resume for nursing job with experience

Build my resume

• Resume builder
• Build a better resume in minutes
• Resume examples
• 2,000+ examples that work in 2024
• Resume templates
• 184 free templates for all levels
• Cover letters
• Cover letter generator
• It's like magic, we promise
• Cover letter examples
• Free downloads in Word & Docs

28 Nursing Resume Examples That Worked in 2024

• 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

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

• 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

• 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

• 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.

• 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

• 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

• 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

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Resume

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

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.

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.

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:

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. 

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

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 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 .

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!

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

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 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: 

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

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! 

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.

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.

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

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?

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.

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 

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

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

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.

By clicking download, you agree to receive email newsletters and special offers from Nurse.org. You may unsubscribe at any time by using the unsubscribe link, found at the bottom of every email.

Your request has been received. Thanks!

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:

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 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.

Plus, get exclusive access to discounts for nurses, stay informed on the latest nurse news, and learn how to take the next steps in your career.

By clicking “Join Now”, you agree to receive email newsletters and special offers from Nurse.org. We will not sell or distribute your email address to any third party, and you may unsubscribe at any time by using the unsubscribe link, found at the bottom of every email.

Resume Worded   |  Proven Resume Examples

• Resume Examples
• Medical Resumes
• Nursing Resume Guide & Examples

Experienced Nurse Resume Examples: Proven To Get You Hired In 2024

Jump to a template:

• Experienced Nurse
• Clinical Nurse Manager
• Nursing Officer
• Clinical Nurse Consultant
• Nurse Unit Manager

Get advice on each section of your resume:

Jump to a resource:

• Experienced Nurse Resume Tips

Experienced Nurse Resume Template

Download in google doc, word or pdf for free. designed to pass resume screening software in 2022., experienced nurse resume sample.

As an experienced nurse, you've seen it all. You're the backbone of the healthcare system, working long hours to care for patients and being a team leader. In recent years, the healthcare industry has seen a growth in roles that require experienced nurses due to an aging population and the increasing complexity of care. When tailoring your resume for this role, it's important to highlight your experience, specialized skills, and the results you've achieved. While the pandemic has put nursing roles in the spotlight, it's also crucial to show how you adapted during these challenging times. Hiring managers are looking for nurses who can handle crises, adapt to changes quickly, and take a lead role in a team. Showcase your resilience and leadership skills in your resume and make sure it feels personal. No two nursing roles are ever the same, just as no two resumes should ever be identical.

We're just getting the template ready for you, just a second left.

Recruiter Insight: Why this resume works in 2022

Tips to help you write your experienced nurse resume in 2024,    highlight your specialized skills.

As an experienced nurse, you've no doubt gained some specialized skills. Perhaps you're an expert in critical care, or you've got a knack for pediatric nursing. Highlight these specialties on your resume. Not only do they showcase your experience, but they also show you're a nurse with a wider skill set.

   Show off your leadership skills

In a job where difficult decisions are made daily, leadership is crucial. You may have mentored new nurses, spearheaded a new initiative, or simply taken charge in a crisis. Show hiring managers you're not just a team player, but a potential team leader. It's these qualities that differentiate experienced nurses from the rest.

As an experienced nurse, you’ll want to emphasize your experience in the field and advanced skill set. You may find yourself moving into positions of leadership or other increased responsibilities, which means highlighting transferable skills and evidence of solid career progression. Your accomplishments are key — instead of listing as many bullet points as you can, consider your most impressive achievements, particularly ones that demonstrate leadership and commitment.

   Bullet points feature strong action verbs to highlight nursing accomplishments

Choosing the right action verb is key to presenting your accomplishments in a positive, proactive light. Verbs like “assisted” and “collaborated” show your ability to work well in a large healthcare team, while ones like “organized,” “coordinated,” and “spearheaded” emphasize your willingness to take on leadership roles and higher-level responsibilities.

   Emphasize career growth in the nursing field

As you move on to more experienced roles, you’ll want to emphasize career progression in your resume. You can demonstrate growth through your job titles, bullet points, or both. Even if you haven’t been formally promoted or your job titles don’t show an obvious progression, you can make this clear by highlighting increased responsibilities in your accomplishments.

Clinical Nurse Manager Resume Sample

Nursing officer resume sample, clinical nurse consultant resume sample, nurse unit manager resume sample.

We spoke with experienced nurse recruiters and hiring managers at top healthcare organizations like Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins Medicine, and Cleveland Clinic to gather their best tips for experienced nurse resumes. Here's what they shared:

   Quantify your nursing achievements

Numbers speak louder than words. Whenever possible, use specific metrics to showcase your accomplishments:

• Managed a 20-bed ICU unit with a 95% patient satisfaction rate
• Reduced catheter-associated urinary tract infections by 30% through implementing a new protocol
• Trained and mentored 15 new graduate nurses

Quantifying your achievements helps hiring managers understand the scope and impact of your work.

   Tailor your resume to the specific role

Avoid using the same generic resume for every job application. Instead:

• Read the job description carefully and identify the key skills and experience required
• Highlight your most relevant qualifications that match the job requirements
• Use similar language and terminology as the job posting

Tailoring your resume shows the hiring manager that you're a strong fit for the specific role and increases your chances of getting an interview.

   Showcase your specialized nursing skills

As an experienced nurse, you likely have specialized skills in certain areas. Make sure to highlight these on your resume:

• Proficient in caring for high-risk obstetrics patients
• Skilled in managing ventilated patients and titrating drips
• Experienced in caring for post-operative orthopedic patients

Avoid simply listing basic nursing skills that every nurse has:

• Vital signs
• Medication administration
• Patient assessment

Instead, focus on the specialized skills that set you apart from other candidates.

   Include relevant certifications and credentials

Certifications demonstrate your expertise and commitment to professional development. Be sure to include any relevant certifications you have earned:

• CCRN (Critical Care Registered Nurse)
• CEN (Certified Emergency Nurse)
• OCN (Oncology Certified Nurse)

List your certifications in a separate section on your resume to make them easy for hiring managers to find. Also, include the expiration date if applicable to show that your certification is current.

   Highlight your leadership experience

As an experienced nurse, you may have taken on leadership roles such as:

• Charge nurse responsible for overseeing a 30-bed med-surg unit
• Preceptor for 10 new graduate nurses during their orientation
• Unit council representative collaborating with management on quality improvement initiatives

Leadership experience is highly valued by employers, as it demonstrates your ability to take on additional responsibility and mentor others. If you have served in any leadership capacities, make sure to include them prominently on your resume.

   Show your career progression

Hiring managers want to see that you have progressed in your nursing career over time. Make sure your resume reflects your professional growth:

2018-Present: ICU Nurse, City Hospital 2016-2018: ER Nurse, County Medical Center 2014-2016: Med-Surg Nurse, Regional Health System

By showing your career progression, you demonstrate your ability to take on increasing levels of responsibility and advance in your nursing career.

In contrast, a resume that shows a stagnant career progression may raise red flags:

2012-Present: Staff Nurse, ABC Hospital 2010-2012: Staff Nurse, XYZ Clinic 2008-2010: Staff Nurse, 123 Nursing Home

If you have held the same position for many years without any advancement, consider highlighting how your responsibilities and skills have grown in the role over time.

Writing Your Experienced Nurse Resume: Section By Section

  summary.

For experienced nurses, a resume summary is an optional section that can be used to provide context and highlight key qualifications not already covered in other sections. While a summary is not required, it can be particularly useful for nurses who are changing specialties or have a lot of experience to summarize. Keep in mind that a resume is already a summary of your qualifications, so avoid repeating information that is already covered elsewhere.

When writing a summary for an experienced nurse resume, focus on your most relevant skills, experiences, and accomplishments. Tailor your summary to the specific job you are applying for, and use keywords from the job description to help your resume pass through applicant tracking systems (ATS). However, be sure to avoid overused buzzwords and soft skills that don't provide meaningful information to hiring managers.

To learn how to write an effective resume summary for your Experienced Nurse resume, or figure out if you need one, please read Experienced Nurse Resume Summary Examples , or Experienced Nurse Resume Objective Examples .

1. Highlight your nursing specialties and expertise

When crafting your summary, focus on your specific areas of expertise within the nursing field. Consider the following examples:

• Experienced nurse with a passion for patient care and a strong work ethic.
• Dedicated and compassionate registered nurse with 5+ years of experience.

Instead, highlight your nursing specialties and the depth of your experience, like this:

• Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) with 7+ years of experience in high-volume ICU and emergency departments.
• Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN) with a proven track record of providing compassionate care to cancer patients and their families.

By showcasing your specific expertise, you demonstrate your value to potential employers and help your resume stand out from other experienced nurses.

2. Quantify your nursing achievements and impact

When possible, use numbers and metrics to quantify your achievements and demonstrate your impact as a nurse. Compare the following examples:

• Experienced nurse with strong patient care and communication skills.
• Registered nurse with a history of providing excellent patient care and collaborating with healthcare teams.

Now, see how quantifying your achievements makes your summary more impactful:

• Trauma nurse with 10+ years of experience managing high-acuity patients, resulting in a 15% reduction in patient complications and a 95% patient satisfaction rate.
• Skilled ICU nurse who trained and mentored 20+ new graduate nurses, contributing to a 30% improvement in staff retention rates.

ICU Registered Nurse with 6+ years of experience managing high-acuity patients in fast-paced, high-pressure environments. Proven track record of implementing evidence-based practices to improve patient outcomes, resulting in a 20% reduction in central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) and a 25% decrease in ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) rates. Recognized as a leader in staff development, having trained and mentored 15+ new graduate nurses.

