Crafting a standout CV can be particularly daunting when trying to encapsulate the wide array of skills and experiences you possess as a nurse. Delve into our guide and discover expert tips and tailored advice to transform this challenge into a polished and professional summary of your nursing career.
- Create an attention-grabbing header that integrates keywords and includes all vital information;
- Add strong action verbs and skills in your experience section, and get inspired by real-world professionals;
- List your education and relevant certification to fill in the gaps in your career history;
- Integrate both hard and soft skills all through your CV.
Discover more industry-specific guides to help you apply for any role in the links below:
Formatting your nurse CV to meet the role expectations
Staring at the blank page for hours on end, you still have no idea how you should start your professional nurse CV. Should you include more colours, two columns, and which sections? What you should remember about your CV format is this - ensure it's minimalistic and doesn't go over the top with fancy fonts and many colours. Instead, focus on writing consistent content that actually answers the job requirements. But, how about the design itself :- Use the reverse chronological order to showcase your experience, starting with your most recent role;
- Include your contact details (email address, phone number, and location) - and potentially your professional photo - in the header;
- Must-have CV sections include summary or objective, experience, education, and skills: curate the ones that fit your profile;
- Your professional nurse CV should be between one-to-two pages long: select the longer format if you have more experience.
A little bit more about your actual CV design, ensure you're using:
- plenty of serif or sans serif font (e.g. Montserrat, Exo 2, Volkhov) as they are Applicant Tracker System (ATS) compliant. Avoid the likes of Arial and Times New Roman because most candidates' CVs are in this typography.
When submitting your CV, are you still not sure what format it should be? Despite the myth that has been circling around, most modern ATS systems are perfectly capable of reading PDFs. This format is an excellent choice as it keeps all of your information intact.
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For certain fields, consider including infographics or visual elements to represent skills or achievements, but ensure they are simple, professional, and enhance rather than clutter the information.
The top sections on a nurse CV
- Professional Registration and Licences showcase legal qualifications to practice nursing.
- Clinical Experience details relevant hands-on medical knowledge.
- Nursing Education section highlights formal training and nursing credentials.
- Key Nursing Skills to quickly identify relevant capabilities.
- Professional Affiliations reflect involvement in the nursing community.
What recruiters value on your CV:
- Highlight your clinical experience by detailing the types of wards and units you've worked in, as well as any specialist knowledge or procedures you're proficient in.
- Emphasise any leadership roles or responsibilities you've held, such as charge nurse positions or mentoring new staff and nursing students.
- Include specific details about your nursing qualifications and any additional certifications, such as Advanced Life Support or specialised courses in areas like oncology or paediatrics.
- Detail your ability to work collaboratively with other healthcare professionals by mentioning any interdisciplinary teams or committees you've been part of.
- Reflect on examples of patient care where you've gone above and beyond; instances of patient advocacy or innovative care solutions can set you apart.
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Our checklist for the must-have information in your nurse CV header
Right at the very top of your nurse CV is where you'd find the header section or the space for your contact details, headline, and professional photo. Wondering how to present your the name of the city you live in and the country abbreviation as your address;
- are tailored to the role you're applying for by integrating key job skills and requirements;
- showcase what your unique value is, most often in the form of your most noteworthy accomplishment;
- select your relevant qualifications, skills, or current role to pass the Applicant Tracker System (ATS) assessment. Still not sure how to write your CV headline? Our examples below showcase best practices on creating effective headlines:
Examples of good CV headlines for nurse:
- Lead Paediatric Nurse | Child Development Specialist | BSc Nursing | 10 Years Experience
- Theatre Nurse Practitioner | Anaesthesia & Recovery Expertise | MSc Advanced Nursing | 5 Years Experience
- Clinical Research Nurse | Oncology Focus | GCP Certified | 8 Years in Clinical Trials
- Community Mental Health Nurse | Crisis Intervention | RN, BSc Psychology | 12 Years Field Experience
- Senior Cardiac Care Nurse | Acute Care Proficiency | RN, BSc | 15+ Years Cardiology Expertise
- Infection Control Nurse | Epidemiology & Public Health | MSc Nursing | 7 Years in Infection Prevention
Choosing your opening statement: a nurse CV summary or objective
At the top one third of your CV, you have the chance to make a more personable impression on recruiters by selecting between:
- Summary - or those three to five sentences that you use to show your greatest achievements. Use the CV summary if you happen to have plenty of relevant experience and wish to highlight your greatest successes;
- Objective - provides you with up to five sentences to state your professional aims and mission in the company you're applying for
CV summaries for a nurse job:
- With over 10 years of experience in paediatric nursing, adept at delivering exceptional care in fast-paced hospital environments, I have been instrumental in developing community outreach programmes that improved patient health outcomes, and maintain proficiency in the latest nursing practices, boasting a record of a 95% patient satisfaction rate.
