How to Write a Nursing Cover Letter

portrait of Keith Carlson, BSN, RN, NC-BC

Keith Carlson

Contributing Writer

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Updated March 7, 2023

Reviewed by

Shrilekha Deshaies

Contributing Reviewer

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A nursing cover letter is still crucial in the job application process. It’s often the first impression a potential employer will have of you. A cover letter is a chance to tell your story and call attention to aspects of your resume you want a reviewer to notice.

It’s also a chance to explain to an employer why you want to work for them, what you know about them, and why you’re an ideal candidate. A strong cover letter can tip the balance in your favor, helping you stand out from the competition and land an interview.

In the following guide, we walk you through writing a strong nursing cover letter, mistakes to avoid, and real-world tips that will keep you focused. Check out our downloadable nursing cover letter template and a sample letter to get started. Once you master the process, you’ll be writing winning cover letters in no time.

4 Steps to Write Your Nursing Cover Letter

Writing a cover letter can feel overwhelming for many nurses, especially because it’s difficult to know what to say, how much to reiterate what’s on your resume , and what information to include or not. A cover letter is an opportunity to explain aspects of your professional or personal history that a resume can’t always get across. Your passion and interests come through, along with your ability to communicate clearly. Review the following steps to write a stand-out cover letter. Feel free to use our sample letter and downloadable template. The cover letter is a significant part of convincing employers that they absolutely need to meet you!

Create a Header with Your Contact Information

Introduce yourself and note the position you’re applying for in the opening paragraph, highlight your skills and the reasons you want to work for this employer, write a closing paragraph and restate your interest, 7 mistakes to avoid in your nursing cover letter.

  • Submitting Spelling and Grammar Errors: Nursing requires excellent documentation and attention to detail. Grammatical errors are unprofessional, and they can paint a picture of someone who doesn’t value attention to detail. Many resume reviewers will likely pass on a candidate whose resume and/or cover letter contain errors.
  • Copying Your Resume: Your nursing cover letter can highlight aspects of your resume , but it shouldn’t be a verbatim copy. Find creative ways to underscore your key characteristics, skills, or experiences without repetition.
  • Using Incorrect or Inconsistent Format: It’s best practice for your cover letter and resume to match in terms of design, font, and format. This creates a branded, visually cohesive application package.
  • Forgetting to Tie Your Qualifications to the Position: Your cover letter should be targeted and specific, addressing the position you’re applying for and its qualifications, skills, and responsibilities. If you don't tie your qualifications to the job in question, that makes a weak case for you getting an interview.
  • Failing to Address the Letter to a Specific Person or Department: Many postings fail to provide the name of an individual or a department to address in your letter. If they provide this information, use it. If they don’t, you can use the generic “Hiring Manager” or “Hiring Committee”.
  • Starting Every Paragraph with “I”: Be creative in finding different ways to begin each paragraph (see our sample letter for examples). If two paragraphs begin with “I”, that’s OK, but no more than that.

Tips from Nurses on Writing Your Nursing Cover Letter

Research potential employers, explain relevant skills that meet the position's qualifications, include your soft skills, highlight your best qualities, demonstrate your passion, showcase your ability and willingness to learn, check for errors, frequently asked questions about nursing cover letters, what should a nurse cover letter include.

A nurse cover letter should include a header with your name, credentials, and contact information, plus the receiver's contact information. The body of the letter should specifically address the position you’re applying for, and how you can fulfill the characteristics, credentials, skills, knowledge, and expertise required.

What should a nurse cover letter not include?

Your cover letter does not need to include phrases like, “My references are available upon request”; “Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns”; or “I can be contacted via email at _____________or via phone at _____________.” These are all givens, and if your contact information is in your header, there’s no need to say it again.

What's the difference between a new grad nurse cover letter and an experienced nurse cover letter?

A new grad nurse cover letter can't demonstrate the level of skill, expertise, and knowledge as a seasoned nurse. New grads haven’t accumulated years of nursing experience, but they have their academic and clinical performance, enthusiasm, passion, and related healthcare experience to share, whether paid or volunteer. When employers advertise new grad positions, they understand that new grad resumes and letters can't reflect the resumes of experienced nurses.

Are nursing cover letters necessary?

In these days of online applications, a cover letter may be optional, meaning that applicants can upload a cover letter if they choose to. For some applications, a cover letter will be required. Consider this: if a cover letter is optional, why not go the extra mile and write a strong one? If your resume and experience are comparable to another candidate’s, your cover letter could give you the edge. After all, a resume can’t by nature express much personality, but a cover letter can. So, make a strong impression with a well-crafted letter, whether it’s required or not.

Nursing Cover Letter Template

Download our cover letter template (DOCX, 14KB)

Name and Credentials

Town, State | Phone | Email

Personalized LinkedIn profile URL (optional)

Dept and/or contact person Facility or organization Street Town, State, Zip

Dear ________________:

Paragraph 1: Begin by stating the position for which you are applying. Say something about the organization to demonstrate that you’ve done your homework and understand what they’re all about, and that this letter is not at all “cookie-cutter” in nature.

Paragraph 2: Share select highlights of your career, expertise, experience, skills, or personal characteristics that are directly applicable to this position and/or this employer. You can emphasize something from your resume that you want them to make note of, as long as you don’t use exactly the same language as your resume, which is redundant.

Paragraph 3: This is a good place to highlight some of your “soft skills” (e.g., communication, emotional intelligence, relational intelligence, patient education, compassion, empathy, etc).

Paragraph 4: Here you can call attention to your computer skills, EMR experience, etc., as well as any other tech skills worth mentioning.

Closing paragraph: Tie the letter together, reiterate your interest, and express your enthusiastic desire to have the opportunity to meet to discuss your experience and the position further.

Sincerely, Your name and credentials

Sample Nursing Cover Letter

Miguel Schwartzkoffnian, BSN, RN

Annabelle, HA | 000-000-1000 | [email protected]

LinkedIn.com/in/MichaelSchwartzfoffianbsnrn

April 3, 2023

Department of Nursing Recruitment University of Tabula Rasa Medical Center 301 Rasa Drive Glen Tabularea, MOO 22222

Dear Nursing Recruitment Department:

As a caring and dedicated summa cum laude graduate of Adelphi University’s BSN program, please accept my enthusiastic interest in the Registered Nurse - Respiratory/Intermediate Care position posted on your website. I am both personally and professionally aligned with the values that are a very clear aspect of your organization’s mission. From your “Power of Caring” funding of your expanded Outpatient Care Center to your “Next Generation” initiative, I can clearly see the forward-thinking philosophy underlying UTRMC and its reputation as an innovative facility and community member.

During my education, I thrived in clinical practice where I received positive preceptor feedback following each rotation. I am highly coachable, and as you can see from my resume, I bring more than six years’ related healthcare experience as both an EMT and CNA. I am already well-versed in code blue response, Foley catheter insertion and care, venipuncture, ECG interpretation, and non-complex wound care. Comfortable in new settings, I am not afraid to ask questions to enhance my learning and improve the quality of care I deliver to patients and their families. I thrive in multidisciplinary environments, and I use my highly-developed communication skills and emotional and relational intelligence to foster a sense of camaraderie and collaboration among my colleagues, and nurse-patient relationships built on trust.

As a digital native and quick learner, I am highly competent using the Epic and Cerner EMRs and Microsoft Office Suite, and I have full confidence in my natural curiosity and powers of critical thinking in relation to learning new technologies and digital interfaces.

I have a great deal to contribute as a member of the UTRMC community of clinicians. I look forward to discussing the intersection of my skills and experience with the needs of your inspiring organization that embraces its role beyond the actual facility and into the surrounding community it serves.

Sincerely, Miguel Schwartzkoffnian, BSN, RN

Page last reviewed on February 24, 2023

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Writing a Successful Nursing Cover Letter With Examples and Templates

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Jul 01 2022

Career Resources / Job Searching / Nursing Cover Letter

Reviewed by: Kiley Griffin, R.N.

Writing an effective nursing cover letter may seem unnecessary–trust us: it’s not. Roughly 45% of job seekers send resumes without a cover letter . Yet, a majority of employers prefer cover letters to go with a resume. 

When looking for a new job , nurses often spend the most time developing their resumes . Sometimes they neglect their cover letters or don’t write one at all.  

Whether you are a new grad nurse or a nurse veteran, a good cover letter is a great way to separate yourself from the pack. Even if a hiring manager only skims it, it can mean the difference between you and another candidate getting the job if something catches their eye.

In this post, we will explore the following:

  • Examples and a Template for a Nursing Cover Letter

When Nursing Cover Letters Are Required

  • Benefits to Writing a Cover Letter
  • Steps for Writing a Cover Letter
  • Common Mistakes to Avoid When Writing a Cover Letter

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Nursing Cover Letter Examples and Templates

With the right care and effort, you can craft a professional nursing cover letter that helps distinguish you from other candidates.  

We’ve provided two sample nurse cover letters and a template to help give you an idea of what to write.

nursing cv cover letter examples

Nursing Cover Letter Template

Hiring Manager name Nursing Recruitment 1234 Any Place Road Sometown, California 11111 (999)999-9999 June 16, 2021 Your Name Title Current Employer Mailing Address Phone Number Email Address Dear Hiring Manager, I am pleased to learn of this opportunity, as I found the qualities you are seeking for this position to be an excellent match for my skills, education, and experience. I have a robust background and leadership experience in emergency nursing, trauma/critical care, change leadership, and a commitment to providing high-quality care through standardizing workflows to align with best practices. It is in response to similar challenges that I have excelled during my career as a manager, director, and clinical leader.  Also, I am particularly interested in [the company] because of your excellent reputation, community engagement, and focus on delivering high-quality care to patients. My current role primarily includes providing strategic direction to the clinical operations of the Emergency Department, Trauma Base Hospital, and Crisis Stabilization Unit. I also establish and enforce policies and procedures for the hospital. Additionally, I ensure that financial targets are met within my scope of responsibility. Moreover, I am confident that I can support your strategic objectives of the ICU and provide stability in the department with regard to achieving quality outcomes, staff development, and meeting financial targets. I look forward to discussing in detail with you the ways in which my experience and determination will make further significant contributions to your organization. Respectfully, [Your Name]

Here are the most common scenarios when a nursing cover letter is required:

  • Applying directly to a specific person: Suppose the job posting invites applicants to apply to a particular individual instead of a general application system. In that case, it is appropriate to include a cover letter and address it to the individual . This is especially important for new grad nurses with less experience.
  • Referral for a position: Don’t skip the cover letter If you apply for work based on another professional or mentor’s recommendation. Use the cover letter to explain that someone referred you to the job and specify whom. This allows hiring managers to see that someone they value as a trusted professional in the healthcare industry believes you are qualified for a position.
  • When requested in a job listing:  Some job listings specifically request candidates to submit a professional cover letter with their application. Following job listing requirements to include a cover letter shows hiring managers that you follow instructions and have an eye for detail. Both are essential qualities in the nursing profession.

Benefits to Writing a Nursing Cover Letter

Knowing you are the best candidate for the job and proving it are two different things. You may have an impeccable nursing resume ; however, 20 other candidates are applying for the same position.

Nursing careers are in demand , but that does not mean there isn’t competition for specific nursing positions such as a nurse practitioner or nurse educator .

Resumes are neatly spun packages of information about a candidate’s education, job history (when applicable), and professional certification . They leave little room for information about who you are as a candidate. 

That is where a good cover letter comes in. With the proper cover letter format, your cover letter will offer several advantages and is a great way to showcase your nursing skills.

Identify your intent

Resumes indicate your worth. Cover letters reveal your intent . Outline how your desires and skills align with the job you are applying for. This shows the hiring manager you are interested in the position.

Hopefully, it’s not going to be just another job for you. It will become part of your mission and vision as a nursing professional . For instance, if a position will help grow your leadership skills and prepare you for an advanced nursing career, state that as part of the intent. 

Provide a more in-depth description

Your education and credentials make up only a small portion of who you are as a nursing professional. How someone looks on paper is not an indicator of how they will perform. It does not accurately gauge their character.

In that sense, a cover letter provides a sample of what the hiring manager will expect in the interview.

Using a cover letter to honestly explore your strengths, weaknesses, experiences, interests, and perspectives is an asset. Maybe your resume includes a certification or award you are proud of. Expand on it in the cover letter. 

Pro-tip: Using some of the traits and terms found in the job’s job description is a great way to stand out as a candidate, as it shows you have the qualities the employer is looking for.

What makes you proud of that achievement and how does it make you the best candidate for the position?

Explain the gaps

Hiring professionals suggest resumes span one page for new nurses and those with less than 10 years of experience. Due to length limits, it is hard to explain any gaps in work history. Also, resumes leave out room for detailing why you may have shifted gears from an earlier career into nursing. 

A cover letter provides the perfect opportunity to explain these situations.

Establish a willingness to work

Cover letters add an extra touch to a job application. As stated, nearly half of all job applicants fail to include a cover letter with their job applications unless requested.

Going that extra mile shows a hiring manager that you are willing to put the work in to get the job done right. That is a desirable quality for any business or industry, especially in nursing and other healthcare careers.

Remember that a cover letter should focus on a resume’s highlights, fleshing them out in a more meaningful way.

These are key purposes of a nursing cover letter.

Include only information that falls into one of the four benefits listed above to get the most mileage out of your cover letter.

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Steps for Writing Your Cover Letter

The nursing field requires structure and proper etiquette .

You wouldn’t walk into a patient’s room and say,

“hey, Adam, what’s up, man?” 

The same need for etiquette and structure applies to writing a cover letter. 

Accordingly, we have provided steps to writing a successful nursing cover letter. 

1. Create a header

When a nurse injects a patient with a vaccine, they clean the area first with an alcohol wipe. They don’t just stick the needle in. In the same vein, you need to start by listing your name, phone number, email, and residential address . 

Make sure you put the date under that information. 

Last, include the recipient’s contact information as well. 

2. Use a professional greeting

professional greeting

This is your first impression – show respect. Using “Dear” will work when sending a formal cover letter. If you don’t know the hiring manager’s name, simply write “Dear hiring manager.” 

3. Write your opening paragraph

Your first paragraph serves as the bait or pitch to get the hiring manager’s attention. Don’t bother placing a fishing lure of fluff to try and get their attention. It’s essential to lead with honesty and earnestness. 

While writing this paragraph, make sure you include the title for the position you’re applying to. If you’re applying to work as an RN , state that. Next, articulate why you applied for this job to begin with and your overall excitement to obtain this role.

Make sure that you key in on specific details about the position and how they interest you.

Here’s an example of a stellar opening paragraph:

I am thrilled at the opportunity to apply at St. Joseph’s Hospital as an ICU nurse. As an ICU nurse with over six years of experience, I have gained the necessary skills to perform my role excellently. Specifically, I am excited about the opportunity to work on a 35-bed unit with the demands it requires. I think that my experience, passion, and skill set make me an ideal ICU nurse at St. Joseph’s Hospital.

4. Write your background paragraph

Dedicate this paragraph to your career in nursing up to this point. You want to include all the most applicable skills that pertain to this position. Be specific. Include the detailed duties that you performed that correspond to this new role. 

If you’re applying to work in oncology, but have training in wound therapy, maybe don’t lead with that. Try including only relevant examples. 

Next, include any measurable achievements you’ve had in other jobs that relate to this role. Keyword: measurable . 

Here’s an example of a job posting for an ICU nurse:

nursing cv cover letter examples

Now, here’s a great way to respond to such a job posting:

My experience as a CVICU nurse has allowed me to develop the necessary skills to provide exceptional nursing care through a continuously evolving education. One of my greatest achievements is training 10 CVICU nurses to handle the CVICU and work with external pacemakers and post-cardiac surgery care. By working alongside a variety of health care providers at all levels, I have been able to establish outstanding collaboration and delegation abilities. Through my education, a strong emphasis on patient advocacy and ethical decision-making has been incorporated. Therefore, I have learned to place patient care at the utmost importance. I have developed strong assessment and critical thinking skills. This allows me to deliver the highest quality patient-centered care.

5. Expand on qualifications

Try adding a few short stories that can highlight your primary achievements. This is a great opportunity to highlight your soft skills as well. 

Some potential soft skills include:

  • Communication skills
  • Problem-solving skills
  • Ability to work under pressure

6. Craft a conclusion

In your concluding paragraph, circle back to why you’re the best candidate for this role. Try to expand on your eagerness to obtain the position. End the paragraph with a call to action . A call to action expresses your desire to hear from them soon with next steps regarding the hiring process.

7. End your letter formally

Just like you began your letter, conclude your letter professionally with a “Sincerely” or “Respectfully,” followed by your name. Ending your letter this way helps it end on a high, formal note. 

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Writing Your Cover Letter

In the nursing profession, a mistake can lead to a lawsuit. When writing a nurse cover letter a mistake could lead to you not getting a job. Below are some of the common mistakes to avoid when writing your cover letter.

  • Typos: The nursing profession has a lot of difficult and wonky spellings. For example, you may be proficient at Arrhythmia management , but do you know how to spell it? Having typos within your cover letter sends the message to your hiring manager that you might not be detail-oriented and that’s one of the most important traits in a nurse.
  • Focusing too much on yourself: According to Forbes, this is another common mistake to avoid . Often people try to list all their accomplishments in ways that don’t directly tie into how they can help the company . You want your cover letter to be strategic and it’s imperative to list ways that you can help the employer.
  • Lying: This should be obvious but it’s crucial that you tell the truth in your cover letter. The truth will eventually come out. The best policy is to just practice honesty.
  • Addressing the letter to the wrong person: This is a critical mistake. The recruiter or hiring manager probably will just stop reading at that point.
  • Re-writing your resume: Unfortunately, this is a common error when writing a cover letter. As explained earlier: resumes explain your worth, cover letters show your intent. They are two separate documents and a hiring manager will know if you attempt to merge them.
  • Using a different font than your resume: It may seem like a small detail, but using the same font on your resume shows that you pay attention to detail.

You’ve made it. Congratulations!

Writing a cover letter on its own separates you from the pack. However, writing a strong cover letter makes you an even more intriguing candidate. A nurse wouldn’t leave a stitch when sewing up a wound and neither should you leave a job unfinished when applying for a job.

Nursing Cover Letter FAQs

Your nursing cover letter shouldn’t be longer than a page. The recruiter should be able to read it quickly and get a good idea of what you offer the company. Anything longer than that and you risk the recruiter tossing your letter.

