Create a Winning Nursing Resume

The US Department of Labor projects faster-than-average job growth for nurses through 2025. That means as employers seek to recruit and retain talented nursing staff, nurses will enjoy improved salaries, benefits and working conditions.

You might be thinking: “Oh good, since employers will be clamoring to hire me, I don’t have to worry about my resume.”

A winning resume will get you noticed for the best positions and can facilitate a promotion from your current position. A strong resume can also help you command and negotiate a higher salary. Always put your best foot forward on your resume to attract the most desirable job offers. Follow these tips to make your nursing resume shine and see our sample nurse’s resume.

Present Your Value Proposition in a Qualifications Summary 

Lead your resume with a qualifications summary that provides an overview of the value you bring to the table. Paint a picture of what you have to offer by including a narrative statement of your goal, specialty area, level of experience and any other top credentials. In the Monster Resume Builder, use the Career Objective field to present your summary.

Add an Expertise Section in Your Nursing Resume 

A bulleted list of your proficiency areas incorporates important keywords into your resume (so you’re found in an electronic search) and gives hiring managers a snapshot of your capabilities. Your expertise (or Key Skills if you’re an entry-level candidate and haven’t yet developed expertise) could be nursing specialty areas (e.g., pediatrics, obstetrics) or skills (JCAHO standards/compliance, medication administration, case management). On your Monster resume, use the Skills section to present your areas of expertise.

Detail Your Nursing Experience 

Hiring managers want to understand the scope of your experience so they can see if you’re a good match for the job opening. When describing your nursing experience, write about the type of facility (such as acute care, outpatient, rehabilitation), your caseload and area of specialization. Entry-level nurses with limited work experience should provide details of their unpaid work/clinical rotations/practicums.

Demonstrate You’re a Top Performer 

Your experience will be stronger if you include your contributions to each of your employers. Think about how you went above and beyond your job duties to make a positive contribution to your employer, patients, families and the community. Did you serve on any boards or committees? Did you help reorganize or launch new facilities or services? Did you provide training for patients and their families? Did you promote health and well-being by providing free community healthcare seminars? Were you known for your strong patient-advocacy skills? Did you help your employer pass an audit or achieve accreditation? Did you train and orient new employees? By providing details about your accomplishments, you’re showing potential employers that you would be a valuable asset to their team.