Nursing Bay

College personal statement examples and writing tips.

A crucial step in your nursing journey is learning how to write a personal statement that resonates with admissions committees and vividly portrays your passion for healthcare. This collection of amazing personal statement examples is curated to guide and inspire you as you articulate your aspirations, experiences, and motivation to pursue nursing.

What is a Personal Statement?

A personal statement is a written narrative that typically forms a significant part of an application to universities, colleges, or professional programs, particularly in fields like nursing. It’s an opportunity for junior year applicants to present themselves beyond test scores and grades, offering insights into their personalities, experiences, goals, and motivations.

In a personal statement, applicants explain why they are interested in a specific field of study or profession, what they hope to achieve through the program, and how their background and experiences have prepared them for this path. It’s a chance to highlight unique attributes, significant life experiences, challenges overcome, or special achievements that make them an ideal candidate for the program.

Why Read Personal Statement Examples?

Reading personal statement essay examples is immensely beneficial for several reasons, especially when preparing your own statement for applications to nursing programs:

  • Inspiration and Ideas: Examples can inspire you and provide ideas on structuring your statement, what kind of content to include in your application essay, and how to convey your story and passion effectively.
  • Understanding Expectations: They offer insight into what admissions committees look for, helping you understand the level of detail, tone, and approach that resonates successfully in such applications.
  • Learning from Others: Seeing how others have articulated their experiences, challenges, and aspirations can guide you in reflecting upon and articulating your own journey and motivations.
  • Avoiding Common Mistakes: By examining a range of examples, you can identify common pitfalls and clichés to avoid, ensuring your statement stands out and feels genuine.
  • Gaining Confidence: Reading successful common app essays can boost your confidence, showing you that crafting a compelling narrative that combines personal experiences with professional aspirations is possible.
  • Diverse Perspectives: Examples offer a glimpse into the diversity of paths and motivations that lead people to nursing, potentially broadening your perspective and enriching your own approach to writing your statement.

How Long Should a Personal Statement Be?

The length of your personal statement should ideally align with the guidelines provided by the institution or program you are applying to. Personal statements are expected to be concise yet comprehensive, often ranging around 500 to 650 words , translating to about one to two pages. 

This word count allows enough space to clearly articulate your experiences, motivations, and aspirations without overloading the reader with information. It’s important to always adhere to the program’s specific word or character limits to demonstrate your ability to follow instructions and present your thoughts.

What Should a Personal Statement Include?

A well-written college admissions essay should include several key elements to effectively communicate your suitability for the program or position you are applying for. Here’s what to typically include:

Introduction

Your personal statement should begin with an engaging introductory paragraph that captures the essence of your motivation for pursuing your chosen field. This could be a brief narrative of a defining moment, an experience that ignited your passion, or a clear articulation of your interest and enthusiasm.

The introduction sets the tone and should intrigue the reader, providing a glimpse into your unique journey and motivation. It’s important that this section hooks the reader’s attention and provides a compelling reason to continue reading your statement.

Academic and Professional Background

In this section, brainstorm and detail your relevant academic and professional experiences that have prepared you for this next step. Highlight key academic achievements, coursework, research, or projects that align with the field you are pursuing.

Also, include any relevant work experience, internships, or positions that have given you practical skills and insights. This part of the statement is crucial for showcasing your foundational knowledge and preparedness for advanced study or professional development and gaining a scholarship in your chosen area.

Extracurricular Activities and Volunteering

Your involvement in extracurricular activities and volunteering can significantly enrich your personal statement. This section should reflect how these activities have contributed to your personal growth, skills development, or understanding of your field.

Whether it’s a hobby, leadership roles in clubs, participation in sports teams, or volunteer work in community organizations, these experiences demonstrate your broader interests, commitment, and ability to balance multiple responsibilities. It’s an opportunity to show aspects of your character and values that academic achievements alone might not convey.