It’s best to use either Times New Roman or Arial when writing a nursing cover letter.

The cover letter should expand on information found in the resume. It should provide insight into your skills, qualifications and background.

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Nursing Cover Letter Examples For 2024 (20+ Skills & Templates)

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Looking to land more nursing job offers?

Crafting a strong cover letter is key. This comprehensive guide is packed with everything you need to know in order to write a job-winning nursing cover letter , complete with effective strategies, essential skills, helpful templates, and real-life examples.

You can trust that all the insights and tips in this guide are based on data from coaching thousands of job seekers, just like you, who have gone on to secure positions at some of the world's most reputable companies.

Whether you're a seasoned nurse or just starting out, reading this guide from start to finish can help you land your dream role. But if you're short on time and looking for specific information, here's a breakdown of what's included:

  • What To Know About Writing A Job-Winning Nursing Cover Letter
  • The Best Skills To Include On A Nursing Cover Letter

How To Address A Nursing Cover Letter

  • 3 Nursing Cover Letter Examples

The 8 Best Nursing Cover Letter Templates

3 tips for writing a job-winning nursing cover letter.

Here's the step-by-step breakdown:

Nursing Cover Letter Overview: What To Know To Write A Cover Letter That Wins More Job Offers

What do healthcare centers look for when hiring for a nursing role?

Hospitals and clinics look for nursing candidates with a nursing degree or diploma from an accredited program and a valid nursing license. Certification in a specialty area, such as pediatrics or critical care, may also be preferred.

Nurses should have both technical skills, such as administering medication and using medical equipment, and strong interpersonal skills, such as communication, empathy, and collaboration. They should be adaptable, flexible, able to make quick decisions, and solve problems in complex situations.

Professionalism and ethical standards are also important qualities in nursing roles. Nurses work as part of a larger healthcare team, so employers often look for candidates who are team players and can work effectively with others.

Your resume should show your potential employer that both your personality and your experience encompass all of these things.

Additionally, there are a few best practices you want to follow to write a job-winning nursing resume:

  • Highlight your experience.  Highlight your nursing experience that is most relevant to the job you are applying for. Focus on clinical skills, procedures, and technologies you are experienced with.
  • Emphasize your communication and interpersonal skills.  Provide examples of how you have effectively communicated with patients, family members, and colleagues.
  • Include keywords from the job description:  ensure your resume is optimized for applicant tracking systems (ATS).
  • Highlight your problem-solving and decision-making skills.  Provide examples of how you have addressed complex issues and made effective decisions.
  • Include any relevant certifications, awards or professional development courses.  List any nursing certifications, licenses, and professional memberships you hold.
  • Quantify your work:  Use numbers and statistics to quantify your achievements, such as the number of patients you cared for or the success rate of your treatments.
  • Proofread: Make sure to thoroughly proofread your cover letter for any grammatical errors or typos. A well-written, error-free letter can make a strong first impression. I recommend using Hemingway App to do this.

Let's dive deeper into each of these so you have the exact blueprint you need to see success.

The Best Nursing Skills To Include On Your Cover Letter

Keywords are one of the most important factors in your cover letter. They show employers that your skills align with the role and they also help format your cover letter for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

If you're not familiar with ATS systems, they are pieces of software used by employers to manage job applications. They scan cover letters for keywords and qualifications and make it easier for the employers to filter and search for candidates whose qualifications match the role.

If you want to win more nursing interviews and job offers, you need to have a keyword-optimized cover letter. There are two ways to find the right keywords:

1. Leverage The 20 Best Nursing Keywords

The first way to find the right keywords is to leverage our list of the best keywords and skills for a nursing cover letter.

These keywords were selected from an analysis of  real nursing  job descriptions sourced from actual job boards. Here they are:

  • Patient Care
  • Communication
  • Collaboration
  • Team Member
  • Coordination
  • Instruction
  • Flexibility
  • Certification
  • Accountability

2. Use ResyMatch.io To Find The Best Keywords That Are Specific To Your Cover Letter And Target Role

The second method is the one I recommend because it's personalized to your specific cover letter and target job.

This process lets you find the exact keywords that your cover letter is missing when compared to the individual role you're applying for.

Nursing Keywords

Here's how it works:

  • Open a copy of your target nursing job description
  • Head over to  ResyMatch.io
  • Select the “Job Description Scan” from the scan type selector in the upper right corner of the tool
  • Copy and paste the nursing job description into the field on the left
  • Hit scan and review the results

ResyMatch is going to scan the target job description and show you the exact keywords and skills that are relevant for the role and that you should weave into your cover letter.

Here's a video walking through this whole process:

Personalization is what makes a cover letter stand out. That starts from the very first sentence where you greet the person reading your cover letter! There are two ways to do this well:

1. Use The Hiring Manager's Name

The first, and best, is by including the hiring manager's name. Let's say that you discovered the hiring manager's name from a post on LinkedIn or via an informational interview.

This is the jackpot! All you need to do is use their name in the introduction, like this:

Example of Starting A Cover Letter With The Hiring Manager's Name

2. Use This Formula: To The [Department] Team at [Organization]

If you don't have the hiring manager's name, no problem! You can address your cover letter to the team that you're applying to.

For example, if you're applying to for a Product Marketing Manager role at Discovery Education, you might start you cover letter like this:

Example of Starting A Cover Letter With The Team & Company

This shows the reader that this letter has been written specifically for them and the content inside of it will support that.

It's much more relevant and personal than  “To Whom It May Concern!”

For more advice on writing a strong opening to your cover letter, check out this guide.

3 Nursing Cover Letter Examples For 2023

Now let's take a look at all of these best practices in action. Here are three cover letter examples for different situations from people with different backgrounds that are all applying for nursing roles:

Nursing Cover Letter Example #1: A Traditional Background

Our first example is a cover letter written by a candidate with traditional nursing experience. Here is what an example of their cover letter might look like:

Nursing Cover Letter Example #1

Nursing Cover Letter Example #2: A Non-Traditional Background

Our second cover letter example comes from a candidate looking to transition from a social work background into a nursing role. This cover letter illustrates how they identify and speak to their transferable skills:

Nursing Cover Letter Example #2

Nursing Cover Letter Example #3: Landing A Nurse Practitioner Role

Our third example highlights a candidate with extensive nursing experience who is looking to take a leap in their career and land a Nurse Practitioner role.

Nursing Cover Letter Example #3

At this point, you know all of the basics you'll need to write a nursing cover letter that wins you more interviews and offers. The only thing left is to take all of that information and apply it to a template that's going to help you get results.

We made that easy with  our CoverBuild tool . It has 8 proven templates that were created with the help of recruiters and hiring managers at the world's best companies. These templates also bake in thousands of data points we have from the job seekers in our audience who have used them to land job offers.

The Best Cover Letter Templates

You're off to a strong start! But I've got a few more tips to help you take your cover letter to the next level:

1. Use ChatGPT To Write Your Cover Letter In <30 Seconds

All of these tips and best practices work, but you still have to implement them. Normally, that'd mean you sitting down and spending hours brainstorming ideas, typing, deleting, and typing again, and then feeling absolutely drained.

Now there's a way to work around all of that so you save your best energy for the writing and edits that matter most. Here's how it works:

  • Head to ChatGPT (you'll need to create an account – it's free)
  • Ask ChatGPT,  “Please write me a cover letter for a nursing role. The role I'm applying for is [Job Title] role at [Employer]. Here is the job description: [Paste Job Description]. And here is my resume: [Paste Resume].
  • Watch ChatGPT write up a pretty darn good cover letter base!

Here's a video of me doing this with a real cover letter if you want to see the steps in action:

Note:  I  do not recommend or advise that you simply copy and paste the content from ChatGPT into your cover letter and submit your application. ChatGPT is great for doing 80% of the baseline work, but you still need to review, revise, and personalize the content yourself.

2. Include Measurable Metrics And Outcomes

Too many job seekers only focus on the actions that they took and not the outcomes that resulted from those actions. As a hiring manager, it's impossible to differentiate between a dozen candidates who were all “Responsible For Monitoring Patient Progress.”

If you want to win, your cover letter should speak to the specific outcomes that you drove in previous roles. That could be:

  • The percentage by which your patients' health improved under your care
  • The average reduction in hospital readmissions
  • The average parent satisfaction rate
  • The rate by which you and your team were able to reduce medical errors

These numbers will show hiring teams what you're capable of and make your value crystal clear!

3. Match Your Cover Letter And Resume Design

Quality Impacts Perceived Value - Car Example

They're the exact same car, down to the year, make, and model. The only difference is the way the product was presented. Like I said, quality impacts perceived value.

One of the best ways to boost the quality of your cover letter is to make it look clean, professional, and have it match your resume. That's why the resume templates in our resume builder tool match the cover letter templates in our cover letter builder:

Matching Cover Letter And Resume

If you use both tools to create your cover letter and your resume, your entire application is going to be top notch.

Key Takeaways To Wrap Up Your Job-Winning Cover Letter

You made it! We packed a lot of information into this post so I wanted to distill the key points for you and lay out next steps so you know exactly where to from here.

Here are the 5 steps for writing a job-winning nursing cover letter:

  • Start with a proven cover letter template from CoverBuild.io
  • Use  ResyMatch.io to find the right keywords and optimize your cover letter for each nursing role you apply to
  • Start your nursing cover letter with a personalized greeting for the hiring manager or Human Resources representative.
  • Emphasize the measurable outcomes and value you drove in previous roles (include metrics!)
  • Compare the draft of your nursing cover letter to the examples on this page to make sure you're on the right path
  • Use a tool like  Hemingway App to proofread your cover letter before you submit it

If you follow those steps, you're going to be well on your way to landing more nursing interviews and job offers.

Now that your cover letter is taking care of, be sure to check out our guide on writing a job-winning Nursing resume (with examples!)

Laura Headshot

Laura Lorta

Laura is an Editor at Cultivated Culture. She transitioned from teaching into the world of content so she's no stranger to career pivots. She also has a bachelors in Entrepreneurship and a Masters in Curriculum & Instruction / Bilingual Education. She currently shares job search advice to help people like you land jobs they love without applying online.

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Nurse.org

The Ultimate Guide to Nursing Resumes in 2024

How to write a nurse resume, nurse resume research, nursing resume readers & robots, choose a nurse resume format, nurse resume format & design, writing your nursing resume, common resume mistakes, nursing resume templates, nurse resume faqs.

The Ultimate Guide to Nursing Resumes by Nurse.org

Expert Reviewed by: Amanda Guarniere, NP, Founder of the Resume RX

In 2024, a vague, uninspiring nursing resume just won't cut it. Recent years have fostered growing competition for the best nursing jobs , creating a greater need for nurses to learn how to write exceptional nursing resumes. With vast opportunities and diverse requirements from various employers, every nurse must put their best foot forward to market themselves for the best positions. 

However, this ever-changing world of online applications and robotic resume readers makes it more complex for nurses to get to the first rounds of interviews. This article will help you tackle the daunting task of writing a nursing resume that stands out. We'll help you build a better nursing resume by giving you an inside look at how robotic resume readers work and providing tips on how to make your resume, things you should and shouldn't include, and provide examples and templates.

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Think of your job search as your own personal marketing campaign. And the product is you! Your resume is an advertisement for your professional nursing brand. A brand is more than a logo - it’s the overall impression you give your audience. In this case, your audience is a potential employer. 

As with any advertisement, the goal of your nursing resume is to pique your audience’s interest in a limited amount of time. It’s commonly said that hiring managers will spend less than ten seconds reading your resume. And in many cases, it has to first be screened by a resume-reading robot before it reaches human hands.

So, you must carefully curate your brand for these employers. Captivate them with your professionalism, unique skillset, experience, and personality using your nursing resume. These tactics may help get your foot in the door for an interview, where you can close the deal by impressing them in person.

The first and most important step in any marketing campaign is the research phase. The more you learn about potential employers, the better you can tailor your registered nurse resume to their requirements.

Initial Employer Research for Nursing Resumes

Before you begin tailoring your resume for specific jobs, take some time to answer the following questions about each company:

  • Who are they?
  • What is their company culture?
  • What do they struggle with as an organization?
  • What qualities are they looking for in a potential candidate?
  • Which of their desired qualities do you possess?

Researching Company Culture and Values

The internet has made it fairly easy to hop online and start your research right now from your mobile device. Employers' websites and social platforms will give you an inside glimpse at their culture and values.

Instead of simply reading a job posting, take a few extra steps to investigate the employer's online presence:

  • Check out the company website - what does their mission statement say?
  • See what they tweet about
  • Investigate what photos they post on Instagram
  • Learn about the articles they share on Facebook
  • Check their LinkedIn - do you have any connections at the company?
  • Look at their Google ratings

>> Related: New Graduate Nurse Resume Examples + Free Templates

Examine Required vs Preferred Nursing Qualifications

The research phase isn't just about investigating the company - you also need to understand the job description. Specifically, understanding the difference between "required" and "preferred" qualifications will help you build a tailored resume for each job:

Required Qualifications

These are just what they say - requirements. Those who do not possess these qualifications will not be considered. 

Preferred Qualifications

Skills that are desired but are not deal-breakers for the employer. You may still be considered even if you do not possess these. 

As you personalize your nursing resume to different opportunities, these qualifications will, in part, guide what you do and do not include. You should include any and all required qualifications if you want an employer to consider your candidacy. 

If you do not possess some or all of the preferred qualifications, you can apply anyway and still be in the running. However, including the ones you do possess on your tailored nursing resume is always the best practice.

Build a Master Resume

You may want a solid starting point from which you can use your research to build a dedicated resume for each position you apply for. Queue the "master resume," a comprehensive working document that highlights everything you've accomplished and every skill you've fostered as a nurse thus far. 

We recommend starting with a foundational nurse resume so that you can alter it for each role you apply to. This way, you won't be rewriting a new resume for every single position. But you'll also avoid submitting "cookie-cutter" resumes that employers won't bother looking at twice.

Use Research to Personalize Your Nursing Resume

Dale Carnegie once said that “A person’s name is, to that person, the sweetest and most important sound in any language.” Personalizing your RN resume matters, with both how you mention and address the future employer and how to include your specific qualifications that match what they are looking for.

Using your research and leveraging your professional brand and personality to target your nurse resume could lead to the interview of your dreams. Not targeting it, however, could lead you on the fast track to nowhere.

The internet revolution transformed the hiring process, impacting the entire labor market in a very short time. 15 years ago, printing your resume on off-white linen paper and hand-delivering it to employers was the status quo. But as little as five years later, doing so might only get you some perplexed looks and urges to apply online.

Technological advances will continue shaping the job market in 2024.  USC Annenberg reports that up to 55% of companies are making investments in AI recruiting measures. But even now, many employers screen online applicants using resume-reading robots. 

This section explores how these bots impact the hiring process and how to get your nursing resume past them and into a real person's hands.

What Is a Resume Reading Robot?

How to get around resume reading robots for nursing jobs

ATS systems are highly technical but can only do what their program says, unable to come close to human discretion. So, knowing how ATS systems work can help you write a resume that passes their screening.

Here's a brief overview of how employers use ATS software to screen nursing applicants:

1. Knockout Questions

Recruiters can use an ATS to scan for keywords or "knockout questions" like "Do you have an active Washington State Nursing License?" These functions help them swiftly eliminate unqualified candidates.

2. Disqualifying Statements

They may also configure the ATS to include “disqualifying statements.” An ATS searching for these statements will automatically reject nursing resumes with certain keywords or phrases. 

For example, an ATS screening for bachelor's-trained nurses might reject resumes that mention an associate's degree. If you have both, consider listing only your BSN.

3. Keyword Screening

Finally, recruiters may use the ATS to find resumes with exact keywords or phrases. These may include qualifications listed in the job description, degrees, or skills. They can program the ATS to reject any application that does not include their specified keywords.

How Does ATS Work?

Not all ATS systems are created equally. They vary greatly in their functionality and behavior. Most ATS systems are programmed to score resumes according to keywords. However, they can be configured to search and score resumes based on various other criteria.

The results are imperfect. Some ATS systems can't differentiate between titles, such as Clinical Nurse II and Registered Nurse, or distinguish between the terms BLS and Basic Life Support. So how do you navigate these intricacies in your nursing resume?

Best Practice:   R ead the job description and use the exact wording for the qualifications listed that you possess.

If you use acronyms and abbreviations, make sure to spell out the entire word, followed by the shortened version. It would be disappointing to have all the requested qualifications but be filtered out by the ATS because you used only the acronyms when the robot was programmed for the full phrases spelled out.

What Are the Shortcomings of ATS?

The problem is that ATS does not ‘read’ a resume as a human would - it simply collects data. It doesn’t care about aesthetics, either. It is programmed by an employer to search for the right keywords, in the right order, on the right part of the resume.  

Also, the system can get confused pretty easily. For example, if the font is too fancy or if it encounters unrecognizable symbols, it may score the resume as ‘unqualified’ and move on to the next resume. It does what it is configured to do, nothing more and nothing less.

While ATS has streamlined the hiring process for employers, it’s also made job search extremely challenging for the job seeker. In fact, 94% of hiring professionals say that ATS has positively influenced their hiring goals, while 80% of job seekers say that their online job search is stressful.

What Other Hiring Technology Might I Encounter?

Recently, some employers have started to use artificial intelligence in a different way - during the interview process. Rather than having strict ATS filters, they offer more candidates the opportunity to interview, but there is a catch.

You don't interview with the employer but with a computer. In these one-way or “on-demand” interviews, you essentially get the opportunity to record your video response to interview questions. After you submit it, hiring managers or recruiters review the video responses before choosing the candidates for formal interviews.

Does Every Employer Use ATS?

While many employers use ATS, there are definitely employers who still rely on human resource professionals to screen resumes. In those instances, a human resources professional usually skims the resumes and invites the most qualified candidates in for an interview.

The problem here is that most employers will receive hundreds of resumes for a single opening. To get through the resumes quickly, the HR professional may resort to a simple scan of the resumes knowing that even qualified applicants may not make it. It’s simply a way to reduce the number of applicants.

In either case, the goal of the modern resume is to ‘sell’ yourself in an organized, targeted manner for a specific role. The best way to design an effective, attention-grabbing resume is by making strong assertions in the beginning followed by supporting evidence.

