26+ Nursing Resume Examples & Templates
Written By
Ida Pettersson
Reviewed By Conrad Benz
If you're writing a resume for any nursing role, use our examples and writing guide below as a reference to land more interviews. Additionally, check out our nursing cover letter example to complete your application.
Nursing resumes by experience level
Want more template options? Check out our full selection of free resume templates.
Nursing Resume Template (Text Format)
- Registered Nurse: 143591, Virginia Board of Nursing, Expected Oct 20XX
- Supervise a team of 15 nurses across two critical care units, ensuring high standards of patient care and compliance with hospital protocols
- Implement new patient care procedures that improved discharge times by 12%
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to streamline patient handoff communication and reduce errors
- Manage departmental budgets and inventory, cutting supply costs by 10% without compromising care quality
- Provided direct quality care to patients including daily monitoring, recording, and evaluating of medical conditions of up to 20 patients per day
- Coordinated workforce management objectives with a focus on individual, departmental, and hospital-wide initiatives
- Led and mentored 10 newly licensed nurses in developing and achieving professional expertise
- Assisted physicians in taking blood pressure, measuring heartbeat, and recording vitals in physical examinations
- Collaborated with 4 other nursing staff in maintaining a calm environment in caring for patients
- Supervised the admission of patients in emergency cases and directed the transferring of patients from their locations to the hospital via ambulance
- ER work
- Care plans
- EHR
- CPR
- Admin
- Fluent in English, Spanish, and French
Job-specific nursing resume examples
Here are some more resume examples to help you get started when writing your own nursing resume:
RN resume
This RN resume example highlights the key elements hiring managers look for when evaluating nursing candidates, including clinical expertise, educational background, and professional licenses. Use this as a guide to write your own personalized resume that will help you stand out and land your next nursing role:
Why this example works
- Eye-catching design: The design features subtle accent colors and icons that make it stand out while still looking professional
- Focus on experience: The candidate’s extensive work experience is featured prominently with plenty of detailed bullet points for each position
Nurse practitioner resume
As a nurse practitioner, you’ll diagnose and prescribe treatments for patients like a doctor would. With this extra responsibility comes a greater need to show you’re capable of doing the job. Demonstrate that you’re up to the job with an outstanding nurse practitioner resume like this one:
Why this example works
- Professional layout: This layout is clean and organized, with neutral colors and fonts
- Showcases certifications: The candidate includes an additional certifications section that demonstrates a commitment to continuous learning
LVN resume
Your LVN resume needs to clearly and concisely convey your specific clinical skills, practical nursing experience, and commitment to quality patient care. Use this example as a starting point when writing your own:
Why this example works
- Stands out: The bright green header font grabs attention without being over-the-top
- Spotlight on qualifications: The candidate includes both “Education” and “Licenses” sections to show that they’re qualified
ICU nurse resume
Check out our downloadable ICU nurse resume sample to inspire you when writing your own:
Why this example works
- Simple template: This clean, basic layout lets the candidate’s skills shine through without distracting design features
- In-depth experience: Including a lot of detail in the work experience section shows employers that you’re qualified
Nursing student resume
Our nursing student resume sample will help you demonstrate to hospitals that you have the skills necessary for an internship:
Why this example works
- Detailed experience: The student does a good job of showcasing what they’ve learned during their externships
- Education front-and-center: The candidate moved their education section to the top so that it’s easily noticeable
New grad RN resume
Landing a job as a new grad registered nurse isn’t easy. The healthcare industry has stringent hiring standards because people’s lives depend on your care. Our new grad RN resume example will give you a reference point for how to write a successful application:
Why this example works
- Emphasis on education: The candidate puts their degree front and center to ensure that it’s noticeable
- Lists licenses: This resume features the candidate’s nursing license towards the top of the page to ensure employers will notice it when scanning the resume
Entry-level nurse resume
If you’re applying for your first nursing position, you’ll need to win employers over with an entry-level nurse resume that showcases your skills, like this one:
Why this example works
- Showcases skills: This resume includes a range of essential nursing skills in both the skills and work experience sections
- Shows dedication: The candidate lists additional certifications they earned as well as their membership in a student organization
New grad nurse practitioner resume
To get a great job as a newly graduated nurse practitioner, you need a resume that showcases your top skills and clinical experience. Check out our new grad nurse practitioner example to use as a guide:
Why this example works
- Showcases practical experience: The candidate includes enough detail about their clinical rotation experience
- Eye-catching icons: The icons at the beginning of each header draw attention without being distracting
Director of nursing resume
This example showcases the strategic vision, administrative prowess, and commitment to exceptional patient care that a director of nursing needs to have:
Why this example works
- Emphasis on experience: The candidate describes their past work experience in detail
- Solid introduction: The resume summary highlights the candidate’s enthusiasm and leadership abilities
Operating room nurse resume
Check out our operating room nurse resume example to learn how to showcase your invaluable perioperative nursing skills.
