Registered Nurse Resume Examples & Writing Tips for 2025
Jul 18, 2024
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12 min read
Let’s get your resume looking good, STAT!
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05/2021 - Present 
- •Provided exceptional nursing care to an average of 10-15 patients daily, resulting in a 20% improvement in overall patient satisfaction scores through personalized care plans.
- •Collaborated with a multidisciplinary team to develop comprehensive care strategies, leading to improved patient outcomes and a 25% decrease in hospital readmission rates.
- •Educated patients and families on post-discharge care requirements, reducing confusion and preventing complications, hence improving follow-up adherence by 30%.
- •Managed medication administration and care for chronic conditions, effectively coordinating with physicians to adjust treatment plans based on real-time observations.
- •Utilized EPIC software for accurate documentation and data management, enhancing workflow efficiency and reducing clerical errors by 15%.
03/2019 - 04/2021 - •Oversaw nursing staff and assisted in patient management during peak operations, improving team effectiveness and decreasing patient wait times by 10%.
- •Implemented quality assurance measures that led to a 40% reduction in medication errors through enhanced training and monitoring protocols.
- •Facilitated patient and family education workshops that reported a 50% increase in understanding of care processes and medication adherence.
- •Worked closely with under-served populations to bridge healthcare gaps, positively influencing community engagement and enhancing service awareness by 25%.
- •Enhanced staff communication procedures, resulting in a significant decrease in miscommunication issues, contributing to a safer patient care environment.
01/2018 - 02/2019 - •Conducted thorough assessments and developed individualized care plans for a diverse patient base, ensuring the delivery of quality healthcare services.
- •Monitored vital signs and implemented urgent care interventions during critical situations, demonstrating strong clinical judgment and reducing patient risk factors.
- •Participated in community health fairs, providing preventative health screenings to over 300 attendees, significantly increasing local knowledge on health issues.
- •Administered immunizations and medications with a 98% compliance rate, ensuring adherence to safety protocols and improving overall patient health outcomes.
01/2014 - 01/2018 01/2019 - 01/2021 
Applying for new registered nurse positions? The first step is checking the vital signs of your resume. If this all-important document isn’t looking healthy, chances are, it’ll be harder to land your next interview. So, where should you start?
First, it’s worth understanding the ins and outs of this role. Don’t take your wide skill set for granted. You’re a steady hand in a crisis, the compassionate voice at a bedside, and the vital link between patients, families, and the wider care team.
Acing all of the above while working long, fast-paced shifts is far from easy. So, if you’re a pro, there are plenty of recruiters out there looking for someone with your skills and experience. However, you need to understand how to best show off these attributes.
The truth is that there’s a knack to creating a resume that stands out and catches recruiters’ attention. In this guide, we’ll be sharing top techniques to help you get started.
Key takeaways
- Know your audience: Don’t assume recruiters understand the intricacies of nursing—use clear, simple language and avoid jargon. Focus on keywords they’re likely scanning for in ATS systems.
- Emphasize certifications: Highlight essential certifications like BLS, ACLS, and NCLEX-RN prominently to prove you're qualified and ready to work in critical settings.
- Showcase specializations: If you have experience in a niche like pediatrics, geriatric care, or obstetrics, feature that early on to stand out from generalist candidates.
- Keep communication clear: Nursing hinges on communication. Reflect this by using a clean layout and straightforward resume language.
- Make your experience quantifiable: Use bullet points to list achievements with impact—such as patient load handled or improvements in patient satisfaction scores.
- Tailor your skills: Review the job posting and echo the language in your skills section. Focus on both hard skills like EHR proficiency and soft skills like conflict resolution.
- Include licensure and education: Always list your degree, GPA (if over 3.5), and state licensure. Certifications like CNOR or RNC-OB can elevate your profile even further.
- Add extra value: Sections like languages spoken or volunteer nursing work can set you apart, especially in multicultural or underserved healthcare settings.