How to Get Past the ATS

  • Target your resume to the specific position. Do this by reading job descriptions and selecting keywords noted in the descriptions - competencies, skills sets, education, and experience.
  • Match individual experiences to keywords/key skill sets found within the job posting.  
  • Research the employer and target the resume based on the facility's values and culture. 
  • Make strong assertions within the top ⅓ of the resume.
  • Follow those assertions with supporting evidence.
  • Include a “ Professional Summary ” if you are an experienced Nurse.
  • Only apply to roles that you match 100% of the “Required Qualifications.” 
  • Use simple fonts such as Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri.
  • Never use smaller than 10-point font. See Part 5 for more styling suggestions. 
  • Use simple black bullet (dots) points, not special bullet symbols.
  • Save your resume as a .doc, .docx, or .pdf format.
  • If using an abbreviation, always spell out the words followed by the abbreviation or acronym. You never know how the abbreviation was entered into the ATS. 
  • Use standard, simple section headers such as “Work History” or “Education.”
  • Settings you’ve worked in 
  • Patient demographics
  • Policies/procedures
  • EMR/EHR used
  • Medications administered
  • Equipment used
  • Don’t use the same title as at your current employer if it is different from the title in the job description. Use the title in the job description. 
  • Don’t overload your resume with keywords. Use them appropriately. Overusing keywords will flag a resume and could cause the ATS to lower your score.
  • Don't forget to support the keywords you use with evidence throughout your resume.
  • Do not put your contact information in the header section because ATS will not see it.
  • Do not include tables because most ATS can’t read them. Other ATS can only read them if their operator programmed them to do so. 
  • Do not use creative section headers such as “Where I’ve Worked” because the ATS likely doesn’t understand what that means.
  • Don’t include a headshot, graphics, special fonts, photos, colored fonts, or unique bullets. 
  • Do not state, “References available upon request.” It takes up too much space and is unnecessary. If employers want references, they’ll ask. 
  • Don’t place skills at the bottom of the resume. Many ATS systems only scan the top ⅓ of the resume for keywords. If you have important keywords at the bottom, the ATS may not see them and could disqualify your resume. 
  • Don’t use “I” statements; resumes should be written in the third person. 
  • Do not rely on resume builder software. Stay in control of your registered nurse resume.

How to Spot an ATS

If you’ve ever visited a job posting and seen an “APPLY NOW” button, you’ve encountered the elusive resume-reading bot. ATS requires candidates to enter data on the front end. 

Maybe you’ve gone through the steps to create a login, complete the application and upload your resume. Perhaps you didn’t realize at the time that you were entering your information into an applicant tracking system.  

Raise your hand if you never heard back from an employer after applying online. Raise your other hand if you received an automated response “thanking” you for your interest and never heard back!

Now, keep in mind that it can be difficult to stand out when you are applying for a job online, especially when there is an ATS involved. As you consider your overall job search strategy, try to think of other ways that can increase your chances of getting a job. Don’t be afraid to ask your network connections for referrals and recommendations, or let friends and family know what type of position you are looking for and where. While your resume is absolutely important, it isn’t the only tool that can lead to you getting a job.

Creating a resume as a new grad with no nursing experience or with non-nursing healthcare experience can be challenging. Don’t worry, Nurse.org has two templates for you to choose from - depending on if you have healthcare experience or not. 

nursing cv cover letter examples

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Show Me RN-to-BSN Programs

Prior to ever typing words onto your resume, it’s important to first decide on a resume format. There are three types of resume layouts. While we highly recommend the reverse-chronological layout for most nursing professionals, we’d encourage you to make the best choice for yourself.

Here’s a breakdown of the three most popular types of resume layouts: 

1. Reverse Chronological Nursing Resume

This layout focuses on career history and lists jobs in reverse chronological order. We recommend this type of registered nurse resume for the majority of healthcare professionals and will focus the details of this article on the format. It is best suited for:

  • New nursing graduates
  • Nurses with fewer than 5 roles within the past 5-7 years. 
  • Travel Nurses with <10 completed assignments
  • Nurses with experience in only 1-2 specialties
  • Nurses applying for a similar role
  • Nurses wanting to show vertical career progression 

nursing cv cover letter examples

2. Functional Nursing Resume

This nurse resume layout places emphasis on skills and deemphasizes work history. However, it does not pass the ATS test well, and hiring managers overall do not prefer it. We recommend against this layout for the majority of nursing professionals. Typically, people who use this format are: 

  • Changing careers
  • Have large gaps in employment
  • Do have years of experience in the role in which they are applying

nursing cv cover letter examples

3. Combination Nursing Resume

This layout is a mixture of the reverse chronological and the functional resume. While it places emphasis on skill sets, abilities, and accomplishments, it also highlights applicable work history. We recommend combination resumes for nursing professionals with the following background, goals, and barriers: 

  • Nurses with experience in multiple specialties and/or medical professions
  • Seasoned travel nurses with >10 completed assignments
  • Nurses with multiple small gaps in employment
  • Nurses looking to change specialties
  • Nurses interested in changing careers

nursing cv cover letter examples

Writing a nursing resume can feel overwhelming. It’s no easy task! Nowadays, nursing resumes must be able to pass through resume reading software before it even reaches a recruiter. That’s why we’ve put together THREE nurse resume templates to cater to your unique professional needs and employment situation.

nursing cv cover letter examples

The first formatting and design consideration you should make when creating your nursing resume is how well an  ATS will read them. We recommend the following comprehensive design and formatting guidelines to appease common ATS systems:

Many experts believe you can achieve the perfect balance of text to white space in your nursing resume using the following margin settings:

  • Top Margin: 1"
  • Side Margins: .63"

Left alignment is standard since that’s how most people (and robots) read. You may think a justified alignment looks tidier, but it can leave uneven gaps between words and ultimately make text harder to read. 

In the nursing profession, length should not be the focus of the resume. While we recommend 1-2 pages, some nurses may have resumes with 3 (or more) pages.

Don’t stress over length too much. If the resume is slightly over the page amount by a few lines try changing the margin, font style, font size, or shortening statements. The bottom line is it should look visually appealing and should include keywords.

We recommend  Times New Roman or Arial to best utilize the functionality of the ATS. However, this is your personal preference. Take note that Times New Roman can be difficult to read if it is smaller than 11pt.

If you are striving for a resume that looks visually appealing when printed, there are great ways to achieve that without going overboard with design. For example, you could use the “small caps” feature for headings, which keeps the font the same but adds a bit more character and differentiation. Or, you could try a font pairing, using serif fonts for headers and sans serif for body text.

Important Note: Different font styles will take up different amounts of space. See how these identical statements look vastly different despite both being in 11 pt font:

Experienced Travel Nurse with 8 years experience in critical care nursing.

Throughout the resume, there should be different-sized fonts. We recommend the following for each section: 

It’s important to note that 10-point font should be the smallest size on the resume. 

While some ATS systems claim to read colors, we encourage you to simply use black. 

Special Characters

We recommend keeping the resume very simple. Basic bullet points (black dots) may be used when desired. Simple lines are acceptable as well. 

Design Features to Avoid

The following design features are best left off the resume: 

  • Multiple font styles
  • Special characters

As you’ve learned, ATS systems skim resumes and locate specific information in the correct order. We’d suggest using the following categories and section headers to optimize your nursing resume for ATS scoring.

Contact Information

This is the first section of the resume and does not require a title. Your name should be front and center. Don’t make the recruiter search for it. Make sure it’s the largest font on the page. While there are varying opinions on the exact placement of the name, we recommend a simple classic version in the following format:

Your name should be the first thing a recruiter, hiring manager, or ATS system sees on your nurse resume. It should share a line with your nursing credentials and be in a bold, readable, 18-22 pt font. If you go by a different name, make sure to list both in this section.

Nursing Credentials

Your nursing credentials should directly follow your first and last name on a nursing resume. The preferred order to list these in is Highest degree earned, Licensure, then National Certifications.

We've included a  credential quick reference guide below to help you fill out your resume perfectly.

The days of listing your home address on a resume are over - most employers don't need this information, and we advise against including it on your resume as a security precaution. However, this is a personal decision you can make at your own discretion.

You should never leave your location off completely because many employers have location parameters set in their ATS systems. Ensure you include your city and state in the contact information portion of your nursing resume.

Phone/Texting Number

Oh, technology! Yes, some employers will actually text their candidates. Make sure to indicate if you receive texts and whether the phone number is a cell phone or a home phone. This is a great time to make sure your voicemail message states your full name and is professional.

Email Address

It is in your best interest to ensure that you have a professional email address that does not reveal your age. Age discrimination is real, and listing your birth year or using an antiquated email service like AOL can definitely trigger it.

Your email address should include a variation of your name and some numbers if necessary. You can even make a totally separate email account and use it only for your job search.

LinkedIn Profile

If you have a LinkedIn profile definitely include it. If you don’t have a LinkedIn profile, you could be missing out on opportunities. Now is the time to create one!

In your settings, you can easily create a shortened LinkedIn URL that doesn’t have a bunch of random numbers and letters.

How Your Digital Footprint Impacts Your Nursing Job Search

Though you may not list it, you should consider your social media and online presence when you complete the contact information portion of your resume. Potential employers will likely look you up online. Many Recruiters tell us that looking a candidate up on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter is one of the first things they do. So, make sure everything you post online is what you would want an employer to see. 

Additionally, online behavior can benefit you. Do you have a nursing-related website or blog? Are you an Instagram celebrity? Maybe you created a successful YouTube channel when you were a newbie nurse. Include all this on your resume if it relates to nursing. This is all part of your unique brand!

Nursing Resume Credential Quick Reference Guide

According to the American Nurses Credentialing Center (AACN), the preferred order is Highest degree earned, Licensure, and National Certification.

Educational degrees include doctoral degrees (Ph.D., DrPH, DNS, EdD, DNP), master’s degrees (MSN, MS, MA), bachelor’s degrees (BS, BSN, BA), and associate degrees (AD, ADN).

Licensure credentials include RN, LPN, CNA, and APRN.

National certification , which is occasionally voluntary for nurses and obligatory for advanced practice nurses, is awarded through accredited certifying bodies such as the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), includes RNBC (Registered Nurse-Board Certified) and FNP-BC (Family Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified).

You may also choose to include awards and honors:

Outstanding achievements in nursing, such as FAAN (Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing).

Other certifications that recognize additional skills, such as the EMT-Basic/EMT, awarded by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians.

Here is an example of contact information on a nursing resume that puts it all together:

Penny Lite, BSN, RN   Los Angeles, CA | Text/Call: (987) 654 - 3210 | [email protected] | www.linkedin.com/pennylitern

Professional Summary

Don’t make an employer (or ATS) search your entire resume for reasons to invite you to an interview. Tell them right off the top exactly why you are the best candidate for the role.

Every position is unique, and this is your first opportunity to optimize the resume for ATS and to also catch the employer’s eye. Spend a little time to target it and let your qualifications and accomplishments shine. 

While there is some debate about how to introduce your resume, we suggest using a professional summary as opposed to a career objective. The professional summary can be formatted in either a short paragraph or a bulleted list asserting qualifications and providing a concise career snapshot.

How to Write a Professional Summary for a Nursing Resume

Think of your resume summary as an “elevator pitch” - a quick, attention-grabbing, loaded statement that entices the reader to want to continue on. Your professional summary is unique to you and should be targeted to a specific role, just like the cover letters career counselors used to tell us about.

However, it could definitely include the following information: 

  • Number of years of experience in a specialty 
  • Common keywords found in nursing job descriptions e.g., excellent patient care, acute care, family education, compassionate
  • Facility designations or info about facilities 
  • Supervisory experience and number of subordinates
  • Special certifications or awards
  • Language abilities
  • Soft skills such as patience, compassion, and a cooperative spirit

Nursing professional summary example: 

4+ years nursing experience with strong clinical background in critical care (CCU) and intermediate care nursing (IMCU). Proactively streamlines operations, initiates tasks, and supports the healthcare team while prioritizing excellent patient care. Champions patient and family education by providing compassionate, inclusive care that encourages self-sufficiency. Recipient of the Daisy Award. Bilingual in English and Spanish.

Nursing Skills and Areas of Expertise

List your nursing skills within the top ⅓ of the resume - Don't make the common mistake of adding them last. With the popularity of ATS, this mistake could cost you an interview. This is especially true in nursing, as the profession requires very specific skills. 

Additionally, your hard skills should be directly targeted to the role as expressed in the job description. Is the employer asking for a specific EMR that you are experienced with? List it! Are you an expert at starting IVs because of your five years of experience in the emergency room? List it!

This should not be a generic list of skills but a specific list that is as quantified as possible. It’s possible that if you are a newer nurse or are making a specialty pivot you may not have hard skills to include. In that case, it’s okay to omit this section and highlight your transferable  soft nursing skills within your job history.

While most nurses list their license titles on their resumes, it’s been our experience that they leave off a few very important details - most notably, whether the license is active and the expiration date. 

Why is this important? Including this information lets potential employers know that you are ready to start work ASAP. They don’t have to wait for the licensing process. Including your license number is optional, and you can make this decision based on your privacy comfort. The employer will likely be verifying your license online anyway (this is all public information).

If you are an advanced practice nurse, you may decide to leave off license numbers for privacy purposes, especially your DEA number or controlled substance registration number.

Here’s an example of how to list your licensure:

Registered Nurse - California, #RN00101, expires 4/17/2024.

Certifications and Credentials

This is another key section where some important details are typically missing on the nursing resumes we’ve seen. While most nurses list their credentials, it’s important to list them in a specific manner.

Don’t simply list acronyms, as some ATS systems may not be programmed to read shortened versions. Make sure to list the accrediting body, credential/certification number (where applicable), and expiration date. 

Here’s an example of how to list your certifications and credentials: 

Basic Life Support (BLS), American Heart Association, expires: 12/1/2021

Work History

Employers want to know what you can do for them, period.  Nurse recruiters we’ve talked to will zero in on this section. What are they looking for? Evidence, facts, quantifiable points - proof to support the assertions made in your resume summary.

Vague work histories are particularly frustrating to employers - especially when applicants copy and paste job descriptions. To avoid falling into those pitfalls, try incorporating these tips: 

Use simple section headers such as “Work History” or “Relevant Experience,” these are ATS friendly. “What I’ve Done” is not. 

List your experience in reverse chronological order.  If you have a lengthy employment history, you may consider only including the most recent 10-15 years of experience. This will shorten your resume and also limit the chances that you’ll encounter age discrimination. Looking at the big-picture experience from 25 years ago doesn’t necessarily speak to your recent nursing experience because employers care about what you can do for them now.

Work History Format

Adding your work history in a logical format can help your nursing resume beat the ATS and impress recruiters. We recommend using the following format for each work history segment:

1. Job Title and Specialty

This is a controversial subject, but we believe employers care more about what you’ve done than who you’ve worked for. Use the job title as it is listed in the job posting, or use a more industry-wide job title. Registered Nurse as opposed to Clinical Nurse II. 

2. Facility Name

Add the name of the facility or company you worked for after your job title. You can add this on the same line or a different line, but using the same line will optimize space.

3. Employment Dates  

These are important and can be listed in a number of ways. However, it’s been our experience that specific dates are not necessary for a resume. On an application, yes, on a resume, not so much. You can simply list the months and years (mm/yy - present).

4. Facility-Specific and Unit-Specific Information

This information is helpful and important to employers but is left off the majority of resumes we’ve seen, it includes: 

  • Trauma level: level I, II, III
  • Facility Designations 
  • Total Hospital beds
  • Total unit beds

Primary Duties and Accomplishments

This section looks best in a bulleted list of no more than six points and should include duties, noteworthy accomplishments, and achievements. It’s important to emphasize specific duties and not be too vague.

Also, try your best not to simply regurgitate basic nursing duties that would be assumed of your role. This will take up valuable space on your resume and not really tell the reader much about you !

Wondering what specifics to include? Here are a few questions to get those wheels turning:

  • What illnesses, injuries, or traumas do you care for? 
  • What cases do you work on? 
  • What type of medications do you administer and how? 
  • What therapies do you perform? 
  • What equipment do you use? 
  • How have you improved processes? 
  • When have I been first or best?
  • No. 1 achievement in each position?
  • Which achievements have the most impressive numbers?
  • When have I been publicly recognized?

Write Strong Nursing Resume Bullets

Wondering how to order your bullets and what to include? Try this: start with a verb leading to quantifiable data or a specific point and include a relevant duty.

Use our comprehensive tables to build compelling nursing resume bullets that make your achievements shine:

Here is a brief work history resume example for nurses that puts it all together:

Registered Nurse, Acute Care - Example Medical Center 09-19 - Present

  • Supervised staff of 15 registered nurses, 8 certified nursing assistants, and 7 paramedics while multitasking excellent patient care. 
  • Cared for up to 4 patients per shift with acute neurological disorders, including strokes, spinal cord injuries, and head trauma.

Education and Training

In the nursing profession, education and training are of utmost importance. If you have work experience, this section can be fairly brief.  You should list your relevant degrees in chronological order. 

There are varying opinions regarding the specific ordering of education. However, we believe that the degree or certification title should be listed first. Employers care firstly that you have the education requirement they need and secondarily where you obtained the requirement. 

We suggest the following format:  Degree or Certification Title (acronym), Institution Name 

Here’s an example: 

Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (BSN), University of Washington 

Should I Include Graduation Dates on a Nursing Resume?

You are not required to include your college or high school graduation dates on your nursing resume , as it could reveal your age. Age discrimination is the top form of employment discrimination and affects all age groups. If you graduated more than 10-15 years ago, it may be a good idea to omit the date.  But this is a personal decision you should make at your own discretion.

Should I Include My GPA on a Nursing Resume?

Including your GPA in your nursing resume is optional. If you are particularly proud of your GPA, by all means, add it! However, it is not required. If you graduated with honors that you are proud of, you can definitely include that as well. Again the resume is a unique snapshot of you!

Should I Include my Non-Nursing Degrees and Credentials?

If you possess other degrees not related to nursing, it is not necessary to include those on your nursing resume. Some second-career nurses like to list this information, especially if there has been an interesting career pivot or one that brings a lot of value to your role as a nurse. Remember, you are telling your personal, unique story, and you get to decide what to include.

How Do I Add In-Progress Advanced Education Programs?

If you are currently enrolled in higher education to advance your studies within the nursing field, that should be listed on your resume and state that the degree is pending or in progress. However, if you started a graduate degree program, never finished, and do not plan on finishing, it is unnecessary to include it on the resume. 