Why this example works
- Bold header: The color-blocked resume header is eye-catching while still looking professional
- Additional certifications: The candidate showcases other certification courses they’ve completed in addition to their nursing degree
Certified nursing assistant resume
Look through our certified nursing assistant resume sample for inspiration when you write your resume.
Why this example works
- Emphasis on skills: The ratings in the skills section draw attention to the candidate’s unique skill set
- Unique layout: The resume’s design is attention-grabbing while still looking sleek and organized
Labor and delivery nurse resume
Our example below teaches you how to write a resume for a labor and delivery nurse that shows off your unique skills and highlights your professional achievements:
Why this example works
- Quantified metrics: The candidate backs up their experience with numbers where possible
- Strong skills: The skills section highlights a range of hard and soft skills
NICU nurse resume
Learn how to impress employers using our NICU nurse resume example as a guide:
Why this example works
- Eye-catching sidebar: The color-blocked sidebar helps this resume stand out while still maintaining a professional look
- Spotlight on certifications: The candidate demonstrates their dedication to patient care by showcasing their additional certifications
LPN resume
Use our LPN resume sample for inspiration as you put together your application:
Why this example works
- Strong header: The capitalized, blue text helps this resume stand out without being too flashy
- Emphasis on experience: This format leaves plenty of room to describe your work experience in an in-depth way
Oncology nurse resume
This oncology nurse resume example showcases the unique qualifications needed to thrive in this challenging but immensely rewarding nursing specialty:
Why this example works
- Attention-grabbing header: The graphic and subtle pop of color help this resume stand out
- Data-backed experience: The candidate gives context to their past work experience by including numbers where possible
Charge nurse resume
From coordinating patient care and supervising nursing staff to ensuring regulatory compliance and driving process improvements, this charge nurse resume example demonstrates the multifaceted responsibilities required to be a charge nurse:
Why this example works
- Solid summary: The introduction presents the candidate as competent and reliable
- Scannable layout: The horizontal lines and clear headings make this resume easy to skim
Hospice nurse resume
The role of a hospice nurse requires a unique blend of clinical expertise, emotional intelligence, and compassion. This hospice nurse resume example showcases the specialized skills and experiences that are essential for success in this specialty:
Why this example works
- Well-organized layout: The timeline graphic and clearly delineated sections keep the reader’s eye moving throughout the page
- Attention-grabbing header: The color block and bold header font draw the viewer’s eye
Orthopedic nurse resume
Use this orthopedic nurse resume example as a springboard to create a resume that markets you as a highly-skilled orthopedic nursing professional capable of delivering exceptional, patient-centered care:
Why this example works
- Optimized use of space: The layout ensures all of the necessary sections can be included without making the resume look crowded
- In-depth experience: The candidate demonstrates their skills in their descriptions of past job responsibilities
Pediatric nurse resume
This pediatric nurse resume example highlights the qualifications that demonstrate your ability to excel in this rewarding specialty:
Why this example works
- Concise summary: The introduction is short while still conveying the candidate’s enthusiasm
- Clean design: The layout leaves lots of room to include a detailed work history while still looking organized
School nurse resume
Use this school nurse resume example as a guide to craft a resume that demonstrates your dedication to fostering a safe, healthy, and supportive learning environment for all students in your care:
Why this example works
- Bold header: The pop of color and bold text help this resume stand out
- Highly skimmable: The dotted line dividers and red heading text make this resume easy to scan quickly
Telemetry nurse resume
This telemetry nurse resume example can show you how to demonstrate your commitment to providing exceptional, data-driven patient care:
Why this example works
