7 Nursing Student Resume Examples & Guide for 2024

Nursing students play a crucial role in providing patient care, supporting healthcare teams, and learning to apply clinical knowledge in real-world settings. When crafting your resume, consider highlighting your clinical placements, relevant coursework, and any volunteer experiences related to healthcare. Including attributes like strong communication abilities, empathy, and critical thinking can significantly enhance your resume. Lastly, mentioning any leadership roles or certifications can effectively demonstrate your potential contributions to prospective employers.

As an aspiring nurse with a strong academic background from Case Western Reserve University, I am eager to apply my foundational knowledge in patient care and health education. My dedication to learning, coupled with my passion for community health improvement, positions me well for a role in a dynamic healthcare setting. I am enthusiastic about starting my professional journey and making a positive impact in the nursing field.

Successfully analyzed data from over 500 respondents, leading to the implementation of targeted health education programs in three key areas identified as needing the most attention.

Developed and produced a series of podcasts focused on common health issues and preventive care, targeting young adults.

Organized and led a series of virtual workshops on basic health and hygiene for local high school students.

Highly skilled in establishing meaningful connections, fostering a supportive and understanding environment.

Exceptional attention to detail, ensuring accuracy and precision in academic projects and group assignments.

Proven ability to work effectively in team settings, contributing to group projects and class discussions.

Deeply passionate about enhancing community health through education, awareness programs, and volunteering.

Committed to continuous learning and staying abreast of the latest developments in nursing and patient care.

Course from Case Western Reserve University, covering fundamental aspects of patient care and nursing ethics.

Online course focusing on medical terminology, enhancing communication skills within healthcare settings.

All resume examples in this guide

Nursing Student No Experience

Nursing Student No Experience

Nursing Student For Externship

Nursing Student For Externship

Nursing Student Clinical Experience

Nursing Student Clinical Experience

Nurse Practitioner Student

Nurse Practitioner Student

Graduate Nursing Student

Graduate Nursing Student

Nursing Student No Experience

Nursing Student No Experience

Nursing Student For Externship

Nursing Student For Externship

Nursing Student Clinical Experience

Nursing Student Clinical Experience

Nurse Practitioner Student

Nurse Practitioner Student

Graduate Nursing Student

Graduate Nursing Student

Nursing Student No Experience

Nursing Student No Experience

Nursing Student For Externship

Nursing Student For Externship

Nursing Student Clinical Experience

Nursing Student Clinical Experience

Nurse Practitioner Student

Nurse Practitioner Student

Graduate Nursing Student

Graduate Nursing Student

Nursing Student No Experience

Nursing Student No Experience

Nursing Student For Externship

Nursing Student For Externship

Nursing Student Clinical Experience

Nursing Student Clinical Experience

Nurse Practitioner Student

Nurse Practitioner Student

Graduate Nursing Student

Graduate Nursing Student

Resume Guide

• Nursing Student Resume Example
• Resume Format
• Resume Experience
• Hard & Soft Skills
• Certification & Education
• Resume Objective Tips
• Key Takeaways

By Experience

• Nursing Student No Experience
• Nursing Student For Externship
• Nursing Student Clinical Experience
• Nurse Practitioner Student
• Graduate Nursing Student

You’ve put in the time as a nursing student and know how to operate critical care machines and use other technical tools specific to healthcare.

You’re comfortable in complex, fast-paced environments and have learned in clinical settings.

Now you’re ready to get your first nursing job in the field, but how do you write a nursing student resume with no experience?

We’ve created a guide to help you write a nursing student resume that shows you have the right skills and qualifications for an entry-level nursing position.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

• How to focus on transferable skills so that recruiters can see you’ve developed the knowledge necessary for the job
• How to format your nursing student resume to take the focus off of your experience section and highlight other ways you’ve prepared for the role
• What skills hiring managers look for and how to find the right balance of soft skills and hard skills required for nursing
• How to present your certifications and education clearly so potential employers can see you have the right qualifications for the position

If nursing student resume examples aren’t exactly what you’re looking for, check out some of our guides in a similar field:

• Nursing assistant resume example
• Nursing student with clinical experience resume example
• Nurse practitioner student resume example
• Nurse extern resume example
• Nursing student cover letter example

Nursing student resume example

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

• Academic foundation : Highlights a strong educational background in nursing from Case Western Reserve University, emphasizing a robust base of knowledge.
• Practical experience : Showcases involvement in various health-related projects and volunteer work, like the American Red Cross and community health survey analysis, demonstrating real-world application of skills.
• Relevant skills and certifications : Lists specific skills and certifications relevant to nursing, such as patient care and medical terminology, aligning with the demands of the nursing profession.

How to format a nursing student resume

As a nursing student you need to show hiring managers that you’re ready to work in the field despite your lack of work experience.

