Writing a nursing resume is a challenging process for most. Lack of guidance prevents nurses from investing the time to develop a well-written resume, so it’s essential to know how to write a quality resume so that you can apply to any job with confidently.
Depending on the type of nursing position you’re applying for, the resume writing process may have a different level of difficulty. For example, any healthcare-related position requires a candidate to prepare their job application diligently. However, nursing is one of the key sectors of the healthcare industry, so writing a nursing resume is not easy.
Here is what you shouldn’t and should include in your nursing resume.
Things You Should Include on a Nursing Resume
Let’s start with what you should include on your nursing resume. It helps to plan what you need to have beforehand since you can remove any necessary information afterward.
- Basic Contact Information
Though it may be obvious, contact information should be the first part of any resume. When applying for jobs, you want employers to easily be able to reach you throughout the job application process. When key details regarding how to contact you still need to be included, employers will likely pass on your application. “The little things can matter the most in certain instances. So don’t forget to include any information that will allow employers to reach out if they believe you are a worthy candidate,” recommends Nelson Green, a recruiter at OX Essays review and State of writing.
- Qualifications & Education
Becoming a nurse often requires years of in-depth education earned through a college or university program. It would help if you created a section to display your educational history. Employers will need to know that you are qualified for the position you’re applying for. Include your degree and the specification; you need to state the type of nurse you have gone to school to be and the type of healthcare you provide. This can be as simple as showing how long you attended the school, your degree, the kind of nurse you are, and what positions most interest you.
- Recite Topics & Key Words Found in Job Posting
Thanks to modern technological advancements, AI processing is now impacting the selection of candidates for companies. Programming used on job sites specifically sorts through resumes and seeks out keywords. This programming allows one to conduct SEO or search engine optimization. This means that to utilize an employer’s SEO, you need to read the job posting thoroughly. Doing so allows you to answer questions within your resume, implement keywords and topics, and increase the likelihood of management seeing your resume.
Things You Shouldn’t Include on a Nursing Resume
Now that you know some basics you should include on your nursing resume, here are some crucial things to avoid putting on the resume.
- Filler Information
Resumes typically shouldn’t be more than two pages long. While you shouldn’t write a plain resume that lacks substance, please don’t overdo it. If you make your resume too long, it will leave a negative impression on employers. “Your resume shouldn’t have random information related to your personal life or that adds no value to the application. Filler information is detrimental to any resume one may create,” shares Sherry Ware, HR manager at Boom Essays and Paper Fellows.
- Job Experience That Doesn’t Connect to Nursing
Many mistakenly believe you must include all past job history and experience on a resume. This misconception is not true in the slightest! Instead, only have jobs in your past that relate to nursing. Though you may wonder: this is my first time applying for a nursing education after school, don’t fret. Jobs including caretaking, customer service, and health-related positions relate to nursing.
- Include Hobbies or Interests
Unfortunately, your resume is not the time to tell your future employer about what you do in your free time on a Sunday afternoon. So, even if certain hobbies relate to nursing, leave them off the resume. For example, though you may volunteer at care homes on weekends, that can be added as an experience instead of a hobby. It’s also important to note that you can share this information if you land a job interview. Typically, employers like to ask questions, including ones about hobbies and interests, to get to know you better.
Before you write your nursing resume, conducting further research is immensely helpful. You can also ask those you know who are already a nurse for advice on writing a stellar resume that will impress employers. Including the right bits of information and ditching the non-important pieces will guide you to writing a quality nursing resume.