- Hard numbers: The candidate uses numbers to give potential employers a sense of the scope of their past job responsibilities
- Good use of whitespace: The sections are spaced out enough to ensure that the resume doesn’t look crowded
Travel nurse resume
Your travel nurse resume needs to highlight your adaptability and diverse clinical experience, like in this example:
Why this example works
- Spotlight on education: The red header text ensures that the candidate’s degrees and certifications stand out
- Simple layout: The straightforward layout ensures that this resume is well-organized and easy to scan
ER nurse resume
As an emergency room nurse, your resume must showcase your ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment. Check out this example for inspiration:
Why this example works
- Includes data: The candidate provides data about their past experience to show the scope of their previous roles
- Range of skills: The skills section includes both hard and soft skills necessary to succeed in ER nursing roles
Average registered nurse salaries in the US
The following table includes information from O*NET Resource Center by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license, this data is pulled from the most recent US Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Employment & Earnings report (as of 10/16/2024), featuring the top states by use.
Average registered nurse annual salaries by state
| States | Salary / Year |
|---|---|
| California | $133,990 |
| New York | $104,570 |
| Texas | $85,110 |
| Florida | $80,960 |
| Pennsylvania | $82,780 |
| Illinois | $82,470 |
| Ohio | $79,940 |
| Georgia | $83,620 |
| North Carolina | $79,580 |
| Michigan | $81,710 |
| National Average | $77,820 |
How to write a nursing resume
No matter what type of medicine you specialize in, getting a nursing job in a good hospital can be challenging. It’s not just a matter of having the right licenses – you need to convince hiring managers that you’re the perfect candidate for the job at their specific hospital or clinic.
That’s why knowing how to write a strong resume that advertises your skills, experience, and certifications is essential.
Follow this guide to make an effective resume that gets noticed by employers and lands you more interviews.
Write a compelling resume objective
To immediately grab the attention of potential employers, you should begin by writing a strong resume introduction that includes details about your education, licenses, and past work experience.
We recommend using a resume objective for a nursing resume, because it allows you to quickly and clearly summarize your qualifications and career goals.
Here’s an example:
Nurse RN with 8+ years of experience providing quality care to a wide variety of patients. Possess a Master’s qualification in nursing and currently focused on earning a doctorate in the field. Aiming to leverage my experience and knowledge to effectively fill the nursing position at your hospital.
Highlight nursing-related skills on your resume
One of the most important parts of any nursing resume is a strong, up-to-date skills section.
Here are some of the top nursing skills for today’s job market:
And here are some additional nursing skills and certifications to put on your resume, depending on your specialization and the needs of your potential employer:
Nursing hard skills
| HIPAA | Cardiopulmonary resuscitation |
| First aid | Knowledge of preventative care strategies |
| Tracheostomy care | Insertion of central lines |
| IV administration | Wound dressing |
Although nurses require specific technical skills to do the job, those aren’t the only skills required. As a nurse, you also deal with patients and colleagues each day, which demands a strong set of soft skills.
Soft skills like communication and emotional intelligence allow nurses to build trust with patients, show empathy, educate effectively, and deliver a higher quality of care.
You should include soft skills in the summary, skills section, and work experience section of your resume to show hiring managers that you have the interpersonal skills necessary to succeed as a nurse.
Here’s a list of soft skills to emphasize on a resume for any nursing position:
Nursing soft skills
| Critical thinking | Communication |
| Interpersonal skills | Customer service skills |
| Teamwork | Reliability |
| Dependability | People skills |
| Problem-solving | Attention to detail |
| Language skills | Able to multitask |
| Organizational skills | Empathy |
Include enough detail in your work experience section
Writing the work experience section of a nursing resume isn’t as straightforward as in other industries.
