Crafting a compelling CV can be particularly challenging for nursing students, as they must effectively showcase both their clinical skills and compassionate qualities. Our guide provides clear, step-by-step instructions on how to balance the technical and personal aspects of your CV, ensuring you present yourself as a well-rounded candidate.
In this Enhancv nursing student CV guide, you'll find out more about how to:
- Answer job requirements with your nursing student CV and experience;
- Curate your academic background and certificates, following industry-leading CV examples;
- Select from +10 niche skills to match the ideal candidate profile
- Write a more succinct experience section that consists of all the right details.
Do you need more specific insights into writing your nursing student CV? Our guides focus on unique insights for each individual role:
Resume examples for nursing student
Explore additional nursing student cv samples and guides and see what works for your level of experience or role.
By Experience
Entry-Level Nursing Student
- Effective Use of Structure and Clarity - The CV is strategically organized with clear sections such as experience, education, skills, and achievements. Each section is distinct and easy to read, making the document concise and accessible. This clear structure allows for efficient scanning and highlights key information succinctly, underscoring the candidate's attention to detail and organizational skills.
- Demonstrates Consistent Career Growth - Daniel Baker's career trajectory reveals a steady progression in responsibilities and expertise within the field of learning disability and childcare advocacy. Transitioning from a Child Development Assistant to a Learning Disability Support Worker, he illustrates growth in both scope and impact, reflecting an ongoing commitment to his professional development and capability expansion in favoring children's well-being.
- Strong Focus on Impactful Achievements - The CV outlines specific, impactful achievements that demonstrate Daniel's contributions beyond routine duties. For example, developing individualized care plans and implementing sensory activities stand out as initiatives that significantly improved children’s well-being and social skills. These achievements highlight not only his competence in his field but also his sustained efforts towards creating meaningful change.
Advanced Nursing Student
- Clear and Comprehensive Content Structure - The CV is organized into distinct sections, each well-labeled and easy to follow. It presents a clear professional summary, followed by detailed experiences, education, skills, volunteering, and achievements, ensuring no aspect of Sophia’s qualifications is overlooked. This clarity helps the reader quickly identify key factors relevant to the nursing field.
- Professional Growth in Healthcare - Sophia’s career trajectory demonstrates a solid commitment to the healthcare field, with roles such as Clinical Skills Trainer and Health Workshop Facilitator indicating growth in responsibility and involvement in enhancing patient care education. This upward trajectory showcases a dedication to professional development and continuous learning.
- Utilization of Advanced Training Modules - Sophia has shown skill in developing and utilizing training modules and e-learning tools, which are pivotal in modern healthcare education. Her experience in creating tools that improve knowledge retention rates and patient communication skills reflects her technical depth and innovative approach within the healthcare sector.
Senior Nursing Student
- Clear and Structured Presentation - Alice Barnes's CV stands out with its clarity and organization, effectively presenting essential information. Each section is concise, ensuring her experience, skills, and education are easily accessible to the reader.
- Comprehensive Career Trajectory - Alice’s career path reflects consistent growth and dedication within the healthcare sector. From her volunteer roles to her patient care assistant position, each step demonstrates her commitment to advancing her nursing career and gaining hands-on experience.
- Emphasis on Soft Skills and Leadership - The CV highlights Alice's strong soft skills like team collaboration, communication, and adaptability. Leadership is evident through examples such as training junior volunteers and initiating improvements in patient care protocols, showcasing her proactive approach and influence in team settings.
Part-Time Nursing Student
- Structured Professional Growth in Education - Chloe Bell's CV showcases a clear trajectory within the educational sector, evident through her roles as a Peer Tutor and Academic Mentor. These positions demonstrate her expanding impact on student outcomes and curriculum development, reflecting steady professional growth within her field.
- Emphasis on Educational Innovation - In the experience section, Chloe differentiates herself by incorporating innovative teaching methodologies. Her contributions to curriculum discussions and her role in designing customized learning resources highlight her commitment to enhancing educational engagement and effectiveness.
- Achievements Linked to Real-World Impact - The achievements section effectively ties Chloe’s accolades to tangible educational improvements. For example, being nominated as Educator of the Semester underscores her ability to personalize learning strategies, which directly correlates with improved academic results.
Full-Time Nursing Student
- Clear Structure and Strategic Section Placement - The CV is well-organized with sections logically arranged, helping readers quickly find pertinent information such as education, skills, and experience. The summary at the top sets the tone, followed by targeted experience and achievements that pertain directly to nursing roles.