How to use this registered nurse resume guide
Before we take a look at how to write a clear registered nurse resume, you need a few pointers. So that you can make the most out of this guide, we’ve put together a list of “must-dos” for you. Follow the checklist below to make sure that you know how to use our resources.
Guide checklist
- Start with the essentials
Get familiar with the key sections and must-have skills that make a registered nurse resume stand out to hospitals, clinics, and healthcare recruiters. - Highlight your strengths
Stand out by showcasing your clinical expertise, patient care experience, and ability to thrive in fast-paced medical environments. - Build out your core sections
Start your resume by including vital areas like certifications, clinical experience, nursing education, and licensure. - Use our expert advice and insights
Our guide goes beyond generic advice. Explore our pro tips for trusted, nurse-specific guidance to help you craft a compelling resume. - Tailor your resume to the role
Customization can make a big difference. Emphasize patient advocacy, care planning, interdisciplinary collaboration, and outcomes-focused nursing practice. - Know where to research careers
Use reliable job boards like Nurse.org, ANA Career Center, and Health eCareers to understand what top employers are looking for. - Stand out with certifications
Add credentials like RN licensure, ACLS, BLS, and specialty certifications (e.g., CCRN, CNOR), plus EMR/EHR system skills. - Build your resume effortlessly
Finally, use our drag-and-drop resume builder. The simple tool helps you format your resume with ease—no stress, just results.
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What to focus on when writing your registered nurse resume
Don’t presume the recruiter understands what you do. The professional who sifts your resume, may not have a solid grasp on what a registered nurse role entails. Instead, they’ll be looking for certain keywords and phrases from a checklist. Make sure that your resume hits the mark.
Deciding what to focus on is the first step here. While there are many different angles you can take, we recommend one of the following options for success.
- Specific certifications (e.g., BLS, ACLS)
- Specialized skills (e.g., pediatric care, geriatric care)
- Relevant technology proficiencies (e.g., EMR/EHR systems)
- Clear, straightforward communication
Give the recruiter some cold, hard facts
You’ll be up against a ton of registered nurses with similar experience to you. If you want to set yourself apart from the crowd—and you should—include metrics in your resume.
For example, “Delivered compassionate, evidence-based care to 20+ patients per shift in a high-acuity surgical unit, ensuring timely assessments and interventions” sounds way better than simply “Delivered compassionate, evidence-based care.”
If you’re not sure which angle to take, we’ve got you covered—let’s take a look at each of them below:
Shout about your specific certifications
As a registered nurse, you’ll need the US Nursing Licensure to practice. However, there are plenty of other qualifications you can gain that’ll give you a competitive edge.
Let’s take a look at some of the most in-demand certificates:
Demonstrate your specialized skills
What’s your specialism? Show the recruiter that you have a clear niche and you’re likely to be more memorable. Whether it’s pediatric care or geriatric care, it’s likely that your field will have its own set of rules.
Show some personality! If you’ve chosen a certain niche—such as geriatric care—tell the recruiter what drew you to that area. Your resume summary gives you a chance to do this.
Here’s an example of how that may look:
Proficiency with relevant technology
Technology is at the forefront of the healthcare sector. When you’re writing your registered nurse resume, let the recruiter know which tech you’re proficient in using.
First and foremost, add these proficiencies to your skills section. However, you should also mention them in your work experience to add some context.
Here are some examples:
- Electronic Health Records (EHR) Systems (e.g., Epic, Cerner, Allscripts)
- Medical Devices (e.g., infusion pumps, ventilators, pulse oximeters)
- Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS)
- Telemedicine Platforms (e.g., Teladoc, Amwell)
- Medication Administration Systems (e.g., Pyxis, Omnicell)
- Hospital Information Systems (HIS)
- Patient Portals (e.g., MyChart)
Keep your communication clear
Nurses work directly with patients and other healthcare professionals. Communication is the cornerstone of this job. You need to be able to speak to people on their level and clearly share potentially complex ideas.
To show the recruiter you have what it takes, ensure your resume is straightforward. Avoid using too much jargon and keep the phrases simple. Choose a simple resume layout, too.