Personal Qualities and Skills

Reflect on and draft the personal qualities and skills that make you suited for your chosen path. This might include traits like resilience, empathy, critical thinking, or effective communication. Use specific examples or experiences to demonstrate how you have developed and applied these traits.

This personal reflection not only provides depth to your statement but also gives the admissions committee a clearer picture of who you are as an individual, beyond academic and professional achievements.

Career Goals and Aspirations

Discuss your career aspirations and how the program or position you are applying for aligns with these goals. This section should convey a clear vision of where you see yourself in the future and how the specific program or role will be a stepping stone toward that vision.

It’s important to show that you have a direction and purpose and that you see this opportunity as integral to your career journey. This not only demonstrates foresight and planning but also shows your commitment and seriousness about the path you are choosing.

Reasons for Choosing the Specific Program or Institution

Clearly articulate why you are applying to this particular program or institution. Discuss what specific aspects of the program, faculty, institution’s philosophy, or opportunities available are particularly attractive to you and why they resonate with your goals and preferences.

This shows that you have done your research and are making a well-informed decision. It also indicates that you have a genuine interest in what the program or institution uniquely offers, rather than a generic application.

Conclude your statement with a strong, memorable closing that encapsulates your main points and reaffirms your enthusiasm and suitability for the program or career. This is your final opportunity to leave a lasting impression, summarizing why you believe you are an ideal candidate.

The conclusion should tie back to your opening, creating a cohesive narrative that leaves the reader with a clear understanding of your passion, commitment, and readiness for the next step in your academic or professional journey.

What Does an Admissions Officer Look for in a Personal Statement?

When reviewing a personal statement, admission officers are looking for several key elements to assess the suitability of a candidate for their program:

  • Clarity of Purpose: Admissions officers want to see a clear understanding of why the applicant wants to pursue a particular field or program. The statement should convincingly articulate the candidate’s passion, motivation, and how the program aligns with their career goals.
  • Personal Insight and Self-Reflection: A strong personal essay offers insight into the applicant’s personality, experiences, and the factors that have shaped their decision to pursue a specific path. Admissions officers look for depth of reflection and a sense of how past experiences have driven the candidate’s current ambitions.
  • Relevant Experience and Skills: It’s important for the statement to highlight any relevant academic, professional, or volunteer experiences that demonstrate preparedness for the program. Admissions officers are interested in how these experiences have contributed to the development of skills and knowledge pertinent to the field.
  • Writing Quality and Structure: The ability to communicate effectively and coherently through writing is crucial. Admissions officers pay attention to the overall quality of writing, including grammar, clarity, coherence, and the ability to organize thoughts logically.
  • Individuality and Authenticity: They seek to understand what makes each applicant unique. A personal statement should reflect the individual’s authentic self, showcasing unique perspectives, diverse experiences, and personal growth.
  • Commitment and Passion: Demonstrating genuine enthusiasm and a strong commitment to the field is essential. Admissions officers look for candidates who are likely to thrive in the program and contribute positively to their field.
  • Alignment with Program Values and Goals: Candidates who show that their personal and professional values align with those of the program or institution often stand out. Admissions officers look for indications that the candidate has researched the program and understands how it fits into their broader aspirations.
  • Future Potential: Finally, they are interested in the applicant’s potential for future success and contribution to the field. A compelling statement should give a sense of the candidate’s ambition to go to college and how they intend to utilize the education and opportunities provided by the program to achieve their long-term goals.

The Best Personal Statement Examples

Here are some nursing statement examples that illustrate effective writing styles, clear articulation of goals, and the ability to connect personal experiences to broader career or academic aspirations:

Personal Statement Example #1 

Personal statement example #2, college essay example #3, personal statement example #4, application essay example #5, personal statement example #6, personal statement example #7, personal statement example #8, personal statement example #9, personal statement example #10, personal statement example #11, personal statement example #12, personal statement example #13, personal statement example #14, personal statement example #15, child nursing personal statement examples, community nurse personal statement examples, key takeaways for writing a great personal statement.

