RN (Registered Nurse) Resume—Sample and 25+ Writing Tips

Healing is a process. Often, a long and painful process. Registered nurses bring their care, grace and knowledge to make that process as fast and easy as possible.

They are the frontline against disease, injury, and neglect.

This registered nurse resume will get you to the ward faster than you can perform a blood draw.

In this guide:

• A sterile and effective RN resume sample.
• They key to writing piercing registered nurse resume objectives.
• How to write your registered nurse job description better than most.

First check out this RN resume example:

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Are you writing a specific resume for RN jobs? See our other dedicated guides:

• Nurse Practitioner Resume
• Medical Assistant Resume
• New Grad Nursing Resume
• ICU Nurse Resume 
• Certified Nurse Assistant Resume
• Nursing Resume
• Nursing Student Resume
• Medical Student Resume
• Medical Scribe Resume
• Medical Resume
• Pharmacy Assistant Resume
• Pharmacist Resume
• Caregiver Resume
• Home Health Aide Resume
• Paramedic / EMT Resume
• Medical School Resume
• Doctor Resume
• Healthcare Resume
• Physician Assistant Resume
• Medical-Surgical Nurse Resume
• Emergency Room Nurse Resume
• Job Resume Examples for All Professions

RN Resume Sample You Can Copy and Use

This RN resume doesn’t waste time in setting out exactly what Tim will bring to the ward.

Now here’s how to write a 120/80 RN resume:

1. Sterilise The RN Resume Format

Organization and tidiness must be part of the core skill set of any RN. That needs to shine through not only your words, but also the format of your RN resume. 

Here’s the definitive guide to formatting your resume:

Registered Nurse Resume Format

• A 1-page resume length is optimal.
• Choose a common resume font like a 10–12pt Arial or Calibri.
• For a clear resume layout, use 1-inch margins and spaces between sections.
• Order your resume sections: Heading, Objective, Work History, Education and Skills.
• Use the reverse-chronological resume order when listing experience.
• PDF resumes protect the formatting.

Now, get your gloves on.

2. Write Registered Nurse Resume Objective or Summary 

How to start a resume the right way? Write a resume profile that summarizes your best achievements and put it just below your contact information.

Think of your resume profile as the patient status. What is the most vital information? Focus on backing up your experience with numbers. Don’t rattle off the list of your responsibilities, we know what RNs do. Focus on the impact you can make on your new ward.

Here’s how to write a striking resume summary.

RN Resume Summary—Example

See the difference?

The difference in the blood pressure of the nursing manager. The bad example provides no information about what you can do for your new employer, it just lists tasks that you do, which everyone knows.

What if you haven’t worked as a RN before, and have no experience?

Write a striking career objective that focuses on experience that is similar in type or nature, for example, volunteering or client-facing roles.

Entry-Level Registered Nurse Resume Objective

Expert Hint: You’re in luck! The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that in 2023, there will be more RN positions than any other profession. Make sure you have a perfect resume.

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3. Write a Heart-Stopping Job Description and Skills Section

This is arguably the most vital part of your registered nurse resume. It is easy to fall into the trap of rattling off a list of your responsibilities, which are obvious and commonly known. Instead, try to put a number on the amount and extent of things you handle.

That’s the best way to list work experience on a resume.

To write a heart-stopping RN job description:

1. Choose the right skills for a resume. You can find them in the job ad, they will probably use Applicant Tracking Software to look for that keyword.
2. Use those skills as your resume keywords.
3. Provide metrics: “Responsible for 25 beds”, “Maintained 100% patient satisfaction”, etc. 

The first of these RN resume samples is 120/80:

Registered Nurse Job Description for Resume [Sample]

What to do if you really don’t have the experience? Well, you were a student nurse, so you sure have some. Focus on those, and try to quantify them—this is something most entry-level nurses won’t think to do.

You could use a skills section to supplement this.

Use these RN resume skills to start:

Registered Nurse Resume Skills

Soft Skills

• Adaptability
• Attention to Detail
• Compassion
• Conflict Resolution
• Decision Making 
• Dedication
• Excellent Communication Skills
• Organizational Skills
• Patience
• Patient Assessment
• Problem Solving
• Stress Management
• Technical Skills
• Time Management

Hard Skills

• Administering and Monitoring Medications
• Perform and Evaluate Diagnostic Tests
• Safe Patient Transfers
• Wound Care
• Taking Vital Signs

4. Up Their Pulse with Your Education Section

Your education section is going to be pretty standard. Everyone gets a similar degree, and has to go on to get licensed anyway. Keep it concise. If you are really scarce on work experience, beef up your RN resume with a relevant coursework or achievements section.

This RN resume sample passes the diagnostics:

Registered Nurse Resume Example—Education

Expert Hint: The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) has published guidelines on displaying your credentials in the proper order: highest degree, licensure, state designations, national certifications, awards and honors, other recognitions. Structure your extra resume sections this way.

5. Dose Your RN Resume With Some Added Sections

A registered nurse resume differs from others in that it must have added sections, since unless you are licensed and certified, you cannot practice this profession. See the expert tip above for exact guidelines on listing those. 

When you’re done, you can try adding a few “other” sections.

Choose from:

• Association memberships
• Conferences
• Languages
• Groups
• Volunteer work
• Additional activities
• Interests
• Publications

This RN resume sample shows how:

Registered Nurse Resume Example—Extra Sections

Remember, the license goes first.

One final step—

You need a nursing cover letter. About half of managers won’t read your resume without a RN cover letter attached.

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Key Points

Here’s how to make sure your RN resume gets checked in for observation: 

• Sterilise the resume format—margins, fonts, 1 page, reverse chronological.
• Start building from ResumeLab’s RN resume sample. 
• Quantify the impact and achievements, instead of just listing responsibilities. 
• Limit the length of the education section, as everyone’s will be similar anyway.
• Write a RN cover letter. If you just graduated, check out our guide to writing a new grad RN nurse cover letter.

Did you find our RN resume examples helpful? Did we help you get your private RN resume right? Leave a comment. We’ll be happy to reply.