A well-crafted registered nurse (RN) resume is essential for securing the best job opportunities in a competitive healthcare industry. As an RN, your resume serves as a crucial first impression, showcasing your qualifications, experience, and ability to deliver high-quality patient care.
Whether you're a new graduate eager to enter the workforce or an experienced RN seeking career advancement, a strong resume should emphasize your clinical expertise, technical skills, and professional accomplishments. Additionally, highlighting soft skills such as teamwork, leadership, and adaptability can help set you apart in the job market.
Below, we provide expert guidance on how to craft a winning RN resume that will not only stand out to hiring managers but also increase your chances of securing interviews for your desired roles.
Building Your Nursing Resume: Essential Tips and Examples
Download Now1. Choose the right RN resume format
Your resume format should be clear, concise, and easy to read. The right format ensures that hiring managers and applicant tracking systems (ATS) can quickly identify your qualifications, skills, and experience. Choosing the best format depends on your level of experience, career goals, and employment history. Here are the three most effective resume formats for RNs:
- Reverse chronological: This format lists your most recent experience first and works best for RNs with a steady work history. It provides a clear timeline of career progression and highlights consistent clinical experience, making it ideal for candidates with a strong background in nursing roles. This format is also highly preferred by recruiters, as it presents information in a straightforward, logical order.
- Functional: This format focuses on skills rather than work history and is ideal for new graduates, career changers, or RNs with employment gaps. It highlights key competencies, such as patient care, medication administration, and critical thinking, rather than emphasizing chronological work experience. While this format can be beneficial for showcasing transferable skills, some recruiters may find it less transparent regarding employment history.
- Combination (hybrid): This format blends both skills and work experience, making it great for RNs with diverse backgrounds. It allows you to showcase your clinical abilities while also providing a clear work history. This is especially useful for nurses transitioning between specialties, those with contract or travel nursing experience, or those with both traditional employment and specialized training.
When selecting a resume format, consider your career trajectory, the role you’re applying for, and how you want to present your qualifications. Regardless of format, ensure your resume is well-structured, easy to navigate, and tailored to the specific job posting.
2. Include essential personal and contact information
At the top of your resume, clearly list your full name, phone number, professional email address, and LinkedIn profile (if applicable). This section should be prominently displayed to ensure hiring managers can quickly find your contact details. Your email should be professional, preferably using your full name (e.g., [email protected]) rather than an informal or outdated address. Additionally, make sure your phone number is up to date and consider including an alternate contact method if available.
Example:
Jane Doe, BSN, RN
[email protected] | (123) 456-7890 | LinkedIn.com/in/janedoe | Austin, TX (Willing to Relocate)
Professional Portfolio: www.janedoeRNportfolio.com
Available for travel assignments
If you have an online professional portfolio or nursing-related website, include a link to showcase additional credentials, case studies, or testimonials. For nurses seeking opportunities in different locations, specifying your willingness to relocate can increase job prospects. If you are only open to specific regions, mention preferred states or cities to streamline communication with recruiters.
Furthermore, adding "available for travel assignments" can help if you are considering temporary or contract positions. By presenting your contact information effectively, you ensure a seamless connection with potential employers and increase your chances of landing the ideal RN position.
3. Write a strong RN resume summary
Your summary should be a brief, compelling statement (3–5 sentences) that highlights your qualifications, key skills, and career achievements. This section should immediately capture the attention of hiring managers by emphasizing your most valuable attributes as an RN.
Consider including years of experience, key specialties, and a statement on your patient care philosophy. Additionally, if you have any measurable accomplishments, such as improvements in patient outcomes or leadership roles, incorporate them to further strengthen your summary.
Example:
"Dedicated and patient-focused RN with over 5 years of experience in acute care and emergency settings. Adept at managing high-stress environments, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams, and implementing evidence-based care plans to improve patient outcomes. Skilled in patient advocacy, medication administration, and crisis intervention. Consistently recognized for excellent communication, leadership, and commitment to patient-centered care. Passionate about enhancing healthcare delivery through continuous learning and professional development."
4. Highlight your nursing licenses and certifications
Clearly list your licensure and certifications to show your qualifications for the role. Employers and recruiters prioritize candidates who have the required credentials for their facility and patient population, so ensure that this section is comprehensive, accurate, and up to date. Including relevant certifications not only demonstrates your qualifications but also helps applicant tracking systems (ATS) recognize your resume as a strong match for nursing positions.
For each license or certification, include the full name, issuing organization, state (if applicable), license number (if required), and expiration date. This transparency reassures employers of your readiness and eligibility to work.
Example:
- Registered Nurse (RN), State of California – License #12345678, Expires: 08/2026
- Compact Nursing License (eNLC), Multistate Privileges – Active
- Basic Life Support (BLS), American Heart Association – Valid through 12/2025
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), American Heart Association – Valid through 11/2024
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), AHA – Completed 01/2023, Valid through 01/2025
- Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN), American Association of Critical-Care Nurses – Certified 2022
Clearly presenting this information can set your application apart and communicate your preparedness to work in specialized or high-acuity care environments.
5. Showcase your clinical experience
Your work experience section should emphasize your hands-on nursing skills, patient care expertise, and ability to work in different healthcare environments. This is the most critical section of your resume, as it provides hiring managers with a clear understanding of your clinical capabilities, adaptability, and professional contributions.
Detail the healthcare settings in which you've worked, such as acute care, long-term care, or outpatient clinics, and describe the patient populations you served. Use bullet points to outline your key responsibilities and accomplishments for each role, ensuring each point begins with a strong action verb.
