20 Nursing Resume Examples and Templates for 2025
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Nursing Resume Examples and Templates [Download in App]
- Nursing Assistant
- Intensive Care Unit Nurse
- ER Nurse
- Licensed Practical Nurse
- Licensed Vocational Nurse
- Pediatric Nurse
- Home Health Nurse
- Travel Nurse
- Public Health Nurse
- School Nurse
- Hospice Nurse
- Oncology Nurse
- Surgical Nurse
- Dialysis Nurse
- Case Manager Nurse
- Psychiatric Nurse
- Telemetry Nurse
- Labor and Delivery Nurse
- Nurse Educator
- Infection Control Nurse
- Nursing Text-Only Resume Examples
- How To Write a Nursing Resume
- How To Pick the Best Nursing Resume Template
- Frequently Asked Questions: Nursing Resume Examples and Advice
This guide offers expert tips to help you write a nursing resume that showcases your top qualifications. By focusing on your accomplishments and your impact in previous roles, you’ll create a resume that stands out.
Key takeaways
- Start your resume with a summary paragraph highlighting the top reasons you’ll excel in your target nursing job.
- Brainstorm and jot down details about your work experience on a separate document or sheet of paper. This step helps you flesh out descriptions of your nurse jobs and find and express the relevance of any recent jobs you’ve had outside nursing.
- Begin each bullet point with a strong action verb like “Increased” or “Prevented.” This approach can help you give a more concise and compelling account of your duties and achievements.
Nursing Resume Examples and Templates [Download in App]
Nursing Assistant Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Strong Example
Sarah’s resume effectively highlights her hands-on patient care experience. Quantified achievements, such as improving patient satisfaction scores, show her positive impact on patient outcomes.
Key Tip:
Emphasize compassionate care: Nursing assistants play a vital role in patient well-being, so highlighting patient satisfaction and safety improvements will strengthen your resume. Learn more about How To Build a Resume.
Intensive Care Unit Nurse Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Strong Example
Jason’s resume highlights his ability to work in high-stress ICU settings while showcasing specialized skills in patient stabilization and ventilator management.
Key Tip:
Highlight specialized ICU skills: Employers look for nurses with advanced certifications like ACLS and experience in life-saving interventions. Learn more about Best Resume Formats.
ER Nurse Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Strong Example
Olivia’s resume highlights her ability to handle emergencies with efficiency and care. Her quantifiable impact, such as improving survival rates and patient comfort, strengthens her application.
Key Tip:
Showcase your ability to work under pressure: ER nurses must act quickly in life-threatening situations, so emphasizing crisis management skills is crucial. Read more: Best Skills for Resume
Licensed Practical Nurse Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Strong Example
Brian’s resume highlights his ability to provide hands-on patient care while improving patient outcomes. His inclusion of quantifiable achievements, such as reducing infection rates, makes his resume stand out.
Key Tip:
Emphasize direct patient care experience: Hiring managers look for LPNs with strong hands-on skills and attention to patient needs. Learn more about How To List Your Education on a Resume.
Licensed Vocational Nurse Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Strong Example
Emily’s resume highlights her expertise in long-term patient care with specific, quantifiable achievements, such as reducing infection and fall rates.
Key Tip:
Highlight patient care impact: Employers value nurses who contribute to patient well-being and satisfaction. Learn more about Best Resume Formats.
Pediatric Nurse Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Strong Example
Megan’s resume effectively showcases her specialized pediatric expertise and her impact on improving child health outcomes.
Key Tip:
Emphasize specialized skills: Pediatric nursing requires unique skills in child development and communication. Learn more about How To List Your Education on a Resume.
Home Health Nurse Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Strong Example
Rachel’s resume highlights her ability to provide effective in-home care, reducing hospital readmissions and improving patient independence.
Key Tip:
Showcase patient education skills: Home health nurses play a critical role in teaching patients and families how to manage care independently. Learn more about How To Build a Resume.
Travel Nurse Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Strong Example
Mark’s resume demonstrates his flexibility and adaptability, essential traits for travel nurses. His measurable achievements, such as reducing patient wait times, strengthen his application.
Key Tip:
Emphasize flexibility and adaptability: Travel nurses must quickly integrate into new environments, so showcasing your ability to learn fast is critical. Learn more about How to List Promotions on a Resume.
Public Health Nurse Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Strong Example
Lauren’s resume highlights her impact on public health initiatives, emphasizing measurable achievements like increased vaccination rates and reduced hospital readmissions.
Key Tip:
Showcase community impact: Public health nurses must demonstrate their role in preventive care and education. Learn more about How To List Your Education on a Resume.
School Nurse Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Strong Example
Jessica’s resume effectively highlights her experience in school nursing and her contributions to improving student health outcomes.
