canadian registered nurse resume sample

Canada Resume For Registered Nurse: Free Samples (2023)

The role of a registered nurse is both demanding and rewarding, requiring a unique set of skills and qualifications to ensure the well-being of patients. As a registered nurse in Canada , your resume serves as your initial introduction to potential employers, making it a crucial tool in your job search.

In 2023, the Canadian healthcare landscape is continually evolving, and the competition for nursing positions remains fierce. To stand out in this competitive environment, it’s essential to have a well-crafted resume that highlights your qualifications, experience, and commitment to patient care.

This article serves as your comprehensive guide to creating a top-notch Canadian resume tailored specifically for registered nurses. Whether you’re a seasoned professional looking to advance your career or a newcomer seeking your first nursing job in Canada, our free sample resumes and expert advice will help you build a winning application.

Components of an Effective Canadian Nursing Resume

Creating an effective Canadian nursing resume requires careful consideration of the components that will help you stand out to potential employers. Here are the essential components to include:

• Start with your full name, which should be prominently displayed at the top of the resume.
• Include your address, specifying your city and province within Canada.
• Provide a professional phone number and email address.
• Optionally, you can include a link to your LinkedIn profile.
• A concise, well-crafted statement (2-3 lines) that summarizes your career goals and the value you bring as a nurse. Tailor this to the specific job you’re applying for. [We have included some samples below.]
• A section that highlights your qualifications and certifications, emphasizing your eligibility to work as a registered nurse in Canada.
• Detail your educational background, listing your degrees, the institutions you attended, graduation dates, and any relevant academic honours or awards.
• Clearly state your Canadian nursing license and any additional certifications, such as Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), or Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS).
• Provide a detailed work history that includes the names of your previous employers, your job titles, dates of employment, and specific responsibilities and accomplishments for each role.
• Highlight your achievements, clinical experiences, and patient outcomes.
• If you’re a recent nursing graduate, include details about your clinical rotations, emphasizing any specialized experiences or patient populations you worked with.
• Create a section dedicated to your nursing and healthcare-related skills, such as patient assessment, medication administration, wound care, and any other proficiencies relevant to the job. [We have included some samples below.]
• Mention any professional nursing associations or organizations you are a member of, such as the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA).
• List any workshops, courses, or continuing education relevant to nursing that you’ve completed to stay current in your field.
• Include any awards or recognitions you’ve received during your nursing career, such as scholarships, academic honours, or professional acknowledgements.
• Mention any languages you are proficient in, especially if it can benefit your nursing practice, given Canada’s multicultural population.
• Optionally, you can indicate that references are available upon request. It’s not necessary to provide them on the resume itself.

Registered Nurse Resume Summary Examples

• Registered nurse with 5 years of experience in providing exceptional patient care and delivering positive clinical outcomes in a busy hospital setting. Demonstrated ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and provide compassionate care to patients of all ages.
• Dynamic registered nurse with a passion for delivering high-quality patient care and improving health outcomes. Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills, with a focus on evidence-based practice. Proven track record of success in managing complex patient cases and providing compassionate care.
• Registered nurse with over 10 years of experience in providing exceptional care to patients in a variety of settings, including acute care, long-term care, and community health. Proficient in a range of nursing skills, including medication administration, wound care, and patient education. Committed to ongoing professional development and providing compassionate care to patients.
• Experienced registered nurse with a strong background in acute care and critical care nursing. Skilled in managing complex patient cases and providing high-quality care in fast-paced environments. Strong interpersonal skills, with a focus on building relationships with patients and their families.
• Registered nurse with a Master’s degree in Nursing and over 8 years of experience in providing exceptional patient care in a variety of settings. Skilled in managing complex patient cases, providing education and support to patients and their families, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. Committed to ongoing professional development and providing compassionate care to patients.

