how to write a travel nurse resume

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5 Travel Nurse Resume Examples For 2024

Travel Nurse Resume

Travel nurse 2 resume, travel nurse 3 resume, travel nurse 4 resume, travel nurse 5 resume.

• Travel Nurse Resume Writing 101

As soon as he started typing the email “[email protected],” Leo realized something felt off about his travel nurse resume. He’d been super lucky to get his first LPN job after graduation, thanks to a recommendation from a professor who recognized his skill set and potential . . .

. . . But, now ready to shift into the role of a traveling nurse, Leo realized he’d never fully fleshed out a professional resume (or email)! He recognized that his current layout wasn’t formal enough to cut it—but how could he update it and do his qualifications justice?

Not all nursing students are fortunate enough to jump into their careers immediately after school. But with the right resume format and a thought-provoking AI cover letter , you’ll be set to impress during your next travel nurse interview!

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Related resume examples

• Charge Nurse
• Telehealth Nurse
• Nurse Consultant

What Matters Most: Your Skills & Previous Experience

As you draft your resume for that travel nurse job you’re eyeing, the most important part is ensuring your skills align with what your potential future employer expects of you.

Not sure what skills to include ? The best place to start is by closely reading the job description! They’ll probably mention some key hard and soft skills they expect employees to have, so it’s there, you need to include on your travel nurse resume!

If they’re not included, chances are high recruiters or applicant tracking systems (ATS) will skip over your resume. By taking the time to read the job description, you’ll be a step ahead of the competition!

9 Most In-Demand Travel Nurse Skills

• Multi-state nursing license
• Nurse Licensure Compact
• Registered Nurse (RN)
• Advanced Practice RN
• Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)
• Valid driver’s license
• Flexibility
• ASN or BSN degree

Sample Travel Nurse Work Experience Bullet Points

Without a doubt, the single most important part of your resume (which will often be the make-or-break factor for if you get that interview) is your work experience.

But wait! This doesn’t mean you need to list out every responsibility from your last several jobs. On the contrary, the focus needs to be on something else: impact.

Put it this way: you need to use this section to focus on what kind of actions you took, and what kind of benefit (or quantifiable outcome) that led to.

For example, this could be anything like improving company productivity or increased internal awareness on a clinical practice.

Not sure yet how to visualize that? Here are a few examples to get your creative juices flowing.

• Trained 20 1st year nurses in best gloving and gowning practices, resulting in 100% compliance in RNs who were previously not adhering to best practices
• Increased HCAHPS scores by 10% through regular feedback and feedforward cycles with oncology RNs
• Fostered a culture of organized documentation and improved efficiency by 18% for healthcare providers interacting with new patients
• Triaged patients entering ER, expediting treatment for patients requiring immediate care by an average of 35 minutes
• Led a team of 10 audit medical workers to ensure safety standards were met by all staff

Top 5 Tips for Your Traveling Nurse Resume

• Being a travel nurse is a demanding job. Make sure it’s clear that you’ve undertaken a lot of responsibility, using active verbs like “led,” “contributed,” or “provided.” Don’t underestimate yourself!
• As much as possible, be specific. Don’t say you worked in an infectious disease ward, mention how many beds were in the ward and how long you worked there. Whenever possible, use numbers. If not sure, estimate (as long as it’s within reason!)
• If you’ve had any senior roles or helped to train or guide junior RNs, that’s good to mention. This can help show that you’re reliable and can handle the extra responsibility, which is always a good look.
• Recruiters skim through resumes, and if it’s too long, chances are high they’ll miss crucial information. Keep it short and sweet, while focusing on the unique aspects from each travel nurse job you had.
• A travel nurse resume is your place to shine, so focus on what you do well. Are you particularly skilled in advanced life support? Have you worked in satellite facilities more often than your peers? It should 100 percent be on your resume!

Frequently Asked Questions

• Yes, it’s absolutely vital that you include these on your travel nurse resume, even if you’ve been in the industry for years. Include all relevant licenses and degrees, like RN, APRN, and LVN, as an ATS may be scanning resumes, and could reject yours based on lack of certain keywords, like relevant certifications.
• Customizing your resume doesn’t mean completely rewriting it, don’t worry. You just need to make sure you include any relevant skills the job description asks for. Plus, make sure your previous experience highlights any relevant responsibilities that the job you’re applying for requires.
• At most, it should be a full page long, no matter how hard that sounds. If it’s less (maybe because you’re earlier on in your travel nurse career), that’s also fine, but don’t make it too lengthy! Remember, you can always share more details about your job achievements in your nurse cover letter .

• • Supervised orderlies, nursing assistants and licensed practical nurses
• • Designed 50+ strategies customized to patient and family overall health
• • Provided general competency courses for 300 staff in the department of pediatrics
• • Taught healthy interventions and restraint courses 2 times per week to over 100+ health practitioners
• • Led a team of 5 medical workers for audit programs to ensure all staff meet safety standards
• • Helped 50+ family members by giving health education
• • Provided direct patient care to 500+ kids suffering from autoimmune diseases
• • Conducted individualized patient assessments and performed medical procedures to 500+ patients
• • Acted as consultant regarding treatment of chronic diseases regarding 100+ patients
• • Served meals, cleared tables, monitored 12 tables and provided exceptional customer service to up to 30 customers
• • Managed to serve 300+ customers at breakfast
• • Refined multitasking skills covering 5-8 tables at a time by seeking efficient ways of completing tasks
• • Worked 14 hours a day, 5 days per week

5 Travel Nurse Resume Examples & Guide for 2024

Your travel nurse resume must highlight your adaptability and diverse clinical experience. Showcase the range of healthcare settings in which you've worked effectively. Demonstrate proven proficiency in various specializations or departments relevant to travel nursing. Ensure to quantify your accomplishments with statistics or examples when possible.

All resume examples in this guide

Traditional

Travel Nurse resume example

Resume Guide

Travel Nurse Resume Example

Resume Format

Resume Experience

Hard & Soft Skills

Certifications & Education

Summary/Objective Tips

Additional Resume Sections

Key Takeaways

Travel nurses often have a vast array of clinical experiences across different locations and specializations.

Each assignment requires its own set of skills like medical techniques, interacting with patients, and specialization training.

It can be challenging to consolidate all of those experiences into a concise and effective travel nurse resume.

We’ve created a guide to help you highlight the most relevant experiences for the job you are applying for, while also demonstrating your versatility and adaptability.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

• How to format your travel nurse resume to catch the attention of recruiters
• How to quantify past achievements to show potential employers how you will impact success at their company
• How to present the right combination of skills and tailor your travel nurse resume for your target job
• How to highlight relevant certifications so that hiring managers see that you’re qualified to fill the role

If you’re looking for something a little different from a travel nurse resume, check out some of our guides for similar roles:

• Company Nurse Resume
• Nurse Practitioner Resume
• Nurse Educator Resume
• Practice Nurse Resume
• Nurse Resume
• Travel Nurse Cover Letter

Travel nurse resume example

Here’s what this applicant does well in their resume:

• Experience as a travel nurse : Demonstrates a strong background in providing patient care, including designing strategies for overall health, teaching health interventions, and conducting patient assessments.
• Leadership skills : Illustrates leadership capabilities through supervising nursing staff, leading medical worker teams, and acting as a consultant on chronic disease treatments.
• Certifications and skills : Highlights relevant certifications like the Certified Nurse Educator, and specific skills essential for the role, such as acute care, surgery, and patient care management.

How to format a travel nurse resume

Format is the first thing recruiters notice when they look at a resume. Make a good impression and demonstrate your organizational skills with a travel nurse resume that’s clear and easy to read.

Travel nurses cycle through assignments that can make resumes seem fragmented if not presented well. Make the hiring manager’s job easier by summing up your experience in concise sections.

Consider these key elements for a travel nurse resume format that catches recruiters' attention:

• Reverse chronological layout  - As the name suggests, a reverse chronological layout focuses on your work experience  in reverse chronological order. Show that you are committed to your role and have gained clinical experience with a history of travel nurse assignments.
• Professional header  - Include a header at the top of your resume  that clearly states your title and professional contact information. Make a good introduction by including a certification or specialization associated with your role.
• Single page  - Travel nurses need to meet specific requirements that vary by location and assignment. Save recruiters time by summing up short-term assignments and including relevant information only, ensuring it all fits into one page .
• ATS optimized  - Select fonts and file formats that are optimized for Applicant Tracking Systems . Use Enhancv’s resume builder to accomplish all of the above and give your travel nurse’s resume the best chance of making it to a human recruiter.

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Drop your resume here or choose a file . PDF & DOCX only. Max 2MB file size.

The top sections on a travel nurse resume:

• Contact information:  Because a recruiter needs to be able to get in touch with you.
• Professional summary: Outline your key qualifications and create a compelling snapshot of your career.
• Skills and certifications:  Since travel nursing often requires specific skills and certifications, this is crucial for a recruiter.
• Work experience:  A chance to show a recruiter your past experience and accomplishments in nursing, especially in different locations and settings.
• References:  Important for verifying your skills and experience through your previous employers or colleagues.

Stand out to recruiters by prominently displaying the right information on your travel nurse resume.

What recruiters want to see on your resume:

• Relevant certifications:  Specialized certifications show the nurse has the required skills for specific assignments and adherence to medical regulations.
• Prior travel nursing experience:  This is valued as it shows adaptability to different work environments, a vital trait for travel nurses.
• Clinical skills in high-demand  areas:  These indicate the ability to handle challenging assignments in areas such as ICU or labor and delivery.
• Flexibility: This is key for a travel nurse as assignments could be in varying locations and schedules.
• Recommendations or references:  These are important for a recruiter to verify your performance in previous assignments and assess reliability.

How to write your travel nurse resume experience

The experience section of your resume lists your work history  along with 3-4 bullets highlighting your top accomplishments in the role. Show potential employers what you’ve achieved as a travel nurse while gaining clinical experience in the field with real patients.

Don’t just write a list of generic roles and responsibilities. Highlight specific instances where your skills were put to use and achieved results.

Let’s look at an example of a travel nurse’s resume experience section.

• • Cared for patients at new hospital
• • Assessed patients and referred specialists
• • Trained other nurses in inventory procedures

What doesn’t work in this example:

• No numbers: "Cared for patients at new hospital" misses an opportunity to convey the scope of work this candidate has experience with. Use real numbers and data to quantify past successes.
• No clear evidence: "Assessed patients and referred specialists" expects hiring managers to take the candidate’s word for it instead of showing specific examples. Don’t leave anything up to the imagination and include clear evidence of your claims.
• Generic tasks: "Trained other nurses in inventory procedures" doesn’t highlight any successes or the use of industry skills. Include measurable outcomes and specific tools and techniques to show proficiency in the role.

Let’s make a few changes and take another look.

• • Cared for 500+ patients at the launch of a new pediatric hospital.
• • Assessed individual patient needs and referred families to specialists in newborn care.
• • Trained 35 nurses in MedSupply inventory software that reduced errors by 15%.

What works in this example:

• Quantifies impact: "Cared for 500+ patients at the launch of a new pediatric hospital" gives hiring managers a clear idea of this candidate’s experience with patients and specialized knowledge of pediatric care.
• Evidence of success: "Trained 35 nurses in MedSupply inventory software that reduced errors by 15%" shows how this candidate has achieved success using tools that are relevant to the target role.
• Industry skills: "Assessed individual patient needs and referred families to specialists in newborn care" shows how this candidate has used their training on the job and what they will bring to their target company.

How to quantify impact on your resume

Unlike permanent staff who can speak to long-term projects or quality improvement initiatives, travel nurses may struggle to convey their impact in concrete terms.

Focus on achievements that highlight immediate impact and rapid adaptation skills. Show potential employers how you will impact success by providing measurable results.

Here are a few areas to consider while quantifying impact on your travel nurse resume:

• Include the number of states or countries where you've worked: This shows geographical flexibility and readiness to adapt to different cultures and institutions.
• Document the number of assignments you have completed: This provides an overview of your experience in different medical teams and settings.
• Specify the number of patients you managed daily or per shift: This demonstrates your ability to handle workload and stress.
• State how many procedures or treatments you've performed: This reflects your hands-on experience and competence.
• Specify the number of years or months in specialty areas: This highlights your expertise in particular fields.
• Mention any significant reduction in readmission rates under your care: This demonstrates your effectiveness and impact as a nurse.
• Highlight your quickest response time in emergency cases: This shows how efficient and quick-thinking you are in high-pressure situations.
• Specify your perfect attendance record, if any: A record of consistent attendance shows reliability and dedication to your role.

How do I write a travel nurse resume with no experience

If you’re making a career change or applying for your first job as a travel nurse, then you need to highlight experiences outside of work history.

The best approach is to write a functional resume that focuses on transferable skills  rather than experience to show potential employers how you’ve prepared for the role.

Follow these steps to write an effective entry-level travel nurse’s resume:

• Choose a functional resume layout
• Focus on transferable skills
• Present credentials and licenses clearly
• Tailor every section to fit your target job

Don’t pad your experience section with irrelevant jobs  just to fill space. Only include roles that are relevant to your target position  and focus on transferable skills.

Being a travel nurse requires a dynamic set of skills so there is a wide range of jobs that show transferable skills.

Previous roles in healthcare can highlight medical training and clinical experience. Service jobs can demonstrate your ability to interact with people. Even consulting or management roles can highlight your experience traveling for short-term assignments.

How to list your hard and soft skills on your resume

Travel nurses are skilled medical professionals. You also have the interpersonal skills to provide compassionate care to patients and the flexibility to relocate for weeks at a time.

Your travel nurse’s resume will present your skills in two major categories.

Hard skills are the technical knowledge  and abilities needed to perform job duties, whereas soft skills are the interpersonal and communication skills  needed to interact with others.

Hard skills tend to be straightforward and can appear in a simple list form. Here is an example of hard skills on a travel nurse’s resume.

Only include hard skills that you’re proficient in and are relevant to your target job. Show potential employers that you have the right combination of skills to fill the role.

Here are a few more hard skills to consider for your travel nurse’s resume.

Best hard skills for your travel nurse resume

• Intensive Care Unit (ICU) skills
• Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) skills
• Emergency Room (ER) skills
• Operating Room (OR) skills
• Electrocardiogram (EKG) operation
• Ventilator care
• Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
• Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) skills
• Telemetry skills
• Medical software proficiency (EPIC, Cerner)
• Cpr Certified
• Surgical assisting skills
• Phlebotomy skills
• IV therapy skills
• Wound care skills
• Cardiac Care skills
• Knowledge of healthcare laws and regulations
• Bilingual or multilingual
• Familiarity with Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems

Soft skills can be open to interpretation and are most effective when provided with an example. Be specific in your soft skills and avoid overused buzzwords on your resume .

Here is an example of a soft skills section on a travel nurse’s resume.

Here are a few more soft skills  to consider for your travel nurse’s resume.

Best soft skills for your travel nurse resume

• Adaptability
• Problem-solving skills
• Communication skills
• Time Management
• Stress tolerance
• Multitasking ability
• Interpersonal skills
• Attention to detail
• Cultural sensitivity
• Self-motivation
• Leadership skills
• Initiative taking
• Resilience  
• Decisiveness
• Critical thinking

How to list your certifications and education on your resume

Minimum education requirements for travel nurses typically include an associate's degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) is required. Travel nurses must also be registered nurses (RN).

Additional licensure and clinical experience requirements may vary by location and organization. Be sure to research the necessary qualifications for your target job.

Your education section should include :

• Name of institution
• Name of degree
• Years attended

Let’s look at an example of a travel nurse’s resume education section.

Your travel nurse certification section will include  any certifications in nursing and specializations.

Here is an example of a certification section on a travel nurse’s resume.

Show a commitment to your career by continuing to gain certifications in the industry as trends and demand evolve. Increase your employability by keeping your travel nurse resume up to date.

Here are a few more certifications to consider for your travel nurse’s resume.

Best certifications for your travel nurse resume

• Basic Life Support (BLS)
• Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN)
• Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN)
• Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse (CMSRN)

How to write your travel nurse resume summary or objective

A summary or objective is an opportunity to introduce yourself and your value in the industry as a travel nurse. It captures your career history and top accomplishments in 3-4 sentences.

Though the terms are often used interchangeably, there is a slight difference between a summary and an objective.

A summary is a brief introduction  that summarizes your career and top achievements. An objective looks to the future  and captures what you are hoping to achieve in your new position.

A summary is more suitable for candidates with experience in the field. Entry-level candidates are more likely to focus on an objective.

If you have at least some experience in the field as a travel nurse, combine them by writing an introduction, a career highlight, and a goal you share with your target employer.

First, let’s take a look at a travel nurse’s resume summary example that is less effective.

• Unclear experience: “Experienced travel nurse with a passion for patient care” doesn’t provide any specifics to show hiring managers what this candidate has accomplished. Use numbers and examples in your summary to get your message across clearly.
• General claims: “ Skilled in cardiac care technologies” doesn’t speak to specific skills or industry knowledge. Take the opportunity to share a top career highlight and show how you have used your skills to achieve success.
• Blanket statements: “Seeking opportunity as a travel nurse with a new agency” gives the impression that this resume is being mass-emailed to job openings. Tailor your resume to your target job so hiring managers know you did your research on their company.
• Highlights specialty: "Cardiac Care Certified Travel nurse with 8 years of experience in the field” speaks to this candidate’s specific experience and training. Show potential employers why you’re the right fit with a strong opening line.
• Quantifies  impact: “ Expert in Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) with a 98% patient satisfaction rating” shows how this candidate has used their skills to achieve success. Potential employers want to see how you will impact success at their organization.
• Targeted goal: “Seeking opportunity as Lead Travel Nurse with Cardiac Care International” shows that this candidate has researched the company and is bringing solutions to their specific role.

Additional sections for a travel nurse resume

If you’ve developed relevant skills outside of the traditional career path, you may want to find other ways to incorporate them into your travel nurse resume.

Additional sections on your resume can be a great way to show how you’ve prepared to work as a travel nurse in unique ways.

Here are a few sections to consider adding to your travel nurse’s resume:

• Languages  - Speaking more than one language can be a great skill for a travel nurse, especially for assignments that cover areas where multiple languages are spoken.
• Continuing Education   - With the medical field constantly advancing and evolving, travel nurses need to stay current on the latest trends and technologies. Increase your employability by updating your resume with new industry knowledge.
• Volunteer Work   - Volunteering is a great way to develop soft skills necessary for travel nurse assignments like adaptability, communication, and decision-making under pressure.

Key takeaways for writing a great travel nurse resume

Congratulations! You’re just about ready to send that amazing travel nurse resume out into the world. Before you go, let’s review a few key points from this guide.

• Format your travel nurse resume in concise sections that sum up assignments so recruiters can get a clear idea of your experience quickly and clearly.
• Include only relevant skills and information, so hiring managers know that you have the right combination of industry knowledge to fill their specific role.
• Quantify your achievements by using real numbers and measurable data so that potential employers can see how you will impact success at their agency.
• Keep your travel nurse resume up to date by staying current with industry trends and continuously earning certifications in your field.

Looking to build your own Travel Nurse resume?

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The Résumé Rx

Travel Nurse Resumes: Best Practices in 2024 (+ Examples)

In this article we will cover what you need to have a successful travel nurse resume.  Based on experience, I know a thing or two about great résumés, personal branding, and professional development. I also know what it takes to be a great nurse, with the help of some of my great friends. In this article we’re merging these topics to share how to optimize your travel nurse resume.

If you landed here but you’re looking for a permanent position, click here to check out my FREE Résumé & Cover Letter Starter Guide!

The Travel Nurse Expert: Sarah

Fortunately, I’ve had the pleasure to become friends with an amazing travel nurse (and mentor to other travel nurses!) – Sarah Gaines.

If you’re not familiar, Sarah Gaines is known in the nursing community as The Six Figure Travel Nurse. She’s the creator of the Travel Nurse Course, and honestly, she’s the travel nurse bestie you always wanted.

