You’ve put in the time as a nursing student and know how to operate critical care machines and use other technical tools specific to healthcare.
You’re comfortable in complex, fast-paced environments and have learned in clinical settings.
Now you’re ready to get your first nursing job in the field, but how do you write a nursing student resume with no experience?
We’ve created a guide to help you write a nursing student resume that shows you have the right skills and qualifications for an entry-level nursing position.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- How to focus on transferable skills so that recruiters can see you’ve developed the knowledge necessary for the job
- How to format your nursing student resume to take the focus off of your experience section and highlight other ways you’ve prepared for the role
- What skills hiring managers look for and how to find the right balance of soft skills and hard skills required for nursing
- How to present your certifications and education clearly so potential employers can see you have the right qualifications for the position
If nursing student resume examples aren’t exactly what you’re looking for, check out some of our guides in a similar field:
Nursing Student resume examples
Explore additional nursing student resume samples and guides
and see what works for your level of experience or role.
By Experience
Nursing Student No Experience
- Crafting an impactful conclusion with confidence – An exceptional nursing student CV, even without hands-on experience, often leaves a lasting impression by ending with a compelling closing statement. This section should reaffirm the applicant’s commitment to patient care, underscore their willingness to learn, and include a confident call to action, such as inviting the reader to discuss their suitability further in an interview. Such a closing reassures recruiters of the candidate’s enthusiasm and professional ambition.
- Utilizing clean, accessible formatting for readability – An effective CV stands out through clear organization: using concise headings, bullet points for rapid scanning, and consistent font styles and sizes. Strategic white space and logical section order (Education, Clinical Skills, Certifications, and Relevant Coursework) help potential employers quickly locate key details, making it simple to identify how a student’s academic and personal attributes align with the demands of a nursing role.
- Building rapport through personal motivation and empathy – A memorable application weaves in genuine passion for the nursing profession, highlighting moments of compassion, teamwork, or perseverance in the face of academic challenges. Sharing a brief, relatable story or motivation for entering nursing allows the reader to connect emotionally, fostering trust in the candidate’s dedication to both learning and patient advocacy.
Nursing Student For Externship
- Immediate clarity and attentiveness to detail – The most captivating nursing student externship CVs make a stellar impression from the outset by maintaining a polished, well-organized structure that highlights the candidate’s commitment to professionalism. Crisp formatting, succinct language, and an easily navigable layout assure supervisors that the applicant is both serious and attentive—fundamental qualities required in a clinical environment.
- Relevant experience woven thoughtfully into the narrative – A standout CV for this role skillfully connects previous academic pursuits, volunteer work, or healthcare-related jobs with the externship’s specific demands. By describing hands-on responsibilities, teamwork scenarios, or patient interactions, the document illustrates how these cumulative experiences naturally prepare the candidate for the hands-on challenges of the externship setting.
- Purposeful conclusion demonstrating ambition – Exceptional CVs close with a carefully crafted statement that not only reaffirms passion for nursing but clearly communicates eagerness to contribute and learn within the host healthcare team. A confident call to action, such as inviting further discussion or expressing readiness to start immediately, leaves a memorable impression and positions the candidate as motivated and proactive.
Nursing Student Clinical Experience
- Showcasing clinical proficiency alongside adaptable competencies – A compelling Nursing Student Clinical Experience CV distinguishes itself by detailing hands-on expertise gained in diverse healthcare settings, such as acute care, pediatrics, or geriatrics. Emphasizing proficiency in patient assessment, medication administration, electronic health records, and evidence-based care demonstrates not just functional skills but also flexibility to thrive within various clinical teams and situations.
- Aligning experience and values with the institution’s mission – A standout CV goes beyond listing clinical placements and explicitly highlights how experiences and learning align with the philosophy, patient population, or signature programs of the target healthcare facility. Indicating familiarity with the hospital’s core values—such as patient-centered care, innovation in practice, or dedication to underserved communities—not only signals genuine interest but also readiness to contribute seamlessly to the organization’s goals.