Should I Include my High School Education?

Nurses do not need to include their high school diplomas on their resumes. The nursing profession requires completion of higher education, and therefore, your higher degree trumps your diploma. 

Awards, Accomplishments, and Affiliations

Though this section is not required, we encourage including awards and accomplishments that are relevant to the nursing profession. These details will provide the potential employer with more proof and evidence of who you are as a nurse. 

In this section, you can include: 

  • Awards and recognitions that are specific to the hospital or facility where you work, e.g. the Daisy Award, Employee of the Month, and Nursing Excellence Award
  • Professional memberships and affiliations relating to nursing and/or healthcare
  • Volunteer work, if it relates to nursing

We suggest the following format: Title, organization, year

Here are a couple of examples:

  • Recipient, Nursing Excellence Award, Washington Medical Center
  • Volunteer, American Red Cross - Haiti - 2012

Naming Your Nurse Resume Save File

One last thing, saving! Don’t just give your resume any old name! Hiring professionals sometimes receive multiple documents from candidates, and they don’t want to waste time sorting through every document to find the resume. Some prefer to organize resumes by specialty. Tell them exactly which document is your resume. 

We suggest the following format: firstlast_specialty_resume.doc

Here’s an example:

PennyLite_ICU_resume.doc

We’ve seen a lot of resumes over the years, and you might be surprised by the amount of strange information people have included on them. So, here are the top mistakes we’ve seen:

>> Find RN-to-BSN Programs Accepting Applications Now

Woot! If you’ve made it this far you should have an excellent understanding of how to write a great nursing resume. We know it’s a lot of information right now, and we hope that you’ll use the information to advance your career.

For a little more help, try using our free resume templates. And when you’ve landed your next interview, check out the next part in this series, The Complete Guide to Nursing Job Interviews .

>> Download free nurse resume templates!

What should be included in a nursing resume?

  • A nursing resume should include your education, experience, including clinical, work, and volunteer, any certifications you have, and skills. 

How do I write a nurse resume?

  • You can use a template to fill out your nursing resume or fill out your own. 

How do I list my nursing skills on my resume?

  • List skills that are in the job description or outline on the facility’s website. For instance, common nursing skills include critical thinking, teamwork, communication, team management, and high ethical standards. 

Do you put RN after your name on a resume?

  • You can include "RN" or "RN, BSN"  if you have other credentials. If you haven’t passed your NCLEX yet, you can put G.N. for Graduate Nurse.

How long should a nurse's resume be?

  • A nursing resume should be no longer than 1-2 pages. 

What is your greatest skill as a nurse?

  • The most valuable skill you have as a nurse may depend on your exact role and specialty, but in general, communication, kindness, empathy, and critical thinking are highly valued traits as a nurse. 

How far back should a resume go?

  • If you’re a recent graduate, you don’t need to go to high school, just include your college experience and degree. For experienced nurses, include all relevant experience. 

Amanda is an Ivy-league-educated nurse practitioner and career mentor who helps nurses find and land their dream jobs. She founded The Résumé Rx  in 2018 to help nurses with career and résumé strategy  Learn more about Amanda and her products at  www.theresumerx.com  and follow her on Instagram  @theresumerx.

Angelina Walker

Angelina has her finger on the pulse of everything nursing. Whether it's a trending news topic, valuable resource or, heartfelt story, Angelina is an expert at producing content that nurses love to read. She specializes in warmly engaging with the nursing community and exponentially growing our social presence.

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28 Nursing Resume Examples That Worked in 2024

Stephen Greet

  • Nursing Resumes
  • Nursing Student Resumes
  • Nursing Resumes by Credentials
  • Nursing Resumes by Role

Writing Your Nursing Resume

Although the demand for nurses is growing, getting a job in the nursing industry isn’t easy, especially if you’re making a start or submitting a letter of resignation at your current position. 

How are you supposed to know how to  write a stunning resume  so employers will immediately want to hire you and create a cover letter detailing your accomplishments? 

Getting into the nursing field is tough, so  we analyzed dozens of nursing resumes to learn what works and what doesn’t to help you get a great nursing job .

No matter your specialty or where you’re in your nursing career, we’ve got 28 nursing resume samples to help you  build a resume  from scratch or update your current resume to get you your next nursing job in 2024!

Nursing Resume

or download as PDF

Nursing resume example with 10+ years of experience

Why this resume works

  • One of the quickest ways to do so is by including your licenses in your title. This clearly signals to the employer that you’re qualified for the position.
  • Adding an optional licenses section is another way to demonstrate your abilities, so if you have the room, make sure to add that section.
  • Instead, tailor your resume to the  nursing job description . What keywords did they list? What responsibilities do they expect you to complete? Use this as your guide to include what employers most want to see.

Experienced Nurse Resume

Experienced nurse resume example with 10+ years of experience

  • Some professions require CVs for senior-level officials, while other industries are fine with a resume no matter their seniority level. Check the job description to see what kind of information the employer requires, so you know what to write.
  • Try to demonstrate the different specific responsibilities you’ve had throughout your career. What kinds of clinical techniques have you done? For example, have you assisted with ADLs, administered particular tests, or diagnosed specific types of diseases?

Nursing Student Resume

Nursing student resume example with 4 years of experience

  • The key is to be specific about what you contributed or learned during your time in school.
  • How did you assist your peers or supervisors? Did you witness anything especially noteworthy? What did you learn? Listing details like these helps employers qualify your abilities. 
  • While an objective is strictly optional, it’s a great way to convey your excitement for the position and some of your relevant skills. 

New Grad Nursing Resume

New grad nursing resume example

  • If you lack experience, that’s okay! Just include more details about your clinical rotations. You can also mention non-healthcare-specific work experience if you have it.
  • For example, does the job description talk a lot about compassionate care? Then you should include the phrase “compassion” in your skills section.

nursing cv cover letter examples

  • As you progress, unleash quantified achievements in your previous roles, emphasizing how you helped patients and improved outcomes (hint: reducing medication errors by 28% and enhancing patient safety).

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Resume

nursing cv cover letter examples

  • In addition to your title, if you have any certifications or additional licenses, include them on your resume in a designated section.
  • If you’re struggling to know what to write on your CNA resume, it can help to look at  CNA resume examples  and local CNA job descriptions to determine what employers want to see and what metrics to include. 

RN BSN Resume

nursing cv cover letter examples

  • Go beyond helping patients and list all the times you’ve helped doctors treat a condition more quickly or improved after-surgery recovery rates. Add how you’ve endeavored to assist patients remotely during tough times (if any) such as providing remote sessions during COVID-19.

Registered Nurse Resume

nursing cv cover letter examples

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Resume

nursing cv cover letter examples

  • If your current specialization is different from the job description, don’t stress! You should still be specific about your experience, but focus on transferable skills that go hand-in-hand with other fields.
  • For example, do you specialize in long-term care, nephrology, or developmental disabilities? Include how you applied those abilities throughout your LPN resume.
  • Of course, you need to include where you got your nursing degree, but don’t stop there! Adding a certifications or licenses section can show off your training and catch a hiring manager’s eye quickly.

Critical Care Nursing Resume

nursing cv cover letter examples

  • Gain promotion and assume a new role with greater responsibility after that. Use this to show your dedication by backing your achievements with numbers.

Director of Nursing Resume

nursing cv cover letter examples

  • List down all the variety of software you’re proficient in and write how you’ve used each right from the beginning of your career. Last but not least, never forget to add your RN license!

NICU Nurse Resume

nursing cv cover letter examples

  • Use the career objective to frame your clinical experience through the lens of NICU by highlighting your ability to communicate with families or work in high-pressure environments.

Operating Room Nurse Resume

Operating room nurse resume example with 11 years of experience

  • Surgeons are always seeking cutting-edge technology that can unlock new medical capabilities. Showcase your expertise in working with these innovative systems—like robotic arms—to enhance your operating room nurse resume .

School Nurse Resume

School nurse resume example with 9 years of experience

  • Are you skilled in using platforms specific to educational institutions, such as SchoolMessenger? Include them on your school nurse resume to prove that you’re prepared to handle the caseload.

Telemetry Nurse Resume

Telemetry nurse resume example with 10 years of experience

  • You can bolster your telemetry nurse resume by listing any special certifications that further qualify you for the task, such as Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS).

Nurse Practitioner Resume

nursing cv cover letter examples

  • The best format for nurses in 2024 is the reverse-chronological format since it shows how you’ve grown your skills over the years. However, if you have a gap in your job experience, there are other formats you can use to disguise that.
  • Adding a few splashes of color to your  nurse practitioner resume  makes it look prettier and helps readability. Just be sure to choose a color that is easy on the eye (no neons, please).

ICU Nurse Resume

Icu nurse resume example with 10+ years of experience

  • To avoid the fear of the blank page, start by using a  resume outline  to give you a basic structure to follow and show you what your finished resume should look like.
  • So, when you’re writing the work experience bullet points, use general responsibilities like “provided effective care”), but be specific about how you helped your patients (and what resulted from your ministrations). 

Travel Nurse Resume

Travel nurse resume example with 10+ years of experience

  • To help stand out above the competition, clarify your work experience sections so employers know if you’ve had traveling nurse contracts or not. 
  • More likely than not, you don’t need a resume objective or summary, nor do you need to list individual projects. Remember that you can go into more detail about achievements and skills in your  nursing cover letter .

Charge Nurse Resume

nursing cv cover letter examples

  • For example, have you had the opportunity to manage or lead co-workers? Have you ever trained a nurse and oversaw scheduling? Be specific about how you’ve managed projects and people and what resulted from your leadership.
  • Want to know a quick and easy way to write a  charge nurse resume ? Start by using a  resume template  to format your information, then fill in the blanks with specific details about your past experience and skills.

Chief Nursing Officer Resume

nursing cv cover letter examples

  • This formatting showcases your career growth and leadership development by highlighting your most recent (and likely most relevant) job. 
  • We recommend you include six to 10 skills, with at least 70 percent hard skills such as BLS, QA/QC, federal compliance, and fiscal health analysis.

Telehealth Nurse Resume

Telehealth nurse resume example with 9+ years of experience

  • Luckily, there are multiple  resume tips  you can incorporate to make your resume a cut above the rest, including choosing specific hard skills in your skills section and formatting your resume in reverse-chronological order.
  • If you have a degree higher than a high school diploma, ignore your high school information since employers don’t need it. If you have multiple nursing degrees, include all of them.

Nurse Consultant Resume

Nurse consultant resume example with 8 years of experience

  • Use business-related numbers like sales growth or revenue/profit increases to demonstrate your worth as an employee.
  • Don’t forget to add other sections to showcase your training and certifications.
  • If you decide to include these sections, keep them brief and include only what’s relevant to the job you’re seeking.

Office Nurse Resume

Office nurse resume example with 3 years of experience

  • Do your homework on the environment you’re applying to work in, and ensure you showcase why you’re a good fit for that specific job. After all, an ER unit with high patient turnover may be much more interested in your high-efficiency standards than an in-home clinic that consistently services a much smaller patient load.
  • Sure, your resume may look good when you finish writing it, but have you run it through a  resume checker  yet? You might not realize you’ve been using passive voice or inconsistent punctuation, and even though you’re not applying for a job as an English Teacher, a hiring manager won’t be thrilled if you overlook little details when they’re going to literally put lives in your hands.

Home Dialysis Nurse Resume

Home dialysis nurse resume example with 11+ years of experience

  • Unfortunately, as much as it may be interesting for you to look back over your life history, most hiring managers won’t be quite as thrilled about the prospect. Adding a career summary to your resume can give recruiters the highlights, without drowning them in a sea of information.
  • Trust us on this, nothing bothers a hiring manager more than a resume that is 1.01 pages long.

ER Nurse Resume

ER nurse resume example with 10+ years of nursing experience

  • Certifications like the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) and Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) depict that you’ve done the work and undergone the rigorous training needed to be an ER nurse.

Labor and Delivery Nurse Resume

Labor and delivery nurse resume example with 3+ years of experience

  • If you’ve spent your time outside work organizing events to promote women’s health and reproductive rights, it’s a powerful statement that shows your passion and commitment and deserves to be mentioned in your resume.

Nurse Manager Resume

Nurse manager resume example with 4+ years of experience

  • If you’re well versed with a particular HR management tool or medical management software, it’s one less thing a hospital or healthcare center will have to train you on.

Pediatric Nurse Resume

Pediatric nurse resume example with 4+ years of experience

  • An extensive program, like a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, from an esteemed institute like Johns Hopkins University, for example, is a worthy inclusion in your pediatric nurse resume , demonstrating that you’ve learned from the best.

Related resume guides

  • Physician Assistant
  • Dental Assistant

Job seeker stands between two plants and looks through binoculars, searching for job

Hiring managers typically receive a torrent of resumes whenever there’s an open position, so if you prepare your nursing resume haphazardly, you are more likely to get the boot than the job. To avoid that sad scenario, you need to make your nursing resume readable, logical, and pleasing to the eye. It should showcase your skills and experience while being ATS-compliant, and it should show off a bit of your personality, too. 

It make sound like an impossible task, but before your get overwhelmed, start by taking it one step at a time. First, choose your formatting style: reverse-chronological, functional, or hybrid.

nursing cv cover letter examples

Reverse-chronological, functional, and combination/hybrid format

A well-structured resume is essential for your job search. Even if your resume has perfect content, if your resume isn’t easy to skim at a glance, it’s unlikely you’ll be called for an interview. Your content matters, but so does  how  you present that content. Therefore, proper  resume formatting  is a salient feature you don’t want to get wrong.

There are three popular formatting options for designing your resume in 2024: reverse-chronological, functional, and hybrid. 

  • Focuses more on your skills
  • Ideal for a recent graduate or an entry-level candidate
  • Reverse-chronological format
  • The most common format
  • Lists relevant experiences and skills in reverse-chronological order
  • The best for making it past the ATS
  • Combines functional and reverse-chronological features
  • Highlights both your skills and experience
  • Ideal if you have a handful of experience or are re-entering the workforce

The best bet for a nursing resume would be the reverse-chronological format. This helps the recruiter see your upward career progression. If you started as an intern in a given health organization, and then moved up the career ladder to become a full-fledged nurse, your potential employer will be able to track your progression and assess your qualifications faster.

nursing cv cover letter examples

Contact header

It’s important to include the relevant contact header information in the right order. If you’re a nurse, your   contact header should have the following:

  • Your name —Employers won’t automatically know you, so you need to include your first and last name. 
  • Phone number —Use your personal cellphone number instead of a work phone in case a potential employer calls when you’re not on the job.
  • Email address —Include a professional email address, preferably combining your first and last name.
  • City & state —This is optional but recommended so employers know if you’re local. 
  • LinkedIn —Some employers require your LinkedIn profile, but even if it’s not mandatory, it’s helpful for employers to see your career progression.

The contact header should be, you guessed it, at the top of the page. Good font choices are Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri, all at 12 point size. When it comes to color, remain conservative with black and white. Some  resume templates  can format your resume to strikingly display your contact information, just like this header:

Nursing resume contact header.

Will your nursing resume beat the ATS?

Optimizing your resume for the Application Tracking System (ATS) increases your chances of being called for an interview. The ATS is a tool that many companies use to quickly scan resumes and weed out applicants without relying on someone to read through them first.

Most resumes aren’t designed to beat ATS, and end up being filtered out before they ever reach the recruiter. However, if you know how to properly  format your resume , you’ll pass the ATS scan and make your way to a person. Here’s what you should know about the role of fonts, font size, margins, header names, logical order, skills, and page length, as far as ATS-friendly resumes are concerned:

  • ATS-friendly fonts make it easy for a computer to read your resume. Some of the most commonly used ATS-friendly fonts include: Times New Roman, Calibri, and Arial. Preferably, they should have a font size of 10-12 points.
  • Beyond just font type, font size also matters. Preferably, your body font size should be 10-12 points, while your headers can be bigger.
  • Margins also matter, since the ATS automatically assumes your margins are the standard size of one-inch all around. Any bigger or smaller, and the ATS might mis-read your resume.
  • Keywords are the main focus of the ATS, so make sure your skill keywords and header names match what’s in the job description.
  • The ATS is not sensitive to the number of pages, but one page is the standard across professions. 

nursing cv cover letter examples

Writing your nursing resume

Putting together an effective nursing resume may seem overwhelming and not worth your effort. However, putting in the extra effort now will pay off when you get an interview. And remember, you’re not doing this alone. We’re dedicated to helping you  write an amazing resume  by providing advice on common frustrating decisions like this:

  • When an objective is most useful on your nursing resume
  • When a summary can be the preferred choice
  • How to list your most relevant nursing work history
  • Adding volunteer work and academic endeavors when work history is light

nursing cv cover letter examples

Do you need an objective or summary on your nursing resume?

When crafting your nursing resume, you have the option to use career objectives and summaries.

When to include a career objective in your resume:

  • You can use an objective when changing or modifying your career.
  • For instance, if you plan to change from a surgical assistant registered nurse to an emergency room registered nurse, you’d use an objective to highlight that you’re pursuing a new subfield within nursing.
  • Use a career objective if you’re looking for an entry-level job and lack experience. 

When a summary is right for your resume:

  • Use a summary to highlight your most valuable experience and skills. These are ideal when you have vast experience in nursing.
  • For example, if you’ve worked in a health setting for 10 or more years, you can include a summary.
  • A summary is effective for connecting varied work experiences.

When not to use objectives or summaries:

  • Skip the objective or summary if you’re not planning to customize it to each position you apply for. Otherwise, it’s generic filler that takes up too much white space.
  • This lacks specificity and reads “I just need a job to pay the bills.” While that may be true, employers want to know you’re passionate about your work and will improve your workplace.
  • This lacks depth and work history details that should hallmark a summary. It’s void of substantial expertise, specializations, and skill specifics.

When objectives or summaries are worth including:

  • This objective highlights the years of experience and the candidate’s field of expertise while also naming the potential employer.
  • This summary highlights their years of experience, the key areas they’ve worked in, and their specialities within those fields.

nursing cv cover letter examples

Nursing work experience?

Don’t forget to indicate relevant experience in your resume. While we wouldn’t recommend including every job you’ve had since you were 16, you can get away with adding work experience from different fields if you’re an entry-level candidate.