After she started travel nursing, she found herself making more money, working shifts of her choosing, and living in the cities she wanted. And from there, she continued finding ways to improve her work flow — and the balance between her time spent in scrubs and her time spent in pajamas.

Sarah joined me in episode 7 of the Nurse Becoming podcast. In that episode, she shared about the perks of travel nursing, what it takes to do well as a travel nurse, and what the specialty can offer that clinical nursing might not.

What Sarah and I didn’t have time for in that episode was to go through exactly what matters when writing a travel nurse resume. Sarah has learned over the years that documenting travel nurse experience on a resume is in fact different from your average resume.

In this post, we are going to break down two common scenarios. How to document travel nursing experience on your resume when:

• You intend to keep traveling, and
• You are done traveling and looking for a permanent position

Before we get into those scenarios, let’s talk about the travel nursing experience for a minute.

Why Travel Nursing is Awesome (& Different)!

Sarah may be a bit biased, but after 20+ travel nurse contracts and earning six figures every year, I can’t say I blame her! Becoming a travel nurse comes with unique opportunities. Travel nurses are often paid more than staff nurses, and the work comes with unique leverage points, like transferable skills. Don’t forget, more freedom of choice (more vacations, anyone?).

With the option to try out different specialities until you find your fit, the possibility of burnout decreases.

And hey, are you reading this and wanting to get into travel nursing? Or currently traveling and wanting to earn more as a travel nurse? I highly recommend attending one of Sarah’s upcoming free masterclasses !

Sarah said ultimately the first step in landing a travel position is to get your resume in order. So that’s where we come in!

Let’s start with the basics.

Why Your Travel Nurse Résumé Matters

Your Travel Nurse resume is your first impression for a hiring manager or recruiter. They will see your work, and what you might be able to bring to their organization or unit.

You wouldn’t show up to a job interview with a coffee stain on your shirt and no idea of the job requirements, would you? Of course not! Well you shouldn’t apply to a job with an outdated, disorganized resume either!

The purpose of your resume as a travel nurse is to showcase your achievements and aptitude. It’s also your opportunity to give an overview of your story before someone meets you in person.

With travel nursing, sometimes there’s no formal interview, so your resume itself holds more weight.

It’s time to break down exactly how to add travel nursing to your resume. As a reminder, we’ll cover two scenarios. 

Scenario 1: How to include experience on your travel nursing resume when you intend to keep traveling

One of the main differences in a traditional résumé and one written for a travel nurse is the layout. Sarah recommends, and I agree, that travel nurse résumés include tables as a way to provide a concise snapshot of your previous experience and assignments.

Travel nurse recruiters are often looking for very specific experience metrics, and including the right information can increase your chances of getting an interview.

It’s also not unheard of to have NO interview! Sometimes your résumé can be enough to get the assignment on the spot.

Here are some essential pieces of information to include in your travel nurse résumé:

• Your availability date
• The census of your previous assignment
• Your charge nurse experience
• Your patient-nurse ratio of your previous assignment
• References who can speak to your skills

Here are some pieces of information that you can leave out:

• Committee work
• Volunteer experience
• Any résumé “fluffers” or extras

Now, if you are a travel nurse and you’re wanting to land that next assignment, you probably need to get your résumé to your recruiter ASAP.

Sarah and I have put our brains together to create a very specific travel nurse resume template and training that will save you some serious time and frustration! Learn more about the Ultimate Travel Nurse Résumé Kit here !

Scenario 2: How to include your experience on your travel nurse resume when you are looking for a permanent position

As mentioned before, some nurses pursue travel nursing as a way to find their preferred speciality or to afford graduate school. For those nurses, traveling isn’t forever, and writing a resume that leverages a travel nurse’s unique experiences and connections is vital.

If you’ve been traveling for a bit and are looking to land a permanent position, keep these two important tips in mind.

1. Keep it short. Your experience is likely more varied than a nurse who has been in just a couple different clinical positions. Listing all the small assignments you’ve taken will probably make your resume a bit too long. Instead, condense the information into broader headings, like “emergency experience” and “pediatric experience.” Or, choose to omit the details of the travel assignments.

Here are a couple of real life examples, to show you different ways to organize your travel nursing resume.

Above is an example of how to condense all your travel nursing experience into one section of your resume, focusing on your skill set.

Alternatively, the example above lists the individual contracts and omits the clinical details other than the department.

2. Tell the recruiter why you’re the best. Highlight any experience that will make you a strong permanent candidate, and include things like unique work experiences as well as any specific or transferable skills. Recruiters often look for specialized experience as well as adaptability, and travel nursing offers both.

As you can see, there’s no right or wrong way to document your experience, regardless of where you are in your career.

But it is important to consider your unique history and the path you are going down. Getting clarity on this will help you put your passions on paper and advocate for your next opportunity!

And if you’re looking for some plug and play options for your résumé, here are some great options I’ve created for you:

• Are you a current travel nurse? Check out The Ultimate Travel Nurse Résumé Kit , my collaborative product with Sarah Gaines
• Looking for a permanent position? Check out my Nurse Résumé Template Bundle

Frequently Asked Questions About Travel Nurse Resumes 

What should a travel nurse put on a resume.

The most important info for your travel nurse resume is:

What How do I write a traveling nurse resume?

How to write a traveling nurse resume:

• Include your personal information. In the header, type your full name and current location and job title.
• Write a professional summary
• Add work history
• Include education
• Mention certifications and licenses
• List relevant skills
• Proofread your resume

What are the main duties of a Travel Nurse?

Travel nurse responsibilities include performing tests, administering medications, writing reports, and informing doctors and other healthcare professionals and treat patients. You will travel to various locations to fill in personnel gaps and carry out your duties as a nurse.

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Travel Nurse Resume Example & Writing Guide

A strong resume is vital for travel nurses to land the best assignments in a competitive field. Your resume must highlight your unique skills and experience to grab the attention of staffing agencies and hospitals. This guide breaks down the key elements of an effective travel nurse resume, with a sample resume to demonstrate proper formatting and content.

A travel nurse works short-term assignments at different healthcare facilities, wherever extra staffing is needed. Since they frequently change jobs, having a strong resume is essential for travel nurses to continuously find new assignments.

This guide provides a detailed travel nurse resume example, along with expert tips for showcasing your skills and experience. You'll learn what to include, how to highlight your strengths, and how to format your resume for maximum impact.

By following the advice in this article, you can create a travel nurse resume that gets noticed by recruiters and helps you land exciting assignments in your desired locations. Even if resume writing isn't your strong suit, you'll have the tools to develop a professional document that opens doors to new opportunities in your travel nursing career.

Common Responsibilities Listed on Travel Nurse Resumes

• Providing comprehensive nursing care to patients in various healthcare settings
• Assessing and monitoring patients' conditions, and administering medications and treatments as prescribed
• Documenting patients' medical histories, vital signs, and progress in medical records
• Collaborating with physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to develop and implement patient care plans
• Educating patients and their families on various health-related topics, such as disease management, medication usage, and post-discharge care
• Responding to emergency situations and providing appropriate interventions
• Maintaining a safe and sterile environment for patients
• Ensuring compliance with hospital policies, procedures, and regulations
• Assisting with admissions, transfers, and discharges of patients
• Maintaining accurate and up-to-date patient records and charts
• Participating in continuing education and professional development activities
• Demonstrating cultural competence and providing culturally sensitive care
• Collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to coordinate patient care
• Maintaining strict adherence to patient confidentiality and privacy regulations

How to write a Resume Summary

While approaching the course of authoring an optimal summary or objective section for your travel nurse resume, grasp that this section is an abstract of who you are as a professional, what you've achieved, and what you aspire to contribute in the future. Neatly tucked at the apex of your resume, this section holds the power to shape the perception of potential employers towards your CV.

Think of it as a condensed, digestible review of your broader professional narrative that can enhance the reader's reception of your profile. It is not a space to merely list skills or accolades, but to integrate them meaningfully into your story.

Key components

First, establish your profile identity strongly. Identify yourself as a Travel Nurse to provide instant clarity about the nature of your focus and line of work.

Next, summarize your experience and achievements. Concentrate on measurable outcomes and significant milestones in your career. This could include the number of years you've been in the job, specializations you possess, key nursing skills you've utilized, or specific problems you've solved for hospitals or patients.

Moving forward, outline your goal. This need not be a specific position or role, but could be about the type of work environment or culture you're pursuing, your passion for a particular domain within travel nursing, or your pursuit of opportunities for development and learning.

Writing tips

Keep it concise. The summary/objective is subject to brevity, so use every word judiciously. Be economical with language; every sentence should contribute positively to the overall impression.

Focus on the employer's needs. Identify the key qualities and skills that potential hospitals or healthcare institutions are seeking and mirror these insights in your summary/objective.

Maintain authenticity. While it's necessary to demonstrate relevancy and aptitude, ensure you're also representing your individual traits and aspirations truthfully.

And finally, reread and revise. Continually refining your writing can reveal clarity, coherence, and strength not present in the first draft.

Remember, this is not an autonomous section of your resume but intrinsically connects to what follows in the document. Be clear, be concise, and most importantly, be authentically representative of your professional course and current intentions.

Strong Summaries

• Award-winning Travel Nurse with extensive experience in critical care settings. Proven ability to manage high-stress situations with composure and efficiency. Seeking to leverage background and education to expand nursing experience with a reputable healthcare provider.
• Committed Travel Nurse with over 5 years of experience in delivering high-quality care to patients in recovery and intensive care settings. Excels at coordinating with healthcare teams to develop complex patient care plans. Eager to bring medical expertise to a new organization.
• Dynamic Travel Nurse with a strong record in delivering exceptional patient care in dynamic hospital environments. Known for compassion and efficiency in managing patient needs and providing top-notch care. Seeking to leverage skills in a growing healthcare organization.
• Experienced Travel Nurse with ability to adapt quickly to new healthcare settings. Specialized in critical care with a focus on cardiac diseases. Eager to bring my flexibility and high-quality care to a diverse patient population.

Why these are strong ?

These examples are considered good practices for professional summary sections for travel nurse resumes. They successfully highlight the relevant past experiences, area of specialization, demonstrable achievements and adaptability of the nurse which are considered crucial in the profession. Each example also firmly indicates the candidate's intention to contribute their skills to a new organization which poses an essential characteristic of a Travel Nurse. It's a good practice to have specific, manageable and informed professional summaries as it provides a clear snapshot of the candidate's profile to the hiring entity.

Weak Summaries

• Motivated nurse with some experience.
• Energetic individual with passion for travel.
• Team player capable of adapting to different environments.
• Nurse with qualifications.
• I like traveling and helping people.

Why these are weak ?

The summarized examples are far too vague and generic which would count as a bad practice when writing a professional summary. Employers are looking for specific skills and experience that make you stand out from the other applicants. Statements like 'Motivated nurse with some experience' doesn't give any insight into your expertise or how many years you've been in the field. Similarly, being energetic or a team player are traits that are mostly expected in the nursing industry. 'Nurse with qualifications' is overly broad and doesn't specify what qualifications you have. Finally, 'I like traveling and helping people' is a generic interest and doesn't quantify your experience in travel nursing. It's important to include specific details like the number of years of experience, the type of settings you've worked in, any certifications you have, and so on, in order to make your summary more compelling and informative.

Showcase your Work Experience

The significance of the work experience section.

The work experience section on a resume holds immense importance. It provides an invaluable look into your past roles, the skills you've garnered, and what you've accomplished throughout your nursing career. Essentially, it serves as your professional highlight reel in a world where words paint pictures of who you are and what you can bring to a potential employer.

In this digital age, there's a high chance your resume will initially be viewed by an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) before it ever reaches human eyes. As a Travel Nurse, your work experience section needs to contain the right blend of keywords specific to your industry to pass this robust software screening.

Having a well-rounded work experience section also can make a difference in how recruiters gauge your suitability for a position. For a Travel Nurse like yourself, showcasing your adaptive skills, a diverse background in different health settings, and the capability of performing effectively in evolving situations would be highly appreciated.

Quantify your achievements and impact using concrete numbers, metrics, and percentages to demonstrate the value you brought to your previous roles.

Keys to a Well-Written Work Experience Section

When drafting your work experience section, think concisely. Include the positions you've held in reverse chronological order, highlighting your responsibilities and achievements for each role.

Start off each position with the title, the institution's name and location, and your tenure. Then, detail your duties and accomplishments in bullet-point format to enhance readability.

Strive for balance when describing your responsibilities and achievements. While it's important to showcase your practical skills and daily duties, don't overlook your achievements. Perhaps you've followed protocols to a T to control an outbreak, or maybe your quick decision-making has saved lives. These are accomplishments that demonstrate your skills in action—an aspect recruiters find highly appealing.

In the healthcare industry, particularly the nursing domain, there is a certain set of “hard skills” and “soft skills” that potential employers find indispensable. Hard skills are quantifiable and directly related to your job. For Travel Nurses, these would include clinical skills, emergency response, and patient care. Soft skills are personality-based and cover aspects like communication, teamwork, and adaptability, which are tantamount to thriving in new working environments.

Try to weave relevant hard and soft skill keywords naturally into your experience description. Doing so not only highlights your qualifications for the job at hand but also increases the chances of your resume making it past an ATS.

Remember, the aim isn't to exhaustively list every duty you held or project you worked on. Rather, selectively highlight your most relevant experiences and achievements that will mirror the major requirements listed in the job description.

Though the task of curating your work experience section may seem daunting, remember that the effort you put into this important piece could be the factor that sets you apart. Document your journey thoughtfully, frame your story effectively, and let your lived experiences speak for your expertise, authority, and trustworthiness in the field. If done right, your work experience section can leave an enduring positive impression on its reader, swaying the balance in your favor.

Strong Experiences

• - Administered patient care in fast-paced ER with efficiency and composure, working with a variety of injuries and illnesses.
• - Collaborated with interdisciplinary healthcare teams to plan, implement, or evaluate patient care plans.
• - Provided nursing assistance in over 1000 surgical procedures.
• - Implemented comprehensive nursing care plans that addressed physical and psychosocial patient needs.
• - Trained 10+ new staff to ensure they meet globally accepted nursing best practices.
• - Expedited adoption of new post-surgical recovery procedures which led to a 20% increase in patient satisfaction rate.

These examples are good because they highlight the candidate's practical experience, teamwork, adaptability in different situations, and an understanding of patient needs. They show specific evidence of the applicant's skills and impact, such as nursing assistance in surgical procedures, training new staff, and proactive introduction of new procedures. Quantifying the experience where possible helps to provide context and show the extent of the candidate's achievements. These points also show progression and a proactive approach, which is appealing to employers.

Weak Experiences

• Participated in healthcare
• Team member
• Provided support
• Did tasks as directed
• Worked with patients

The examples provided are all bad practices because they are either too vague or generic. Without specific details, these points do not give any valuable information about the applicant's skills, experiences or accomplishments. They do not effectively convey the scope of the applicant's responsibilities and competencies. The phrases like 'participated in healthcare' and 'worked with patients' are too broad and do not provide the specifics on what kind of healthcare or patients. 'Team member' and 'provided support' do not clarify the specific role or contributions. Saying 'Did tasks as directed' makes it sound like the candidate was passive and just following orders, instead of actively contributing and taking initiative. These kind of phrases do not differentiate the candidate from other applicants and thereby fail to add any value to the resume.

Skills, Keywords & ATS Tips

Being a travel nurse requires a unique mix of hard and soft skills. While hard skills can help you perform essential tasks, soft skills can make a huge difference when it comes to patient care and teamwork. Both are crucial, so balancing them on a resume is key. Smart use of keywords that align with your skills can help you bypass the ATS, a software designed to filter resumes, so you can get the interview you deserve.

The Role of Hard Skills

Hard skills are practical, teachable abilities or knowledge areas that are job-specific. As a travel nurse, that would include anything from using medical equipment to administering medication. Hard skills form the basis of your capabilities as a medical professional, so they carry a lot of weight on your resume. Place them in an easy-to-find spot and ensure they align with the requirements listed in the job post.

The Importance of Soft Skills

Soft skills, on the other hand, aren't about your professional training. Wisdom, empathy, patience – these are all soft skills that matter greatly in your line of work. A travel nurse needs to adapt to new environments quickly, be a team player, and have powerful communication skills. Unlike hard skills, these aren’t easy to measure and require self-awareness. Showcasing these on your resume can underline your ability to fit into a team and cope with the challenges that travel nursing presents.

ATS, Keywords, and Matching Skills

An important part of this process is understanding how Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) work. To sort through numerous resumes, employers often use ATS, which screens resumes based on predefined criteria, such as keywords related to the job description. The more you match these, the higher the chance your resume gets noticed. So, using the right keywords that echo your hard and soft skills is very important. Look at the job description to understand what keywords are relevant, and include them where they naturally fit in your resume's skills section.

Making your hard and soft skills shine on your resume is fundamental in landing your next job as a travel nurse, and understanding the role of keywords and ATS can make the path to your desired job much smoother. Balanced and thoughtful content in the skills section can demonstrate your capabilities and potentials while navigating through the digital selection process effectively.

Top Hard & Soft Skills for Full Stack Developers

Hard skills.

• Patient assessment
• Medication administration
• Ventilator management
• EKG interpretation
• Catheterization
• Tracheostomy care
• Emergency response
• Pain management
• Telemetry monitoring
• Infection control procedures
• Medication reconciliation
• Surgical preparation

Soft Skills

• Adaptability
• Communication
• Critical thinking
• Time management
• Stress management
• Cultural competence
• Problem-solving
• Flexibility
• Interpersonal skills
• Professionalism

Top Action Verbs

Use action verbs to highlight achievements and responsibilities on your resume.

• Administered
• Interpreted
• Collaborated
• Implemented
• Communicated
• Coordinated
• Prioritized
• Facilitated

As a Travel Nurse, adding education and certificates on your resume firmly bolster your professional credibility. Start by creating an "Education" section within your resume. List your educational qualifications chronologically, with the most recent one at the top. Each entry should include your degree or certificate name, institution, location, and graduation year(if applicable). Create another section labeled "Certifications," where you'll list your nursing licenses, certifications, and the states you're registered to practice. Include both the full name of each accreditation and the abbreviation, plus the year you obtained them. This way, potential employers can quickly grasp your background and expertise.

Resume FAQs for Travel Nurses

What is the ideal format for a travel nurse resume.

The ideal format for a travel nurse resume is a reverse-chronological format, which lists your most recent experience first. This format highlights your relevant nursing experience and makes it easy for employers to quickly assess your qualifications.

How long should a travel nurse resume be?

A travel nurse resume should typically be one page in length. However, if you have extensive experience or certifications, it can be up to two pages. The key is to be concise and highlight only the most relevant information for the position you're applying for.

How can I make my travel nurse resume stand out?

To make your travel nurse resume stand out, focus on quantifying your achievements and using keywords from the job description. Highlight your adaptability, flexibility, and ability to work in diverse healthcare settings. Additionally, emphasize any specialized skills or certifications relevant to the position.

Should I include travel assignments on my travel nurse resume?

Yes, it's essential to include your travel assignments on your travel nurse resume. Employers want to see your experience working in different healthcare facilities and locations. Provide details about the facilities, locations, and dates of your travel assignments, as well as your specific responsibilities and accomplishments.

Travel Nurses are RNs who take short-term assignments across various locations, filling staffing gaps at hospitals and clinics. Their roles are temporary, lasting weeks to months. For the resume, emphasize nursing specialties, licenses, versatility in different facilities, and ability to quickly adapt. Highlight your stamina for temporary roles and your flexibility to take assignments nationwide.

Dedicated and compassionate Travel Nurse with over 8 years of diverse experience in providing exceptional patient care across various healthcare settings. Adept at quickly adapting to new environments and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-quality, patient-centered care. Proven ability to remain calm under pressure, prioritize tasks effectively, and maintain a positive attitude in challenging situations.

