, if you don’t have as much experience, you can select a functional resume format that highlights your skills over your experience.
How to write a Nursing Resume summary statement
A professional summary for a nurse resume focuses on what you’ve done in your career so far. It summarizes your experience, while resume objectives talk more about what you’re looking to do with your career in the future.
On the other hand, if you’re looking to get your first gig, you can think about writing a resume objective as it’s more focused on skills over experience.
However, we recommend writing a resume summary regardless of your level of experience.
You can mention:
- The number of years you’ve worked as a registered nurse
- Your education or internship experience if you’re inexperienced
- Accomplishments
- Skills used to complete your nursing tasks
With our free resume summary generator, you can come up with an eye-catching introduction that highlights your qualifications as a nurse with ease.
Nurse resume summary example
Let’s look at a concrete example of what a good nurse resume summary should look like.
Multilingual Pediatric RN with 20+ years of experience in the intensive, geriatric, and neonatal care units of a public state hospital. Looking to leverage management experience in the role of Pediatric RN at the Royal Hospital Center.
This example is perfect since it’s backed by numbers, clearly states where the person worked before and what they did.
It also outlines the direction in which they want to take their career.
How to describe your Nursing Experience on your resume
In the case of nurses, it’s important to stress a number of things, not only the years you’ve worked in certain hospitals or residencies.
To win over recruiters, you’ll need to add:
- Where you worked and the years
- Duties you completed
- Quantifiable data (such as the number of patients cared for)
Adding all of this will count as a plus. And, if the job position lists a keyword they want to see in a candidate’s experience, use this keyword as a way to be more relevant, but only make sure it corresponds to the position you’re applying to.
Nursing resume examples: experience
To have an idea of how your nursing experience can impress recruiters, here is an example section that illustrates what it should look like:
Registered Nurse
Hell’s Kitchen Hospital
02/2020 – 07/2025
- Made emergency ward intake evaluations for up to 10 patients every hour by measuring their vital signs and hierarchically prioritizing cases accordingly.
- Obtained, tracked, recorded, and reported the vital signs, intake, and output, and blood levels of over 15 patients a day.
- Used EHR software to keep records related to patient information.
This is a textbook example of what a good experience section should look like. It offers detailed information about particular cases along with records and a thorough explanation of the candidate’s past nursing duties.
The top skills for a Registered Nurse resume
Even though we mentioned that the experience and education sections are of incredible importance for nurse resumes, the skills section is particularly relevant in this field too.
Unlike people in other professions, nurses heavily depend on their life-saving and caring skills, so in many cases, the skills section of your resume will speak more loudly than any other section.
Another thing to pay attention to is the difference between soft and hard skills.
Hard skills are professional skills that you have acquired during your education or past jobs. Some hard skills on an RN resume can include qualifications related to:
- Diagnostics
- Caring
- Registering patients
- Regular overseeing
Soft skills, on the other hand, are interpersonal skills that are also of paramount importance for this profession.
Here are the best examples of how to use nurse-related hard and soft skills in your resume – and which skills to stick to.
Top 5 Soft Skills for Nurses
- Communication
- Psychological skills
- Empathy and a critical approach to problems
- Physical endurance and mental fortitude
- Teamwork and collaboration.
Top 5 Hard Skills for Nurses
- TV therapy
- EMR software
- Assisting in surgery
- Seizure detection, prevention, and rehabilitation
- Administration of different types of therapy.
With our free AI skills generator, you can get suggestions for skills tailored to the job you want to apply to.
an use our free AI cover letter generator to help you draft a winning cover letter that helps your application stand out.
How to write the education section for a Nurse Resume
In many cases, especially if you opt for the (reverse) chronological format of a resume, the education section will be the second-most important one. It should provide employers with a clear view of what training you’ve had and the type of degree you earned to verify those claims.
As a rule of thumb, the education section in your nurse resume should contain the following information:
- The name of the institution where you studied.
- The dates and years of your studies.
- Your overall GPA score (if it’s impressive, otherwise leave it out).
- The title (degree) you’ve obtained.
- The location of the teaching facility.
- Awards, commendations, or achievements you may have earned during your studies.
All of this, especially if you’re still inexperienced, will make or break your overall education section. Below, let’s see a few practical examples of what this section looks like.
Nurse resume education section
When it comes to writing the education section it’s important to list everything correctly, like in the following example.
Master of Science in Nursing
University of California, Berkeley
California
2019-2023
Relevant Courses: Patient Care, Ethics, Radiological Nursing, Advanced Surgical Procedures, Oncological Diagnostics
GPA: 3.8
Nursing Assistant In-Training of the Year, 2022
Aside from clarity and legitimacy, we can also see that the applicant was devoted to their studies and did their best to learn whatever it took to become a great nurse.