When reflecting on the nursing personal statement examples provided, several key takeaways emerge that are crucial for anyone crafting their statement. These insights are vital for effectively conveying your passion, commitment, and suitability for a career in nursing:

  • Clearly articulate your personal motivation for choosing nursing.
  • Highlight your relevant healthcare experiences and achievements.
  • Specify your interest in any particular nursing specialty.
  • Showcase qualities and skills that make you suitable for nursing.
  • Outline your long-term professional aspirations in nursing.
  • Acknowledge the challenges and rewards in the nursing profession.
  • Express dedication to ongoing learning and professional development.
  • Ensure clarity, structure, and coherence in your statement.
  • Customize your statement for each specific nursing program.
  • Maintain authenticity and genuineness throughout your statement.

Final Thoughts: Personal Statement Essay Examples

These nursing personal statement examples and key takeaways provide valuable insights for anyone aspiring to enter the nursing freshman year. They demonstrate the importance of a well-crafted statement that blends personal motivation, relevant experiences, and a clear understanding of the nursing profession’s demands and rewards. 

An effective personal statement is not only a reflection of your qualifications and aspirations but also a testament to your passion, empathy, and commitment to the field of nursing. It’s a unique opportunity to showcase your individuality and suitability for a career that is as challenging as it is rewarding. 

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  • Nursing Masters Personal Statement Sample

Written by Sarah Hastings-Woodhouse

This is an example personal statement for a Masters degree application in Nursing. See our guide for advice on writing your own postgraduate personal statement .

As a qualified nurse with over three years’ professional experience, I was immediately drawn to your MSc in Advanced Nursing, as I believe it will not only enable me to enhance my own clinical practice, but also to acquire the skills necessary to improve patient care on a wider scale.

I graduated with my Bachelors in Adult Nursing in 2018, and quickly secured a role as a Practice Nurse at a GP surgery. I very much enjoyed delivering care in a community setting and developed a deep interest in the long-term management of chronic conditions.

This course’s optional module in diabetes prevention and care particularly sparked my interest – having witnessed the impact of diabetes on countless patients and their families, I would be especially eager to develop and understanding of how it can be better managed, both at level of individual practice in and in terms of wider health policy frameworks.

I believe that my willingness to meet the challenges posed by Covid-19 has demonstrated that I am well-placed to train for a more senior role in my field. Over the past two years, I have been keen to deploy my skills at the frontline of our battle against the virus. In April 2020, was among the first health professionals in my trust to staff the newly-constructed Nightingale Hospital at London’s ExCel centre, where I would later deliver vaccinations to hundreds of people in early 2021. That summer, I decided to join my local Rapid Response and Treatment Team, where I responded to urgent referrals for seriously ill care home residents and helped to create treatment plans that would prevent hospital admission.

Since 2020, then, I have demonstrated my versatility by working in primary, secondary and social care settings. I have an in-depth understanding of how various branches of the NHS interact, which I believe would be invaluable when studying Nursing at Masters level.

Working as a registered nurse throughout the coronavirus pandemic has solidified my resolve to advance in a field that showcases the best of human resilience and compassion. However, it has also made clear to me an ever-growing need for structural change within the healthcare sector. For this reason, I was particularly drawn to the opportunities within this course to develop my management and leadership skills. I believe this will equip me with the skills needed to instate positive change and improve patient care at both an organisation and regional level.

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How to Write a Nursing Personal Statement

28th May 2024

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nursing personal statement 2021

Writing a nursing personal statement is a critical step in your journey to becoming a nurse. It’s your opportunity to demonstrate why you are passionate about nursing and how your experiences and aspirations align with the goals of the nursing school you are applying to. This article will guide you through crafting a compelling personal statement for nursing school, ensuring that your application stands out in a competitive field.