• Provided skilled nursing care in diverse specialties, including ICU, ER, Med-Surg, and Telemetry units in hospitals nationwide.
• Quickly adapted to new healthcare environments, policies, and procedures to ensure seamless patient care delivery.
• Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop and implement individualized patient care plans.
• Maintained accurate and timely documentation of patient assessments, interventions, and outcomes in electronic health records.
• Received consistent praise from patients, families, and colleagues for providing compassionate and attentive care.
• Provided comprehensive nursing care to patients in a fast-paced, 24-bed Medical-Surgical unit.
• Collaborated with physicians and interdisciplinary team members to develop and implement evidence-based patient care plans.
• Served as a preceptor and mentor to new graduate nurses, fostering their professional growth and development.
• Participated in quality improvement initiatives to enhance patient safety and outcomes.
• Consistently maintained a patient satisfaction score above 95%.
• Delivered high-quality nursing care to a diverse patient population in a busy Emergency Department.
• Triaged patients, assessed their condition, and prioritized care based on acuity.
• Collaborated with emergency physicians and specialists to provide rapid, life-saving interventions.
• Educated patients and families on post-discharge care, medication management, and follow-up instructions.
• Recognized as "Employee of the Month" for exceptional performance and dedication to patient care.
• Critical care
• Emergency nursing
• Electronic health records (Epic, Cerner)
• Patient education
• Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams
• Effective communication
• Compassionate care

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Travel Nurse Resume Examples

Travel nursing is becoming increasingly popular as a career choice, with plenty of opportunities around the world. Writing a resume to showcase your travel nursing experience can be a challenge, but with the right approach, you can create a compelling resume that captures your unique skills and experiences. This guide provides an overview of how to write a winning travel nurse resume, with examples to help you create one for yourself. Whether you’re just starting out as a travel nurse or you’ve been in the field for some time, you’ll find helpful tips and advice to make your resume stand out from the crowd.

If you didn’t find what you were looking for, be sure to check out our complete library of resume examples .

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Travel Nurse

123 Main Street | Anytown, USA 99999 | Phone: (123) 456-7890 | Email: [email protected]

Highly experienced Travel Nurse with a proven track- record of providing excellent patient care that results in positive patient outcomes. Demonstrated expertise in developing care plans and administering medications, as well as education and counseling of patients and families. Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast- paced and ever- changing environment. Proven success in collaborating with all clinic team members in a variety of clinical settings.

Core Skills :

• Patient and Family Education
• Medication Administration
• Care Plan Development
• Team Collaboration
• Patient Care
• Diagnostics and Testing
• Patient Assessment
• Healthcare Documentation
• Infection Control
• Emergency Response

Professional Experience : Travel Nurse, ABC Healthcare, Anytown, NY February 2016 – Present

• Assess patient health condition, administer medications, and provide treatment as directed by physician
• Collaborate with other healthcare professionals in treatment planning and implementation
• Educate and counsel patients and family members on health issues
• Maintain accurate medical records and document patient care services
• Provide safe and effective patient and family centered care
• Respond to medical emergencies and administer immediate care
• Monitor and adjust medications based on patient condition

Travel Nurse, XYZ Healthcare, Anytown, NY March 2014 – February 2016

• Developed and implemented care plans to meet patients’ needs and goals
• Provided counseling and education to patients and family members on health issues and treatment
• Administered medications, monitored for adverse reactions, and documented patient responses
• Assisted with risk assessments and developed strategies to minimize risks
• Responded to medical emergencies and provided immediate care
• Maintained accurate documentation of patient care services

Education : Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Anytown University

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Travel Nurse Resume with No Experience

Recent nursing school graduate with a passion for traveling, seeking a Travel Nurse position to gain experience abroad. With strong communication, problem- solving, and organizational skills, I am eager to provide effective patient care and collaborate with teams of healthcare professionals.

• Excellent communication skills
• Knowledge of medical terminology
• Proficiency in patient care
• Ability to work independently
• Strong organizational skills
• Ability to multi- task
• Ability to adapt to different environments
• Ability to collaborate with teams

Responsibilities

• Provide quality patient care
• Document patient data accurately and efficiently
• Identify changes in patient health status
• Perform patient assessments
• Administer prescribed medications
• Educate patients on health maintenance
• Collaborate with healthcare professionals
• Adhere to safety protocols
• Ensure compliance with medical policies and procedures

Experience 0 Years

Level Junior

Education Bachelor’s

Travel Nurse Resume with 2 Years of Experience

Highly motivated and compassionate Travel Nurse with two years of experience providing clinical, administrative, and patient support in a hospital setting. Possesses excellent communication, critical thinking, and problem- solving skills. Skilled in coordinating care plans for multiple patients; working with other medical staff, such as physicians and other health care providers; and providing compassionate care to patients.

• Patient Education
• Clinical Documentation
• Care Planning
• Administrative Support
• Critical Thinking
• Problem- Solving
• Communication

Responsibilities :

• Provided direct care to multiple patients, including bedside nursing care, medication administration, and patient education
• Collaborated with other medical staff and coordinated care plans for patients
• Assessed and evaluated patient progress, providing reports to other medical staff
• Utilized critical thinking and problem- solving skills to assess and respond to patient needs
• Ensured accurate and timely documentation of patient care
• Demonstrated excellent communication skills and provided compassionate care to patients

Experience 2+ Years

Travel Nurse Resume with 5 Years of Experience

An experienced travel nurse with over 5 years in the field, I bring a passion for healthcare and a commitment to providing the highest quality of care and services to my patients. I possess a strong knowledge of medical terminology and clinical procedures, and a strong understanding of the needs and concerns of both patients and healthcare professionals. I am also proficient in a variety of medical software systems and applications. I am a reliable, organized and driven professional with a keen eye for detail and an eagerness to learn.

• Strong knowledge of medical terminology and clinical procedures
• Proficient in a variety of medical software systems and applications
• Excellent organizational, communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to multi- task, manage time effectively and prioritize tasks
• Good problem- solving and decision- making skills
• Knowledge of health and safety regulations and standards
• Highly detail- oriented and self- motivated
• Assess patient needs and provide direct care
• Develop comprehensive patient care plans
• Administer medications and treatments
• Monitor patient progress and document outcomes
• Ensure safety and comfort of patients
• Assist patients with activities of daily living
• Collaborate with other healthcare professionals
• Educate and counsel patients and families
• Conduct health screenings and respond to medical emergencies

Experience 5+ Years

Level Senior

Travel Nurse Resume with 7 Years of Experience

A dedicated and highly skilled Travel Nurse with 7 years of experience in providing medical and healthcare services in a variety of clinical settings. Demonstrates expertise in utilizing advanced nursing practices, procedures, and standards to care for patients while providing education and support to families. Possesses excellent leadership and organizational skills, as well as the ability to effectively manage and prioritize multiple tasks simultaneously.

• Strong background in providing medical and healthcare services
• Excellent leadership and organizational skills
• Expertise in utilizing advanced nursing practices and procedures
• Ability to educate and support families
• Proficient in patient assessment, treatment, and documentation
• Ability to multitask and prioritize multiple tasks
• Familiarity with electronic medical record systems
• Performing health assessments, treatments and documentation of patient care
• Educating patients and families on medical conditions, treatments, and medications
• Assisting physicians with medical examinations and treatments
• Coordinating with other healthcare professionals to ensure patient needs are met
• Providing compassionate care to patients and families in a variety of clinical settings
• Administering medications and treatments as prescribed by physicians
• Maintaining detailed records of patient care and progress
• Monitoring vital signs and providing emergency care when needed.

Experience 7+ Years

Travel Nurse Resume with 10 Years of Experience

A ten- year veteran travel nurse with a passion for providing healthcare to diverse patient populations. Skilled in assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of patients. A caring and dedicated nurse who takes pride in creating relationships with patients and families to ensure the highest level of comfort and care.

• Diagnosis and Treatment
• Vital Sign Monitoring
• Computerized Charting
• Communications
• Provided comprehensive nursing care to patients in multiple settings
• Monitored and recorded patient vital signs
• Assisted with patient assessments and diagnosis
• Developed treatment plans with physicians
• Educated patients and families on treatments and medications
• Utilized computerized charting software to accurately document patient information
• Collaborated with other healthcare team members to provide the best quality of care to patients

Experience 10+ Years

Level Senior Manager

Education Master’s

Travel Nurse Resume with 15 Years of Experience

Dynamic and highly experienced Travel Nurse with 15+ years of experience in providing premium patient care in a variety of different medical settings. Able to quickly develop strong relationships with patients of all ages and backgrounds, delivering compassionate, patient- centered care. Strengths in care plan development, medication management, patient education, and discharge instructions. Experienced in ICU, Labor and Delivery, Telemetry, Medical/Surgical, and Emergency Department settings.

• Exceptional patient care
• Patient education
• Medication management
• Care plan development
• Vital sign assessment
• Invasive procedure assistance
• Computerized charting
• Communication and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams
• Infection control and prevention
• Skilled in assessing and monitoring patient health
• Providing direct patient care by assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating patient care needs
• Promoting patient safety by following established standards, procedures and protocols
• Assisting in the administration of medications, including the calculation of doses, and recording and documenting the administration of medications
• Assessing patient status, monitoring vital signs and reporting any changes
• Educating patients and family members about treatments, medications, and health maintenance
• Collaborating with physicians and other healthcare personnel to plan and evaluate patient care
• Maintaining accurate and complete patient documentation, including care plans, discharge summaries, and other medical records

Experience 15+ Years

Level Director

In addition to this, be sure to check out our resume templates , resume formats ,  cover letter examples ,  job description , and  career advice  pages for more helpful tips and advice.

What should be included in a Travel Nurse resume?

A travel nurse resume should be tailored for each job that you apply for, but should include the following information:

• Contact information: this should include your name, address, email address, and phone number
• Education: list any relevant college degrees, certifications, and certifications of completion
• Work experience: include any employment related to travel nursing, such as in-home care, ICU, etc.
• Skills: list any specialized skills related to travel nursing, such as advanced training in patient assessment, medical terminology, and hospital protocols
• Licenses and certifications: any current licensure and certifications should be included
• Awards and recognition: list any awards or recognition that you may have received
• References: include the contact information of three professional references

By including this information in your travel nurse resume, you can showcase your qualifications and demonstrate that you are a qualified nurse for the position.

What is a good summary for a Travel Nurse resume?

A good summary for a travel nurse resume should demonstrate the job seeker’s specialized skills and knowledge in the travel nursing field. It should also showcase the individual’s accomplishments and experience that are relevant to the position being applied for. It should highlight the job applicant’s ability to adapt to different working environments, their commitment to providing high-quality patient care, and their expertise in areas such as emergency care, trauma, operating room and critical care. Additionally, the summary should emphasize the individual’s ability to communicate effectively with patients and their families. Finally, the summary should communicate the job applicant’s passion for travel nursing and the value they can bring to the organization they are applying to.

What is a good objective for a Travel Nurse resume?

A travel nurse resume should have an objective that clearly explains the skills, experience and qualifications you bring to the position. An effective travel nurse resume objective should help you stand out from the competition, emphasizing why you are the best person for the job. Here are some tips for writing an effective travel nurse resume objective:

• Mention core skills and qualifications: Your travel nurse resume objective should highlight any specialized skills, qualifications, or areas of expertise that are relevant to the role. This could include certifications or special training, such as advance cardiac life support, as well as any experience in nursing.
• Describe the qualities you bring to the role: Your resume objective should mention any key characteristics that make you a great fit for the position. This could include things like excellent time management skills, communication and interpersonal skills, flexibility, and your commitment to delivering excellent patient care.
• Demonstrate your commitment to the role: Your resume objective should also include your commitment to being an outstanding travel nurse. This could include things like your willingness to work in a variety of environments, your ability to adapt to different roles, and your enthusiasm for learning new skills.

By emphasizing your qualifications and qualities, your travel nurse resume objective can help you stand out from the competition and impress employers.

How do you list Travel Nurse skills on a resume?

When applying for a travel nurse position, it is important to include a comprehensive list of your skills that demonstrate your qualifications for the role. Crafting a strong resume can help capture the attention of potential employers and land you an interview. Here are some tips on how to list your travel nurse skills on a resume.

• Include all relevant qualifications: When listing your skills, be sure to include any professional certifications related to your travel nursing job, such as a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) or a Registered Nurse (RN). You should also include any specialties or fields of nursing, such as pediatrics or geriatrics.
• Highlight transferable skills: When you are a travel nurse, you will be working in different settings. To demonstrate your ability to work in different healthcare environments, list skills that you have acquired through your experience. Examples include communication, problem solving, and critical thinking.
• Demonstrate your experience: When you are applying for a travel nurse position, employers will want to see that you have experience in the field. Therefore, it is important to emphasize any experience you have with patient care, such as providing assessments and treatments. You should also include any experience you have with medical equipment, such as IV pumps or medical software.
• Mention computer skills: In addition to medical experience, employers will also want to see that you have computer skills. Be sure to list any experience you have with electronic health records, billing software, and other programs related to healthcare.

By including all of your relevant qualifications, transferable skills, and experience on your resume, you can show employers that you are an excellent fit for the position. By following these tips, you can create a strong resume that will help you stand out among other travel nurse applicants.

What skills should I put on my resume for Travel Nurse?

When applying for a travel nurse position, there are certain skills and qualifications that should be highlighted on your resume to showcase your experience and make yourself stand out. Here is a list of skills to include on your resume to make sure you have the best chance of securing a travel nurse position:

• Clinical Skills: Include all of your clinical skills related to travel nursing such as taking vital signs, administering medications, administering IVs, dressing wounds, and providing wound care.
• Communication Skills: Being able to communicate with patients, their families, and other healthcare professionals is essential for a travel nurse. Be sure to include any skills in this area such as active listening, problem solving, and conflict resolution.
• Time Management: You will be responsible for managing your time efficiently in a travel nurse role so be sure to include any skills you have in this area.
• Adaptability: Travel nurses need to be able to adapt quickly to new situations and environments. Include any related skills such as being able to work independently, being self-motivated, and being able to work collaboratively with teams.
• Interpersonal Skills: Travel nurses interact with a variety of people on a daily basis so you should have strong interpersonal skills. Include any related skills such as being able to build rapport quickly and being able to work well with different personalities.
• Cultural Awareness: As a travel nurse, you will likely be in a new environment so you need to be aware of cultural differences. Include any related skills such as understanding different cultures and being sensitive to cultural differences.

By including these skills on your resume when applying for a travel nurse position, you will be able to show employers that you have the necessary qualifications to be successful in the role. Make sure you highlight any relevant experiences that demonstrate these skills, as well as any certifications or other qualifications you may have.

Key takeaways for an Travel Nurse resume

As a travel nurse, you are constantly on the move and have to have a resume ready to go at a moment’s notice. With so much to think about and so many experiences to list, it can be daunting to make sure your resume is up to date and effective. Here are some key takeaways to keep in mind when creating your travel nurse resume:

• Keep it concise: Travel nursing resumes should be concise and to the point. Focus on listing your experience, skills, and qualifications in short, easy-to-read blocks of text.
• Highlight your flexibility: When writing a travel nurse resume, it’s important to highlight your flexibility and ability to work in different settings and with different types of patients.
• List your certifications: Make sure to list any certifications or licenses you have, such as your RN license. This will let potential employers know that you are qualified for the job.
• Include your certifications: List any certifications you have, such as your BLS certification or ACLS certification. This will show that you have the necessary qualifications for the job.
• Include your specialties: If you specialize in certain areas, such as pediatric nursing or critical care nursing, make sure to list those specialties on your travel nurse resume. This will make it easier for potential employers to see what type of nurse you are.

Following these key takeaways will ensure that your travel nurse resume is effective and up to date. Make sure to stay organized and be sure to list all the necessary information, such as your certifications, specialties, and experience. With an effective travel nurse resume, you’ll be sure to land a great job.

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Sample Travel Nursing Resume – Free Template and Ultimate Writing Guide

The rules for travel nursing resumes are totally different than resumes for permanent nursing jobs . In this article, we’ll discuss the reasons that travel nursing resumes are different. Next, we’ll provide a sample travel nursing resume that you can build using our free travel nursing resume builder . Finally, we’ll provide you with the ultimate travel nursing resume writing guide should you choose to undertake this painstaking process on your own.

Create Your Free Travel Nursing Resume

5 things to know about travel nursing resumes.

It’s important to understand some of the unique aspects of travel nursing resumes before reviewing the sample travel nursing resume below.

How Long Should Your Travel Nursing Resume Be?

First, you should not be concerned at all about the length of your travel nursing resume . The number of pages simply does not matter.

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Instead, it’s most important for you to include all of the details that hiring managers and agencies require. Failure to include these details will result in submission delays at best and profile rejection at worst. Therefore, your travel nursing resume should be as long as it takes to get all the required details on it.

Don’t Be Concerned with Clutter

Second, you should not be concerned with how “busy” your travel nursing resume looks. Hiring managers and agencies require a lot of details about every job you’ve held. There is no way to present all of the information they require without the resume looking “busy”.

In fact, hiring managers and agencies actually expect to see long, busy resumes. They understand they require a lot of details and they are accustomed to busy resumes.

Your Resume Is Often Not Even Seen By Hiring Managers

In fact, the Applicant Tracking Systems used by agencies actually generate long, busy resumes. You see, when you complete an agency’s online application, the Applicant Tracking System uses the information to create a resume. The agency sends that resume to the hiring manager for any job they submit you for.

Why Do Agencies Want A Travel Nursing Resume?

Of course, that begs the question, why do travel nursing agencies even want a resume if they’re not going to send it to hiring managers? Agencies understand that they have extremely long application processes. That lengthy process results in candidates abandoning the process at a fairly high rate.

Therefore, many recruiters will take your resume and enter the information into the applicant tracking system so you don’t have to Moreover, if you have a great travel nursing resume, like the one you can create on BluePipes, then the agency may submit it to the unit manager directly to speed the process up. Also, some agencies use resume parsing software. This software reads your resume and enters it into their applicant tracking system so you don’t have to.

You Do Not Need To Customize Your Travel Nursing Resume

Finally, you do not need to customize your travel nursing resume in any way. Standard resume advice for permanent jobs is to customize your resume to fit the description of the specific job you’re applying for. This is not the case for travel nursing resumes.

Discover the ultimate travel nursing pay calculator.

There is no need to customize your Summary or your job descriptions for specific travel nursing jobs. Leave that to the recruiters you work with. As mentioned above, the recruiters are the ones who will get your profile ready to submit for each job.

Sample Travel Nursing Resume

Below is a sample Travel Nursing Resume you can create on BluePipes.com for free. We actually modelled the BluePipes resume after the resumes that the industry’s most popular Applicant Tracking Systems create. Our goal is to ensure you fill out less paperwork. To that end, your BluePipes profile is designed to help you recognize and record all the details.

And, unlike other resume builders and career related websites, you’ll be pleased to know that BluePipes will never sell your personal contact information to third parties.

Additionally, you can render your BluePipes profile as a Travel Nursing Job Application . BluePipes also has over 100 comprehensive Travel Nursing Skills Checklists that you can complete, save and download. Together, these documents give travel nursing agencies everything they need to initiate the submission process for travel nursing jobs. It’s all free for members and will save you countless hours of paperwork!

The BluePipes Travel Nursing Resume

Please note, if you intend to use this sample BluePipes resume as a guide to creating your own resume, then we highly recommend you read the Ultimate Travel Nursing Resume Writing Guide below. You will find many more items in the guide that the sample resume does not include. This is because BluePipes includes these additional required details in the BluePipes Job Application.

The Ultimate Travel Nursing Resume Writing Guide

As we mentioned above, the top priority for your travel nursing resume is that it includes every last detail that hiring managers commonly require to see in a travel nursing resume. This way, hiring managers will not reject your resume, recruiters will actually be able to use your resume and submit you faster, and you’ll fill out less paperwork.

