If you're pursuing a career in nursing, your resume must do more than just list credentials — it needs to highlight your compassion, clinical expertise, and ability to thrive in fast-paced healthcare environments. Whether you're a seasoned RN, a licensed practical nurse (LPN), or a recent nursing graduate, crafting the right resume can be the difference between landing an interview or getting overlooked.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through resume examples nursing professionals can use to tailor their applications and stand out. You’ll see a realistic nursing resume sample, get advice from a career expert’s perspective, and learn how to avoid common mistakes that keep many candidates from getting hired.
Sample Resume – Registered Nurse (RN)
Sarah J. Thompson
123 Maple Lane, Denver, CO 80203
Phone: (555) 123-4567 | Email: sarah.jthompson@email.com
Professional Summary
Compassionate and dedicated Registered Nurse with 5+ years of experience in fast-paced hospital environments. Skilled in critical care, patient education, and multidisciplinary collaboration. Proven ability to remain calm under pressure while delivering high-quality care to diverse patient populations. Eager to join a progressive healthcare team focused on holistic outcomes.
Licensure & Certifications
Registered Nurse (RN), Colorado State Board of Nursing, License #RN123456
Basic Life Support (BLS), American Heart Association
Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), American Heart Association
Professional Experience
Staff Nurse – Medical-Surgical Unit
Denver General Hospital, Denver, CO
June 2020 – Present
Manage care for up to 6 patients per shift with varying levels of acuity
Coordinate discharge planning and post-care education with families
Monitor vital signs, administer medications, and evaluate treatment response
Recognized for excellent documentation and patient satisfaction scores
Clinical Nurse – Emergency Department
Saint Mary’s Hospital, Aurora, CO
Aug 2017 – May 2020
Responded to urgent and emergent medical conditions, stabilizing patients rapidly
Collaborated closely with physicians and respiratory therapists during trauma cases
Trained new hires on triage protocols and equipment usage
Received “Above and Beyond” award for outstanding performance
Education
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
University of Colorado, College of Nursing – 2017
Key Skills
Patient Advocacy
Wound Care and Triage
Electronic Health Records (Epic)
Multidisciplinary Communication
IV Therapy & Phlebotomy
HIPAA Compliance
Nursing Resume Writing Tips
Writing a nursing resume isn’t just about listing hospitals and licenses. Here are five tips to make your resume strong and recruiter-ready:
Tailor your summary to the specific nursing role — whether it’s ICU, pediatric, or geriatric care.
Quantify accomplishments: Mention patient loads, improvement percentages, or time saved.
Highlight soft skills like empathy, adaptability, and communication — all vital in patient care.
Include relevant keywords from the job posting to help with applicant tracking systems (ATS).
Keep formatting clean and professional. Use clear headings, bullet points, and no more than two fonts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should a new graduate nurse put on their resume?
Include clinical rotations, relevant coursework, certifications (like BLS), and any volunteer or part-time healthcare experience. Focus on soft skills like teamwork and willingness to learn.
How long should a nursing resume be?
One page for new grads or those with under 5 years of experience; two pages for experienced nurses with extensive backgrounds.
Should I include a cover letter with my nursing resume?
Yes! A personalized cover letter can emphasize your passion for patient care and explain why you’re the right fit for that specific healthcare facility.
What are the most important keywords for nursing resumes?
Use terms like “RN,” “patient care,” “medication administration,” “triage,” “care planning,” and the exact job title you're applying for to get through ATS filters.
By following these nursing resume examples and tips, you'll be on your way to creating a resume that reflects your unique qualifications and lands you interviews in today’s competitive healthcare market.
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