- Highly skilled in oncology nursing with 8 years of practice in a renowned cancer treatment centre, where I led a team that achieved a 20% increase in patient recovery rates through innovative care plans. Expertise includes advanced chemotherapy administration and palliative care coordination, with a commitment to continuous professional development.
- As a former paramedic with 5 years of acute emergency response experience, I am transitioning into nursing with a recent Bachelor's in Nursing. Bringing to the table robust skills in critical care, triage and patient advocacy gained from high-pressure settings, I am keen to leverage this background to provide superior patient-centred nursing care.
- Transitioning from a career as a health educator, I have developed strong interpersonal communication skills and a deep understanding of patient education principles over my 7-year tenure. With the completion of an accelerated nursing programme, I am ready to blend my educational expertise with hands-on nursing care to enhance patient engagement and wellbeing.
- Seeking to launch a nursing career, I am freshly graduated with a Master's in Nursing Science and bring a fervent interest in gerontological care. Eager to contribute fresh knowledge and a holistic approach to healthcare, with an objective to establish a compassionate and professional environment for elderly patients.
- A recently certified nursing professional, eager to apply the comprehensive knowledge acquired from a Bachelor's in Nursing. With a strong focus on clinical excellence and patient advocacy, my objective is to deliver exceptional care while developing my expertise in paediatric nursing within a collaborative healthcare setting.
More detailed look into your work history: best advice on writing your nurse CV experience section
The CV experience is a space not just to merely list your past roles and responsibilities. It is the CV real estate within which you could detail your greatest accomplishments and skills, while matching the job requirements. Here's what to have in your experience section:
- Prove you have what the job wants with your unique skill set and past successes;
- Start each bullet with a strong, action verb, and continue with the outcome of your responsibility;
- Use any awards, nominations, and recognitions you've received as solid proof of your skill set and expertise;
- align your experience with the role responsibilities and duties.
For more help on how to write your CV experience section, check out the next section of our guide:
Best practices for your CV's work experience section
- Provided compassionate care to patients on a 30-bed medical-surgical ward, effectively managing their pain and addressing post-operative recovery needs.
- Executed clinical skills such as IV insertion, wound dressing, medication administration, and blood glucose monitoring with a high degree of proficiency.
- Coordinated with multidisciplinary teams including physicians, physiotherapists, and social workers to develop and implement personalised care plans for patients.
- Maintained precise documentation of patient care, treatment plans, and progress notes in accordance with NMC guidelines to ensure continuity of care.
- Implemented infection control protocols and participated in quality improvement projects that resulted in a 15% reduction in hospital-acquired infections on the ward.
- Demonstrated strong communication skills by providing clear and informative handovers at the end of each shift, ensuring seamless patient care.
- Supervised and mentored junior nurses and student nurses, fostering professional development and promoting a collaborative team environment.
- Regularly participated in professional development opportunities, including workshops on palliative care and chronic disease management to enhance patient care delivery.
- Responded effectively to emergency situations, displaying critical thinking and decision-making skills under pressure to stabilise patients.
- Led a team of 12 nurses to provide top-tier critical care to paediatric patients, ensuring staffing levels were optimised to maintain a 1:1 nurse-to-patient ratio, effectively reducing patient wait times by 25%.
- Implemented an innovative care coordination system that maximised resource allocation and streamlined patient handovers, contributing to a 15% increase in the unit's overall treatment efficiency.
- Spearheaded a cross-departmental initiative to update clinical protocols in line with the latest research findings, which led to a significant reduction in post-operative complications by 20%.
- Orchestrated a busy emergency department by efficiently managing a team of 20 nurses, resulting in a 30% improvement in triage times and a dramatic increase in patient satisfaction scores.
- Developed and conducted staff training sessions on the latest emergency response techniques, which enhanced the average response time from initial assessment to treatment initiation by 40%.
- Initiated a department-wide audit on the use of medical supplies which led to the adoption of a new inventory management system, cutting waste and reducing costs by £10K annually.
- Delivered perioperative and postoperative care to patients undergoing complex cardiac procedures, often managing up to 10 patients simultaneously to ensure adherence to recovery protocols.
- Collaborated with an interdisciplinary team to develop patient-centred care plans, which improved recovery rates and shortened average hospital stays by three days.
- Contributed to the unit's research activities by collecting and analysing patient data for studies on post-surgical outcomes, directly influencing improvements in surgical techniques.
- Provide expert patient care and consultation for oncology patients, significantly improving patient outcomes through personalised treatment planning and follow-up care.
- Developed a patient education programme that increased patient engagement and adherence to treatment plans by over 35%, enhancing the overall effectiveness of therapeutic interventions.
- Played a pivotal role in the research and implementation of a new targeted therapy treatment, which has since become standard protocol and improved five-year survival rates by 18%.
- Managed a diverse caseload of over 1,200 patients in a general practice setting, delivering comprehensive care and improving patient access to primary care services.
- Initiated a successful health promotion campaign on diabetes management that was adopted by the practice and resulted in a 10% decrease in emergency admissions among diabetic patients.