Here is what to include on your travel nursing resume:

How to List Your Personal Contact Information on Your Travel Nursing Resume

Provide the following personal contact information on your travel nursing resume:

• Full legal name
• Full address (use your tax home address)
• Professional email address
• Cell phone number

Include a Summary on Your Travel Nursing Resume

Include a Summary on your travel nursing resume. Here is a link to an article that discusses how to write an amazing nursing resume Summary .

The original Universal Profile and Credential Management for travelers.

Please do not include an “Objective”. Here is a link to an article that discusses why you should not include an Objective on your travel nursing resume .

How to List Licenses and Certifications on Your Travel Nursing Resume

• List EVERY license and certification you have by both acronym and full name
• Include the license or certification number if applicable
• Provide the licensing or certifying body for EVERY license and certification you have
• Include the expiration date for EVERY license and certification
• If there is no expiration, then provide the date obtained
• If it’s a compact nursing license, then clearly state it

How to List Specialty Information on Your Travel Nursing Resume

• List each of the specialties you have experience with
• Provide the number of years of experience you have with each specialty
• Include the number of years of experience you have at trauma and/or teaching facilities if your experience includes that

How to List Work History on Your Travel Nursing Resume

Include the following information for EVERY facility you’ve worked for:

• Facility’s full official name
• Facility location
• Exact start and end dates (4/4/2019…not 4/2019)
• Facility type: Short term acute care? Long term acute care? Children’s Hospital? Etc.
• If it was a teaching hospital, then state that
• If it was a trauma hospital, then state the trauma level
• Number of beds in the entire facility
• Unit worked (i.e. MedSurg…instead of “4 West”)
• If you floated to other units, then list them and the percentage of time you spent in each unit
• Number of beds on the unit
• If the Unit took trauma patients, then state that
• Caseload or Patient Ratio
• List some of your specific duties (i.e. “Worked with Swan Ganz”…instead of “provided patient care”), patient types (i.e Neuro, Cardiac, Rehab, etc.), and patient age range
• If you took Charge duty, then clearly list it
• List the types of computer and/or charting systems used
• Supervisor name and contact number if the supervisor can be contacted (Remember this is for a travel nursing assignment not a permanent job)
• Reference names, job titles, and contact information
• State whether it was a permanent job, travel assignment, PRN or other
• If it was a travel assignment, then also list the agency’s name and contact information
• If it was PRN or part time, then list the number of hours per week or the number of shifts per month

In case you have trouble finding specific details about the hospital, you can try looking the hospital up on the American Hospital Directory .

How to List Gaps in Employment on Your Travel Nursing Resume

Many hospitals require some explanation about gaps in employment of greater than 4 weeks. Therefore, you should list such gaps in your work history. To do so, display a start date, end date, name and explanation for the gap.

Should You List the Hospital or the Agency on Your Travel Nursing Resume?

One of the most common questions we receive is, “Should I list the hospital or the agency on my travel nursing resume?” You should include both the hospital and the agency on your travel nursing resume. The reason is that many hiring managers, VMSs and MSPs will not accept a profile without the employer of record, which is the agency, and a list of the hospitals complete with all the necessary details including unit worked, number of beds, dates of employment, etc.

Own your own skills checklists on BluePipes.

There are two ways you can do this. First, you can display the agency and your dates of employment with the agency. Then, you can nest each assignment under the agency you worked the assignment with. This is how the BluePipes travel nursing resume builder does it. You can see an example above.

Alternatively, you can list each assignment and include the name of the agency you worked the assignment with for each assignment. The issue with this approach is that you end up repeating the same agencies over and over. However, it is easier to format if you’re creating your own resume from scratch.

In any case, we highly recommend against lumping all your travel nursing work into one entry on your travel nurse resume. This is because it does not meet the requirements of the vast majority of gate keepers in the process.

How to List Your Education on Your Travel Nursing Resume

Include the following information for all education pertaining to healthcare:

• Education institution’s full official name
• Full address
• Telephone number
• Exact dates of attendance
• Name of degree achieved
• List all professional affiliations
• List all professional honors and awards

Computer/Charting Skills

The BluePipes resume builder includes a section for Computer Skills. We do this because, as recruiters, we found that hiring managers were much more likely to find this important piece of information if we highlighted it separately as opposed to putting it within the larger framework of the job description. That said, this section is optional, so you can decide what works best for you.

You might consider adding a section for Languages if you speak multiple languages fluently. Alternatively, you can include your languages in the Summary section.

Wrapping up

There is no denying that this is a massive list of items for you to include on your travel nursing resume. However, these items are important because hospitals and nursing managers commonly require them in order to consider travelers for open jobs. By including all the items, you ensure that your recruiters have all the information they need to get you submitted quickly and conveniently for any job order that you’re interested in.

This free eBook will help you negotiate travel nursing pay like a pro.

Rather than tracking all this data yourself, you can use BluePipes to create a travel nursing resume that recruiters and agencies will love. Additionally, you can create your own travel nursing job application and skills checklists with BluePipes as well as store copies of your licenses, certifications and clinical records. This way, you can conveniently email all your travel nursing documents to anyone you choose at your convenience.

Here’s what some of our members and clients have been saying:

Transitioning from Travel to Perm Nursing Resume

When you’re interested in transitioning back to a permanent job, we recommend reviewing our article Transitioning from Travel Nurse to Permanent Employee , as well as our Top Ten Details to Include on a Nurse Resume .

Related posts:

• 33 Items to Include on Your Travel Nursing Resume Having an excellent travel nursing resume can be a big...
• Major Delays for California RN Licenses The California Board of Registered Nursing’s licensing process is currently...
• Shocking Results From California Nursing License Audit Many California RN license applicants experienced major delays. But this...

Can you actually get a free template to use, or do you have to pay to join Blue Pipes to get the “free” template you advertise?

Thanks for the inquiry. Yes, all of our services, including the resume, are free. To create a resume, you join BluePipes, complete your profile and select the Download option on your profile page to download the resume, or you can email a copy to anyone from the File Cabinet. Our profile is designed to help you recognize and record all the vital details hiring managers typically require.

Please let me know if there are any questions or concerns. Thanks again!

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1 Travel Nurse Resume Example to Land You a Role in 2023

Travel nurses are highly skilled professionals who provide quality care to patients in a variety of settings. As a travel nurse, your resume should be just like your job: flexible, adaptable, and able to meet the needs of the patient. In this guide, we'll review X travel nurse resume examples to help you craft a resume that will get you the job you want.

Resume Examples

Resume guidance.

• High Level Resume Tips
• Must-Have Information
• Why Resume Headlines & Titles are Important
• Writing an Exceptional Resume Summary
• How to Impress with Your Work Experience
• Top Skills & Keywords
• Go Above & Beyond with a Cover Letter
• Resume FAQs
• Related Resumes

Common Responsibilities Listed on Travel Nurse Resumes:

• Develop and implement patient care plans
• Monitor patient progress and adjust care plans accordingly
• Administer medications and treatments
• Educate patients and families about health maintenance and disease prevention
• Collaborate with other healthcare professionals to provide optimal patient care
• Document patient care services
• Maintain patient confidentiality
• Participate in continuing education and professional development activities
• Respond to medical emergencies
• Perform diagnostic tests and interpret results
• Provide emotional support and counseling to patients and families

You can use the examples above as a starting point to help you brainstorm tasks, accomplishments for your work experience section.

Travel Nurse Resume Example:

• Developed and implemented patient care plans that resulted in a 25% decrease in readmission rates and a 15% increase in patient satisfaction scores.
• Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to provide optimal patient care, resulting in a 20% reduction in hospital-acquired infections.
• Provided emotional support and counseling to patients and families, resulting in a 10% decrease in patient anxiety levels.
• Administered medications and treatments with a 99% accuracy rate, resulting in a 30% decrease in adverse drug reactions.
• Performed diagnostic tests and interpreted results, resulting in a 20% increase in early detection of medical conditions.
• Educated patients and families about health maintenance and disease prevention, resulting in a 15% increase in patient compliance with treatment plans.
• Monitored patient progress and adjusted care plans accordingly, resulting in a 25% decrease in hospital readmissions and a 20% increase in patient satisfaction scores.
• Documented patient care services accurately and efficiently, resulting in a 30% reduction in documentation errors.
• Participated in continuing education and professional development activities, resulting in a 15% increase in knowledge and skills related to patient care.
• Patient care planning
• Interdisciplinary collaboration
• Emotional support and counseling
• Medication administration
• Treatment administration
• Diagnostic testing and interpretation
• Patient education
• Health maintenance and disease prevention
• Patient progress monitoring
• Care plan adjustment
• Accurate documentation
• Continuing education and professional development
• Infection control and prevention
• Time management
• Cultural competence
• Adaptability and flexibility
• Critical thinking and problem-solving
• Communication and interpersonal skills
• Patient advocacy
• Teamwork and leadership

High Level Resume Tips for Travel Nurses:

Must-have information for a travel nurse resume:.

Here are the essential sections that should exist in an Travel Nurse resume:

• Contact Information
• Resume Headline
• Resume Summary or Objective
• Work Experience & Achievements
• Skills & Competencies

Additionally, if you're eager to make an impression and gain an edge over other Travel Nurse candidates, you may want to consider adding in these sections:

• Certifications/Training

Let's start with resume headlines.

Why Resume Headlines & Titles are Important for Travel Nurses:

Travel nurse resume headline examples:, strong headlines.

• Compassionate Travel Nurse with 5+ years of experience providing exceptional patient care in diverse clinical settings
• Multilingual Travel Nurse with a passion for global healthcare and a proven track record of adapting to new cultures and environments
• Experienced Travel Nurse with expertise in critical care and emergency medicine, consistently delivering high-quality care in high-pressure situations

Why these are strong:

• These resume headlines are strong for Travel Nurses as they highlight key skills and experiences that are highly valued in the industry. The first headline emphasizes the candidate's compassion and extensive experience in providing exceptional patient care. The second headline showcases the candidate's language skills and passion for global healthcare, which are both highly desirable qualities for travel nursing positions. Finally, the third headline highlights the candidate's expertise in critical care and emergency medicine, which are crucial skills for travel nurses who often work in high-pressure situations.

Weak Headlines

• Experienced Travel Nurse Seeking New Opportunities
• Skilled Travel Nurse with Strong Patient Care Abilities
• Travel Nurse with a Passion for Helping Others

Why these are weak:

• These resume headlines need improvement for Travel Nurses as they lack specificity and don't emphasize the unique value or accomplishments that the candidates bring to the table. The first headline doesn't mention the years of experience or the specialties the candidate has worked in. The second headline highlights skills but doesn't provide any context or results, such as patient satisfaction rates or successful treatment outcomes. The third headline mentions a passion for helping others, but fails to showcase any specific achievements or certifications that could strengthen the candidate's profile.

Writing an Exceptional Travel Nurse Resume Summary:

Travel nurse resume summary examples:, strong summaries.

• Compassionate Travel Nurse with 5 years of experience providing exceptional patient care in diverse clinical settings. Skilled in assessing patient needs, administering medications, and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to ensure optimal outcomes. Proven track record of maintaining high patient satisfaction scores and reducing readmission rates.
• Experienced Travel Nurse with expertise in critical care and emergency medicine, delivering life-saving interventions in high-pressure situations. Proficient in managing ventilators, IV pumps, and other complex medical equipment. Demonstrated ability to remain calm and focused in fast-paced environments, resulting in successful patient outcomes.
• Detail-oriented Travel Nurse with a background in infection control and prevention, implementing evidence-based practices to minimize the risk of healthcare-associated infections. Proficient in conducting thorough assessments, developing care plans, and educating patients and families on infection prevention strategies. Consistently recognized for maintaining a safe and clean environment for patients and staff.
• These resume summaries are strong for Travel Nurses as they highlight the candidates' key skills, experience, and achievements in delivering high-quality patient care. The first summary emphasizes the candidate's compassion, patient-centered approach, and ability to improve patient satisfaction and reduce readmission rates. The second summary showcases the candidate's expertise in critical care and emergency medicine, as well as their ability to remain calm and focused in high-pressure situations. Lastly, the third summary demonstrates the candidate's attention to detail, infection control knowledge, and commitment to maintaining a safe and clean healthcare environment.

Weak Summaries

• Experienced Travel Nurse seeking a challenging role in a dynamic healthcare environment, with a passion for providing high-quality patient care and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams.
• Skilled Travel Nurse with a background in various specialties and settings, committed to delivering compassionate care and improving patient outcomes through evidence-based practice.
• Travel Nurse with expertise in managing complex patient cases and working in fast-paced environments, dedicated to providing exceptional care and building strong relationships with patients and families.
• These resume summaries need improvement for Travel Nurses as they are too general and lack specific achievements or quantifiable results. The first summary mentions the candidate's experience and passion for patient care, but doesn't provide any examples of how they have contributed to improving patient outcomes or collaborating with interdisciplinary teams. The second summary mentions evidence-based practice but doesn't provide any examples of how the candidate has implemented this approach to improve patient care. The third summary mentions managing complex cases and working in fast-paced environments, but doesn't provide any examples of how the candidate has excelled in these areas or improved patient outcomes.

Resume Objective Examples for Travel Nurses:

Strong objectives.

• Compassionate and adaptable Travel Nurse with a passion for providing high-quality patient care, seeking a position in a fast-paced healthcare facility to utilize my clinical skills and experience in diverse patient populations.
• Recent nursing graduate with a strong desire to explore new places and cultures, seeking a Travel Nurse position to gain valuable experience while providing compassionate care to patients in need.
• Experienced Travel Nurse with a proven track record of delivering exceptional patient care in various healthcare settings, seeking a challenging role to further develop my skills and contribute to the success of a reputable healthcare organization.
• These resume objectives are strong for up and coming Travel Nurses because they showcase the candidates' passion for patient care, desire to explore new opportunities, and relevant skills and experience. The first objective emphasizes the candidate's adaptability and clinical skills, which are important attributes for a Travel Nurse. The second objective showcases the candidate's eagerness to learn and gain experience while providing compassionate care to patients. Lastly, the third objective highlights the candidate's experience and proven track record of delivering exceptional patient care, making them a promising fit for a Travel Nurse position where they can further develop their skills and contribute to the success of the organization.

Weak Objectives

• Seeking a Travel Nurse position where I can utilize my skills and gain experience in the healthcare industry.
• Aspiring Travel Nurse with some clinical experience, looking to expand my career in travel nursing.
• Recent nursing graduate interested in a Travel Nurse role to learn more about different healthcare settings and gain exposure to diverse patient populations.
• These resume objectives need improvement for up and coming Travel Nurses because they lack specificity and don't effectively showcase the unique value or skills the candidates possess. The first objective is generic and doesn't provide any information about the candidate's background, passion, or relevant experience. The second objective hints at some clinical experience, but it doesn't mention any specific achievements, education, or specialties the candidate is interested in. The third objective, although it mentions an interest in learning more about different healthcare settings and patient populations, doesn't elaborate on the candidate's expertise, skills, or any particular area of travel nursing they are passionate about, which would make their profile more appealing to potential employers.

Generate Your Resume Summary with AI

Speed up your resume creation process with the ai resume builder . generate tailored resume summaries in seconds., how to impress with your travel nurse work experience:, best practices for your work experience section:.

• Highlight your experience working in different healthcare settings, such as hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities.
• Emphasize your ability to adapt quickly to new environments and work with diverse patient populations.
• Showcase your expertise in specific areas, such as critical care, pediatrics, or oncology.
• Provide examples of how you have improved patient outcomes, such as reducing readmission rates or improving patient satisfaction scores.
• Demonstrate your ability to work independently and as part of a team, especially when collaborating with other healthcare professionals.
• Mention any certifications or specialized training you have received, such as ACLS or PALS.
• Use specific terminology and acronyms that are common in the healthcare industry to show your familiarity with the field.

Example Work Experiences for Travel Nurses:

Strong experiences.

Successfully managed a team of nurses across multiple states, ensuring compliance with state regulations and maintaining high-quality patient care, resulting in a 95% patient satisfaction rate.

Adapted quickly to new hospital environments and patient populations, demonstrating flexibility and strong clinical skills, resulting in positive feedback from hospital staff and patients.

Utilized strong communication skills to collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and provide comprehensive care to patients with complex medical needs, resulting in improved patient outcomes and reduced hospital readmissions.

Demonstrated expertise in critical care nursing, managing patients with a variety of acute and chronic conditions, including sepsis, respiratory failure, and cardiac arrest, resulting in improved patient outcomes and reduced mortality rates.

Trained and mentored new travel nurses, providing guidance on hospital policies and procedures, and ensuring a smooth transition into new work environments, resulting in increased team cohesion and improved patient care.

Utilized strong organizational skills to manage patient caseloads and prioritize care, resulting in efficient and effective patient care and improved patient outcomes.

• These work experiences are strong because they demonstrate the candidate's ability to adapt quickly to new environments, provide high-quality patient care, and collaborate effectively with interdisciplinary teams. The use of specific medical conditions and outcomes showcases the candidate's clinical expertise and the impact they have had on patient outcomes. Additionally, the mention of training and mentoring highlights the candidate's leadership skills and ability to work well within a team.

Weak Experiences

Administered medications and treatments to patients as prescribed by physicians.

Assisted in the development of care plans and provided patient education on disease management.

Documented patient care and progress in electronic medical records.

Provided direct patient care in various healthcare settings, including hospitals and clinics.

Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop and implement patient care plans.

Maintained accurate and timely documentation of patient care in electronic medical records.

• These work experiences are weak because they lack specificity and quantifiable results. They provide generic descriptions of tasks performed without showcasing the impact of the individual's work or the benefits brought to the patients or healthcare facility. The candidate should focus on incorporating metrics to highlight their achievements, use more powerful action verbs, and provide clear context that demonstrates their leadership qualities and direct contributions to successful patient outcomes.

Top Skills & Keywords for Travel Nurse Resumes:

Top hard & soft skills for travel nurses, hard skills.

• Patient Assessment and Care Planning
• Medication Administration
• Ventilator Management
• Telemetry Monitoring
• Emergency Response
• Electronic Medical Record (EMR) Management
• Infection Control and Prevention
• Pain Management
• Patient Education
• Collaboration with Healthcare Team Members

Soft Skills

• Communication and Interpersonal Skills
• Adaptability and Flexibility
• Time Management and Prioritization
• Empathy and Compassion
• Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
• Attention to Detail and Accuracy
• Emotional Intelligence and Relationship Building
• Cultural Competency and Diversity Awareness
• Teamwork and Collaboration
• Stress Management and Resilience
• Patient Advocacy and Education
• Decision Making and Judgment

Go Above & Beyond with a Travel Nurse Cover Letter

Travel nurse cover letter example: (based on resume).

Dear Hiring Manager at Company Name,

I am excited to apply for the Travel Nurse position at your esteemed organization. As an experienced Travel Nurse, I have developed a strong passion for providing exceptional patient care and have consistently achieved outstanding results throughout my career.

In my most recent role, I developed and implemented patient care plans that resulted in a 25% decrease in readmission rates and a 15% increase in patient satisfaction scores. I also collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to provide optimal patient care, resulting in a 20% reduction in hospital-acquired infections. Additionally, I provided emotional support and counseling to patients and families, resulting in a 10% decrease in patient anxiety levels.

In my previous roles, I administered medications and treatments with a 99% accuracy rate, resulting in a 30% decrease in adverse drug reactions. I also performed diagnostic tests and interpreted results, resulting in a 20% increase in early detection of medical conditions. Furthermore, I educated patients and families about health maintenance and disease prevention, resulting in a 15% increase in patient compliance with treatment plans.

Throughout my career, I have monitored patient progress and adjusted care plans accordingly, resulting in a 25% decrease in hospital readmissions and a 20% increase in patient satisfaction scores. I have also documented patient care services accurately and efficiently, resulting in a 30% reduction in documentation errors. Additionally, I have participated in continuing education and professional development activities, resulting in a 15% increase in knowledge and skills related to patient care.

As a Travel Nurse, I am confident that my skills and experience will enable me to provide exceptional patient care while adapting to new environments and challenges. I am excited about the opportunity to join your team and contribute to your organization's mission of providing high-quality healthcare services.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss my qualifications further.

