Registered Nurse (RN) Resume Sample Guide (+Objectives)

Registered Nurse (RN) Resume Sample Guide (+Objectives) From the times of Hippocrates, its well known that there is no health without care.From asking where it hurts to monitoring in the ICU, you combine both skill and compassion in everything you do. You could probably explain a thing or two to Dr. House while making him smile.You know you would make an excellent addition to the nursing staff at any hospital or medical institution.Its just that the recruiter doesnt know that youre the equivalent of the best of nursing in a pill.So how do you get that point across?Send them the best registered nurse resume that demonstrates your career experience, nursing skills, and key accomplishments.You can do it in less time than it takes to set up an IV.Read on and youll see a professional registered nurse resume example you can adjust and make yours. Plus, youll learn an easy formula for writing a resume for registered nursing jobs that will land you 10x more interviews than any other resume youve written in the past.Want to save time and have your resume ready in 5 minutes? Try our resume builder. Its fast and easy to use. Plus, youll get ready-made content to add with one click. See 20+ resume templates and create your resume here.Sample registered nurse resumeSee more templates and create your resume here.One of our users, Nikos, had this to say:[I used] a nice template I found on Zety. My resume is now one page long, not three. With the same stuff.Create your resume nowSample Registered Nurse Resume to Get You Inspired (Text Version)Jean HowardRegistered Nurse+1-303-746-8526jean.j.howard@gmail.comlinkedin.com/in/jean2015howardSummaryLicensed RN with 5+ years of clinical experience, seeking to ensure high quality care at Lutheran Medical Center through proven daily care skills. Maintained 95% patient satisfaction at Centura Health. Successfully onboarded 10 new nurses.Centura HealthRegistered Nurse20122018Handled care, safety, and long term health plans for 15+ patients. Commended 10+ times for efficiency and problem-solvi ng skills by preceptor.Assisted patients with limited mobility in all necessary movement. Maintained 97% positive patient scores for compassion.Created assessments, diagnoses, and plan-of-care for high-volume of patients.Onboarded 10 new nurses and trained in quality, personalized care and compliance policies.Key AchievementSupervised refurbishing of meeting rooms to create a more comfortable, friendly space for difficult discussions with patients and/or their families.EducationBachelor of Science in NursingUniversity of ColoradoCompletion: 2012Certifications and LicensureRegistered Nurse, Colorado Board of Nursing, License # 0000000Phlebotomy CertificationPatient Care Technician CertificationBasic Life Support Certification (BLS)Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)CPR CertificationSkillsPatient AssessmentStress ManagementAttention to DetailCompassionSafe Patient TransfersMicrosoft OfficeWound CareDecision MakingInterestsElderly patient careNew technologyPsychologyEveryday Emergency PodcastLanguagesSpanish (Conversational)Before we get started, here are several other nursing-related resume examples:Charge Nurse ResumeMed-Surg Nurse ResumeER Nurse ResumeLabor and Delivery Nurse ResumeOperating Room Nurse ResumeICU Nurse ResumeNurse Manager ResumeNurse Practitioner Resume CVLicensed Practical Nurse (LPN) ResumeCNA Resume ExamplesCaregiver ResumeCase Manager ResumeNursing Student Resume: New GradNursing Resume ExamplesNow lets get to writing a job-winning RN resume.1Structure Your Registered Nurse Resume Template ProperlyWhat would you do if you saw a colleague administering medication before calling for appropriate tests and asking the patient how they felt?Yeah, I can see them being flung out the doors right now.Medical treatment is a structured process for a reason. Its the same with your resume. Good formatting ensures good readability.Heres how to format a registered nurse resume:Format: the reverse-chronological format.Section headings: put your n ame and up-to-date contact information at the top so that recruiters know how to reach you in a flash.Fonts: use professional, easy to read resume fonts. 14-16 pt for section headers, 12 pt for the rest of the text.Margins: keep even, 1 resume margins on all sides of the page.Line spacing: stick with 1.15 line spacing.Sections: use visible section headers and plenty of white space to make your resume easy to read.Filetype: always save your resume format in PDF unless the job ad says otherwise.Now that thats out of the way, heres a short procedural how to on what you should include in your resume:Header: add your current and relevant contact information.Resume Objective/Summary: a short intro that explains why youre perfect for the position.Work Experience: a breakdown of your professional career history and achievements.Education: a brief description of your academic background.Skills: a list of your most prominent and relevant nursing skills and abilities.Extra sections: add a litt le sparkle to your resume by including relevant awards, certifications, foreign language knowledge, etc.Read more about resume formatting: How to Choose a Professional Resume FormatYoure not going to begin with a resume objective/summary, though. Think of it as a diagnosis.Start to go through each sectionyour job experience, education, and skills, gathering up the most notable of them along the way. When youre done, go back to the beginning of your resume and write an intro that encompasses the whole of your resume.2Start with a Registered Nurse Resume Work Experience SectionEmployment forecasts say that there will be above average growth in nursing jobs in the coming years.In fact, the BLS predicts that there will be more registered nurse jobs than for any other profession in the U.S. by 2022.But that doesnt make your life any easier.Rising employment demand means a rise in the amount of people taking up nursing as a career. That means more competition for you.Hospitals and treatme nt centers also arent just going to take anyone of the street. After all, youre in the business of saving livesyou need to be the best.So how do you convince the hiring manager that you are, indeed, the best?Heres the best way to create a registered nurse resume description of your job experience:Go for the reverse-chronological resume layout. Start with your most recent positions and work your way back.Include your job title, the employers name and location, and the dates you worked there.Add your registered nursing responsibilities in bullet points. Use up to 6 for your current position and fewer as you go back in time.Always tailor your resume to the requirements of the job ad.Add quantifiable, noticeable achievements that immediately show hiring managers that youre the registered nurse that they need.Make your resume more meaningful by using the PAR (Problem-Action-Result) formula in the description of your nursing and medical responsibilities.Use resume action words at the begi nning to show recruiters you are a pro in your field.Thats the theory. Lets see an example of these guidelines put into practice.Heres a RN resume sample of the employment history section:Registered Nurse Job Description for a Resume with ExperienceRightRegistered NurseJuly 2017-June 2019Crossover Health, Boise, IDKey Qualifications ResponsibilitiesOperated 25 bed clinic as a patient-centered medical home with a focus on personalized patient care and comfort.Practiced evidence-based nursing care to achieve optimum health outcomes while providing service excellence.Responsible for onboarding new nurses in Quality Compliance policies and standards and coaching them on BDPs in patient approach.Key AchievementsRecognized as providing both the highest quality and most state of the art patient care in Boise in 2018.WrongRegistered NurseJuly 2017-June 2019Crossover Health, Boise, IDKey ResponsibilitiesCared for patients and their comfort.Maintained high patient care standards.Responsible for newly hired nurses.The right example clearly demonstrates that this candidate knows patient care like the back of their hand.The wrong example is a little like that TV doctor taking a snooze on a gurney when they should be on call.And to think that both of these examples come from the same candidate! See what a difference specific examples make?But what if youre just starting out as a registered nurse?If you have an entry-level registered nurse resume, you need to show that you have the knowledge and skills to do a great job.Take a look at these resume examples for someone without nursing experience:Registered Nurse Resume Sample with No ExperienceRightNursing StudentDec 2018-Feb 2019Georgia Department of Public Health, Brunswick, GAKey Responsibilities:Assessed patients health care needs on the basis of initial patient screening and senior nurses recommendations.Consulted health care team to plan and implement patients long term health care plan.Monitored and recorded patient symptoms and condition and added them to detailed patient reports.Key AchievementProposed new stock replenishing system to ensure each shift starts at full stock.WrongNursing StudentDec 2018-March 2019Georgia Department of Public Health, Brunswick, GAKey Responsibilities:Monitored patients condition.Provided health care and first aid.Prepared rooms and equipment.As you can see, even short, entry-level experience gained as a nursing student can speak volumes when presented correctly.The wrong example is so vague that it could have been written on the basis of watching Greys Anatomy.When making a resume in our builder, drag drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check. Start building your resume here.Create my resume nowWhen youre done, Zetys resume builder will score your resume and tell you exactly how to make it better.Read up further on describing work experience on a resume: Tips for Making a Stellar Work Experience Section for a Resume3Enter Yo ur Education (Its Not That Straightforward!)The right degree is absolutely essential for registered nursing. Yet you dont need to list your entire education.List only your relevant, highest degree.Heres what your education section should look like:Registered Nurse Resume Education SampleRightBachelors of Science in NursingUniversity of Washington, Seattle, WACompletion: 2016Though it may be tempting, refrain from adding