Now that you understand which angle to take, let’s move on to building your resume. The first step here is to choose an appropriate format for your needs.
How to choose the right resume format
Your resume format dictates how the content looks on the page. It’ll give you an obvious structure you can follow.
Here are the three main format types to consider:
- Reverse-chronological format: If you have a linear work history.
- Functional format: If you’ve switched careers or are new to nursing.
- Combination format: If you want the best of both worlds.
Typically, we recommend a reverse-chronological structure. This format starts with your most recent accolades at the top of the page and goes back in time. It’s the most common type of format and—as a major bonus—it’s what recruiters expect to see.
However, resumes are rarely one-size-fits-all. If you’d rather highlight your skills over your work history, it’s worth looking at either a functional or a combination format.
Which resume format should registered nurses use?
Typically, you should use the standard reverse-chronological format.
However, if you have more skills than you have experience, you may want to use a functional format instead.
Should I include a photo on my resume?
The short answer is no.
Registered nurses don’t need to add photos to their resumes.
What file format should I use for my resume?
We recommend saving your resume as a PDF rather than a Word document.
This looks more professional. However, it also means that your document can’t be edited by anyone else.
Can I design a resume in Word?
Technically, the answer is yes. However, getting the formatting right can be tricky. You might not get the professional style you want.
How big should my resume margins be?
Your resume margins need to be between 0.5 to 1 inch. That way, your resume will be easy to read.
When you’ve sorted out the structure of your registered nurse resume, the next step is conquering the content.
What to include in your resume header
Resume headers are vital to your success. If you wow the recruiter with your resume, they’ll want to get in touch fast. Make it easy for them.
Your header should include:
- Your name: Your full first and last name.
- Job title: The job title—in this case “Registered Nurse.”
- Contact details: A professional email address and your phone number.
- Location: Your city and state (rather than your full address).
Let’s take a look at an example:
How to write a resume summary
Now that you’ve got the basics down, it’s time to write an eye-catching resume summary. This is often the first thing that a recruiter will read. Finding a “hook” is an absolute must.
What is a 'hook'?
This is the one thing that sets you apart from other candidates. Take the time to consider what makes your nursing career unique.
Here are some examples:
- Exceptional experience
You might have more than a decade’s worth of experience as a registered nurse. You may want to lead with this crucial nugget.
- Awards and training
Have you received any awards or specialist nursing training? If so, now is the time to brag about it. Don’t be afraid to stand out.
- Remarkable statistics
Do you have an amazing track record? Share your most remarkable statistics in your resume summary and make a real impact.
When you’ve chosen what you want to include, make sure you get the language right. Using resume action words is a quick way to get the attention you deserve.
Here’s an example to give you some inspiration:
This summary clearly outlines what makes the candidate special. Focusing on their Critical Care Nursing (CCU) experience and expert training, it’s clear, concise, and engaging.
How to write a quantifiable resume experience section
Next, you’ll need to add some work experience to your resume. You should use the reverse chronological order when listing your prior roles.
Start by writing down the company name, location, role, and dates of employment. When you’ve covered the basics, use bullet points to highlight your achievements.
Use numbers
Show your value with metrics. When you’re listing your achievements, quantify them. By adding statistics and numbers into the mix, you show the recruiter what you’re capable of.
Do you want to know how far back to go on your resume? Ideally, you should go back between 10 and 15 years in the past. If you’ve been working for longer than that, just start with your most recent experience. This will protect you from accidental age discrimination.
Here’s an example so you can see what we mean:
06/2018 - Present - •Provided care for over 200 critically ill patients annually, ensuring safe and effective treatments while maintaining a 98% patient satisfaction score.
- •Collaborated with a multidisciplinary team to reduce ICU readmission rates by 30% over the past year.
- •Administered emergency interventions and assisted in life-saving procedures, achieving a 95% survival rate for trauma patients.
- •Monitored patient vital signs using advanced telemetry systems and made real-time adjustments to care plans to improve patient outcomes.