- Diverse Experience in Leadership and Community Engagement - Scarlett’s experience as a Nursing Student Volunteer and Peer Tutor shows a trajectory that emphasizes leadership potential and community impact. By participating in educational workshops and mentoring, she has developed skills that go beyond clinical duties, preparing her for more comprehensive responsibilities in the healthcare field.
- Demonstrated Technical and Interpersonal Skills Interface - The CV highlights a strong balance between technical nursing competencies and interpersonal skills. Skills like manual dexterity and near visual acuity are complemented by verbal communication and teamwork, showcasing a well-rounded nurse prepared for the multifaceted demands of healthcare environments.
Nursing Student Graduate Assistant
- Content presentation with clarity and structure - The CV is meticulously organized, allowing for easy comprehension. Each section is clearly delineated with headings such as education, experience, and skills, making it simple to navigate through the document. The bullet points under each role provide concise details, ensuring that the reader can quickly grasp the key responsibilities and achievements of the candidate.
- Achievements and their impact on healthcare - Daniel Baker's CV showcases impressive achievements that directly benefit healthcare delivery. For instance, his role in enhancing patient care efficiency by reducing wait time through improved data management highlights a direct positive impact on patient experience. These achievements not only underscore his capabilities but also demonstrate a clear alignment with healthcare improvement goals.
- Adaptability and collaborative cross-functional experience - The CV highlights Daniel's adaptability and his ability to work collaboratively across various healthcare settings. His experience includes volunteering with notable organizations like the British Red Cross and St. John Ambulance, where he effectively engaged with health professionals, organized health workshops, and contributed to public health initiatives. This breadth of experience underscores his capability to adapt and drive results in diverse healthcare environments.
Nursing Student Resident
- Clear and Structured Presentation - The CV is well-organized, starting with concise personal information and a focused summary, followed by sections that are logically ordered, providing a coherent flow of Ruby Gibson's educational background, experiences, and skills, which makes it easy for the reader to follow and understand her qualifications.
- Demonstrates Leadership and Soft Skills - Ruby's CV highlights her strong leadership and interpersonal skills, as evidenced by her role in organizing medical workshops and leading team collaborations during nursing simulations. These experiences not only show her ability to manage and lead but also underscore her capacity to work effectively with diverse teams in high-pressure environments.
- Achievements with Concrete Impact - The CV is distinguished by Ruby's significant achievements, such as improving team performance metrics by 30% and achieving a high participant satisfaction rate of 98% in workshops. These accomplishments reveal her ability to deliver impactful results, enhancing the effectiveness of healthcare education and team dynamics in clinical settings.
Nursing Student Trainee
- Clear and Efficient Content Presentation - The CV is structured concisely, effectively displaying key information in a clear manner. Each section is well-organized, ensuring a smooth reading experience. Bullet points in the experience section help in quickly grabbing attention, detailing responsibilities and achievements without unnecessary verbosity.
- Proactive Career Trajectory - Charlie Thomas showcases a proactive approach to their career in healthcare. Even as a volunteer, there’s clear evidence of leadership and impact such as initiating health workshops and facilitating patient transportation. The transition from a part-time caregiver to a volunteer role signifies a commitment to gaining diverse experiences within the healthcare domain.
- Significant Achievements in Community Health - The achievements listed are not only quantified but also aligned with improving healthcare outcomes. For instance, a 25% increase in patient satisfaction through personalized care illustrates a significant impact, demonstrating a genuine commitment to enhancing community health resources and patient experiences.
Nursing Student Co-op
- Structured and Concise Presentation - The CV is well-organized, with clear sections detailing experience, education, skills, and achievements. This structured layout enhances readability and allows potential employers to quickly identify key qualifications and relevant experiences, which are crucial for a role in nursing.
- Early Encouragement and Practical Experience - Isla's career trajectory showcases proactive involvement in the healthcare field through roles like Student Nurse Assistant and Nursing Volunteer. This early hands-on experience highlights her commitment to patient care and indicates a strong foundation for future career growth within the nursing industry.
- Tangible Impact in Patient Care - Notably, the CV features specific achievements, such as improving patient satisfaction scores by 20% and enhancing community health outcomes. These accomplishments demonstrate Isla's ability to make a positive impact in healthcare settings, which is directly relevant to the responsibilities of a Nursing Co-Op Student.