- Communicating genuine passion for healthcare and the chosen environment – An exceptional CV weaves in clear, concise statements about personal motivation for pursuing nursing and, more specifically, for seeking opportunities in the specific setting or unit. Articulating enthusiasm for professional growth, commitment to compassionate care, and a desire to impact patient outcomes reveals a sense of purpose and drive, making the candidate memorable to reviewers.
Nurse Practitioner Student
- Expressing a positive yet composed demeanor – A Nurse Practitioner Student CV makes a mark when it conveys excitement about advancing within the healthcare field while sustaining a level of professionalism expected for clinical roles. Striking this balance reassures employers that the candidate brings both heartfelt commitment and the maturity necessary for patient-centered care.
- Connecting personal experience to organizational values – Candidates who highlight specific knowledge of the practice or institution—perhaps by referencing its patient population, clinical specialties, or community outreach programs—demonstrate genuine interest and preparedness. This tailored approach shows the applicant is not just seeking any position but is proactively pursuing an environment where their skills and philosophy align with the organization’s purpose.
- Conveying a clearly articulated drive for the position – An outstanding CV doesn’t leave employers guessing about the motivation behind the application. By concisely describing what attracts them to the nurse practitioner role and how it supports their professional aspirations, candidates show both self-awareness and a forward-thinking vision for their own careers.
Graduate Nursing Student
- Organizing information for immediate impact – A standout Graduate Nursing Student CV arranges sections and details in a way that guides the reader swiftly from education and certifications through to clinical experience and skills. Each area follows a logical sequence, ensuring recruiters can easily pinpoint key qualifications and experiences with minimal effort. This clear, uncluttered arrangement lends itself to quick comprehension and demonstrates professionalism and attention to detail.
- Clearly articulating personal drive – The most effective CVs convey a genuine desire to pursue graduate nursing studies, tailored specifically to the program or institution. By weaving in a concise personal statement or brief summary that directly links past experiences to future nursing ambitions, applicants communicate authentic intent and purpose. This level of specificity helps reviewers understand the candidate’s motivation and suitability for advanced training.
- Showcasing flexibility through diverse experiences – An exceptional CV evidences adaptability by including varied roles, from community outreach to acute care rotations, as well as involvement in interprofessional teams. Highlighting situations where the applicant has thrived in changing and multidisciplinary environments demonstrates readiness to tackle the complexities of graduate nursing and the evolving healthcare landscape.
Nursing Student Preceptorship
- Establishing a distinct professional identity – A standout CV for a nursing student preceptorship consistently mirrors the candidate’s resume and LinkedIn presence, using similar language and visual style. This alignment fosters a clear, memorable personal brand that instantly communicates the candidate’s commitment to nursing professionalism and ongoing development, building credibility in the eyes of recruiters.
- Expressing a genuine drive for the preceptorship opportunity – An exceptional application goes beyond listing academic credentials by explicitly stating why this specific preceptorship aligns with the candidate’s career aspirations. Articulating meaningful goals—such as gaining hands-on experience in a high-acuity environment or learning from expert practitioners—demonstrates a sincere motivation and a purposeful approach to professional growth.
- Proving awareness of the organization’s values and standards – Including tailored content that reflects an understanding of the institution’s mission, patient care philosophy, and community initiatives showcases thoughtful research and preparation. This personalized element makes the applicant stand out as someone who proactively seeks environments aligned with their values and who is likely to thrive within the team’s culture.
Nursing Student Clinical Rotation
- Showcasing measurable clinical contributions – An exceptional Nursing Student Clinical Rotation CV stands out when it clearly details tangible impacts, such as successfully implemented patient care initiatives or peer-led skill workshops, by citing quantifiable results and direct benefits to patients, teams, or workflow efficiency.
- Creating an immediate sense of fit for healthcare environments – A compelling first impression is established through a well-organized layout, tailored language relevant to clinical rotations, and concise sections that immediately convey the candidate’s professionalism, collaboration, and adaptability—qualities highly valued in clinical training settings.