However, if you’re applying for a senior position, you’ll need to include at least  three  nursing positions on your resume, especially if you’re applying for a managerial or specialty position. For instance, a director of care management requires nine years of experience, four of which must be managerial.

Conversely, a registered nurse position may require one year of direct patient care. The responsibilities, in this case, are not very demanding. If you lack experience overall, you can include any academic projects and volunteer work that is relevant to the  nursing job description .

nursing cv cover letter examples

Writing your job experience bullet points for your nursing resume

Three examples of poor job experience bullet points for nurses:

  • Generally, you should avoid using “I,” and you should include specifics, not just generic statements of experience.
  • This bullet includes “I” and lacks job specifics and quantifiable metrics.
  • Although it may sound nice on the surface, it doesn’t answer exactly what the patient did and the results of their work.

Three examples of good job experience bullet points for nurses:

  • This uses an action verb combined with quantifiable metrics.
  • Again, this uses an action verb but furthermore, it describes exactly what the candidate provided (primary care training). 
  • Specific, pertinent job duties show employers your skills and can also help you pass the ATS; two thumbs up for this one!

nursing cv cover letter examples

Quantify your impact as a nurse

When preparing your resume, remember that no employer wants to waste time reading vague statements about your performance. Instead, they want to see supporting details. So, whenever you can, you should quantify your impact and achievements.

For instance, if you say you “served many patients daily,” a potential employer might wonder about the exact number because ‘many’ is a relative term.

Examples of how to quantify metrics:

Suppose the  nursing job description  asks for a training specialist who can train other nurses. In that case, you can indicate the number of training sessions you conducted per day in your previous employment.

  • Number of clinical training sessions per day
  • Trained 75% of new hires on pre and postoperative care >20 days per month

Some of the health facilities labor under tremendous pressure. The number of patients you serve per day can help potential employers gauge whether you will cope well under pressure. So, it’s lucrative to include the number of patients you served per a specific amount of time.

  • Number of patients served in a day 
  • Worked in a setting with a 6:1 patient-nurse ratio, receiving 400+ visitors per day

nursing cv cover letter examples

Top skills for your nursing resume

It’s helpful to understand the differences between hard and soft skills to list in your  resume skills section . Keep the number of skills you list in between six and 10 to avoid overwhelming the reader.

Hard skills are those tools you use to do the job, aka technical abilities that require training. 

Examples of hard skills:

  • ERM systems
  • Medical documentation
  • Infant and child care
  • Emergency care
  • Ambulatory care
  • CPR certified

On the other hand, soft skills are abilities that are harder to quantify and are more personality-based.

Examples of soft skills:

  • Communication 
  • Professionalism
  • Positive attitude

Get noticed! Look for keywords within a job description:

  • Many companies use ATS to scan resumes for keywords from the job description, so it’s in your best interest to include the right keywords.
  • Include keywords in both your  nursing cover letter  and resume. 
  • Choosing keywords from the job description helps you customize your resume and thus, makes you more appealing to the hiring manager.
  • Employing the right keywords makes your resume relevant and noticeable, giving you an edge over the competition.

nursing cv cover letter examples

Nursing education and certifications

When preparing your nursing resume, include all the elements that will increase your chances of getting the job. You need to indicate the following:

  • Your education level
  • Any certifications or licenses
  • Your experience in other nursing environments
  • Your years of experience as a nurse

On the topic of licenses, you need to share your area of specialization. Specialists include registered nurses (RNs), certified registered nurse anesthetists, and clinical nurse specialists. Including your area(s) of expertise helps potential employers determine whether you’re the right candidate for the job.

Besides, including this information is easy to do and shouldn’t take up much space! Simply place certifications and licenses in a short section toward the bottom of your resume: 

Nursing resume licenses section.

Should you add projects, interests, or hobbies to your nursing resume?

Most of the time, you don’t need to include projects or  interests/hobbies on your resume . However, you may be able to add them depending on your level of experience and the type of role you’re seeking.

If you’re an experienced nurse, you’ve likely gained tangible experience that’s more important than undergraduate projects you’ve completed. Instead, you should highlight your key areas of experience and show your new employer how you’ll impact their business.

In the same vein, you may not need to indicate your hobbies or interests unless it’s encouraged. However, you can gain an advantage over the competition if you have strong qualifications and hobbies that match the company culture. 

To help you determine whether or not to include hobbies, visit the company’s website and read the “About Us” section to gauge whether they have a unique cultural fit. 

If you’re an entry-level candidate or a recent graduate, listing hobbies and projects can help you fill space and showcase your personality. However, it’s always good to review the job description to ensure these additions are relevant. Either way, keep the project and hobbies lists short and at the bottom of your resume.

Examples of hobbies/interests:

  • Volunteering for community health services
  • Learning new languages

Examples of projects:

  • Organized and led breast cancer awareness campaign for two consecutive semesters
  • Researched mental and psychiatric issues for semester-long experiment

nursing cv cover letter examples

Adjust your nursing resume for every job application

Remember to customize your resume when applying for a new job. Even if you’re only applying for specific roles, like LPN jobs, that doesn’t mean every job description for that title requires the same qualifications. There’s usually something unique to each position. Thus, for every application, make sure you tailor the following sections:

  • (These can stay mostly the same, but you should adjust responsibilities and keywords slightly.)

To recap, each job description comes with different skill requisites. Furthermore, remember to note keywords you can use within the body of your resume and cover letter.

Your nursing resume must be error-free

As a nurse, you need to show the hiring manager that you’re observant and have an eye for detail. Remember, you’ll be working with patients and should demonstrate accuracy and precision. To ensure a flawless resume, run your document through a  resume checker  and have your colleagues proofread it. Don’t let typos cost you a job!

Confidently land your next Nursing gig

Many job seekers languish in the job market, especially considering the number of nursing graduates produced by universities each year and the fierce competition. So, you must be creative and savvy to survive the market. Happily, you’ve already taken the first steps by reading this guide, so congratulations!

We know you’ve worked hard to get this far, and we wish you all the best as you write a power-packed nursing resume and get ready for interviews in 2024! 

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42 Nursing CV Examples - Here's What Works In 2024

Finding a job in nursing a good cv can be your golden ticket. this piece will guide you on how to punch up your cv to stand out and land that nursing job you want. you'll get smart sample cvs and templates, and learn the know-hows of the trade. read on if you're ready to step up your game in the nursing field. let's get you job-ready..

Hiring Manager for Nursing Roles

As the backbone of any medical facility, the role of a Nurse is anything but ordinary. Nurses carry immense compassion, resilience, and a textbook full of healthcare knowledge. What's more? They need to be able to wear these hats while carrying out a range of tasks - from patient care and medication administration to communicating with doctors. Now, how do you seamlessly weave these richly-diverse skills into the threads of your CV, you may ask? Well, that's where we step in. The journey from nursing school to a full-fledged nursing career can be a whirlwind of experiences. And in 2024, with an increased focus on telehealth and home care services, there's an added layer of digital savvy and adaptability expected just the right amount. All of these need to see the light of day in your CV, to give hiring managers a glimpse of the multifaceted professional you are. In this sea of different resumes and CVs, here's some clarity. Whether it's called a Resume in the USA or a CV in the UK, they're essentially two sides of the same coin. For the nursing role, all that matters is a concise, well-presented 1-2 page document showcasing your skills, and experiences. Ignore the chatter about CVs being long, drawn-out papers. That's just academia talk. Moving forward, we'll spill the secrets on crafting a winning Resume or CV - call it what you like. We have lined up real-life examples, top-trending templates of 2024 and a deep dive into the skills that need to be highlighted. These are your career-building bricks, laid out systematically, to guide you on your professional path. No frills, no overly complex jargon, just straight-forward, effective advice. After all, as recruiters, we know what we're looking for. Now it's time for you to show us.

Nursing CV Templates

Jump to a template:

  • General Nurse
  • Experienced Nurse
  • Certified Nursing Assistant
  • Registered Nurse
  • Psychiatric Nurse
  • Nurse Case Manager
  • Nursing Student
  • Travel Nurse
  • Nurse Practitioner
  • New Grad Nurse
  • Director of Nursing
  • Nursing Supervisor
  • Clinical Rotation Nurse
  • Charge Nurse
  • Remote Nurse
  • Preceptor Nurse
  • Relief Charge Nurse
  • LPN Nurse (Licensed Practical Nurse)
  • LVN Nurse (Licensed Vocational Nurse)
  • ICU Charge Nurse
  • Prior Authorization Nurse
  • Clinic Nurse
  • Medical Surgical Nurse

Jump to a resource:

  • Keywords for Nursing CVs
  • Action Verbs to Use
  • Related Medical CVs
  • Similar Careers to a Nursing
  • Nursing Resume Examples

Template 1 of 42: General Nurse CV Example

A General Nurse's CV isn't just a series of qualifications and past jobs. It's a chance to showcase your unique skills and passion for patient care. The healthcare industry needs nurses who are adept at handling the ever-evolving challenges of patient care, so your CV should reflect your adaptability and resilience. Recently, there's been an upward trend in the demand for nurses with specializations, such as geriatric or pediatric nursing, so expand on any specialized experience or training you possess. When crafting your CV, consider your audience - typically hiring managers or senior nurses - so ensure your wording is precise and professional.

A CV screenshot for a General Nurse role.

Tips to help you write your General Nurse CV in 2024

   display specific clinical skills.

Despite your broad nursing knowledge, hiring managers want to know about your particular abilities. If you have specialized skills like wound care, diabetic management, or advanced cardiac life support, make sure these stand out on your CV.

Display specific clinical skills - General Nurse CV

   Emphasize soft skills in patient care

Nurses aren't just clinical practitioners, they also provide emotional support to patients. Therefore, it's crucial to illustrate your soft skills, such as communication, empathy, and relationship-building. Detail specific situations where these were critical to patient care.

Emphasize soft skills in patient care - General Nurse CV

Skills you can include on your General Nurse CV

Template 2 of 42: general nurse cv example.

A General Nurse, a hero in scrubs, is the backbone of any healthcare facility. Your CV serves as a reflection of your passion, dedication, and skill in this field. The healthcare industry is constantly evolving, so keeping up-to-date with new nursing practices and medical technologies is important. The recent pandemic has amplified the need for versatility and quick adaptability to new procedures and protocols. When writing your CV, remember to showcase your ability to thrive under pressure and your dedication to patient care. Never forget to showcase your specialty skills and continuous learning in this ever-evolving field.

A professional General Nurse's CV showcasing specialty skills and soft skills.

   Showcase your Specialty Skills

As a General Nurse, you may have gained expertise in certain areas like palliative care, wound management, or geriatric care. Your CV should mention these skills, ensure you are seen as a more attractive candidate and spotlight your commitment to continued learning.

Showcase your Specialty Skills - General Nurse CV

   Highlight your Soft Skills

Given the nature of nursing, soft skills like empathy, communication and resilience, are equally important as clinical skills. You should demonstrate situations where you've used these skills. For instance, you can share an instance where your empathetic communication helped ease a patient's anxiety.

Highlight your Soft Skills - General Nurse CV

Template 3 of 42: Experienced Nurse CV Example

As an experienced nurse, you've weathered many a storm in the healthcare sector. Your CV should reflect your resilience, adaptability and the critical role you've played in patient care. The nursing industry is shifting towards more patient-centered care, creating a demand for nurses who can demonstrate empathy and excellent communication skills. It's also becoming more data-driven, so any experience in informatics or data analysis is a bonus. Writing your CV isn't just about listing your qualifications and experience, it's about telling a story - your story. Show how you've grown, remained consistent, and made an impact in the fast-paced, ever-changing world of healthcare.

Screenshot of an experienced nurse's CV showcasing their soft skills and specific care quality improvements.

Tips to help you write your Experienced Nurse CV in 2024

   showcase your soft skills.

As an experienced nurse, you've likely developed a suite of interpersonal skills that allow you to connect with patients and work well with your team. Make sure your CV includes instances showing patience, empathy, excellent communication or critical thinking.

Showcase your soft skills - Experienced Nurse CV

   Include specifics about quality of care

Being an experienced nurse, you'll have examples where your intervention improved patient outcomes. Use specific instances on your CV, such as instances of lowering infection rates, reducing readmissions, or streamlining care processes. This evidence of your proactive approach will stand out.

Include specifics about quality of care - Experienced Nurse CV

Skills you can include on your Experienced Nurse CV

Template 4 of 42: experienced nurse cv example.

Having years of medical experience under your belt, stepping into the role of an experienced nurse presents some unique challenges, along with opportunities. The healthcare industry, especially nursing, is ever-evolving with technological advancements, revised protocols and changes in patient care models. In this fluid environment, an experienced nurse's CV isn't merely about listing years of experience. It's about showcasing growth, continuous learning and adaptability amidst these changes. When you're writing your CV, remember your experience goes beyond clinical skills. It’s also about leadership, patient advocacy and adaptability.

A well-structured CV of an experienced nurse showcasing specialties and leadership roles.

   Emphasize your nursing specialties

As an experienced nurse, you've likely developed expertise in certain areas. Maybe it's geriatric care, intensive care or surgical assistance. Wherever your strengths lie, make sure to lay them out in your CV. Specify the areas you’re proficient in to show you can handle specialized responsibilities.

   Detail your leadership and mentoring roles

Experience often comes with leadership roles. If you've had opportunities to lead a team, train junior nurses, or mentor students, include these experiences in your CV. This not only demonstrates your ability to handle extra responsibilities, but also mastery in your field that others can learn from.

Detail your leadership and mentoring roles - Experienced Nurse CV

Template 5 of 42: Certified Nursing Assistant CV Example

As a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), you're right at the heart of healthcare, providing intimate, hands-on care to patients. Your CV needs to show your dedication to patient care, your hands-on experience, and your relevant qualifications. With increasing healthcare demands and the overall aging population, there's a rise in jobs for CNAs. However, it's crucial to emphasize your niche skills within the sector to stand out in an increasingly competitive market. Your CV should be clean, concise, and specifically tailored to the role of a CNA, ensuring it emphasizes your patient care skills, attention to detail, and medical knowledge.

Close-up of a well-structured CV specifically tailored for a Certified Nursing Assistant role.

Tips to help you write your Certified Nursing Assistant CV in 2024

   include relevant certifications and trainings.

As you know, having appropriate certifications is non-negotiable for CNAs. Make sure to list these clearly on your CV. Include specifics, such as the type of certification (CNA, CPR, etc.), where you received it, and the date of issuance or validity.

Include relevant certifications and trainings - Certified Nursing Assistant CV

   Detail your specific patient care skills

CNAs are expected to have a wide array of patient care skills, from assisting with personal hygiene to recording vital signs. Tailor this section very carefully, putting emphasis on the skills most relevant to the specific CNA job you're applying for, as every care setting can prioritize different skills.

Detail your specific patient care skills - Certified Nursing Assistant CV

Skills you can include on your Certified Nursing Assistant CV

Template 6 of 42: registered nurse cv example.

As a Registered Nurse, you're more than just a health provider, you are a critical communicator, a patient advocate, and a reliable team member. So, your CV should reflect these unique aspects. Recent trends in the industry show a growing emphasis on skills like patient education and multidisciplinary teamwork. Instead of just listing your clinical skills, show how you use them in practice. For instance, demonstrate how your bedside manner contributes to patient recovery or how you’ve innovated to improve care delivery. Just remember, it's not about ticking boxes, it’s about showcasing how you apply your skills in real-world settings.

A CV of a Registered Nurse showcasing relevant skills, ongoing learning, and quantifiable impacts.

Tips to help you write your Registered Nurse CV in 2024

   demonstrate ongoing learning.

Because nursing is a rapidly changing field, it's important to show that you are keeping up with new procedures, technologies, and best practices. Share your recent qualifications, any specialized training you've completed or even webinars and workshops that you've attended.

Demonstrate ongoing learning - Registered Nurse CV

   Quantify your impact

Numbers speak volumes in a CV. Use them to illustrate your effectiveness and impact. For instance, you can specify the number of patients you manage on average, or the percentage by which you helped reduce medication errors in your last role.

Quantify your impact - Registered Nurse CV

Skills you can include on your Registered Nurse CV

Template 7 of 42: icu nurse cv example.

Getting a job as an ICU Nurse is no small feat. Your CV has to represent you as a trusted professional, well-versed in high-stakes decision-making, patient and family communication, and collaborative teamwork. The healthcare industry leans towards nurses who consistently put patient safety at the forefront, follow precise protocols, and are eager for continued learning. Lately, there's been a trend in hiring ICU nurses with advanced degrees and certifications, as well as those who exhibit resilience and emotional intelligence. When writing your CV, remember that it's essentially a story of your nursing journey, showcasing your commitment and valuable experience in intensive care.

A well-structured CV for ICU nurse role, showcasing experience, skills, and certifications.

Tips to help you write your ICU Nurse CV in 2024

   include specifics on patient care.

When describing your experience, be specific about the types of patients you've cared for. The ICU covers various patient types, from neurointensive to pediatric intensive care. It'll be useful for hiring managers to know your comfort zones and areas of expertise.

Include specifics on patient care - ICU Nurse CV

   Detail relevant training and certifications

In the world of ICU nursing, specialized training and certifications count a lot. So, if you're certified in areas such as critical care nursing (CCRN) or have received specialized training, for example, in trauma nursing, don't forget to mention it. This gives you an edge and shows your dedication to the field.

Detail relevant training and certifications - ICU Nurse CV

Skills you can include on your ICU Nurse CV

Template 8 of 42: icu nurse cv example.

As an ICU nurse, your role is multifaceted requiring medical knowledge, technical skills, and compassion. Your CV should reflect this complexity, demonstrating not just your medical acumen but also your ability to handle high-pressure situations. It's been a recent trend in the industry to see the increased use of technology in intensive care units. Thus, your technological proficiency is going to catch a recruiter's eye. Your CV needs to present you as the perfect blend of a trained professional and a compassionate caregiver, and should be tailored with care to showcase your unique skills and experiences.

A sample CV for an ICU nurse role focused on technology proficiency and handling high-pressure situations.

   Demonstrate your ability to use tech in ICUs

You should ensure your CV includes relevant experiences that show your comfort with current medical technologies. This could be anything from using electronic health records to handling complex life-support systems. Specific examples would make your proficiency apparent and more convincing.

