As a nursing student at the start of your career, crafting a strong, accomplishment-driven resume as you pursue entry-level nursing positions is important. Because your hands-on experience will be limited, you must keep documentation during your nurse externship. Think about the size and volume of the hospital and any relevant quality metrics. This exercise will also save you time in the future as you advance your career.
In addition to providing job responsibilities and achievements from your externship, you should also feature relevant coursework and medical skills for specific areas of healthcare you plan on targeting. For example, if you plan on working in an oncology unit, you’d want to highlight your knowledge of disease prevention protocols and administering oncology treatments. Throughout this guide, we’ll provide valuable insights to help you build a professional nursing student resume.
Most Popular Nursing Student Resumes
Nursing Student CNA Resume
Why this nursing student resume example is strong:
This resume shows key skills that this candidate has learned. It also lists the candidate's time as a nursing student under their professional experience and outlines their work during that time.
Nursing Student Entry-Level Resume
Why this nursing student resume example is strong:
This resume adds a section for certifications displaying all the certifications and licenses the candidate has earned.
Nursing Student Extern Resume
Why this nursing student resume example is strong:
This resume opens with a strong profile describing the work this nursing student has accomplished so the hiring manager can see it upfront.
Nurse Resume
Why this nurse resume example is strong:
Under the professional experience section, this resume lists a high ranking in patient satisfaction to call out the quality nursing care this candidate provides.
Emergency Room Nurse Resume
Why this emergency room nurse resumes example is strong:
This resume calls out specific statistics about how the candidate has managed a team to reduce staffing issues and improve response times significantly.
Military Room Nurse Resume
Why this military nurse resume example is strong:
This resume provides a long list of critical skills and also calls out highlights in the professional experience section to call attention to relevant achievements.
Pre-Nursing Student Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Jamie Smith’s resume highlights valuable early experience and enthusiasm for the health care field, even before entering a formal nursing program.
Key Tips
Start building your resume early with volunteer work and certifications. For more guidance, read What to Put on a Resume.
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Student Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Alex Johnson’s resume integrates clinical RN experience with a clear trajectory toward PMHNP certification, making their path toward mental health specialization evident.
Key Tips
Align your clinical experience with your future specialization to show continuity. For more advice, visit Resume Summary Examples.
Clinical Nursing Student Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Taylor Lee’s resume emphasizes well-rounded clinical experience and shows adaptability across nursing environments.
Key Tips
Use your clinical rotations strategically to demonstrate versatility. For more insights, read Resume Outline Examples.
Family Nurse Practitioner Student Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Jordan Brown’s resume effectively connects past clinical roles with the FNP specialty, helping employers visualize their trajectory and clinical fit.
Key Tips
Highlight continuity of care when applying to family medicine roles. For more tips, visit Resume Skills.
Nursing Lab Assistant Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Morgan Davis’ resume shows how academic support roles like lab assistantships can enhance core nursing competencies and leadership potential.
Key Tips
Include student jobs that reinforce clinical experience. Learn how to position these roles in Resume Objective Examples.
New Graduate Nursing Student Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Alex Johnson’s resume clearly shows clinical rotations and CNA experience, offering hiring managers both practical skills and compassionate care.
Key Tips
Highlight clinical experience by naming departments and skills performed. Get help showcasing your credentials with Resume Summary Examples.
Senior Nursing Student Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Taylor Lee’s resume blends fast-paced emergency training with long-term care experience, showing a broad range of competencies and adaptability.
Key Tips
Include your most recent and high-impact rotations near the top. For more on structuring your background, see Resume Outline Examples.
Pediatric Nursing Student Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Taylor Lee’s resume highlights direct experience with pediatric patients, a key differentiator in this specialty. The resume also showcases communication skills and cultural competence.
Key Tips
Focus on your target patient population if you're applying for a specialized unit. For more guidance, explore Resume Skills.
New Grad Nursing Student Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Alex Johnson’s resume conveys readiness for a nursing role by highlighting breadth of clinical exposure and soft skills like collaboration. It shows both capability and eagerness to learn.
Key Tips
Emphasize adaptability and teamwork when applying as a new grad. See Resume Summary Examples for more ways to frame your early career.
Clinical Rotation Nursing Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Jamie Smith’s resume demonstrates well-rounded clinical exposure and attention to patient care. The role titles and achievements match early-career expectations.
Key Tips
Showcase the range of your rotations to highlight clinical readiness. For more formatting help, read Best Resume Formats.
Public Health Nursing Student Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Pat Morgan’s resume showcases real-world public health involvement and the ability to engage with diverse communities. It pairs strong interpersonal skills with hands-on experience.
Key Tips
Leverage volunteer and internship work to show your interest in public health. For additional tips, check out How to Put Volunteer Work on Resume.
Home Health Nursing Student Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Chris Taylor’s resume focuses on the real-life demands of home health care and emphasizes reliability and patient trust. It aligns well with employers looking for entry-level home health nurses.
Key Tips
Highlight your hands-on caregiving experience clearly. For more ideas, explore Resume Objective Examples.
Infection Control Nursing Student Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Jordan Brown’s resume zeroes in on a specialty area of high importance in today’s healthcare system. It highlights experience that ensures patient and staff safety.
Key Tips
If you’ve contributed to patient safety protocols, emphasize it early. For more tips, explore How to Make a Resume.
Ambulatory Care Nursing Student Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Drew Miller’s resume balances clinical rotation with prior administrative experience to show versatility in outpatient settings.
Key Tips
Include support roles like front desk or medical assistant to boost early-career relevance. For more guidance, visit Resume Language Skills.
Case Management Nursing Student Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Alex Johnson’s resume showcases a unique blend of administrative and clinical support skills, essential for case management roles. The focus on cross-functional communication makes this resume stand out.
Key Tips
Highlight support roles tied to patient navigation and transitions of care. For more advice, check out How to List Certifications on Resume.
Surgical Nursing Student Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Jamie Smith’s resume highlights relevant exposure to surgery departments, offering valuable insight into this high-pressure specialty. It combines clinical and clerical tasks to show initiative.
Key Tips
If you’ve observed or assisted with surgeries, make that clear to target OR jobs. For more, read Resume Outline Examples.
Nurse Navigator Student Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Morgan Davis’s resume highlights a patient-facing administrative niche within nursing: navigation and care support. It demonstrates compassion and practical skills in equal measure.
Key Tips
If you’ve supported treatment coordination or follow-up processes, include that in your clinical experience. For more ideas, read How to List Relevant Coursework on Resume.
Rehabilitation Nursing Student Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Taylor Lee’s resume showcases niche clinical exposure in rehab, offering valuable insight into long-term recovery care. It highlights teamwork with therapy teams and patient support.
Key Tips
Specialized clinical experiences are worth emphasizing even in student roles. For more guidance, visit Resume Summary Examples.
Float Pool Nursing Student Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Sam Jordan’s resume is ideal for candidates open to working in fast-paced, varied clinical settings. It reflects strong adaptability and competence across multiple specialties.
Key Tips
Use variety in unit experience to demonstrate flexibility. For formatting help, read Best Resume Formats.
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Nursing Student Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
How To Write a Nursing Student Resume
1. Write a brief summary of your nursing student qualifications
Because your industry experience will be fairly limited, you’ll want to craft a strong summary to make a positive first impression on the hiring manager. In addition to drawing attention to key skill sets, you should create a snapshot of who you are as a healthcare professional. For instance, if the organization you’re applying to has a strong reputation for patient advocacy, it might be beneficial to mention your commitment to the delivery of patient-centered care.
Nursing Student CNA Profile Example
Profile
A Nursing Student with three years of experience as a certified nursing assistant, specializing in the activities of daily living (ADLs) and patient-centered care standards. A proven track record of monitoring patients, providing direct care in hospitals and nursing homes, and educating patients on health and wellness.
Nursing Student Entry-Level Profile Example
Profile
A Nursing Student with entry-level experience providing direct patient care as a certified nursing assistant and nurse extern. Achieved recognition from physicians and RNs during clinical evaluations for delivering patient-centered care and communicating with empathy and compassion.
2. Showcase your nursing student experience
Crafting the professional experience section can be challenging if you haven’t held a nursing job. In this situation, it’s best to leverage any clinical experience you’ve garnered during your nurse externship or in a previous role within the health care industry. Be sure to highlight important trends such as evidence-based care, health equity, and patient advocacy. Even without a robust work history, you can still craft a winning resume that highlights the most compelling aspects of your medical knowledge.
Nursing Student CNA Professional Experience Example
Professional Experience
Nursing Student, Campbell Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA
May 2023 – July 2023
- Collaborated with registered nurses and medical staff to deliver high-quality care to pediatric patients in a community hospital with 250 beds
- Developed skills in placing intravenous lines and catheters in pediatric patients
- Maintained patient satisfaction scores of 91%-93%
Nursing Student Entry-Level Professional Experience Example
Professional Experience
Certified Nursing Assistant, St. Mark’s Hospital, Philadelphia, PA
October 2021 – May 2023
- Deliver patient care under the supervision of RNs and LPNs, assist patients with ADLs, and collaborate with nursing teams to enhance the patient experience, resulting in a 15% increase in patient satisfaction scores
- Measure and record patient vital signs in electronic medical record system and provide updates to resident nurses on changes in patient medical status and symptoms
3. Include education and certifications relevant to nursing students
In addition to your education, you should include any relevant coursework and training that bolster your chances of landing the interview. If possible, you should also pursue certifications that align with the healthcare unit you wish to work in. For instance, if you plan on pursuing an RN position in a pediatric unit, you’d want to obtain a Pediatric Advanced Life Support Certification.
Certifications
Template
- [Certification Name], [Awarding Organization], [Completion Year]
Example
- Registered Nurse, State of Pennsylvania, License #123456
- Certified Nursing Assistant, State of Pennsylvania, License #123456
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support, American Heart Association, 2019
Education
Template
- [Degree Name]
- [School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] [Dates Enrolled]
Example
- Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Nursing
- TEMPLE UNIVERSITY, Philadelphia, PA September 2012 – June 2016
4. List nursing student-related skills and proficiencies
Most organizations rely on applicant tracking systems to speed up the hiring process. The ATS scans resumes during the initial screening process to determine if they contain target keywords that match the job description. If your resume doesn’t contain any of these target keywords, there’s a good chance your application will be rejected before it reaches the hiring manager.
As you review the job posting, you should make a point to incorporate key terms that align with the organization’s needs. This will give you the best chance of securing the interview. Below, you’ll find a list of skills and keywords that you may encounter during the job search:
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Activities of Daily Living (ADLS) | Case Management |
| Clinical Operations | HIPAA |
| Oncology | Patient Centered-Care |
| Patient Education | Patient Management |
| Telemetry | Acute Care |
| Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN) | Electronic Health Records (EHR) |
| Medication Administration | Patient Advocacy |
| Patient Discharge | Patient Intake |
| Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) | Triage |
How to Pick the Best Nursing Student Resume Template
Although modern templates with flashy colors and graphics may seem appealing, it’s better to select a simple, well-organized template in most instances. Hiring managers are more interested in your qualifications than your graphic design skills, and you don’t want to choose a template that may distract the reader from your content. If you select a modern template, use a top-down approach rather than splitting the center of the page with multiple resume sections.
Frequently Asked Questions: Nursing Student Resume Examples and Advice
How do I ensure my Nursing Student resume example is ATS-friendly?-
To make your Nursing Student resume example ATS-friendly, focus on including relevant keywords from the job description and avoid using complex formatting like images or non-standard fonts. Keep the document simple and ensure each section is clearly labeled (e.g., Education, Professional Experience, Skills). The use of action verbs and proper section headings will also help your resume get noticed by both ATS and hiring managers.
What are common action verbs for nursing student resumes?-
Differentiating your usage of action verbs can be challenging during the resume-building process. Often there are only a small number of verbs you can use to convey your clinical experience accurately. Using the same words repeatedly may cause your bullet points to appear redundant to the hiring manager. To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of action verbs you can use to showcase your nursing experience:
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Administered | Analyzed |
| Communicated | Conducted |
| Coordinated | Collaborated |
| Delivered | Diagnosed |
| Enhanced | Identified |
| Interfaced | Implemented |
| Improved | Led |
| Managed | Oversaw |
| Performed | Provided |
| Resolved | Supported |
| Treated | |
How do you align your resume with a job description?-
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for registered nurses are expected to grow by 6% between 2021 and 2031. One of the key factors fueling this rapid growth is the fact that just over half of all registered nurses were over the age of 50 in 2018. As these older nurses retire, hospitals, clinics, and other medical facilities will have more openings.
Although the demand for nurses is on the rise, that doesn’t mean you won’t have any competition for nursing jobs. To maximize your chances of securing the most lucrative roles, you’ll need to align your resume with the job description. If you’re not sure which skills and experiences to highlight, read the job posting carefully. The most important qualifications are usually listed near the top of the posting. You may also notice a few qualifications mentioned more than once, which usually means they’re among the most important requirements for the job. As you write your resume, make sure it explains how you meet these qualifications. This will help to differentiate you from other applicants during your job search.
What is the best nursing student resume format?-
Although using a functional resume format that focuses primarily on skills may make sense due to your limited amount of clinical experience, it’s still best to use a reverse chronological format for nursing student resumes. Hiring managers will want to learn more about the types of responsibilities you held during your nurse externship, and eliminating these details won’t help you to differentiate yourself from the applicant field during your job search.
Should my nursing student resume be one or two pages?-
Your nursing student resume should ideally be one page, especially if you have fewer than 10 years of experience. A two-page resume can be effective for seasoned professionals with a longer track record if it highlights accomplishments and skills directly relevant to the job. Every detail should add value and strengthen your candidacy.
Limit your work experience to the past 10 to 15 years, unless earlier positions are highly relevant. Keeping your resume concise and targeted will make a strong and memorable impression on potential employers.
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Crafting a cover letter can help supplement your resume in many different ways. Since you likely won’t have previous work experience to showcase, this allows you to show hiring managers who you are as a healthcare professional and why you’re seeking to join their organization. Rather than focusing on your own career goals, you should mention something about the hospital’s reputation or work culture and why you have an interest in joining their team. This will show prospective employers that you’ve done your research beforehand, which will reflect positively on you as a candidate. For more insights, read our nursing student cover letter guide.
