Travel Nurse Resume Examples

Writing a travel nurse resume can feel like navigating uncharted waters. As a travel nurse, you face unique challenges that can make resume writing difficult. You constantly switch environments and adapt to every new role rapidly, often leaving you unsure of what to highlight. Finding a job means focusing on your varied experience while keeping your resume concise and easy to read. Also, you need to appeal to multiple employers with differing expectations. This guide will help you create a resume that stands out and lands you that ideal travel nurse job, making it as smooth as an intravenous drip.

Your resume is your ticket to new adventures, so choosing the right template is crucial. The ideal resume template makes sure your versatile skills and experiences shine. It keeps everything organized, which will help recruiters focus on what matters most: your qualifications. Using the correct template saves you time by streamlining the process. Plus, it helps avoid common pitfalls that could send your resume to the bottom of the pile. So, take the time to pick a template that suits your needs.

We've got more than 700 resume examples to guide you in crafting a top-notch travel nurse resume. Dive in and make your resume a journey of success!

What to focus on when writing your travel nurse resume

A travel nurse resume should tell the recruiter about your skills, adaptability, and experience in various healthcare environments. Highlight your ability to quickly adjust to new settings, maintain high standards of patient care, and excellent communication skills. Your resume must show that you can handle the demands of short-term assignments and provide examples of your problem-solving abilities.

To boost your resume's impact, consider including:

• Specific certifications and licenses.
• Experience in multiple specialties.
• Positive outcomes from past assignments.
• Testimonials or references from previous employers.

Must have information on your travel nurse resume

To craft a standout travel nurse resume, make sure you include the essential sections that highlight your unique qualifications and experiences.

• Contact Information
• Professional Summary
• Licenses and Certifications
• Clinical Skills
• Work Experience
• Education

Additionally, you may consider including sections like “Professional Affiliations” and “Volunteer Experience” to further enhance your resume. Including these sections can give potential employers a more detailed view of your background and skills.

Which resume format to choose

To craft a top-notch travel nurse resume, the best format is the reverse-chronological format because it highlights your most recent experience first. Modern, easy-to-read fonts like Rubik and Montserrat can give your resume a fresh look compared to traditional Arial or Times New Roman. Always save your resume as a PDF to maintain formatting and ensure it opens correctly on any device. Stick to 1-inch margins for a clean, professional appearance. Use clear, descriptive section headings, as these are crucial for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) which often scan for specific headings to identify relevant information.

Your travel nurse resume should include essential sections tailored to your industry.

• Contact Information
• Professional Summary
• Licenses and Certifications
• Work Experience
• Skills
• Education
• References

Resume Mentor's free resume builder takes care of all these elements, ensuring your resume stands out and passes ATS checks.

How to write a quantifiable resume experience section

When writing your resume experience section as a travel nurse, follow a few simple guidelines to make it shine. First, list your job history in reverse-chronological order. This means starting with your most recent job and working back. Only go as far back as 10 years unless an older job is highly relevant. Always include job titles that match the roles you are applying for.

Tailor your resume to fit the job you want. Use action words to make your achievements pop. Some great action words include "improved," "managed," and "achieved." Focus on what you did and how it made a difference. Avoid just listing tasks.

Here's an example of a poorly written resume experience section:

This example is bad because it lacks specific achievements and details. It just lists tasks without showing how you made an impact. The description is also unprofessional and does not add any value.

Now here is an outstanding example:

This example is good because it focuses on specific achievements. Numbers like "20% improvement" and "95% satisfaction rate" provide clear and impressive results from your work. The description also adds a positive note about the workplace. This approach makes your experience stand out to employers.

Travel nurse resume experience examples

Stepping into the world of travel nursing is like embarking on a lifelong road trip—packed with diverse experiences, each stop more rewarding than the last. We'll delve into specific facets of your career, each honed to make your resume a first-class ticket to your dream job.

Achievement-focused

Showcase the highlights of your career by pinpointing notable accomplishments that demonstrate your expertise and dedication.

Skills-focused

Emphasize the unique skill set you've developed and leverage these to make a compelling case for your versatility as a travel nurse.

Responsibility-focused

Outline the various responsibilities you've handled effectively, showcasing your reliability and leadership.

Project-focused

Highlight specific healthcare projects you've been a part of, illustrating your initiative and teamwork abilities.

Result-focused

Demonstrate the tangible outcomes of your work, stressing the positive impacts you've made.

Industry-Specific Focus

Spotlight your specific experience and expertise within the healthcare industry, tailored to travel nursing.

Problem-Solving focused

Show your ability to identify issues and implement solutions, a crucial skill in travel nursing.

Innovation-focused

Emphasize your innovative approach and willingness to adopt new methods to improve patient care.

Leadership-focused

Mention your leadership roles and your ability to guide and influence others in the healthcare setting.

Customer-focused

Illustrate your commitment to providing excellent patient care and improving patient satisfaction.

Growth-focused

Point out your ongoing professional development and willingness to expand your expertise.

Efficiency-focused

Show how you have streamlined workflows and made processes more efficient to benefit both staff and patients.

Technology-focused

Emphasize your familiarity and comfort with using technology in providing patient care.

Collaboration-focused

Detail your ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive patient care.

