Resume Tip Sheet for Nursing (Pre-RN Licensure)
As a Nursing Pre-RN Licensure graduate, you can create a CHRONOLOGICAL resume if you have relevant work experience through a required internship or other clinical experience in a medical setting. (See article Easy Steps for a Chronological Resume)
Or you can create a COMBINATION resume if you would rather emphasize your categories of skills, along with your education and your required internship. (See the article Easy Steps for a Combination Resume)
Tips for creating key sections of a nursing graduate’s resume:
A. Heading
List your credentials like this:
Jack Smith, BSN, RN*
Street Address, City, MI 00000
(000) 000-0000
jsmithemail@gmail.com LinkedIn Profile/Customized URL
*List your credentials after your name when you have successfully passed your licensing exam: Jack Smith, BSN, RN
B. Professional Qualifications
Begin your resume with a summary of your professional qualifications. To write the bulleted statements in this section, be sure to begin each statement with an action verb or strong adjective and use keywords, requirements and preferences mentioned in the job posting. (For more information see the following articles: Developing Your Qualifications Summary and Beating the ATS.) Below is an example:
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
• Accurately maintained patient charts and updated electronic charting system daily for up to 7 patients
• Competent in developing treatment plans and communicating these clearly to both the patients and their families
• Skilled in assessing and monitoring patient vital signs and symptoms for discussions with doctors, social workers,
and nutritionists to ensure excellent and safe patient care
C. Education
Place your education information directly after the PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS section. You may include any colleges at which you have completed courses or from which you have obtained a degree. See the example below which shows how to list your degree:
EDUCATION
Baker College Muskegon, MI Expected graduation 05/2022
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Honors: Dean’s List
If you had a relevant major or a specific education track, you could list it here. Other optional information: honors and GPA if 3.5+ if three years or less since graduation.
D. Clinical Experience
A nursing graduate’s clinical rotations are an important example of professional experience. Begin the list with bulleted statements to describe any medical-surgical positions (which show foundational skills) and any positions relevant to the job you are applying for. Following those relevant clinical rotations, include a simple list of your remaining clinical experience in reverse chronological order. Below is an example:
CLINICAL EXPERIENCE
Setting Location Semester/Hours
Geriatrics Fairfax Nursing Center Spring 2022/Hours: 100
• Competent in assisting patients with appropriate diet and exercise habits to ensure patient safety and the highest quality of life
• Skilled in supporting patients and families in the end-of-life process, using compassionate listening and palliative measures for the patient’s physical and emotional comfort
Medical/Surgical ABC Hospital Spring 2021/Hours: 200
• Delivered direct patient care to 12 patients while also managing the needs and questions of the patients’ families
• Cared for up to 4 patients per shift with acute neurological disorders including strokes, spinal cord injuries and head trauma
Pediatrics ABC Hospital Spring 2022/Hours: 200
Rehabilitation Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital Fall 2021/Hours: 90
Behavioral Health Care Mercy Hospital Spring 2021/Hours: 90
E. Work Experience
List non-medical work experience with two to three bullets which highlight soft skills. Also, be sure to list related medical experience outside of your clinical rotations which would be desirable to the employer (e.g., CNA, Nursing Home Aide) and highlight transferable skills.
F. Licenses/Certifications
List licenses or certifications granted by a governing body. If they are listed as requirements in the job posting, choose the optimum place on the resume for this information. Below is an example:
LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS
Registered Nurse Michigan State Board of Nursing License #00000 Expires: 6/6/2023
or Registered Nurse Michigan State Board of Nursing Candidate Exam date: TBD
Certified Pediatric Nurse Expires: Month/Year
Patient Safety Certification Expires: Month/Year
Basic Life Support (BLS), American Heart Association Expires: Month/Year
G. Affiliations/Volunteer Activities
List professional organizations, student organizations, as well as community affiliations and involvement that would be relevant to your field. See the example below:
AFFILIATIONS/VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES
Student Nurses Association
American Nurses Association
Sigma Theta Tau
Sources used: Yale School of Nursing. (n.d.). Resume Writing Guide. file:///F:/Z-CRC%20DOCUMENTS-LATEST%20COPIES/CRC-DISC%20SPECIFIC%20TIP%20SHEETS/NUR/Yale%20School%20of%20Nursing_resume_guide.pdf
Revised 4 August 2021
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