Registered Nurse Resume Skills Examples

Here are some general examples of skills that registered nurses may include on their resumes:

• Clinical skills , such as taking vital signs, administering medications, and performing medical procedures
• Communication skills , including the ability to listen actively and communicate effectively with patients, families, and other healthcare professionals
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills , including the ability to assess patients’ conditions and make appropriate care decisions
• Leadership and management skills , such as the ability to supervise and mentor other members of the nursing team
• Knowledge of medical terminology , healthcare regulations, and patient confidentiality laws
• Proficiency with electronic medical records and other healthcare technology
• Flexibility and adaptability to handle a variety of patients and situations
• Commitment to continuing education and staying up-to-date on the latest developments in nursing practice.

These are just some examples of the types of skills that you may have and include on your resume. It’s important to tailor your resume to your own experiences and strengths, and to the specific job you’re applying for.

Registered Nurse Resume Examples

Here are some sample resumes which you can modify:

Registered Nurse Sample Resume 1

Registered nurse sample resume 2.

As this sample resume exemplifies, crafting a compelling resume that effectively communicates your qualifications and experiences is essential in the pursuit of a fulfilling nursing career. Whether you are an entry-level nurse or an experienced professional, a well-structured and tailored resume can significantly impact your job search and future opportunities.

With an average base salary of $40.24 per hour registered nurse is a highly sought-after position in Canada. Your resume should reflect your unique strengths and aspirations. By adhering to the established standards and including key components such as contact information, an objective statement, qualifications, and relevant work experience, you can present yourself as a standout candidate.

Remember that the language and formatting of your resume should be clear, concise, and free from errors. Ensure that your qualifications align with the specific job requirements and that you tailor your resume accordingly. Moreover, highlighting your achievements, certifications, and memberships in professional organizations demonstrates your dedication to ongoing growth and improvement within the field.

The presented sample resume showcases a surgical nursing focus, emphasizing the importance of specialized skills and qualifications in a specific nursing domain. Adapt this template to suit your unique strengths and the nursing role you aspire to secure.

In conclusion, a well-crafted Canadian nursing resume can open doors to exciting and rewarding opportunities in the dynamic healthcare sector. Your resume is not just a document; it’s a reflection of your dedication to patient care and your commitment to delivering the highest level of service. Leverage this powerful tool to embark on or advance in your Canadian nursing career and make a meaningful impact on the well-being of patients and communities across the country. Your journey begins here.

Related Articles:

• How To Write A Cover Letter For Canada

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Registered Nurse Resume Examples Canada

RN resume example highlights ability to provide nursing care to patients in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities in Canada.

Resume examples for top Registered Nurse jobs

Use the following guidelines and resume examples to choose the best resume format.

Registered Nurse Resume Example

About Registered Nurse (RN) Resumes

Registered Nurses (RNs) are essential healthcare professionals who provide direct patient care, coordinate treatment plans, and educate patients and their families. Crafting an impressive resume is essential to showcase your expertise in nursing and your commitment to delivering high-quality patient care. Below, you'll find resume examples tailored for Registered Nurses to help you create a compelling resume that highlights your skills and experience.

Salary Details for Registered Nurses

The salary of Registered Nurses in Canada can vary based on factors such as location, specialization, experience, and the healthcare facility. On average, Registered Nurses earn a competitive annual salary, typically ranging from $70,000 to $100,000 or more, depending on these factors.

Key Skills for RN Resumes

When constructing your RN resume, emphasize key skills such as:

• Patient Care: Highlight your ability to provide comprehensive patient assessments, administer treatments, and monitor patient progress.
• Clinical Skills: Showcase your proficiency in performing clinical procedures, such as IV therapy, wound care, and medication administration.
• Documentation: Mention your strong skills in maintaining accurate patient records and documentation.
• Communication: Emphasize your ability to communicate effectively with patients, families, and the healthcare team.
• Critical Thinking: Describe your capacity to make informed decisions and adapt to changing patient needs.

Trends in RN Resumes

To ensure your resume remains current and stands out, consider these trends:

• Digital Portfolios: Create a digital portfolio showcasing successful patient cases, clinical skills, and continuing education.
• Telehealth Experience: Highlight any experience with telemedicine and remote patient care.
• Continuing Education: Mention ongoing professional development and certifications in nursing.

How to Explore RN Jobs in Canada?

