RN (Registered Nurse) CV—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 CV will get you to the ward faster than you can perform a blood draw.

In this guide:

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

First check out this RN CV example:

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

• Nurse Practitioner CV
• Medical Assistant CV
• New Grad Nursing CV
• ICU Nurse CV 
• Certified Nurse Assistant CV
• Nursing CV
• Nursing Student CV
• Medical CV
• Pharmacy Assistant CV
• Pharmacist CV
• Caregiver CV
• Paramedic / EMT CV
• Medical School CV
• Doctor CV
• Job CV Examples for All Professions

RN CV Sample You Can Copy and Use

This RN CV 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 CV:

1. Sterilise The RN CV Format

Organisation 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 CV. 

Here’s the definitive guide to formatting your CV:

Registered Nurse CV Format

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

Now, get your gloves on.

2. Write Registered Nurse CV Objective or Summary 

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

Think of your CV 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 CV summary.

RN CV 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 CV Objective

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

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 CV in our CV builder now.

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Nail it all with a splash of colour, choose a clean font, highlight your skills in just a few clicks. You’re the perfect candidate and we’ll prove it. Use the ResumeLab builder now.

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

This is arguably the most vital part of your registered nurse CV. 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 CV.

To write a heart-stopping RN job description:

1. Choose the right CV skills. 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 CV keywords.
3. Provide metrics: “Responsible for 25 beds”, “Maintained 100% patient satisfaction”, etc. 

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

Registered Nurse Job Description for CV [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 CV skills to start:

Registered Nurse CV Skills

Soft Skills

• Adaptability
• Attention to Detail
• Compassion
• Conflict Resolution
• Decision Making 
• Dedication
• Excellent Communication Skills
• Organisational 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 licenced anyway. Keep it concise. If you are really scarce on work experience, beef up your RN CV with a relevant coursework or achievements section.

This RN CV sample passes the diagnostics:

Registered Nurse CV Example—Education

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

5. Dose Your RN CV With Some Added Sections

A registered nurse CV differs from others in that it must have added sections, since unless you are licenced and certified, you cannot practise 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 CV sample shows how:

Registered Nurse CV Example—Extra Sections

Remember, the licence goes first.

One final step—

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

Double your impact with a matching CV and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter builder and make your application documents pop out.

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Want to try a different look? There’s 18 more. A single click will give your document a total makeover. Pick a cover letter template here.

Key Points

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

• Sterilise the CV format—margins, fonts, 1 page, reverse chronological.
• Start building from ResumeLab’s RN CV 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 CV examples helpful? Did we help you get your private RN CV right? Leave a comment. We’ll be happy to reply.