Understanding the Purpose of Your Nursing Personal Statement

The primary goal of a nursing personal statement is to highlight your dedication to nursing as a career and to show admissions committees why you would be a valuable addition to their school. This document should reflect both your academic achievements and the personal qualities that make you suited to nursing, such as empathy, resilience, and a strong desire to help others.

Preparing to Write

Before you start writing your nursing personal statement, it’s essential to understand what nursing programmes are looking for. Nursing schools want candidates with strong interpersonal skills, a commitment to healthcare, and a clear understanding of nursing. Start by reflecting on your experiences that relate to nursing, including any volunteer work, previous coursework, or personal experiences in medical settings.

How to Start a Personal Statement for Nursing

Opening your nursing personal statement is your first chance to make an impression. Begin with a strong hook—an anecdote, a compelling fact, or a poignant experience directly related to nursing. It could be a personal experience that inspired your choice to pursue nursing or an observation from your experiences that shaped your understanding of what makes a good nurse.

Example : “The moment I handed the newborn to her mother, feeling the tangible impact of care and compassion in the maternity ward, I knew my career had to be in nursing.”

Structuring Your Personal Statement

A well-structured personal statement for nursing school should flow logically and cover several key areas:

1. Introduction: This section should include your initial hook and a brief overview of why you are drawn to nursing.

2. Body Paragraphs:

  • Motivation for Nursing: Discuss what drives your interest in nursing. Incorporate personal narratives or experiences that demonstrate your passion and commitment.
  • Academic Preparedness: Highlight any academic achievements or specific coursework relevant to nursing. It might include sciences like biology or psychology, which are pertinent to the nursing field.
  • Relevant Skills and Qualities: Outline the qualities that make you a good fit for nursing, such as empathy, patience, and the ability to work under pressure. Use examples from your experiences to highlight these traits.
  • Professional Experience: Include any healthcare-related work or volunteer work that has prepared you for a nursing career. Describe what these experiences taught you about the profession and how they have shaped your career aspirations.

3. Conclusion: Summarise your vital points and restate your enthusiasm for becoming a nurse. Make a compelling case for why the school should choose you over other candidates.

Crafting the Perfect Nursing Personal Statement

To create a perfect personal statement in nursing, consider these five crucial points:

  • Personal Reflection: Begin with a deep introspection of your unique experiences. Identify moments in your life that have distinctly influenced your decision to pursue nursing—whether it was an inspiring encounter with a healthcare professional or a personal experience caring for a loved one.
  • Specific Examples: Instead of broad descriptions, detail specific scenarios highlighting your skills and determination. For example, discuss a particular instance when you managed a stressful medical situation or contributed to a team during a critical event. These stories add authenticity and depth to your statement.
  • Professional Tone: A formal yet approachable tone throughout your nursing personal statement is essential. It demonstrates your professionalism and respect for the nursing profession. A serious tone underscores the sincerity of your commitment to healthcare.
  • Structural Integrity: Logically organise your statement. Each paragraph should flow naturally into the next, with clear transitions and structured development of ideas. This coherence shows that you can communicate effectively, a vital skill for any nurse.
  • Focus on the Future: While reflecting on past experiences is essential, articulate your future aspirations in nursing. Include details of how your previous experiences have prepared you for the challenges of a nursing career and how they’ve motivated you to advance within the field.

Editing and Refining

To effectively edit and refine your nursing personal statement follow these five steps:

  • Take a Break: After completing your draft, take a few days. You’ll return to your text with a fresh perspective, thus making it easier to spot areas for improvement.
  • Seek Feedback: Review your statement with mentors, educators, or peers with nursing or admissions experience. Their expert insights can offer valuable perspectives on enhancing the clarity and impact of your narrative.
  • Focus on Motivation and Persuasiveness: During the review process, consider how your motivations for pursuing nursing are articulated. Ensure your reasons are compelling and that your experiences robustly support your aspirations.
  • Smooth Transitions: Carefully review the transitions between paragraphs, ensuring they are smooth and logical. Good transitions help maintain the flow of your narrative, making your statement more readable and engaging.
  • Grammar and Style Checks: Lastly, thoroughly check grammatical errors and style consistency. Consider using professional editing tools or services to polish your statement to perfection. A well-edited personal statement for nursing school reflects your attention to detail and commitment to presenting your best self.

