Nursing Resume—Nurse Resume Examples and 25+ Writing Tips

What makes this nursing resume template perfect?

Well—

It doesn’t just show work history and education.

It spotlights achievements that make you irresistible.

That makes it stand out like Deborah Burger in neon scrubs.

Do it right, and the nurse hiring manager will spill her coffee reaching for the phone.

This guide will show you:

• A nursing resume example better than most.
• How to write a resume for nurse jobs that gets more interviews.
• The key to a flawless registered nurse job description on a resume.
• Why your choice of nurse resume accomplishments is life or death.

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Looking for other medical resume samples? Have a look at our dedicated guides:

• Caregiver Resume
• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Resume
• Dental Assistant Resume
• Dental Hygienist Resume
• Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Nurse Resume
• Medical Assistant Resume
• New Grad Nursing Resume
• Nurse Practitioner Resume
• ER Nurse Resume
• LPN Resume
• Respiratory Therapist Resume
• Nursing Student Resume
• Occupational Therapy Resume
• Home Health Aide Resume
• Medical Student Resume
• Paramedic / EMT Resume
• Pharmacist Resume
• Phlebotomist Resume
• Pharmacy Technician Resume
• Physical Therapist Resume
• Doctor Resume
• Healthcare Resume
• Case Manager Resume
• Massage Therapist Resume
• Physician Assistant Resume
• Medical-Surgical Nurse Resume
• Veterinarian Resume

Haven't found what you're looking for? Check all our Resume Samples.

Nursing Resume Template

Now here’s how to make a nursing resume:

1. Start with the Best Nursing Resume Format

So important:

Your resume format will make or break you.

It’s got to show you know a canule from a cantaloupe.

• Begin with the reverse-chronological resume format. It shows your latest, greatest nursing resume achievements first.
• Use the best resume fonts in 10–14pt. Include 1-inch margins, clear headings, and lots of white space for ease-of-use.
• Make a one-page resume unless you’re more experienced than Clara Barton.
• Lead with a resume header. In it, put your name, RN license #, phone, and email. No street address or photo.
• Next, add a registered nurse resume objective, work experience, and education.
• Add resume extras like certifications, volunteer work, and additional activities. They’ll invigorate your RN resume.

Expert Hint: Save your resume as a PDF unless the job offer contraindicates it. RN resume PDFs don’t go critical when you click “send.” Even better, they’re machine-readable in 2023.

2. Write a Healthy Registered Nurse Resume Objective or Summary

Sad but true:

Most nurse resumes are clones.

Employers skim through piles of them and barely see the words.

So—

Start with a pulse-pounding resume summary.

Use:

1. One adjective (compassionate, energetic, efficient)
2. Job title and license (Registered Nurse (RN): 0000000)
3. Years of experience (2+, 7+)
4. How you’ll help (promote healthcare excellence)
5. Best 2–3 achievements (cut nurse turnover 20%, saved 4 hours per week with better inventory management)

These charge nurse resume examples show how:

Nursing Resume Summary—Examples

Full recovery.

The first of those nursing resume samples puts you in the Florence Blake zone.

It’s chock-full of achievements that prove nurse resume skills.

What if You’ve Got No Experience?

How to write a resume with no experience?

In an entry-level RN resume or new graduate nurse practitioner resume, show achievements. Get them from your clinical experience or precept nurse experience.

This entry-level nursing resume example nails it:

Nursing Resume Objective—Example

That’s so much better than “I haven’t had any nurse jobs yet.” Even with no experience, you can have a resume for nursing jobs like that.

What about your goals in a resume objective? In 2023 you’ll get more respect if you show how you can work toward the facility’s targets instead.

Expert Hint: Write your nursing resume summary last. That’ll give you plenty of great supplies to pull from.

3. Create a Vibrant Registered Nurse Job Description for Resumes

Here’s a relief:

Nurse resumes need just a few achievements.

But—

The best nursing resumes pick them carefully.

To do it right:

1. Dig through the job offer.
2. Highlight the nursing duties and responsibilities you see.
3. Stuff your resume bullets with accomplishments that fit like Danskos.

See these nursing resume examples:

Nurse Job Description for Resume—Example

Job ad wants these RN resume skills: (1) triage (2) training (3) communication (4) inventory.

Eek!

The second of those RN resume examples is on life support. The first is Cleveland-Clinic-worthy.

The job-matching accomplishments make it thrive.

And—

The numbers show your skills are healthy.

Entry-Level Nursing Resume Example—No Experience

No nurse resume experience? Don’t panic.

Your entry-level RN resume can still pull through.

Fill it with accomplishments. This entry-level nurse resume example shows how:

Nurse Resume Skills

Here’s a resume skills list.

Don’t copy-paste it to your resume for nurses.

Nurse hiring managers hate that more than needle sticks.

So, use the skills in the job offer.

Expert Hint: According to a Nursing Solutions survey, 45% of hospitals expect to hire more nurses soon. Make the best nurse resume you can to get the best hospital jobs.

The ResumeLab builder is more than looks. Get specific content to boost your chances of getting the job. Add job descriptions, bullet points, and skills. Easy. Improve your resume in our resume builder now.

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4. Turn Boring Education to a Reason to Hire You

Here’s a lifesaver:

On a great nurse resume, even your education section needs achievements.

Without them, it’ll flatline.

These nursing resume examples show why:

Nursing Resume Education—Example

Huge difference.

The first of those registered nurse resume samples is A&0x100.

It shows your RN resume skills weren’t born yesterday.

Expert Hint: Is your nursing resume experience still bedridden? Segment your education into projects and positions. Then load each one with accomplishments.

5. Give Your Nursing Resume a Shot with These

Here’s where you get hired.

To show you’re Mayo Clinic material—

List a few resume extra sections.

They’ll make your resume for nursing jobs stand out like a limb signature.

These nurse resume examples show the way:

Additional Sections for Nursing Resume—Example

A+.

Why does the first of those RN resume samples pass the assessment?

It shows your nursing skills are Jackson-Memorial-sized by adding wards full of achievements.

Expert Hint: Do you know how to write a cover letter for RN positions? Make it passionate, but keep it focused on the employer’s needs and how you’ll fill them. You can get some inspiration from these nurse cover letter examples. You’ll give your nursing resume a fighting chance.

6. Show Your Licenses on a Nursing Resume

How to list your license on an RN resume?

Well—

You don’t want the busy nurse manager to miss it.

Put it in two places:

• By your name
• In a special RN License section right below your summary.

This nursing resume example shows how:

Licensed Practical Nurse Resume—Example

For placement, see the nurse resume template at the top.

Expert Hint: Worried about putting your RN license number on a nursing resume? Don’t be. They’re public knowledge. Anyone can look them up.

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Key Points

For a nursing resume that raises heart rates:

• Start with the nursing resume template up top.
• Use accomplishments toinvigorate your RN resume. Fit them to the job like custom scrubs.
• Add numbers to your achievements. Hours, money, and percents will add scale to your nurse resume skills.
• Send a nursing cover letter. Make it passionate and pin it to the employer’s needs. You can also check one of our more specific cover letter guides like the new grad RN cover letter, RN cover letter, or CNA cover letter.

Got questions on how to write a good nurse resume? Not sure how to pick achievements for your resume for nurses? Leave a comment. We’ll be happy to reply.