   Detail your high-pressure situation handling

It's important that you illustrate your resilience. Share instances where you've managed high-pressure situations or emergencies. Using facts and figures - like how you handled 50+ emergency cases a month - could really help paint a picture of your capabilities.

Template 9 of 42: NICU Nurse CV Example

Writing a CV for a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Nurse role is a unique task as it must vividly demonstrate your competence in handling critical care for infants. You'll need to convey your ability to manage stressful situations, yet also offer the care and warmth required for such sensitive patients. The health industry is moving towards using more innovative technologies in NICU settings, so make sure to emphasize any familiarity with cutting-edge tech or procedures. When crafting your CV, remember to zone in on your specialist skills, and express your passion for neonatal nursing, showing empathy and attention to detail.

A detailed CV showcasing specialist skills and tech-savviness of a NICU Nurse.

Tips to help you write your NICU Nurse CV in 2024

   emphasize specialist nicu skills.

As a NICU Nurse, you are both a specialist nurse and a vital part of a neonatal team. In your CV, you should specifically detail any specialized training you have taken, such as Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) or STABLE certification, and hands-on experience you have in neonatal care.

Emphasize specialist NICU skills - NICU Nurse CV

   Showcase tech-savviness

Because the NICU industry is becoming more tech-driven, you should mention any experience you have using advanced technology in neonatal care, such as ventilators or incubators. This gives you an edge over other applicants who may not be as familiar with these technologies.

Skills you can include on your NICU Nurse CV

Template 10 of 42: nicu nurse cv example.

As a NICU nurse, your role is intense and highly specialized. You're looking after the most vulnerable patients and making a profound difference in their lives. In recent times, the demand for NICU nurses has surged, reflecting the broader trend for more specialized care in the nursing profession. So when crafting your CV, it's crucial to demonstrate your specialised skills, experience, and compassion for this role. The other thing to remember is that NICU roles often involve a lot more collaboration than people realize. You're working closely with doctors, other nurses, and family members. So alongside showcasing your technical skills, your CV should also highlight teamwork, communication, and an ability to handle emotionally charged situations.

A well-structured NICU nurse CV showcasing specialized skills and teamwork experience.

   Detail your specialisation

In the NICU, you're dealing with a variety of serious infant health issues. It's therefore important to detail your specialisation or area of expertise. For instance, you might have extensive experience dealing with premature babies or babies with specific health conditions.

   Include specifics about your role in a team

As a NICU nurse, you're not working in isolation, but as part of a team, often in a fast-paced environment. Mention instances where you collaborated with doctors and other nurses to improve patient outcomes, or times when you provided emotional support to families.

Include specifics about your role in a team - NICU Nurse CV

Template 11 of 42: Psychiatric Nurse CV Example

Psychiatric nursing is a specialized profession where you care for people with mental health issues. It requires a unique combination of compassion, resilience, and strong interpersonal skills. In recent years, we've seen a growing emphasis on de-escalation strategies and trauma-informed care, reflecting changes in how mental health care is delivered. Your CV for a psychiatric nurse role should demonstrate your ability to adapt to these shifts in the sector. Equally important, it should tell a story about your experience and skills in managing and improving the mental health of your patients.

CV screenshot for a psychiatric nurse showcasing experience and skills.

Tips to help you write your Psychiatric Nurse CV in 2024

   show your understanding of recovery-focused care.

In your CV, you need to communicate your knowledge and application of a recovery-oriented approach. This is a significant trend in psychiatric nursing, so detailing situations where you've supported patients towards recovery would show the depth of your experience.

Show your understanding of recovery-focused care - Psychiatric Nurse CV

   Highlight your proficiency in pharmacology

Psychiatric nurses administer and manage medications, monitor their effects, and educate patients about these medications. Hence, a section dedicated to your pharmacological education and experience would be useful. You should talk about specific medication regimes you’ve managed and any positive outcomes achieved.

Skills you can include on your Psychiatric Nurse CV

Template 12 of 42: psychiatric nurse cv example.

As a psychiatric nurse, your CV is your tool to showcase your expertise in mental health nursing and your ability to provide empathetic, effective patient care. This field is unique in its emphasis on understanding and managing mental health conditions, so your CV should reflect this focus. It's also becoming increasingly important to show adaptability and resilience given the ongoing challenges in healthcare. When writing your CV, remember that you're not just listing your credentials – you're telling a story about your commitment to mental health care.

Screenshot of a well-structured Psychiatric Nurse CV.

   Detail specific mental health nursing skills

Your CV should clearly demonstrate your specific skills in mental health nursing. Include expertise in patient assessment, creating individual care plans, administering medication, and crisis intervention. Showcasing these specialty skills can set you apart from general nursing applicants.

Detail specific mental health nursing skills - Psychiatric Nurse CV

   Use numbers to demonstrate impact

Within your experience section, illustrate the impact of your work using clear metrics where possible. Have you managed a high number of patients, reduced medication errors, or improved patient satisfaction scores? The tangible impact you've made can provide a compelling insight into your abilities.

Use numbers to demonstrate impact - Psychiatric Nurse CV

Template 13 of 42: Psychiatric Nurse CV Example

Psychiatric nursing is a deeply satisfying career, where you make a real difference in people's lives. It's a job that requires compassion, patience, and a deep understanding of human psychology. Medical advancements in mental health have been many, with more focus shifting towards holistic care, involving psychotherapy, prescription management, and integrated care plans. When crafting your CV, you need to position yourself as a compassionate caretaker and a competent medical professional. Remember, psychiatric nursing isn't just about administering medication; it's about understanding the patient's needs, building rapport, and working towards improvement and recovery.

A professional CV targeting the Psychiatric Nurse role.

   Showcase your knowledge of mental health disorders

You should clearly outline your ability to diagnose, care for, and monitor patients with mental health disorders. This will show potential employers that you are knowledgeable about disorders like depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and others, which is crucial in this role.

Showcase your knowledge of mental health disorders - Psychiatric Nurse CV

   Highlight psychotherapy and counseling skills

As a psychiatric nurse, you're expected to provide psychotherapy and counseling to patients. So, mention the different therapy techniques you're proficient in, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy or Dialectical Behavior Therapy. This will showcase your versatility and readiness to handle diverse patient needs effectively.

Highlight psychotherapy and counseling skills - Psychiatric Nurse CV

Template 14 of 42: Nurse Case Manager CV Example

As a Nurse Case Manager, you're the glue that binds healthcare teams, patients, and their families. You're a maestro coordinating complex, multi-disciplinary care plans. Recent trends see hospitals preferring Nurse Case Managers with certified case management training, signaling a shift towards specialized, high-quality care. In crafting your CV, it's important to spotlight your ability to navigate complex care scenarios with empathy, professionalism, and technical prowess. The landscape of case management is becoming increasingly digital too. Tech-savvy nurses adept at using telehealth and electronic health records are highly desirable. So, your CV should echo this change by showcasing your digital literacy alongside your clinical and case management skills.

Professional CV template for a Nurse Case Manager role.

Tips to help you write your Nurse Case Manager CV in 2024

   detail your case management certifications.

Certified Nurse Case Managers are in high demand. Show them you're up-to-speed with industry standards by dedicating a section to your certifications. Include the title, issuing organization, and date of receipt. If you're preparing for an exam, mention that too.

Detail your case management certifications - Nurse Case Manager CV

   Demonstrate your digital proficiency

The healthcare industry is shifting towards digital platforms. Hence, you should clearly outline your experience with electronic health records or telehealth platforms. Mention specific software you've used and how it has improved patient care or team communication.

Skills you can include on your Nurse Case Manager CV

Template 15 of 42: nurse case manager cv example.

As a Nurse Case Manager, you'll play a vital role in healthcare coordination, ensuring patients receive the right care at the right time. This unique position requires a blend of clinical expertise, superior communication skills, and an understanding of case management principles. Increasingly, employers are emphasizing team collaboration and inter-departmental coordination, as a reflection of broader trends towards integrated healthcare. Your CV needs to reflect these abilities, and more importantly, translate your nursing skills into a context of case management. Put simply, your CV must demonstrate that you're not just a great nurse, but also an effective case manager.

A screenshot of a CV for a Nurse Case Manager role.

   Include patient advocacy achievements

One of the hallmarks of a Nurse Case Manager is patient advocacy. On your CV, showcase instances where you've significantly impacted a patient's healthcare journey. Maybe you coordinated a complex discharge plan or challenged a treatment decision that resulted in improved patient outcome.

   Showcase interdisciplinary collaboration

Case management frequently requires you to liaise with various healthcare professionals. Include any experience of working in multidisciplinary teams or situations where you successfully navigated a bureaucratic system to secure patient care resources.

Showcase interdisciplinary collaboration - Nurse Case Manager CV

Template 16 of 42: Nurse Case Manager CV Example

As a Nurse Case Manager, you are the bridge between patients, healthcare providers, and insurance companies. Your expertise in patient care, medical terminology, and understanding of insurance processes is vital to ensuring that patients receive the necessary care within the parameters of their insurance coverage. More and more, companies are leaning towards candidates who demonstrate strong leadership skills, as the role often requires leading teams and coordinating across departments. When writing your CV, don't just list your credentials, but also weave in examples of problem-solving and effective communication within complex health systems.

A Nurse Case Manager's CV demonstrating healthcare system knowledge and improved patient outcomes.

   Show your knowledge of healthcare systems

The Nursing Case Manager role often involves navigating complex healthcare systems, so demonstrating your familiarity and experience with these systems on your CV will show potential employers you can hit the ground running.

Show your knowledge of healthcare systems - Nurse Case Manager CV

   Include specific patient outcome improvements

This position is centered around patient care, so any examples of how your involvement directly improved patient outcomes will make you stand out. It might be how you streamlined a process, implemented a new insurance protocol, or managed a difficult case successfully.

Include specific patient outcome improvements - Nurse Case Manager CV

Template 17 of 42: Nursing Student CV Example

As a Nursing Student, your CV is a critical tool for standing out in the highly competitive healthcare sector. Nurses are on the frontlines of patient care, and as a student, you're learning every aspect of this role, from bedside care to administrative tasks. Given the current global health climate, nursing students are in high demand, making it more important than ever to have a standout CV. When writing your CV, remember that it's not just a list of your credentials. It's an opportunity to show potential employers not only the technical skills you've learned, but also the interpersonal skills that are so vital in nursing. Your CV needs to show both clinical and classroom experience, so be specific and focus on your competencies as a future nurse. For example, an increasing number of hospitals are implementing electronic health record (EHR) systems, so if you've learned how to use these in your studies, make sure to include it. The healthcare sector is also placing a greater emphasis on patient-centered care, so any experience you have in communicating effectively with patients is another crucial point to include.

A detailed and well-structured CV for a Nursing Student role.

Tips to help you write your Nursing Student CV in 2024

   include specific coursework relevant to nursing.

This isn't your average job where you'd only list overall GPA or degree. Include specific coursework that relates directly to a nursing role. This could be Anatomy and Physiology, pharmacology, or a nursing ethics class. By doing so, you're showing a potential employer what skills and knowledge you're bringing to the table.

Include specific coursework relevant to nursing - Nursing Student CV

   Quantify clinical experience

Whenever possible, quantify your clinical experience in terms of hours spent in different settings like hospitals, clinics, or nursing homes. This shows a potential employer the depth of your practical experience, and also demonstrates your versatility and adaptability in different healthcare environments.

Quantify clinical experience - Nursing Student CV

Skills you can include on your Nursing Student CV

Template 18 of 42: travel nurse cv example.

As a travel nurse, you're the healthcare gladiator of the open road, balancing clinical expertise with adaptability. Your CV needs to shout about your flexibility to drop into diverse medical environments, from urban hospitals to rural clinics, and make an immediate impact. The pandemic's shed light on the critical role travel nurses play, resulting in a surge in demand. Reflect this industry trend by detailing how you've stepped up, delivered excellent patient care in challenging locations, and navigated unfamiliar health systems. When writing your CV, remember, it's not just about showcasing your nursing skills—it's about painting a picture of your adaptability, resilience, and passion for providing care wherever it's needed.

A CV document demonstrating travel nursing experience, adaptability and highlighted experiences in various healthcare settings.

Tips to help you write your Travel Nurse CV in 2024

   detail your adaptability across healthcare settings.

This isn't a one-hospital gig, so your CV should demonstrate your capacity to hit the ground running in various healthcare settings. Mention specific environments you've worked in, rates of patient turnover, and unique challenges you've overcome.

Detail your adaptability across healthcare settings - Travel Nurse CV

   Showcase your ability to learn health systems quickly

As a travel nurse, you're frequently thrust into new health systems. Show you can swiftly understand and comply with different protocols, regulations, and electronic health records systems. Draw on examples where you've had to quickly get up to speed with minimal hand-holding.

Showcase your ability to learn health systems quickly - Travel Nurse CV

Skills you can include on your Travel Nurse CV

Template 19 of 42: travel nurse cv example.

As a travel nurse, your CV has a life as adventurous as yours. What's unique about your CV is that it's a chronicle of your journey across multiple locations, diverse medical facilities, and complex health conditions. The recent trend towards telehealth has also seeped into this role, with many travel nurses now handling remote consultations alongside in-person care. When you're preparing your CV, remember it's not a laundry list of your past jobs, but a curated pathway of your professional growth, adaptability, and resilience. In this industry, the demand for travel nurses has skyrocketed, particularly in areas grappling with staff shortages or regional health crises. So, emphasize how you've stepped into the breach in different regions and situations. This isn't just a CV for a job, it's the map of a nursing nomad.

A travel nurse's CV showcasing diverse experience and telehealth skills.

   Showcase your adaptability

In your CV, you should spell out how you've adapted to new hospitals, different healthcare systems and varying patient demographics in each of your assignments. Use quantifiable achievements to demonstrate your adaptability, such as the number of facilities you've worked in or the diverse range of medical conditions you've handled.

Showcase your adaptability - Travel Nurse CV

   Highlight telehealth skills

The ability to provide healthcare remotely is increasingly important in the travel nursing profession. In your skills section, ensure that you mention any software or platforms you've used for remote consultations and online patient management. If you have relevant certifications, even better!

Highlight telehealth skills - Travel Nurse CV

Template 20 of 42: Nurse Practitioner CV Example

Writing your CV for a Nurse Practitioner role is all about showcasing your extensive clinical knowledge, leadership skills, and adaptability. As healthcare continues to evolve rapidly, Nurse Practitioners are being entrusted with greater responsibilities and autonomy, making the job much more multifaceted than before. On one hand, you need to display your proficiency in patient care, and on the other, your capacity to manage teams, innovatively solve problems and incorporate the latest tech advancements, such as telehealth. So, when it comes to your CV, ensure it's a reflection of who you are as a modern Nurse Practitioner.

A professional Nurse Practitioner's CV detailing leadership skills and proficiency in healthcare technology.

Tips to help you write your Nurse Practitioner CV in 2024

  showcase your leadership and management capabilities.

As a Nurse Practitioner, you often have to lead and manage teams, coordinate with doctors and other nursing staff, and supervise patient care. Ensure your CV includes examples of your ability to lead, influence, and manage within a healthcare setting.

Showcase your leadership and management capabilities - Nurse Practitioner CV

  Illustrate your proficiency in emerging healthcare technologies

With telemedicine and electronic health records becoming commonplace, demonstrate your skills in these areas in your CV. Include any specific technologies you're adept at, or instances where you've successfully integrated technology into patient care.

Illustrate your proficiency in emerging healthcare technologies - Nurse Practitioner CV

Skills you can include on your Nurse Practitioner CV

Template 21 of 42: nurse practitioner cv example.

As a Nurse Practitioner, your job is rich with opportunities to impact lives directly - making it a satisfying yet demanding role. In recent years, we've noticed that organisations value professionals who showcase adaptability in line with fast-paced healthcare innovations. When writing your CV, understand that employers aren't just looking for your qualifications and experience. They're keen to identify candidates with a genuine passion for patient care and up-to-date knowledge of evolving medical technology and advances. Your CV should go beyond just listing duties performed in past roles. Instead, it should weave a compelling story of your journey as a compassionate caregiver with a sound understanding of modern healthcare practices. This distinction can set you apart from other candidates, grab potential employers' attention, and get you one step closer to that interview.

Nurse Practitioner CV showcasing medical technology proficiency and strong patient communication skills.

   Illustrate proficiency in medical technology

As a Nurse Practitioner, you'll need to handle various medical technologies and software. On your CV, specify the types you're proficient in, from electronic health record systems to diagnostic tools. This will show potential employers that you can comfortably adapt to their technological setup.

Illustrate proficiency in medical technology - Nurse Practitioner CV

   Emphasise patient communication skills

Strong patient communication is an essential part of a Nurse Practitioner's role, often leading to improved patient outcomes. In your CV, share instances where your exceptional interpersonal skills have made a significant difference. This could be patient education initiatives you've led or difficult situations you've navigated with empathy.

Emphasise patient communication skills - Nurse Practitioner CV

Template 22 of 42: New Grad Nurse CV Example

As a New Grad Nurse, stepping into the professional healthcare world can be quite daunting. Your CV is the key to unlock doors for possible opportunities. Unlike experienced nurses, you'll be showcasing your clinical placements and the practical skills you've honed there. Employers are increasingly searching for candidates who can reflect adaptability and resilience, skills that have become crucial in the face of the recent pandemic. Equally important is communicating your familiarity with new medical technologies as the industry is rapidly digitalizing patient care.

New Grad Nurse CV showcasing placements and digital healthcare skills.

Tips to help you write your New Grad Nurse CV in 2024

   show off practical placement experience.

Coming straight from graduation, your nursing placements are your best representation of work experience. Don't simply list where you worked - describe the kind of ward (paediatric, surgical), the tasks you handled, and your patient volume.

Show off practical placement experience - New Grad Nurse CV

   Highlight digital literacy in healthcare

It’s not just about medication administration and patient care anymore. Digital technologies are reshaping healthcare. Demonstrate you can keep pace with this change. Mention any experience with electronic health records or telehealth during your placements.

Skills you can include on your New Grad Nurse CV

Template 23 of 42: new grad nurse cv example.

Entering into nursing as a new graduate is exhilarating, yet it comes with its challenges. With the healthcare sector evolving rapidly, new nurses are often expected to hit the ground running. Moreover, the nursing field can be competitive, and your CV requires a unique blend of clinical knowledge, hands-on experience, and soft skills that matter in patient care. Therefore, crafting a CV that effectively showcases your training, internships, and potential can be the key to landing that first job. It's crucial to tailor your CV to the nursing profession, focusing on the skills and experiences most relevant to the job you're seeking.