Training and Development focused

Highlight your role in training fellow healthcare professionals, empowering them with essential skills.

Write your travel nurse resume summary section

Writing a resume summary for a travel nurse position requires precision and clarity. Your summary should give a snapshot of your unique skills, experience, and attributes in a few sentences. To describe yourself effectively in this section, use confident language and highlight your strengths without sounding boastful.

A resume summary condenses your main professional achievements and qualifications, offering employers a quick idea of why you’re suited for the job. Unlike a resume objective, which states your career goals, a resume summary focuses on what you’ve already accomplished. A resume profile is similar to a summary but may include more detailed personal traits. A summary of qualifications is a bulleted list of your skills and achievements.

The first example is bad because it is vague and generic. It doesn’t specify the number of years of experience, any special certifications, or the types of facilities you have worked in. It also does not highlight any specific skills or achievements that could set you apart from other travel nurse applicants.

The second example is good because it clearly outlines years of experience, areas of expertise, certifications, and specific skills. This summary provides a clear picture of your background and shows why you would be a valuable asset to a team. It demonstrates your skill in adapting quickly to new settings and underscores your ability to deliver excellent patient outcomes.

Listing your travel nurse skills on your resume

Writing the skills section on your travel nurse resume is one of the most important parts. Skills can be highlighted in a standalone section or incorporated into other areas, such as your experience and summary.

Strengths and soft skills are personal attributes that help you interact effectively and harmoniously with others. Hard skills are the technical abilities and knowledge you need to perform specific tasks.

Incorporating skills and strengths into your resume helps you stand out. These keywords show your expertise to hiring managers and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

The example is good because it lists specific, relevant skills for a travel nurse. These skills show a range of abilities, from technical skills like Electronic Health Records (EHR) to clinical skills like Wound Care. Including various skills helps cover multiple aspects of the job.

Best hard skills to feature on your travel nurse resume

A travel nurse should possess certain hard skills that showcase their technical abilities and proficiency in nursing tasks. These skills must communicate your competence in multiple healthcare tasks crucial for patient care.

Best soft skills to feature on your travel nurse resume

A travel nurse should also have soft skills that demonstrate your ability to work effectively in diverse settings and with different people. These skills show your communication, adaptability, and empathy.

How to include your education on your resume

The education section is an important part of your travel nurse resume. It shows employers your qualification and ensures you have the necessary academic background for the job. Tailoring this section to the job you are applying for is essential; any irrelevant education should not be included. When listing your education, clearly state the degree, institution, location, and dates of attendance.

If you have a high GPA, especially one above 3.5, it's a good idea to include it. Listing academic honors like cum laude can also make your application stand out. When noting your degree, make sure to include the specific name of your program and any concentrations that relate directly to nursing.

Examples:

This example is not good because it lists an irrelevant degree. A Bachelor of Arts in History does not apply to a travel nursing position. Leaving out the location and GPA makes it incomplete. The date range also doesn't fit typical nursing program durations.

This example is well done because it includes a relevant nursing degree with a high GPA. The dates align with traditional program lengths, and the inclusion of GPA shows academic excellence. This education section is precise and highlights qualifications that are directly useful for a travel nursing role.

How to include travel nurse certificates on your resume

Including a certificates section on your travel nurse resume is essential. This section can showcase your professional qualifications and highlight your commitment to continued education. Begin by listing the name of the certificate, then include the date you received it. Add the issuing organization next. Certificates can also be prominently placed in the header to ensure they are easily noticed. For example, "RN, BSN, ACLS Certified."

Here's a sample of a well-structured certificates section:

This example is good because it lists the most relevant certificates for a travel nurse job. Certificates from the American Heart Association are well respected and immediately tell a recruiter that you have critical life-saving skills. Including both the titles and the issuers ads credibility and shows that you are well prepared for the demands of the job.

Extra sections to include in your travel nurse resume

Embarking on a career as a travel nurse offers unique opportunities to explore new places while making a significant impact on patient care. Your resume is your ticket to landing exciting assignments that align with your skills and interests.

• Language section — Highlight your ability to speak multiple languages, which can be essential in diverse healthcare settings.
• Hobbies and interests section — Paint a full picture of your personality by including hobbies like hiking or cooking, which can showcase your adaptability and stress-relief techniques.
• Volunteer work section — Demonstrate your commitment to healthcare by listing volunteer work like free clinics or international medical missions.
• Books section — Show your dedication to continual learning by mentioning relevant books you’ve read, like "Being Mortal" by Atul Gawande.

Pair your travel nurse resume with a cover letter

A cover letter is a document that accompanies your resume and introduces you to a potential employer. It highlights your skills, experiences, and motivations tailored to the specific job you are applying for. A strong cover letter can set you apart from other candidates by providing insight into your personality and demonstrating why you are the best fit for the position.

For a travel nurse, the cover letter should focus on your ability to adapt to different work environments, communicate effectively, and provide high-quality patient care. Highlight specific experiences where you successfully managed challenges in various healthcare settings. Mention any unique skills, such as proficiency in multiple languages or specialties in different nursing fields, that make you a valuable asset for the role.

Crafting a cover letter is now easier with Resume Mentor's cover letter builder. Protect your content and formatting by exporting your cover letter to PDF with ease. Get started today and enhance your job application with a polished and professional cover letter.