How to add other sections for an effective Nursing resume
Have you acquired additional certifications? This is the place to put them. Any courses? List them here. Attended conferences, or took part in nationwide projects?
If that’s the case, make sure to add other notable qualifications or relevant information related to your:
- Certifications
- Hobbies
- Languages
- Conferences attended
- Volunteer work
- Awards
Nurse resume sample extra sections
This is an example of what a good other activities section of a nurse resume should look like:
Licenses:
- Registered Nurse (RN): License number – 4294713
- New York State Board Licensing, Relevant since April 2016
Certifications:
- Board Certified Advanced Holistic Care Nurse, 2016
- CPR Certification, 2016
- Clinical Nurse Specialist Certification, 2017
Languages:
- English – native
- German – native
- Italian – intermediate
- Spanish – basic
Conferences/Courses:
- Patient Care and Mindfulness Training Course, Nursery Board of Kentucky, 2017
- Presentation of topic How Empathy Helps Patients Deal with Trauma at New York State Medicinal Conference, February 2019
Hobbies/Interests:
- Volunteer at a local animal care center
- Ice skating
- Professional swimming
- Outdoor hiking
Awards/Honors:
- Regional Nursing Foundation Award for Best Nurse, New York, 2018
- State of New York Advanced Nursing Healthcare Award, New York, 2020
Of course, feel free to improvise and add whatever you have to add in this section. Avoid including categories that don’t apply to your interests. Play to your strengths to maximize your chances of getting that job.
Nursing certifications section
The most significant “extra” section you can include is a certifications section.
Adding your certifications in the medical field is extremely important. When you are applying for a position in nursing, if you have key certifications that show you are registered and can handle important responsibilities, you’ll be more likely to win over a recruiter.
Here’s how it should look:
Licenses & Certifications
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), American Heart Association (optional if completed), 2025
- Registered Nurse (RN), Ohio, Active, 2025
- Basic Life Support (BLS), American Heart Association, 2024
- Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), American Heart Association (in progress), 2025
This is a good example for several reasons. Including the year shows that your certifications are current and up to date, which reassures employers about your compliance and readiness.
The mix of active and in-progress credentials highlights both your present qualifications and commitment to professional growth.
Do I Need a Nursing Cover Letter?
While an employer doesn’t always ask for a cover letter for a nursing position, it can significantly strengthen your application.
Many employers still value a personalized letter as it allows you to highlight specific experiences, skills, and achievements that may not fit neatly into your resume.
For nursing positions, a cover letter offers the chance to highlight your nursing qualities, like:
- Compassion
- Communication abilities
- Commitment to patient care
It also helps you explain any career changes, gaps, or specialized training in more detail.
With our free AI cover letter generator, you can create your professionalletter in minutes.
Key Takeaway
That pretty much sums up the essentials that need to be covered when creating a successful nurse resume. Follow the examples provided and see how your own, personal experiences, education, and acquired skills can be inserted into these resume templates.
Above all, remember to remain honest about your capabilities and to be sharp and clear about all information that you provide.
Prioritize your skills section, and try to stand out as an individual person with ambitions and achievements in the final, extra section of the nurse resume.
Choose the right format to avoid confusion with your professional experience and skills. Get the employer’s attention by using action words and selected keywords that apply to the job opening. Finally, take advantage of our free resume-building tools to help you add expert suggestions in seconds and avoid getting ignored when you apply for your next nursing job.
Nurse resume FAQs
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for a registered nurse was about $86,070 in 2023.
However, your salary may vary depending on your experience, location, and role.
For example, nurses working in government or hospital systems tend to earn higher salaries, while those in outpatient care or nursing homes may earn less.
Yes, clinical rotations are important for new graduates, as they are often the most notable practical experience new graduates can show on a resume.
Make sure that you highlight them to point out your hands-on skills and ability to adapt in real patient care environments.
Recruiters understand rotations are part of training, but they still show that you are ready to apply theory in practice.
You can measure results without revealing protected health information (PHI). Use numbers that reflect safe, non-identifiable outcomes, such as patient volumes handled or successful medication administration rates.
Focus on metrics like efficiency or contributions to your team to demonstrate measurable value while maintaining confidentiality.
List your nursing license in a dedicated “Licenses & Certifications” section. Include the license type (e.g., RN), issuing state, license number (optional), and expiration date.
If you hold a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) multistate license, note it clearly, as this shows employers that you are authorized to practice in multiple states, which gives you a better chance of landing a nursing role quickly.
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