• Online Job Portals: Start your job search on reputable websites like Indeed, LinkedIn, and specialized nursing job boards.
• Hospitals, Healthcare Facilities, and Clinics: Check the careers sections of healthcare facilities for RN positions.
• Professional Associations: Connect with organizations like the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) or provincial nursing associations for job listings and networking.
• Networking: Build connections with fellow RNs and healthcare professionals to discover job openings and recommendations.

FAQs for RN Resumes

Q1: Should I include all my nursing certifications on my resume?

A1: Include relevant certifications and licenses that demonstrate your qualifications as an RN.

Q2: How can I demonstrate my commitment to patient safety on my resume?

A2: Mention your dedication to safety protocols, infection control practices, and positive patient outcomes.

Q3: Is it necessary to include volunteer work on my resume?

A3: Include volunteer experience if it relates to nursing, healthcare, or community involvement.

Q4: How do I address a career gap on my RN resume?

A4: Briefly explain the gap and emphasize any relevant nursing-related activities or continuing education during that time.

Q5: Can I provide references directly on my resume?

A5: No, provide references separately upon request from potential employers.

Q6: Is a professional summary or objective statement necessary on my resume?

A6: A concise professional summary can provide a brief overview of your qualifications and career goals.

More Resume Examples for the Next Step in Your Registered Nurse Resume Career jobs

• Acute Care Nurse Resume
• Advanced Practice Rn Resume
• Caregiver Resume
• Chief Nursing Officer Resume
• Er Nurse Resume
• Geriatric Nurse Practitioner Resume
• Labor And Delivery Nurse Resume
• Nurse Practitioner Resume
• Nursing Assistant Resume
• Oncology Nurse Resume
• Pediatric Nurse Resume
• Registered Nurse Resume
• Public School Nurse Resume
• Trauma Nurse Resume

More Cover Examples for the Next Step in Your Registered Nurse Cover Career jobs

• Acute Care Nurse Cover Letter
• Advanced Practice Rn Cover Letter
• Caregiver Cover Letter
• Chief Nursing Officer Cover Letter
• Er Nurse Cover Letter
• Geriatric Nurse Practitioner Cover Letter
• Labor And Delivery Nurse Cover Letter
• Lpn Cover Letter
• Nurse Practitioner Cover Letter
• Nursing Assistant Cover Letter
• Oncology Nurse Cover Letter
• Pediatric Nurse Cover Letter
• Registered Nurse Cover Letter
• Public School Nurse Cover Letter
• Trauma Nurse Cover Letter

Get started with a winning resume template

Your guide to awesome resumes : real 800+ resume examples inside.

Step into our world of "Awesome Resumes" We've collected over 1000 real examples to help you create the best resumes. No matter what kind of job you want, these Resume examples can show you how to do it. Every example has been looked at by an Certified Resume Expert who knows about Creating ATS Resumes and cover letters.

Introduction:

Welcome to hexaresume.com, your go-to resource for exceptional resume examples designed for success in the nursing profession. Our curated collection covers various nursing roles, including the foundational and versatile position of a Registered Nurse. Dive into our highlighted resume example for Registered Nurses, featuring key elements that make a resume stand out in this critical and dynamic healthcare role.

Salary Details:

For Registered Nurses in Canada, salaries typically range from $70,000 to $90,000 CAD annually. Compensation may vary based on experience, geographic location, and specific qualifications.

Resume Example - Registered Nurse:

Explore a standout resume example for a Registered Nurse, highlighting crucial achievements and responsibilities essential for success in this foundational healthcare role.

• Comprehensive Patient Care:
• Delivered comprehensive patient care, focusing on the physical, emotional, and psychological well-being of individuals.
• Conducted thorough assessments to identify patient needs and formulate holistic care plans.
• Medication Administration and Monitoring:
• Administered medications accurately, adhering to prescribed dosage and closely monitoring patient responses.
• Collaborated with healthcare teams to ensure optimal medication regimens and patient safety.
• Clinical Skill Proficiency:
• Demonstrated proficiency in clinical skills, including wound care, IV therapy, and patient monitoring.
• Kept abreast of best practices and engaged in ongoing education to enhance clinical expertise.
• Patient Advocacy and Education:
• Advocated for patients' rights and provided thorough education on diagnoses, treatment options, and self-care.
• Collaborated with patients and families in shared decision-making.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration:
• Worked collaboratively with interdisciplinary teams, fostering seamless coordination of patient care.
• Engaged in regular case conferences to discuss patient progress and care plans.