08/2015 - 05/2018 - •Successfully managed care for 15-20 patients per shift in a high-volume medical surgical unit.
- •Improved patient recovery time by 20% through the implementation of enhanced pain management strategies.
- •Educated patients and families on post-surgical care, resulting in a 15% decrease in readmissions for preventable complications.
- •Worked closely with surgical teams to monitor patient progress and coordinate treatment adjustments as necessary.
Remember, your work experience section should tell a clear story. Maybe you started as a generalist registered nurse and later specialized in geriatric care. Whatever the case, make your history compelling to the reader.
Registered nurse resume work experience samples
When writing your registered nurse resume, you need to play to your professional strengths. If you want to really make an impact, consider choosing a central focus. What makes you shine?
Here are three examples you might consider:
Results focused
Do you consistently deliver top results? Registered nurses need to be quick to react to situations and have a great track record. Add key metrics to your work experience.
06/2018 - Present - •Managed critical care for 200+ patients annually, reducing response time to patient emergencies by 25% through faster triage and intervention protocols.
- •Improved patient recovery rates by 20% by accelerating post-operative care processes and enhancing discharge planning.
- •Achieved a 98% patient satisfaction rate by reducing wait times for medications and procedures by 15% through optimized workflow management.
- •Collaborated in a team effort that reduced ICU readmission rates by 30% within one year by implementing quicker, more effective patient monitoring systems.
08/2015 - 05/2018 - •Delivered care to 15-20 patients per shift, reducing average discharge time by 18% through quicker pain management and recovery procedures.
- •Reduced post-surgical complications by 25% by speeding up the identification and treatment of wound infections within the first 48 hours of surgery.
- •Improved overall patient recovery speed by 20% by streamlining the education process for discharge, ensuring patients felt prepared and confident about their recovery plan.
- •Enhanced patient flow by decreasing room turnover time by 10% through more efficient patient assessments and discharge planning.
Niche focused
Do you work in a specialist area? Let the recruiter know you have hands-on experience in that sector. This approach is a savvy way to get ahead of generic applicants.
06/2018 - Present - •Managed care for 150+ elderly patients per year, reducing readmission rates for chronic conditions by 20% through early intervention and tailored care plans.
- •Reduced patient transfer times by 30% through the implementation of a streamlined medication and mobility tracking system.
- •Achieved a 25% improvement in mobility outcomes by accelerating physical therapy protocols and enhancing patient education for home-based care.
- •Collaborated in a team effort that reduced emergency room visits by 15% through the early identification and management of geriatric syndromes, such as delirium and falls.
08/2015 - 05/2018 - •Assisted in the care of 20+ elderly patients per shift, reducing the occurrence of hospital-acquired infections by 18% through rigorous infection control measures.
- •Improved patient mobility by 15% in 6 months by implementing faster rehabilitation protocols and improving collaboration with physical therapists.
- •Decreased falls by 25% by introducing a more rapid-response alert system for at-risk patients, reducing response time to mobility assistance needs.
- •Enhanced pain management plans, reducing average time to pain relief by 20%, improving patient comfort and overall satisfaction.
Tech focused
Healthcare runs on technology. If you have a knack for it, that makes you a valuable candidate. Name-check the software, tools, and other technology you’re confident in using.
06/2018 - Present - •Improved patient data access and reduced documentation time by 20% through advanced EHR systems (Epic, Cerner), enabling quicker clinical decision-making.
- •Reduced emergency response times by 15% through the integration of smart patient monitoring systems, providing real-time health data to nursing staff.
- •Decreased patient wait times for consultations by 30% by implementing telemedicine platforms (Amwell, Teladoc), facilitating remote consultations and follow-up care.
- •Collaborated with IT teams to introduce digital prescribing systems, reducing medication errors by 18% and improving prescription accuracy.
08/2015 - 05/2018 - •Improved medication administration accuracy by 25% by implementing BCMA technology, ensuring patient safety and reducing medication errors.