The Value of Professional Assistance

As you finalise your nursing personal statement, consider the value of professional personal statement writing services. Crafting a statement that genuinely stands out requires introspection, technical writing skills, and an understanding of what admissions committees prioritise. Professional editors or experienced mentors in the field of nursing can offer substantial improvements to both the content and structure of your statement.

These experts can help refine your narrative, ensuring that it meets the high standards of nursing schools and showcases your unique qualifications and passion for nursing. Taking professional help can be a decisive step towards ensuring that your personal statement is polished, persuasive, and poised to make a memorable impact.

Oxbridge Personal Statements: Your Pathway to Success

Elevate your nursing application with the unparalleled expertise of  Oxbridge Personal Statements . Our team of skilled experts, who bring years of experience from top universities, specialise in crafting perfect nursing personal statements that resonate with admissions panels. Whether you are just starting to learn how to write a nursing personal statement or looking to refine an existing draft, our services are designed to meet your needs.

Reach your potential with a personal statement highlighting your dedication, skills, and readiness for nursing. At Oxbridge Personal Statements, we provide personalised guidance and strategic insights that transform your personal experiences into compelling stories of passion and purpose. Tell us your requirements and let us help you make a solid and positive impression that will make the way for your success in nursing school.

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Writing a Band 5 Personal Statement, With Examples

Table of Contents

A Band 5 personal statement example is a great way to understand what is expected in your nursing application. A band 5 nurse is generally proficient and has the ability to work autonomously. When writing your personal statement, include specific examples demonstrating how you have exceeded expectations in nursing roles.

Make sure to highlight your unique skills and abilities and what distinguishes you from other applicants. Above all, ensure that your statement reflects who you are as a nurse and why you would be an excellent addition to any team.

This article outlines tips to write a high-quality band 5 personal statement and help you write one effectively.

What Is a Band 5 Nursing Personal Statement?

A band 5 nursing personal statement is an important document that showcases a potential nurse’s skills and qualifications. It is often used as a reference or application requirement by hospitals , care homes, or other health-related organizations.

The document provides additional information about the applicant, such as their education, work history, achievements, and goals related to their career in nursing. Having a well-crafted band 5 personal statement can often play a critical role in securing employment opportunities within the field of nursing.

What Is Unique About Band 5 Nurses?

Band 5 nurses are responsible for providing basic nursing care to patients. This includes tasks such as taking patient vitals, administering medication and treatments, and assisting with other medical procedures.

They also provide emotional support to patients and their families and help maintain a positive environment in the hospital or clinic setting. To be successful in this role, you need strong communication skills, compassion for others, and a dedication to providing high-quality care.

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Tips for Writing a Nursing Personal Statement

Below are some valuable tips for writing a nursing personal statement:

  • Ensure your personal statement is well-written and error-free. A sloppy or poorly written personal statement will likely count against you, no matter how good your qualifications otherwise may be.
  • Start early and allow yourself time to write a strong essay. Don’t wait until the last minute to start writing; it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to produce your best work under pressure.
  • Tailor your statement specifically for the nursing program(s) you are applying to. Research the requirements of each program carefully so that you can highlight relevant experience and skills in your essay.
  • Finally, make sure your personal statement is authentic and representative of who you are. Avoid generic statements or clichés, and let the admissions committee see what makes YOU unique.

Band 5 Personal Statement Example

A nursing band 5 personal statement example is a way of understanding what is expected of you. It also shows what it will take to be competitive for a nursing job. Here’s a strong nursing personal statement example generated by the Hey INK tool.