Career Goals on Resume - Registered Nurse: Define your career goals as a Registered Nurse with strategic aspirations:

• Advanced Certification Pursuit:
• Pursue advanced certifications in a specialized area of practice to enhance expertise and broaden the scope of care.
• Leadership in Nursing Management:
• Aspire to take on leadership roles in nursing management, contributing to the efficient operation of healthcare units.
• Continued Education and Mentorship:
• Engage in continued education to stay abreast of the latest advancements in nursing practices and healthcare technologies.
• Provide mentorship to junior nurses to foster professional development.
• Research and Publications:
• Contribute to research initiatives in nursing, aiming for publications and advancements in evidence-based practices.
• Community Health Initiatives:
• Lead or participate in community health initiatives, promoting preventive care and overall well-being in the community.

FAQs - Registered Nurse Resume:

• Q: How can I highlight my clinical skill proficiency on my Registered Nurse resume?
• A: Specify clinical skills you excel in, such as wound care, IV therapy, and patient monitoring. Provide specific examples of successful application.
• Q: Is continuing education important for Registered Nurses?
• A: Yes, emphasize ongoing education or certifications to demonstrate your commitment to professional development and staying current in nursing practices.
• Q: What skills are crucial for a Registered Nurse to emphasize on their resume?
• A: Emphasize skills such as comprehensive patient care, medication administration, clinical skill proficiency, patient advocacy, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Q: How should I address my experience in patient advocacy and education on my resume?
• A: Highlight instances where you advocated for patients' rights and provided thorough education on diagnoses, treatment options, and self-care.
• Q: Can I include examples of interdisciplinary collaboration on my Registered Nurse resume, and how should I do it?
• A: Absolutely. Provide examples where you collaborated with interdisciplinary teams, contributing to coordinated patient care and positive outcomes.

More Resume Examples for the Next Step in Your Registered Nurse Resume Career jobs

• Acute Care Nurse Resume
• Advanced Practice Rn Resume
• Caregiver Resume
• Chief Nursing Officer Resume
• Er Nurse Resume
• Geriatric Nurse Practitioner Resume
• Intensive Care Nurse Resume
• Labor And Delivery Nurse Resume
• Nurse Practitioner Resume
• Nursing Assistant Resume
• Oncology Nurse Resume
• Pediatric Nurse Resume
• Registered Nurse Resume
• Public School Nurse Resume
• Trauma Nurse Resume

More Cover Examples for the Next Step in Your Registered Nurse Cover Career jobs

• Acute Care Nurse Cover Letter
• Advanced Practice Rn Cover Letter
• Caregiver Cover Letter
• Chief Nursing Officer Cover Letter
• Er Nurse Cover Letter
• Geriatric Nurse Practitioner Cover Letter
• Intensive Care Nurse Cover Letter
• Labor And Delivery Nurse Cover Letter
• Lpn Cover Letter
• Nurse Practitioner Cover Letter
• Nursing Assistant Cover Letter
• Oncology Nurse Cover Letter
• Pediatric Nurse Cover Letter
• Registered Nurse Cover Letter
• Public School Nurse Cover Letter
• Trauma Nurse Cover Letter

Get started with a winning resume template

700+ canadian resume examples - ats-friendly format.

Explore our extensive library of over 700 Canadian resume examples, meticulously crafted to meet the stringent requirements of Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). Our resumes are formatted in compliance with Canadian industry standards, ensuring your job application aligns with regional expectations. Whether you're a recent graduate, an experienced professional, or changing careers, our ATS-friendly Canadian resume examples are your key to success in the competitive job market.

As a nurse, you know a lot about taking care of people and helping them be healthy.

But when it comes to resume writing, maybe you could use a little help of your own.

Are there specific resume strategies that nurses should follow?

Just how detailed do you need to be when describing your medical skill set? And how do you highlight all those certifications you might have?

