Resume Tips for Nurses: Writing Tips + Template

Worried about how to create a resume that will stand out? Use these super-easy resume tips for nurses and – there’s even a free template too!

I totally get it, cause I went through it too. It’s so easy to psych yourself out when you are trying to write your resume. As a new nurse, I remember how stressed out I was over making mine. I knew what a big deal it was and it freaked me out.

That is why I want to share these tips with you. I know how it feels to be that new nurse grad with tons of worry and anxiety. I’ll share some resume tips that will make the entire process easier.

Then, in the end, I’ll make it even easier yet by giving you a free nursing resume template!

Resume Tips

I’ve gone from a new nurse grad to working in med-surg and then in the ICU. In all my jobs, I’ve learned how to perfect my nursing resume.

I know these tips will help you out too. Don’t procrastinate or put it off one more day. With these tips, you’ll be able to knock this out and get that job you want!

#1 View the Resume As A Professional and Educational Highlight Reel

As you create your resume, think about what the person reading it will think.

Your resume should be an organized highlight reel of your professional and educational experience. Will the person in charge of hiring be able to glance at your resume and understand your experience easily, or is it hidden under too many words and explanations?

The person that is hiring you will probably have to sort through 50 other resumes. If yours is too difficult to understand or takes too long to get through, it could be moved to the bottom of the pile.

You also want to bring a fresh copy of your resume with you to the interview, even if you aren’t asked to.

Both before and during the interview, your resume should be able to show precisely what you know and why you will be a valuable asset to their team.

#2 Break Up Creating the Resume Into Steps

I know this tip is easier said than done, but don’t overthink it.

I felt the same way when I was a new nurse grad. I sat at my computer, dumbfounded, worried about fitting all my experience into one resume, and making sure it sounded professional and educated.

My best tip to help you get through this is to just break it down into sections and focus on one part every day. Spend just 10 minutes each day on a different section. Then, by the end of the week, you’ll have a mostly-complete resume.

Here are the main sections of a resume and how to break it up.

• Resume Format
• Educational Experience
• Relevant Clinical Experience
• Job Experience
• Volunteer Experience
• Proofread it all

For the last tip, I suggest proofreading your resume every day. You will catch different errors and things in your resume that need to be changed if you look at it more often.

If you save all the proofreading to one day, then you might miss a few things that could be changed.

#3 Keep Your Resume to One Page

This is such an important tip! Please, oh please, keep your resume to one page.

Ask yourself, “am I over-explaining the responsibilities of my job experience? Could I be more precise?”

It just takes way too long to read a wordy resume. I know, you want to make your job experience stand out, but hiring managers see through it. They already know what typical CNAs do.

Instead, highlight the experience that helps you stand out. Be concise and share times where you went above and beyond the typical expectations.

Do you have night shift experience? Did you shadow other areas of the hospital? List those.

#4 Prioritize Your Resume To Be More Functional Than Pretty

Have you seen resumes online that make you drool because they are just that pretty? Don’t compare yours to them. You aren’t applying for a graphic design position.

It’s more important that you paint a precise picture of your job skills in an organized way.

The person in charge of hiring will appreciate reading a legible and clear resume more than one that is fancy with pretty little fonts.

In fact, you should make sure your resume is clear and easy to read. Use Arial font or Times New Roman, those are easier to read and scan.

Nursing Resume Template

There you have it! Those are my best nursing resume tips. Take it one thing at a time and try to make your resume clear and easy to read.

Just for you, I have a free nursing resume template! This is going to save you so much time and stress. It even won the approval of someone that reviews nursing resumes professionally.

With this free template, you just have to put your name, experience, and other information in and it’s ready to go!

Included with this resume template is my number one tip. I share the biggest mistake that nursing students make on their resumes and how you can avoid making it yourself.