Nursing Student Fellow
- Highlighted progression in paediatric healthcare - Finley Robinson's career has shown a strong and consistent trajectory within paediatric healthcare, highlighted by roles that increasingly focus on direct patient care and community impact. Moving from roles that focus heavily on volunteer and advocacy work to leading initiatives demonstrates both a growth in responsibility and an ability to influence health outcomes positively.
- Emphasizes leadership in community settings - The CV effectively showcases Finley Robinson's leadership in community-focused healthcare projects. Their ability to lead volunteer teams, manage community health projects, and create educational materials highlights strong leadership and organizational skills essential for effective team leadership in healthcare environments.
- Unique focus on community health impact - Finley Robinson's experience emphasizes a keen focus on community health and paediatric care, highlighted by achievements such as establishing new outreach clinics and conducting health screenings for early issue detection. This focus is critical in the paediatric nursing field, showcasing a commitment not only to clinical excellence but also to broader community health promotion and education.
By Role
Nursing Student Intern
- Clear and Structured Presentation - The CV is well-organized with distinct sections for each aspect of Ella Bennett’s professional profile, making it easy to navigate. Information is presented concisely, ensuring that each section contributes valuable insights without overwhelming the reader.
- Strong Foundation in Healthcare Experience - Ella's career trajectory shows a clear focus on healthcare from her role as a Medical Volunteer at the British Red Cross to her position as a Community Health Worker with NHS Trust. The progression highlights her growing responsibility and commitment to enhancing public health outcomes.
- Demonstrated Leadership and Initiative - Ella’s achievements section underscores her ability to lead and collaborate effectively. By leading health awareness campaigns and organizing health fairs, she demonstrates a proactive approach to community health, with each project making a tangible impact on public engagement and service utilization.
Nursing Student Clinical Placement
- Emphasizes Health Sector Commitment - The CV clearly showcases Jack Taylor's dedication to the healthcare industry through various roles that progressively build on each other. Starting as a Peer Health Educator and advancing to a Health Volunteer, Jack's career trajectory indicates a strong growth orientation within healthcare, highlighted by involvement in both educational and patient care contexts.
- Strategic Use of Skills and Training - Jack effectively leverages both acquired skills and formal training to advance in the healthcare sector. Certifications like the Patient Care Certificate and Health Informatics Training show a proactive approach to learning essential industry tools and methodologies, enhancing the technical depth necessary for a Nursing Associate role.
- Impactful Volunteer Contributions - The achievements and volunteer experiences are integrated thoughtfully to show business relevance. Jack's leadership in organizing health awareness workshops and patient support programs not only demonstrate notable numerical improvements in participation and patient satisfaction but also highlight a commitment to improving community healthcare outcomes.
Nursing Student Assistant
- Clear and Concise Presentation - The CV is structured logically, with each section clearly labeled and relevant information provided in a concise manner. This helps in quickly identifying the candidate's qualifications, experience, and skills, making the document easy to read and navigate.
- Impressive Career Growth - Sophia's career trajectory showcases a steady progression in responsibilities, evident from her roles as a Caregiver Volunteer and later as a Clinical Skills Facilitator. This progression indicates her readiness to take on more complex tasks in patient care and training, which is essential for the role of a Student Clinical Assistant.
- Proven Impact in Healthcare Setting - The achievements listed in the CV, such as improving training satisfaction rates by 20% and organizing health education workshops, underline Sophia's ability to make tangible improvements in healthcare environments. Her proactive approach not only benefits patients directly but also enhances the educational experience for fellow nursing students.
Nursing Student Extern
- Structured and Concise Presentation - The CV is well-organized, with clear sections for education, experience, skills, and additional activities. Each section is concise yet informative, effectively summarizing relevant information without unnecessary detail. Bullet points in the experience section provide an accessible overview of the candidate’s contributions and responsibilities.
- Significant Growth in Nursing Experience - Alfie Edwards demonstrates a clear trajectory of professional development in the nursing field, moving from care support roles to more involved positions such as a nursing volunteer. This shows a commitment to advancing in the healthcare industry and gaining practical skills through various volunteer and extern positions to increase nursing proficiency.
- Emphasis on Soft Skills and Compassionate Care - The CV highlights key soft skills, such as active listening, communication, and compassionate patient support, which are crucial in healthcare professions. These skills are evidenced by roles that involve patient interaction, leadership in volunteer programs, and initiatives focused on patient advocacy and community well-being.
Nursing Student Preceptorship
- Clear and Structured Presentation - The CV is laid out in a highly organized manner, making it easy to navigate. Each section is clearly labeled and concise, allowing the reader to quickly identify key information such as education, experience, skills, and achievements. The use of bullet points in describing responsibilities and achievements ensures that the content is digestible and highlights the most critical aspects of the candidate's background.