I have always been passionate about nursing and working with children. I first discovered my interest in child nursing when I worked as a volunteer at a pediatric ward during my undergraduate degree. This experience solidified my decision to pursue a career in child nursing.

Since then, I have gained valuable experience working in various pediatric wards across the UK. In addition, I have also completed numerous modules related to child health care which has helped me develop strong core skills in this area. My educational qualifications further confirm that I am fully equipped to work as a nurse with children.

What drives me most is the desire to help children who are unwell or injured get better quickly and return to their families. Working as a nurse for children fills me with immense satisfaction. It makes me happy knowing through our efforts, we impact their life journey – no matter how small it may be!

My interest in nursing has always been quite strong. I have wanted to be a nurse since childhood because nurses are the backbone of any hospital setting. They provide essential medical care and support to patients who need it most. This is why I decided early on in my academic career that nursing would be the perfect career for me. This is a field where I could make a real difference in people’s lives.

I pursued this dream by studying Nursing at University. And during this time worked as an intern at St George’s Hospital in the intensive unit care ward. This experience was invaluable, as it allowed me to develop hands-on skills which will be vital in my future nursing career. I also gained qualifications such as First Aid certificates and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification. It stands me in good stead for working as a nurse.

My work experience at St George’s Hospital has taught me many valuable lessons about success in this profession. Integrity, empathy, and dedication top that list! As someone with strong ethical values, these are precisely the qualities that drew me towards nursing. And nursing is a field where upholding patient dignity is paramount above everything else. It is clear to see then why nursing holds so much value to me and my dedication to pursuing a career as a nurse.

Nurturing patients back to health is a rewarding but challenging role. If you’re dedicated to pursuing a career as a nurse, make sure to write a compelling personal statement for the position.

This article provides practical tips to help you write a Band 5 nursing personal statement with examples to use as guidance.

Writing a Band 5 Personal Statement, With Examples

Abir Ghenaiet

Abir is a data analyst and researcher. Among her interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. As a humanitarian and educator, she actively supports women in tech and promotes diversity.

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nursing personal statement 2021

Showcasing Your Strengths: Writing an Effective Nursing Personal Statement

  • Tristram Lewis-Stempel
  • June 2, 2023

Personal Statement

Nursing Personal Statement Overview

The nursing personal statement is a crucial component of your application to nursing school . It serves a dual purpose: it provides a platform to express your interest in the field of nursing and it offers an opportunity for admissions committees to get to know you on a personal level. In other words, it is your opportunity to tell your story, to shine a light on your experiences, and to showcase your passion for nursing.

The structure of the nursing personal statement can be broken down into several key components, although these can be tailored to your individual experiences and the specific prompts provided by different nursing schools.

  • Introduction: The introduction is your opportunity to grab the reader’s attention. Start with an engaging anecdote, question, or statement that gives insight into your motivation to pursue nursing. This should lead seamlessly into your thesis or main argument: why you are passionate about nursing and what you will bring to the profession.
  • Body: In the body of your personal statement, illustrate your interest and commitment to nursing through your experiences and reflections. You can discuss relevant coursework, clinical experiences, research, volunteer work, or personal experiences. Remember to show rather than tell; use specific examples to bring your experiences to life and to demonstrate your ability to reflect on your experiences. This reflection shows maturity and a deep understanding of the nursing profession.
  • Conclusion: Your conclusion should reiterate your commitment to nursing and highlight your main points. It should leave the reader with a clear understanding of your unique perspective on nursing and why you are a strong candidate for their program.

There are a few key points to keep in mind while crafting your nursing personal statement. First, be authentic and personal. The statement is not just about stating facts about your experiences, but about showing who you are. Second, be reflective, not just descriptive. Reflection on your experiences, growth, and learning shows your capacity for critical thinking, a crucial skill in nursing. Lastly, make sure your statement is well-organised and free of grammar or spelling errors. A clear, well-written statement shows that you can communicate effectively, another essential skill for nurses.

Nursing School Admissions Overview

Securing a place in a UK nursing programme can be an arduous yet fulfilling journey, requiring a mix of academic credentials, relevant experience, and personal commitment to the profession.

Firstly, let’s focus on academic qualifications. Most nursing programmes in the UK require a minimum of five GCSEs (A-C), including English, Mathematics, and a Science subject. At the A-level, you’ll usually need at least two A-levels, preferably in related subjects. However, entry requirements vary among universities, so it’s advisable to check the specific requirements of your preferred institutions.

Degree courses in nursing fall into four primary categories: adult nursing, children’s nursing, mental health nursing, and learning disability nursing. Some universities also offer dual field courses, allowing you to specialise in two of the aforementioned fields. Choosing the right course will depend on your areas of interest and career aspirations.

Application to nursing schools in the UK is streamlined through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). Your UCAS application will include your academic record, a personal statement, and a reference. It’s important to remember that places are limited, and competition can be fierce, which places significant weight on the quality of your personal statement.

Work experience in healthcare is highly valued during the admissions process. This could include volunteering at a local hospital, care home, or community service. The aim is to demonstrate your commitment to and understanding of the nursing profession. Additionally, it allows you to develop and showcase skills such as communication, empathy, and teamwork, which are essential in nursing.

Lastly, if your application is successful, you’ll be invited for an interview . This could be a one-on-one, group, or Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) format. Some schools have also incorporated situational judgement tests (SJTs) or numeracy tests into their selection process. These interviews and tests assess your understanding of the nursing role, ethical judgement, communication skills, and your motivation for choosing nursing.

Patient Care Experience

nursing personal statement 2021

In the nursing profession, patient care experience is not just desirable – it’s essential. Within your nursing personal statement, your ability to showcase your experience with patient care can significantly enhance your application.

Patient care experience is about more than just time spent in a healthcare setting. It’s about what you’ve learned from interacting with patients, their families, and healthcare professionals. It’s about your understanding of the patient experience and your ability to empathise and connect with people during their most vulnerable moments.

Perhaps you have volunteered at a local care home or hospital, providing support to patients and aiding their recovery. Or maybe you’ve spent time working in a hospice, delivering end-of-life care with compassion and respect. These experiences help demonstrate your ability to provide emotional support, communicate effectively, and work as part of a healthcare team.

In your medicine personal statement , be sure to discuss specific examples of patient interactions that influenced your perspective or affirmed your decision to pursue a career in nursing. Reflect on the skills you gained or honed, whether it be patience, resilience, empathy, or communication skills.

Passion for Healthcare

Additionally, conveying your passion for healthcare is crucial. The nursing profession is not just a job; it’s a vocation that demands dedication and a deep-rooted desire to make a difference in people’s lives. Your passion for healthcare could be inspired by a personal experience or a long-held aspiration to contribute positively to the health and well-being of individuals and communities. It might have been kindled by an influential role model, or perhaps it’s the intellectual challenge of healthcare that captivates you.

Regardless of its origin, you should articulate your passion in a compelling and heartfelt manner in your personal statement. Describe the experiences, encounters, or insights that have nurtured your passion for healthcare. Discuss how this passion motivates you to navigate the challenges and rewards of a nursing career.

Passion, when combined with knowledge and experience, makes for a potent mix that nursing admissions panels are looking for. Demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning, keeping up-to-date with advancements in healthcare and nursing best practices. Above all, show your enthusiasm for providing compassionate care to patients and making a meaningful impact on their lives.

In both the ‘patient care experience’ and ‘passion for healthcare’ sections of your nursing personal statement, authenticity is key. Be honest, be reflective, and let your true dedication to the nursing profession shine through.

