Top nursing student sections that make the best resume
- Header
- Professional summary
- Experience (with numbers and results)
- Relevant skills
- Education
- Certifications
Things to remember when writing your nursing student experience section
Nursing student experience section checklist:
- Keep it short: use no more than 4-6 bullet points per position;
- Go for short, easy-to-read sentences to keep recruiters engaged;
- Focus on relevant job experience that will enhance your application;
- Describe your experience using the C-A-R (challenge, action, result) methodology;
- Ditch buzzwords and go for power words instead.
To illustrate it more clearly, we’ve collected some of the best experience section examples from real Nursing Student resumes. Check them out below!
- Handover - The process of carrying information on to the nurses from the next shift, verbally communicating information using ISBAR
- Progress notes - Documenting what care was given within the shift.
- Providing holistic care - Assisting the care of patients when having trouble completing tasks themselves. Eg. Feeding, showering, bed making and more
- Observations - Checking vital signs of patients, charting onto legal documentation in patient's bed side charts.
- Trained in one of the busiest acute hospitals in Ireland
- Cared for patients undergoing Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) surgeries including extensive head and neck oncology surgeries, Urology, Breast and GI surgeries
- Experience caring for patients post plastic reconstructive surgery
- Elective Day Surgery Ward, monitoring patient post operatively and preparing for discharge
- Rotations in Neurology and Cardiology Unit and Emergency Department
- Assessed, implemented and evaluated individualized care plans
- Participating in the fellowship program as one of the eight students representing Box Hill Institute
- Rotated through colorectal/urology/gynaecology surgical ward and cardio-respiratory ward
- Working under direct supervision of registered and enrolled nurses
- Providing comprehensive health assessments, assisting patients with activities of daily living (ADL), developing appropriate nursing care plans and administering medications
- Received recognition for outstanding performance from the preceptor and staff members
- Demonstrated proficiency and passion when assisting with residents with activities of daily living (ADL) i.e. bathing, dressing/grooming, toileting, feeding
- Utilized knowledge by operating medical equipment and devices daily i.e. standing/lifting machine, glucose meter
- To work as a nursing student with a temporary contract
- To work as a caregiver who performs basic nursing skills to patients
- To act as a nurse counsellor to patients who have anxiety or worries about own illness or disease
- To act as a patient educator who is responsible to deliver medical knowledge to patients
- Acquired competencies: negative pressure wound therapy application and maintenance, administering blood transfusions, IV medication and setup, insulin therapy, application of VAC dressings, application of various surgical wound dressings and pressure ulcer dressings, and management of continuous gastric suctioning.
- Managed full patient load of four past goal date at high quality of care standards with approval from preceptor.
- Also had opportunity to informally mentor 2nd year RN students on unit.
- Extensive experience in patient and family-teaching: regarding self-administering intermittent catheters, digital stimulation/disimpaction suppositories and recognizing signs of autonomic dysreflexia.
- Independently managed full patient load of 4-5 quadriplegic and paraplegic patients of complete and incomplete spinal injury.
- Implemented care plans to assist patients and family to improve self-efficacy skills for integrating into community after injury.
- VAC dressing application and maintenance, application of various surgical wound dressings and pressure ulcer dressings.
- Administering blood transfusions, IV medication and setup, insulin therapy, and management of continuous gastric suctioning.
- Sound knowledge base in pain (PCA, epidural, CADD) and symptom management
- Managed full patient load of four past goal date at high quality of care standards with approval from preceptor.
- Also had opportunity to informally mentor 2nd year RN students on unit.
- Extensive tracheostomy suctioning and management.
- Stage 2-3 simple and complex pressure ulcer dressings, colostomy care.
- PEG tube feeding, maintenance, and medication.
- Extensive ROM practices.
- 600 clinical hours in medical-surgical, pediatrics, community health, obstetrics, psychiatric and NICU.
- Graded and evaluated qualitative and quantitative research studies and wrote summaries about the effectiveness of nursing care for various patient groups.
- Conducted a comprehensive literature review for a Senior Poster Project determining if hourly rounds increased patient satisfaction; rewarded the Biological Sciences Day award for the nursing cohort.
- Provided comprehensive daily physical examination and assessments for pre & post-operative patients and cardiopulmonary patients
- Performed sterile dressing changes and wound care
- Prepared patients for surgery, managed post-operative needs and prevented complications
- Telemetry and 12-lead ECG monitoring
- Designed educational pamphlets explaining pediatric health conditions to patients and families.