  Experience

Your work experience section is the heart of your resume. It's where you show hiring managers what you've accomplished in previous roles, and how that translates to the nursing position you're applying for. Here are some key tips to make your work experience section stand out:

1. Use strong nursing action verbs

When describing your nursing experience, use powerful action verbs that showcase your skills and accomplishments. Avoid generic phrases like "responsible for" or "participated in."

Instead of this:

• Responsible for assessing patient conditions
• Participated in creating treatment plans
• Assessed patient conditions using advanced diagnostic techniques
• Collaborated with physicians to develop individualized treatment plans

Other strong nursing verbs include: administered, monitored, educated, advocated, and coordinated.

2. Highlight your nursing specialties and expertise

As an experienced nurse, you likely have specialized skills and certifications. Make sure to highlight these in your work experience to stand out from other candidates. For example:

• Provided critical care to high-acuity patients in a 20-bed ICU
• Served as a certified wound care nurse, managing complex wounds
• Trained as a psychiatric nurse, handling patient crises and providing counseling

If you have experience with specific patient populations, like pediatrics or geriatrics, mention that too. The more specialized and relevant your experience is to the job, the better.

3. Quantify your impact with numbers and metrics

To really make your experience stand out, use numbers and metrics to show the impact you've had in previous roles. This helps hiring managers see the tangible value you can bring to their organization.

Here are some examples:

• Managed a caseload of 25+ patients per shift
• Reduced catheter-associated infections by 30% through implementing a new protocol
• Educated 50+ patients per month on post-surgical care, reducing readmission rates

Think about the patient outcomes you've improved, efficiencies you've created, or money you've saved, and use those numbers in your bullet points.

4. Show your career progression and leadership

Hiring managers love to see career growth and progression on a resume. If you've been promoted, taken on leadership roles, or expanded your responsibilities, make that clear in your work experience section.

Nurse Manager, City Hospital (2018-Present) Charge Nurse, City Hospital (2016-2018) Staff Nurse, City Hospital (2014-2016)

For your most recent or current role, provide more detail and bullet points to show the depth of your experience. For older roles, you can be more concise and focus on the key highlights.

Also mention any leadership experience you have, such as:

• Supervised and mentored a team of 10 junior nurses
• Led interdisciplinary care coordination meetings

  Education

The education section of your experienced nurse resume should be concise yet impactful. It's a chance to showcase your academic achievements and relevant certifications. Follow these tips to craft an education section that enhances your resume and sets you apart from other candidates.

1. List your nursing degree first

As an experienced nurse, your nursing degree is your most important educational credential. Make sure to list it first in your education section.

Here's an example of how to format your nursing degree:

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) University of California, Los Angeles Graduated: May 2015

If you have a master's or doctoral degree in nursing, list that first, followed by your bachelor's degree.

2. Include relevant coursework and clinical experience

If you're a recent graduate or have limited work experience, you can bolster your education section by listing relevant coursework and clinical rotations. This shows employers that you have hands-on experience in specific areas of nursing.

However, if you have several years of nursing experience, it's best to focus on your professional accomplishments rather than your coursework. In this case, your education section can be brief:

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), 2018 Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), 2013 University of Pennsylvania

3. Highlight your nursing licensure and certifications

In addition to your nursing degree, make sure to include your RN license and any relevant certifications you've earned. These demonstrate your expertise and commitment to professional development.

Here's an example of how to list your nursing license and certifications:

Registered Nurse (RN), California, License #123456, Expires 06/2024 Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), American Heart Association, Expires 12/2023 Certified Critical Care Nurse (CCRN), American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, Expires 09/2024

If you have several certifications, you may want to create a separate "Certifications" section to highlight them.

4. Keep it concise for senior-level positions

If you're a senior-level nurse with extensive experience, your education section should be brief. Employers will be more interested in your professional accomplishments than your academic background.

Here's an example of a concise education section for a senior nurse:

MSN, Nursing Leadership, Emory University BSN, Emory University

Contrast this with an overly detailed education section that includes irrelevant information:

• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Nursing Leadership, Emory University, Graduated May 2005, GPA 3.8
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Emory University, Graduated May 2000, GPA 3.6
• Relevant Coursework: Nursing Leadership, Healthcare Finance, Healthcare Policy, Nursing Informatics

As a senior nurse, your experience speaks for itself. Keep your education section short and sweet.

  Skills

The skills section of your resume is a key part of showing hiring managers that you are the right fit for the role. As an experienced nurse, it's important to highlight your clinical expertise, certifications, and the tools and techniques you use on the job.

In this section, we'll cover what to include in your skills section, and how to format it for maximum impact.

1. Include a mix of clinical and technical skills

When listing your skills, be sure to include both clinical and technical skills that are relevant to the nursing role you are applying for. Here are some examples:

• Clinical skills : Patient assessment, wound care, medication administration, IV therapy, patient education
• Technical skills : Electronic health records (EHR), medical devices, coding and billing software

By including a mix of both clinical and technical skills, you show that you have the well-rounded expertise needed to excel in the role.

2. Use keywords from the job description

Many hospitals and healthcare organizations use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to screen resumes for relevant keywords. To ensure your resume makes it past the ATS and into the hands of a hiring manager, be sure to include skills and keywords from the job description.

For example, if the job description mentions "ACLS certification" as a requirement, be sure to list that skill on your resume:

ACLS certified BLS certified 12+ years of critical care nursing experience

By contrast, a skills section that lacks specific keywords may get filtered out by the ATS:

Strong clinical skills Excellent patient care Experienced nurse

3. Quantify your skills where possible

Whenever possible, quantify your skills to give hiring managers a sense of the scope and impact of your expertise. For example:

• Proficient in using Epic EHR for 500+ patient records per week
• Trained 20+ new graduate nurses on proper medication administration techniques
• Managed a 12-bed ICU with a patient satisfaction score of 95%

By including numbers and metrics, you provide concrete evidence of your abilities and make your skills more impactful.

4. Tailor your skills to the specific nursing role

While it may be tempting to list every skill you possess on your resume, it's important to tailor your skills section to the specific nursing role you are applying for. Focus on skills that are most relevant and transferable to that particular job.

For example, if you are applying for a pediatric nursing role, highlight skills such as:

• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification
• Experience with pediatric medication dosing and administration
• Knowledge of common pediatric illnesses and treatments

By tailoring your skills section, you show the hiring manager that you have the specific expertise they are looking for and increase your chances of landing an interview.

Skills For Experienced Nurse Resumes

Here are examples of popular skills from Experienced Nurse job descriptions that you can include on your resume.

• Patient Safety
• Nursing Process
• Quality Improvement
• Medical-Surgical
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
• Public Health
• Strategic Planning

Skills Word Cloud For Experienced Nurse Resumes

This word cloud highlights the important keywords that appear on Experienced Nurse job descriptions and resumes. The bigger the word, the more frequently it appears on job postings, and the more likely you should include it in your resume.

How to use these skills?

Similar resume templates, case manager.

Occupational Therapist

• Quality Control Resume Guide
• Clinical Research Resume Guide
• Medical Billing Resume Guide
• Nursing Resume Guide
• SLP Resume Guide

Resume Guide: Detailed Insights From Recruiters

• Nursing Resume Guide & Examples for 2022

Improve your Experienced Nurse resume, instantly.

Use our free resume checker to get expert feedback on your resume. You will:

•  Get a resume score compared to other Experienced Nurse resumes in your industry.

•  Fix all your resume's mistakes.

•  Find the Experienced Nurse skills your resume is missing.

•  Get rid of hidden red flags the hiring managers and resume screeners look for.

It's instant, free and trusted by 1+ million job seekers globally. Get a better resume, guaranteed .

Experienced Nurse Resumes

• Template #1: Experienced Nurse
• Template #2: Experienced Nurse
• Template #3: Experienced Nurse
• Template #4: Clinical Nurse Manager
• Template #5: Nursing Officer
• Template #6: Clinical Nurse Consultant
• Template #7: Nurse Unit Manager
• Skills for Experienced Nurse Resumes
• Free Experienced Nurse Resume Review
• Other Medical Resumes
• Experienced Nurse Interview Guide
• Experienced Nurse Sample Cover Letters
• Alternative Careers to a Nursing Manager
• All Resumes
• Resume Action Verbs

Download this PDF template.

Creating an account is free and takes five seconds. you'll get access to the pdf version of this resume template., choose an option..

• Have an account? Sign in

E-mail Please enter a valid email address This email address hasn't been signed up yet, or it has already been signed up with Facebook or Google login.

Password Show Your password needs to be between 6 and 50 characters long, and must contain at least 1 letter and 1 number. It looks like your password is incorrect.

Remember me

Forgot your password?

Sign up to get access to Resume Worded's Career Coaching platform in less than 2 minutes

Name Please enter your name correctly

E-mail Remember to use a real email address that you have access to. You will need to confirm your email address before you get access to our features, so please enter it correctly. Please enter a valid email address, or another email address to sign up. We unfortunately can't accept that email domain right now. This email address has already been taken, or you've already signed up via Google or Facebook login. We currently are experiencing a very high server load so Email signup is currently disabled for the next 24 hours. Please sign up with Google or Facebook to continue! We apologize for the inconvenience!

Password Show Your password needs to be between 6 and 50 characters long, and must contain at least 1 letter and 1 number.

Receive resume templates, real resume samples, and updates monthly via email

By continuing, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy .

Lost your password? Please enter the email address you used when you signed up. We'll send you a link to create a new password.

E-mail This email address either hasn't been signed up yet, or you signed up with Facebook or Google. This email address doesn't look valid.

Back to log-in

These professional templates are optimized to beat resume screeners (i.e. the Applicant Tracking System). You can download the templates in Word, Google Docs, or PDF. For free (limited time).

   access samples from top resumes, get inspired by real bullet points that helped candidates get into top companies.,    get a resume score., find out how effective your resume really is. you'll get access to our confidential resume review tool which will tell you how recruiters see your resume..