A CV for a New Grad Nurse showcasing clinical experience and soft skills.

   Include Specific Clinical Experience

As a New Grad Nurse, you won't have a wealth of experience, but you should showcase what you do have. Detail your clinical placements during your training. Include the types of care settings, patients you've handled, and any unique or challenging cases that you contributed to managing.

Include Specific Clinical Experience - New Grad Nurse CV

   Demonstrate Soft Skills Through Experiences

In nursing, soft skills like communication, empathy, patience, and teamwork are as important as clinical skills. So, instead of listing them, provide real instances or scenarios during your training where these skills were essential. This way, recruiters see your potential, not just your qualifications.

Demonstrate Soft Skills Through Experiences - New Grad Nurse CV

Template 24 of 42: New Grad Nurse CV Example

Nursing is a profession that truly makes a difference in people's lives. As a new grad nurse, your CV needs to showcase your acquired skills, clinical experience, and passion for patient care. Nursing has been evolving, with a noticeable shift towards more specialized roles and a higher demand for research and leadership skills. It's not just about the medical expertise anymore; soft skills like communication and empathy are highly valued. When writing your CV, remember that recruitment managers are not just looking for a nurse, but an individual who can add value to their organization beyond clinical duties.

A screenshot of a CV tailored for a new grad nurse role.

   Include relevant clinical rotations

As a new grad nurse, your clinical rotations are your most relevant work experience. Detail the rotations you underwent, focusing on key responsibilities and what you learned. Specify any specialized areas you've had exposure to, such as pediatrics or mental health. This provides the hiring manager with evidence of your hands-on experience.

   Emphasize soft skills and teamwork

Within a nursing role, teamwork and interpersonal skills are paramount. Talk about times when you worked as part of a team during your clinical rotations, or when your communication skills truly made a difference. Remember, it's about demonstrating your ability to provide holistic care and work collaboratively.

Emphasize soft skills and teamwork - New Grad Nurse CV

Template 25 of 42: Director of Nursing CV Example

Let's talk about your CV for the Director of Nursing role. It's a top-tier job in the healthcare field, so your CV should demonstrate your leadership capacity, in-depth clinical knowledge and ability to streamline healthcare services. Nursing has been revolutionized recently with digital health and data analysis. Your CV should show how you have adapted to these changes and used these technologies to improve patient care. That being said, be sure to convey your human touch in the role, such as how well you manage and motivate your team and interact with patients.

Comprehensive CV of a potential Director of Nursing candidate.

Tips to help you write your Director of Nursing CV in 2024

   emphasize your digital health competencies.

It's not enough to claim you're familiar with the latest technologies. You need to show clear examples of how you have used digital health tools or data analysis to improve care services or team management in your previous roles.

   Detail your leadership in Quality Improvement programs

As a Director of Nursing, you're expected to spearhead Quality Improvement projects. You should provide real-life examples of these programs you’ve led, including the positive outcomes from your initiatives and how they have enhanced patient care or staff performance.

Detail your leadership in Quality Improvement programs - Director of Nursing CV

Skills you can include on your Director of Nursing CV

Template 26 of 42: nursing supervisor cv example.

A Nursing Supervisor role is a rewarding albeit challenging role in the nursing field, requiring a perfect blend of clinical expertise and leadership skills. While you're well aware that the job entails supervising nursing staff, coordinating patient care and making critical decisions, your CV should reflect your proficiency in these areas. Recent trends show a high demand for Nursing Supervisors with a deep understanding of patient-centered care, technological adeptness, and crisis-management skills. So, when crafting your CV, make sure it's more than just a summary of your qualifications and experiences - you need to demonstrate your capability to drive quality care while effectively managing a team.

CV screenshot displaying key skills and experiences for a Nursing Supervisor role.

Tips to help you write your Nursing Supervisor CV in 2024

   showcase your technological skills.

The healthcare industry is increasingly leveraging technology in patient care. So, if you're proficient in using Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems or any healthcare software, make sure to feature this on your CV. It serves as a concrete indication of your readiness to adapt to tech-driven processes in nursing supervision.

Showcase your technological skills - Nursing Supervisor CV

   Highlight crisis-management and decision-making skills

As a Nursing Supervisor, you're often required to make crucial decisions under pressure. Your CV should reflect your ability to handle crises. Use specific examples from your past experience where you've had to navigate stressful situations or make hard decisions that had significant positive outcomes.

Highlight crisis-management and decision-making skills - Nursing Supervisor CV

Skills you can include on your Nursing Supervisor CV

Template 27 of 42: er nurse cv example.

As an ER Nurse, your job is anything but predictable. Each shift involves dealing with a multitude of health crises, from minor injuries to life-threatening conditions. Hence, when crafting your CV, it's essential to demonstrate your adaptability and quick decision-making skills. The healthcare industry is evolving, with employers now leaning towards candidates with specializations or advanced certifications in emergency nursing. Also, more emphasis is being placed on telemedicine and digital health proficiency as hospitals digitize their systems. So, your CV should reflect your ability to handle intensive situations while highlighting your up-to-date technical skills and qualifications.

A CV screenshot emphasizing advanced certifications and technological proficiency in emergency nursing.

Tips to help you write your ER Nurse CV in 2024

   include specific certifications.

Medical facilities typically prefer ER nurses with additional certifications like Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN), Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse (CPEN), or Trauma Certified Registered Nurse (TCRN). These validate your specialized skills and dedication to the role. Including these can put you ahead of other candidates who don't have them.

Include specific certifications - ER Nurse CV

   Showcase experience with cutting-edge technology

ER nursing now requires familiarity with telemedicine and electronic medical record (EMR) systems. If you've had experience with these, be sure to mention it. This demonstrates that you're prepared for the future of nursing and can adapt to new technologies.

Showcase experience with cutting-edge technology - ER Nurse CV

Skills you can include on your ER Nurse CV

Template 28 of 42: er nurse cv example.

As an ER Nurse, you're often the first line of face-to-face help for a medical emergency. A fast-paced, adrenaline-pumping role, you need certain skills that differ from other nursing specialties. Lately, hospitals have been emphasizing a culture of empathy and patient-centered care, so they're looking for ER nurses who not just know their craft, but also know how to put patients at ease. When writing your CV, keep this in mind. Make it a balanced showcase of both your technical competence and your soft skills. In terms of content, an ER nurse's CV needs to reflect the high-pressure environment and the variety of cases you handle daily. Tailoring it to demonstrate your ability to think on your feet, improvise, and give patients the best possible care in the shortest time is essential.

A CV of an ER nurse highlighting emergency room experiences and adaptability skills.

   Keep an emphasis on Emergency Room specifics

Unlike other nursing roles, emergency rooms are high-stress, quick-decision environments. On your CV, detail your experience in handling these types of situations. For example, include instances of specific emergency procedures you've performed, or how you've managed in times of high patient influx.

Keep an emphasis on Emergency Room specifics - ER Nurse CV

As an ER nurse, you never know what's coming through that door next, so adaptability is key. Use your CV to give examples of when you've had to adapt quickly, or manage unexpected situations. This could include dealing with unusual cases, resource shortages, or sudden changes in patient status.

Showcase your adaptability - ER Nurse CV

Template 29 of 42: Clinical Rotation Nurse CV Example

Being a Clinical Rotation Nurse is more than just a job, it's a dynamic role that combines extensive medical knowledge with on-the-job experience. The CV for this role needs to tell your personal story, illustrating not only your academic achievements and experiences but also your adaptability in different clinical environments. Industry trends suggest an increasing emphasis on interprofessional collaboration and digital health competencies. So, when crafting your CV, think beyond the basics. Detail your capability to work in collaborative, multidisciplinary teams and comfort in incorporating digital tools in patient care.

A well-structured CV for a Clinical Rotation Nurse role.

Tips to help you write your Clinical Rotation Nurse CV in 2024

   showcase your clinical rotation experiences.

The heart of your CV as a Clinical Rotation Nurse should be a detailed account of your clinical rotations. Don't simply list them; provide context, your responsibilities, and any unique experiences or encounters that show your depth of experience and adaptability.

Showcase your clinical rotation experiences - Clinical Rotation Nurse CV

   Demonstrate interprofessional collaboration skills

Nursing is part of a larger healthcare ecosystem. Your CV should show how you've worked with other healthcare professionals. Describe shared projects, committee participation or any related experiences. Show your potential employer how you can fit into their multidisciplinary team.

Demonstrate interprofessional collaboration skills - Clinical Rotation Nurse CV

Skills you can include on your Clinical Rotation Nurse CV

Template 30 of 42: charge nurse cv example.

As a Charge Nurse, you're the critical link between the nursing staff and hospital management, ensuring smooth operations and top-quality patient care. It's a role that requires clinical expertise, leadership, and excellent communication skills. Recently, there's been a significant emphasis on continuous professional development and ability to work in high-stress environments in the healthcare industry. When writing your CV, the aim is to position yourself as a skilled, reliable nurse who's eager to step up into a leadership role and can handle whatever the job throws at you. It's important to showcase your past experiences and achievements to reflect your competency in managing a team and improving patient satisfaction.

A professionally-written CV for a Charge Nurse role.

Tips to help you write your Charge Nurse CV in 2024

   emphasize your leadership and management skills.

This role isn’t just about clinical excellence. It's about leading a team, making decisions, and managing resources effectively. Show off these skills in your CV, by describing instances in which you coordinated workflow, implemented changes, or improved department performance.

Emphasize your leadership and management skills - Charge Nurse CV

   Include specific clinical experiences and specializations

As a Charge Nurse, you need strong clinical knowledge, so it's crucial to detail your nursing experiences and any specializations you have. Maybe you've worked in a high acuity unit or have hands-on experience in wound care or infection control. Make sure to mention these specifics.

Include specific clinical experiences and specializations - Charge Nurse CV

Skills you can include on your Charge Nurse CV

Template 31 of 42: charge nurse cv example.

In the evolving healthcare landscape, Charge Nurses play a pivotal role, acting as the bridge between nursing staff and hospital management. They are part crisis-manager, part mentor, and part healthcare provider. Emphasizing your leadership and management skills on your CV is vital as you're essentially applying for a strategic role within a high-pressure environment. Recent industry trends show that focus has shifted towards strong interpersonal skills and the ability to adapt to new technologies. When writing your CV, it's crucial to carefully articulate these qualities and give clear examples of when you've demonstrated them.

A CV screenshot showcasing the qualifications and skills of a Charge Nurse.

   Showcase your nursing experience and expertise

Dive deep into your years of experience as a Nurse. Specify what kind of care units you've worked in and the complexity of cases handled. Tailor your CV to reflect your skills in handling emergency scenarios, supervising teams, and managing patient care.

Showcase your nursing experience and expertise - Charge Nurse CV

   Highlight your leadership and management skills

As a Charge Nurse, you're not just caring for patients but also managing a team. Your CV should reflect your capabilities in scheduling, allocating resources, mentoring junior staff, and liaising with families and doctors. Use metrics wherever possible to prove your efficacy as a leader.

Highlight your leadership and management skills - Charge Nurse CV

Template 32 of 42: Remote Nurse CV Example

A remote nurse plays an essential role in telehealth, providing patient care and education from a distance. You'll see an increasing demand for this sort of role, as health services continue to adapt to the digital sphere. In drafting your CV, it's essential to remember you're applying for a unique role that blends traditional nursing skills with an understanding of technology. You need to convey your ability to build relationships virtually and manage patient care remotely. These stand out in today's world, where virtual communication and remote medical consultations are on the rise. The second part to keep in mind is that your CV should tell a story about your adaptability, technological proficiency, and nursing skills. Avoid a simple list of duties; instead, focus on achievements and problem-solving incidents that highlight your ability to deliver healthcare remotely.

A CV showcasing remote nursing skills and technological proficiency.

Tips to help you write your Remote Nurse CV in 2024

   emphasize your technological expertise.

Telehealth relies heavily on your ability to navigate various software and tools. Therefore, your CV should include the specific medical systems and communication platforms you're familiar with. Don't just list them, explain how you've used them to provide patient care.

Emphasize your technological expertise - Remote Nurse CV

   Display your remote communication skills

As a remote nurse, you won't have the non-verbal cues that usually aid patient interaction. Therefore, your CV should demonstrate your remote interpersonal skills. Share examples of how you've successfully managed patient relationships and educated patients remotely.

Display your remote communication skills - Remote Nurse CV

Skills you can include on your Remote Nurse CV

Template 33 of 42: preceptor nurse cv example.

Being a Preceptor Nurse is a dynamic role where you wear many hats - you're an educator, mentor, and guide for new nurses. It's a shift from traditional bedside care, and hiring managers are looking for specific skills on your CV to match this role. The healthcare industry is ever-changing, so staying up-to-date with current nursing practices is crucial. When writing your CV, it's key to showcase that you're not only an experienced nurse, but also a skilled teacher with the ability to adapt to different learning styles. With the growing demand for nurses, we're seeing a trend towards hiring Preceptor Nurses who can facilitate hands-on training. There's a growing emphasis on evidence-based teaching methods and emotional intelligence too. Your CV should highlight these aspects, in addition to your nursing experience and credentials.

A screenshot of a CV tailored for a Preceptor Nurse role highlighting teaching experience and adaptability.

Tips to help you write your Preceptor Nurse CV in 2024

   emphasize on teaching and mentoring experience.

As a Preceptor Nurse, you will be guiding new nurses. So, you should clearly outline any prior experience of teaching or mentoring in your CV, specifying the teaching approaches you used and how they improved orientation experiences.

Emphasize on teaching and mentoring experience - Preceptor Nurse CV

   Show adaptability and continuous learning

This role requires you to adapt to new nursing practices and teaching methods. On your CV, list out instances where you've learned new medical practices, updated your training techniques or completed continuing education courses relevant to nursing education.

Show adaptability and continuous learning - Preceptor Nurse CV

Skills you can include on your Preceptor Nurse CV

Template 34 of 42: relief charge nurse cv example.

A Relief Charge Nurse is the lifesaver of a healthcare environment. In the midst of all the chaos, they step in when the regular Charge Nurse is unavailable, ensuring smooth operations in the most stressful situations. The nursing industry is increasingly recognizing the critical role these professionals play, with more healthcare facilities now creating specific roles for Relief Charge Nurses. When you're crafting your CV, remember, it's about showcasing your adaptability, leadership skills, and clinical experience. You have to paint a picture of a nurse who can seamlessly fit into any team, help guide others, and provide top-tier patient care, all at a moment's notice.

A Relief Charge Nurse's CV highlighting their certifications and diverse nursing experience.

Tips to help you write your Relief Charge Nurse CV in 2024

   show off your nursing certifications.

As with regular Charge Nurse roles, having advanced certifications goes a long way to show you're fit for a Relief Charge Nurse role. You may want to list any additional certifications you hold, like Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) or Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS). These are assets in any high-pressure nursing environment.

Show off your nursing certifications - Relief Charge Nurse CV

   Highlight experience in multiple departments

Given the versatility required of a Relief Charge Nurse, you should demonstrate your experience across various hospital departments. Mention any rotations you have completed, or shifts you have worked in different areas that gave you varied clinical exposure. This showcases your breadth of knowledge and adaptability.

Highlight experience in multiple departments - Relief Charge Nurse CV

Skills you can include on your Relief Charge Nurse CV

Template 35 of 42: lpn nurse (licensed practical nurse) cv example.

As a licensed practical nurse (LPN), your day-to-day work involves a mix of patient care and administrative duties. The healthcare industry has been evolving rapidly, making it crucial for LPNs to stay updated with emerging trends. When you're crafting your CV, remember your potential employer will be looking for your adaptability and growth within this dynamic environment. It's less about the quantity of your previous nursing experience and more about the quality of care you've provided in your roles. Keep in mind, the CV is your chance to showcase not just your professional experiences but your unique approach towards patient care. In recent years, there has been a more substantial emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration within healthcare. Hence, as an LPN, your ability to work in a team and your communication skills might hold as much importance as your nursing skills. When writing your CV, highlight experiences where you've cooperatively worked with a diverse team of healthcare professionals to improve patient outcomes.

LPN nurse's CV detailing adaptability and team-based approach in healthcare settings.

Tips to help you write your LPN Nurse (Licensed Practical Nurse) CV in 2024

   demonstrate your adaptability.

As an LPN, you're used to fast paced and constantly changing environments. On your CV, illustrate this adaptability. Perhaps you've had to learn a new charting system or adapt to changing patient flow amid the pandemic. This shows you're not just surviving, but thriving in your role.

Demonstrate your adaptability - LPN Nurse (Licensed Practical Nurse) CV

   Show your interdisciplinary approach

With the shift towards a more team-based approach in healthcare, showcasing your ability to work within diverse teams is crucial. In your CV, include instances where you've liaised with doctors, physiotherapists, or social workers for patient care. This will portray you as a team player and a versatile nurse.

Skills you can include on your LPN Nurse (Licensed Practical Nurse) CV

Template 36 of 42: lpn nurse (licensed practical nurse) cv example.

As a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), your CV serves as a reflection of your clinical skills, passion for patient care, and understanding of current healthcare trends. This role has seen significant changes recently, with a greater emphasis on handling complex patient cases and familiarity with telehealth platforms, as home healthcare services are booming. When crafting your CV, it's crucial to showcase how you adapt to these changing trends and what unique qualities you bring to the table. Illustrating your ability to multitask effectively in fast-paced settings, handle pressure and take on a variety of tasks is critical. But, it's not just about the skills you possess, it's about how you use them. So think about your achievements, not just your daily tasks when putting pen to paper.

A comprehensive LPN nurse CV, illustrating clinical skills and adaptability.

   Demonstrate adaptability and resilience

As an LPN, you often work in challenging and dynamic environments. Show how you've adapted to changing circumstances, such as adapting to new healthcare regulations or technologies, or handling stressful situations with grace and professionalism.

Demonstrate adaptability and resilience - LPN Nurse (Licensed Practical Nurse) CV

   Showcase patient care skills

Your CV should indicate your dedication to patient care. Use specific examples to demonstrate this - maybe you've implemented a new way to improve patient communication, or you ensured a high standard of care during a particularly challenging shift.