Key Tip:
Emphasize preventive care: School nurses play a vital role in reducing absenteeism through health education and chronic condition management. Learn more about Best Resume Formats.
Hospice Nurse Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Strong Example
David’s resume highlights his expertise in hospice and palliative care, emphasizing his ability to provide compassionate support to both patients and families.
Key Tip:
Showcase holistic care skills: Hospice nurses need strong emotional intelligence and communication skills to support patients and families. Learn more about How To Build a Resume.
Oncology Nurse Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Strong Example
Amanda’s resume highlights her oncology nursing expertise and her ability to manage complex treatment regimens while supporting patient well-being.
Key Tip:
Highlight specialized training: Oncology nursing requires expertise in chemotherapy protocols and patient education. Learn more about How Long Should a Resume Be?
Surgical Nurse Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Strong Example
Matthew’s resume highlights his surgical expertise, patient safety focus, and ability to assist in complex procedures. His quantified impact, such as reducing complications, makes him a strong candidate.
Key Tip:
Emphasize specialized skills: Surgical nurses need to demonstrate technical expertise and teamwork in high-stress environments. Learn more about Best Resume Formats.
Dialysis Nurse Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Strong Example
Rebecca’s resume effectively highlights her dialysis expertise and patient education efforts. The measurable impact, such as reducing complications, strengthens her application.
Key Tip:
Highlight patient education: Dialysis nurses must ensure patients adhere to treatment plans to prevent complications. Learn more about How To Build a Resume.
Case Manager Nurse Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Strong Example
Michelle’s resume highlights her ability to manage complex patient cases and reduce readmission rates. Her expertise in care coordination and insurance processes strengthens her profile.
Key Tip:
Showcase case management skills: Employers look for nurses who can coordinate care across multiple health care providers. Learn more about How To List Your Education on a Resume.
Psychiatric Nurse Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Strong Example
Daniel’s resume demonstrates his specialized psychiatric nursing skills and his measurable impact on patient outcomes, such as reducing self-harm incidents.
Key Tip:
Emphasize crisis intervention skills: Psychiatric nurses must be skilled in handling high-stress situations. Learn more about How To Write a Resume with No Experience.
Telemetry Nurse Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Strong Example
Rachel’s resume highlights her expertise in cardiac care and emergency response, with quantifiable results that demonstrate her contributions to patient outcomes.
Key Tip:
Showcase specialized monitoring skills: Telemetry nurses need expertise in ECG interpretation and emergency interventions. Learn more about Best Resume Formats.
Labor and Delivery Nurse Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Strong Example
Samantha’s resume highlights her extensive experience in labor and delivery, with clear metrics demonstrating her role in patient education and safe deliveries.
Key Tip:
Emphasize patient education: Labor and delivery nurses play a key role in preparing mothers for childbirth and postpartum care. Learn more about How To Build a Resume.
Nurse Educator Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Strong Example
Jonathan’s resume effectively highlights his leadership in nursing education, demonstrating his ability to develop training programs and mentor students.
Key Tip:
Showcase teaching achievements: Nurse educators should highlight student success rates and curriculum improvements. Learn more about How To List Your Education on a Resume.
Infection Control Nurse Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Strong Example
Nicole’s resume highlights her leadership in infection prevention, with quantifiable achievements such as reducing hospital-acquired infections.
Key Tip:
Demonstrate measurable impact: Infection control nurses should showcase reductions in infection rates and compliance improvements. Learn more about How Long Should a Resume Be?
Nursing Text-Only Resume Examples
How To Write a Nursing Resume
1. Select a suitable format for your nursing resume
Use the combination (or hybrid) resume format to position yourself effectively for jobs as a nurse. (All the resume examples on this page follow the combination format.) This format has two main parts:
- An introduction describing your top skills and qualifications for your target job. The resume intro usually comprises a brief summary paragraph and skills list.
- An experience overview of your recent work or other career-related activities. This part of your resume often centers on sections for your work experience and education.
Following are tips and examples to help you create each main section of your nursing resume.
2. Write a compelling profile summarizing your nursing qualifications
Your resume summary is likely the first section an employer will read, so make it count. This brief paragraph should capture your most relevant achievements and experiences, previewing what you bring to the role. A strong summary is concise, specific, and tailored to the job you’re applying for. Use it to set the tone for the rest of your resume.
(Note: Most job seekers find it easier to write this section last.)
Strong summary example for a nursing resume
Compassionate registered nurse with five years of experience in critical care and emergency medicine. Adept at providing quality care in fast-paced environments, collaborating with physicians, and implementing treatment plans to optimize patient outcomes. Facilitated process improvements that reduced patient wait times by 30% in the emergency department.