- •Utilized mobile health apps (e.g., MyChart, Medscape) to assist in patient education, improving patient compliance with discharge instructions by 20%.
- •Enhanced patient communication and follow-up care through telehealth platforms, reducing in-person follow-ups by 18% and improving continuity of care.
- •Introduced wearable health devices to monitor patient vitals, resulting in a 15% reduction in response time for critical condition alerts.
Listing your skills on your resume
You’ve already shared your experience. Next, you need some skills on your resume. Now, you likely have a whole range of nursing skills you want to shout about.
However, it pays to be selective. Choosing the right skills for this specific vacancy shows the recruiter you’re a top candidate. It’s all about speaking their language.
First up, go back to the job posting and analyze it. If the recruiter has highlighted any “must-haves,” you must have them. List them in your skills section.
Your core competencies should consist of both hard and soft skills. You’ll want to bullet point any tech you use, the training you have, and interpersonal skills, too.
Let’s take a look at a great nursing skill section:
Best hard skills to feature on your registered nurse resume
Hard skills are at the core of everything you do as a registered nurse. These are the traits you’ll have learned during your essential training. However, you may have undertaken extra courses to specialize in certain areas.
Here’s an example of a hard skills section:
Best soft skills to feature on your registered nurse resume
The technical side of nursing is one thing. But being able to get along with patients is quite another. Show that you have a real bedside manner in your resume.
Choose soft skills that support this side of your personality. These may include communication, interpersonal skills, and conflict resolution.
Let’s take a look at some of the top soft skills for nurses:
Education on resume
As a registered nurse, you already know the value of qualifications. When you’ve completed your skills section, move on to your education resume section.
You should include three types of education in this part:
Formal education
Registered nurses typically need to have a college degree. This means an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), or a Diploma in Nursing.
To bolster your application, include:
Nurse licensure
When you’ve completed your degree, the next step is passing the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Of course, this accreditation belongs in your education section.
Specialisms and certificates
Learning is a lifelong experience. Once you’re registered, there are plenty ofprofessional certifications you can get to become even more qualified. Which you have depends on the area of nursing that you intend to go into and your main talents.
For example, you may have the following:
- Inpatient Obstetric Nursing (RNC-OB)
- Certified Nurse Operating Room (CNOR)
- Clinical Nurse Specialist Board Certification (CNS-BC)
- Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)
- Certified Pediatric Oncology Nurse (CPON)
Check out our education section example below:
08/2012 - 05/2016 06/2016 - Valid 04/2018 - 04/2018 01/2024 - 01/2026 Extra sections to include in your registered nurse resume
By this point, your registered nurse resume should be looking pretty healthy. Adding some extra resume sections could help you take it to the next level.
If you have some space to spare, there are a few options you might want to think about.
Language section
Chances are, you’ll deal with patients from all walks of life. Having a second language on your resume is a real advantage. Why not put a language section on the page?
Hobbies and interests section
Looking for a quick way to humanize yourself to the recruiter? Adding hobbies to your resume could be it. Include interests that show your interpersonal skills.
Volunteer work section
Volunteer work is highly valuable in nursing, especially if you’re new to the career. This section looks a lot like your work experience section but includes volunteer posts.
02/2000 - 11/2004 - •Provided first aid, health screenings, and emergency support during local disaster relief efforts.
- •Assisted with blood drives, offering post-donation care and monitoring vital signs.
- •Educated community members on basic health practices and emergency preparedness.
PRO TIP
Avoid repetition in your resume. Once you’ve done your first draft, go back and look for any repeated words or even phrases. Cutting these out will make the content more dynamic.
Conclusion
Your registered nurse resume is your first opportunity to stand out—so make it count. By showcasing your certifications, clinical expertise, and specialized skills with clear, measurable results, you can position yourself as a top candidate in a competitive field. Use this guide to craft a confident, focused, and impactful resume that reflects your strengths and sets you apart.
Ready to take the next step in your nursing career? Let’s build that winning resume today. Use our drag-and-drop resume builder tool and make your next applications quickly and easily.
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