Complete Guide with Nursing Resumes Examples to Get Hired Fast

If you’re a nurse aiming to land your next role in a competitive healthcare environment, your resume needs to speak volumes. Nursing isn’t just a job—it’s a calling, and your resume should reflect both your skills and compassion. Whether you’re an experienced registered nurse or just stepping into the field, understanding how to present your qualifications effectively is key. That’s where strong nursing resumes examples can help.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through a realistic and tailored nursing resume example, offer pro tips specific to the industry, and answer the most common resume questions nurses have. Let’s get started!

REALISTIC NURSING RESUME SAMPLE

Maria Thomas
123 Wellness Street, New York, NY 10001
Phone: (555) 789-1234 | Email: mariathomas@nurseemail.com

Professional Summary
Compassionate and detail-oriented Registered Nurse with over 6 years of experience in fast-paced hospital settings. Proven track record in acute patient care, critical thinking, and interdisciplinary teamwork. Adept at electronic medical records, IV therapy, and post-operative care. Passionate about improving patient outcomes and delivering empathetic, high-quality nursing support.

Core Competencies

Acute & Post-operative Care

IV Administration & Wound Management

EMR Documentation (Epic, Cerner)

Patient & Family Education

Vital Signs Monitoring

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Infection Control Procedures

CPR & BLS Certified

Professional Experience

Registered Nurse
Mountview General Hospital, New York, NY
March 2020 – Present

Provide direct nursing care to a 25-bed medical-surgical unit, managing up to 6 patients per shift.

Collaborate with physicians and care teams to assess, plan, and implement individualized care plans.

Recognized for reducing medication errors through diligent cross-checking and patient communication.

Trained 3 newly hired nurses on hospital procedures and EMR usage.

Staff Nurse – Emergency Department
Hopewell Regional Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY
July 2017 – February 2020

Delivered rapid assessments and interventions in high-stress trauma and emergency settings.

Administered medications and life-saving treatments per physician instructions and established protocols.

Assisted with triage, ensuring patients received appropriate care based on condition severity.

Participated in multiple code blue situations, assisting with resuscitation efforts.

Education
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
New York University College of Nursing – New York, NY
Graduated: May 2017

Certifications

Registered Nurse – Licensed in New York State

Basic Life Support (BLS) – American Heart Association

Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) – AHA Certified

PRACTICAL RESUME-WRITING TIPS FOR NURSES

Start Strong with a Summary – Your summary should showcase your compassion, clinical experience, and what makes you stand out as a nurse.

Be Specific – Quantify your achievements where possible (e.g., “Managed care for 6+ patients per shift,” “Trained 3 new hires”).

Tailor to the Role – Always align your skills and duties to the job description. If they’re looking for ICU experience, lead with that.

Use Healthcare Keywords – Include terms like “patient care,” “EMR,” “BLS certified,” or “infection control” to pass ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems).

Keep it Neat & Professional – Use clean formatting, bullet points, and a standard font. No colors, photos, or fancy designs.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT NURSING RESUMES

1. What should be included in a nursing resume?
Include your professional summary, core nursing skills, detailed work experience, education, and certifications. Tailor these sections to the nursing job you’re applying for.

2. How do I write a resume with no hospital experience?
Focus on your clinical rotations, internships, volunteer work, and transferable soft skills like communication and empathy. Highlight your educational background and any certifications.

3. Should I include references on a nursing resume?
No, it’s not necessary to include references directly. Instead, you can write “References available upon request” or leave it out entirely.

4. How long should my nursing resume be?
For most nurses, a one-page resume is ideal if you have less than 10 years of experience. For more seasoned professionals, a two-page resume is acceptable.

Whether you're applying to a local clinic or a major hospital, using the right format and focusing on relevant experience makes all the difference. Refer back to this guide whenever you need fresh nursing resumes examples or tips that actually work in today’s healthcare job market.