- Conveying a strong sense of purpose behind the application – The most memorable CVs articulate a clear and authentic motivation for pursuing this clinical rotation, linking personal experiences, specific career interests in nursing practice areas, and a desire to contribute meaningfully to patient outcomes within the institution or specialty of choice.
Nursing Student Part-Time Position
- Balancing a confident voice with genuine passion – A compelling nursing student part-time CV skillfully communicates professionalism while also reflecting authentic enthusiasm for the field. Candidates who convey reliability, commitment to ethical care, and eagerness to contribute to healthcare teams demonstrate both maturity and warmth, making them memorable and trustworthy applicants in the eyes of recruiters.
- Using whitespace and layout for easy navigation – Structuring the CV with well-defined headings, logical sections, and adequate spacing ensures that content is easy to scan. Readable fonts and concise paragraphs help hiring managers quickly identify important qualifications and experiences, leaving a strong first impression before they even start reading the details.
- Incorporating nursing-specific language confidently – Employing terms such as “patient-centered care,” “vital sign assessment,” “infection control protocols,” and “interdisciplinary collaboration” demonstrates both familiarity with the healthcare environment and practical know-how. This targeted vocabulary reassures employers that the applicant possesses not only theoretical understanding but also real-world clinical competence.
Nursing Student Full-Time Position
- Driven by a clear sense of professional purpose – A standout CV showcases a compelling personal statement where the applicant details their passion for nursing, often referencing specific experiences or values that inspired them to pursue this field. By articulating how their career goals align with the mission and culture of the institution, the candidate communicates genuine enthusiasm and a targeted motivation for the full-time nursing position.
- Evidence of flexibility across diverse settings – Demonstrating adaptability, the CV highlights a range of practical placements, part-time jobs, or volunteer work in varied healthcare environments. These examples emphasize not only technical abilities but also the student’s capacity to quickly learn new protocols, interact with different patient populations, and handle shifting priorities, underlining their readiness to thrive in fast-paced clinical roles.
- Professional presentation matched to the position – At first glance, the CV uses a clean and logical layout, selecting details most pertinent to a nursing role and ensuring information is up-to-date and relevant. This strategic presentation, combined with an emphasis on clinical competencies, communication skills, and teamwork, immediately signals that the candidate understands the demands and expectations of a full-time nursing student position.
Nursing Student Summer Internship
- A blend of polished professionalism with underlying enthusiasm – The most compelling nursing student summer internship CVs expertly balance a refined, formal tone with a genuine, positive energy that communicates eagerness for the role. This combination not only assures recruiters of the candidate’s seriousness but also sets the stage for the applicant’s passion for patient care to stand out authentically.
- Clearly stated intent and personal drive – Applicants who articulate a focused, well-reasoned motivation for seeking the specific internship instantly command attention. Highlighting a clear connection between the desired experience and long-term goals demonstrates self-awareness and presents the candidate as purpose-driven, resonating strongly with selection panels.
- Effective delivery of qualifications through succinct content – A standout CV conveys qualifications and relevant history in a compact, well-organized format, allowing busy recruiters to swiftly identify critical skills and experience. By stripping away unnecessary information and focusing on key achievements, the applicant’s strongest attributes are swiftly communicated, enhancing overall impact.
By Role
Geriatric Nursing Student
- Skillful use of geriatric care language and clinical applications – A CV shines when it demonstrates familiarity with terms like polypharmacy management, age-related mobility support, or dementia care planning. The integration of such specialized language highlights both theoretical knowledge and practical know-how relevant to elder care settings, making the application immediately resonate with those reviewing for clinical competence.
- Tailoring accomplishments to the facility’s mission and values – Statements that reflect research into the hiring organization, such as referencing the company’s person-centered care philosophy or their innovative approaches to family involvement, show genuine engagement. This alignment reveals the student’s dedication not only to nursing but to the specific environment and ethos of the employer, indicating a readiness to thrive within their unique culture.