Writing an effective resume has never been easier .

Upgrade to resume worded pro to unlock your full resume review., get this resume template (+ 43 others), plus proven bullet points., for a small one-time fee, you'll get everything you need to write a winning resume in your industry., here's what you'll get:.

• 📄 Get the editable resume template in Google Docs + Word . Plus, you'll also get all 43 other templates .
• ✍️ Get sample bullet points that worked for others in your industry . Copy proven lines and tailor them to your resume.
• 🎯 Optimized to pass all resume screeners (i.e. ATS) . All templates have been professionally designed by recruiters and 100% readable by ATS.

Buy now. Instant delivery via email.

  instant access. one-time only., what's your email address.

I had a clear uptick in responses after using your template. I got many compliments on it from senior hiring staff, and my resume scored way higher when I ran it through ATS resume scanners because it was more readable. Thank you!

Thank you for the checklist! I realized I was making so many mistakes on my resume that I've now fixed. I'm much more confident in my resume now.

The Best Resume Guide for Nurses

How to Write a Nursing Resume

Addressing required vs. preferred qualifications, types of nursing resumes.

• What Should Your Resume Include

Are you ready to earn your online nursing degree?

Whether you are a recent nursing school graduate or an experienced healthcare professional, writing a nursing resume that accurately and persuasively depicts your education, skills, and characteristics is the first step to getting an interview.

Since this important document is the initial impression you will make on a hiring manager, you must craft a resume that creatively addresses the employer’s requirements and highlights your professional achievements, helping you stand out from other qualified applicants.

The nursing field heavily relies on extensive practical training, certification and registered nurse licensure , and specialization, so it is important that your resume highlights your qualifications. Even personal qualities should emphasize practical applications (e.g., how your compassionate nature enables you to connect with patients or how your bilingualism helps you accommodate diverse populations as a nurse ).

Being specific can make a resume exceptional. Through this guide, you can learn how to tailor your nursing resume to an employer’s mission and job description.

Do Your Research

Learning how to write a nursing resume requires dedicated research that allows you to target information to your potential employer. On top of carefully going through the job description, look at the employer’s website and social media platforms to figure out their culture and values.

Some healthcare facilities emphasize education and certification, while others want nurses with more clinical experience. Find out what they want in an ideal employee and tailor your application accordingly. It is equally important to consider your needs and if the job fits your standards for professional advancement and personal happiness.

Write Down Your Key Points

Format your resume.

For more details and examples, see our tips for writing a nursing resume .

Addressing a potential employer’s specifications is the main objective in writing a nursing resume. But before writing, it’s important to identify required versus preferred job qualifications.

Because this profession necessitates advanced academic and professional training in addition to licensure and nursing clinical experience , job postings for nurses include extensive requirements that are either required or preferred criteria. Required reflects qualifications a candidate must possess to warrant consideration, while preferred is typically a wishlist of additional skills, experiences, and character traits that benefit the position but are not mandatory.

An effective resume details how an applicant fulfills required qualifications and as many of the preferred qualifications as possible without crowding the page and rendering the information inaccessible. Nurses can take advantage of a cover letter to elaborate and fill in additional qualifications with anecdotal evidence and data, if possible.

While some healthcare facilities outright reject applicants who do not possess all their required qualifications, most see the job listing as a guideline and not a checklist. Even if a nurse does not meet all the standards, they should still apply if they can impress during the interview.

Popular Online RN-to-BSN Programs

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Ultimately, a resume represents the individual person, their academic standing, professional achievements, personal qualities, and career potential. How do you write a nursing resume that gets all these points across? Choose the proper formatting.

There are three main resume formats, each with their unique structure and distinct purpose: the reverse chronological, the functional, and the combination. Nurses need to use the resume style that best suits their particular skill set and the position they are vying for.

Reverse Chronological

The most commonly used resume type, this form benefits nurses who possess extensive and relevant professional experience. Here, past employment is the most important element, with positions listed in reverse chronological order. However, this reliable resume structure comes with drawbacks, as it can highlight gaps in employment, frequent job changes, and the candidate’s age.

Also referred to as the skill-based resume, this format highlights awards, accomplishments, and training, making it preferable for recent college graduates and other professionals who lack relevant work history. One of the major drawbacks of the functional resume is that it can expose a candidate’s limited experience in the nursing field.

Combination

The most complex resume type, the combination format eschews the either-or structure of the previous forms, enabling professionals to showcase relevant professional experience and skills and training. Experienced nurses, especially those with clinical specializations, benefit most from this resume form. However, versatility also renders it more difficult to construct, as the large amount of information can confuse readers if not conveyed clearly.

What Should I Include on a Nursing Resume?

Education and training.

The American Nurses Credentialing Center provides a standardized way of listing all your credentials. The preferred sectional order is education, licensure, state designations, certification, awards and honors, and additional certification. Start with your highest degree, then work backwards.

You do not need to include high school information or graduation dates. If you are currently working on a degree, state that completion is pending or in progress. Whether you provide GPA information is up to you. Generally, it is only worthwhile if you graduated in the last three years and earned a 3.5 or better.

Display professional nursing experience in reverse chronological order, starting with your current or most recent position. If you have gaps in employment, prepare to address them. Consider listing facility- and unit-specific information, including total beds, trauma levels, and patient demographics. Specificity when writing a nursing resume elevates it from good to great.

For example, while both positions require a great deal of stamina, a nursing home nurse does not fulfill the same responsibilities as an urgent care nurse. By framing professional experience through a personal lens, your resume stands out among the rest.

Out of all the resume sections, this one benefits from keyword use the most. You can usually find out what skills an employer wants by analyzing the job description. Tailor this section to meet those needs. Work in categories, such as basic care, technical, administrative, and computer skills.

Be strategic and specific. Instead of “defibrillation insertions,” list “automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator insertions.” Finally, do not neglect soft skills for nurses , like reliability and adaptability or special skills like a foreign or sign language. These details can set you apart from other applicants.

Licensure and Certifications

As a registered nurse, you’ve earned a state-specific nursing license . And because the profession consists of diverse and advanced nursing specializations , you also may have pursued certification exams and postdegree training in areas like gerontology or cardiac-vascular nursing. List them in their entirety and avoid acronyms.

For licenses, use this order: license type, licensing state/body, license name and number, nurse license compact , and expiration date. For certifications, start with the name, followed by conferring organization, expiration, and certification number, if applicable.

Awards, Accomplishments, and Affiliations

Celebrate all relevant achievements, but do it honestly and in a way that reflects your ongoing commitment to nursing and capacity for high performance in the new position. These achievements may include academic recognition; official awards; and competitive scholarships, fellowships, grants, and internships. Also display membership in professional organizations, such as the American Nurses Association or Sigma Theta Tau, the international honor society of nursing.

As an experienced professional, you may find that you possess an abundance of awards and accomplishments. In these instances, narrow them to the most prestigious, current, and applicable to the job you are applying for.

Volunteer Work

Unpaid positions let prospective employers know you understand the importance of community education, outreach, and engagement. Only include volunteer work that relates to nursing or the health services field. As always, when writing a nursing resume, furnish specific details that showcase your skills in action (e.g., you managed a 10-person team to canvas a neighborhood about HIV/AIDS prevention).

What Should I Put on My Nursing Resume If I Don’t Have Any Experience?

For recent college graduates, professionals switching careers, and those with limited clinical experience, learning how to write a resume for a nursing job may seem overwhelming. You can make up for inexperience by using a functional hybrid resume format that places academic credentials, qualifications, and skills above the employment section. Additionally, you have completed extensive training as a student and perhaps continuing education, so highlight state licensure, optional certification, and organizational membership to further bolster your resume.

Start with a personal introduction that states more than just the obvious (that you want the job), but also speaks to your professional values as a nurse and the training and education you possess. The lack of contextualization can represent a major pitfall of the functional resume. Avoid this by making your skills applicable to actual work scenarios that relate to a nurse’s duties.

Hospital managers seek employees who display skills, such as critical thinking, safe practice, customer service, and interpersonal communication. As a nursing student, you completed hours of clinical training. Use these experiences to show employers your skills in action, framing them in terms of achievements.

Finally, take full advantage of volunteer positions, giving them their own section, to show that you not only display the practical qualifications for the job, but also care passionately about the well-being of patients and healthcare equitability for all communities.

What Is a Resume-Reading Robot/ATS?

To deal with a flood of candidates, many employers use an applicant tracking system (ATS). Like a hiring manager quickly scanning for standouts among the group, the ATS ranks and categorizes nursing resumes by how many designated keywords they contain. This automated process reduces an employer’s manual workload and theoretically vets resumes with a large amount of filler content, an indication of unqualified applicants.

However, the ATS may also unnecessarily reject qualified nurses as part of automated software processes. To avoid this unfair outcome, learning how to write a nurse resume requires working within and overcoming the ATS framework.

Tips for Outsmarting an ATS

• Simple Headers: To accommodate the ATS, use header terms common enough to show up in keyword searches, such as “skills,” “professional experience,” and “education.” Do not neglect to include city, state, and, if living outside the U.S., country, because employers generally vet candidates by location.
• Clean Format: Engaging visuals are useless if they make your resume difficult to read. Use a simple format that contains no graphics or unusual fonts because the standard ATS cannot process such information, resulting in an automatic rejection. In general, Verdana, Tahoma, and Arial fonts at the 10.5 point size or above are acceptable.
• Keywords/Phrases: You can usually glean relevant keywords from the job description. If not, conduct some research into phrases commonly found in the nursing field, such as “patient care,” “clinical research,” and “community outreach.” Avoid abbreviations in all cases.
• Industry-Specific Jargon: ATS keywords reveal a candidate’s relevant skills and experiences. The more specific a keyword is to the particular position you are applying for, the better. When in doubt, use the hiring employer’s phrases first, industry standards second, and your current or previous employer’s terminology third.
• Choose the nursing resume type that best highlights your experience, personality, and qualifications.
• Be specific; specificity helps your resume stand out from the rest.
• Format your resume using headers and keywords that make it easy to read — whether by a person or an applicant tracking system.