your GPA on a resume unless its higher than your own blood pressure. If youre an experienced RN, leave out your GPA completely.For inexperienced RNs who were the smartest nurse in the room, it might be a good idea to add your magna cum laude on your resume.This is what it would look like:RightBachelors of Science in Nursing,magna cum laudeUniversity of Washington, Seattle, WACompletion: 2016Super simple!You may be wondering where the rest of your credentials should go. Well discuss them in the next section.Educate yourself more on listing your education:How to Put Yo ur Degree on a Resume4List Your Registered Nurse CredentialsThe hiring manager has 99 problems, but finding your credentials shouldnt be one.Nursing is quite unique in the fact that its not enough to just have a higher education. Theres also a number of certificates, renewable licenses, and credentials registered nurses need in order to practice nursing.Now that may seem a little overwhelming, but thankfully the American Nursing Credentialing Center (ANCC) has come to the rescue with a universal format to list all this information cohesively.List registered nursing education and credentials in this order:DegreeLicenseState designations or requirementsNational certificationsAwards and honorsOther recognitionsLets take a look at how that should look on a registered nurse resume:Registered Nurse Resume Licenses and Certifications SampleRightRegistered Nurse, Oregon, license # 12345678Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC)Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers (BLS)Adv anced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)CPR CertificationSee that? Easy peasy.Read more: How to List Licenses and Certification on a Resume5List Registered Nurse Skills Relevant to Your SpecializationAlthough the demand for nurses is rising, the growth in specific specializations isnt uniform, with demand growing much faster in specializations such as medical-surgical, OR, ICU, or ER.Healthcare recruiters dont need to sift through another pile of vague resumes from candidates who cared for patients. Theyre looking for specialized nurses and fast.So how to pinpoint the key skills that make your resume stand out?Follow these tips:Let the job ad give you useful hints as to what theyre looking for throughresume keywords.Think about what relevant skills and certifications youve acquired over time. Look at your credentials and experience sections for extra inspiration.Write down all your registered nurse skills on a master list.Pinpoint the skills on your master list that match those required in the job ad.Make a list of the 5-10 most relevant professional skills in your registered nurse resume skills section.Always remember to include bothhard skills and soft skills on your resume. Theyre equally important!Take another look at your experience section. Does it prove the skills you just listed? Make sure these two sections compliment each other like scrubs and a lucky surgical cap.The following registered nursing skills will help you compile your list:20+ Most Common Registered Nurse Resume SkillsDedicationPatienceStress ManagementExcellent Communication SkillsAttention to DetailCompassionAdaptabilityDecision MakingPatient AssessmentTaking Vital SignsTime ManagementTechnical SkillsPerform and Evaluate Diagnostic TestsOrganizational SkillsProblem SolvingConflict ResolutionAdministering and Monitoring MedicationsWound CareSafe Patient TransfersCPRIf youre looking for more skills specific to nursing, check out this great guide: Key Nursing SkillsNow that youre well stocked in nursing skills, lets look at a sample of skills that you might want to list on your resume.Registered Nurse Skills Resume ExampleRightStress ManagementExcellent Communication SkillsAttention to DetailCompassionDecision MakingPatient AssessmentTechnical SkillsAdministering and Monitoring MedicationsSafe Patient TransfersRemember to use the job ad requirements as a guide to which key skills hiring managers are in dire need of.Read more about adding skills to resumes:99+ Skills to Add to a Resume6Show Dont Tell: Add Extra Sections to Your Registered Nurse ResumeIt takes months to recruit an experienced RN. Months.Cut down that time by showing the hiring manager that not only are you skilled in saving a life, but that you have a passion for living it as well.How?Lots of RNs are going to have the same skills and similar experience to you. You can stand out through your interests and passions. A well-crafted additional resume section will have recruiters breathing a sigh of relief and say ing This is the one!Registered Nurse Resume Examples: Extra SectionsLanguage on a ResumeKnowledge of a foreign language can really give you a big advantage over other candidates. From gathering patient history to talking through treatment to reassuring worried family members, knowing a foreign language can be a very valuable asset.Hobbies and Interests on a ResumeNo one cares that you love cats, right? Maybe the recruiter doesnt, but they will be interested in your curiosity about psychology, meditating, healthy eating. These hobbies not only demonstrate you have passions outside of work, but they can also be a positive influence on