- Concluding with enthusiasm and a proactive next step – An impactful closing section confidently communicates eagerness to contribute, coupled with a respectful prompt for future discussion. Expressing anticipation about joining the care team and offering to discuss contributions in greater detail signals professionalism and drive, encouraging the employer to progress the application to interview stages.
Nursing Student Extern
- Making a strong first impression with the introductory section – A compelling introduction grabs attention immediately by summarizing the applicant’s relevant experiences, educational background, and core competencies. For a Nursing Student Extern, starting with a snapshot that highlights patient care involvement, teamwork, and commitment to clinical growth signals readiness for responsibility and sets the tone for the rest of the CV.
- Demonstrating alignment across personal branding platforms – Consistency between the CV, resume, and LinkedIn profile enhances credibility and professionalism. When the applicant’s language, accomplishments, and nursing objectives are harmonized across these materials, it reinforces a clear and authentic professional identity tailored to nursing extern roles, making it easier for recruiters to envision the candidate within their clinical environment.
- Showing genuine enthusiasm for the externship role – Clearly articulating motivations for seeking the externship not only personalizes the application, it also assures employers of the candidate’s dedication. When the CV succinctly explains what draws the applicant to the specific institution or area of nursing, and how the externship will further their career aspirations, it distinguishes them as a committed and thoughtful future nurse.
Pediatric Nursing Student
- An upbeat yet credible tone resonates well – Blending a sense of sincere excitement for pediatric care with a polished, professional manner helps a CV convey both commitment and reliability. A candidate who expresses genuine eagerness for working with children, while still maintaining the decorum expected in a healthcare setting, stands out for bringing both passion and poise to the role.
- Demonstrating foundational pediatric skills and knowledge – Detailing direct experience with pediatric patients, familiarity with age-appropriate interventions, or exposure to family-centered care highlights technical growth and clinical readiness. Emphasizing evidence-based practices and specific pediatric coursework communicates depth of preparation, reassuring employers of the candidate’s readiness for the nuanced demands of pediatric nursing.
- Brevity ensures swift and effective communication – By condensing complex educational and training highlights into succinct bullet points and clearly defined sections, a CV allows key strengths to be easily scanned by recruiters. Tight, purposeful language presents achievements without redundancy, ensuring that the most relevant competencies and experiences are front and center for quick review.
Nursing Student Intern
- A compelling blend of warmth and professionalism throughout – A standout nursing student intern CV expertly balances a confident, professional tone with an unmistakable sense of genuine enthusiasm for patient care and learning. This harmony creates an inviting impression, showcasing reliability and readiness while also conveying a heartfelt commitment to the nursing field rather than a purely formal tone.
- Distinctive skills and perspectives highlighted with clarity – What makes a nursing student intern candidate memorable is their ability to clearly present what makes them unique, such as bilingual communication abilities, prior volunteer work in diverse health settings, or creative problem-solving in real healthcare scenarios. By spotlighting these distinctive assets, the CV sets the applicant apart from peers who list only standard coursework and training.
- Evidence of flexibility in dynamic clinical environments – Versatility is communicated by weaving in examples where the candidate adapted to unfamiliar departments, assisted with varied patient populations, or eagerly took on new roles during unpredictable shifts. This demonstrates an ability to thrive and learn quickly, an essential trait for healthcare environments where demands can shift rapidly.
Nursing Student Research Assistant
- Demonstrating inspired commitment – A standout CV showcases a clear and passionate motivation for pursuing the Nursing Student Research Assistant position, articulating personal interests in research as well as how these align with both professional ambitions and the values of the institution. It highlights what draws the applicant to nursing research specifically, signaling genuine enthusiasm and forethought about future career contributions.
- Crafting an engaging opening – The introduction immediately captures the reader’s interest by succinctly outlining relevant experience, core competencies, and a snapshot of academic achievements. It effectively positions the candidate as an eager and well-prepared individual, setting the stage for a compelling narrative across the rest of the CV.