Example:
- Administered medications and managed treatment plans for a 6-patient caseload in a high-acuity medical-surgical unit.
- Implemented a revised wound care protocol that reduced infection rates by 25% over a 6-month period.
- Trained and mentored five newly hired nurses, resulting in a 20% improvement in team competency scores.
- Collaborated with a multidisciplinary team to create patient-centered care plans, contributing to a 15% improvement in patient satisfaction scores.
- Responded to rapid response calls and effectively managed emergency situations, stabilizing critically ill patients.
Focus on demonstrating how your nursing interventions have improved patient outcomes, streamlined workflows, enhanced patient satisfaction, or contributed to a collaborative healthcare team. Provide context when possible, such as the number of patients you cared for per shift, or how your input helped reduce infection rates or improved medication compliance.
Use quantifiable data where possible to strengthen your claims, such as patient load, success rates, or efficiency improvements. Highlight achievements like leading quality improvement initiatives, precepting new nurses, or implementing evidence-based protocols that enhanced care delivery. This not only shows your clinical competence but also your initiative and impact in previous roles.
6. Emphasize key RN skills
Hospitals and healthcare facilities look for RNs with a strong mix of clinical, technical, and soft skills. These skills are essential for ensuring effective patient care, maintaining safety standards, and fostering strong teamwork within medical teams. Highlighting a diverse range of competencies can set you apart as a well-rounded and adaptable nurse. Consider organizing your skills into categories such as clinical expertise, technical proficiency, and interpersonal strengths.
Some important RN skills to highlight include:
Clinical Skills:
- Patient assessment and triage
- Medication administration (IV, oral, IM, subcutaneous)
- Wound care and dressing changes
- Infection control and prevention
- Pain management and palliative care
- Disease prevention and health promotion
Technical Skills:
- Electronic Health Record (EHR) proficiency (e.g., EPIC, Cerner, Meditech)
- Medical equipment operation (ventilators, infusion pumps, telemetry monitoring)
- Laboratory testing interpretation (blood work, urinalysis, diagnostic imaging)
- Intravenous therapy and central line management
Soft Skills & Leadership:
- Emergency response and crisis management
- Patient education and advocacy
- Leadership and teamwork
- Effective communication with patients, families, and healthcare teams
- Time management and multitasking in fast-paced environments
- Cultural competence and sensitivity in diverse patient populations
By clearly categorizing and expanding on your skill sets, you demonstrate your ability to handle complex nursing responsibilities while excelling in a collaborative healthcare setting.
7. Include education and professional development
List your highest degree first, including the institution's name, location, and graduation year. If you have obtained multiple degrees, arrange them in descending order. Additionally, include any specialized training, professional development programs, or continuing education courses that enhance your expertise and align with the job you are applying for.
These could include leadership training, certification preparation courses, or workshops in emerging healthcare technologies. If you have completed online courses from accredited institutions, list those as well. Highlighting your commitment to lifelong learning can demonstrate your dedication to staying current with best practices in nursing and advancing in your career.
Example:
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) – University of Texas, 2019
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) – American Heart Association, 2021
By following these tips, you'll be well on your way to crafting a winning RN resume that stands out to employers and advances your nursing career.
Sample RN resume
Jane Doe, BSN, RN
[email protected] | (123) 456-7890 | LinkedIn.com/in/janedoe | Austin, TX (Willing to Relocate)
Summary
Dedicated and compassionate RN with 6+ years of experience in emergency and medical-surgical settings. Demonstrated success in managing high-acuity patient care, streamlining workflows, and mentoring junior nurses. Proven ability to remain calm under pressure while delivering empathetic, evidence-based care.
Licensure & Certifications
- Registered Nurse, Texas – License #RN123456 (Active)
- Compact Nursing License (eNLC)
- BLS & ACLS – American Heart Association
- TNCC – Emergency Nurses Association
Clinical Experience
Emergency Room Nurse
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center, Austin, TX
January 2021 – Present
- Provide immediate care to trauma patients in a 24-bed ER
- Coordinate with EMS, physicians, and specialists for acute interventions
- Administer IV medications and manage cardiac monitoring systems
Medical-Surgical Nurse
Seton Medical Center, Austin, TX
June 2017 – December 2020
- Managed caseload of 5–7 patients with post-op, orthopedic, and chronic conditions
- Educated patients and families on discharge instructions and medication plans
- Contributed to a 15% reduction in hospital readmission rates
Key Skills
- EHR Systems: EPIC, Cerner
- Triage & Crisis Management
- IV Therapy & Central Line Care
- Interdisciplinary Team Collaboration
- Culturally Competent Care
Education
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), University of Texas at Austin – 2017
- Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) – 2022
This sample resume can be used as a template to structure your own. Remember to customize it to reflect your individual strengths, accomplishments, and target role.
Final thoughts
Crafting a compelling RN resume is more than just listing your credentials—it's about telling a story that conveys your dedication to patient care, your clinical excellence, and your ability to thrive in various healthcare settings. In a competitive job market, a well-structured resume serves as your professional introduction and a tool to open doors to interviews and exciting opportunities.
Take the time to tailor your resume to each job application, focusing on the unique needs of each employer. Highlight your relevant experience, align your skills with the job description, and provide concrete examples that showcase your impact as a nurse. Remember to proofread thoroughly and ensure that your resume is optimized for applicant tracking systems to increase visibility.
Your resume should reflect not only your qualifications but also your passion for nursing and your commitment to professional growth. With attention to detail and thoughtful customization, your resume can become a powerful representation of your value in the healthcare field.