How to write a nursing resume that stands out

Summary

• Build a strong nursing resume – Craft a well-structured nursing resume with key sections like clinical experience, skills and certifications to catch the attention of recruiters and hiring managers.
• ATS-Friendly nursing resume tips – Optimize your resume with relevant keywords, clear formatting and job-specific terminology to pass applicant tracking systems (ATS) and increase your chances of landing an interview.
• Common mistakes and new grad advice – Avoid resume pitfalls like typos, distracting designs and generic content and learn how new nurses can highlight clinical training, volunteer work and academic achievements to create a compelling first resume.

Table of Contents

1. Nursing resume template
2. How to optimize your nursing resume for ATS
3. Nursing resume tips for new grads
4. Common nursing resume mistakes to avoid
5. Conclusion

Whether you’re a seasoned nurse or a new grad RN, having a stand-out resume is critical when applying for jobs.  

 This guide will help you:

• Identify key elements of a nursing resume
• Optimize your nursing resume for ATS
• Highlight your strengths as a new grad or an experienced nurse
• Avoid common resume mistakes

Nursing resume template: Essential sections to include

To create a standout nursing resume, be sure to include these essential sections:

• Personal information – Keep it short and include your full name, professional title, contact information and LinkedIn profile URL (if applicable).
• Professional summary – A nursing resume summary should briefly outline your clinical background, expertise and career goals.
• Licenses and certifications – List active state or compact licenses and any relevant certifications such as Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) or specialty certifications.
• Clinical experience – Detail your experience in reverse chronological order, using quantifiable achievements (e.g., “Managed an average of 6 ICU patients per shift” or “Led training sessions for new hires”).
• Education and training – List your nursing degrees in reverse chronological order, including the institution name, location and graduation date. Also, include professional development courses, workshops or nursing conferences.
• Skills and competencies – Highlight both technical nursing abilities (EMR systems, wound care, patient assessment, critical thinking) and essential soft skills (communication, leadership, teamwork). For a comprehensive, specialty-specific skills checklist, create an account with us to access detailed resources tailored to your area of practice.
• Professional affiliations – List memberships in professional nursing organizations such as the American Nurses Association (ANA) or specialty-specific societies.
• References – Prepare two to three professional references in advance, noting at the bottom of your resume that references are available upon request.

If you need help formatting your resume, check out our nursing resume sample and download our resume template for guidance.

How to optimize your nursing resume for ATS

Many healthcare employers use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to filter and rank resumes based on keywords from job descriptions. Dan Nadel, Aya’s Associate Vice President of Recruitment, emphasizes that tailoring your nursing resume for ATS is crucial.

“You get an interview based on your resume, but you get hired based on your interview. Use your resume as a tool to get your foot in the door.”

Dan Nadel, associate vice president of recruitment at Aya Healthcare

Here’s how to optimize your resume for ATS:

1. Use an ATS-friendly nursing resume format – Avoid graphics, images, text boxes or unique fonts. Stick to a clear, structured format with standard spacing and section headers.
2. Identify keywords – Scan the job posting for recurring skills or job titles (e.g., ICU nurse, emergency room nurse, operating room nurse). Use both full-length and abbreviated terms (e.g., Emergency Room and ER).
3. Include exact job titles – If the posting says, “Pediatric ICU Nurse,” use that instead of just “PICU Nurse” to match ATS filters.
4. Include dates for each job – List start and end dates (MM/YYYY) to meet ATS experience tracking requirements.

Using these nursing resume tips can help ensure your application gets seen by hiring managers.

Nursing resume tips for new grads

New grad nurses without extensive clinical experience can highlight volunteer work, extracurricular activities and academic achievements alongside clinical rotations or practicums to showcase transferable skills for their first nursing job. Focus on these sections:

1. Clinical Experience – Even if unpaid, clinical rotations, internships and practicums count as hands-on experience.
2. Volunteer Work – Include relevant healthcare-related volunteer activities, like working at blood drives, health fairs and free clinics.
3. Extracurricular Activities – Mention professional memberships, nursing student organizations and leadership roles.
4. Honors & Awards – If applicable, highlight academic distinctions, scholarships and nursing school awards.

Common nursing resume mistakes to avoid

• Typos – Errors make recruiters question your attention to detail. Proofread carefully.
• Skipping the job description – Always tailor your resume to highlight key skills from the posting.
• Overusing design elements – Fancy fonts, colors or complex layouts can confuse ATS systems. Keep it clean and professional.
• Using a generic resume for all applications – Customize your resume for each role to stand out.

Conclusion

A well-structured nursing resume with the right keywords and formatting is essential for landing your dream job. If you’re looking for your next opportunity, explore Aya’s permanent job openings for access to positions at leading healthcare facilities nationwide. 

Want to boost your resume with diverse experiences? Consider our travel nursing jobs, which offer flexible contracts and the opportunity to explore the country. No matter where your nursing career takes you, a strong nursing resume will set you up for lasting success. Register now to get started.