- Concluding with a proactive close – The closing section leaves a memorable impression by reaffirming the candidate’s readiness for the role and politely urging further discussion, often through a request for an interview or a meeting. It communicates confidence and a sincere desire to contribute, ensuring the hiring committee recognizes the applicant’s initiative and commitment to advancing nursing research.
Nursing Student Tutor
- Setting a tone with a compelling opening statement – A standout Nursing Student Tutor CV launches with a confident, succinct description that immediately highlights both clinical expertise and academic strengths. This powerful opening not only captures attention but also frames the applicant as both a capable nurse in training and an enthusiastic educator, making a strong case for their dual aptitude right from the outset.
- Demonstrating tailored understanding of the organization – What truly elevates a CV is when it goes beyond generic skills listing and directly references the unique values, teaching practices, or learning culture of the hiring institution. Incorporating details that show genuine research—such as knowledge of the tutoring center’s collaborative methods or the nursing program’s hands-on approach—signals a purposeful fit and commitment to integrating with the company’s mission.
- Expressing authentic passion for tutoring in nursing – Clear, sincere articulation of why the applicant is eager to tutor fellow nursing students adds motivational weight to the CV. By revealing personal experiences, such as a transformative mentorship or a desire to foster supportive environments, the motivation section assures hiring managers of both commitment and the drive to contribute positively to students’ successes.
Critical Care Nursing Student
- Highlighting individual clinical strengths and initiative – A stellar critical care nursing student CV demonstrates how the applicant goes beyond basic competencies, showcasing commitment to ongoing learning and adaptability under pressure. By specifying direct involvement in high-acuity patient care or engagement in simulation labs, candidates present themselves as proactive learners ready to contribute to fast-paced environments.
- Strategic application of intensive care terminology – Standout CVs integrate precise industry jargon, such as “hemodynamic monitoring,” “ventilator management,” and “rapid response protocols,” reflecting the applicant’s fluency in essential concepts. This strategic language use signals readiness to thrive in a technical and specialized clinical setting.
- Unifying professional narrative across platforms – Exceptional CVs align personal branding with other professional representations, reinforcing identity through a consistent tone, carefully chosen descriptors, and recurring core values found in the resume and LinkedIn profile. This cohesion offers employers a reliable, polished impression of the candidate’s dedication to critical care nursing.
Nursing Student Volunteer
- Showcasing tangible contributions with measurable outcomes – Detailing specific instances where volunteer work led to meaningful improvements, such as streamlining patient check-in processes or participating in health education drives, provides hard evidence of the nursing student’s positive influence and commitment to patient care.
- Highlighting distinctive qualities and specialized experiences – Emphasizing unique skills, such as proficiency in a second language, past work in underserved communities, or specialized training (for example, in phlebotomy or crisis intervention), distinguishes the candidate from peers who may have more generic volunteer backgrounds.
- Structuring information for maximum clarity and flow – Organizing sections logically, making judicious use of headings, bullet points, and concise language ensures that qualifications, experiences, and skills are easy to locate and understand, thereby presenting the candidate's strengths in a polished and accessible format.
Nursing Student Mentor
- Organized visual flow and strategic sectioning – A compelling Nursing Student Mentor CV is marked by its clean, easy-to-read blueprint with clear section headings, logical sequencing of experiences, and effective use of bullet points or subtle bolding to accentuate key achievements, ensuring that both clinical expertise and mentorship roles are instantly accessible to reviewers.
- Demonstrating nimbleness through diverse experiences – What truly distinguishes such a CV is its showcase of adaptability, providing examples where the candidate has excelled in multiple learning environments such as peer-led simulations, interdisciplinary teamwork, or online educational platforms, signaling their readiness to mentor a wide array of students and handle various teaching modalities.