Whether you’re looking to get your pre-licensure degree or taking the next step in your career, the education you need could be more affordable than you think. Find the right nursing program for you.

You might be interested in

Best Online Nursing Programs and Degrees

Overwhelmed by the abundance of online nursing programs? This guide can help you navigate the possibilities and narrow down the options.

Nurse Practitioner Career Overview

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Career Overview

• Skip to main content
• Skip to footer

Incredible Health

Empowering healthcare professionals to find and do their best work.

The Best Nursing Resume Guide for 2024 With Templates

Mar 14 2024

Career Resources / Job Searching / Nursing Resume Guide

Reviewed by: Kiley Griffin, R.N.

Imagine a registered nurse going into a patient’s room without a stethoscope or wearing sandals with their scrubs . The patient would feel confused and uneasy. This example is extreme, but it would relay to the patient their nurse isn’t prepared.

The same holds true regarding your nursing resume. You don’t want to walk into an interview without a quality resume to present to the hiring board.

You may be thinking

“I don’t have time to write a resume, and if I did, where would I start?”

Nurses work long shifts, which can make it difficult to devote time to working on anything outside of their scheduled hours. Accordingly, we have created a guide to help you quickly and easily craft a resume. 

This guide will help you enter the interview feeling confident and prepared. We will explore:  

Nursing Resume Templates

Steps to formatting a professional nursing resume, what to include in your contact section, how to get around the ats, writing your nursing resume objective or summary, how to showcase your skills and duties.

• Keys to Writing Your Experience Section

How to Organize Your Credentials Field on a Nursing Resume

Additional sections to add to your nursing resume.

• Write a Cover Letter to Go With Your Resume

Create a professionally-designed, interview-ready resume in minutes.

We’ve provided three sample nursing resumes as guides along with templates so you can create your own.

Hiring experts generally agree that formatting and content are the most critical elements to focus on when crafting a resume. 

Many healthcare employers are now using applicant tracking software (ATS) as part of the hiring process. This means up to 75% of resumes get rejected before the hiring manager ever sees them.

An ATS quickly scans resumes and then sorts and ranks them based on qualifications. Optimizing your format to key on education and experience can help you gain approval from an ATS.

While you can choose how to format your resume, we encourage you to incorporate a reverse chronological design . This format lists jobs beginning with the most recent first. 

Next, it is essential to choose a format that employs effective white space and utilizes efficient subheadings . We suggest that you set your margins to 1 “. You should align your text to the left since it makes it easier for the ATS robots to scan. 

The best fonts to use for an ATS are Times New Roman or Arial . 

Get job matches in your area + answers to all your nursing career questions

Let's get started

What's your current role?

No need to overthink this. It doesn’t take a quantum leap to make this deduction: Your resume always needs to begin with your name at the top. It would also help to make it the largest font on your resume. 

Next to your name, make sure you include: 

• Credentials : Starting with your highest degree earned, license, state designation, and national certifications.
• Location : You don’t have to include your physical address. City and state will suffice. 
• Phone number : Check that you include the phone number to receive text messages from as some employers will text candidates. 
• Email address : Use a work-appropriate email here. An employer might not take you seriously if your email is: [email protected] . Specifically, for 35% of employers, an unprofessional email address is a major problem.

The applicant tracking software has helped make the recruiting process much more efficient for hiring managers. While there isn’t a definitive process to always beat the ATS, there are general rules to follow to create a resume that will increase your success rate.

• Design your resume to match the job description
• Optimize for the ATS by aligning your resume keywords to the job description
• Use the long-form and spelled out acronyms such as BSN (Bachelor’s of Science)
• Save your file as a .docx, .doc or .pdf format
• Don’t use headers or footers
• Use plain, black bullet points not any special bullet types
• Do not include tables since an ATS can’t read them
• Don’t include a photo or use creative fonts

Think of your nurse resume objective or summary as an elevator pitch. Crafting a good objective is all about precision and brevity.

When to use an objective

Whether you write a nursing resume objective or summary depends on your experience. If you don’t have a lot of experience in nursing, then you should write an objective . Objective statements highlight training and goals for the future. 

Don’t make the mistake of over-emphasizing your relative inexperience. 

Highlight what experience or training you have accumulated. For example, lead with any licensure or state designation you’ve earned to begin your objective. Then go into some of your skills that make you a good fit for the job. 

When to use a summary

If you have experience in the field, we suggest that you use a resume summary. 

Within the summary, make sure you include how many years you’ve been in the field with your designation or licensure and specific field expertise. Then outline your goal in applying. 

Here’s an example:

Hard-working and passionate Registered Nurse with over eight years of management/supervising experience and paramedic background looking to continue to grow and enhance my skills for the wellness of the facility. Currently completing my master’s in nursing with a specialty in Executive Leadership .

A good nursing resume will highlight hard and soft skills. A lot of your job depends on performing specific duties, and the recruiter will hone in on those when scanning your resume. 

Most professions emphasize accomplishments in a resume over skills and duties . For many, accomplishment-driven resumes highlight what an individual can do for a company. However, the nursing field prefers a skill-driven resume . Healthcare employers need to feel comfortable that you can perform the skills necessary for the job.

That said, employers also want to know about your accomplishments as well. The best nursing resumes are able to incorporate a professional accomplishment with a skill.

• Hard skills display your understanding of job-specific roles and obligations (such as taking vital signs or administering medication).
• Soft skills demonstrate your personality fit within the team (such as communication or leadership skills). 

Tailor your skills to the role outlined within the job description. If you have administered chemotherapy drugs or radiation therapies, then place it in there. Be specific! 

Keys to Writing Your Experience Section 

This is the meat and potatoes of your resume. Writing a striking experience section will go a long way in securing a terrific nursing job. 

Nursing recruiters are not looking for fluff or abstraction. They want specific and detailed accounts of your work over the years. 

Make it scannable

To start, you want to use easily distinguishable section headers such as “employment history” or “relevant experience.” These buzzwords make the ATS happy. 

We suggest writing your experience down in reverse chronological order. 

Start with your most recent position and go from there. Now, if you have held jobs dating back to the Reagan administration or when The Sopranos was on TV, maybe don’t include those. 

Try to keep your job history within the last 20 years. 

Quantify your experience

Instead of just listing your responsibilities with bullet points, convey your accomplishments using quantitative measurements when possible.

For example, instead of saying: “Helped discharge patients.”

Try instead: “Administered 10 discharges an hour during my shift. Provided ample health care education to patient and family members.”

The second example is more specific and detailed. It gives your employer a good idea as to your efficiency. Also, “administered” evokes more responsibility than “helped.”

Here’s an example of an excellent experience section:

You should also consider including the unit type you worked in. Did you work in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit or an Emergency Room ?

Be descriptive

When highlighting your experience, use strong action verbs such as “assisted” or “displayed.” 

Lastly, highlight transferable attributes that can apply to any position , including leadership skills, project development, or communication.

You may have significant credentials to help you secure a great nursing position. There’s no problem with having credentials. The problem occurs when you don’t know how to organize your credentials effectively. 

Imagine a symphony conductor with great individual cello players that don’t know how to play in sync with each other–it would be chaos.

The same goes for organizing your certifications. You may have great credentials, but not arranging them correctly could create issues for your resume. 

Luckily, there is an industry-standard for listing your credentials. 

The following order is encouraged:

Education : Start with the year you graduated, degree type and major, university name, and GPA (if it was 3.5 and above). If you went to a prestigious school, you could also start with that. Additionally, if you are worried about age discrimination, we’d suggest you leave out the years studied. Unfortunately, ageism sometimes plays a role in the hiring of nurses.

2012-2014 Master’s of Science in Nursing Duke University School of Nursing, 3.7 GPA

Your Licensure : With licensure, the important part is determining where to put them. If nurses have one or two licenses they will put them after their degree. However, if you have an extensive list of licenses, it may be better to place them in their own section.

It’s crucial to include the following:

• License number
• License type ( LPN , RN , or CNA )
• Name of the license (if different than the name on your resume)
• State of licensure
• Expiration date
• If you have a license that falls under the nurse licensure compact

Sample Nursing Resume License Entry:

Registered Nurse (RN): License number 3378931 Arizona State Board of Licensing, Active since January 2018

State Designations: These generally include more advanced destinations for nurses at the state level. Examples include the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist and Nurse Practitioner . 

Certifications : Your certifications demonstrate a commitment to improving as a nurse. Nurses can work without certifications in many cases. However, some jobs offer pay raises for nurses that have them.

We suggest the following order for listing your certifications:

• Name of the Certification and the Acronym: For example, Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, ACNP-AG
• The Certifying Organization: Such as the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
• The Certificate’s Expiration Date
• The Certification Number

Sample nursing resume certification:

Acute Care Nurse Practitioner from the American Association of Critical Care Nurses, Current – 2018

Awards and Honors: Your awards and honors can include those received in school or at another job. You want to list the name of the award, the awarding body, and the date received.

You may feel like you’ve put a lot of work into your resume up to this point. You have. Since you’re trying to land the perfect nursing job, you want to make sure that you round out your resume . The other sections you should add to your resume are:

Conferences and courses

List any additional terms you have completed as a nurse and any conferences you may have attended or even spoken at.  

The ability to speak multiple languages gives you a leg up over your other nursing competition. Don’t hesitate to put in if you know other languages and designate your level of proficiency. 