[Your Name]

As a Travel Nurse, you understand the importance of making a strong first impression and standing out in a competitive job market. Pairing your resume with a tailored cover letter can give you a crucial edge over the competition and significantly increase your chances of landing an interview. A cover letter is an extension of your resume, an opportunity to delve deeper into your relevant experience and showcase your passion for the role. Contrary to common belief, crafting a compelling cover letter doesn't have to be an arduous task, and the benefits far outweigh the effort required.

Here are some compelling reasons for submitting a cover letter as a Travel Nurse:

• Personalize your application and showcase your genuine interest in the hospital or healthcare facility you are applying to
• Illustrate your unique value proposition and how your skills align with the specific job requirements, such as experience with specific medical equipment or procedures
• Communicate your understanding of the hospital or healthcare facility's needs and how you plan to address them, such as your experience with patient care in a specific setting
• Share success stories and achievements that couldn't be accommodated in your resume, such as your ability to adapt quickly to new environments or your experience working with diverse patient populations
• Demonstrate your writing and communication skills, which are essential for Travel Nurses who need to effectively communicate with patients, families, and healthcare teams
• Differentiate yourself from other applicants who might have opted not to submit a cover letter, showing your dedication and attention to detail in your job search.

In summary, submitting a cover letter as a Travel Nurse can help you personalize your application, showcase your unique value proposition, and differentiate yourself from other applicants. It's an opportunity to communicate your passion for the role and demonstrate your writing and communication skills, all of which are essential for success as a Travel Nurse.

Resume FAQs for Travel Nurses:

How long should i make my travel nurse resume.

A Travel Nurse resume should ideally be 1-2 pages long. This length allows you to showcase your relevant skills, experience, and qualifications without overwhelming the reader. Since Travel Nurses often have multiple short-term assignments, it's essential to focus on the most recent and relevant experiences. When creating your resume, prioritize the following information: 1. Contact information: Include your name, phone number, email address, and any relevant professional social media profiles. 2. Professional summary: Write a brief statement highlighting your nursing specialty, years of experience, and key skills that make you a strong candidate for the position. 3. Licenses and certifications: List your nursing license, including the state(s) where you are licensed, and any additional certifications relevant to the position (e.g., BLS, ACLS, PALS). 4. Education: Include the name of the institution, degree earned, and graduation date

What is the best way to format a Travel Nurse resume?

The best way to format a Travel Nurse resume is to create a clear, concise, and well-organized document that highlights your skills, experience, and qualifications specific to the field of travel nursing. Here are some tips for formatting a Travel Nurse resume: 1. Contact Information: At the top of the resume, include your full name, phone number, email address, and mailing address. Make sure your email address is professional and appropriate for a job application. 2. Objective or Professional Summary: Write a brief statement that highlights your career goals and showcases your expertise in travel nursing. This section should be tailored to the specific job you are applying for and should emphasize your unique qualifications as a Travel Nurse. 3. Licenses and Certifications: List all relevant nursing licenses and certifications, including the state(s) where you are licensed, license numbers, and expiration dates. This is crucial for travel nursing positions,

Which Travel Nurse skills are most important to highlight in a resume?

As an AI language model, I don't have personal experience as a Travel Nurse. However, based on my analysis of job postings and industry trends, I can suggest some important skills that Travel Nurses should highlight in their resumes. 1. Clinical skills: Travel Nurses should highlight their clinical skills, including their experience with different patient populations, medical conditions, and treatment modalities. They should also mention any certifications or specialized training they have received. 2. Flexibility and adaptability: Travel Nurses should emphasize their ability to adapt to new environments, work with different teams, and handle unexpected situations. They should also highlight their willingness to work different shifts and schedules. 3. Communication skills: Travel Nurses should showcase their ability to communicate effectively with patients, families, and healthcare teams. They should also mention their proficiency in using electronic medical records and other communication tools. 4. Time management and organization: Travel Nurses should demonstrate their ability to manage their time effectively, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines. They should also highlight their attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate records. 5. Cultural competence: Travel Nurses should emphasize their ability to work with diverse patient populations and understand cultural differences. They should also mention any language skills or experience working in multicultural environments. Overall, Travel Nurses

How should you write a resume if you have no experience as a Travel Nurse?

If you have no experience as a Travel Nurse, it is important to highlight any relevant experience you have in nursing. This could include your education, clinical rotations, and any work experience in a hospital or healthcare setting. Be sure to include any certifications or licenses you have obtained, such as your RN license or BLS certification. In addition, emphasize any transferable skills you have that would be valuable in a Travel Nursing role, such as strong communication skills, adaptability, and the ability to work well in a team. You can also highlight any experience you have with travel or working in different locations. Consider including a summary or objective statement at the top of your resume that highlights your strengths and goals as a nurse, and tailor your resume to the specific job you are applying for. Finally, be sure to proofread your resume carefully and have someone else review it before submitting it to potential employers.

Compare Your Travel Nurse Resume to a Job Description:

• Identify opportunities to further tailor your resume to the Travel Nurse job
• Improve your keyword usage to align your experience and skills with the position
• Uncover and address potential gaps in your resume that may be important to the hiring manager

Related Resumes for Travel Nurses:

Travel nurse resume example, more resume guidance:.

Travel Nurse resume example

Are you a nurse who wants to see the world? Then you might be considering a role as a traveling nurse.

This affords you the excitement of travel, with the ability to continue helping people and, in many cases, earning a good wage. You just need to create a resume that passes the test first.

So let us help you write a jaw-dropping application using our travel nurse resume example and advice guide below.

Resume templates 

Travel Nurse Resume Example

The above Travel Nurse resume example gives you a good steer on how a Travel Nurse resume should look and read.

The information is presented professionally, and the content is well structured to ensure that time-strapped recruiters and managers can spot the important skills and knowledge quickly.

Refer to this example as you write your own resume.

Travel Nurse resume layout and format

If you want to get noticed in the job market, you have to pay attention to the format and layout of your resume.

Essentially your resume needs to look highly polished, and provide hiring managers with an easy reading experience.

Use these resume formatting tips to get a head start on this.

Resume formatting tips

• Length: Think that submitting a 10 page resume will impress recruiters? Unfortunately it won’t… Even if you’ve got tons of experience to brag about, recruiters don’t have time to read essays, so keep it brief – around 2 pages is the sweet spot.
• Font and text : Simplicity a pleasant reading experience are crucial if you want to highlight your most valuable skills to recruiters. Use a clear font (avoid fancy ones) and break up the text in your resume with bullet points to ensure information can be easily consumed.
• Design & structure: Hiring managers should be able to skim through your resume easily and pinpoint the information they want quickly. To help them do this, organize the page into clear sections with bold headings and dividing borders. The design should be clutter-free and professional-looking, with a calm color scheme.
• Photos and images: You are not obliged to add a photo to your resume in the USA, but it can be a nice way of adding some life to the document.

Quick tip: Formatting a resume to look professional can be difficult and time-consuming. If you want to create an attractive resume quickly, try our quick-and-easy Resume Builder and use one of their eye-catching resume templates.

Resume layout

Add the following sections when you write your resume .

• Name and contact details – Add to the very top of your resume to introduce yourself and make it super-easy for recruiters to get in touch.
• Resume summary – Reel hiring managers in with an “elevator pitch” style paragraph which sums up your suitability for the job.
• Skills section – A short and sharp list of your most important skills, that can be quickly skim-read.
• Work experience – List your previous jobs (from newest to oldest) detailing the skills learnt and applied in each.
• Education – List your qualifications and professional training.
• Additional info – If it helps your application, you can add an extra section for things like hobbies and interests.

Now here’s exactly what you should include in each of these sections in your resume.

Resume Contact Details

Make it easy for hiring managers to contact you by adding your contact details to the top of your resume.

Keep this section small to save space and include the following.

• Name and profession title
• Telephone number – Ideally your cell phone so you can answer quickly.
• Location – Add your general location such as LA or New York
• Email address – Use a professional looking one with no nicknames.

You can add a link to your LinkedIn profile if you have one – you do not need to include personal details like date of birth or marital status.

Travel Nurse Resume Summary

Now it’s time to get into the real content of your resume, starting with the summary.

Your resume summary is a short paragraph at the top of the document, and its jobs is to catch the eye of hiring managers by summarizing all your skills and knowledge that are most important to the roles you are applying for.

Tips for creating an strong resume summary:

• Keep it brief: Aim for a short punchy paragraph of 4-7 lines. This is just enough info to showcase why you’d make the perfect hire, without going into excessive detail and overwhelming busy recruiters at such an early stage in the resume.
• Tailor it: Ensure your profile makes an impact by matching it closely to the requirements of the job description, copying as many key terms as possible.
• Avoid cliches: You may be a “ team player who always give 110%” but generic phrases don’t tell employers much about you in reality – stick to factual information.

Example resume summary for Travel Nurse

What to include in your travel nurse resume summary.

• Summary of professional experience: Summarize the type of work you have done in the past and the benefits you have delivered for the organizations you worked at.
• Relevant skills: Highlight your skills which are most relevant to Travel Nurse jobs, to ensure that recruiters see your most in-demand skills as soon as they open your resume.
• Essential qualifications: Mention any Travel Nurse qualifications that are important to your profession in the summary briefly, to show you are qualified to carry out the role.

Quick tip: Choose from hundreds of pre-written summaries across all industries, and add one to your resume with one click in our quick-and-easy Resume Builder . All written by our recruitment experts and easily tailored to suit your unique skillset.

Core skills section

In addition to your resume summary, your core skills section provides an easily digestible snapshot of your skills – perfect for grabbing the attention of busy hiring managers.

As Travel Nurse jobs might receive a huge pile of applications, this is a great way to stand out and show off your suitability for the role.

It should be made up of 2-3 columns of bullet points and be made up of skills that are highly relevant to the jobs you are targeting.

Best skills for your Travel Nurse resume

• Treatment planning – Creating detailed plans about a patient’s illness, the goal of treatment, the treatment options available and possible side effects, and the expected length of treatment.
• Recording vital signs – Regularly monitoring vital signs including blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, respiratory rate, and blood oxygen saturation, to avoid missing patient deterioration.
• Ventilator operation – Operating machinery which helps patients to breathe when they are unable to breathe on their own.
• Discharge planning – Considering what support each patient may require following their discharge from hospital, and liaising with relevant services to manage the patient’s discharge.
• Infectious disease control – Understanding and complying with a variety of measures that prevent and contain the spread of infectious diseases.

Quick tip: Our quick-and-easy Resume Builder contains thousands of in-demand skills for every profession that can be added to your resume in seconds – saving you time and greatly improving your chances of landing job interviews.

Work experience section

So, you’ve grabbed the recruiters’ attention with your summary, now it’s time to show them what you’re really capable of in your work experience section.

List your previous jobs from current to oldest, showing off the impact you made at each organization.

If you have tons of experience, you should just list the most recent an relevant jobs – but if you have little or no experience, add it all and even consider putting in voluntary work.

Structuring your job descriptions

You probably do a lot in your job, so its vital to break all of that information down into a good structure.

Structure your jobs as follows to make it easy for recruiters to skim through and pinpoint the essential info.

Job outline

Begin each job with a short summary of who the organization is, where you sit within it, and what the main goal of your position is.

Key responsibilities

List your notable responsibilities in short sharp bullet points to demonstrate your input and how you contributed to the organization’s success.

Highlight the skills that are most important to the roles you are applying for.

Key achievements

Finish each role by highlighting some impressive achievements you made whilst in the role.

Anything that benefited the employer can be included from making financial savings, to winning new customers.

Quantify your achievements with facts and figures if you can, e.g. “reduced call wait time by 10%”

Example job for Travel Nurse resume

Working for a leading healthcare provider who offer the services of healthcare professionals to fulfil shortages in hospitals, medical centres, and hospices across North America. Responsible for travelling to sites around Texas to provide expert nursing care to patients for durations of 1 day to 6 months.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide direct patient care to patients from newborn through to elderly and palliative, suffering from a variety of emergency and non-emergency ailments
• Conduct individualized patient assessments and perform appropriate medical procedures
• Respond to cardiac codes, unresponsive patients, injuries, and medical events within the hospital
• Provide pre- and post-operative patient care

Quick tip: Create impressive job descriptions easily in our quick-and-easy Resume Builder by adding pre-written job phrases for every industry and career stage.

Education resume section

Near the end of your resume add your education section

Experienced candidates should keep it brief and focus on professional qualifications – and junior candidates can include high school diplomas, college degrees etc.

Additional info for your resume

Any other info that didn’t fall into any of the previous sections can be added here.

If you have hobbies that are related to your profession or any awards or publications – add them here.

Writing your Travel Nurse resume

A winning Travel Nurse resume should look great, read well, and sell your skillset to hiring managers.

If you follow the steps above, you should be able to bag yourself a top job in no time.

And don’t forget you can use our quick-and-easy Resume Builder if you want to save time and ensure your resume contains the very best content.

Good luck with your job search!

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Do you wish to become a traveling nurse?

The US Bureau of Labor Standards predicts employment of traveling nurses to grow by 9% from 2020 to 2030 . According to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), 55% of today’s nursing workforce is 50 years or older . The retiring workforce would thus create even more opportunities in the future.

The job outlook is undoubtedly positive. But first, what is a traveling nurse?

A traveling nurse is a registered medical practitioner who provides healthcare services in areas where medical facilities are scarce or healthcare organizations are understaffed. They fill positions on a short-term basis ranging from 13 weeks to 26 weeks.

They work in various health environments and discharge duties similar to that of a non-traveling nurse. They look after patients, collaborate with other healthcare professionals to create patient care plans, maintain records of medical supplies, and respond to patients’ queries.

Now that you understand the job of a traveling nurse, all you need is a winning resume to land your dream job!

Read on to know how to draft the perfect traveling nurse resume.

• What should a travel nurse put on their resume?
• How do I make my nursing resume stand out?
• What should a travel nurse resume look like?

How Should a Travel Nurse Write a Resume?

You need an impeccable travel nurse resume showcasing your skills, nursing degree(s), work experience, registered nurse license(s), etc, to intrigue the hiring manager.

Follow this guide to write your travel nurse resume:

Begin the Travel Nurse Resume with Personal Information

Include your personal information at the start of the resume in the header section. Write your:

• Current designation
• Name of the healthcare agency/clinic/hospital

Also, include contact details- phone number, and email address, for the hiring committee to get in touch with you.

Also Read : How to draft an impeccable charge nurse resume in 2022?

Write a Comprehensive Travel Nurse Resume Summary

A resume summary is a brief introduction to your resume. It briefly conveys your professional experience, your specialty, your clinical skill set, and what you wish to achieve in the future. It is comparable to an elevator speech where you introduce yourself concisely yet effectively.

For instance, “ 5+ years of experience as a nurse serving in clinics and hospitals. In-depth knowledge of emergency medical procedures. Seeking a role to leverage my experience and expand my skill set ”.

If you do not have prior work experience, you could write a resume objective stating your aspirations, motivations, and career goals.

Mention Prior Work Experience in Travel Nursing Resume

The work experience section comes before the educational section if you have substantial experience or have changed numerous jobs. Mention details of your prior experience in reverse chronological order as bullet points.

Use power verbs to begin sentences such as measured, monitored, contributed, etc. Include metrics to make this section effective such as the number of beds in your unit, nurse-to-patient ratio, etc. For instance, “Developed patient care plans for over 10 patients in the critical care units”.

Pro Tip : You can also add details of your volunteering experience in the work experience section. Mention details of your volunteering experience at the community health centers or medical mission trips in foreign countries.

Also Read : How to decode a labor and delivery nurse job description?

List Your Educational Background in Travel Nurse Resume

Most traveling nurses have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing or an associate’s degree. Follow a professional format while listing your educational background. Also, mention the projects undertaken, research published, awards, and honors received during the program.

Use the following format to list your educational background:

• Name of degree
• Name of university
• Year of joining
• Year of passing
• Academic accomplishments(Projects/published research/awards/honors)

List your Certifications and Licenses in Travel Nurse Resume

The nursing roles are becoming fairly competitive. Mentioning nursing certifications and licenses for specialty skills in your resume gives you a competitive edge over other candidates.

Use the following format to list your certifications and licenses:

• Name of certification/license
• Date of expiry
• Certifying body
• Certification/license number

Given that, some licenses and certifications have become the norm before your first nursing job. Most nursing candidates highlight them on their resumes. They also compliment your lack of professional work experience.

Following are the nursing licenses that must be mentioned on your resume:

• Registered Nurse License ,
• Licensed Practical Nurse, or
• Certified Nursing Assistant

You could opt to obtain licenses in multiple states to open up more opportunities for you. There are also walkthrough states- Arizona, Idaho, Louisiana, Missouri, and South Carolina, that issue a temporary license valid for 30 days to 6 months. Do check with the concerned state departments before applying for licenses.

Following are the certifications that you could choose from:

• Basic Life Support
• Certified Wound Treatment Associate
• Trauma Nursing Core Course
• Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support
• IV Therapy Certification
• Long Term Care Certification

Also Read : How to write a flawless nurse practitioner resume in 2022?

List your Travel Nurse Resume Skills

List down your skills on a piece of paper and divide them into hard skills and soft skills. Now, match them with the skills required in the job description. Choose the top 10 nursing skills you possess that are also mentioned in the job ad or would be helpful on the job to include in your resume.

Here are some skills to consider mentioning in your resume:

• Patient Education
• Recording Vital Signs
• Record Keeping
• Computer Skills
• CPR Instructing
• Excellent Communication
• Leadership Skills
• Highly Organized
• Stress Management
• Problem-Solving

What Should a Travel Nurse Resume Look Like?: Tips to Write Travel Nurse Resume

When writing a travel nurse resume, make sure to follow these tips:

Format the Resume Using a Professional Layout Design

Use a professional layout with sections dedicated to personal information, work experience, education, skills, and certifications. Use clear headings and maintain white spaces between headings to increase the readability of the resume.

Always remember to:

• Mention information as bullet points using 11 or 12-point font size
• Maintain 1-inch margins on each side
• Use professional fonts such as Calibri, Arial, or Cambria consistently throughout the resume
• Save the file as “Name-Job title-resume”.pdf

Also Read : What are the ‘Do’s & Don't’ of writing a resume in 2022?

Use the Job Description to Customize Your Resume

The job description covers the employer’s expectations. It is important to link those expectations to your professional experience. Use medical keywords used in the job description to make your resume ATS compliant. You could also focus on being flexible about traveling since traveling nurses are associated with short-term roles only.

Attach a Cover Letter Along

A cover letter emphasizes your interest in the job. It is 3/4th of a page long with an introduction, body, and conclusion. Begin with a catchy introduction and mention the job you are pursuing. Mention your past work-related accomplishments as the body. Finally, wrap up with a call to action, asking them for an in-person or online interview.

Also Read : What are the main sections to add to a resume?

Proofread Before Applying

It is good practice to proofread all professional documents before applying. Look for silly typos, grammatical errors, and mistakes you might have made while drafting the resume.

Key Takeaways

A traveling nurse takes up short-term nursing roles in various health environments and locations. They discharge duties similar to that of a non-traveling nurse. A travel nurse resume is required when applying for roles in clinics, hospitals, or health organizations.

• A travel nurse resume should have a dedicated section for personal information containing name , contact information , job title , organization , and location .
• The next section should include a resume summary or objective statement .
• The work experience section should include details of prior work experience in reverse chronological order with job title , organization’s name , and responsibilities held .
• The education section should include details of the nursing program or degree obtained along with the academic accomplishments if any.
• The certifications and licenses section should include all valid certifications and licenses held at the time of application.
• The skills section should be highlighted, mentioning the key technical skills and soft skills that align with the job ad.
• Always use a professional layout while drafting the travel nurse resume.
• Attach a cover letter to emphasize your interest in the role.
• Proofread the travel nurse resume before submitting the application.

