Nurse CV Example and Writing Guide

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When applying for nursing roles, your CV should clearly reflect your clinical competencies and certifications. Hospitals and healthcare providers pay close attention to specific details in a nurse's CV.

Lead With Your License and Certifications

Your nursing license, the school you graduated from, and any specialty certifications (ICU, OR, ER, etc.) should be visible near the top of your CV - these are usually the first things reviewers check.

Detail Your Clinical Experience

Clearly state the units you've worked in (medical-surgical, ICU, pediatrics, OR, etc.) and how long you worked there. Mention the patient populations you cared for and the procedures you're experienced with.

Example: "Worked in the ICU for 2 years, managing an average patient load of 6 per shift."
Example: "Assisted in 200+ surgical procedures as an operating room nurse."

Technical Skills and Certifications

Be sure to include certifications such as Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) - many healthcare employers list these as prerequisites.

Don't Forget Soft Skills

Stress management, empathy, and teamwork are just as important as technical knowledge in nursing. Back these up with concrete examples where possible.

What to Include in a Nursing CV

Contact details
Professional registration (for example your NMC PIN in the UK, or your state RN licence in the US)
A short professional summary with your clinical area
Clinical experience: ward or unit, type of patients, your main responsibilities
Education and clinical placements
Certifications such as Basic Life Support (BLS) or Advanced Life Support (ALS), with expiry dates
Clinical skills and the electronic health record systems you have used
Languages

Registration Comes First

Employers check registration before anything else. In the UK, nurses must be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). In the United States, registered nurses need a licence from the state where they work, which requires passing the NCLEX-RN exam. Put your registration near the top of the CV; if it is in progress, say so and give the expected date.

Example Professional Summaries

Example: “Registered nurse with experience on a busy surgical ward, including post-operative care, wound management and patient education. Calm under pressure and confident working in a multidisciplinary team.”
Example: “Newly qualified nurse with clinical placements in emergency care, paediatrics and community nursing. BLS certified and keen to develop in acute care.”

Example Experience Bullet Points

Example: “Provided post-operative care including pain assessment, wound care and early mobilisation.”
Example: “Administered and documented medication in line with ward policy and the electronic prescribing system.”
Example: “Supported newly qualified nurses and students during their placements.”
Example: “Communicated care plans to patients and families and coordinated discharges with the community team.”

Common Mistakes

Leaving out your registration number or licence status.
Writing only generic duties (“caring for patients”) instead of your clinical area and skills.
Including any information that could identify a patient. Never do this, even as an example.
Unexplained gaps. A short line such as “Career break – family care” is enough.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I include my NMC PIN or licence number on my CV?

Many employers ask for it, so it is common to include it in a registration section near the top. If you prefer, you can provide it at application stage instead.

How do I write a CV as a newly qualified nurse?

Lead with your registration status and clinical placements. For each placement, give the setting and the skills you practised.

How long should a nursing CV be?

Two pages is a common length. Follow any limit the employer gives.

Should I list certifications like BLS?

Yes. Give the certification name and its expiry date, because many employers require it to be current.

Conclusion

Presenting your certifications, clinical experience, and technical skills clearly makes a real difference in the hiring process. Click the button below to start filling in a free CV template based on these tips.

Filled-In Example CV

A sample CV filled in for a Nurse position, following the tips above. You can fill in your own information the same way. All names and companies are fictional, and the portrait in the photo version was generated with AI and does not show a real person. Adding a photo is optional and customs differ by country.

Filled-in example CV for Nurse (with photo) — With photo

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