9 Tips for Crafting an Impressive Travel Nursing Resume
As a travel nurse, your resume is your passport to exciting assignments across the country. It’s your first impression with potential employers, so making it stand out is crucial. Whether you’re crafting a new resume or updating an existing one, here are some tips to help you create an impressive nursing resume that will catch the eye of hiring managers and land you your next travel nursing job.
1. Start with a Strong Summary
Your resume should begin with a concise and compelling summary that highlights your experience, skills, and career goals. This section should grab the reader’s attention and make them want to learn more about you. For example:
“Experienced Registered Nurse with over 5 years of diverse clinical experience, specializing in emergency and critical care. Passionate about providing high-quality patient care and eager to bring expertise to dynamic travel nursing assignments.”
If you’re updating your resume, revisit this summary to ensure it accurately reflects your current career stage and aspirations. Make any necessary tweaks to highlight your most recent achievements and experiences.
2. Highlight Relevant Experience
When listing your work experience, focus on positions and responsibilities that are relevant to travel nursing. Include the names of hospitals or facilities, locations, dates of employment, and a brief description of your duties and accomplishments. Use bullet points to keep it easy to read. Be sure to emphasize any travel nursing experience, as this will show potential employers that you are adaptable and capable of quickly adjusting to new environments.
For those refreshing their resume, ensure your most recent roles are prominently featured, and remove or condense older, less relevant positions to keep your resume concise and up-to-date.
3. Showcase Your Skills
Create a dedicated skills section where you can list your clinical competencies, technical skills, and soft skills. This could include:
• Proficient in EHR systems (e.g., EPIC, Cerner)
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certified
• Strong communication and teamwork abilities
• Expertise in patient assessment and triage
• Adaptability and quick learning in new setting
As you update your resume, add any new skills you’ve acquired and remove those that are no longer relevant or have become outdated.
4. Include Certifications and Licenses
Travel nursing often requires specific certifications and licenses, so make sure these are prominently displayed on your resume. Include your RN license number, state(s) of licensure, and any specialty certifications such as:
• Basic Life Support (BLS)
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
• Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN)
• Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN)
Regularly check to ensure all certifications and licenses are current. Update expiration dates and add any new certifications you’ve earned since your last resume update.
5. Education and Professional Development
List your educational background, including your nursing degree(s) and any additional coursework or training relevant to travel nursing. Highlight any professional development courses, workshops, or conferences you’ve attended, as these demonstrate your commitment to staying current in your field.
For updates, include any recent educational achievements or professional development activities. Remove any older items that may no longer be as pertinent.
6. Tailor Your Resume to Each Job
While it may be tempting to use the same resume for every application, customizing your resume for each job can significantly increase your chances of success. Read the job description carefully and adjust your resume to highlight the skills and experiences most relevant to that specific position.
7. Include Professional References
Many travel nursing positions require references. Include a section with the names, titles, contact information, and relationship to you of at least two professional references. Choose individuals who can speak to your clinical skills, work ethic, and adaptability.
If you’re refreshing your resume, ensure your references are still current and willing to vouch for you. Consider rotating in new references who can speak to your most recent work.
8. Keep It Professional and Error-Free
A polished, professional appearance is crucial. Use a clean, easy-to-read format with consistent fonts and spacing. Proofread your resume multiple times to ensure there are no typos or grammatical errors. Consider asking a colleague or mentor to review it as well.
For updates, take this opportunity to reformat your resume if it feels cluttered or outdated. Ensure all information is presented clearly and professionally.
9. Add a Personal Touch
While maintaining professionalism, don’t be afraid to add a bit of personality to your resume. Mention any volunteer work, special projects, or hobbies that showcase your dedication and well-rounded character. This can help you stand out from other candidates.
Creating an impressive nursing resume for travel jobs takes time and attention to detail, but the effort will pay off when you land your ideal assignment. By highlighting your relevant experience, showcasing your skills, and tailoring your resume to each job, you’ll position yourself as a top candidate for travel nursing opportunities. Happy job hunting, and may your travel nursing career be filled with exciting and rewarding experiences!
Whether you’re a seasoned travel nurse seeking your next assignment or you’re ready to dive into the dynamic world of travel nursing for the first time, our comprehensive job search portal is your gateway to exciting positions across the country. Connect with us today and take the first step toward fulfilling your next travel nursing adventure!
