How to write the perfect nursing resume
A nursing resume or CV showcases your skills and experience when applying for a nursing job in Australia. As a nurse, you have likely dedicated your career to helping others. However, when it comes to crafting a resume that effectively communicates your skills and experience, it can be challenging to know where to begin. Your resume is your first impression to potential employers, and a well-crafted one can make all the difference in securing the job you want. That’s why we’ve put together this guide on how to create a CV for nurses. And if you’re looking for additional support, we also take a quick look at some of the reputable resume writing services that can help take your resume to the next level.
1. Identify yourself
Most nursing resumes are overloaded with personal details that are not relevant. All you need to include at the top of your CV is your name, contact number, address, and email. If you have a LinkedIn profile or website that will add more weight, drop that in too. There is no need to include a profile picture, your age, or gender. Your resume is of no use if they cannot fully identify and contact you for an interview.
2. Why should they hire you?
Throw out your elevator pitch right at the beginning. A resume is not merely a record of where you have been employed. It is something that should show relevant skills and qualifications. Separate your hard and soft skills to help the hiring personnel know you have exactly what they are looking for. Summarise the highlights of your career in direct bullet points or sentences.
3. Keep it relevant
Nursing is a broad profession, and there are many things that you can do as a nurse. The person who is looking at your resume is looking for someone who is most suitable for the job. Meaning you shouldn’t talk about your summer job working at a bar, when you’re applying to be an OR nurse.
Don’t forget to include seminars and certifications that you have completed during your career. Add in any research that you have done, reports, presentations, and other assignments. These will help demonstrate not only your professionalism but your desire to grow and improve your nursing practice.
4. Be measurable
Accomplishments should always be quantifiable. Use numbers to emphasise your achievement and give the employer a solid grasp of what it entailed. For example, state that you were able to improve staff efficiency by 10% through changes made in the staffing schedule. Make it known that you were able to raise $6,000 in a short fund-raising campaign for a pediatric unit. And don’t forget to explain how you made it happen.
5. Provide references
We often make a mistake of adding a close friend in our CV. However, the reason why hiring managers contact references is to establish your experience, employment, and professionalism. Put in at least two referees, preferably someone who was your superior (ie. manager, supervisor). Make sure that you have asked their permission to do so. It’s advised that you do not go beyond three referees who are sure to vouch for your professionalism and work ethic. Avoid putting in “reference available upon request,” unless you are in a sensitive situation.
6. Tailor it to the role
Use keywords that will capture the attention of the hiring manager. More often than not, these can be seen in the job description. Study what they need and clearly state how you will apply your knowledge and skills to answer the needs of the institution. Tailor your CV to match each of the criteria they are searching for. For example, you might consider including the CPD course or training you recently completed that corresponds to responsibility in the job description.
Avoid fluffing up your skills or overstating your experience. Employers don’t want to read paragraphs about every little task that you have done. But rather, how you will be the one to help them ease their workload and improve the performance of your healthcare institution.
7. Practice honesty
Many nursing positions are highly desirable because of the challenge they offer. However, putting skills and experiences that you don’t have is not becoming of a professional nurse. Sure it may land you an interview. However, hiring managers are trained to know if you’re giving false statements about yourself, and the reality will be obvious once you start the role. If you’re applying for a position and you have zero knowledge in a specific area, be upfront about it, or leave it off your resume. Then state how you learn quickly and demonstrate your ability to do so.
8. Be direct
Write short, sharp, and to the point. There is no need to write long sentences about everything that you have done as a nurse. More often than not, less is more. You want to give them enough information to assess whether you’re appropriate for the role, but don’t bog them down with too much detail. As much as possible, do not go beyond two pages in a resume. The person screening your application is a busy individual and will likely only skim through your CV. So it’s important that you make sure your highlights stand out!
Be as short as succinct as possible. Avoid highfalutin words to make an impression. The more complicated the resume, the more likely a key skill will be overlooked.
9. Keep it simple
Do not be tempted to use fancy fonts and layouts in your resume. It is always a show of professionalism when you present a resume that is well-written. Use readable fonts, applying proper headings to draw the reader’s attention to what you want them to see. Fonts commonly used are Times New Roman, Calibri, Arial, and Verdana. Keep it at 12pt size, and stick to 1 or 2 dark colours.
Incorporating these tips will help you create a compelling nursing resume. Remember to pair it with a well-written cover letter tailored to the specific job you’re applying for. This will help communicate why your a great fit for the role and enhance your chances of securing the position.
To help you get started, we have provided a sample resume template below.