- Developed individualized care plans ensuring desired goals and outcomes are achieved.
- Conducted reasearch and coordinated presentations related to chosen health issues.
- Assisted physicians, physical therapists, and other nurses with medical documentation and essential patient care.
- Performed holistic care for 4 patients independently on each shift
- Administered oral, intramuscular, subcutaneous and intravenous medications
- Cared for a variety of medical surgical patients including gynaecology, general surgery, urology and colorectal patients
- Worked effectively as a member of an interdisciplinary team consisting of physicians, social workers and physiotherapist.
- Developed nursing care plans that integrates the medical plan of care and nursing diagnosis, updating care plan as needed and as patient's condition changes.
- Maintained comfort, quality of life and provided care for deteriorating and palliative patients.
- Performed admission assessments and discharge planning
- Conducted mental state examinations and mini mental state examinations
- Utilized oral medication administration knowledge to perform safe medication rounds
- Evaluated patients’ physical and mental conditions to develop holistic care plans
- Participated in the mentor-mentee program.
- Provided health screenings and influenza vaccines to homeless individuals.
- Engaged in various volunteer events.
- Built and established rapport with patients, being considerate of their diagnosis, unique care plan and presentation of symptoms
- Utilized therapeutic communication to assess patient safety and their mental status during every interaction
- Contributed to discussions regarding patient progress, care plans and barriers to discharge during IPHCT meetings
- Assessed and evaluated effectiveness of care plans and advocated on patient's behalf
- Safely and competently administered medications and ordered treatments
- Performed safe practice under changing environments and presentation of symptoms
- Assessed for complications of post-operative patients
- Performed musculoskeletal and wound assessments, interpreted findings, and reported any abnormalities to surgeon
- Practiced aseptic techniques as part of infection control
- Observed a number of operations in a sterile operating room
- Assisted patients with A.D.Ls, while encouraging participation
PRO TIP
Show off real numbers that display your accomplishments in past roles. Instead of listing out your responsibilities as Nursing Student, talk about the measurable impact you made to their business. Did you boost their revenue? Increase customer retention? Mention your proudest points on your resume.
Action verbs for your nursing student resume
Recommended reads:
The Best Way to Write Your Nursing Student Resume’s Skills Section
Nursing student resume: Skills section checklist
- Scan the job advert for keywords worth including in your resume;
- List both hard and transferable skills;
- Leave room for discussion: include some of your skills in other sections of your resume;
- Focus on skills that prove your expertise and leave the irrelevant ones behind.
Top skills for your nursing student resume
Cannulation
BSL
Scout/Scrub
Word
Powerpoint
CPR/AED
Collaboration with IPHCT
Therapeutic Communication
IM/Subcut injections
Communication
Compassion
Patience
Flexibility, adaptability, and emotional stability
Proactive, ethical, and responsible nature
Honesty
Team-player
Strong work ethic
Time management
PRO TIP
Add a Talent Section to your resume, where you can pick your top 3 soft skills and describe how you used them to complete a project or balance departmental communication.
Recommended reads:
Nursing Student Resume Header: Tips, red flags, and best practices
Checklist for your nursing student resume header
- Your name and surname in a legible and larger resume font
- The job title you’re applying for or your current job title as a subheading to your name
- Link to your portfolio or online profile, such as LinkedIn
- Address (City and State for the US; just your city for rest of the world)
- Email address
- Headshot (required or welcomed in the EU; not required and sometimes frowned upon in the US)
Stick to popular email providers such as Gmail or Outlook. And use these professional formats to create your username:
- first.last@gmail.com
- last.first@gmail.com
- firstlast@gmail.com
- f.last@gmail.com
- first.l@gmail.com
Recommended reads:
PRO TIP
Some companies, states, and countries have policies about identifying information like photos on your Nursing Student resume. Be sure to check all the relevant rules before submitting yours. If you’re in doubt, you can always try contacting the company’s HR department to ask for their policy.
Writing a strong nursing student resume summary
Nursing student resume summary checklist:
- Mention your position and total years of experience in the field;
- Highlight 1-2 of your top achievements;
- Go for shorter sentences and keep them to the point – don’t include anything that doesn’t support your application;
- Add 2-4 keywords present in the job description.
Resume summary formula:
PRO TIP
Your summary should act as an elevator speech, briefly promoting how you will benefit the employer if hired. Pitch your strengths in the summary and expand on them in your Nursing Student experience section. Give examples like how your work benefited each employer.