Are you looking for a traveling nurse job and wish to write a travel nurse resume? Visit Hiration’s AI-powered resume builder for a smooth resume-building experience. We provide 24/7 online chat assistance.

Also, reach out to [email protected] for additional queries that you may have.

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Travel Nurse Resume Example and Tips

A career as a travel nurse offers an unbeatable degree of flexibility. You can pick assignments across multiple states (and abroad!), take time off in-between postings, and still receive a lucrative paycheck. Travel nurses can be paid over $50 per hour, plus company-paid housing accommodations , which can bring your total income to six figures.

If you’re ready to explore the sea of opportunities out there, it’s time to dust off your resume. This post provides a sample travel nurse resume to use as a reference and some extra helpful tips! 

Travel Nurse Resume Example (Word)

Download example (.docx)

Travel Nurse Resume (plain text)

Angie Myers, Registered LPN Phone: 000-000-000 email: [email protected] 

Resume Summary 

Licensed practical nurse with 4+ years of clinical experience and a background in the hospitality industry. Proactive, energetic, and empathetic professional with a strong work ethic and passion for providing exceptional patient care levels. Partnered with 5+ healthcare institutions and 10+ rehabilitation facilities. 

• Intravenous therapy
• Pain management 
• Basic life support 
• Patient and family education 
• EHR proficiency 
• Geriatrics care plan development 
• Emotional intelligence 
• Active listening 
• Critical thinking 
• Stamina 
• Flexibility
• Teamwork 

Travel Nurse  Self-employed September 2020-present 

Specialize in providing geriatric care, particularly to patients with mobility and memory problems.

• Work with three different healthcare institutions in palliative care, geriatrics, and Cardiac ICU units. 
• Provided effective, timely, and compassionate care to over 100 patients per shift during the height of the pandemic. 
• Partnered with the People’s Community Nursing And Rehabilitation Center on developing over 20 individualized patient plans for improving elderly patient coordination and mobility. 
• Educated patients and families on end-of-life choices, plans of care, and options to improve the quality of life. 

Licensed Practical Nurse  Cherry Gorge State Hospital  October 2019 – August 2020 

Worked as an LPN in the palliative care unit, managing between 6 to 12 patients per day, including terminal cancer patients. 

• Administered narcotic treatments and managed dosage. Coordinated pain management programs. 
• Provided and managed intravenous therapy to patients. Highly skilled in placing IVs and catheterization. 
• Liaised with the patients’ families to obtain necessary permissions and inform them about different care options. 

Senior front-desk administrator  Colorado Springs Resort  June 2015-October 2017 

Worked at Colorado Sprigs Resort chain, starting as a trainee and progressing to the ranks of the Senior Administrator in charge of handling VIP clients and delegations. 

• Recruited, trained, and coached a team of 10+ front-desk associates for the resort chains. 
• Maintained exceptional levels of customer service and courtesy. Voted as the best front-desk staffer four times in a row during 2018. 
• Created and coordinated personalized vocational schedules for VIP clients. Booked activities, restaurants, and events, based on the customer profiles. 
• Effectively handled a range of administrative, financial, and marketing activities for the resort chain. 

Education 

Herzing University  AAS in Nursing (LPN) September 2017-September 2019

NCLEX-PN certification exam, passed in September 2019. 

How to Write a Travel Nurse Resume

The easiest way to write a resume fast is by creating an outline first. Grab a free resume template to have some structure in front of your eyes. Start filling up each section progressively – first the work experience and education, then your resume summary and skills. Then apply the following tips to add polishing touches. 

Decide On the Optimal Format for Work Experience Section 

As a travel nurse, you likely held a lot of short-term contract jobs or perhaps even juggled several gigs at once. So the question is: Should you list each employer separately or include a consolidated entry? 

The short answer is — it depends on your experiences. If you want to keep your resume compact (remember, the ideal resume length is one page !) , it’s best to create one “master” entry for your travel nursing experiences, just like in the sample above. Doing so is also a great way to cover up the potential gaps on your resume for periods of being in-between jobs. 

On the other hand, if you’re new to the field or want to draw more attention to the different types of institutions you worked with, do create separate entries for each employer in reverse chronological order. 

Don’t Discard Your Transferable Skills 

For many, nursing might not be the first career choice. Especially, when it comes to travel nursing — a career path that often appeals to career-changers, late-bloomers, and anyone else seeking a more dynamic, yet rewarding lifestyle. 

If you have transitioned to nursing, you may have slightly less traditional experience compared to other candidates. But you also have some “secret advantage” — your past work experiences and transferable skills.

Sure, clinical skills are important, but so are your soft skills such as strong interpersonal skills, great organizational capabilities, and excellence in time management. In the travel nurse resume above, you’d noticed how the candidate mentions her hospitality work experience. A long tenure as a front-desk staffer exemplifies her strong commitment to providing good customer service (and patient care by proxy). 

So think of the ways how your past work experiences can be adapted to the nursing career. For example, if you previously worked in an admin position, you can use this work experience to exemplify your self-management skills . 

Focus on Your Nursing Skillset 

Travel nurses often come from different backgrounds. Some might be certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs). Others may be Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS). Make sure to specify your clinical background immediately in the resume header area . Doing so ensures that you’ll convey the right impression to the reader. 

Next, go a bit more precise in a featured Skills section. Summarize your main clinical competencies, bring up a couple of technical skills, and top things with some soft skills. 

If you’re short on ideas, check out our big list of nursing skills for a resume . 

Final Tip: Use Persuasive Language 

Show that you’re a competent, tenured professional by using strong verbs in your resume and cover letter . Strong verbs are specific, descriptive, and evocative. They suggest the type of impact that you’ve made or an accomplishment you have delivered.

Examples of strong verbs include “Led”, “Initiated”, “Established”, “Managed”, etc. Use them to add more persuasion to your job application documents.

Elena runs content operations at Freesumes since 2017. She works closely with copywriters, designers, and invited career experts to ensure that all content meets our highest editorial standards. Up to date, she wrote over 200 career-related pieces around resume writing, career advice... more

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Travel Nurse Resume Example

Tried and tested resume example for your next job in 2024. Get a jump-start, by editing this Travel Nurse resume example. Just update this example with your details, download and launch your career to new heights today!

How to write a travel nurse resume

A travel nurse is a registered nurse who is hired to work in a temporary nursing position, typically for 13 weeks or more, in healthcare facilities across different geographic locations. These healthcare facilities can include hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, and other healthcare settings. Travel nurses often work for staffing agencies that specialize in providing temporary nursing staff to healthcare facilities that are experiencing staffing shortages due to many reasons such as seasonal fluctuations, census fluctuations, staff turnover, or other factors.

Travel nurses typically receive competitive salaries, reimbursement for travel and housing expenses, and other benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans. They must also have a valid nursing license and be willing to obtain the appropriate licenses for each state in which they work. Travel nurses must also be adaptable, flexible, and able to work well with different teams of healthcare professionals in various settings. To get a job as a travel nurse you will need to prepare a resume, in this guide we will discuss the tips for writing a travel nurse resume along with travel nurse resume examples.

Tips for writing a travel nurse resume

Here are the tips for writing a travel nurse resume;

• Start with a strong objective or summary statement: This is the first section that the hiring manager will read, so it should be well-crafted and attention-grabbing. It should clearly state your goals as a travel nurse and highlight your core skills and experiences.
• Highlight your nursing experience: In the body of your resume, focus on your nursing experience, especially any experience working as a travel nurse. Include details about the hospitals, clinics, or other healthcare facilities where you've worked and the specific responsibilities you had. Highlight any specialized skills or training you have, such as experience in ICU or ER.
• Emphasize your soft skills: As a travel nurse, you'll need to be adaptable, flexible, and able to work well with several patients, colleagues, and healthcare providers. Make sure to highlight your interpersonal skills, ability to communicate effectively, and experience working in different team environments.
• List your certifications and licenses: As a travel nurse, you'll need to have up-to-date certifications and licenses for the states where you plan to work. Be sure to include these in your resume and provide details on the dates and locations where you earned them.
• Include relevant education and training: Even if you have extensive nursing experience, it's still important to list your education and training. It can include your nursing degree, any additional certifications or training you've completed, and any relevant coursework.
• Quantify your accomplishments: Whenever possible, include specific numbers or statistics that demonstrate your success as a nurse. For example, you might mention the number of patients you've cared for, the percentage of patients who have improved under your care, or the number of successful procedures you've performed.
• Tailor your resume to the job description: Read the job posting carefully and ensure to customize your resume to match the job specifications. Use keywords from the posting throughout your resume and highlight your skills and experiences that align with the job description.
• Keep your resume concise and easy to read: Remember that hiring managers are often busy and may only spend a few seconds scanning your resume. Use bullet points to highlight your key accomplishments and keep your sentences short and to the point. Use a clear and easy-to-read font and avoid using too many colors or graphics.

Here are other resources on travel nurse,  travel nurse skills for resume and cover letter ,  travel nurse resume sample ,  how to write a travel nurse cover letter ,  how to become a travel nurse

Travel Nurse Resume Sample

Travel Nurses are employed temporarily to work in specific locations, typically for periods ranging from 13 to 26 weeks. Their job duties are similar to those of non-traveling nurses and can include providing patient care, documenting patient information, administering medications, and collaborating with patients and other hospital staff. Individuals who possess a sense of adventure and a desire to travel are eligible for this exciting role, provided that they demonstrate the necessary skills and competencies in their resumes. These may include excellent communication skills, a willingness to learn, dedication and patience, adaptability to new challenges, compassion, flexibility with scheduling, and mental fortitude. The minimum qualifications for this role include a nursing degree and an RN license.

Travel Nurse Resume Professional Summary

Highly skilled and experienced Travel Nurse with seven years of experience providing exceptional patient care in diverse healthcare settings. Possess a strong background in ICU and ER nursing and a proven track record of effectively managing patient care while collaborating with interdisciplinary teams. 

Travel Nurse Resume Skills

• Emotional intelligence
• Critical thinking
• Flexibility
• Adaptability
• Communication skills
• Cultural competence

Travel Nurse Resume Job Description

• Provide exceptional patient care in diverse healthcare settings across the United States, including ICU, ER, and Medical-Surgical units.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary healthcare teams to develop and implement effective patient care plans, including monitoring vital signs, administering medications, and performing medical procedures.
• Maintain accurate patient documentation in electronic health records and other databases.
• Educate patients and their families on treatments, medications, and other aspects of their care.
• Communicate effectively with healthcare teams, patients, and families to ensure the highest quality of care.
• Adapt quickly to new healthcare environments, patient populations, and healthcare technologies.
• Manage time effectively to prioritize tasks and provide timely and efficient patient care.
• Promote a positive work environment by demonstrating compassion, empathy, and cultural competence.

Associate Travel Nurse Resume Example

Associate Travel Nurse Resume Professional Summary

Associate travel nurse proficient in administering medications, documenting patient information, and performing various medical procedures. Demonstrated ability to adapt quickly to new environments and situations, while maintaining a positive attitude and delivering high-quality care. Holds an RN license and certifications in ACLS and PALS.

Associate Travel Nurse Resume Skills

• Technical skills
• Attention to detail
• Patient care
• Time management
• First Aid Certified

Associate Travel Nurse Resume Job Description

• Worked with family practice doctors and RNs to reduce medication refills from multiple days to one-day pick-up to improve patient convenience.
• Collaborated with front desk staff to increase the speed of faxed documents for timely patient care.
• Created a schedule for blood pressure checks and introduced pet therapy for medical calls at the fire department.
• Developed an orientation book for newly hired RNs and trained Air Force personnel on various medical procedures.
• Conducted lectures for RNs on disease management and quality improvement/project management.

Travel Nurse/Agency Nurse Resume Example

Travel Nurse/Agency Nurse Resume Professional Summary

As a Registered Travel Nurse/Agency Nurse, I have over ten years of nursing experience and possess excellent management, interpersonal, and communication skills. I have a strong ability to offer continuous educational opportunities to both staff and students, and I have assisted in recruitment, staffing, promotion, and new employee orientation. I possess extensive knowledge of professional nursing principles, practices, and concepts.

Travel Nurse/Agency Nurse Resume Skills

• Electronic Medical Record (EMR)
• Clinical Research.
• Healthcare Information Technology (HIT)
• Healthcare Management.
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
• Inpatient Care

Travel Nurse/Agency Nurse Resume Job Description

• Provided exceptional nursing care to patients in medical-surgical and cardiac units.
• Conducted discharge education for patients and their families and facilitated referrals when necessary.
• Taught general competency courses to more than 200 mental health staff, as well as Healthy Interventions and restraint courses to ICU and mental health staff.
• Oversaw mentorship and preceptorship programs, as well as reviewed and revised policies and procedures.
• Offered continuing education courses and contributed to the medication education council, hospital policy, and forms committees.

Executive Travel Nurse Resume Example

Executive Travel Nurse Resume Professional Summary

Skilled Executive Travel Nurse with twelve years of experience in the medical industry with a focus on surgical and intensive care patients. Patient-centric with exceptional knowledge and expertise to make sound clinical judgments.

Executive Travel Nurse Resume Skills

• Flexibility 
• Communication 
• Computer skills 
• CPR instructing 

Executive Travel Nurse Resume Job Description

• Serve as the primary point of contact for the injured employee, employer, provider, and other relevant parties.
• Gather information about the injury and determine the appropriate level of care.
• Assess the injury concerning the employee's job duties, identify the cause of the injury, and obtain a medical history.
• Provide recommendations for self-care or first aid.
• Collaborate with on-site medical staff, client Human Resources, Health and Safety personnel, local medical providers, and other designated individuals to ensure proper handling and follow-up of potential work-related injuries and illnesses.

Travel Nurse/Intern Resume Example

Travel Nurse/Intern Resume Objective

To obtain a challenging position as a travel nurse intern, where I can utilize my nursing skills and knowledge while gaining valuable experience in various healthcare settings. I am dedicated to providing high-quality patient care and willing to learn and adapt to new environments to make a positive impact on patient outcomes.

Travel Nurse/Intern Resume Skills

• Patient Care
• Communication

Travel Nurse/Intern Resume Job Description

• Identify age-specific needs and create care plans to meet them.
• Administer blood and blood products, monitoring patients for transfusion reactions.
• Manage medications intravenously, by injection, orally, through gastric tubes, or by other methods.
• Inspect patients' fluid intake and output to detect emerging problems such as fluid-electrolyte imbalances.
• Check patients for changes in status or indications of conditions like sepsis or shock.
• Assess patients' pain levels or sedation requirements and provide medication as needed.

Jr. Travel Nurse Resume Example

Jr. Travel Nurse Resume Professional Summary

Compassionate and devoted Jr. Travel Nurse with exceptional clinical abilities and an unwavering commitment to delivering top-notch patient care. Highly motivated and flexible, with a wealth of experience in diverse healthcare environments such as acute care, long-term care, and rehabilitation centers. 

Jr. Travel Nurse Resume Skills

• Team-player
• Strong work ethic

Jr. Travel Nurse Resume Job Description

• Ensure efficient and effective nursing care that meets therapeutic objectives.
• Coordinate and supervise nursing activities for assigned residents.
• Instruct staff and evaluate nursing care based on resident needs and responses.
• Make decisions related to staffing, policy implementation, and team assignments.
• Provide leadership, creativity, and problem-solving skills to plan for change and solve problems.
• Prioritize communication and team building to achieve results through collaboration.
• Possess deep understanding and appreciation of the values and structure of elderly, ill, or disabled patients.

RN Travel Nurse Resume Example

RN Travel Nurse Resume Professional Summary

Seeking a travel nurse position that allows me to apply my skills and experience while also expanding my knowledge. I have an exceptional ability to multitask and am skilled in accessing and maintaining central venous lines and implanted ports. Additionally, I have extensive knowledge in assessing medication side effects and adverse reactions.

RN Travel Nurse Resume Skills

• Computer Skills
• Interpersonal skills

RN Travel Nurse Resume Job Description

• Monitored patients' progress and modify care plans as needed, leading to a 25% drop in hospital readmissions and a 20% improvement in patient satisfaction scores.
• Maintained accurate and efficient documentation of patient care services, which resulted in a 30% decrease in documentation errors.
• Actively participated in ongoing education and professional development activities, leading to a 15% increase in knowledge and skills related to patient care.
• Assisted physicians with measuring blood pressure and recording vital signs during physical examinations.
• Educated, informed, and communicated with over 15 patients and their families during each shift.
• Prioritized patient care and treatment based on the level of urgency, resulting in improved patient management.

Lead Travel Nurse Resume Example

Lead Travel Nurse Resume Professional Summary

Experienced Travel nurse with 15 years of experience, specializing in providing patient-focused care during travel. Possesses the ability to manage and prioritize tasks efficiently in a constantly changing and fast-paced healthcare environment. Recently worked as a float pool nurse and can quickly adapt to new work settings and challenges. Dedicated to ongoing learning and development.

Lead Travel Nurse Resume Skills

• Patient Health Assessment
• Patient Safety & Security
• Process Streamlining
• Task Prioritization
• Time Management

Lead Travel Nurse Resume Job Description

• Continuous hourly assessments to address the physical and mental status of each patient
• Using nursing knowledge and experience to triage symptoms and provide appropriate care
• Advocating for patients to ensure they receive personalized and optimal medical attention
• Developing individualized plans for each patient to promote their recovery
• Keeping families and medical staff updated on the patient's condition
• Accurately entering information into the clinical computer system to ensure compliance with hospital documentation requirements, including progress notes and flow sheets.

Travel Nurse/Contract Resume Example

Travel Nurse/Contract Resume Professional Summary

Looking for a stimulating and exceptional work environment as a Pediatric Registered Nurse (RN) where I can work alongside a dynamic medical team and offer family-oriented, comprehensive care to patients. My goal is to secure a nursing position that will allow me to enhance my skills, expand my knowledge, and become more globally competitive in the field.

Travel Nurse/Contract Resume Skills

• Diagnostic testing and interpretation
• Patient Education
• Health maintenance and disease prevention
• Patient progress monitoring
• Care plan adjustment
• Patient Advocacy

Travel Nurse/Contract Resume Job Description

• Successfully devised and executed patient care plans, resulting in a 25% reduction in readmission rates and a 15% improvement in patient satisfaction scores.
• Collaborated efficiently with interdisciplinary teams to deliver optimal patient care, leading to a 20% decline in hospital-acquired infections.
• Provided compassionate emotional support and counseling to patients and their families, contributing to a 10% decrease in patient anxiety levels.
• Administered medications and treatments with exceptional accuracy, achieving a 99% success rate and leading to a 30% decrease in adverse drug reactions.
• Conducted diagnostic tests and skillfully interpreted results, enabling a 20% increase in the early detection of medical conditions.

Telemetry Travel Nurse Resume Example

Telemetry Travel Nurse Resume Professional Summary

Seeking a professional role in a growth-oriented and high-performing organization as a telemetry travel nurse, where I can derive job satisfaction while pursuing my personal and organizational objectives. I aspire to work in a stimulating environment that enables me to utilize my knowledge and skills to the fullest while making meaningful contributions to the organization.

Telemetry Travel Nurse Resume Skills

• Infection control and prevention
• Interdisciplinary collaboration
• Emotional support and counseling
• Medication administration

Telemetry Travel Nurse Resume Job Description

• Supervised diagnoses, arranged care plans, recorded patient data and reviewed intensive care for over 19 patients during every shift.
• Cultivated a culture of open communication and trust with more than 275 ICU patients, resulting in a 91% positive patient-care experience.
• Administered medications, injections, and IV treatments to more than 20 patients daily.
• Monitored patients' conditions for any adverse reactions or responses and promptly initiated appropriate counteractive measures and alerted physicians during emergencies.
• Documented patients' compliance with treatments and health maintenance requirements. 
• Conducted initial health history assessments using nursing assessment techniques and effective communication skills.