your work.Memberships in OrganizationsDemonstrating membership in a medical or nursing association shows the hiring manager that you take your career seriously and that nursing isnt just some job for you.Volunteer ExperienceVolunteer work may not carry the same weight as your job experience, but it does demonstrate a passion to help others, one of the cr ucial attributes of a fantastic registered nurse.For more possibilities when it comes to additional parts of a resume, see this guide: What to Include in a Resume: 20+ Top Examples7Compile the Best Bits Into a Registered Nurse Resume Objective or SummaryLets go back to the beginning of your resume.Theres no point in sharing treatment plan and writing out prescriptions, if theres no set diagnosis.Your resume heading statement is the overarching conclusion that lets the recruiter know, in a few sentences, exactly who theyre dealing with.There are two types of resume heading statements: the objective or the summary.Skim over your resume once again. Look for the skills and achievements that stand out like a Mickey Mouse band aid.Choose 2-3 of those top achievements that will get the recruiters heart racing and write out your heading statement based on them.NowIf you have years of experience and quite a list of skills, choose the professional summary.The resume summary gives a brief, but impressive overview of your accomplishments and experience. This is the definite go to if you could teach Dr. Mike a thing or two.Take a look at these two registered nurse resume summary examples:Registered Nurse Resume SummaryRightEnthusiastic and friendly registered nurse with 6+ years experience of providing high quality care to a variety of patients. Feels comfortable working in 20+ bed units and in dynamic environments such as ER or ICU. Looking to leverage wide range of nursing skills and knowledge as a registered nurse at East Orange General Hospital.WrongExperienced registered nurse committed to high quality care looking to effectively fill nursing position at EOGH.That wrong example will make the recruiter feel like theyre waiting outside the ERtheyre anxious and are starved for information.So what if youre just starting out as a registered nurse?Use the professional objective. This is the go to when you have little experience and need to lean on your skills and knowledge to show youre a valuable hire.Here are two registered nurse resume objective samples:Registered Nurse Resume ObjectivesRightFriendly, compassionate, and positive new RN grad with 80 hours of clinical experience and 15 hours in critical care as a nursing student. Looking to leverage knowledge and passion for elderly patient care as a registered nurse at Roosevelt Care Center.WrongIve just finished nursing school and Id like to use my enthusiasm and hard work to care for elderly patients!Both the summary and objective follow the same rulestailor your objective to the needs of the employer and impress through numbers.Looking for the full recipe on starting a resume correctly? Look no further: How to Write a Resume Profile: Tips Examples8Write a Great Registered Nurse Cover LetterYou dont need to write a cover letter. Especially if the job ad doesnt ask for one. Even more so if you want your resume rolled straight into the morgue.Think of it like a pair of brightly colored, clean scrub sif the recruiter sees both a well-written resume and cover letter, theyll know that theyve got a professional who knows that nursing is more than cleaning bedpans and giving shots.This is how to write a registered nurse cover letter:Format the cover letter before you start to write it.Address your cover letter directly to the recruiter.Start your cover letter off with an introduction that will keep the recruiter reading on.Mention top achievements and the specific experience you bring to the position.End with a call to action in a powerful closing statement.Thats all!Learn more on how to write a compelling registered nurse cover letter: Nursing Cover Letter SamplePlus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here.Here's what it may look like:See more cover letter templates and start writing.RecapRegistered Nurse Resume in a NutshellLets strip everything down to the bare bonesHeres h ow to write a registered nurse resume step by step:Format the registered nurse resume template with a professional font, correct line spacing, proper margins, and plenty of white space.Skip writing the registered nurse resume objective or summary until the end.Document your previous work history using action verbs, bullet points, and a tailored approach.List your education correctly.Add your credentials in a clear, professional format which is universally accepted and understood.Include your key nursing skills and make sure theyre echoed in your experience section.Dont forget to include a registered nurse cover letter if you want that nursing interview!Okay, thats it! Now, wed love to hear from you:What are the biggest challenges for you when writing a registered nurse resume?Are you having problems coming up with relevant nursing skills or achievements?Do you need help with including your nursing specialization(s) on a resume?Lets chat below in the comments, and thanks for reading!