How to write a nurse resume – explained with tips and examples

Use the format best suited to your level of experience and career objective; attempt to include the following:

Reverse chronological (best for experienced nurses)

This format lists your most recent job first and works backward. It’s the most common and preferred by recruiters because it shows clear career progression.

Why use it:

• Ideal if you have years of experience in similar roles
• Best when you have no significant gaps in employment
• Highlights career growth and promotions

Functional (for those changing careers or with employment gaps)

Best for: Career changers or those with employment gaps. This format focuses on skills and achievements rather than job history. Work experience is still included but not the focus.

Why use it:

• Ideal for new nurses, career switchers, or if you have gaps
• Emphasizes transferable skills over chronological role.
• It lets you lead with strengths rather than job titles

Combination (a mix of both)

Best for: Mid-career nurses with mixed experience or leadership goals. Blends both skills-based and chronological formats. It showcases abilities upfront, followed by work history.

Why use it:

• Perfect if you have diverse experience (clinical + administrative)
• Helps highlight leadership, special projects, or certifications
• Balances your strengths and timeline

Use a clean and professional layout. Tools like Zety offer customizable nurse resume templates to help you get started. 

Add a compelling nurse resume summary

Your resume summary provides hiring managers with a brief synopsis of your qualifications and objectives. Including a well-written nurse resume summary can quickly show employers why you are a great fit. It should be customized for every position you apply for, listing your strengths in 2–3 sentences. Clarity and applicability are essential in writing a nurse resume summary. 

Here are some nurse resume profile summary examples you can use based on your specific nursing role:

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

Diligent and patient-focused LPN with over 4 years of experience in long-term care and outpatient settings. Skilled in medication administration, wound care, and patient education. Committed to maintaining a safe and comfortable environment while supporting RNs and interdisciplinary teams.

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

Empathetic and reliable CNA with 3 years of hands-on experience in providing daily care and emotional support to elderly and disabled patients. Adept in assisting with ADLs, monitoring vitals, and documenting care accurately. Recognized for compassion and strong work ethic.

Nurse Practitioner (NP)

Board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner with 6+ years of experience delivering comprehensive care in primary and urgent care settings. Specializes in diagnosis, treatment planning, and preventive education. Known for patient-centered approach and fostering continuity of care.

Registered Nurse (RN)
Compassionate and detail-oriented Registered Nurse with 5+ years of experience in acute care and telemetry. Proven track record of improving patient outcomes through evidence-based care and strong collaboration with interdisciplinary teams.

Highlight relevant nurse resume skills

When you draft a nurse resume, include your nursing degree(s), name of the institution, and graduation year. You can also list certifications such as ACLS, BLS, and specialty credentials. These details, paired with clearly listed nurse resume skills like clinical expertise or patient coordination, help establish that you meet basic qualifications and regulatory requirements.

If you’re wondering, “How to put nursing skills on a resume?” the examples below offer a quick way to showcase your readiness for the role. You can see the right mix of hard and soft skills on your nurse resume, which can significantly boost your chances of landing interviews.

Example of hard skills:

• EHR documentation (e.g., Epic, Cerner)
• IV therapy and catheter insertion
• Emergency response protocols

Example of soft skills:

• Patient advocacy
• Team collaboration
• Empathetic communication

Additional examples of hard and soft skills for a nurse resume for LPN, CNA, and RN roles:

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

Hard skills:

• Vital signs monitoring
• Wound care and dressing changes
• Medication administration
• Basic life support (BLS)

Soft skills:

• Time management
• Compassionate bedside manner
• Patient education support
• Adaptability in fast-paced environments

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

Hard skills:

• Assisting with activities of daily living (ADLs)
• Taking and recording vital signs
• Basic hygiene and mobility support
• Infection control practices

Soft skills:

• Patience and empathy
• Verbal communication
• Dependability
• Respect for patient dignity

Nurse Practitioner (NP)

Hard skills:

• Patient assessment and diagnosis
• Prescribing medications
• Developing treatment plans
• Ordering/interpreting diagnostic tests

Soft skills:

• Clinical decision-making
• Leadership and autonomy
• Active listening
• Cultural competence in cars.

Registered Nurse (RN)

Hard skills:

• IV therapy and blood draws
• Administering medications
• Care planning and patient monitoring
• Emergency response coordination

Soft skills:

• Team collaboration
• Conflict resolution
• Family and patient communication
• Crisis management

Use a nurse resume format to organize these under a dedicated “skills” section or integrate them into your work experience bullet points.

List your work experience strategically

Many experienced professionals and freshers looking to start their careers are making a fumble or mistake by adding their previous work experiences at the beginning of the section of their work experience. One of the core rules when writing a nurse resume is to avoid that and start with your most recent or relevant position, listing the job title, facility, and dates of employment. Beneath each role, use bullet points to showcase your responsibilities and achievements. Focus on measurable outcomes where possible, like patient satisfaction scores or reduced wait times

Example:

• Administered medications to an average of 25+ patients per shift while maintaining 100% accuracy.
• Reduced patient falls by 30% over 6 months through updated mobility protocols.

For those wondering how to make a resume for a nurse job when switching specialties, emphasize transferable skills like adaptability, learning speed, and patient interaction. For easier understanding, you can check the provided visual sample of the resume that incorporates all the elements discussed above