We’re going to walk you through the entire process of creating a nurse resume step-by-step!

• A nurse resume example that is proven to work
• How to write a nurse resume that will get you invited to interviews
• How to make your nurse resume stand out [with top tips & tricks]

Here’s some inspiration to get you started:

A nurse resume example , created with our very own resume builder:

Now, read on to learn how to create a resume that looks as good (or better) than the above example!

How to Format a Nurse Resume

The first step to creating your nurse resume is to decide on a format.

Just like any other career, hiring managers want specific information to jump out at them when reviewing resumes. So nurses need to make sure their resumes are formatted properly.

In 2024, the most common resume format remains the “reverse-chronological” format. So this is your best bet. 

Of course, there are other resume formats you can try…

• Functional Resume - This format is a lot more about your skills as opposed to professional experience. It’s good if you don’t have a lot of experience, are transferring to a new industry, or have gaps in your employment history.
• Combination Resume - As the name suggests, a combination resume is a mix between “Functional” and “Reverse-Chronological.” Meaning, it focuses both on skills AND work experience. You can use a combination resume if you have a lot of work experience or changing industries.

Once you’ve decided on the format, you need to get your resume layout right.

Here’s what we recommend…

• Margins - One-inch margins on all sides
• Font - Pick a font that stands out, but not too much. Do: Ubuntu, Roboto, etc. Don’t: Comic Sans
• Font Size - Use a font size of 11-12pt for normal text and 14-16pt for headers
• Line Spacing - Use 1.0 or 1.15 line spacing
• Resume Length - Don’t go over the 1-page limit. Having trouble fitting everything into one page? Check out these one-page resume templates.
• As a nurse you have probably earned some certifications for different areas of medicine. Create a dedicated section for your certificates so these stand out in your resume.

Use a Nurse Resume Template

Are you used to creating your resume in Word? Painful isn’t it? 

It’s easy to spend more time tinkering with formatting than it actually takes you to fill in the contents.

Then, you decide to make a single, small layout change, and BAM! Your entire resume layout falls apart.

There’s a better way than using Word: use a nurse resume template .

What to Include in a Nurse Resume

The main sections in a nurse resume are:

• Contact Information
• Resume Summary
• Work Experience
• Certificates
• Awards & Recognitions

If you want your resume to stand out more, you can also try these optional sections:

Conferences & Courses

• Professional Affiliations

Interests & Hobbies

Now, we’re going to go through each of those sections, and explain how to write them.

Not sure which sections to use? Check out our guide to What to Put on a Resume .

How to Get Your Contact Information Right

Maybe you’ve created the perfect resume with amazing content on your skills and experience. But if you mess up the contact section, you won’t be getting a lot of interview invitations (mainly because they won’t be able to call your misspelled phone number).

For your contacts, include:

• Title - For nurses, your best bet is likely “Registered Nurse”.
• Phone Number - Double-check, triple-check this. One typo can really mess up your chances of an employer contacting you.
• Email Address - Make sure to use a professional email address ([email protected]), and avoid that email you created back in 5th grade ([email protected]).
• (Optional) Location - Applying for a job abroad? Mention your current location.

How to Write a Nurse Resume Summary or Objective

Fun fact - recruiters spend less than 6 seconds reviewing each resume. This isn’t that surprising, though. You can’t expect them to read the hundreds of resumes they receive from end to end.

So, if the recruiter doesn’t see that you’re relevant for the job in a single glance, your resume won’t even be read.

Now, the question is, what can you do to hook the recruiter the moment they look at your resume.

The answer is simple: use a resume summary or objective .

As a quick intro, both the resume summary and objective are sections that go on top of your resume, just under the contact information section.

The main difference between the 2 sections is that…

A resume summary is a 2-4 sentence summary of your professional experiences and achievements.

• Trauma Certified Registered Nurse with more than five years experience working in emergency care. Compassionate, ethical health-care provider with a proven ability to stay calm during crises. Hold a Master’s of Science in Surgical Nursing. 

A resume objective , on the other hand, is a 2-4 sentence snapshot of your professional goals and aspirations.

