So you’ve just graduated nursing school (or about to), so what’s next? That’s right—getting a job as a real deal RN! But in order to get that job, you’ll need a killer registered nurse resume to help you stand out. It can be hard for nursing graduates to know what’s important to include, because nursing resumes look a little different from other professions.
That’s where this blog post comes in! I’m going to help you create a registered nurse resume that’ll help you stand out from the rest. 🤩
Tips for Building Your Registered Nurse Resume
1. Keep it short and simple.
Potential employers look through a lot of resumes. In fact, your resume may be the only thing the potential employer even looks at. As a result, it’s best to keep your resume one page long and highlight what makes you perfect for the job.
In addition to keeping it short and simple, make sure your format highlights the important areas. This includes:
- Your name in a large font at the top of the page
- An easy way for the employer to contact you (such as your phone number and email address)
- Clearly defined sections such as work, volunteer experience, and certifications (more on this to come!)
- Your hard earned nursing degree! Don’t forget to also include your anticipated graduation date, GPA, and dean’s list honors (if applicable)
If you need help with the layout of your resume, there are several free options available. I’ve used free templates from Microsoft Word and Apple Pages. And I’ve used my LinkedIn account to create a registered nurse resume based on my profile, which is pretty cool!
Sample Registered Nurse Resume
Here is an example of one of my old resumes so you can have an idea for format:
2. Keep it medical.
Potential employers are looking at your resume to see what kind of medical experience you have. While non-medical experience can demonstrate you’re a hard worker, you often don’t have enough room to include your entire work history. For a registered nurse resume, it’s best to focus on jobs that show off your skills in client care, teamwork, and critical thinking.
If you don’t have any medical experience, don’t fret! Your resume is a great place to highlight your relevant nursing courses, clinical rotations, nursing school projects, and any volunteer medical work you may have done. For example, when I was applying for my first nursing job in a medical surgical unit, I included the project I completed in my nursing research class because the project’s target group aligned with the types of clients on the unit.
3. Keep it certified.
Chances are you were required to get your BLS certification to attend clinicals. If so, highlight this on your resume! If you completed any other certifications during school, include those on your resume too. Potential employers love to see you’ve gone the extra mile when it comes to your education.
4. Keep it organized.
Your registered nurse resume is also a great place to highlight any organizations you participated in while in school. For example, I was a part of my nursing school’s student association. I never held a leadership position, but I was an active member.
Potential employers like to see the various organizations you participate in because it highlights your dedication! Don’t forget to include if you were inducted in a national honor society too. Show off those academic accomplishments!
5. Keep it proofread.
There’s nothing worse than finding a grammatical error after submitting a resume that lists all your amazing accomplishments! Because of this, make sure you have another set of eyes proofread your resume before you hit the submit button. Some schools even offer services for resume review. Make sure you take advantage of your own school’s resources!
Final Thoughts
Your registered nurse resume is a key part of your job application. Creating a good one takes work, but these tips can help you stand out on your path to becoming a real deal RN! Good luck on your job search, and be sure to reach out if you have any questions.
Looking for more (free!) nursing tips to help with professional practice? Check out these other posts on the Blueprint Nursing blog:
