Registered Nurse Resume Examples & Templates for 2025

Review registered nurse resume examples to learn the best ways to highlight your core clinical skills. See how to present your patient care experience and medical expertise in a way that captures the attention of healthcare employers.

By Elizabeth Muenzen, CPRW, Career Advice Writer Last Updated: May 25, 2025

More Registered Nurse Resume Examples

Browse more registered nurse resume examples to learn how to highlight your clinical skills, patient care experience, and healthcare expertise. These samples can help you craft a nursing resume that stands out.

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Registered Nurse Resume Template (Text Version)

Aya Lee

Maplewood, NJ 07047
(555)555-5555
Aya.Lee@example.com

Professional Summary

Dedicated and experienced Registered Nurse with 6 years of expertise in patient care, clinical management, and healthcare protocols. Proven track record in enhancing patient satisfaction and healthcare efficiency, with strong skills in emergency procedures and team training. Fluent in English and Spanish, with advanced certifications in ACLS and BLS.

Work History

Registered Nurse
Harmony Health Center – Maplewood, NJ
March 2023 – March 2025

  • Managed patient care for 50+ patients daily
  • Reduced patient wait times by 20%
  • Trained 10 new nurses on patient care protocols

Nursing Coordinator
Greenfield Hospital – Newark, NJ
March 2020 – February 2023

  • Supervised a nursing team of 25 personnel
  • Implemented a new triage system, increasing efficiency by 15%
  • Liaised with medical staff for optimal patient care

Clinical Nurse
Meadowbrook Clinic – Jersey City, NJ
March 2017 – February 2020

  • Monitored and recorded patient vitals for 30+ patients daily
  • Enhanced patient care protocols, boosting satisfaction by 25%
  • Assisted with emergency procedures

Skills

  • Patient Care
  • Clinical Management
  • Emergency Procedures
  • Triage Systems
  • Healthcare Protocols
  • Training & Development
  • Medical Record Keeping
  • Patient Communication

Education

Master of Science in Nursing Nursing
Boston University Boston, Massachusetts
May 2017

Bachelor of Science in Nursing Nursing
University of Massachusetts Amherst, Massachusetts
May 2015

Certifications

  • Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) – American Heart Association
  • Basic Life Support (BLS) – American Heart Association

Languages

  • English – Beginner (A1)
  • Spanish – Beginner (A1)
  • French – Intermediate (B1)

Popular Skills for a Registered Nurse Resume

A well-designed resume skills section is essential for a registered nurse, as it highlights both the technical abilities and personal qualities essential for the job. Blending hard skills like patient care and medical knowledge with soft skills such as empathy and teamwork is fundamental to thriving in this role.

Below are a few of the top soft skills frequently listed on registered nurse resumes.

Soft Skills% of resumes with this skill
Strong clinical judgment31%
Compassion and empathy30%
Patient and family advocacy28%
Team coordination24%
Professional bedside manner17%

Here are a few examples of hard skills frequently included on registered nurse resumes.

Hard Skills% of resumes with this skill
Direct patient care53%
Patient assessments51%
IV administration51%
Medication administration43%
Documentation and charting31%
Based on skills data from 632,000 MyPerfectResume users, October 2024.

Advice for Writing Your Registered Nurse Resume

Explore our tips on how to write a resume for a registered nurse role to learn how to showcase your nursing skills, experience, and passion for patient care. Whether you’re new to the field or aiming for the next step in your career, you’ll find practical tips to help your resume stand out in healthcare.

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Include relevant certifications and training

Listing certifications, licenses, and specialized training is essential for a registered nurse. These credentials show your expertise and skills in specific areas of nursing. They also demonstrate your commitment to continuous learning and professional development.

Creating a dedicated certifications section on your resume helps to highlight these important qualifications clearly. Here are a few certifications you’re likely to see on a registered nurse’s resume:

  • Basic Life Support (BLS)
  • Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)
  • Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
  • Certified Critical Care Nurse (CCRN)
  • Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN)

Adding this section alongside your education section enhances your resume by showcasing both your academic background and practical skills. This makes it easier for employers to see that you have the necessary qualifications for a registered nurse role.

Let’s see what a certifications section looks like in action.

Example of a certifications section

Basic Life Support (BLS)
Issued by: American Heart Association
Expires 2024

Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)
Issued by: American Heart Association
Expires 2025

Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
Issued by: American Heart Association
Expires 2025

Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN)
Issued by: Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN)
Issued 2023

Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN)
Issued by: Pediatric Nursing Certification Board
Issued 2022

Write a strong professional summary

A professional summary is a concise introduction at the top of your resume showcasing your skills, experience, and accomplishments. For an experienced registered nurse, this section should illustrate years of patient care expertise, clinical proficiency, and any specializations. It effectively creates a strong first impression by quickly demonstrating to hiring managers why you are an excellent fit for the position.

If you have limited work experience, like new graduates or entry-level candidates, consider using a resume objective. This highlights your career aspirations and how you intend to contribute to the healthcare team. Use dynamic language to stress what you can bring to the table; for instance, mention specific nursing competencies such as patient assessment or medication administration.

When crafting your summary or objective, begin with a compelling statement about who you are as a nurse. Next, emphasize key skills and achievements pertinent to the role. Arrange your points clearly for easy readability. This strategy will help grab attention and demonstrate that you are prepared to make an impact as a registered nurse. Explore our professional resume examples for additional inspiration.

Registered nurse resume summary examples

Entry-Level
Compassionate and dedicated recent nursing graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from XYZ University. Certified in Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS). Possesses strong foundational skills in patient care, health assessment, and clinical decision-making. Eager to contribute to a healthcare team and provide high-quality care to diverse patient populations.

Mid-Career
Experienced registered nurse with over five years of hands-on experience in medical-surgical and critical care units. Proficient in developing and implementing patient care plans, administering medications, and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams. Known for exceptional patient advocacy, strong organizational skills, and the ability to handle high-stress environments effectively. Holds certifications in Critical Care Nursing (CCRN) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS).

Experienced
Highly skilled registered nurse with 15+ years of experience specializing in emergency and trauma care. Demonstrated leadership abilities as Charge Nurse, adept at managing clinical staff, coordinating complex cases, and improving department workflows. Board-certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) with additional specialization in Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC). Proven track record of enhancing patient outcomes through evidence-based practices and advanced clinical interventions.

Registered nurse resume objective examples

Recent Graduate
Dedicated and compassionate recent nursing graduate with a BSN from an accredited program seeking an entry-level registered nurse position. Eager to apply clinical skills, patient care expertise, and evidence-based practice knowledge in a supportive healthcare setting. Committed to providing high-quality, empathetic care to diverse patient populations.

Career Changer
Passionate healthcare professional transitioning to a registered nurse role, bringing extensive experience in medical assisting and patient support. Recently completed an accelerated BSN program and eager to leverage strong interpersonal skills, clinical training, and dedication to patient advocacy in a collaborative nursing team.

Specialized Training
Licensed Registered Nurse with certifications in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) seeking an entry-level RN position at a reputable hospital. Enthusiastic about utilizing specialized training and hands-on clinical experience to contribute to patient care excellence and positive health outcomes.

Showcase your work experience

Highlighting your work experience on your resume is essential for a registered nurse. It helps employers understand your background and suitability for the role. To make a strong impression, list your work history in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent position. For each job, include the title, employer name, location, and employment dates.

When detailing your duties and achievements, use clear and action-oriented bullet points. Focus on measurable results to demonstrate the impact of your contributions. For instance, instead of “Provided patient care,” say “Administered medication to 15+ patients daily, resulting in a 20% improvement in patient recovery times.” Highlight core responsibilities such as patient assessment, care planning, administering medications, and collaborating with healthcare teams.

Include specific skills like IV therapy, wound care management, electronic health records (EHR) proficiency, and emergency response to show your competence in essential nursing tasks. By clearly outlining your experiences and achievements with concrete examples and measurable outcomes, you can effectively showcase your qualifications to potential employers.

5 registered nurse work history bullet points

  • Administered medications and treatments to 50+ patients daily, achieving a 95% patient compliance rate.
  • Developed and implemented patient care plans for diverse medical conditions, resulting in a 20% improvement in patient recovery times.
  • Provided education and support to patients and families, enhancing patient satisfaction scores by 15%.
  • Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to coordinate comprehensive care, reducing hospital readmission rates by 10%.
  • Managed electronic health records with a focus on accuracy, decreasing documentation errors by 25%.

