Nurse Intern Resume Examples

As a nurse intern, writing a resume can feel like diagnosing a tricky patient—overwhelming and complex. You're eager to make a great impression, but often unsure of what to include or how to stand out. Many nurse interns worry about highlighting their limited experience while showcasing their skills effectively. Mistakes like poor formatting or unclear wording can make it hard to land those crucial interviews. This guide will help you navigate these challenges and create a stellar resume that gets you noticed.

Using the right resume template is critical for a nurse intern. An effective template ensures your skills, education, and experience are presented neatly and professionally. It will make sure hiring managers see your strengths at a glance. So, choosing a template carefully isn't just helpful; it's essential.

We also have over 700 resume examples you can use to create a standout resume. Dive in, and let's get started on crafting the perfect resume for you!

What to focus on when writing your nurse intern resume

A nurse intern resume should tell the recruiter about your skills, education, and passion for healthcare. It should highlight any relevant coursework, clinical rotations, and hands-on training. You should also show your dedication to patient care and teamwork. Including certifications like CPR/BLS can boost your resume.

Bullet Points to Include:

• Completed clinical rotations in [specific area]
• Strong communication and patient care skills
• CPR/BLS certification
• Knowledge of medical terminology

Must have information on your nurse intern resume

Crafting a compelling nurse intern resume as an entry-level candidate involves including key sections that highlight your educational background and relevant skills. Here are the must-have resume sections for a nurse intern:

• Contact Information
• Professional Summary
• Education
• Clinical Experience
• Skills
• Certifications

Including additional sections such as "Volunteer Experience" and "Professional Affiliations" can further distinguish your application. These sections provide more depth about your background and commitment to the nursing field.

Which resume format to choose

For a nurse intern resume, the best format is the reverse-chronological format since it highlights your education and relevant experiences. Choose modern fonts like Rubik or Montserrat instead of older styles like Arial or Times New Roman to give a fresh look. Always save your resume as a PDF to ensure it maintains its formatting across different devices. Keep your margins at 1 inch to ensure readability and avoid clutter. Use clear section headings like "Education," "Experience," and "Skills" to make it easy for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to parse through your resume. These sections can have a major impact on how your resume is read by both ATS and hiring managers.

A nurse intern resume should have the following sections:

• Contact Information
• Objective Statement
• Education
• Clinical Rotations
• Skills
• Certifications
• Volunteer Experience
• References

Resume Mentor's free resume builder handles all of this so you don't have to worry about formatting or sections.

How to include education on your resume

An education section is an essential part of your resume, especially for entry-level positions like a nurse intern. Make sure your education section is tailored to the job you're applying for; irrelevant education should be left out. Including relevant information is crucial because you may lack professional experience.

You should include details about your GPA, particularly if it's above 3.0. If you graduated with any honors like cum laude, mention that too. When listing your degree, be specific about the type of degree and the institution from which you graduated.

The above example is poorly written for a nurse intern resume because it includes an irrelevant degree and omits important details like GPA or honors. Specifying an irrelevant major like Fine Arts does not align with a nursing career.

The second example is excellent because it lists a relevant degree (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) and school. It includes a strong GPA of 3.8 and mentions graduating cum laude, which adds weight to the academic achievements. This makes a strong case for your qualifications.

How to include volunteering on your resume

Including a volunteering section in your resume is crucial, especially for entry-level positions like a nurse intern. Volunteering demonstrates your commitment, skills, and willingness to go above and beyond. Start each section with an action verb. For example, you can add volunteering to your experience section.

If integrating volunteering into your experience section, consider this approach:

A standalone volunteer section can also make a strong impression: [here was the JSON object 2]

This example is effective because it highlights relevant nursing skills, such as administering medications and providing patient care. Aligning your volunteer work with nursing duties strengthens your resume by showing your practical experience in a healthcare setting. Future employers will see that your commitment extends beyond paid positions.

How to write a quantifiable resume experience section

If you are a nurse intern with very little to no experience, writing your resume can feel challenging. But don't worry! You can make your experience section stand out by highlighting transferable skills, unpaid work, academic achievements, and tailored details to align with the job you're applying for. Here’s a guide to help you create a compelling resume experience section.

Start by arranging your resume in reverse chronological order, beginning with the most recent role first. If you have very little to no work experience, volunteering and academic accomplishments play crucial roles. For example, volunteer work at a local community health event can highlight teamwork, patient care, and communication skills. Academic achievements also show commitment and specialized knowledge. Action words like "assisted," "contributed," and "collaborated" can make your entries impactful.

An example of a poorly written experience section:

This example is bad because it lacks specificity, quantifiable metrics, and fails to highlight transferable skills. Phrases like "helped nurses" are too vague and don't capture the impact of the intern's contributions.

Here's an outstanding example:

This example is good because it focuses on tangible achievements, uses numbers to show impact, and highlights teamwork and accuracy. Such details make the candidate's contributions clear and measurable.