An employer is hiring a human being, not a robot. They want to hire someone who they can get along with, so listing your hobbies and interests may serve you well. Additionally, listing a hobby might give your supervisor an idea of whether or not you’d be a good culture fit on the team.

Before you wrap up your resume, make sure you proofread it , and if you can, have someone else read it over for you.

You don’t want your resume to get rejected because you spelled “stethoscope” wrong. Last, when saving your resume, make sure you cave it as a word document or PDF compared to any alternative, older file.

Write a Cover Letter to Go With Your Nursing Resume

Our last parting wisdom to you is to have a cover letter that complements your resume. 

The cover letter gives your recruiter the confidence that you are interested in them specifically.

Having a great resume is fine and all,  but it’s much like giving someone a handshake and not giving a greeting.  It’s a complementary piece that needs a cover letter to reinforce and expound on the ideas covered within it. 

 In other words, the cover letter explains why you chose the company and helps them understand that you aren’t just spamming several companies with your resume. 

You’ve made it. Congratulations!

By this point, you’ve put a lot of time into your resume. You should feel proud of yourself. You’re on your way to landing that new job. Now, it’s time to prepare for the interview . If you need help with that, we’ve got you covered as well.

Resume FAQs

You can write it either way. However, make sure you separate each with a comma. For example, write Jane Doe, RN, BSN or Jane Doe, BSN, RN.

There isn’t one skill that stands above the rest as nurses have to possess many different skills. However, some of the most important ones include problem-solving, attention to detail, organizational skills and multitasking.

The Doctor of Nursing Practice ( DNP ) is the highest degree a nurse can obtain within academia.

• Browse jobs
• Free nursing CEUs
• Interview questions
• Job search guides
• New nurse graduates
• Nurse advice Q&A
• Nurse specialty quiz
• Nurses blog
• Nursing degree guides
• Personal finance
• Resume guide

BROWSE JOBS

• Los Angeles
• Philadelphia
• San Francisco
• Washington, DC
• Schedule a demo
• Why Incredible Health
• Customer case studies
• Inside Incredible Health
• Contact & support

Nurse Resume Example & How-to Guide for 2024

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

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

Are there specific resume strategies that nurses should follow?

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

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

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

Here’s some inspiration to get you started:

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

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

How to Format a Nurse Resume

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

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

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

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

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

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

Here’s what we recommend…

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

Use a Nurse Resume Template

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

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

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

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

What to Include in a Nurse Resume

The main sections in a nurse resume are:

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

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

Conferences & Courses

• Professional Affiliations

Interests & Hobbies

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

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

How to Get Your Contact Information Right

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

For your contacts, include:

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

How to Write a Nurse Resume Summary or Objective

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

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

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

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

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

The main difference between the 2 sections is that…

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

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

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

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

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

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

How to Make Your Nurse Work Experience Stand Out

Work experience is the most important section in your resume.

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

• Position name
• Company Name
• Responsibilities & Achievements

Brooklyn Hospital

01/2015 - 06/2019

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

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

Instead of saying:

“Screen patients upon arrival at emergency ward.”

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

So, what’s the difference between the two?

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

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

What if You Don’t Have Work Experience?

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

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

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

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

Use Action Words to Make Your Nurse Resume SHINE!

“Responsible for”

“Worked in”

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

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

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

• Administered
• Specialized

How to List Education Right

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

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

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

MSc in Nursing

University of Southern California

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

Clear? Good!

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

• What if I haven’t finished college?

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

• Do I list my high school education?

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

• What goes first, education or experience?

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

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

Top 30 Skills for a Nurse Resume

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

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

Not sure which skills to pick?

Here are some of the most common nurse skills:

Hard Skills for Nurse Resume:

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

Soft Skills for Nurse Resume:

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

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

Certifications for a Nurse Resume

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

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

Other Resume Sections You Can Include

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Make sure to split the languages by proficiency:

• Intermediate

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

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

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

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

Match Your Cover Letter with Your Resume

Yep, that’s right.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Contact Details

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

Hiring Manager’s Contact Information

Full name, position, location, email.

Opening Paragraph

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

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

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

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

Closing Paragraph

This is where you:

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

Formal Salutations

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

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

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

• Medical Assistant Resume
• Pharmacist Resume
• Dentist Resume

Key Takeaways

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

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

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

Suggested Reading:

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

To provide a safer experience, the best content and great communication, we use cookies. Learn how we use them for non-authenticated users.

• Family Life
• Health and Fitness
• Inspiration
• Healthcare Jobs
• Nursing Jobs
• Travel Nursing
• Nursing School Directory
• Advanced School Search
• Continuing Education
• Graduate Programs
• Nursing Schools
• Best Practices
• Clinic / Outpatient
• Latest Studies
• Patient Care
• Pharma News

Nursing Resume Do’s and Don’ts: How to Craft a Strong Resume

It's time to find a nursing job, and the first step is making sure your  resume is top-tier . But what should you have on your nursing resume? What are hiring managers looking for? What should a registered nurse resume look like?

Whether you're a  new nurse  getting their start or an experienced  RN seeking a change , crafting a solid resume can be the difference between landing a job or not. In this guide, we’ll give you the resume do’s, tell you what to avoid, and explain formatting tips for crafting a strong nursing resume.

What to include on your nursing resume

1. Add your contact info at the very top.  List your full name, credentials, certifications, the best phone number to reach you, and professional email.

2. Create a professional profile.  This is a short resume summary of who you are as a nurse and where you’ll pitch yourself. Make your profile short and to the point. Don't be overly descriptive .  Summarize your qualifications, list your years of relevant experience, and be sure to include some common keywords such as:

• Good verbal and written communication
• Skilled in patient care
• Collaborative

4. Relevant education and training . It's a good idea to list your relevant  certificates and degrees  in reverse chronological order as well, starting with your highest degree. But there's no need to add your high school diploma. If you have degrees that aren't relevant to healthcare or nursing, don't add them. List the name of the degree or certification first, followed by the institution.

5. Use keywords from the job posting.  Since many companies use an  applicant tracking system  (ATS) software to look for specific keywords on resumes, it’s helpful to include the terms the company is looking for. Plus, you always want to tailor your resume for the job you’re applying for. Take a look at the job description, qualifications list, or the career section on the organization's website. From there, use the keywords in your professional summary and throughout your relevant job experience.

6. Include your clinical rotations.  If this is your first nursing job and you don't have any prior work experience, it's okay to list your clinical rotations. But be sure only to include those relevant to the position you are applying for.

7. When describing your skills, use action verbs.  Action verbs are often keywords. Some action verbs to consider are:

• Coordinated
• Administered
• Implemented

8. Highlight your accomplishments, awards, affiliations, and achievements.  This should be the final section of your nursing resume where you’ll include any:

• Awards and honors
• Accomplishments or recognition
• Professional associations or affiliations that are relevant to nursing or healthcare, like  nursing organizations

Your resume is your chance to market yourself and stand out from other applicants. Use this as an opportunity to highlight what you have to offer. Ask yourself: Have you sat on committees? Did you spearhead a program? Have you been asked to speak to local groups or organizations?

Don't just use your resume to reiterate job descriptions. Use it to sell yourself. And if you have limited nursing experience, focus on your clinical skills that will be beneficial in your new role.

Are you highly skilled in simplifying medical terminology so that patients understand? Do you have any certifications? Are you bilingual or multilingual? List anything that may make you stand out from another applicant.

Once you get past the application process and land your next job interview, here are some  common nursing interview questions  to consider in your preparation.

What NOT to do on your nursing resume

1. Don't list hobbies or non-nursing activities.  Your resume is to show your professional skills and qualifications. Therefore, avoid listing hobbies or personal activities, especially if they are unrelated to the nursing position you're applying for. If asked during the  interview process , it's okay to mention these (as a way to set yourself apart) but leave them off your resume.

2. Don't mention any personal health information.  Once you get the job and begin your onboarding paperwork, you'll have plenty of space to note any private health-related information. For now, skip mentioning your height, weight, marital status, or other irrelevant personal information on your resume.

4. Don't have a long resume.  It's best to keep your resume to one page. But if you can't squeeze all of your experience onto one, two pages are okay.

5. Don't include experiences irrelevant to nursing.  New grad nurses  often make the mistake of "fluffing up" their resumes to boost their professional experience. However, your work experience before your nursing career is irrelevant. Only include experiences related to nursing, such as a certified nursing assistant or patient care tech experience.

It's also okay to mention unpaid nursing experiences, such as volunteer work, a preceptorship, or an internship. List these unpaid experiences under "professional experience" instead of "work experience."

6. Don't get too creative or colorful.  Leave the fancy, colored font and paper for things other than your resume. Instead, stick to black as the color and use a standard font like Times New Roman or Arial that is easy to read. Also, keep your font size between 10.5 and 12 for readability.

7. Don't list your full address . It's not necessary to add your full address. However, be sure at least to add your city and state in your contact section.

How to format your nursing resume for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)

Many healthcare organizations use applicant tracking systems to weed through resumes. How it works is the ATS scans the resumes and "tags" the ones with keywords and high percentages of compatibility for the job. Also, resumes go through ATS before even reaching the desk of a recruiter or hiring manager.

Here are some tips to make sure your resume passes the  scan: 

• Keep your formatting clean and simple . This means avoiding fancy fonts, pictures, icons, etc. Use a font size between 10.5 and 12, Times New Roman or Arial font, and only use black ink.
• Use the keywords.  ATS programs are programmed to recognize keywords, and resumes that include relevant keywords and phrases are flagged and sent to the "highly compatible pile." Take a look at the job description and make sure that your resume has keywords or phrases that match it. Additionally, include key terms in your professional summary and work experience. You also should avoid abbreviations and acronyms. But if you must use acronyms, spell out the word first and then list the acronym in parenthesis.
• Keep your section headings simple.  Use standard header terms like "skills," "education," "work experience." Don't try to be fancy here.

