Looking to land your dream job as a nurse? Whether you're a recent nursing graduate or an experienced RN, having a professional and polished resume is critical. The healthcare industry is competitive, and recruiters are scanning hundreds of resumes—yours needs to stand out at a glance.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through exactly what makes a strong nursing resume example, offer expert advice from a resume writer’s perspective, and include a realistic, job-ready resume sample you can model yours after.
Let’s dive in.
REALISTIC NURSING RESUME EXAMPLE
Name: Olivia Bennett
Phone: (555) 321-9876
Email: oliviabennett@email.com
City, State: Boston, MA
License: Registered Nurse (RN) – MA #789456123
Professional Summary
Compassionate and detail-oriented Registered Nurse with over 5 years of clinical experience in high-pressure hospital environments. Proven ability to provide exceptional patient care, manage critical conditions, and support multidisciplinary medical teams. Dedicated to improving patient outcomes through evidence-based practice, clear communication, and a strong work ethic.
Key Skills
Acute patient care
IV therapy and medication administration
EMR/EHR documentation (Epic, Cerner)
Post-operative care
Triage and emergency response
Patient and family education
HIPAA compliance
Team collaboration
Professional Experience
Staff Nurse – Medical-Surgical Unit
St. Anne’s Hospital – Boston, MA
March 2020 – Present
Deliver bedside care to up to 6 patients per shift in a 30-bed med-surg unit.
Administer medications, monitor vitals, and update care plans for post-operative and chronic condition patients.
Collaborate closely with physicians and interdisciplinary teams to coordinate treatment.
Precept and mentor new RN hires and student nurses.
Reduced patient readmission rates by 15% through improved discharge teaching and follow-up procedures.
Registered Nurse – Telemetry Unit
Brightview Medical Center – Boston, MA
July 2018 – February 2020
Managed continuous cardiac monitoring for patients with cardiovascular and pulmonary conditions.
Recognized for rapid response during critical incidents, improving emergency outcomes.
Ensured patient safety by maintaining accurate documentation and prompt communication with healthcare providers.
Education
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
University of Massachusetts Boston – Boston, MA
Graduated: May 2018
Certifications
Basic Life Support (BLS) – American Heart Association
Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) – AHA
PRACTICAL RESUME-WRITING TIPS FOR NURSES
1. Tailor for the job. Always align your resume with the job posting. Use the same keywords the employer uses—like “acute care” or “telemetry nurse”—to pass ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems).
2. Lead with your strengths. Your professional summary should immediately tell hiring managers why you’re the right nurse for the role. Keep it specific and focused.
3. Show your impact. Don’t just list duties. Instead, use bullet points to describe how you improved patient care, streamlined processes, or supported your team.
4. Keep formatting clean. Use consistent fonts, margins, and spacing. Avoid clutter—nurses are expected to be detail-oriented, and your resume should reflect that.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. What should a nursing resume include?
A nursing resume should include your contact information, a professional summary, a list of key skills, work experience with bullet points showing results, education, licenses, and certifications.
2. How do I make my nursing resume stand out?
Use action verbs, quantify your accomplishments, and match your resume to the job description. Including specialized training or certifications like ACLS or wound care can also make you stand out.
3. Is a one-page resume enough for nurses?
If you’re a new graduate, yes. If you have 5+ years of experience or multiple nursing roles, two pages are acceptable—as long as the content is relevant and impactful.
4. Should I include clinical rotations on my resume?
If you're a recent graduate without work experience, listing clinical rotations (especially in specialized units) can help demonstrate your exposure and practical skills.
A well-crafted nursing resume is your ticket to interviews and job offers. Use this nursing resume example as a blueprint, tailor it for each application, and always put your best foot forward. Your future patients (and employers) are counting on you!
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