• Patient-focused nursing student with 2 years of healthcare experience. Pursuing internships as part of career goal to become Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse.

So, which one do you pick? A summary, or an objective?

As you can see from the above examples, the key difference between the two is that a Resume Objective is better-suited to those who are new to a field (student, graduate, or switching careers). Always go for a Resume Summary if you have already established your career path.

How to Make Your Nurse Work Experience Stand Out

Work experience is the most important section in your resume.

Sure, your medical skills are super important, but so is your professional experience. Here’s how to structure your work experience section…

• Position name
• Company Name
• Responsibilities & Achievements

Brooklyn Hospital

01/2015 - 06/2019

• Obtained and recorded patients’ vital signs, intake and output and blood glucose
• Worked in the cardiatric and oncology wards of the hospital
• Used EHR software to record patient information

Now, if you really want to stand out, you should focus on talking about your achievements instead of responsibilities.

Instead of saying:

“Screen patients upon arrival at emergency ward.”

“Administered emergency ward intake evaluations for up to 25 patients each hour by measuring vital signs and prioritizing cases accordingly.”

So, what’s the difference between the two?

The second one is more specific . You know exactly what the person did, and you can say that he/she can work efficiently. 

The first example, on the other hand, is too generic. Screening patients could be as basic as checking whether they have health insurance and entering their personal information into the hospital system. There is also no mention of how many patients this person is used to handling.

What if You Don’t Have Work Experience?

Maybe you’re a current student trying to land an internship or a recent graduate looking for your first full-time nursing job?

Fortunately, nursing students or graduates gain plenty of practical experience as they navigate their way through their studies. Only so much of the medical field can be taught in the classroom. 

By the time you are in your second year of school, chances are high you’ve been in a health-care facility helping evaluate and treat patients. You may not be a registered nurse at this point, you can absolutely include the skills and procedures you’ve learned in school on your resume.

If you’re a recent graduate, you might want to check out our guide on how to make a student resume !

Use Action Words to Make Your Nurse Resume SHINE!

“Responsible for”

“Worked in”

These are the most common words you’ll find on ANY resume.

And since you want YOURS to stand out, we’d recommend avoiding them as much as possible.

Instead, use some of these power words to make your responsibilities and achievements stand out:

• Administered
• Specialized

How to List Education Right

The next section in any Nurse resume is the “Education.”

This one’s pretty straightforward. Simply list out your education entries, and you’re gold!

• Degree Type & Major
• University Name
• Years Studied
• GPA, Honours, Courses, and anything else you might want to add

MSc in Nursing

University of Southern California

• Relevant Courses: Radiological Nursing, Advanced Surgical Procedures, Oncological Diagnostics

Clear? Good!

Before we move on, here are some of the most frequent questions we get about education on a resume (and their answers!):

• What if I haven’t finished college?

Whether you’re still a student, or you dropped out, you should still mention your degree. All you have to do is include the years studied, and you’re good.

• Do I list my high school education?

Only if you don’t have a higher education. No one cares about your high school education if you have a B.A.

• What goes first, education or experience?

If you have any relevant work experience, then experiences go on top. If you don’t, though, then education.

Still have some questions? Check out our guide on how to list education on a resume .

Top 30 Skills for a Nurse Resume

When the HR manager is going through your resume, they’re looking to see if you have the right skills for the job.

Imagine this: you’re the best nurse in the world and your resume is impeccable. BUT, you still get rejected, because you didn’t mention that you know the exact procedures or techniques that the health centre needs. 

Not sure which skills to pick?

Here are some of the most common nurse skills:

Hard Skills for Nurse Resume:

• Assisting in surgery
• Administration of medication
• Chemotherapy administration
• Bedside monitoring
• Bladder irrigation
• Blood administration
• Emergency room care
• Healthcare software
• Infection control
• Lab testing
• Intramuscularly injections or IV therapy
• Maternal care
• Pain management
• Physical assessments
• Psychiatric care
• Rehabilitation
• Seizure precautions
• Surgery preparation
• Wound irrigation
• Withdrawal of blood samples

Soft Skills for Nurse Resume:

• Attention to detail
• Communication (verbal & written)
• Critical thinking
• Physical endurance (since you will work long hours and have to use sometimes heavy equipment or patients)
• Observation (since you need to track subtle and small changes such as a change in the color or odor)
• As a general rule, we’d recommend not to go overboard with “Soft Skills.” They are certainly important in the medical field, but they are also harder to back up. Doctors need people with hard skills standing next to them, so give these priority. 