Travel Nurse/Part-Time Resume Example

Travel Nurse/Part-Time Resume Professional Summary

Part-time travel nurse with a diverse background in clinical nursing, I bring over two years of experience in high-pressure healthcare environments. I have a track record of successfully applying nursing protocols and instruction to facilitate patient-focused care and enhance clinical outcomes. Through my leadership and exemplariness, I have played a pivotal role in driving clinical excellence and promoting patient safety.

Travel Nurse/Part-Time Resume Skills

• Teamwork 
• Leadership skills
• Multitasking

Travel Nurse/Part-Time Resume Job Description

• Provided nursing care to surgical patients and developed individual plans of care in collaboration with other healthcare team members.
• Ensured patient safety, created a healing environment, and facilitated exceptional outcomes for patients by collaborating with other disciplines.
• Educated patients and families on illness/injury management, including post-treatment home care needs and medication administration.
• Communicated professionally with primary care physicians and physician assistants to serve as a patient advocate.
• Conducted training sessions for new operational implementations and workflows in the market.

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The Ultimate Guide to Nurse Resumes: Examples, Template, and Practical Tips

Resume writing can stir up anxiety for most, and it can be difficult to find resources that speak specifically to nursing resumes. Our profession's unique nature, combined with its varying clinical and non-clinical roles, often makes it challenging to structure our experience to fit the guidelines of a standard resume. 

So, how do you effectively capture the depth and value of your experience as a nurse on your next job search? Whether you’re a travel nurse looking for your next travel nursing job , a new grad nurse seeking your first role, or a nurse looking for your next staff role, this guide has got you covered with tons of helpful tips - you can even download a version of your resume, ready to submit! 

Let’s get started! 

How Travel Nurse Resumes Are Used

The importance of a strong resume, ideal format and length for any nurse resume, nurse resume template, new grad resume advice, travel nurse resume tips.

• Download Your Perfect Resume Template

To really understand how to write a great travel nurse resume, you have to know how it’s used in the application process. The traditional image of a hiring manager with thick-rimmed glasses leafing through an endless stack of papers no longer applies to the general job market, let alone travel nursing. Recruiters primarily dissect your resume, and the hiring manager typically gets only the pertinent info of the candidates the recruiter has passed through to them.

Moreover, the use of applicant tracking systems (ATS) is becoming increasingly prevalent in most industries, including healthcare. An ATS is a piece of technology that can quickly screen applications to filter out those without the qualifications that the position needs- before your resume even gets to the recruiter! While this system might seem impersonal, it's absolutely possible to have them work in your favor- you just have to work the system!  The key is making sure that you have designed your nursing resume to be readable by the ATS and to include key qualifications for the role you’re applying to. Follow the information outlined in this guide and you’ll be good to go! 

Despite the nursing shortage, the most sought-after positions remain incredibly competitive, so it’s important to make a strong first impression through your resume. Even though hiring managers may not spend much time reading your resume, it’s still one of the best ways for a company or recruiter to quickly have a sense of what you bring to the table. Having all the information about your professional qualifications and work history succinctly summarized in one place will allow your recruiter to quickly determine which positions will be a good fit. By creating a solid resume base, you can easily add on and adapt it to each role you apply to in the future, so let’s get started! 

Before writing your resume, you’ll need a foundation to build upon. That's where your travel nurse resume outline comes in: it's a skeleton that organizes all the information you’ll need into neat, streamlined sections. Whether it’s seen by a recruiter, a hiring manager, or an ATS, the general rules that should guide the way your template looks and how it is written remain the same.

Formatting Your Nurse Resume

When it comes to formatting your nurse resume, always remember to keep it simple. Because your application will likely go through an ATS at some point, you want to make it as easy for the tracking system software to read as possible.  So while we’re all for aesthetics, you’re going to need to leave the pizzaz for the actual interview. 

Here are some tips to keep your resume ATS-friendly (and reader):

• Avoid fancy headers or footers.
• Avoid special fonts. We recommend Arial, Trebuchet MS, or Times New Roman. 
• Keep font size easy on the eyes.  For headers, aim for 28-35pt, individual section headers 14-16pt, and body content: 10-12pt.  Don’t go smaller than 10- no ones likes reading fine print! 
• Don't insert pictures, videos, graphs, or any other visuals.  Using a straight line is the only acceptable graphic. 
• Keep it black and white (no fancy font colors or backgrounds).  Do this and you’ll get to show your true colors when you are given the opportunity to speak with the manager. 

Ideal Length of a Nurse Resume

When it comes to nursing, especially travel nursing, having a longer-than-normal resume is okay.  In an industry where it’s common for nurses to switch jobs as frequently as every one to three months, it’s actually expected by hiring managers that your resume will exceed one page! However, for in-person networking, it may be wise to have a short and sweet version with only your most recent and/or relevant work experience listed​.  

A good travel nurse resume concisely details your professional accomplishments, and grammar and vocabulary play a huge role in that. Focus on including a skimmable list of your professional accomplishments, not writing a long essay about them. Structure your entries as bulleted lists, and keep your bullet points as straight-forward as possible, beginning each bullet point with a verb or adjective to avoid writing full sentences.  

Every nurse resume, whether you’re a new grad nurse, an experienced nurse, or travel nurse resume, should have these key sections:

Contact Information: 

Include your full name, phone number, email address, and location.

Professional Summary:  

A brief, compelling statement about your career goals and value proposition.  Ideally, you should optimize this section to include as many relevent keywords you find in the job description as possible.  Doing this will set off bells within the ATS that you are a good match for the job! 

Licenses and Certifications: 

Be sure to note if you have a license in hand for the job you’re applying to! Also, highlight your certifications- all of them! Everything from the basics required for the role, like BLS, all the way to where you’ve gone above and beyond the call of duty, like CCRN.  

Work Experience: 

Detail your professional experience with a focus on achievements, not just duties. In this section, it’s great to include your facilities trauma level, number of beds, and any magnet certification.  This helps to paint the picture of what that experience was like for you!

Education: 

Finally, be sure to list your educational background, with your most recent education listed first.  If you were a scholarship recipient or received any special awards or honors in school, be sure to include that too.  

Bonus sections:  

You want to be sure to include anything that makes you stand out, so if you have volunteer experience, speak multiple languages, received a Daisy or another award, or led any research or major projects, be sure to create a section for those as well! 

As a new grad, you might feel like you don't have much to put on your resume, but that's not true. Here's a few things you should incorporate in order to create a standout new grad nurse resume:

• Focus on Clinical Rotations: Even if you don't have paid work experience, your clinical rotations during nursing school provide valuable experience. Detail the skills you've gained and the types of medical settings you've been exposed to.
• Make Your Education Section Robust: Put more weight on your educational background. In addition to your degree, include any relevant coursework that may have been outside of the normal track, any projects you took lead on, or any research you contributed to.

Travel nurses face unique challenges when crafting their resumes due to how frequently their experience is changing. Here's some advice to create an impressive travel nurse resume:

• Highlight Your Adaptability: Travel nurses need to adapt quickly to new settings and teams. Include examples of your adaptability and teamwork in your work experience section by noting floating assignments you took or other ways you went above and beyond to be flexible and helpful. 
• Detail Each Assignment: We know it may grow to be a long list, but for each of your travel nursing assignments, include the location, facility type, unit type, and dates. Be sure to highlight any specific achievements or challenges you overcame.  Managers hiring travelers are looking for someone who is confident and experienced- ready to hit the ground running! 
• Show off Your Leadership and Curiosity: Travel nursing requires confidence and lifelong learning.  Show that you’re committed to being the best nurse you can be through continuing education opportunities and roles where you can contribute to the education of others, such as taking a charge or preceptor role. 

Download Your Perfect Resume Template! 

Creating a resume, especially a travel nurse resume, can be a daunting task. That's why at Trusted Health, we're committed to helping you ease the burden. When you sign up for a Trusted profile and enter your work experience, we'll do the heavy lifting for you. Our platform will organize your professional journey into a sleek, ready-to-go resume.

No more worrying about formatting, keywords, or what to include and exclude. With Trusted Health, you get a resume just like the one above that's tailored to your career, designed to impress, and ready for download as a PDF. All you have to do is create a profile and enter your information! We’ll do the hard work for you. 

So why wait? Sign up for a Trusted profile today and conquer your nurse resume worries! Get ready to step into your next adventure with confidence.

Audrey McCollough, RN, BSN, is a pediatric critical care nurse who traded her scrubs for a laptop to come work internally at Trusted two years ago. With eight years of critical care experience and four years of travel nursing under her belt, Audrey now uses her experience and expertise to support others in the healthcare industry, particularly her fellow nurses. When she's not at work, Audrey loves to explore the great outdoors! Hiking, skiing, or just soaking up nature's beauty - Audrey is all about it.

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The Ultimate Guide to Nursing Resumes in 2024

How to write a nurse resume, nurse resume research, nursing resume readers & robots, choose a nurse resume format, nurse resume format & design, writing your nursing resume, common resume mistakes, nursing resume templates, nurse resume faqs.

Expert Reviewed by: Amanda Guarniere, NP, Founder of the Resume RX

In 2024, a vague, uninspiring nursing resume just won't cut it. Recent years have fostered growing competition for the best nursing jobs , creating a greater need for nurses to learn how to write exceptional nursing resumes. With vast opportunities and diverse requirements from various employers, every nurse must put their best foot forward to market themselves for the best positions. 

However, this ever-changing world of online applications and robotic resume readers makes it more complex for nurses to get to the first rounds of interviews. This article will help you tackle the daunting task of writing a nursing resume that stands out. We'll help you build a better nursing resume by giving you an inside look at how robotic resume readers work and providing tips on how to make your resume, things you should and shouldn't include, and provide examples and templates.

Think of your job search as your own personal marketing campaign. And the product is you! Your resume is an advertisement for your professional nursing brand. A brand is more than a logo - it’s the overall impression you give your audience. In this case, your audience is a potential employer. 

As with any advertisement, the goal of your nursing resume is to pique your audience’s interest in a limited amount of time. It’s commonly said that hiring managers will spend less than ten seconds reading your resume. And in many cases, it has to first be screened by a resume-reading robot before it reaches human hands.

So, you must carefully curate your brand for these employers. Captivate them with your professionalism, unique skillset, experience, and personality using your nursing resume. These tactics may help get your foot in the door for an interview, where you can close the deal by impressing them in person.

The first and most important step in any marketing campaign is the research phase. The more you learn about potential employers, the better you can tailor your registered nurse resume to their requirements.

Initial Employer Research for Nursing Resumes

Before you begin tailoring your resume for specific jobs, take some time to answer the following questions about each company:

• Who are they?
• What is their company culture?
• What do they struggle with as an organization?
• What qualities are they looking for in a potential candidate?
• Which of their desired qualities do you possess?

Researching Company Culture and Values

The internet has made it fairly easy to hop online and start your research right now from your mobile device. Employers' websites and social platforms will give you an inside glimpse at their culture and values.

Instead of simply reading a job posting, take a few extra steps to investigate the employer's online presence:

• Check out the company website - what does their mission statement say?
• See what they tweet about
• Investigate what photos they post on Instagram
• Learn about the articles they share on Facebook
• Check their LinkedIn - do you have any connections at the company?
• Look at their Google ratings

Examine Required vs Preferred Nursing Qualifications

The research phase isn't just about investigating the company - you also need to understand the job description. Specifically, understanding the difference between "required" and "preferred" qualifications will help you build a tailored resume for each job:

Required Qualifications

These are just what they say - requirements. Those who do not possess these qualifications will not be considered. 

Preferred Qualifications

Skills that are desired but are not deal-breakers for the employer. You may still be considered even if you do not possess these. 

As you personalize your nursing resume to different opportunities, these qualifications will, in part, guide what you do and do not include. You should include any and all required qualifications if you want an employer to consider your candidacy. 

If you do not possess some or all of the preferred qualifications, you can apply anyway and still be in the running. However, including the ones you do possess on your tailored nursing resume is always the best practice.

Build a Master Resume

You may want a solid starting point from which you can use your research to build a dedicated resume for each position you apply for. Queue the "master resume," a comprehensive working document that highlights everything you've accomplished and every skill you've fostered as a nurse thus far. 

We recommend starting with a foundational nurse resume so that you can alter it for each role you apply to. This way, you won't be rewriting a new resume for every single position. But you'll also avoid submitting "cookie-cutter" resumes that employers won't bother looking at twice.

Use Research to Personalize Your Nursing Resume

Dale Carnegie once said that “A person’s name is, to that person, the sweetest and most important sound in any language.” Personalizing your RN resume matters, with both how you mention and address the future employer and how to include your specific qualifications that match what they are looking for.

Using your research and leveraging your professional brand and personality to target your nurse resume could lead to the interview of your dreams. Not targeting it, however, could lead you on the fast track to nowhere.

The internet revolution transformed the hiring process, impacting the entire labor market in a very short time. 15 years ago, printing your resume on off-white linen paper and hand-delivering it to employers was the status quo. But as little as five years later, doing so might only get you some perplexed looks and urges to apply online.

Technological advances will continue shaping the job market in 2024.  USC Annenberg reports that up to 55% of companies are making investments in AI recruiting measures. But even now, many employers screen online applicants using resume-reading robots. 

This section explores how these bots impact the hiring process and how to get your nursing resume past them and into a real person's hands.

What Is a Resume Reading Robot?

ATS systems are highly technical but can only do what their program says, unable to come close to human discretion. So, knowing how ATS systems work can help you write a resume that passes their screening.

Here's a brief overview of how employers use ATS software to screen nursing applicants:

1. Knockout Questions

Recruiters can use an ATS to scan for keywords or "knockout questions" like "Do you have an active Washington State Nursing License?" These functions help them swiftly eliminate unqualified candidates.

2. Disqualifying Statements

They may also configure the ATS to include “disqualifying statements.” An ATS searching for these statements will automatically reject nursing resumes with certain keywords or phrases. 

For example, an ATS screening for bachelor's-trained nurses might reject resumes that mention an associate's degree. If you have both, consider listing only your BSN.

3. Keyword Screening

Finally, recruiters may use the ATS to find resumes with exact keywords or phrases. These may include qualifications listed in the job description, degrees, or skills. They can program the ATS to reject any application that does not include their specified keywords.

How Does ATS Work?

Not all ATS systems are created equally. They vary greatly in their functionality and behavior. Most ATS systems are programmed to score resumes according to keywords. However, they can be configured to search and score resumes based on various other criteria.

The results are imperfect. Some ATS systems can't differentiate between titles, such as Clinical Nurse II and Registered Nurse, or distinguish between the terms BLS and Basic Life Support. So how do you navigate these intricacies in your nursing resume?

Best Practice:   R ead the job description and use the exact wording for the qualifications listed that you possess.

If you use acronyms and abbreviations, make sure to spell out the entire word, followed by the shortened version. It would be disappointing to have all the requested qualifications but be filtered out by the ATS because you used only the acronyms when the robot was programmed for the full phrases spelled out.

What Are the Shortcomings of ATS?

The problem is that ATS does not ‘read’ a resume as a human would - it simply collects data. It doesn’t care about aesthetics, either. It is programmed by an employer to search for the right keywords, in the right order, on the right part of the resume.  

Also, the system can get confused pretty easily. For example, if the font is too fancy or if it encounters unrecognizable symbols, it may score the resume as ‘unqualified’ and move on to the next resume. It does what it is configured to do, nothing more and nothing less.

While ATS has streamlined the hiring process for employers, it’s also made job search extremely challenging for the job seeker. In fact, 94% of hiring professionals say that ATS has positively influenced their hiring goals, while 80% of job seekers say that their online job search is stressful.

What Other Hiring Technology Might I Encounter?

Recently, some employers have started to use artificial intelligence in a different way - during the interview process. Rather than having strict ATS filters, they offer more candidates the opportunity to interview, but there is a catch.

You don't interview with the employer but with a computer. In these one-way or “on-demand” interviews, you essentially get the opportunity to record your video response to interview questions. After you submit it, hiring managers or recruiters review the video responses before choosing the candidates for formal interviews.

Does Every Employer Use ATS?

While many employers use ATS, there are definitely employers who still rely on human resource professionals to screen resumes. In those instances, a human resources professional usually skims the resumes and invites the most qualified candidates in for an interview.

The problem here is that most employers will receive hundreds of resumes for a single opening. To get through the resumes quickly, the HR professional may resort to a simple scan of the resumes knowing that even qualified applicants may not make it. It’s simply a way to reduce the number of applicants.

In either case, the goal of the modern resume is to ‘sell’ yourself in an organized, targeted manner for a specific role. The best way to design an effective, attention-grabbing resume is by making strong assertions in the beginning followed by supporting evidence.

How to Get Past the ATS

• Target your resume to the specific position. Do this by reading job descriptions and selecting keywords noted in the descriptions - competencies, skills sets, education, and experience.
• Match individual experiences to keywords/key skill sets found within the job posting.  
• Research the employer and target the resume based on the facility's values and culture. 
• Make strong assertions within the top ⅓ of the resume.
• Follow those assertions with supporting evidence.
• Include a “ Professional Summary ” if you are an experienced Nurse.
• Only apply to roles that you match 100% of the “Required Qualifications.” 
• Use simple fonts such as Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri.
• Never use smaller than 10-point font. See Part 5 for more styling suggestions. 
• Use simple black bullet (dots) points, not special bullet symbols.
• Save your resume as a .doc, .docx, or .pdf format.
• If using an abbreviation, always spell out the words followed by the abbreviation or acronym. You never know how the abbreviation was entered into the ATS. 
• Use standard, simple section headers such as “Work History” or “Education.”
• Settings you’ve worked in 
• Patient demographics
• Policies/procedures
• EMR/EHR used
• Medications administered
• Equipment used
• Don’t use the same title as at your current employer if it is different from the title in the job description. Use the title in the job description. 
• Don’t overload your resume with keywords. Use them appropriately. Overusing keywords will flag a resume and could cause the ATS to lower your score.
• Don't forget to support the keywords you use with evidence throughout your resume.
• Do not put your contact information in the header section because ATS will not see it.
• Do not include tables because most ATS can’t read them. Other ATS can only read them if their operator programmed them to do so. 
• Do not use creative section headers such as “Where I’ve Worked” because the ATS likely doesn’t understand what that means.
• Don’t include a headshot, graphics, special fonts, photos, colored fonts, or unique bullets. 
• Do not state, “References available upon request.” It takes up too much space and is unnecessary. If employers want references, they’ll ask. 
• Don’t place skills at the bottom of the resume. Many ATS systems only scan the top ⅓ of the resume for keywords. If you have important keywords at the bottom, the ATS may not see them and could disqualify your resume. 
• Don’t use “I” statements; resumes should be written in the third person. 
• Do not rely on resume builder software. Stay in control of your registered nurse resume.

How to Spot an ATS

If you’ve ever visited a job posting and seen an “APPLY NOW” button, you’ve encountered the elusive resume-reading bot. ATS requires candidates to enter data on the front end. 

Maybe you’ve gone through the steps to create a login, complete the application and upload your resume. Perhaps you didn’t realize at the time that you were entering your information into an applicant tracking system.  

Raise your hand if you never heard back from an employer after applying online. Raise your other hand if you received an automated response “thanking” you for your interest and never heard back!

Now, keep in mind that it can be difficult to stand out when you are applying for a job online, especially when there is an ATS involved. As you consider your overall job search strategy, try to think of other ways that can increase your chances of getting a job. Don’t be afraid to ask your network connections for referrals and recommendations, or let friends and family know what type of position you are looking for and where. While your resume is absolutely important, it isn’t the only tool that can lead to you getting a job.

Prior to ever typing words onto your resume, it’s important to first decide on a resume format. There are three types of resume layouts. While we highly recommend the reverse-chronological layout for most nursing professionals, we’d encourage you to make the best choice for yourself.