Have you gained hands-on clinical experience? Are you up to date on healthcare tech? Do you have the compassion and interpersonal skills to work with patients?

Focus on transferable skills throughout your nursing student resume so potential employers get a good impression of you at first glance.

Here are a few areas to focus your attention when formatting your nursing student resume:

• Functional resume:A functional resume highlights transferable skills instead of your work experience. It’s important to show how you have developed industry skills during your time as a student.

• Header : The top of your resume should include a brief but important header that provides professional contact information and a link to your online profile. Make it easy for hiring managers to contact you for any follow-up questions.

• Key achievements : Industry achievements demonstrate your strengths and show potential employers the kind of success you will bring to their company. Focus on tangible accomplishments from your time as a student or other roles.

• Keep to one page : Use space wisely on your nursing student resume so your information is limited to one page and has no unused white space. Include only the strongest and most relevant information and tailor every section to fit your target job .

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The top sections on a nursing student resume:

• Contact information : To ensure recruiters have necessary details to reach out for further process.
• Objective statement : To express career goals and indicate why you’re a good fit for the nursing job.
• Skills & certifications : To highlight relevant technical skills and medical licenses that qualify you for the nursing role.
• Education & training : To demonstrate your nursing education, internship experience, and specialized training.
• Work experience : To showcase your industry experience, hands-on skills, and contributions in previous nursing roles.

What recruiters want to see on your resume:

• Clinical skills : Recruiters prioritize these as they demonstrate the candidate’s practical, hands-on experience in performing nursing tasks.
• Certifications : These are given priority because certain nursing jobs require specific certifications like CPR, BLS, or ACLS.
• Communication skills : These are crucial in nursing for effective interaction with patients, doctors and other healthcare professionals.
• Attention to detail : As the nature of the job often involves administering medication and maintaining records, any mistakes could have serious consequences.
• Adaptability : Nurses often have to handle unexpected situations, so recruiters look for candidates who can adapt quickly.

How to write your nursing student resume experience even if you have none

Your resume experience section is where you show your work history along with accomplishments from each job.

As a nursing student, your focus will be on transferable skills from school or outside experience. Keep your experience section short and highlight any relevant successes or use of industry skills.

If you’ve had jobs outside the field, demonstrate how they’ve prepared you for a career in healthcare. For example, a customer service position can highlight communication and active listening skills.

Let’s look at an example of highlighting transferable skills in a nursing student's resume experience section.

What works in this example:

• Use of soft skills: "Provided direct childcare to children ages 3-12 with patience and adaptability" shows how this candidate has experience with a particular age group and has exercised interpersonal skills that are important for nursing.

• Industry tools: "Used eCare software to manage confidential client records" shows that this candidate has experience with record-keeping software relevant to the healthcare industry.

• Relevant certifications: "Certified in CPR and First Aid" highlights a key skill and training in the field.

Alternatively, you may choose a different section of your resume to focus on if you have no previous work experience .

Let’s look at an example of a project section on a nursing student's resume.

What works in this example:

• Highlights experience: Including a project where you used relevant nursing skills outside of work history shows hiring managers how you have prepared for the role.

• Shows commitment: Showing projects outside of work experience show a dedication to your career path and commitment to growth in the industry.

• Quantifies success: "Received 100% on satisfaction survey from teachers" shows how this candidate achieved measurable success while using relevant industry skills.

How to quantify impact on your nursing student resume

Using real numbers and measurable outcomes on your resume shows potential employers how you will impact success at their organization.

It can be difficult to quantify impact as a nursing student due to the intangible nature of the work or limited hands-on experience.

Here are a few areas to consider when quantifying impact on your nursing student resume:

• Include the number of direct patient care hours during clinical rounds to illustrate the extent of your hands-on experience.
• Specify the volume of patients you handled per shift at past clinical experiences to demonstrate your capability to deal with workload.
• Mention the percentage or rate of patient satisfaction received in your previous nursing roles to show your effectiveness.
• List any quantifiable achievements such as a high-grade point average, a perfect attendance record, or any honors received during your education.
• Quantify the number of team collaborations or interdisciplinary team meetings at past experiences to highlight teamwork skills.
• State the number of medical procedures you assisted with or performed, emphasizing your practical skills.
• Indicate the number of health education sessions you gave to demonstrate your ability to educate patients/caregivers.
• Disclose any reductions in medication errors, falls or increased patient safety metrics you contributed to, showing your value to patient care and safety.

How to list your hard skills and soft skills on your resume

Nurses are skilled medical professionals with dynamic jobs. You have the interpersonal skills to provide compassionate care to patients and clinical knowledge required for healthcare.

Your nursing student 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 nursing student’s resume.