Registered Nurse Resume (RN)—Examples & Template

A registered nurse (RN) plays a vital role in healthcare, providing compassionate care to patients while ensuring their safety and well-being. A strong RN resume is crucial in securing a job in this competitive field, as it illustrates your skills and experience to potential employers.

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

In this guide, you’ll find:

• A sterile and effective RN resume template.
• How to write a compelling RN objective for a resume.
• Tips on how to craft your registered nurse job description better than most.
• Multiple registered nurse resume examples that will inspire your own resume.

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Are you looking for a different job? Searching for more inspiration? Check out our other resume example guides:

• Caregiver Resume
• Doctor Resume
• ER Nurse Resume
• ICU Nurse Resume
• Medical Receptionist Resume
• Nursing Student Resume
• Nurse Manager Resume
• Nurse Practitioner Resume
• Pharmacist Resume
• Respiratory Therapist Resume

RN Resume Template You Can Copy and Use

A registered nurse (RN) is responsible for providing patient care, administering medications, and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to ensure optimal patient outcomes. Their resumes should prove strong communication, critical thinking, leadership, and adaptability skills.

The above RN resume doesn’t waste time setting out precisely what Tim will bring to the ward. Now let’s explore each step in greater detail so that you can create an RN resume as good as Tim’s or an even better one.

1. Choose a Clean Registered Nurse Resume Format

Every high-quality hospital is clean and sterile. And as a registered nurse, you must show that cleanliness runs through your veins.

About 203,200 openings for registered nurses are projected each year, on average, over the decade. And the percent change in employment for registered nurses is slightly higher than the national average. So there is definitely a spot ready for you! All you need to do is seize the opportunity. How?

Organizing your resume is the first step to showing you’re the perfect candidate for the RN job. With the right registered nurse resume format, your application will immediately shine.

Rules for a great registered nurse resume format:

• Set an optimal length for your resume. One page is desired but you can make a two-page resume if you have a lot of valuable experience.
• Choose a readable resume font, such as a 10–12pt Calibri.
• Set 1-inch margins and leave ample space between sections. This will result in a nice-looking resume layout.
• Order your resume sections the following way: Heading, Resume Profile, Work History, Education, Skills, and Additional Sections.
• Utilize the reverse-chronological resume format when listing your details under all sections.
• Save your resume as a PDF unless specified otherwise.

Now that you have everything set up, put on your gloves, and let’s get writing.

2. Start With a Compelling Registered Nurse Summary or Objective

How to start a resume correctly? With the most vital information! 

Write a resume profile that summarizes your best achievements and put it just below your contact information. Focus on backing up your experience with numbers. There is a vast difference between having a “high temperature” and a “102.5 °F fever.” The first sentence has many interpretations. The second, only one.

Here’s how to write a resume summary that leaves no doubts:

RN Resume Example—Resume Summary

It’s clear as day. The second applicant lacks quantitative data to back up their claims. It only presents they did their job. And every employer expects you to do your job. Meanwhile, the first example shows exemplary performance and addresses the company by name, showing that their resume is not a copy-pasted spam mail.

But what if you don’t have much experience as a registered nurse? If that’s the case, use a resume objective instead of a summary. Here’s how:

RN Objective for a Resume—Example

And that’s how you show and prove expertise, even at the entry level. Although you haven’t worked as an RN just yet, the 500 hours of volunteer time instantly show your drive and commitment.

Expert Hint: Leave writing the resume profile for last. This part is like a resume abstract—it’s easier to write it when you can reference the rest of your registered nurse resume.

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3. Write a Heart-Stopping RN Job Description for a Resume

This part is the beating heart of your resume. Don’t fall into the trap of rattling off a list of your obvious and common responsibilities. It’s here where you have to show what you really can do and back it up with numbers.

To present your job experience on a resume the best way, follow these steps:

1. Read the job ad and locate the skills the employer wants to see on your resume. (An applicant tracking system and then a recruiter will scan your application looking for those resume keywords.)
2. Make a list of your registered nurse skills based on that.
3. Create bullet points to present those skills using the accomplishment statements formula.
4. Provide metrics (%, $, and numbers) to show the size of your success.

Take a look at the examples below:

Registered Nurse Resume Examples—Job Description

Even though these two candidates are the same, the difference is staggering. The top RN example, passes the examination with flying colors. The second candidate has only shown the duties of a registered nurse. Meaning, they probably did their job, but nothing indicates they did it well. 

Expert Hint: Are you just starting out on your journey as a nurse? Check out our guide for writing a new grad nurse resume. It includes much information and valuable tips for writing an entry-level nursing resume.

4. Raise Their Heartbeat With the Education Section

Registered nurses usually take one of three education paths: a bachelor’s degree in nursing, an associate’s degree in nursing, or a diploma from an approved nursing program. Regardless of your chosen path, it’d be best to differentiate yourself from other applicants. Why? Well, no recruiter wants to look at a hundred carbon-copy resumes.

To spike the recruiters’ interest, showcase the relevant coursework on your resume or your volunteer experience during your studies. This is a surefire way to improve the education section on your resume.

Registered Nurse Resume Example—Education

For more information on displaying your credentials in the proper order, you can refer to this handy booklet published by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

5. Inject Your Resume With the Best Skills for a Registered Nurse

Including a list of skills on a resume allows you to highlight specific competencies that may or may not be evident from your work experience. For example, you’re an RN with solid leadership skills but haven’t had the opportunity to hold a supervisory role. You can still highlight this skill on your resume to show potential employers that you have the ability to lead and manage teams.

Here’s a list of many skills that would look good on a registered nurse resume. You can use it for reference when writing your own.

RN Skills for a Resume

• Patient Assessment
• Patient Care
• Wound Care
• Clinical Knowledge
• Administering and Monitoring Medications
• Performing and Evaluating Diagnostic Tests
• Taking Vital Signs
• Organizational Skills
• Computer Skills
• Communication Skills
• Interpersonal Skills
• Adaptability
• Critical Thinking
• Empathy
• Leadership
• Stress Management
• Time Management
• Conflict Resolution

Expert Hint: A good skillset featuring both hard and soft skills is hugely beneficial. Don’t forget to add 8–10 skills if you’re aiming to create the perfect resume.

6. Dose Your RN Resume With Some Additional Sections

Unlike most other jobs, the certification section for a registered nurse is a must. That’s because you cannot practice this profession unless you’re licensed and certified. But that doesn’t mean it’s all you should show here.

The additional sections can help your RN resume. They demonstrate your commitment to your profession and willingness to go above and beyond in your career. You can also use the additional sections to pad your resume with more content if you feel it’s too short.

Choose from these sections when writing:

• Certifications
• Associations & Memberships
• Conferences
• Languages
• Volunteer Work
• Interests & Hobbies
• Publications

Refer to this example to see how:

Sample RN Resume—Added Sections

And remember, your registered nurse license goes first!

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Key Points

Here’s how to make a registered nurse resume that passes the examination: 

• Sterilize the resume format—set margins, readable fonts, 2 pages maximum.
• Quantify the impact and achievements instead of just listing responsibilities. 
• Add some vitality to your education section.
• Include a certification section. You need to show your credentials.
• Write an RN cover letter. If you just graduated, check out our guide to writing a new grad RN nurse cover letter.

Did you find our registered nurse resume examples helpful? And did we help you get your RN resume right? Leave all your comments and questions below. We’ll be happy to reply.