If you're a registered nurse (RN) looking to land your next opportunity in a hospital, clinic, or healthcare facility, having a professionally crafted resume can make all the difference. This article walks you through a real-world example of RN resume tailored to impress healthcare recruiters, followed by expert resume tips and frequently asked questions.
Nursing is a competitive field, and your resume is often your first (and only) chance to make a strong impression. Whether you're newly licensed or have years of clinical experience, your resume must highlight patient care skills, certifications, and real-world nursing impact.
Let’s dive into a complete, manually written example of an RN resume that’s job-ready and recruiter-approved.
Registered Nurse Resume Example
Emily Johnson
123 Maple Street, Chicago, IL 60601
emily.johnson@email.com | (312) 555-0198
Professional Summary
Compassionate and detail-oriented Registered Nurse with 5+ years of experience delivering quality patient care in fast-paced hospital settings. Proven ability to manage acute and chronic conditions, collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, and provide exceptional emotional support to patients and families. Licensed RN in Illinois with BLS and ACLS certifications. Seeking to join a high-performing healthcare team committed to patient outcomes and excellence.
Core Competencies
Acute and post-surgical care
Patient education and advocacy
Medication administration and IV therapy
EHR documentation (Epic, Cerner)
Infection control and safety compliance
Team leadership and shift coordination
Work Experience
Staff Registered Nurse
Northwest General Hospital – Chicago, IL
March 2021 – Present
Manage care for up to 6 patients per shift in a 30-bed surgical unit, including post-op recovery and wound care
Administer IV medications, monitor vital signs, and document using Epic EMR
Collaborate with physicians and interdisciplinary team to update care plans and discharge instructions
Recognized for patient satisfaction scores consistently above 95%
Registered Nurse – Medical-Surgical Unit
Mercy Healthcare Center – Evanston, IL
July 2018 – February 2021
Delivered high-quality nursing care to diverse adult populations in a med-surg unit
Trained and mentored 5 new RN hires, supporting onboarding and skill development
Participated in hospital’s quality improvement committee to reduce patient falls
Education
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
University of Illinois at Chicago – Chicago, IL
Graduated: May 2018
Licenses & Certifications
Registered Nurse (RN), State of Illinois – Active
Basic Life Support (BLS) – American Heart Association
Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) – AHA
Professional Affiliations
Member, American Nurses Association (ANA)
Member, Illinois Nurses Association
Resume Writing Tips for Registered Nurses
Tailor each resume to the job description. Highlight experience in similar clinical settings (e.g., ER, ICU, med-surg).
Use action verbs like “administered,” “monitored,” or “coordinated” to show impact.
Quantify achievements when possible, such as patient load per shift or satisfaction scores.
Keep your resume to 1–2 pages and proofread thoroughly to eliminate errors.
Include recent certifications that are essential in healthcare hiring, such as BLS, ACLS, or PALS.
Frequently Asked Questions: Example of RN Resume
1. What should be included in an RN resume?
Your RN resume should include a summary, core competencies, work experience, education, licenses/certifications, and affiliations. Tailor each section to highlight your relevance to the job.
2. Can I use a single resume for all RN jobs?
While the core information remains the same, it's best to tweak your resume for each role. Use keywords from the job description and emphasize experience that matches the job setting.
3. How can a new graduate RN write a strong resume?
Focus on clinical rotations, nursing projects, and any volunteer work. List relevant skills such as patient assessments, IV insertion, and familiarity with EHRs.
4. How long should an RN resume be?
Ideally, 1 page for new grads and up to 2 pages for experienced nurses. Recruiters value clarity, so only include relevant, recent information.
This example of RN resume offers a clear, effective format to help you land your next nursing role. Stay confident, keep your credentials updated, and remember—your resume is a reflection of the care and professionalism you bring to patients every day.
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