Here’s a breakdown of the three most popular types of resume layouts: 

1. Reverse Chronological Nursing Resume

This layout focuses on career history and lists jobs in reverse chronological order. We recommend this type of registered nurse resume for the majority of healthcare professionals and will focus the details of this article on the format. It is best suited for:

• New nursing graduates
• Nurses with fewer than 5 roles within the past 5-7 years. 
• Travel Nurses with <10 completed assignments
• Nurses with experience in only 1-2 specialties
• Nurses applying for a similar role
• Nurses wanting to show vertical career progression 

2. Functional Nursing Resume

This nurse resume layout places emphasis on skills and deemphasizes work history. However, it does not pass the ATS test well, and hiring managers overall do not prefer it. We recommend against this layout for the majority of nursing professionals. Typically, people who use this format are: 

• Changing careers
• Have large gaps in employment
• Do have years of experience in the role in which they are applying

3. Combination Nursing Resume

This layout is a mixture of the reverse chronological and the functional resume. While it places emphasis on skill sets, abilities, and accomplishments, it also highlights applicable work history. We recommend combination resumes for nursing professionals with the following background, goals, and barriers: 

• Nurses with experience in multiple specialties and/or medical professions
• Seasoned travel nurses with >10 completed assignments
• Nurses with multiple small gaps in employment
• Nurses looking to change specialties
• Nurses interested in changing careers

Writing a nursing resume can feel overwhelming. It’s no easy task! Nowadays, nursing resumes must be able to pass through resume reading software before it even reaches a recruiter. That’s why we’ve put together THREE nurse resume templates to cater to your unique professional needs and employment situation.

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The first formatting and design consideration you should make when creating your nursing resume is how well an  ATS will read them. We recommend the following comprehensive design and formatting guidelines to appease common ATS systems:

Many experts believe you can achieve the perfect balance of text to white space in your nursing resume using the following margin settings:

• Top Margin: 1"
• Side Margins: .63"

Left alignment is standard since that’s how most people (and robots) read. You may think a justified alignment looks tidier, but it can leave uneven gaps between words and ultimately make text harder to read. 

In the nursing profession, length should not be the focus of the resume. While we recommend 1-2 pages, some nurses may have resumes with 3 (or more) pages.

Don’t stress over length too much. If the resume is slightly over the page amount by a few lines try changing the margin, font style, font size, or shortening statements. The bottom line is it should look visually appealing and should include keywords.

We recommend  Times New Roman or Arial to best utilize the functionality of the ATS. However, this is your personal preference. Take note that Times New Roman can be difficult to read if it is smaller than 11pt.

If you are striving for a resume that looks visually appealing when printed, there are great ways to achieve that without going overboard with design. For example, you could use the “small caps” feature for headings, which keeps the font the same but adds a bit more character and differentiation. Or, you could try a font pairing, using serif fonts for headers and sans serif for body text.

Important Note: Different font styles will take up different amounts of space. See how these identical statements look vastly different despite both being in 11 pt font:

Experienced Travel Nurse with 8 years experience in critical care nursing.

Throughout the resume, there should be different-sized fonts. We recommend the following for each section: 

It’s important to note that 10-point font should be the smallest size on the resume. 

While some ATS systems claim to read colors, we encourage you to simply use black. 

Special Characters

We recommend keeping the resume very simple. Basic bullet points (black dots) may be used when desired. Simple lines are acceptable as well. 

Design Features to Avoid

The following design features are best left off the resume: 

• Multiple font styles
• Special characters

As you’ve learned, ATS systems skim resumes and locate specific information in the correct order. We’d suggest using the following categories and section headers to optimize your nursing resume for ATS scoring.

Contact Information

This is the first section of the resume and does not require a title. Your name should be front and center. Don’t make the recruiter search for it. Make sure it’s the largest font on the page. While there are varying opinions on the exact placement of the name, we recommend a simple classic version in the following format:

Your name should be the first thing a recruiter, hiring manager, or ATS system sees on your nurse resume. It should share a line with your nursing credentials and be in a bold, readable, 18-22 pt font. If you go by a different name, make sure to list both in this section.

Nursing Credentials

Your nursing credentials should directly follow your first and last name on a nursing resume. The preferred order to list these in is Highest degree earned, Licensure, then National Certifications.

We've included a  credential quick reference guide below to help you fill out your resume perfectly.

The days of listing your home address on a resume are over - most employers don't need this information, and we advise against including it on your resume as a security precaution. However, this is a personal decision you can make at your own discretion.

You should never leave your location off completely because many employers have location parameters set in their ATS systems. Ensure you include your city and state in the contact information portion of your nursing resume.

Phone/Texting Number

Oh, technology! Yes, some employers will actually text their candidates. Make sure to indicate if you receive texts and whether the phone number is a cell phone or a home phone. This is a great time to make sure your voicemail message states your full name and is professional.

Email Address

It is in your best interest to ensure that you have a professional email address that does not reveal your age. Age discrimination is real, and listing your birth year or using an antiquated email service like AOL can definitely trigger it.

Your email address should include a variation of your name and some numbers if necessary. You can even make a totally separate email account and use it only for your job search.

LinkedIn Profile

If you have a LinkedIn profile definitely include it. If you don’t have a LinkedIn profile, you could be missing out on opportunities. Now is the time to create one!

In your settings, you can easily create a shortened LinkedIn URL that doesn’t have a bunch of random numbers and letters.

How Your Digital Footprint Impacts Your Nursing Job Search

Though you may not list it, you should consider your social media and online presence when you complete the contact information portion of your resume. Potential employers will likely look you up online. Many Recruiters tell us that looking a candidate up on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter is one of the first things they do. So, make sure everything you post online is what you would want an employer to see. 

Additionally, online behavior can benefit you. Do you have a nursing-related website or blog? Are you an Instagram celebrity? Maybe you created a successful YouTube channel when you were a newbie nurse. Include all this on your resume if it relates to nursing. This is all part of your unique brand!

Nursing Resume Credential Quick Reference Guide

According to the American Nurses Credentialing Center (AACN), the preferred order is Highest degree earned, Licensure, and National Certification.

Educational degrees include doctoral degrees (Ph.D., DrPH, DNS, EdD, DNP), master’s degrees (MSN, MS, MA), bachelor’s degrees (BS, BSN, BA), and associate degrees (AD, ADN).

Licensure credentials include RN, LPN, CNA, and APRN.

National certification , which is occasionally voluntary for nurses and obligatory for advanced practice nurses, is awarded through accredited certifying bodies such as the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), includes RNBC (Registered Nurse-Board Certified) and FNP-BC (Family Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified).

You may also choose to include awards and honors:

Outstanding achievements in nursing, such as FAAN (Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing).

Other certifications that recognize additional skills, such as the EMT-Basic/EMT, awarded by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians.

Here is an example of contact information on a nursing resume that puts it all together:

Penny Lite, BSN, RN   Los Angeles, CA | Text/Call: (987) 654 - 3210 | [email protected] | www.linkedin.com/pennylitern

Professional Summary

Don’t make an employer (or ATS) search your entire resume for reasons to invite you to an interview. Tell them right off the top exactly why you are the best candidate for the role.

Every position is unique, and this is your first opportunity to optimize the resume for ATS and to also catch the employer’s eye. Spend a little time to target it and let your qualifications and accomplishments shine. 

While there is some debate about how to introduce your resume, we suggest using a professional summary as opposed to a career objective. The professional summary can be formatted in either a short paragraph or a bulleted list asserting qualifications and providing a concise career snapshot.

How to Write a Professional Summary for a Nursing Resume

Think of your resume summary as an “elevator pitch” - a quick, attention-grabbing, loaded statement that entices the reader to want to continue on. Your professional summary is unique to you and should be targeted to a specific role, just like the cover letters career counselors used to tell us about.

However, it could definitely include the following information: 

• Number of years of experience in a specialty 
• Common keywords found in nursing job descriptions e.g., excellent patient care, acute care, family education, compassionate
• Facility designations or info about facilities 
• Supervisory experience and number of subordinates
• Special certifications or awards
• Language abilities
• Soft skills such as patience, compassion, and a cooperative spirit

Nursing professional summary example: 

4+ years nursing experience with strong clinical background in critical care (CCU) and intermediate care nursing (IMCU). Proactively streamlines operations, initiates tasks, and supports the healthcare team while prioritizing excellent patient care. Champions patient and family education by providing compassionate, inclusive care that encourages self-sufficiency. Recipient of the Daisy Award. Bilingual in English and Spanish.

Nursing Skills and Areas of Expertise

List your nursing skills within the top ⅓ of the resume - Don't make the common mistake of adding them last. With the popularity of ATS, this mistake could cost you an interview. This is especially true in nursing, as the profession requires very specific skills. 

Additionally, your hard skills should be directly targeted to the role as expressed in the job description. Is the employer asking for a specific EMR that you are experienced with? List it! Are you an expert at starting IVs because of your five years of experience in the emergency room? List it!

This should not be a generic list of skills but a specific list that is as quantified as possible. It’s possible that if you are a newer nurse or are making a specialty pivot you may not have hard skills to include. In that case, it’s okay to omit this section and highlight your transferable  soft nursing skills within your job history.

While most nurses list their license titles on their resumes, it’s been our experience that they leave off a few very important details - most notably, whether the license is active and the expiration date. 

Why is this important? Including this information lets potential employers know that you are ready to start work ASAP. They don’t have to wait for the licensing process. Including your license number is optional, and you can make this decision based on your privacy comfort. The employer will likely be verifying your license online anyway (this is all public information).

If you are an advanced practice nurse, you may decide to leave off license numbers for privacy purposes, especially your DEA number or controlled substance registration number.

Here’s an example of how to list your licensure:

Registered Nurse - California, #RN00101, expires 4/17/2024.

Certifications and Credentials

This is another key section where some important details are typically missing on the nursing resumes we’ve seen. While most nurses list their credentials, it’s important to list them in a specific manner.

Don’t simply list acronyms, as some ATS systems may not be programmed to read shortened versions. Make sure to list the accrediting body, credential/certification number (where applicable), and expiration date. 

Here’s an example of how to list your certifications and credentials: 

Basic Life Support (BLS), American Heart Association, expires: 12/1/2021

Work History

Employers want to know what you can do for them, period.  Nurse recruiters we’ve talked to will zero in on this section. What are they looking for? Evidence, facts, quantifiable points - proof to support the assertions made in your resume summary.

Vague work histories are particularly frustrating to employers - especially when applicants copy and paste job descriptions. To avoid falling into those pitfalls, try incorporating these tips: 

Use simple section headers such as “Work History” or “Relevant Experience,” these are ATS friendly. “What I’ve Done” is not. 

List your experience in reverse chronological order.  If you have a lengthy employment history, you may consider only including the most recent 10-15 years of experience. This will shorten your resume and also limit the chances that you’ll encounter age discrimination. Looking at the big-picture experience from 25 years ago doesn’t necessarily speak to your recent nursing experience because employers care about what you can do for them now.

Work History Format

Adding your work history in a logical format can help your nursing resume beat the ATS and impress recruiters. We recommend using the following format for each work history segment:

1. Job Title and Specialty

This is a controversial subject, but we believe employers care more about what you’ve done than who you’ve worked for. Use the job title as it is listed in the job posting, or use a more industry-wide job title. Registered Nurse as opposed to Clinical Nurse II. 

2. Facility Name

Add the name of the facility or company you worked for after your job title. You can add this on the same line or a different line, but using the same line will optimize space.

3. Employment Dates  

These are important and can be listed in a number of ways. However, it’s been our experience that specific dates are not necessary for a resume. On an application, yes, on a resume, not so much. You can simply list the months and years (mm/yy - present).

4. Facility-Specific and Unit-Specific Information

This information is helpful and important to employers but is left off the majority of resumes we’ve seen, it includes: 

• Trauma level: level I, II, III
• Facility Designations 
• Total Hospital beds
• Total unit beds

Primary Duties and Accomplishments

This section looks best in a bulleted list of no more than six points and should include duties, noteworthy accomplishments, and achievements. It’s important to emphasize specific duties and not be too vague.

Also, try your best not to simply regurgitate basic nursing duties that would be assumed of your role. This will take up valuable space on your resume and not really tell the reader much about you !

Wondering what specifics to include? Here are a few questions to get those wheels turning:

• What illnesses, injuries, or traumas do you care for? 
• What cases do you work on? 
• What type of medications do you administer and how? 
• What therapies do you perform? 
• What equipment do you use? 
• How have you improved processes? 
• When have I been first or best?
• No. 1 achievement in each position?
• Which achievements have the most impressive numbers?
• When have I been publicly recognized?

Write Strong Nursing Resume Bullets

Wondering how to order your bullets and what to include? Try this: start with a verb leading to quantifiable data or a specific point and include a relevant duty.

Use our comprehensive tables to build compelling nursing resume bullets that make your achievements shine:

Here is a brief work history resume example for nurses that puts it all together:

Registered Nurse, Acute Care - Example Medical Center 09-19 - Present

• Supervised staff of 15 registered nurses, 8 certified nursing assistants, and 7 paramedics while multitasking excellent patient care. 
• Cared for up to 4 patients per shift with acute neurological disorders, including strokes, spinal cord injuries, and head trauma.

Education and Training

In the nursing profession, education and training are of utmost importance. If you have work experience, this section can be fairly brief.  You should list your relevant degrees in chronological order. 

There are varying opinions regarding the specific ordering of education. However, we believe that the degree or certification title should be listed first. Employers care firstly that you have the education requirement they need and secondarily where you obtained the requirement. 

We suggest the following format:  Degree or Certification Title (acronym), Institution Name 

Here’s an example: 

Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (BSN), University of Washington 

Should I Include Graduation Dates on a Nursing Resume?

You are not required to include your college or high school graduation dates on your nursing resume , as it could reveal your age. Age discrimination is the top form of employment discrimination and affects all age groups. If you graduated more than 10-15 years ago, it may be a good idea to omit the date.  But this is a personal decision you should make at your own discretion.

Should I Include My GPA on a Nursing Resume?

Including your GPA in your nursing resume is optional. If you are particularly proud of your GPA, by all means, add it! However, it is not required. If you graduated with honors that you are proud of, you can definitely include that as well. Again the resume is a unique snapshot of you!

Should I Include my Non-Nursing Degrees and Credentials?

If you possess other degrees not related to nursing, it is not necessary to include those on your nursing resume. Some second-career nurses like to list this information, especially if there has been an interesting career pivot or one that brings a lot of value to your role as a nurse. Remember, you are telling your personal, unique story, and you get to decide what to include.

How Do I Add In-Progress Advanced Education Programs?

If you are currently enrolled in higher education to advance your studies within the nursing field, that should be listed on your resume and state that the degree is pending or in progress. However, if you started a graduate degree program, never finished, and do not plan on finishing, it is unnecessary to include it on the resume. 

Should I Include my High School Education?

Nurses do not need to include their high school diplomas on their resumes. The nursing profession requires completion of higher education, and therefore, your higher degree trumps your diploma. 

Awards, Accomplishments, and Affiliations

Though this section is not required, we encourage including awards and accomplishments that are relevant to the nursing profession. These details will provide the potential employer with more proof and evidence of who you are as a nurse. 

In this section, you can include: 

• Awards and recognitions that are specific to the hospital or facility where you work, e.g. the Daisy Award, Employee of the Month, and Nursing Excellence Award
• Professional memberships and affiliations relating to nursing and/or healthcare
• Volunteer work, if it relates to nursing

We suggest the following format: Title, organization, year

Here are a couple of examples:

• Recipient, Nursing Excellence Award, Washington Medical Center
• Volunteer, American Red Cross - Haiti - 2012

Naming Your Nurse Resume Save File

One last thing, saving! Don’t just give your resume any old name! Hiring professionals sometimes receive multiple documents from candidates, and they don’t want to waste time sorting through every document to find the resume. Some prefer to organize resumes by specialty. Tell them exactly which document is your resume. 

We suggest the following format: firstlast_specialty_resume.doc

Here’s an example:

PennyLite_ICU_resume.doc

We’ve seen a lot of resumes over the years, and you might be surprised by the amount of strange information people have included on them. So, here are the top mistakes we’ve seen:

Woot! If you’ve made it this far you should have an excellent understanding of how to write a great nursing resume. We know it’s a lot of information right now, and we hope that you’ll use the information to advance your career.

For a little more help, try using our free resume templates. And when you’ve landed your next interview, check out the next part in this series, The Complete Guide to Nursing Job Interviews .

>> Download free nurse resume templates!

What should be included in a nursing resume?

• A nursing resume should include your education, experience, including clinical, work, and volunteer, any certifications you have, and skills. 

How do I write a nurse resume?

• You can use a template to fill out your nursing resume or fill out your own. 

How do I list my nursing skills on my resume?

• List skills that are in the job description or outline on the facility’s website. For instance, common nursing skills include critical thinking, teamwork, communication, team management, and high ethical standards. 

Do you put RN after your name on a resume?

• You can include "RN" or "RN, BSN"  if you have other credentials. If you haven’t passed your NCLEX yet, you can put G.N. for Graduate Nurse.

How long should a nurse's resume be?

• A nursing resume should be no longer than 1-2 pages. 

What is your greatest skill as a nurse?

• The most valuable skill you have as a nurse may depend on your exact role and specialty, but in general, communication, kindness, empathy, and critical thinking are highly valued traits as a nurse. 

How far back should a resume go?

• If you’re a recent graduate, you don’t need to go to high school, just include your college experience and degree. For experienced nurses, include all relevant experience. 

Amanda is an Ivy-league-educated nurse practitioner and career mentor who helps nurses find and land their dream jobs. She founded The Résumé Rx  in 2018 to help nurses with career and résumé strategy  Learn more about Amanda and her products at  www.theresumerx.com  and follow her on Instagram  @theresumerx.

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Travel Nurse Resume Sample

Enhance your Travel Nurse job prospects with this exceptional resume. Choose to copy-paste or customize it using our HR-approved resume maker, creating a personalized standout resume for your dream job. Gain valuable inspiration and improve your chances of securing that coveted position.

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Travel Nurse Resume Sample (Full Text Version)

Monica jurdas.

Dedicated and experienced Travel Nurse with proficiency in English and French, adept at utilizing Electronic Health Records (EHR) and telemedicine platforms like Teladoc and Amwell. Committed to providing exceptional patient care and promoting positive health outcomes. Seeking a fulfilling role as a Travel Nurse to utilize skills and contribute to the well-being of diverse patient populations.

• Graduated with Distinction (Grade 1- A/ Excellent  equivalent in all 5 subjects)
• Activities: Biology Club, Travel Society, Public Health Society
• high minor in biology, chemistry, anatomy, and physiology
• The 2014 Academic Excellence Award winner

Work Experience

• Provided exceptional nursing care to diverse patient populations in various healthcare settings, ensuring accurate assessments, timely interventions, and compassionate patient support.
• Collaborated closely with multidisciplinary teams to develop and implement individualized patient care plans, resulting in improved patient outcomes and increased patient satisfaction rates.
• Assessed and monitored patients' health conditions and administered medications and treatments, ensuring optimal care and comfort throughout their travel assignments.
• Managed and maintained accurate medical records and documentation, adhering to regulatory standards and ensuring seamless transitions of care between healthcare facilities.

Volunteering

Certificates.

I am a Licensed Registered Nurse with certification from the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). This certification validates my expertise and knowledge in providing quality healthcare and upholding professional standards in the field.

As a travel nurse, you will embark on an exciting and fulfilling career that combines your passion for nursing with a sense of adventure. Travel nurses work on short-term assignments in various healthcare settings, providing high-quality care to patients in different locations. You will have the opportunity to explore new cities, experience diverse healthcare environments, and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams. With flexibility, competitive compensation, and the chance to make a positive impact on patients' lives, a career as a travel nurse offers both professional growth and personal fulfillment.

Tomáš Ondrejka

Tomas is the CMO and co-founder of Kickresume, the company that has already helped nearly 4,000,000 job seekers land their dream jobs. Although these days his role revolves mostly around Kickresume's marketing strategy, he still likes to share his extensive knowledge of resumes and personal branding with job seekers around the world. Also, due to the nature of his work, he consumes an unhealthy resume-related content on daily basis. 

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