How to Write a Resume for a Nursing Job

Building a solid nursing resume is the first critical step to landing that great nursing job. Nursing is one of the hottest career fields today, and with a great resume, cover letter and interview skills, you can find a truly rewarding and lucrative career in a hospital, clinic or private practice.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Write a Resume for a Nursing Job

1. Start with your objective statement. This is where you include all the relevant information pertaining to the exact position you are seeking. Include the department, unit or floor you're interested in, the shift you prefer, and whether or not you are able to move to a new city or state for a nursing job.

2. Consider adding in a goal statement. This is an optional section below the objective where you write in your future plans and professional aspirations. List any nursing specializations you want to pursue, as well as any educational credentials you plan to earn.

3. Devote most of your time and energy to your work experience section by thinking ahead to the duties and responsibilities relating to the position. Write your resume to clearly emphasize how your previous experience will contribute to your success in the new position. Use action-oriented keywords, and include both your job titles and information about the nursing units you've previously worked in at other jobs.

4. Don't overlook the importance of your education section. Educational qualifications are extremely important in nursing jobs. In fact, you won't even get in the door without the right education. List the programs you've studied and the degrees that you've earned or are in the process of completing.

5. Include your professional certifications and licenses when you write your resume. These are especially important if you've specialized in a particular field and have the credentials associated with it.

6. Put in at least one high-quality professional reference. Include up to three references if you have them. A good reference for a nursing job can be from a doctor you've worked for, a nurse practitioner, an office manager or the head nurse of a unit or floor in a hospital.

Tips & Warnings

• You can be a little more general when you write a resume for a nursing job. Qualifications and requirements are fairly consistent across the board, but tailor your resume for the environment to which you are applying. For example, rewrite your resume if you're applying to both a hospital and a private practice.