- Articulating a distinctive mentoring philosophy – The most memorable applicants integrate a compelling narrative that highlights their authentic passion for nurturing future nurses, emphasizing qualities like empathy, cultural awareness, and evidence-based guidance, which collectively demonstrate that they bring more than qualifications—they offer a unique, student-centered approach to mentorship.
Nursing Student Resident
- Unified personal image across platforms – A Nursing Student Resident’s CV distinguishes itself by mirroring style, tone, and key accomplishments across their resume and online profiles, like LinkedIn, fostering a reliable and memorable first impression. Employers quickly recognize the applicant’s commitment and professional narrative, which increases credibility and helps them stand out in competitive candidate pools.
- Clear evidence of clinical skill and expertise – The strongest CVs highlight hands-on experiences, technical competencies, and individual contributions during clinical rotations, internships, or relevant healthcare roles. Detailing specific procedures assisted with, electronic health record systems mastered, and measurable outcomes achieved demonstrates depth of knowledge and readiness for residency demands.
- Carefully arranged layout for effortless review – Attention to visual design, such as strategic white space, concise sections, and thoughtful font choices, enhances the CV’s readability. This organization ensures recruiters can swiftly locate qualifications, certifications, and relevant coursework, leaving a favorable impression and boosting the applicant’s chances of passing initial screenings.
How to format a nursing student resume
As a nursing student you need to show hiring managers that you’re ready to work in the field despite your lack of work experience.
Have you gained hands-on clinical experience? Are you up to date on healthcare tech? Do you have the compassion and interpersonal skills to work with patients?
Focus on transferable skills throughout your nursing student resume so potential employers get a good impression of you at first glance.
Here are a few areas to focus your attention when formatting your nursing student resume:
- Functional resume: A functional resume highlights transferable skills instead of your work experience. It’s important to show how you have developed industry skills during your time as a student.
- Header: The top of your resume should include a brief but important header that provides professional contact information and a link to your online profile. Make it easy for hiring managers to contact you for any follow-up questions.
- Key achievements: Industry achievements demonstrate your strengths and show potential employers the kind of success you will bring to their company. Focus on tangible accomplishments from your time as a student or other roles.
- Keep to one page: Use space wisely on your nursing student resume so your information is limited to one page and has no unused white space. Include only the strongest and most relevant information and tailor every section to fit your target job.
Consider the local standards – Canadian resumes, for example, may have a different format.
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The top sections on a nursing student resume:
- Contact information: To ensure recruiters have necessary details to reach out for further process.
- Objective statement: To express career goals and indicate why you’re a good fit for the nursing job.
- Skills & certifications: To highlight relevant technical skills and medical licenses that qualify you for the nursing role.
- Education & training: To demonstrate your nursing education, internship experience, and specialized training.
- Work experience: To showcase your industry experience, hands-on skills, and contributions in previous nursing roles.
What recruiters want to see on your resume:
- Clinical skills: Recruiters prioritize these as they demonstrate the candidate’s practical, hands-on experience in performing nursing tasks.
- Certifications: These are given priority because certain nursing jobs require specific certifications like CPR, BLS, or ACLS.
- Communication skills: These are crucial in nursing for effective interaction with patients, doctors and other healthcare professionals.
- Attention to detail: As the nature of the job often involves administering medication and maintaining records, any mistakes could have serious consequences.
- Adaptability: Nurses often have to handle unexpected situations, so recruiters look for candidates who can adapt quickly.
How to write your nursing student resume experience even if you have none
Your resume experience section is where you show your work history along with accomplishments from each job.
As a nursing student, your focus will be on transferable skills from school or outside experience. Keep your experience section short and highlight any relevant successes or use of industry skills.
If you’ve had jobs outside the field, demonstrate how they’ve prepared you for a career in healthcare. For example, a customer service position can highlight communication and active listening skills.
Let’s look at an example of highlighting transferable skills in a nursing student's resume experience section.