Looking for a more comprehensive list? Here’s a mega-list of 150+ must-have skills in 2024 .

Certifications for a Nurse Resume

As we mentioned before, many nurses will attain special certifications as they progress in their careers. These should be highlighted in your resume. For example:

• CPR certified through the American Heart Association
• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Advanced Holistic Nurse, Board Certified

Other Resume Sections You Can Include

At this point, you’re probably ready to wrap up your resume and call it a day.

After all, we’ve covered all the essential sections, right?

Well, not exactly. See, the #1 goal of your resume is to stand out.

And if your resume looks exactly the same as everyone else’s, that’s where you fail.

If you’re already a good match for the job in terms of skills and experiences, these sections could end up being the deciding factor that gets you hired (and makes you stand out from the rest).

As part of their career development, many nurses will participate or even speak at nursing conferences. These are great to list on a resume because they highlight your dedication to the profession.

Meanwhile, nurses also participate in courses devoted to specialized topics in nursing or medicine. Perhaps these courses don’t involve formal certification in a specific area, but they do demonstrate certain career interests.

For example, maybe after five years of working in nursing, you decide to take a course in End-of-Life Care because it’s an area you may want to pursue future certification. Once you’ve taken the course, there’s no reason not to put it on your resume.

If you’ve got the space, try to include a Conferences & Courses section on your resume.

An extra language or two can always come in handy, even if it doesn’t have anything to do with the position you’re applying for. You never know when a foreign language might help save a life.

If you know any foreign language & have extra space in your resume, feel free to add a language section.

Make sure to split the languages by proficiency:

• Intermediate

Now, you might be thinking, “what does my hiking hobby have to do with my profession as a nurse?”

Well, nothing, but it does have something to do with you as a person. Strong teamwork is essential in the health-care field, so doctors and administrators are looking for someone they’ll get along with.

And what’s something you can bond with potential employers about? Hobbies and interests, exactly!

Not sure which hobbies & interests you want to mention? We have a guide for that!

Match Your Cover Letter with Your Resume

Yep, that’s right.

You might be thinking, “A cover letter?! Surely the nursing skills on my resume speak for themselves!”

Well, here’s the thing: cover letters are still very important .

They show the recruiter that you’re passionate about working for THIS position in THIS company, and you aren’t just sending your resume all over the place.

Having a solid cover letter with your resume can significantly boost your chances of getting the job.

The first step to writing a convincing cover letter is to get the structure right. Here’s how to do that.

And here’s what you’d write in each section:

Contact Details

Your personal contact information, including full name, profession, email, phone number, location.

Hiring Manager’s Contact Information

Full name, position, location, email.

Opening Paragraph

Your introduction should be very strong. If you don’t manage to hook the hiring manager here, chances are, they’re not going to read the rest of it. So, mention:

• The position you’re applying for
• Your experience summary and top achievement

Once you’ve got the hiring manager hooked, you can go through the rest of your background. Some of the points you can mention here are:

• Why you want to work for this specific company.
• Anything you know about the company’s culture.
• What are your top skills and how are they relevant for the job.
• If you’ve worked in similar industries or positions.

Closing Paragraph

This is where you:

• Wrap up any points you missed in the body paragraph
• Thank the hiring manager for their time
• End with a call to action. Something like, “I’d love to further discuss how my experience as an X can help the company with Y”

Formal Salutations

Use a formal closing, such as “best regards” or “Sincerely.”

Need more inspiration? We get it - creating a cover letter is very hard work. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with your step-by-step guide on how to write a cover letter .

Applying for a different position in the medical field? Our related resume examples can come in handy:

• Medical Assistant Resume
• Pharmacist Resume
• Dentist Resume

Key Takeaways

If you followed everything we just taught you to the T, you’re pretty much guaranteed to land the job.