- Demonstrates Adaptability and Cross-Functional Experience - Theodore Green's involvement in both health education and volunteering roles, such as a Health Office Assistant and Peer Health Educator, showcases a broad range of experiences. This adaptability is further evidenced by participation in community health initiatives, indicating a readiness to engage in various health-related environments and perform different functions effectively.
- Emphasis on Soft Skills and Leadership - The CV highlights Theodore's strong communication and mentorship abilities. Achievements like leading health workshops and coordinating volunteer efforts demonstrate leadership potential and a capacity for guiding both peers and students. These soft skills are crucial in the healthcare industry, where collaboration and effective communication significantly impact patient care and team dynamics.
Nursing Student Practicum
- Comprehensive Content Presentation - The CV demonstrates exceptional clarity through well-organized sections, enabling easy navigation. Each section, from education to volunteering, is succinctly presented, allowing the reader to swiftly grasp the candidate's qualifications and experiences relevant to the role of a school nurse.
- Dynamic Career Progression - The CV showcases a clear trajectory with consistent growth in community health education. Positions such as Health Education Volunteer and Community Health Workshops Facilitator indicate a strategic movement towards gaining relevant experience and skills in public health, vital for transitioning to a school nursing role.
- Effective Use of Achievements - The profile highlights tangible achievements that not only showcase numbers but emphasize their impact. For instance, delivering workshops leading to increased engagement by 40% and information retention by 25%, demonstrating the candidate's ability to drive educational success and contribute significantly to community well-being.
Nursing Student Research Assistant
- Exceptional Content Presentation - The CV is well-structured and concise, with clearly defined sections that allow for easy navigation. Each section is purposefully organized, making it straightforward for hiring managers to identify Max's skills, experiences, and achievements without wading through excessive detail. This clarity enhances the overall impact and professionalism of the document.
- Rich Career Trajectory in Research - Max's career trajectory demonstrates a strong progression within the research sector, transitioning from a Data Analyst Volunteer to a Research Coordinator role in a dynamic environment. This path highlights his capacity for growth and his ability to take on more complex responsibilities within the field of data management and protocol oversight.
- Robust Soft Skills and Leadership Abilities - The CV emphasizes Max's leadership and interpersonal skills through roles that required stakeholder engagement and team coordination. His work in community outreach and volunteer coordination further showcases his adeptness in managing diverse teams and initiatives, making him a versatile candidate who can thrive in collaborative settings.
Nursing Student Peer Tutor
- Concise and Structured Presentation - The CV's design ensures clarity and efficient communication of qualifications by organizing the information into clearly defined sections. Each section, from experience to education, is detailed yet succinct, making it easy for potential employers to understand the candidate's skills and experiences at a glance.
- Real-world Impact through Achievements - Achievements are not merely stated but are illustrated with significant impact figures. For example, workshop facilitations led to a 15% score improvement among students, which emphasizes the practical value the candidate could bring to a new role and underscores their effective teaching strategies.
- Versatile Soft Skills and Leadership Qualities - The CV highlights soft skills and leadership qualities through initiatives like the Student Support Initiative, which benefited a large number of students. This demonstrates the candidate’s capability to lead projects, contribute to educational equity, and nurture student success through both managerial and innovation-driven roles.
Nursing Student Volunteer
- Comprehensive Career Progression - Florence Knight's CV reflects a clear trajectory in the healthcare field, showcasing her transition from a Registered Nurse to roles centered around health education and student support. This trajectory highlights her commitment to advancing adolescent health, as seen in her involvement with both the NHS and the British Red Cross.
- Integration of Soft Skills and Leadership - The CV effectively emphasizes Florence's interpersonal and leadership abilities, essential for her roles in healthcare. Her capability to coordinate teams, implement feedback, and drive student engagement speaks volumes about her leadership in educational settings, vital for fostering a supportive environment.
- Impactful Achievements with Clear Outcomes - The achievements section is particularly impactful, emphasizing measurable outcomes such as a 20% increase in student engagement. These results not only demonstrate Florence's effectiveness in her roles but also showcase the tangible impact of her work on student health and wellness initiatives.
Nursing Student Mentor
- Comprehensive Integration of Experience and Education - The CV seamlessly integrates the applicant's educational background with their practical experience, particularly highlighting a Bachelor's degree in Nursing from Northumbria University alongside their hands-on positions at Marie Curie and the British Red Cross. The structured timeline presents a clear progression from education to impactful internships and volunteer work, underscoring a well-planned career trajectory dedicated to patient care.