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Adding education, courses, and certifications to your nursing student resume
Education section tips and tricks:
- Add info about your highest degree level, incl. year of graduation, place of study, and degree subject;
- Mention some education-related awards you’ve received;
- Share a bit more about your certifications (if they are relevant);
- Entry-level applicants: Tailor your education section by including classes that are relevant to the position you’re applying for.
Top certifications for your nursing student resume
Complete Guide to Nursing School for Pre-Nursing Students
Real-world advice, tips, and the steps you need to confidently Research, Apply, and Stand out in Nursing school.
Dosage Calculations Mastery for Nursing & Pharmacy Students
Master Dosage Calculations in 5 Hours Without Memorizing Any Formulas and Pass the NCLEX or PTCB Exam
Math Practice Tests for Nursing and Pharmacy Students
Dosage Calculations and Medical Math Practice Tests for Nursing Students and Pharmacy Students
Dimensional Analysis | Nursing Math | Pharmacology Dosage
Engineering students, Chemistry, Engineer, Chemist, Scientist, Convert Units of Measure
Nursing Professionals Get Motivated! Motivation For Nurses
A Month Of Encouragement For Nurses and Those In Nursing School Taking Nursing Courses
Recommended reads"
PRO TIP
There are dozens of certifications that you can claim as a Nursing Student. But, some are more effective than others. That’s why you mustn’t include every certificate other applicants might have. Try instead to earn and list a few of the difficult ones.
The best format for your nursing student resume
Choosing the right format for your resume might seem difficult, regardless of whether you’re a newbie or a master. In short, there are three basic resume formats for you to choose from:
- Reverse-chronological resume format;
- Functional skills-based resume format;
- Combination (or Hybrid) resume format.
The choice you make depends on your level of experience and the company you’re applying for.
The reverse-chronological resume format is great for you if you have at least 10 years of experience, no employment gaps, and are not looking for a career change. Here, you are expected to list all your previous jobs in a reverse-chronological format, starting from your most recent position and going back to the oldest one. It’s perfect for experienced individuals who are looking for a straightforward way to highlight their expertise.
The functional skills-based resume format, on the other hand, is great for recent graduates or professionals with large employment gaps. It focuses on skills and education, rather than experience. This makes it ideal for showing you’re the right fit without putting too much emphasis on your lack of (relevant) experience.
If you’re looking for something a bit more creative, go for the combination resume format. It’s a mix of the reverse-chronological and the functional skills-based formats, which makes it ideal for all types of applicants. What’s more, it’s considered modern and innovative, and isn’t this what you want your application to feel like anyway?
After choosing the right format for your Nursing Student resume, it’s time to perfect the layout and style.
- Go for traditional 1-inch resume margins;
- Choose a simple resume font, sized 10-12p;
- Make sure that the length of your resume matches your applicant profile: try to fit in a one-page template; two-page templateare suitable only for candidates with over 10 years of experience.
- Save your resume in PDF to avoid issues around formatting and unauthorized editing.
Looking for more ways to make your application stand out? Read this article!
Recommended Reads:
PRO TIP
Sometimes you’ll want to go after a job which requires more experience than you have. Instead of using a typical Nursing Student resume layout, you can use a creative layout. Getting noticed is the most important challenge and a creative resume layout might help you get invited for an interview as most of other accountants have boring resume designs.
Other sections to include in your resume
Depending on the type of company, your position, and your general desire to experiment and showcase your creative side, you might want to add some additional sections to your resume. Some examples include:
Creating a memorable nursing student resume
You want your resume to put you in front of other candidates even when the competition is high, right? Right!
One of the easiest ways to do this is by adding a drop or two of creativity. You can choose a colorful and out-of-the-box template, or maybe even put a ‘what my typical days look like’ section at the bottom of your resume
It’s totally up to you. Just make sure to match the level of creativity to the industry, the position, and the company.
What makes a great nursing student resume: key takeaways
- Choose a resume layout that sends the right message across and fits your current career situation;
- Create a resume header that shows your desired job title, and easy to find contact numbers;
- Be specific about your experience, accomplishments and future goals in your summary;
- Feature detailed metrics and specific examples that show the impact you made in your previous roles when describing your experience;
- List soft skills backed by examples;
- Add all of your technical skills and certifications that you have and match the job description;
- Show off a dash of personality in your resume that will demonstrate your culture fit and the right mix of hard and soft skills.
