Nursing Student Resume Writing Tips and Sample
Whew — you did it! You made it to the end of nursing school. Now you’re likely starting to think about what’s next and where you might want to work.
Although you haven’t graduated nursing school yet, there’s no rule that says you have to wait to start your job application process. In fact, if you want to start working immediately after nursing school, you’ll need to apply for jobs during your final semester of school.
The job application process is slightly different when you don’t have your RN license yet. Perhaps you don’t have extensive nursing experience to share, but you have relevant clinical rotations. Great — you can still create an amazing nursing student resume.
What to Include
Your resume should include these critical components: professional summary, key qualifications, education, experience, skills, licenses, and certifications. The professional summary is a great place to mention that you are a dedicated nursing student and highlight your experiences in clinical rotations. For more tips on your job application, refer to our student nurse cover letter sample.
When writing your nursing resume, consider these tips:
- Showcase hard and soft skills: Include your qualifications and qualities to demonstrate that you possess both the art and science of nursing.
- Be concise: Keep it skimmable. You don’t need to list every single job you’ve worked at or clinical rotation you’ve done – share what’s relevant.
- Use action verbs: When you describe duties at previous jobs or clinicals, start your bulleted lists with action verbs.
Student Nurse Resume Sample
Candace Joy
Salt Lake City, Utah • firstlast@email.com • (555) 555-5555
Nursing student with two years of experience as a certified nursing assistant. Seeking a full-time RN position in a Telemetry unit. Gained experience in cardiac nursing during clinical rotations in Cardiac ICU, Telemetry, and Emergency Department.
Key Qualifications
- Effective communication, time-management, and empathy
- Expected NCLEX test date: June 20XX
- Completed telemetry interpretation elective course in 20XX
Education
ABC Nursing University, Salt Lake City, UT, expected graduation date May 20XX
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- Clinical rotations: 40 hours Cardiac ICU, 12 hours Emergency Department, 44 hours Telemetry
Professional Experience
St. Paul Medical Center, Nursing student, January 20XX–April 20XX
Telemetry Unit
- Collaborated with two RNs to provide high-quality care for three patients during an eight-hour shift.
- Monitored and interpreted telemetry strips for 13 patients.
- Developed skills in caring for patients post-cardiac stent placement, placing IVs, and performing 12-lead EKGs.
Rose Hospital, CNA, 20XX–20XX
Medical-Surgical Unit
- Measured and documented vital signs promptly for 10 patients during a 12-hour shift.
- Provided care for 10–12 patients under the supervision of two RNs, including assisting patients with feeding, toileting, and range of motion exercises.
Skills
Organized; Adaptable; Critical thinking; Teamwork; Compassionate; Detail oriented
Licenses and Certifications
- Basic Life Support (BLS)
- Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
What Nursing Salary Can I Expect?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not report a salary for brand new nurses, but as with other professions, you can expect your salary to be on the lower end of average when first starting. The average registered nurse salary is $89,010 per year.
The highest paying states for nursing jobs are:
- California
- Hawaii
- Oregon
- Massachusetts
- Alaska
Job Outlook
The demand for RNs is projected to grow 6% in the next 10 years. This is the average growth for all professions, which means you can expect decent job security.
It’s Time to Put Your Resume to Work
You are now equipped to write a strong nursing student resume and start applying for jobs. Need help finding them? Search for student nurse jobs on IntelyCare and apply today.