Nurse Resume Example (2026)
By the TheGreatCV editorial team · Last updated 24 August 2026 · 7 min read
Short answer: a strong nurse resume leads with your clinical specialty and units worked (ICU, med-surg, ED), lists certifications (BLS, ACLS, PALS) and EHR systems you've used, and backs every bullet with a quantified patient-care outcome. Keep skills to 5–10 items matched to the job. Full example below — open it in the builder and edit it with your own details.
(cite index="22-1">Your nurse resume has to work at three levels at once: keyword-rich enough for the ATS, scannable enough for a 10-second recruiter review, and detailed enough for a nurse manager who understands the clinical work. Here's exactly what that looks like, plus a complete example you can edit.
What recruiters look for
- (cite index="16-1">Units or populations you've worked — ICU, med-surg, ED, telemetry — and procedures you're competent in, since these are the concrete qualifications recruiters and ATS both screen for.
- (cite index="17-1">Hands-on skills matching your specialty: patient assessment, medication administration, IV insertion, wound care, and EHR charting in systems like Epic or Cerner.
- (cite index="18-1">Certifications like BLS, ACLS and PALS, now expected alongside technology skills such as EHR proficiency and telehealth competency.
- (cite index="22-1">Quantified outcomes — infection rates, patient loads, quality metrics — not just a list of duties.
Complete nurse resume example
A newly-qualified nurse profile — open it in the builder to edit every field with your own details.
Grace Okafor
Registered Nurse
+44 7xxx xxx321 | grace.okafor@email.com | Manchester, UK | linkedin.com/in/graceokafor
Professional Summary
Newly qualified Registered Nurse (BSc Nursing) with 2,300+ clinical placement hours across medical, surgical and community settings. Compassionate and calm under pressure, with a strong record in patient safety and teamwork. Seeking a staff nurse position.
Skills
Clinical: Patient Assessment, Medication Administration, Wound Care, Vital Monitoring
Compliance: Infection Control, Care Planning, Safeguarding
Soft Skills: Compassion, Communication, Teamwork
Work Experience
Student Nurse (Clinical Placements) — Manchester NHS Foundation TrustSep 2022 – Jun 2025
Manchester
- Completed 2,300+ supervised clinical hours across 6 hospital and community placements
- Managed care for up to 8 patients per shift under supervision
- Recognised by ward sister for accurate documentation and patient rapport
Projects
Dissertation — Reducing Falls in Elderly Wards
- Reviewed 30+ studies on fall-prevention interventions
- Proposed a practical checklist adopted by the placement ward
Education
BSc (Hons) Nursing (Adult) — University of Manchester · First Class2022 – 2025
Certifications
- BSc (Hons) Nursing — NMC Registered, 2025
- Basic Life Support (BLS) & Manual Handling — 2025
Languages
English
Build your nurse resume free
Start from this example or a blank template, add your specialty and certifications, and download a clean ATS-friendly PDF. No sign-up, no watermark.
Edit This Resume →
Skills to include, by category
ClinicalPatient AssessmentMedication AdministrationIV TherapyWound CareVital Monitoring
CertificationsBLSACLSPALSCCRNCEN
TechnologyEpicCernerMeditechTelehealth
(cite index="21-1">A good skills section shouldn't include more than about 5–10 skills — read the job description carefully and pull out the most important ones recruiters are looking for.
How to write the experience section
(cite index="17-1">Use numbers to quantify your achievements wherever possible — this helps hiring managers understand your abilities and the impact you can have. Compare:
- Weak: "Provided patient care on a busy ward."
- Strong: "Collaborated with the healthcare team to achieve a 10% improvement in discharge planning and coordination."
(cite index="20-1">Match your skills section to keywords in the job description — if the posting emphasises compassionate care, include the phrase "compassion" where it's genuinely true of your practice.
Common mistakes to avoid:
- Listing duties without outcomes ("assisted with patient care" tells a recruiter nothing)
- Omitting your unit or specialty — recruiters filter by ICU, ED, med-surg, etc.
- Leaving out certifications or license status
- An overloaded skills section with 20+ generic items
New graduate? Lead with your clinical placement hours, units rotated through, and licensing status — you don't need full-time outcomes yet. See our
fresher resume format guide for the full structure.
Frequently asked questions
What should a nurse resume include?
Your specialty and units worked, core clinical skills, certifications (BLS/ACLS/PALS), EHR systems used, and quantified patient-care outcomes.
How many skills should be listed?
About 5–10, matched to the job description rather than a long generic list.
Should a new grad resume differ from an experienced one?
Yes — new grads lead with clinical placement hours and licensing; experienced nurses lead with quantified outcomes.
What certifications should I list?
Your RN license plus relevant certifications like BLS, ACLS, PALS, or specialty credentials such as CCRN or CEN.
How long should it be?
One page for new graduates; one to two pages for experienced RNs.
Your next step
Open the example above, replace the details with your own specialty, certifications and outcomes, then download a clean PDF.
Build your nurse resume free →
About this guide: written by the TheGreatCV team, who build free resume tools used by healthcare professionals worldwide. The example is illustrative — replace it with your own real experience and numbers.