How to Make a Resume for a Nursing Job

How to Nail That Nursing Resume

Landing your dream nursing job? It all starts with a killer resume. This guide will help you create one that really shines. We'll cover everything – from making it look good to showing off your amazing skills.

Why Your Resume Matters (A Lot!)

Your resume? It's your first impression. And in the super competitive world of nursing, a great resume is a must. It's your chance to show you're the perfect fit. A bad one? It might mean your application gets lost in the shuffle, no matter how qualified you are. This guide gives you the inside scoop on writing resumes nurses actually love.

What Makes a Nursing Resume Awesome?

Here’s what you need:

1. Contact Info: Your name, phone number, email, and LinkedIn profile (if you have one). Keep it short and professional.
2. Summary/Objective (Optional): A quick summary of your skills and goals. This is helpful, especially if you have some experience. Make it match the job description!
3. Skills Section: This is HUGE. List hard skills (like giving shots, wound care, and using IVs) and soft skills (like teamwork, communication, and problem-solving). Look at the job posting – what skills do they want?
4. Experience Section: This is the most important part. List your jobs in reverse order (newest first). Use action verbs (like managed, improved, created) and numbers to show what you achieved. Instead of just saying "helped patients," try "Improved patient satisfaction by 15%." Show, don't just tell!
5. Education Section: Your degrees, certifications, and licenses. Include the school, degree, and graduation date (or expected date). Mention any awards or special courses.
6. Licenses and Certifications: List everything, including where you’re licensed and when your licenses expire. This is essential!
7. Awards and Honors (Optional): Got any awards? Include them! It shows you’re great at what you do.

Resume Tips That Really Work

Here's how to make your resume stand out:

• Use Action Verbs: Start each bullet point with a strong verb. It makes your accomplishments pop!
• Use Numbers: Quantify your achievements whenever possible. Numbers make your accomplishments more believable.
• Tailor It: Customize your resume for each job. Read the description carefully and highlight the skills they need.
• Use Keywords: Use words from the job description. Computer programs often scan for these words, so it helps your resume get noticed.
• Proofread!: Check for typos and grammar mistakes. A polished resume shows you're professional and detail-oriented.
• Keep it Short: Aim for one page, especially if you're new to nursing. Use bullet points and short sentences.
• Choose a Good Format: Use a clean, professional format. Chronological (newest job first) is most common for nurses.
• Pick a Nice Font: Use something easy to read, like Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri.
• Use White Space: Don't cram everything together. Leave some space to make it easy to read.

Show Off Your Nursing Skills

Your skills are the star of the show! You can group them by category (clinical, technical, interpersonal) or weave them into your experience descriptions. Here are some examples:

• Clinical Skills: Giving medicine, wound care, IVs, EKGs, patient assessment, etc.
• Technical Skills: Using electronic health records (EHRs), medical equipment, lab tests, etc.
• Interpersonal Skills: Communication, empathy, teamwork, problem-solving, etc.

Look at Some Examples

Looking at other nursing resumes can give you great ideas. Find examples online; they can help you write your own amazing resume. Remember, these are just examples – make yours reflect your unique skills and experience.

Review and Polish

Once you've written your resume, carefully review it. Ask a friend or career counselor to take a look, too. Make sure everything is perfect and up-to-date. Your resume is a living document, so keep updating it as your career progresses!

The Bottom Line

A great resume is key to getting your dream job. Use these tips to write a resume that really shows off what you can do. Remember to tailor it to each job and always proofread before sending it!