Resume for Nurse
A nursing resume that gets past hospital ATS and into the charge nurse's hands.
Hospital recruiters filter on licenses and specialty first, then scan for patient load, outcomes, and EHR fluency. A nursing resume that leads with credentials and uses concrete patient metrics gets called back.
What hiring teams look for in a nurse resume
- Active RN license with state(s) and expiration listed.
- Specialty experience (ICU, ER, Med-Surg, L&D, Oncology) with patient ratios.
- Certifications: BLS, ACLS, PALS, NIHSS, CCRN, TNCC where relevant.
- EHR systems used (Epic, Cerner, Meditech) and any charge / preceptor experience.
Resume structure that works
- Header includes credentials after your name: 'Jane Doe, RN, BSN, CCRN'.
- Licenses & Certifications block immediately under contact info.
- Clinical Experience with unit type, bed count, patient ratio, and acuity.
- Education with NCLEX-RN pass date if you are within 2 years of graduation.
Keywords ATS systems scan for
Bullet examples you can adapt
- Managed 1:4 patient ratio in 24-bed Med-Surg unit; maintained zero CAUTI events for 11 consecutive months.
- Served as charge nurse on night shift, coordinating 12 RNs and 4 CNAs across two units.
- Trained 8 new-graduate nurses on Epic workflows; reduced charting errors 22% in first quarter.
- Recognized as DAISY Award nominee for patient advocacy in palliative care cases.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I list my RN license number?
Put the license type, state, and expiration date in a 'Licenses & Certifications' block. The license number itself can be omitted — recruiters will verify directly.
Should new-grad nurses include clinical rotations?
Yes. List each rotation with the unit, hospital, hours, and 1-2 skills practiced. This is your experience until you have your first RN role.
Is a 2-page nursing resume okay?
Yes if you have 5+ years of experience or multiple specialties. Travel nurses often run 2 pages to cover their assignment history.
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