Showcase patient care skills - LPN Nurse (Licensed Practical Nurse) CV

Template 37 of 42: LVN Nurse (Licensed Vocational Nurse) CV Example

As an LVN nurse, you're the backbone of the healthcare industry, providing critical support to doctors and registered nurses. In recent times, we've observed an uptick in demand for LVN roles with a particular focus on geriatric and home healthcare services. This shift has altered what hiring managers look for in a CV. They want clear evidence of your practical nursing skills, but also, increasingly, your ability to adapt to a variety of care settings. A standout CV for an LVN should be more than just a list of your credentials. It's a chance to demonstrate your dedication, flexibility, and patient-focused philosophy.

Screenshot of a well-structured LVN Nurse CV that reflects practical skills and adaptability.

Tips to help you write your LVN Nurse (Licensed Vocational Nurse) CV in 2024

   show your range of practical skills.

In the skills section of your CV, include the wide array of practical tasks you're adept at. From administering medication to wound care, these specifics show you're ready for the day-to-day realities of an LVN role.

Show your range of practical skills - LVN Nurse (Licensed Vocational Nurse) CV

Include experiences where you've worked in different healthcare settings, such as hospitals, nursing homes, or private residences. This adaptability is a valuable asset in today’s dynamic healthcare environment and will demonstrate your versatility to potential employers.

Demonstrate your adaptability - LVN Nurse (Licensed Vocational Nurse) CV

Skills you can include on your LVN Nurse (Licensed Vocational Nurse) CV

Template 38 of 42: lvn nurse (licensed vocational nurse) cv example.

As an LVN Nurse, you play a vital role in healthcare, providing essential patient care under the supervision of registered nurses and doctors. In this rapidly-evolving sector, it's necessary to show that you're at the forefront of new practices in your CV. Employers are increasingly looking for vocational nurses who are up-to-date with the latest telehealth technologies and remote patient care trends. When writing your CV, it's crucial to convey your professional relevance, demonstrating your commitment to ongoing learning and your ability to adapt to new situations and technology.

An exemplary CV for a Licensed Vocational Nurse showcasing specific skills and telehealth experience.

   Showcase specific nursing skills

Considering the hands-on nature of your role, it's crucial that you list the specific nursing-related skills you possess. For instance, wound dressing, administering medication, or taking vitals. Showing your capability in these areas will give employers confidence in your abilities.

Showcase specific nursing skills - LVN Nurse (Licensed Vocational Nurse) CV

   Highlight experience with telehealth technologies

With the rise in telehealth and remote patient care, you should indicate any experience you have with these tools on your CV. Examples could include using video conferencing for patient consultations or electronic health record (EHR) systems for patient documentation.

Highlight experience with telehealth technologies - LVN Nurse (Licensed Vocational Nurse) CV

Template 39 of 42: ICU Charge Nurse CV Example

An ICU Charge Nurse doesn't just sit in the heart of the chaos of an Intensive Care Unit, but manages it. You're a conductor, orchestrating everything from patient care to staff assignments. The healthcare industry's recent emphasis on leadership skills in this role means your CV needs to focus on demonstrating this skill set. It's crucial to remember admissions committees and recruiters are looking for evidence of your interpersonal skills, ability to manage stressful situations and detailed knowledge of clinical practices. So, your CV should be a balance between your managerial and nursing skills.

A CV screenshot displaying ICU Charge nurse's managerial and clinical competencies.

Tips to help you write your ICU Charge Nurse CV in 2024

   show your grasp of icu protocols.

It's not enough to just mention you're experienced in ICU procedures. You need to provide specific examples of how you've applied these protocols, like managing ventilator care or handling sepsis cases. This gives recruiters a clearer picture of your hands-on experience.

   Showcase your leadership skills

As an ICU Charge Nurse, you're not just part of the team, you're leading it. Detail instances where you've delegated tasks, mentored newcomers, or coordinated with doctors and other departments. This shows you have the necessary leadership skills for the role.

Showcase your leadership skills - ICU Charge Nurse CV

Skills you can include on your ICU Charge Nurse CV

Template 40 of 42: prior authorization nurse cv example.

Being a Prior Authorization Nurse, you find yourself in a unique position within the healthcare industry. Your work is vital for both patients and healthcare providers, since it plays a key role in managing costs while ensuring proper care. Recent trends show an increased emphasis on cost efficiency in healthcare, making your role even more crucial. When putting together your CV, recognize the niche you operate in. It’s important to not only convey your medical knowledge but also your understanding of healthcare policies, procedures, and cost-management strategies. Being detail-oriented and having excellent communication skills are also key traits employers look for in this role.

A CV of a Prior Authorization Nurse with focus on medical knowledge and insurance literacy.

Tips to help you write your Prior Authorization Nurse CV in 2024

   emphasize knowledge of medical procedures and terminologies.

As a Prior Authorization Nurse, you liaise between physicians, insurance companies, and patients. Your CV should reflect your deep understanding of medical terminologies and procedures. This knowledge enables you to review and interpret medical documents effectively, thus ensuring that nothing is lost in translation.

Emphasize knowledge of medical procedures and terminologies - Prior Authorization Nurse CV

   Showcase ability to interpret health insurance policies

Ability to interpret health insurance policies is a big part of your job. Your CV should demonstrate that you can analyze and understand complex health insurance guidelines and policies. This reassures employers that you can accurately authorize or deny procedures based on policy guidelines.

Skills you can include on your Prior Authorization Nurse CV

Template 41 of 42: clinic nurse cv example.

As a Clinic Nurse, your role includes a range of duties such as providing proper patient care, administering treatments, and collaborating with medical staff. Crafting a CV for this role requires showcasing real-life experiences of these tasks. Recently, there's a growing need for nurses specialized in telemedicine and remote patient monitoring, so your CV should reflect your adaptability to these trends. When you're writing your CV, remember to not just list your skills and qualifications, but also demonstrate how you've applied them in practice.

A CV for a Clinic Nurse showcasing their specialization and adaptability.

Tips to help you write your Clinic Nurse CV in 2024

   show your specialization.

If you've specialized in a particular area of nursing, say, pediatric or geriatric care, mention it in your CV. Specializations show that you're not just a general nurse but an expert in a distinct field. This will make you stand out, as clinics often prefer nurses with specific expertise.

Show your specialization - Clinic Nurse CV

As a clinic nurse, you need to be adaptable to technological advancements in healthcare such as telemedicine. In the experience section of your CV, provide examples of when you've had to quickly adapt to new systems or practices in a clinical setting.

Showcase your adaptability - Clinic Nurse CV

Skills you can include on your Clinic Nurse CV

Template 42 of 42: medical surgical nurse cv example.

As a Medical Surgical Nurse, your role is multi-faceted and complex. You're expected to juggle a plethora of tasks; from administering medications to monitoring patient recovery, all while liaising with a team of healthcare professionals. In recent years, the demand has increased significantly for these nurses due to an aging population and heightened focus on preventative care. When crafting your CV, remember the importance of demonstrating tangible proof of your skills, experience, and adaptability. Furthermore, showcase the breadth of your nursing background, but also make sure to demonstrate a consistent focus on medical-surgical care.

An example of a Medical Surgical Nurse's CV showcasing skills and experiences.

Tips to help you write your Medical Surgical Nurse CV in 2024

   emphasize on patient care outcomes.

Medical Surgical Nurses do more than just administer medicine; they improve the lives of patients. In your CV, talk about how you've contributed to improved patient outcomes. Discuss any strategies you have implemented or specific cases where your actions had a positive impact.

   Demonstrate awareness of current health trends

As a Medical Surgical Nurse, you need to stay updated with current health trends and advancements in medical procedures. Show instances in your CV where you've kept up-to-date with the latest in your field, such as attending conferences, webinars, or undergoing further education.

Skills you can include on your Medical Surgical Nurse CV

Skills for nursing resumes.

In the pulse-racing world of nursing, your CV serves as the heartbeat of your job application. It breathes life into your skills, mirroring your healthcare heroics to the eyes of the hiring managers. The most important skills to display are ones that meet the job description. These might include bed-side manner, medical software know-how, and speedy decision-making. Listing these in your CV’s Skills section shows your readiness for the role. Nursing isn’t all about quick actions though. There's a lot of know-how and data navigation needed. For example, penning a bullet point like “Managed patient data using Electronic Health Records software” shows you're not a stranger to tech. Getting your CV 'patient-ready' should be on your skilful surgeon's list. With Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) acting as the front-line ‘triage nurse’, your CV needs to have the right skills to get past this digital gatekeeper. Much like a stethoscope listens for a healthy heart, the ATS scans for vital skills in your CV. Putting all the right skills in the right places helps you slip through and secure an interview.

  • Strategic Planning
  • Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
  • Emergency Nursing
  • Healthcare Management
  • Customer Service
  • Inpatient Care
  • Patient Safety
  • Quality Improvement
  • Nursing Process
  • Public Health
  • Clinical Research
  • Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
  • Nursing Education
  • Nursing Management
  • Basic Life Support (BLS)
  • Patient Advocacy
  • Healthcare Information Technology (HIT)
  • Critical Care Nursing
  • Medical-Surgical
  • Patient Education
  • Electronic Medical Record (EMR)

Skills Word Cloud For Nursing CVs

This word cloud highlights the important keywords that appear on Nursing job descriptions and CVs. The bigger the word, the more frequently it appears on job postings, and the more 'important' it is.

Top Nursing Skills and Keywords to Include On Your CV

How to use these skills?

Action verbs for nursing resumes.

The lifeblood of a vibrant nursing CV is 'action verbs'. These words paint a picture of you, up and doing. They show you as a nurse who cares, heals, guides, and comforts. Which are, after all, the heart of what being a nurse is all about. Action verbs whisper to the hiring managers, "This is someone who does good work." Let's take the verb "administered" as an example. Instead of saying "gave medication", you can write "administered medication to 30 patients daily". This shows you in action, with a hint of the scale of your work. Or how about "coordinated"? Rather than "worked with team", try "coordinated with a team of 8 to deliver patient care". This tells a story of unity, teamwork and leadership. Remember, your CV is your story. Let it echo with the drumbeat of action verbs that highlight what you do best.

  • Administered
  • Coordinated
  • Facilitated
  • Implemented
  • Recommended

For more related action verbs, visit Nursing Action Verbs .

For a full list of effective CV action verbs, visit Resume Action Verbs .

Other Medical Resumes

Dental assistant.

RDA resume highlighting specialized skills and digital dentistry experience.

Respiratory Therapist

Screenshot of a New Grad Respiratory Therapist's resume showcasing education and internship experience.

Nursing CV Guide

  • Dental Assistant CV Guide
  • Case Manager CV Guide
  • Respiratory Therapist CV Guide
  • Medical Billing CV Guide
  • Therapist CV Guide
  • Quality Control CV Guide
  • Care Coordinator CV Guide
  • Occupational Therapist CV Guide
  • Clinical Research CV Guide
  • Radiologic Technologist CV Guide
  • Pharmacy Technician CV Guide
  • Medical Technologist CV Guide
  • Microbiologist CV Guide
  • SLP CV Guide
  • General Nurse CV Example
  • Experienced Nurse CV Example
  • Certified Nursing Assistant CV Example
  • Registered Nurse CV Example
  • ICU Nurse CV Example
  • NICU Nurse CV Example
  • Psychiatric Nurse CV Example
  • Nurse Case Manager CV Example
  • Nursing Student CV Example
  • Travel Nurse CV Example
  • Nurse Practitioner CV Example
  • New Grad Nurse CV Example
  • Director of Nursing CV Example
  • Nursing Supervisor CV Example
  • ER Nurse CV Example
  • Clinical Rotation Nurse CV Example
  • Charge Nurse CV Example
  • Remote Nurse CV Example
  • Preceptor Nurse CV Example
  • Relief Charge Nurse CV Example
  • LPN Nurse (Licensed Practical Nurse) CV Example
  • LVN Nurse (Licensed Vocational Nurse) CV Example
  • ICU Charge Nurse CV Example
  • Prior Authorization Nurse CV Example
  • Clinic Nurse CV Example
  • Medical Surgical Nurse CV Example
  • Skills and Keywords to Add
  • Related Medical Resumes
  • All Resume Examples
  • Explore Alternative and Similar Careers
  • Nursing Cover Letter
  • Nursing Interview Guide

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nursing cv cover letter examples

StandOut CV

  • Nursing CV examples

Andrew Fennell photo

When applying for a nursing role, a great CV is crucial if you want to get hired.

Your CV needs to grab recruiters’ attention and tell them exactly why they should interview you quickly.

This guide will walk you through every step of creating a winning nursing CV and also includes 4 nursing CV examples you can use for inspiration.

Guide Contents

Structuring and formatting your CV

  • Writing your CV profile
  • Detailing work experience
  • Your education

Vital skills for your nursing CV

CV templates 

Nursing CV Example

Nursing CV-1

Surgical nurse CV

Surgical Nurse CV-1

Student Nurse CV

Student Nurse CV-1

Nurse practitioner CV example

Nurse Practitioner CV-1

This is an example nurse CV to give you a general idea of the layout and content of a nursing CV.

However, when creating your own CV, you should take into consideration the roles you are applying for and the specific areas of nursing you specialise in.

The rest of this guide will show you exactly how to populate each area of your CV, and the skills you should be highlighting.

When creating your nursing CV, how you structure and format it, is just as important as the content listed within it.

Now, more than ever, people have very low attention spans when it comes to reading – especially recruiters, who sometimes see hundreds of CVs per day.

So, making sure your CV is structured and formatted in a way that is easy to read, and allows recruiters to pick out the information they need is crucial.

The structure and format of your CV have two core purposes:

  • They create the initial first impression by putting together a professional looking document that potential employers will take seriously
  • They create a logical structure to allow readers to read and navigate quickly

This infographic will serve as a good for putting your CV’s structure together.

CV structure diagram

Formatting tips

Use the following guidelines as much as possible to ensure your CV stands out and looks professional.

  • Stick to simple, easy to read fonts , such as Arial
  • Don’t use too many colours – black text on a white background works best for readers
  • Keep it simple and to the point – no unnecessary distractions like images or graphs.

CV structure overview

When structuring your nursing CV, it’s very important that you make it easy to read, with no big chunks of text, and that all of the most important information is easy to see on first glance.

Your CV should feature the following sections.

Name and contact information – should be listed directly at the top of the page so it’s easy for recruiters to contact you

Personal statement/profile – a short introductory paragraph summarising your skills, experience and knowledge within nursing

Work experience – List your roles in reverse chronological order to showcase your ability to apply your skills and knowledge

Education and qualifications – List out your qualifications related to nursing, and include the key details of each one

Contact details

Your contact details should always be placed at the very top of the page and should be impossible to miss.

Contact details

Information to include:

  • Phone number
  • Email address

You’re not obligated to disclose the following and they will not affect hiring decisions:

  • Full address
  • Your date of birth, nationality, and sex
  • A photograph

Your nursing CV profile

This section should go directly under your contact details at the top of the page.

Your profile or personal statement is your chance to shine and get noticed, but you have to be mindful of people’s time, so keep it short, punchy, and to the point.

Profile or Personal statement

In order to ensure that recruiters keep reading your CV, here are the key things to include in your profile section:

Nursing qualifications – Provide an overview of your most important nursing qualifications

Environments you have worked in – Perhaps you’ve worked in private care homes, or maybe you’ve worked across a number of specialist hospital wards – employers will want to know this.

High level nursing skills – Skills like patient care, medication provision and ward hygiene will be important to most nursing roles

Nursing experience –  Whether you are a newly qualified nurse, or have 20 years experience, you must make your experience level clear here

Quick tip:  If you worry that your written English isn’t perfect, try using our quick-and-easy CV Builder  to eliminate the risk of making mistakes.

Core skills section

To create a snap shot of your skills, add a core skills section underneath your profile.

It’s simply a bullet-pointed list of your most relevant talents spread out over 2 or 3 columns.

Core skills

The effect this has, is that it shows recruiters a great summary of your skills that they can digest within seconds of opening your CV – great for a positive first impression .

Work experience

In your work experience section you need to list your previous roles in reverse chronological order like the diagram below.

CV work history

You should focus on your nursing experience, writing plenty of detail in nurse roles, and much less detail in non-nursing roles.

In case you have no employment history in nursing – for example, if you’ve just graduated, you can also list any volunteer work or university placements to compensate.

How to structure your role descriptions

To provide an easy and pleasant reading experience for recruiters, lay your roles out like so:

Role structure

Here’s a brief outline of what to include in each section:

Role outline

A sentence or two describing who you work/worked for, and what the overall purpose of the role is.

“Delivering ongoing care within a 28-bedded geriatric ward to elderly patients presented with acute to chronic health problems”

Key responsibilities

List the key tasks you carry out during your role, and show how they impact your employer, colleagues and patients.

  • Ensuring the timely and accurate completion of all administration and documentation
  • Conducting patient assessments, planning and supervising the safe and compassionate delivery of care
  • Liaising with ward managers and doctors to arrange plans and schedules 

Achievements

Add any achievements made during the role, that have made a big positive effect in your workplace.

Contributed significantly to raising standards across local community nursing; observing and mentoring Junior Nurses, and improving care metrics by an average of 10%

Quick tip:  If you worry that your written English isn’t perfect, try using our quick-and-easy CV Builder  to eliminate the risk of making mistakes.

Education and qualifications

When applying for a job as a nurse, it’s important to make sure you have the right qualifications for nursing.

Anyone wishing to work as a nurse, regardless of the role, must possess a degree in nursing.

Your education and qualifications should come directly after your work experience, and be listed from the most recently achieved.

Any qualifications relevant to the role you’re applying for should be listed in this section.

Although every nursing role will be different, there are certain skills that are essential to nurses across the board.

Here are a few of them…

Patient care – The ability to care for patients is paramount to a nurse’s skill set and should be evident throughout your CV.

Knowledge of medication – Administering medications and understanding their effects is another crucial skill for most nurses.

Ward management – Not only is this skill useful if you plan on climbing the ranks within a ward, but it will also show that you know how a ward is run, and have a deeper insight into staffing levels and patient bed allocation charts.

Hygiene and health – Ensuring you know what your patients area eating, and that they are clean and comfortable in their beds

When applying for nursing roles, a good CV that’s well structured and formatted in a professional, clear way is essential.

It’s also important to highlight your key skills, and show what you can bring to any role so you have the best chances of standing out and being selected.

Hopefully this guide has provided you with some useful tips to get you started.

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