Now that your resume is ready don’t forget to update it when you  apply to other jobs . You always want to customize your resume for the position you’re applying for, so that may include changing your keywords or adding relevant accomplishments or clinical rotations.

If you’re looking to expand your resume even further, consider Aspen University’s online  RN to BSN ,  MSN , and  DNP  programs to help you advance your nursing career. For aspiring registered nurses, consider Aspen’s  BSN Pre-Licensure  program.

LEAVE A REPLY Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

What Are The Best Side Jobs For Nurses?

A cloudy forecast at work, food for thought: how the brain reacts to food.

ModernNurse is your source for Nurse Jobs, Career News and Nursing Education. We provide the latest news, career advice, humor, inspirational stories, tips and more just for nurses!

• Article Submissions
• Privacy Policy

© Copyrights 2022 - Audience Synergy, LLC. All Rights Reserved

11 Well Paid Jobs – With Zero Experience Required

Posted: February 27, 2024 | Last updated: February 27, 2024

It can be challenging to land a job with zero experience, even if you have a sought-after degree. Finding that very first job can help you fill out your resume and gain experience for whatever your future career holds.

Luckily, many high-paying jobs require no experience. Sometimes, you don’t even need a college degree, or you can learn on the job through an apprenticeship while you get paid.

From a union electrician making $80,000 a year to a certified nurse midwife making $130,000, here are some of the highest paying jobs with no prior experience required.

1. Virtual Assistant

If you’re looking for an easy way to make a good living while working remotely, consider becoming a virtual assistant.

Virtual assistants take on projects for clients ranging from scheduling meetings and responding to emails to more skills-based tasks like managing social media accounts, virtual bookkeeping , and working on web design.

Virtual assistants without much experience can charge anywhere from $15 or $20 per hour. Virtual assistants with more experience can charge $50 an hour (or more!) with in-demand specializations like SEO writing, social media management, and web design or management.

You can make anywhere from $35,000 or more with little to no experience and have significant room to grow with specialization! – Carley Rojas Avila

2. Flight Attendant

If you have dreams of traveling the world , why not make it your job, and an above-average paying one at that? Driven by great demand, flight attendants make an average of $56,650 plus lucrative travel benefits, such as free flights for the employee plus their family and friends.

By 2023, airlines are looking to hire 20,000 more people for these roles, equating to 100,000 total flight attendants.

But if you’re looking to make even more for this job, apply to Southwest, regularly awarded one of the best places to work in America.

Their flight attendants make on average $10,000 more plus $11,000 of profit sharing and free unlimited travel for themselves, spouses, domestic partners, and dependents. – Monica Fish

3. Freelance Writer

The pandemic increased the demand for freelance writers as more people started websites requiring continuous content creation.

A quick search on Upwork shows that writers charge between $20 and $150 per hour, sometimes even more. If you are a creative person who likes variety and working from anywhere you want, then freelance writing might be just the perfect job for you.

Neither a degree nor expensive certificates are required. Sure, it helps to have good writing skills to start, but you can always improve them on the go. Additionally, many online tools are available to help you write better content. – Sylvia Silverstone

4. Real Estate Agent

If you enjoy helping people with one of the biggest purchases of their lives, consider becoming a real estate agent.

Most real estate agents are independent contractors and entrepreneurs who build their business from the ground up through referrals, networking, and marketing. However, there are also opportunities for a new agent to join a team of agents that already has consistent deal flow.

The median annual pay for a real estate agent is just under  $50,000 , but a full-time high-performing agent can easily make $100,000 a year up to $1 million a year or more. One of the industry’s perks is growing your own business as you see fit. – Emily Herrig

Looking for a few quick wins to make money fast?

Here are a couple of legit apps that pay you money just for signing up:

• Survey Junkie : Make up to $50 per survey by signing up here with one of the highest-paying survey sites around.  
• Swagbucks : Get paid to watch videos, shop online, play games, and take surveys. Plus get a $5 bonus through this link .  

5. Certified Nurse Midwife

A Certified Nurse Midwife is a specialized registered nurse. They focus on a woman’s health and well-being. Areas of care include family planning, gynecological checkups, and prenatal care.

They deliver babies with minimal or no medical interventions. A Certified Nurse Midwife also helps with postpartum care. A Certified Nurse Midwife’s salary ranges from $107,000 to $132,000. Certification and a bachelor’s degree are required, but experience is not. – Erin Wilson

6. Sales Representative

Sales representatives can make a good living with little to no experience. According to Indeed , the average entry-level sales rep makes $68,500 per year.

Many companies are willing to invest in training sales representatives because of the importance of having a good sales team. Typically, determination and people skills are all you need to get started in this field, though working on commission can make this a high stress job .

Of course, the more experience you have, the better your chances of making a high commission. But don’t let that deter you from applying for sales jobs. If you’re interested in making good money and don’t have any experience, consider becoming a sales representative. – Steve Morrow

7. Insurance Claims Adjuster

Finding an insurance claims adjuster job is an excellent way to get into the insurance industry without experience.

Entry-level insurance adjusters’ average salary starts at around $43,000 a year. But with experience, your salary can double to approximately $80,000 a year.

In addition, your yearly salary can exceed $100,000 if you have what it takes to become an independent insurance adjuster. Insurance adjusting is a challenging and rewarding career in high demand.

You need a high school diploma or GED to become an insurance claims adjuster, but not a post-secondary degree. Many, but not all, states require an insurance claims adjuster license to work. – Lisa

8. Union Electrician

If working with your hands is appealing, joining an electrical union can be a high-paying career with zero student debt or experience. If accepted into the apprenticeship program, you work and go to school for five years.

Once you graduate, you become a journeyman electrician. The rates vary throughout the country, but in a robust unionized area with reasonable rates, you can make up to $100,000 or more (if overtime is available).

A standard rate in the Chicagoland area is $42.82 per hour ($89,000 per year) plus insurance, vacation, pension, and annuity. This same opportunity applies to many trades, including plumbing , construction, and more. – Davin

9. Travel Agent

After the past few years of lockdowns, travel is booming, and there’s been a return for long-haul flights to far-off destinations . As a consequence, the demand for travel agents has exploded.

Pre-COVID, the average salary was around $46,500 and is in line with data published by the Bureau of Labor Stastistics . However, at the top end, some agents are reportedly earning anywhere between $250k and $500k!

In a way, it’s a sales job but any direct experience of traveling to destinations can make conversations with clients a lot more meaningful. Trusted agents can build great relations with clients and see a lot of repeat business. – Tim Thomas

10. Merchandiser

Merchandiser falls into one of those high-paying jobs with zero to little work experience required. A high school diploma or GED qualifies you for the position. The pay starts from $17 per hour and can go over $35 an hour.

As a merchandiser, you are responsible for the display of products in-store or online, and can do everything from handling inventory to setting up creative displays to move certain products.

A full-time job at a reputable company will qualify you for health, life insurance, and disability benefits, along with many other incentives that maximize your earnings. You also qualify for overtime pay; that’s where most merchandisers with low hourly rates make money. – Ram Chakradhar

11. ESL Teacher in Hong Kong

An ESL Teacher is a teacher who specializes in teaching English as a second language to students who are non-native English speakers.

Although no experience is required to become an ESL teacher in Hong Kong, many schools prefer candidates with at least a bachelor’s degree and Teaching English as a Foreign Language Certificate ( TEFL ).

The Education Bureau hires Native English teachers under the NET government scheme. Teachers earn from HK$31,750 to HK$61,415 (approx. US$4,045.64 to US$7,825.60) per month, subject to experience and qualifications.

An allowance of HK$20,989 (approx. US$2,674.51) per month is granted for teachers whose residence is outside of Hong Kong. Native English teachers (NETs) are eligible to apply for additional incentives, gratuities, and bonuses for performance, conduct, and continuation of service after two years. – Caitriona Maria

RELATED: Smart Side Hustle Ideas to Make an Extra $500 a Month

MORE FROM WEALTHY NICKEL – 47 SURPRISING WAYS TO MAKE AN EXTRA $1,000 A MONTH

Could you use an extra $1,000 a month? Here are 47 realistic ideas you may not have considered before to balance your budget.

47 SURPRISING WAYS TO MAKE AN EXTRA $1,000 A MONTH

10 CITIES IN SERIOUS DANGER OF BANKRUPTCY

A recent study ranked U.S. cities on their level of debt and many are facing insolvency. Here are the 10 cities closest to bankruptcy.

10 CITIES ON THE BRINK OF BANKRUPTCY

11 THINGS YOU’RE TOO OLD FOR AFTER AGE 50

They say 50 is the new 40. While there’s nothing to fear about hitting the half-a-century mark, here are certain things you should avoid for the sake of your health and your sanity.

11 QUARTERS WORTH $10,000 OR MORE

Have you checked your spare change lately? These 11 quarters may look fairly common, but they are worth serious money to collectors. Find out how to spot them!