Hiring managers want to make sure your experience is directly relevant to their hospital’s requirements.
To make your qualifications as clear as possible, include facility- and unit-specific information in your work experience bullet points, such as the total number of beds available at your previous hospital, and the types of units you worked in.
More specifically, you should include the following information (if applicable to your previous work experience):
- Trauma level: level I, II, III
- Unit type (ICU, ER, PICU, etc.)
- Facility types (i.e. urgent care, nursing home, etc.)
- Number of hospital beds
- Number of unit beds
- Patient demographics
- Whether you used EMR or EHR (or both)
In addition to this, you should try to quantify achievements in your work experience section.
For example, you could add details about:
- How many patients you took care of in your unit
- How many hours you worked per rotation
- How many nurses you worked with or trained
Numbers give the hiring manager a clear picture of your skills and abilities because they add context to the accomplishments on your resume.
Here’s an example of a bullet point without numbers:
NO HARD NUMBERS
Supervised unit of a large psychiatric facility
Here is the same statement with numbers and context added:
WITH HARD NUMBERS
Supervised up to 10 staff in the 200-bed adolescent unit of a large psychiatric facility, specializing in eating disorders
Organize your education section according to ANCC preferences
Nurses have a lot of education and certifications compared to other professions. It can be confusing deciding how to include all this extra information on your resume or how to organize it.
Fortunately, the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) has a standardized order for how you should list your nursing credentials on your resume:
- Highest degree earned – add any lower-level or less relevant degrees underneath.
- Licensure – this includes registered nurse (RN) and licensed practical nurse (LPN). Include your licenses in your education section or in their own dedicated section.
- State designations or requirements – state designations or requirements show that you can practice at an advanced level in certain states
- National certifications – list your certifications in a dedicated section on your resume
- Awards and honors – if you’ve received any honors or awards, list them in a dedicated section
- Other certifications – finally, list any other non-nursing healthcare-related certifications
Here’s an example of a nursing resume that follows proper ANCC order:
EDUCATION
Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing – Graduated 20XX
Rutgers School of Nursing, 3.8 GPA
Registered Nurse (RN): License number 5668124
New Jersey Board of Nursing, active since January 20XX
CERTIFICATION
Certified Pediatric Nurse (PED-BC)
Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing Certification, 20XX-Present
If you have numerous licenses, list them in a dedicated “Licenses” section on your resume. Otherwise, just list them in the education section of your resume.
Here’s the information you should include for each license you add:
- License type – Nurse Practitioner (NP), Registered Nurse (RN), etc.
- Licensing state – the state or body that issued the license
- License number – the number of your license
- Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) – mention if your license is included in the NLC, allowing you to practice in multiple states
- License expiration date – the month and year that your license expires
Here’s an example of the entry of a properly formatted license on a nurse resume:
LICENSES
Registered Nurse: 362585
California Board of Registered Nursing
Active until October 20XX
Are you still in nursing school and looking for study tips? Check out this video by experienced RN Miki Rai:
Include a section showing the professional organizations you belong to
If you’re worried you still don’t have enough qualifications on your resume, consider adding an additional section for your honors or professional affiliations.
There are numerous professional organizations for nurses, and listing them on your resume is a good way to make yourself look more accomplished and possibly get an immediate “in” with the hiring manager if they belong to the same organization.
Some examples of popular nursing affiliations include:
When listing organizations on your resume, include the name of the organization, the date you were admitted, and a short description of your role within the group.
If you want to make the resume writing process easier, try using an automated resume builder to do all the formatting and design work for you. At the end of the process, you’ll have an attractive, professional resume ready to use for any nursing position.
Resume examples for different industries
Not sure what your resume should look like? The best way to learn is by taking inspiration from resume examples written by other candidates in your industry.
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26+ Nursing Resume Examples & Templates
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