How to Write an RN Resume That Gets You Interviews and Job Offers
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In today’s competitive healthcare job market, a polished and strategic RN resume can be the deciding factor between landing an interview or getting passed over. Whether you're a seasoned registered nurse with years of hands-on experience or a newly licensed RN looking to get your foot in the door, your resume needs to clearly demonstrate your skills, certifications, and patient care expertise.
This guide provides a real-world rn resume example tailored for healthcare roles and includes actionable tips to help you present yourself as a top-tier nursing candidate.
COMPLETE RN RESUME EXAMPLE
Jane Doe
123 Wellness Lane, Springfield, IL 62704
Phone: (555) 123-4567
Email: janedoe@email.com
Professional Summary
Compassionate and results-oriented Registered Nurse with 6+ years of experience in acute care, ICU, and patient education. Proven ability to work effectively in high-pressure environments, maintain patient safety, and deliver exceptional care. Known for strong clinical judgment, EMR proficiency, and dedication to team-based nursing.
Licensure & Certifications
Registered Nurse (RN), Illinois License #123456 – Active
Basic Life Support (BLS), American Heart Association – Current
Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) – Current
Certified Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) – 2023
Professional Experience
Registered Nurse – Intensive Care Unit
Springfield General Hospital, Springfield, IL
August 2020 – Present
Deliver high-quality, evidence-based care to critically ill patients in a 20-bed ICU unit.
Monitor and interpret patient vitals, administer medications, and respond to emergencies.
Train and mentor newly hired nurses and nursing students during clinical rotations.
Collaborate closely with physicians, respiratory therapists, and case managers to ensure comprehensive care.
Recognized for reducing patient readmission rates by 12% through focused discharge planning.
Staff Nurse – Medical-Surgical Unit
Mercy Health Center, Peoria, IL
June 2017 – July 2020
Managed care for up to 6 patients per shift, including post-operative recovery, wound care, and IV therapy.
Educated patients and families on diagnoses, medications, and home care instructions.
Utilized Epic EMR to document care and update medical histories.
Earned “Nurse of the Month” in March 2019 for outstanding patient feedback.
Education
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
University of Illinois at Chicago – Graduated May 2017
Key Skills
Acute and Critical Care
Medication Administration
EMR (Epic, Cerner)
Patient Advocacy and Safety
Triage and Assessment
Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Infection Control and Compliance
Professional Affiliations
American Nurses Association (ANA)
Illinois Organization of Nurse Leaders (IONL)
RN RESUME WRITING TIPS FOR SUCCESS
Tailor your resume to each job: Highlight keywords from the job description like “acute care,” “ventilator management,” or “post-op recovery.”
Show measurable impact: Instead of just listing tasks, include metrics like improved patient satisfaction scores or reduced errors.
Keep formatting clean and easy to read: Recruiters skim, so use bullet points, bold job titles, and no more than two fonts.
List certifications prominently: Certifications like BLS, ACLS, and specialty credentials are essential in nursing roles.
Include clinical experience if you're a new grad: Your clinical rotations matter—include relevant ones and note what skills you used.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
1. What should a registered nurse include in their resume?
Include your RN license, certifications (BLS, ACLS), clinical experience, education, and key skills like medication administration or patient advocacy.
2. How long should an RN resume be?
Keep it to 1 page if you have less than 10 years of experience. If you’re a senior RN or have extensive credentials, 2 pages is acceptable.
3. How do you write a new grad RN resume with no experience?
Focus on your clinical rotations, soft skills, academic projects, and any internships. Also include your licensure and certifications right at the top.
4. Should I use a resume objective or summary?
Use a professional summary. It offers more value by showcasing your career highlights and strengths instead of just stating your goals.
If you're serious about landing your next nursing role, crafting a resume that speaks directly to what healthcare employers need is crucial. Use the above rn resume example as a reliable guide to build a resume that confidently represents your qualifications and stands out in a competitive field.
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