11 QUARTERS THAT ARE WORTH SERIOUS MONEY – $10,000 OR MORE

More for You

Joe Biden Announces Major Student Debt Cancellation—Here's Who Qualifies

Vietnam sentences real estate tycoon Truong My Lan to death in largest ever fraud case: AP explains

This Is How Long You Can Leave Butter On the Counter, According to Land O'Lakes

Kiefer Sutherland Says No Bullying On Set Of ‘Stand By Me'

7 CDs You Probably Owned, Threw Out and Now Are Worth Bank

13 Menu Items McDonald's Employees Refuse To Order

Mike Pence lands new gig after failed 2024 presidential bid

These Are 10 Smells That Cats Absolutely Hate

"None of them dudes wanted no smoke with Derrick Rose" - Rip Hamilton says superstars were scared of a prime Derrick Rose

Worried about microplastics in your water? You can get rid of them with common kitchen items

Putting money in bank accounts is 'the worst thing you can do' for taxes, says former Intuit CEO

Kia Finally Starts Truckin' Around with First-Ever Tasman Pickup

Ketanji Brown Jackson, Supreme Court Justice, Is Moving on From Her $2.5 Million Colonial-Style Home

Tom Brady says he's 'not opposed' to a late-season NFL return

Astros executive Reggie Jackson explains why Houston didn't sign Blake Snell: 'We don't play that game'

Krispy Kreme Has a New Partnership with Your Favorite Candy Brand

‘Station 19’ stars reflect on the legacy of one of TV’s most beloved lesbian romances

I became a millionaire at age 27—here are 4 'unpopular' rules rich people follow that most don't

Take a look at the workhorse C-130 cargo plane that the US Air Force is reinventing to fight like a bomber

Walt Nauta's Unsealed FBI Interview Raises Questions

• Corporate Site
• Applicant Login
• Employee Job Search

• Work With Us
• Grow With Us
• Benefits & Rewards

Category Select Accounting Business Development & Strategy Case Manager Clinical Contingent Cross-Enterprise Roles Finance Government Affairs/Policy Healthcare Services Human Resources Information Technology Legal, Risk, & Compliance Medical Network Management Network Operations Operations Pharmacy Quality and Risk Adjustment Sales, Marketing and Communications

State Select Arizona California Connecticut Florida Idaho Illinois Kansas Kentucky Massachusetts Michigan Mississippi Nebraska Nevada New Jersey New Mexico New York Ohio South Carolina Texas Utah Virginia Washington Wisconsin

City Select Aiken Albuquerque Anaheim Ashland Auburn Bakersfield Barhamsville Batavia Bay Saint Louis Beaufort Bellingham Biloxi Blacksburg Bluffton Boise Boston Bothell Bountiful Brentwood Brigham City Brookneal Buffalo Butte City Carlsbad Carson City Cayce Centralia Charleston Charlottesville Chesterfield Court House Chicago Christiansburg Chula Vista Cincinnati Colonial Heights Columbia Columbus Colusa Cordesville Coronado Cortland Cottonwood Heights De Soto Dearborn Deming Des Plaines Detroit Dinwiddie East Los Angeles East Naples Eau Claire Edmonds El Cajon El Centro Encinitas Escondido Ettrick Everett Fairfax Fairfield Farmington Ferndale Florence Florin Folly Beach Fontana Fort Atkinson Fort Lee Fresno Front Royal Fullerton Gaffney Gallup Garden Grove Glen Allen Glenn Goose Creek Grand Rapids Grants Greenfield Greenville Guadalupe Gulfport Hanford Henderson Hobbs Holly Springs Houston Humble Imperial Beach Ithaca Jackson Jefferson Kansas City Kenosha Kern City Kingsburg Lansing Las Cruces Las Vegas Las Vegas Laurel Layton Lemon Grove Lexington-Fayette Lincoln Lincoln Park Livingston Lodi Long Beach Long Beach Los Angeles Los Banos Louisville Lynchburg Lynden Lynnwood Madera Madison Manhattan Park Manteca Martinez Marysville Mechanicsville Melvindale Merced Midvale Milwaukee Mississippi City Modesto Myrtle Beach National City New Kent New River New York Newman North Charleston North Las Vegas Oak Creek Oakdale Oakland Oceanside Olympia Omaha Orange Palm Springs Paradise Valley Pascagoula Payson Pearland Peoria Petersburg Phenix Phoenix Picayune Pocatello Portage Pullman Quantico Station Quincy Quitman Racine Redding Reno Rialto Richmond Riner Rio Del Mar River Rouge Riverside Roanoke Rochester Rock Hill Rockland Lake Rockwood Roseville Roswell Ruidoso Sacramento Saint Clair Shores Saint George Salem Salt Lake City San Bernardino San Diego San Francisco San Marcos San Mateo Santa Ana Santa Clara Santa Fe Santee Sardis Saxe Scottsdale Seattle Solana Beach South Chicago South Florida Terraces South Milwaukee Sparks Spartanburg Spokane Spring Valley Stafford Starkville Stockton Stony Creek Suffolk Sugar Land Sullivans Island Sumter Sunrise Manor Superior Syracuse Tacoma Taos Taylor Tempe Tidewater Topeka Trenton Troy Truth or Consequences Tunica Resorts Twin Falls Upland Vancouver Varina Place Victorville Virginia Beach Warren Waukesha Waynesboro Wenatchee West Allis West Point West Valley City Williamsburg Wind Lake Wisconsin Rapids Wise Woodbridge Woodland Woodstock Yonkers

Let us search jobs for you based on the skills and experience listed in your LinkedIn profile.

Clinical Appeals Nurse (RN) - Remote

JOB DESCRIPTION

For this position we are seeking a (RN) Registered Nurse who must be licensed in the state you reside.  We are looking for a Clinical Nurse Appeals RN to support our SC Health plan (Medicaid and Marketplace). Strong experience with appeals reviews and/or utilization management working on the manage care side.  Excellent computer multi-tasking skills and good productivity is essential for this fast-paced role. Good analytical thought process is important to be successful in this role. This is productivity environment. 

WORK SCHEDULE: Monday thru Friday 8:00AM to 4:30PM EST (May have to do weekend coverage in the future)

This is a Remote position, home office with internet connectivity of high speed required. (This is a remote role and can sit anywhere within US, but SC is preferred location)

Job Summary

Clinical Appeals is responsible for making appropriate and correct clinical decisions for appeals outcomes within compliance standards.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES

• The Clinical Appeals Nurse (RN) performs clinical/medical reviews of previously denied cases in which a formal appeals request has been made or upon request by another Molina department to reduce the likelihood of a formal appeal being submitted.
• Independently re-evaluates medical claims and associated records by applying advanced clinical knowledge, knowledge of all relevant and applicable Federal and State regulatory requirements and guidelines, knowledge of Molina policies and procedures, and individual judgment and experience to assess the appropriateness of service provided, length of stay and level of care.
• Applies appropriate criteria on PAR and Non-PAR (contracted and non-contracted) cases and with Marketplace EOCs (Evidence of Coverage).
• Reviews medically appropriate clinical guidelines and other appropriate criteria with Chief Medical Officer on denial decisions.
• Resolves escalated complaints regarding Utilization Management and Long-Term Services & Supports issues.
• Identifies and reports quality of care issues.
• Prepares and presents cases in conjunction with the Chief Medical Officer for Administrative Law Judge pre-hearings, State Insurance Commission, and Meet and Confers.
• Represents Molina and presents cases effectively to Judicial Fair Hearing Officer during Fair Hearings as may be required.
• Serves as a clinical resource for Utilization Management, Chief Medical Officer, Physicians, and Member/Provider Inquiries/Appeals.
• Provides training, leadership and mentoring for less experienced appeal LVN, RN and administrative staff.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

Required Education

Graduate from an Accredited School of Nursing. Bachelor's degree in Nursing preferred.

Required Experience

• 3-5 years clinical nursing experience, with 1-3 years Managed Care Experience in the specific programs supported by the plan such as Utilization Review, Medical Claims Review, Long Term Service and Support, or other specific program experience as needed or equivalent experience (such as specialties in: surgical, Ob/Gyn, home health, pharmacy, etc.).
• Experience demonstrating knowledge of ICD-9, CPT coding and HCPC.
• Experience demonstrating knowledge of CMS Guidelines, MCG, InterQual or other medically appropriate clinical guidelines, Medicaid, Medicare, CHIP and Marketplace, applicable State regulatory requirements, including the ability to easily access and interpret these guidelines.

Required License, Certification, Association

Active, unrestricted State Registered Nursing (RN) license in good standing.

Preferred Education

Bachelor's Degree in Nursing

Preferred Experience

5+ years Clinical Nursing experience, including hospital acute care/medical experience.

Preferred License, Certification, Association

Any one or more of the following:

• Active and unrestricted Certified Clinical Coder
• Certified Medical Audit Specialist
• Certified Case Manager
• Certified Professional Healthcare Management
• Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality
• other healthcare certification

To all current Molina employees: If you are interested in applying for this position, please apply through the intranet job listing.

Molina Healthcare offers a competitive benefits and compensation package. Molina Healthcare is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) M/F/D/V.

Pay Range: $54,373.27 - $117,808.76 / ANNUAL *Actual compensation may vary from posting based on geographic location, work experience, education and/or skill level.

Molina Healthcare is a nationwide fortune 500 organization with a mission to provide quality healthcare to people receiving government assistance. If you are seeking a meaningful opportunity in a team-oriented environment, come be a part of a highly engaged workforce dedicated to our mission. Bring your passion and talents and together we can make a difference in the lives of others. Molina Healthcare offers a competitive benefits and compensation package. Molina Healthcare is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) M/F/D/V.

Share this Job

About our location.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.

• Featured Jobs
• Recently Viewed Jobs
• Case Manager (RN) - Telephonic (Nebraska) , Omaha, Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska 04/12/2024
• Remote Family Nurse Practitioner (field visits required) Los Angeles, California 03/20/2024
• Remote Family Nurse Practitioner (Field visits required) Sacramento, California 02/08/2024
• Bilingual Healthcare Front Desk, OnSite in Sacramento (Mandarin/Chinese/Russian/Spanish) Sacramento, California, Florin, California 04/11/2024

No recently viewed jobs.

No saved jobs.

Sign up to receive automatic notices when jobs that match your interests are posted.