Experience
Nanny
Childcare Agency
02/2020 - 11/2021 - •Provided direct childcare to children ages 3-12 with patience and adaptability
- •Used eCare software to manage confidential client records
- •Certified in CPR and First Aid
RIGHT
What works in this example:
- Use of soft skills: "Provided direct childcare to children ages 3-12 with patience and adaptability" shows how this candidate has experience with a particular age group and has exercised interpersonal skills that are important for nursing.
- Industry tools: "Used eCare software to manage confidential client records" shows that this candidate has experience with record-keeping software relevant to the healthcare industry.
- Relevant certifications: "Certified in CPR and First Aid" highlights a key skill and training in the field.
Alternatively, you may choose a different section of your resume to focus on if you have no previous work experience.
Let’s look at an example of a project section on a nursing student's resume.
PROJECTS
High School Healthcare Workshop
02/2020 - 11/2020 
Boston, MA
Led workshop on basic first aid and healthcare resources for high school students
- •Trained 75 students in basic first aid
- •Received 100% on satisfaction survey from teachers
RIGHT
What works in this example:
- Highlights experience: Including a project where you used relevant nursing skills outside of work history shows hiring managers how you have prepared for the role.
- Shows commitment: Showing projects outside of work experience show a dedication to your career path and commitment to growth in the industry.
- Quantifies success: "Received 100% on satisfaction survey from teachers" shows how this candidate achieved measurable success while using relevant industry skills.
How to quantify impact on your nursing student resume
Using real numbers and measurable outcomes on your resume shows potential employers how you will impact success at their organization.
It can be difficult to quantify impact as a nursing student due to the intangible nature of the work or limited hands-on experience.
Here are a few areas to consider when quantifying impact on your nursing student resume:
- Include the number of direct patient care hours during clinical rounds to illustrate the extent of your hands-on experience.
- Specify the volume of patients you handled per shift at past clinical experiences to demonstrate your capability to deal with workload.
- Mention the percentage or rate of patient satisfaction received in your previous nursing roles to show your effectiveness.
- List any quantifiable achievements such as a high-grade point average, a perfect attendance record, or any honors received during your education.
- Quantify the number of team collaborations or interdisciplinary team meetings at past experiences to highlight teamwork skills.
- State the number of medical procedures you assisted with or performed, emphasizing your practical skills.
- Indicate the number of health education sessions you gave to demonstrate your ability to educate patients/caregivers.
- Disclose any reductions in medication errors, falls or increased patient safety metrics you contributed to, showing your value to patient care and safety.
How to list your hard skills and soft skills on your resume
Nurses are skilled medical professionals with dynamic jobs. You have the interpersonal skills to provide compassionate care to patients and clinical knowledge required for healthcare.
Your nursing student resume will present your skills in two major categories.
Hard skills are the technical knowledge and abilities needed to perform job duties, whereas soft skills are the interpersonal and communication skills needed to interact with others.
Hard skills tend to be straightforward and can appear in a simple list form. Here is an example of hard skills on a nursing student’s resume.
Skills
RIGHT
Only include hard skills that you’re proficient in and are relevant to your target job. Show potential employers that you have the right combination of skills to fill the role.
Here are a few more hard skills to consider for your nursing student’s resume.
Best hard skills for your nursing student resume
- Clinical Assessment
- Patient Care
- CPR Certification
- Medical Software Proficiency
- Medication Administration
- Basic Life Support (BLS)
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
- Nursing Informatics
- Electronic Health Record (EHR) Systems
- Disease Management
- Anatomical Knowledge
- Emergency Room Care
- Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Experience
- Surgical Assistance
- Pediatric Nursing Skills
- Labor and Delivery Skills
- Oncology Care
- Proficiency in Siege/ Syringe Pumps
- Patient Education
- Medical Terminology
Soft skills can be open to interpretation and are most effective when provided with an example. Be specific in your soft skills and avoid overused buzzwords on your resume.
Here is an example of a soft skills section on a nursing student’s resume.
Strengths
Community Health Improvement
Organized free healthcare clinic for a local community, provided care to 200 patients
Pediatric Knowledge
Volunteered at pediatric hospital, received 100% rating during performance review
RIGHT
Here are a few more soft skills to consider for your nursing student’s resume.