You can focus your resume experience section in various ways to highlight different strengths. Let’s explore four specific ways to make your resume stand out even with little to no formal experience. H4 Writing a skills-focused experience section Highlight applicable skills you've gained from part-time jobs, volunteer work, or school projects. Emphasize your technical and soft skills relevant to nursing.

H4 Writing a project-focused experience section

Showcase specific projects where you played a key role. Describe your contributions and the project outcomes.

H4 Writing a problem-solving focused experience section

Show how you tackled challenges and what skills you used to solve them, no matter the job or volunteer setting.

H4 Writing a collaboration-focused experience section

Emphasize your ability to work as part of a team. Describe how your collaboration helped achieve a common goal.

Tailor your resume experience section to showcase the skills, projects, problem-solving abilities, or collaboration qualities that align with your career goals as a nurse intern. Focus on making each bullet point clear and impactful to demonstrate your readiness for the role.

Write your accountant resume objective section

Writing your resume objective as a nurse intern can be challenging, but with the right approach, you can make a compelling case for why you’re the perfect fit for the internship. The best resume objectives are clear, focused on what you can bring to the role, and tailored to the specific internship you’re applying for. Use this section to highlight your passion for nursing and any relevant skills or experiences that will make you a valuable asset to the healthcare team.

Here are two examples to illustrate:

This objective is poorly written because it is vague and doesn't highlight specific skills or attributes. It lacks enthusiasm and focus, making it hard for the employer to see the candidate's unique strengths.

This objective is strong because it is specific and demonstrates the candidate's passion and eagerness to contribute. It highlights relevant skills and shows a clear understanding of what the position entails.

An objective focuses on what you aim to achieve in your role, while a resume summary showcases your overall professional experience, skills, and qualifications in a brief paragraph. A resume profile is similar to a summary but can be more detailed, often including career goals and personal attributes. A summary of qualifications lists key skills and accomplishments in a bullet-point format for quick reading. By understanding these differences, you can better present your unique skills and experiences to potential employers.

Listing your nurse intern skills on your resume

Writing the skills section of your nurse intern resume can strongly impact your job search. Skills can either be a standalone section or integrated into other sections like your experience and objective. If you have no experience, the skills section can highlight your strengths and soft skills effectively to compensate.

Your strengths and soft skills include qualities like empathy, communication, and teamwork. Hard skills are specific, teachable abilities such as taking vital signs, using medical equipment, and administering medications.

Skills and strengths act as resume keywords that employers look for. These keywords help your resume get noticed by both recruiters and applicant tracking systems (ATS).

Example:

This skills section example is good because it highlights specific skills a nurse intern possesses. It’s concise and relevant to the nursing field, making it easy for recruiters to see your qualifications at a glance. Each skill listed is directly applicable to the role, enhancing your suitability.

Best hard skills to feature on your nurse intern resume

Hard skills for a nurse intern should communicate your competency and readiness to provide patient care. They need to show that you can handle the day-to-day tasks of a nurse.

Best soft skills to feature on your nurse intern resume

Soft skills for a nurse intern should demonstrate your ability to work well with patients and healthcare teams. They should communicate your passion for patient care and your interpersonal strengths.

Extra sections to include in your nurse intern resume

When crafting a resume for a nurse intern position, it's crucial to highlight not only your education and clinical experience but also other attributes that showcase your suitability for the role. Your resume should paint a complete picture of you as a candidate, demonstrating not just your skills but also your personality and dedication to the nursing field.

• Language section — List any additional languages you speak to emphasize your ability to communicate with a diverse patient population. This can be particularly beneficial in healthcare settings where patients come from varied backgrounds.

• Hobbies and interests section — Include a few of your hobbies and interests to show that you are a well-rounded individual. This can help you stand out and might serve as conversation starters during interviews.

• Certificates section — Add any relevant certificates, such as Basic Life Support (BLS) or Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), to demonstrate your commitment to continuing education and patient care. This signals to employers that you are prepared for the demands of the clinical environment.

• Books section — Mention any professional nursing books or journals you have read to show that you are committed to keeping up with industry standards and best practices. This can subtly illustrate that you are dedicated to lifelong learning and improvement in your field.

Pair your nurse intern resume with a cover letter

A cover letter is a one-page document sent with your resume when applying for jobs. It provides an introduction to the hiring manager and explains why you are an ideal candidate for the position. The cover letter gives you the chance to highlight your most relevant skills and experiences.

For an applicant, a well-crafted cover letter can make a significant difference. It can offer more detailed insights into your qualifications and career aspirations, giving you a better shot at standing out from the competition.

If you’re applying for a nurse intern position, your cover letter should focus on your educational background and practical training. Highlight any clinical rotations or relevant coursework, such as your time studying for your nursing degree from 2019 to 2023. Ensure you showcase your compassion, attention to detail, and ability to work under pressure, which are crucial for nursing.

Ready to create a standout cover letter? Use Resume Mentor's cover letter builder to easily craft your letter and export it as a PDF, protecting both your content and formatting.