Phone Number

Current Job Title

Experience Level (Choice) Less than 1 year 1-3 years 3-5 years Over 5 years

Education Level (Choice) High School Diploma Some College Associate's Degree Bachelor's Degree Master's Degree Doctoral Degree

Upload Resume By uploading your resume you are not submitting an application for employment Remove

Job Category Select a Job Category Accounting Business Development & Strategy Case Manager Clinical Contingent Cross-Enterprise Roles Finance Government Affairs/Policy Healthcare Services Human Resources Information Technology Legal, Risk, & Compliance Medical Network Management Network Operations Operations Pharmacy Quality and Risk Adjustment Sales, Marketing and Communications

• Operations, Columbia, South Carolina, United States Remove
• Operations, Florence, South Carolina, United States Remove
• Operations, Sumter, South Carolina, United States Remove
• Operations, North Charleston, South Carolina, United States Remove
• Operations, Beaufort, South Carolina, United States Remove
• Operations, Bluffton, South Carolina, United States Remove
• Operations, Charleston, South Carolina, United States Remove
• Operations, Gaffney, South Carolina, United States Remove
• Operations, Goose Creek, South Carolina, United States Remove
• Operations, Folly Beach, South Carolina, United States Remove
• Operations, Rock Hill, South Carolina, United States Remove
• Operations, Aiken, South Carolina, United States Remove
• Operations, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, United States Remove
• Operations, Greenville, South Carolina, United States Remove

Confirm Email

A new study reveals the states where private equity has the most influence on housing, health care, jobs and pensions

For many years, Conemaugh Health System, a hospital chain in west central Pennsylvania, was a nonprofit entity, serving patients in the small communities of Johnstown, Hastings, Meyersdale and Roaring Spring. Today, it is a for-profit system owned in part by Apollo Global Management, one of the largest private-equity firms in the United States.

Since that ownership change in 2018, involving a hospital chain known as LifePoint Health, care at the health system has declined, three patients say. One is Paul Ricci, 53, who works at group homes for the intellectually disabled and in his spare time edits the Johnstown-based Allegheny Independent Media , “a non-fluff  website  for news and analysis of the Allegheny Region of Pennsylvania,” as he calls it. Recently, he said, he and his father have experienced overnight waits in the emergency department and have had trouble getting through to someone who can answer billing questions.

That a big, New York City-based private-equity firm had stepped in at Conemaugh wasn’t well-known when it happened, he told NBC News. “The same people were there at the hospital,” he said. “I didn’t know the care would be different.”

Like many U.S. consumers, Ricci is beginning to learn about the impact that private-equity firms like Apollo can have on health care . Over the past decade, these firms have spent $1 trillion taking over health care companies across the nation, typically loading them with debt and hoping to sell them at a gain in three to five years. Critics say the drive to profit from the acquisitions of nursing homes, hospitals, physician practices and health care staffing companies conflicts with diligent patient care, and the firms and their purchases are coming under heightened scrutiny from  legislators , anti-trust  enforcers and patients.LifePoint Health, for example, is one of the subjects of two  Senate inquiries  focused on whether financial deals like the company's may be harming patients . Apollo and LifePoint have said they welcome the scrutiny. Conemaugh did not respond to an email seeking comment.

In recent years, private-equity firms have taken over broad swaths of the nation’s economy, extending well beyond health care. These purchases have involved supermarkets, child care, senior living centers, fast food operations, rental housing and pet care providers. Consumers are often unaware that private-equity firms own the companies they patronize because the firms don’t put their names on the nursing homes, hospitals, veterinary practices and apartment buildings they own. 

But these firms’ involvement in different industries can be extensive — for example, NBC News recently estimated that 40% of the nation’s emergency departments were operated by staffing companies owned by private-equity firms. And by 2030, according to a recent MetLife  estimate , companies backed by private equity may own 40% of the nation’s single-family homes, purchases that in many regions have already driven up housing costs for local renters, academics say.

New research by Private Equity Stakeholder Project, a  nonprofit group that advocates for more transparency and regulation of the industry, aims to help consumers, legislators and regulators identify where private-equity firms dominate in four key economic areas: health care, housing, jobs and pensions. The analysis, called the Private Equity State Risk Index , details private equity’s involvement in those arenas in all 50 states.

Arizona and Georgia, for example, rank high on the list for housing risks related to heavy private-equity purchases of rental homes; New Mexico and West Virginia place high for health care operations dominated by the financiers. Alabama and Massachusetts have an elevated impact on workers and jobs while Washington state, Louisiana and Michigan rank high in pension risk because of investments in private equity, the research states.The index shows “the private equity threats in our own backyard and gives state leaders the tools to protect the people they serve,” said Chris Noble, policy director at Private Equity Stakeholder Project. “By providing transparent data on the risks associated with private equity investments, we empower communities, working families, and policymakers to advocate for change and protect their states from the threats posed by unchecked private equity firms.”

More falls and infections

The American Investment Council, the lobbying organization for the private-equity industry, says its members’ acquisitions improve the sectors they invest in. This includes  health care , it says. “Private equity investments consistently support quality, affordable health care for patients across America,” the council wrote in a recent letter to federal regulators.

Independent academic research, however, has determined that private-equity ownership of nursing homes, hospitals and physician practices can harm patients. One  study showed that residents of nursing homes owned by private equity experienced 10% greater death rates and  another showed that patients at hospitals owned by the firms experienced more adverse events, including greater numbers of falls and far more infections .Only 3.2% of hospitals in Pennsylvania are controlled by private-equity firms, the new state risk index shows, far below the almost 25% of hospitals in New Mexico controlled by private equity. But the readmission rate after discharge among those Pennsylvania hospitals is 5% higher than the national  average , the risk index says.

Even though private equity’s involvement in Pennsylvania health care is relatively low, the state has experienced high-profile problems associated with some hospital takeovers by the industry in recent years. Consider Crozer Health, an embattled four-hospital  system  near Philadelphia that is part of Prospect Medical Holdings. Prospect owns 16 safety net hospitals — those serving low-income patients usually covered by Medicaid — in four states and was backed by private-equity firm Leonard Green & Partners from 2010 until 2021. Struggling under a heavy debt load, Crozer has failed to pay its vendors and shuttered services, several employees told NBC News; Prospect and Crozer have been sued by The Foundation for Delaware County, a community foundation created in 2016 when Prospect bought the health system.

Frances Sheehan is the president and CEO of the foundation, which monitors Prospect’s management of Crozer to ensure it lives up to the terms of the agreement. “We are the only entity that can hold Prospect accountable,” Sheehan said in an interview. “Prospect has swooped in and purchased health systems in Rhode Island, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and California, and their goal is to drain as much from the system as possible under the guise of turning the health systems around.”

Even as Crozer declined, Leonard Green and minority investors in Prospect extracted $650 million in dividends and fees before selling it in 2021, according to  research  by Private Equity Stakeholder Project. Prospect Medical is also among the companies under  investigation  by Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., as NBC News has reported.

“Everybody just wants Prospect to leave and give us a chance to rebuild,” said   Peggy Malone, a behavioral health nurse at Crozer-Chester Medical Center and president of Crozer Chester Nurses Association, an affiliate of the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals. She has  testified before the Senate on the impact Prospect has had on her hospital, where she’s worked for 36 years.“The stucco is crumbling, the air conditioning doesn’t always work, the quality of supplies is horrendous and the equipment is broken,” she said. “It was a really vibrant hospital — to watch it dwindle away truly breaks my heart.”

A Crozer spokeswoman did not respond to a request for comment. Prospect agreed in February to try to sell Crozer to a nonprofit in the coming months, pausing the litigation with The Foundation for Delaware County.

Neither Prospect nor Leonard Green responded to requests for comment.

‘In a chokehold’

In the five core counties of metropolitan Atlanta, private-equity-backed companies and other large corporate landlords have taken over more single-family homes than in any other region in recent years, said Taylor Shelton , an assistant professor of geosciences at Georgia State University. He has done extensive research on large corporate landlords, finding that in Fulton County alone, the inventory of single-family homes owned by these landlords more than doubled to 6,429 in 2023, up from 3,169 in 2018.

“It’s an issue of crowding out potential homebuyers, and the effects on tenants go from raising rents, filing for eviction as soon as they can to usually neglecting maintenance in a variety of ways,” he said in an interview. “Georgia   has arguably the worst landlord-tenant laws of any state in the U.S. We have essentially no formal protections written in the law. The municipalities have been defanged from having any control over this, which is why these companies invest here." Tenants have endured significant rent increases in Atlanta, according to Alison Johnson of the  Housing Justice League , an Atlanta nonprofit group that organizes tenants and provides eviction defense services. “They have us in a chokehold,” she said. “They have purchased so many homes here, they get to manage the market. They get to tell us what rents are set in areas where they have absorbed all the housing.”

The PESP state risk index shows some 17% of homes across Georgia have been purchased by medium, large and mega-investors, up 62% since 2018. Arizona and Nevada are also magnets for private equity and corporate landlords. Some 13.8% of homes in Arizona have been bought by these investors, the index indicates, up 79% from 2018. Nevada has seen these investors’ holdings increase 83% since 2018; their percentage stake now stands at 13.1%.

As for private equity’s impact on jobs, Massachusetts ranks high, with 9% of the private sector workforce employed by these financiers, the PESP state index reports. That’s up almost 20% since 2018. Massachusetts is also among 10 states with the highest number of employee deaths or hospitalizations at employers controlled by private-equity firms — 91 between 2018 and 2022 — as a share of its total private sector workforce.

“The Private Equity Stakeholder Project’s new state risk index is a razor-sharp tool in the fight to hold private equity accountable,” Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., said in a statement. “Together, we’re taking on this trillion-dollar, behemoth industry that’s hurting working people and sucking money out of the rest of the economy.”

Gretchen Morgenson is the senior financial reporter for the NBC News Investigative Unit. A former stockbroker, she won the Pulitzer Prize in 2002 for her "trenchant and incisive" reporting on Wall Street.