- Pioneered the use of telehealth consultations within the practice, which increased patient engagement and enabled higher consultation capacity by 50%.
- Direct the nursing operations within a high-volume orthopaedic ward, overseeing patient care plans and ensuring compliance with national health standards, thus achieving a 98% patient satisfaction rate.
- Implemented a continuous professional development program which led to an increase in certification levels among the nursing staff by 60%, greatly improving patient care quality.
- Overhauled the post-surgical rehabilitation protocols, resulting in reduced average recovery times from 6 to 4 weeks and a 15% decrease in readmission rates due to complications.
- Oversaw the delivery of compassionate care to patients with mental health issues, which resulted in a 20% improvement in adherence to individual care plans.
- Established a multidisciplinary team approach that reduced incident reports within the facility by 40%, fostering a safer environment for both patients and staff.
- Launched a community outreach program designed to raise awareness about mental health, successfully engaging with over 3,000 community members and reducing stigma associated with mental illness.
- Expertly supported anaesthetic procedures for over 1,500 surgical cases, ensuring optimal patient safety and contributing to a reduction in the rate of anaesthesia-related complications by 5%.
- Designed and implemented a post-operative care pathway that minimised patient discomfort and enhanced recovery, resulting in 95% of patients achieving expected recovery milestones within 24 hours of surgery.
- Conducted comprehensive training workshops on post-anaesthesia care for newly qualified nurses, effectively standardising recovery protocols and improving patient care continuity.
Writing your CV without professional experience for your first job or when switching industries
There comes a day, when applying for a job, you happen to have no relevant experience, whatsoever. Yet, you're keen on putting your name in the hat. What should you do? Candidates who part-time experience , internships, and volunteer work.
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If you have experience in diverse fields, highlight how this has broadened your perspective and skill set, making you a more versatile candidate.
The CV skills' divide: between hard and soft skills
Of course, you may have read the job requirements plenty of times now, but it's key to note that there is a difference between technical and personal skills. Both are equally relevant to your job application. When writing about your skill set, ensure you've copy-pasted the precise skill from the job requirement. This would not only help you ensure you have the correct spelling, but also pass any Applicant Tracker System (ATS) assessments.
- Hard skills show your technological capabilities. Or whether you'll be a good technical fit to the organisation. Ensure you've spotlighted your hard skills in various sections of your CV (e.g. skills section, projects, experience) by including the technology and what you've attained;
- Soft skills pinpoint your personality and people or communication skills, hinting at if you'll easily accomodate into the team or organisation. Quantify your soft skills in your CV achievements, strengths, summary/objective, and experience sections. Always support your soft skills with how they've helped you grow as a professional.
Top skills for your nurse CV:
Clinical assessment
Patient care
Medication administration
Wound care
Life support
Health education
Medical record-keeping
Critical thinking
Technical proficiency with medical equipment
Knowledge of medical procedures
Compassion
Effective communication
Teamwork
Adaptability
Problem-solving
Attention to detail
Stress management
Time management
Empathy
Leadership
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If you have received professional endorsements or recommendations for certain skills, especially on platforms like LinkedIn, mention these to add credibility.
CV education and certificates: your academic background as proof of your skill set
A common misconception about your nurse CV education is that you only need it, if you have less professional experience. That is completely false. The CV education section serves to back up your technical (and sometimes personal) capabilities, fill in gaps in your work history, and show you have the initial industry background and know-how. When creating your education section:
- List your degrees in the reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent (and relevant) ones first;
- Include your degree and university names, start and graduation dates. It's optional to also denote you received a "First-Class Honours" for diplomas that are more relevant to the role;
- Curate your relevant university coursework, projects, or thesis work if you happen to have less professional expertise and need to integrate more job keywords and skills.
Your professional qualifications don't need to stop at your academic background. It's advisable to also select up to three of your most noteworthy (and relevant) industry certificates and feature them in a dedicated section. Once more, include the certificate name, the institution that issued it out, and the date you obtained it on. You could feature both hard skills and soft skills certificates, as in the examples below:
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Focus on describing skills in the context of the outcomes they’ve helped you achieve, linking them directly to tangible results or successes in your career.
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Key takeaways
What matters most in your nurse CV-writing process is for you to create a personalised application. One that matches the role and also showcases your unique qualities and talents.
- Use the format to supplement the actual content, to stand out, and to ensure your CV experience is easy to comprehend and follows a logic;
- Invest time in building a succinct CV top one third. One that includes a header (with your contact details and headline), a summary or an objective statement (select the one that best fits your experience), and - potentially - a dedicated skills section or achievements (to fit both hard skills and soft skills requirements);
- Prioritise your most relevant (and senior) experience closer to the top of your CV. Always ensure you're following the "power verb, skill, and achievement" format for your bullets;
- Integrate both your technical and communication background across different sections of your CV to meet the job requirements;
- List your relevant education and certificates to fill in gaps in your CV history and prove to recrutiers you have relevant technical know-how.