Weak summary example for a nursing resume
I am a registered nurse with experience working in different hospital settings. I take care of patients, monitor their conditions, and work with doctors and other nurses.
3. Highlight your essential abilities and technical proficiencies for a nursing role
Include a skills list under your summary to show the different ways you’ll contribute in your next nurse role. With this section, you can give your document the right keywords to perform well on applicant tracking systems (ATS) screenings.
| Common key skills for nursing resumes | |
|---|---|
| Acute and chronic care | Blood draws and lab specimen collection |
| Case management | Charting and documentation (EPIC, Meditech) |
| Cross-team collaboration | Emergency response and triage |
| Infection control and prevention | Medication administration and dosage calculations |
| Neonatal and pediatric care | Pain management |
| Patient advocacy | Patient education and discharge planning |
| Physical assessments | Post-operative care |
| Task prioritization | Telemetry monitoring |
| Time management | Vital signs monitoring |
| Wound care and dressing changes | |
4. Incorporate a results-focused work history section for your nursing resume
For any recent job you’ve held (whether in or outside nursing), brainstorm your duties and achievements on a separate document or blank sheet of paper. Spell out each achievement’s impact on the wider organization, and quantify in terms of a percentage or other hard data.
Then, review each detail through the lens of your target nursing job. Choose the most relevant duties or highlights to present as bullet points in your experience section. This approach helps give your resume the right focus so hiring managers can picture the positive impact you’d have at their facility.
Strong experience example for a nursing resume
Registered Nurse | City Hospital | Chicago, IL | June 2019 – present
- Provide direct patient care in a 20-bed intensive care unit, managing up to five critical patients per shift
- Implemented a fall prevention program that reduced patient falls by 40% within six months
- Trained and mentored 10 newly hired nurses, improving team efficiency and patient care delivery
Weak experience example for a nursing resume
Registered Nurse | City Hospital | Chicago, IL | June 2019 – present
- Provided nursing care to patients
- Assisted doctors and worked with other nurses
- Helped with daily tasks in the unit
5. List your education and any pertinent certifications
Provide a clear and concise overview of your formal education and nursing license, as well as any certifications or specialized training relevant to the role. Highlighting this information helps show you’re committed to the field and have the knowledge required to excel in the position.
When listing your education, include the degree you earned, the school you attended, and optionally the year you graduated. If you’ve completed any certifications, list them along with the issuing organization and optionally the completion date. Below is an example of how to present your education and certifications as a nursing professional:
Education
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
University of Michigan | Ann Arbor, MI
Certification
Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), American Heart Association
How To Pick the Best Nursing Resume Template
Choosing the right resume template is essential to making a strong first impression. A student resume should be clean, easy to read, and structured to highlight academic achievements, internships, and skills. Avoid overly creative designs that may distract from your qualifications. Instead, focus on a layout that presents your experience clearly while ensuring readability for hiring managers and ATS.
Resume.org offers free, HR-approved resume templates to help you create a professional resume in minutes.
Build Your ResumeFrequently Asked Questions: Nursing Resume Examples and Advice
What are common action verbs for nursing resumes?
Common action verbs for nursing resumes include:
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Advised | Analyzed |
| Cared for | Clarified |
| Collaborated | Compiled |
| Created | Determined |
| Developed | Documented |
| Enhanced | Ensured |
| Established | Evaluated |
| Improved | Increased |
| Integrated | Introduced |
| Maintained | Monitored |
| Optimized | Presented |
| Prevented | Promoted |
| Raised | Recommended |
| Reduced | Streamlined |
| Updated | Verified |
| Won | |
How do you align your resume with a nursing job posting?
A great way to tailor your nursing resume is by revisiting the skills section.
First, delete any terms from your skills list that don’t appear in the job post text.
Then, take another look at requirements on the job posting. Do they cover any skills you possess but haven’t added to your list already? Including those terms gives a more complete picture of the value you can add to the health organization.
What is the best visual design for a nursing resume?
With resume design, less is more. The less visual information you add, the more attention you call to your relevant skills and achievements. Keep your document polished and straightforward. Avoid visual flourishes like elaborate borders, colorful logos, or unusual bullet symbols, which usually just distract the hiring manager.
Career Coach
Irina Pichura, founder of Resumeology, is a renowned career coach with over 10 years of recruiting experience at Fortune 500 companies like Goldman Sachs and ADP, as well as startups such as Investopedia. With a degree in Psychology from Fordham University in New York City, Irina offers a unique perspective on what it takes to stand out in a competitive job market.
Resume.org offers free, HR approved resume templates to help you create a professional resume in minutes. Choose from several template options and even pre-populate a resume from your profile.