- Impact-Driven Achievements - Harper Webb’s CV is packed with achievements that do not just boast numbers, but highlight real-world impact. For instance, the 20% improvement in patient satisfaction scores and the development of a health workshop attended by over 100 locals reflect their commitment to fostering community health and personal care excellence. These accomplishments are directly tied to meaningful outcomes, illustrating their strategic approach to healthcare challenges.
- Emphasis on Soft Skills and Interpersonal Abilities - While technical skills are crucial, the CV also places an admirable emphasis on soft skills such as communication, compassion, teamwork, and adaptability. These are referenced not only in the skills section but are also implicitly demonstrated in Harper's volunteering and internship roles, where collaboration and education are key components of their responsibilities. Such skills are invaluable in community nursing, where patient interaction and care coordination are paramount.
How complex should the format of your nursing student CV be?
Perhaps, you decided to use a fancy font and plenty of colours to ensure your nursing student CV stands out amongst the pile of other candidate profiles. Alas - this may confuse recruiters. By keeping your format simple and organising your information coherently, you'll ultimately make a better impression. What matters most is your experience, while your CV format should act as complementary thing by:
- Presenting the information in a reverse chronological order with the most recent of your jobs first. This is done so that your career history stays organised and is aligned to the role;
- Making it easy for recruiters to get in touch with you by including your contact details in the CV header. Regarding the design of your CV header, include plenty of white space and icons to draw attention to your information. If you're applying for roles in the UK, don't include a photo, as this is considered a bad practice;
- Organising your most important CV sections with consistent colours, plenty of white space, and appropriate margins (2.54 cm). Remember that your CV design should always aim at legibility and to spotlight your key information;
- Writing no more than two pages of your relevant experience. For candidates who are just starting out in the field, we recommend to have an one-page CV.
One more thing about your CV format - you may be worried if your double column CV is Applicant Tracker System (ATS) complaint. In our recent study, we discovered that both single and double-column CVs are ATS-friendly . Most ATSes out there can also read all serif and sans serif fonts. We suggest you go with modern, yet simple, fonts (e.g. Rubik, Lato, Raleway) instead of the classic Times New Roman. You'll want your application to stand out, and many candidates still go for the classics. Finally, you'll have to export your CV. If you're wondering if you should select Doc or PDF, we always advise going with PDF. Your CV in PDF will stay intact and opens easily on every OS, including Mac OS.
PRO TIP
Incorporate a touch of colour in headers or section breaks, but keep it professional and ensure it doesn’t detract from readability, especially in more conservative industries.
The top sections on a nursing student CV
- Education and Qualifications: Showcases nursing-specific academic achievements and knowledge.
- Clinical Experience: Highlights hands-on patient care and relevant ward practices.
- Nursing Skills: Details proficiency in nursing procedures and patient support.
- Professional Registrations: Lists crucial licensing and nursing board memberships.
- Awards and Acknowledgements: Notes recognition for nursing excellence or leadership.
What recruiters value on your CV:
- Highlight clinical rotations and specific skills developed during your nursing education, such as patient care, administering medications, and observing patient confidentiality, to demonstrate your hands-on experience and readiness for practical nursing tasks.
- Include any nursing-related extracurricular activities or memberships in professional organisations like the Royal College of Nursing, which show your dedication and proactive approach to the field.
- Emphasise soft skills like communication, empathy, and teamwork, as they are crucial in nursing for providing quality patient care and collaborating effectively with healthcare professionals.
- Detail any volunteer work or healthcare projects you've participated in, particularly those that have a direct bearing on patient care or community health, to show your commitment to the healthcare sector beyond academic pursuits.
- Ensure your CV is concise, well-structured, and free of jargon, using clear headings for education, licensing, certifications, and professional experience while avoiding overly technical language that might confuse non-medical recruiters.
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Tips and tricks on writing a job-winning nursing student CV header
The CV header is the space which most recruiters would be referring most often to, in the beginning and end of your application. That is as the CV header includes your contact details, but also a headline and a professional photo. When writing your CV header:
- Double-check your contact details for spelling errors or if you've missed any digits. Also, ensure you've provided your personal details, and not your current work email or telephone number;
- Include your location in the form of the city and country you live in. If you want to be more detailed, you can list your full address to show proximity to your potential work place;
- Don't include your CV photo, if you're applying for roles in the UK or US, as this may bias initial recruiters' assessments;
- Write a professional headline that either integrates the job title, some relevant industry keywords, or your most noteworthy achievement.