Best soft skills for your nursing student resume
- Empathy
- Communication
- Active Listening
- Adaptability
- Patience
- Decision-Making
- Time Management
- Multitasking
- Problem-Solving
- Stress Management
- Detail Orientation
- Compassion
- Teamwork
- Critical Thinking
- Leadership
- Attention to Detail
- Cultural Sensitivity
- Professionalism
- Initiative
- Interpersonal Skills
How to list your certifications and education on your resume
Minimum education requirements for entry-level nurses typically include an associate's degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN). Qualifications also include being a registered nurse (RN).
Additional licensure and clinical experience requirements may vary by location and organization. Be sure to research the necessary qualifications for your target job.
Your education section should include:
- Name of institution
- Name of degree
- Years attended
Let’s look at an example of a nursing student’s resume education section.
Education
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
University of Georgia
02/2019 - 11/2023 RIGHT
Your nursing student certification section will include any certifications in nursing and specializations.
Here is an example of a certification section on a nursing student’s resume.
Certification
Registered Nurse
Georgia Board of Nursing
RIGHT
Show a commitment to your career by continuing to gain certifications in the industry as trends and demand evolve. Increase your employability by keeping your nursing student resume up to date.
Here are a few more certifications to consider for your nursing student’s resume.
Best certifications for your nursing student resume
How to write your nursing student resume objective
A summary or objective is a great way to introduce yourself to hiring managers and highlight your top industry accomplishment in 3-4 sentences.
Though the terms are often used interchangeably, there is a slight difference between a summary and an objective.
A summary is a brief introduction that communicates your position and value in your industry. An objective looks to the future and captures what you are hoping to achieve in your new position.
As a nursing student with no experience, it is optimal to choose an objective that looks to the future and highlights a goal you share with your target employer.
Let’s look at an example of a nursing student resume objective that doesn’t quite hit the mark.
Objective
Aspiring nurse seeking a new position at Family Care Hospital
WRONG
What doesn’t work with this example:
- No quantifiable achievements: Even with no direct work experience, it is important to highlight how you have achieved success. Show potential employers what you’re capable of.
- Not tailored for target job: This candidate doesn’t provide any specifics on their training or areas of interest. Show hiring managers why you’re the right candidate for their specific organization.
- Unclear goal: Having the goal of working at your target company is not enough. Show potential employers that you’ve done your research and will provide solutions to their problems.
Let’s make a few updates and try this nursing student resume objective again.
Objective
Aspiring nurse with 2 years of experience volunteering in a pediatric hospital. Certified in Pediatric Nursing. Seeking a new position as Pediatric Oncology Nurse to apply my training and expand my skill set at Family Care Hospital
RIGHT
What works in this example:
- Shows specific niche: "Aspiring nurse with 2 years of experience volunteering in pediatric hospital” shows that this candidate is familiar with a particular area of nursing.
- Highlights qualification: “Certified in Pediatric Nursing” shows hiring managers that this candidate has the right qualifications for the job and is committed to their career path.
- Clear goal: “Seeking a new position as Pediatric Oncology Nurse to apply my training and expand my skill set at Family Care Hospital" demonstrates how this candidate can use their relevant skills to support the organization and grow within the role.
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Key takeaways for writing a great nursing student resume
Congratulations! You’re almost ready to send off that amazing nursing student resume that gets callbacks! Before you start applying to entry-level nursing jobs, let’s review a few key points.
- Format your nursing student resume with a functional layout that highlights transferable skills that have prepared you for the role instead of work history.
- Include additional sections on your nursing student resume like projects that highlight relevant achievements and commitment to the field.
- Show a wide range of hard skills and soft skills necessary for nursing so hiring managers know you can interact with patients as well as use medical tools.
- Clearly present education and certification requirements so recruiters can find the information they need from your nursing student resume quickly and efficiently.