Match your resume with the job description

Customizing your resume to align with job descriptions is crucial as it enhances your visibility to employers and increases the likelihood of your resume passing through applicant tracking systems (ATS).

To create an ATS-friendly resume, start by thoroughly examining the job posting for a registered nurse position. Identify keywords and phrases that are repeatedly mentioned, such as “patient care,” “medication administration,” or “electronic health records.”

These keywords indicate what the employer prioritizes in a candidate. Incorporate them into your resume by revising your experiences and skills to reflect the job description. For example, if the job posting highlights “providing high-quality patient care,” you can include a bullet point like: “Delivered high-quality patient care to ensure optimal outcomes.”

This approach not only demonstrates that you possess the necessary skills but also increases your chances of passing the ATS software. To effectively emphasize your achievements, organize sections clearly with headings like “Professional Experience” and “Skills.” Under each heading, use bullet points to detail specific duties and accomplishments.

For instance: “Administered medications accurately and efficiently while maintaining meticulous patient records using electronic health systems.” This strategy ensures that your resume is easy to read and aligns with what employers seek in a registered nurse. Remember to customize your resume for each application to maximize its impact.

Salary Insights for Registered Nurses

Understanding salary data can help you make informed decisions about your career path and negotiation strategy. Explore key insights below to guide your research.

Top 10 highest-paying states for registered nurses (new data)

Registered nurses earn varying salaries across the United States, with a national average of $92,004. The table below highlights the states where registered nurses command the highest compensation.

Our salary information comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey. This official government data provides the most comprehensive and reliable salary information for registered nurses across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The figures presented here reflect the May 2025 dataset, which is the most recent available as of this publication.

StateAverage Salary
California$148,330
Hawaii$123,720
Oregon$120,470
Washington$115,740
Massachusetts$112,610
Alaska$112,040
New York$110,490
District of Columbia$109,240
New Jersey$106,990
Connecticut$103,670
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, May 2025 dataset (latest available).

FAQ

Do I need to include a cover letter with my registered nurse resume?

Attaching a cover letter to your registered nurse resume can give your application an edge—even when it isn’t required. A cover letter lets you explain why the role and facility interest you and how your experience aligns with their needs.

For instance, mentioning your background in a cardiac care unit when applying to a hospital recognized for its cardiac services shows a clear fit.

It also provides space to highlight your commitment to patient care and showcase skills or experiences that don’t neatly fit into your resume.

This added context demonstrates your enthusiasm and reinforces your suitability for the role, helping you stand out from other candidates.

For guidance, explore our cover letter examples and use our Cover Letter Generator to create a registered nurse cover letter tailored to your nursing career.

How long should a registered nurse’s resume be?

When it comes to resume length, aim for one page to keep your application concise and easy for hiring managers to review.

However, if you have extensive experience or advanced specialties, a well-organized two-page resume can effectively highlight your qualifications.

Focus on recent and relevant roles, certifications, and accomplishments. Spotlight skills like patient care, teamwork, and specialized training to capture attention and show your value. Keep every detail clear, relevant, and impactful to make the strongest impression.

How do you write a registered nurse resume with no experience?

If you have limited work experience, highlight your skills, education, and relevant training on your registered nurse resume to show your preparedness for the role.

Here are a few tips on how to craft an entry-level registered nurse resume:

  • Prioritize education and licensure: Start with your nursing degree details, including school name, graduation date, and any honors. Follow with RN licensure information, including the state and additional certifications like BLS or PALS.
  • Use clinical rotations as experience: Treat clinical rotations as practical experience. Detail each rotation with specifics about tasks performed, such as patient assessments, administering medications, and teamwork within the healthcare setting.
  • Showcase relevant skills: If you gained healthcare skills from roles like CNA, medical assistant, or clinic receptionist through work or volunteering, ensure these are prominently displayed on your registered nurse resume.

See our guide on writing a resume with no experience for more detailed advice on crafting a resume specifically tailored to entry-level registered nurse positions. 

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