Now, let’s go through everything we’ve learned real quick:

• Get the right formatting for your nurse resume. Use a reverse-chronological format, and follow the best practices we mentioned on getting the layout right.
• Use a resume summary or objective to catch the hiring manager’s attention.
• In your work experience section, try to talk more about your achievements than your responsibilities.
• Emphasize hard skills more than soft skills (both are important but hard skills save lives)
• Match your nurse resume with a convincing cover letter.

Suggested Reading:

• Use Resume Keywords to Land the Job [880+ Keywords]
• 26+ Biggest Interview Mistakes (To Avoid in 2024)
• How to Write a CV That Gets Noticed (With 2024 Examples)

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7 Registered Nurse (RN) Resume Examples for 2024

Registered Nurse (RN)

Best for senior and mid-level candidates.

There’s plenty of room in our elegant resume template to add your professional experience while impressing recruiters with a sleek design.

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Like this template? Customize this resume and make it your own with the help of our Al-powered suggestions, accent colors, and modern fonts.

• RN Resume by Education
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Registered nurses (RN) are a profession in very high demand. In addition to a hiring rush during COVID-19, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts a 12 percent growth in demand for RNs through 2028.

Nursing is a tough enough profession in its own right. So, don’t be discouraged if you’re struggling to draft your  nurse cover letter  or  write a resume  that puts your best foot forward.

We’re here to help with seven great RN resume samples that guarantee success in the challenging world in 2024. It doesn’t matter if this is your first job out of nursing school or if you’re a seasoned vet; these resumes are a great starting place when writing or updating your own.

Registered Nurse (RN) Resume

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Why this resume works

• You’re undergoing a career change,
• You just finished nursing school and this is your first RN job, or
• You’re going to customize it to the  nursing job description .
• If none of those are relevant to you, skip the objective!
• Two other relatively common requirements for RN positions (though certainly not all positions) are Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) and Basic Life Support (BLS). Explicitly mention those in your resume if you have them.

RN BSN Resume

• Next, delve into outstanding performances like streamlining shifts and reducing scheduling conflicts. Also, adding measurable impact further elevates your suitability.

New Grad RN Resume

• If the activities are related to healthcare or show you in a professional, positive light and you need some help filling out your new grad RN resume , then include one or two.
• Color is one way to show some personality on your resume while still portraying professionalism. Try a strong accent color while keeping the color basic everywhere else, as seen in many of our  resume examples .
• P.S. You can catch this mistake easily when you take advantage of our  resume builder  and its AI-powered tips. 

Experienced RN Resume

• As you gain more and more experience as an RN, try your best to show a progression in responsibility and ownership on your experienced RN resume. 
• Here’s the trick: Keep a master copy of every job and a working list of job description bullet points for each. Then, pull from this master list and customize it according to the specific role for which you’re applying now.
• Two other quick things you can do to fit more content are to reduce vertical spacing and reduce page margins, which is a simple click of a button in our  resume maker .
• Hit the highlights in your resume, but you can delve further into these details when creating a cover letter .

Travel RN Resume

• Mentioning and quantifying outcomes possible through your keen eye and observation (hint: cut documentation errors by 28%) is a great way to make this attribute count.

Med Surg RN Resume

• Pay attention to the skills, qualifications, and responsibilities listed in the job description to gain ideas on what you should include in your skills section.
• RNs can work in a ton of different areas in medicine. If you’re applying to a specific job (like Med/Surg Nurse) and you have experience in that area, be sure to match your job title to that of the job description.
• White space is a commonly overlooked factor in resume design, and if it’s a concern for you, try simplifying the process by picking one of our  free resume templates .

ICU RN Resume

• Check your resume  to ensure you’re using action verbs that propel your bullet points forward and keep hiring personnel engaged.
• Another way to demonstrate impact is by quantifying it, that is, tying the outcome of your work to a number. By linking a number to your claims, proof of impact becomes clear.
• Ultimately, nursing is a profession involving people. So if you can show that you’re comfortable with the human aspects of the job (patient care, plans of care, family interactions, etc.), speak as much as possible concerning that experience in your ICU RN resume .

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