In the next part of our guide, we'll provide you with professional CVs that showcase some of the best practices when it comes to writing your headline.
Examples of good CV headlines for nursing student:
- Nursing Student | Acute Care Placement Experience | BSc Nursing Candidate | Infection Control Enthusiast
- Aspiring Paediatric Nurse | Final Year Student Nurse | Volunteer Health Assistant | Passionate about Child Health Advocacy
- Compassionate Nursing Student | Mental Health Placement | Pursuing RGN Status | Advocate for Holistic Care
- Dedicated Student Nurse | Adult Nursing Rotation | Proficient in Patient-Centred Care | BLS Certified
- Future Oncology Nurse | BSc Honours Nursing | Clinical Research Volunteer | Committed to Cancer Care Excellence
- Nursing Undergraduate | Community Health Intern | Aspiring Theatre Nurse | Emergency Care Proficient | ACLS Trained
Choosing your opening statement: a nursing student 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 you career goals and aspirations
CV summaries for a nursing student job:
CV objectives for a nursing student job:
- To leverage my comprehensive understanding of evidence-based nursing practices and exemplary patient care skills to contribute effectively to the healthcare team at St. Maria's Hospital and support the delivery of superior medical services.
- Bringing my strong foundation in clinical procedures, acute patient care, and compassionate communication to enhance the quality of nursing care provided at Health Bridge Medical Center.
- I am eager to apply my in-depth knowledge of pharmacology, patient assessment, and care plan development to streamline patient treatment processes for the elderly at Serenity Retirement Community.
- As a dedicated nursing student with a consistent track record in medical-surgical and pediatric care, I aim to support the outstanding oncology department at the Regional Cancer Center with my technical expertise and empathy.
- Seeking to integrate my solid grasp of advanced nursing concepts, patient education, and interprofessional collaboration into the fast-paced environment of City General Hospital’s emergency department.
- Determined to bring a strong commitment to patient advocacy, ethical medical practice, and continuous learning to the dynamic team of healthcare professionals at Riverside Health System’s Intensive Care Unit.
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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PRO TIP
If you have received professional endorsements or recommendations for certain skills, especially on platforms like LinkedIn, mention these to add credibility.
Mix and match hard and soft skills across your nursing student CV
Your skill set play an equally valid role as your experience to your application. That is because recruiters are looking for both:
- hard skills or your aptitude in applying particular technologies
- soft skills or your ability to work in a team using your personal skills, e.g. leadership, time management, etc.
Are you wondering how you should include both hard and soft skills across your nursing student CV? Use the:
- skills section to list between ten and twelve technologies that are part of the job requirement (and that you're capable to use);
- strengths and achievements section to detail how you've used particular hard and soft skills that led to great results for you at work;
- summary or objective to spotlight up to three skills that are crucial for the role and how they've helped you optimise your work processes.
One final note - when writing about the skills you have, make sure to match them exactly as they are written in the job ad. Take this precautionary measure to ensure your CV passes the Applicant Tracker System (ATS) assessment.
Top skills for your nursing student CV:
HARD SKILLS
Clinical Skills
Basic Life Support (BLS)
Patient Assessment
Wound Care
Infection Control
Phlebotomy
Medication Administration
Charting and Documentation
Vital Signs Monitoring
Patient Education
SOFT SKILLS
Communication
Empathy
Teamwork
Problem-solving
Adaptability
Time Management
Attention to Detail
Resilience
Stress Management
Cultural Competence
PRO TIP
Order your skills based on the relevance to the role you're applying for, ensuring the most pertinent skills catch the employer's attention first.
CV education and certificates: your academic background as proof of your skill set
A common misconception about your nursing student 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:
PRO TIP
If you have received professional endorsements or recommendations for certain skills, especially on platforms like LinkedIn, mention these to add credibility.
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Key takeaways
Here are five things you need to remember about writing your nursing student CV for success:
- Sort your experience based on the reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent career items, to showcase how you've grown your career;
- Include within your CV header your relevant contact details, a headline that could spotlight your unique value, and a photo - if you're applying for roles outside the UK or US;
- Decide to use the CV summary, if you happen to have more professional experience, and an objective, if you want to showcase your career goals;
- Within the experience section, write your bullets using action verbs, skills, and success, instead of just merely listing your on-the-job responsibilities;
- Prove your technical skills, using your education and certificates, and your soft skills, with your achievements and strengths sections.