Teamwork & Leadership

nursing personal statement 2021

In as dynamic and demanding a field as nursing, teamwork and leadership skills are of the utmost importance. These traits enable nurses to collaborate effectively within interdisciplinary teams and play a crucial role in delivering high-quality, patient-centred care. When crafting your nursing personal statement, it’s essential to highlight your strengths in teamwork and leadership.

Start with your experiences in teamwork. You could talk about your role in a group project at university, your part-time job in a collaborative environment, or your experiences volunteering with a team. Discuss the specific roles you played, the challenges you faced, and how you helped your team overcome those challenges. Reflect on what you learned from those experiences and how they have honed your ability to communicate, cooperate, and coordinate effectively within a team.

Then, shift your focus to your leadership experiences. Leadership in nursing doesn’t necessarily mean being in a managerial role; it can mean taking the initiative, showing resilience in the face of adversity, and influencing positive change in your environment. Reflect on times when you have demonstrated leadership, whether it was leading a study group, spearheading a community initiative, or stepping up during a critical situation in a healthcare setting.

While discussing your leadership experiences, highlight traits such as decisiveness, integrity, emotional intelligence, and the ability to inspire and motivate others. Talk about instances when you’ve had to make tough decisions, how you managed conflicts, or led by example. Remember to showcase how you’ve used these teamwork and leadership skills within a healthcare setting, if possible. For instance, working within a team during a hospital work experience, or leading a health promotion campaign in your community. These examples will demonstrate your understanding of the collaborative nature of healthcare and your potential as a future nurse leader.

Finally, explain how you aim to further develop these skills during your nursing degree and beyond. Highlight your commitment to continuous personal and professional development and your aspiration to utilise these skills to improve patient care and health outcomes.

In essence, your nursing personal statement should tell the story of who you are, your journey towards nursing, and your potential to excel in the field. By weaving in your teamwork and leadership skills within that narrative, you not only showcase your capabilities but also illustrate your understanding of the critical role these skills play in nursing practice.

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  • School of Nursing >
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  • Personal Statement - PhD

Personal Statement: PhD Program

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing program prepares nurse scientists who will contribute to scientific knowledge. Graduates will assume leadership positions in academic, clinical and research settings. The purpose of this statement is for you to provide information about yourself and to demonstrate your ability to express ideas clearly and logically. 

The personal statement should be no more than 1,000 words, double-spaced and typewritten and should be free of grammatic and mechanical errors. Citations are not required. Please include your name and the program you are applying for. 

Your personal statement should provide information regarding the following:

  • Describe your reasons for wanting to earn a PhD in Nursing. Provide any information about your background, training and experience that you believe is relevant to your qualifications for doctoral study.
  • Briefly describe a problem with a focus on nursing science on which you would like to focus your research.
  • Provide an example of how you have worked with diverse populations locally, nationally or globally. How do you believe your graduate education will help you to further your skills in working with people from diverse backgrounds?
  • Please include anything else that you believe is pertinent to your personal statement that was not included in the above.

Tanner Gelatt.

Tanner Gelatt Assistant Director of Graduate Recruitment 202 Beck Hall 716-829-3765 [email protected] Schedule a meeting with Tanner.

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Professional identity in nursing practice

Pullen, Richard L. Jr. EdD, MSN, RN, CMSRN, CNE-cl, ANEF

Richard L. Pullen, Jr. , is a Professor of Nursing at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Nursing in Lubbock, Tex., and a Nursing made Incredibly Easy! Editorial Board Member.

The author has disclosed no financial relationships related to this article.

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Q: How do I develop a professional identity?

A: The National League for Nursing defines the attainment of a professional identity when a nurse internalizes and reflects on the core values of the nursing profession, engages in personal and professional development, and gains experience in the practice setting while growing in the profession. Nurses begin to develop a professional identity in nursing school by embracing the core values of nursing and through engagement with student peers, nursing faculty, and patients. Students integrate critical thinking and clinical reasoning with these core values as they begin to think, feel, and perform like a nurse. The nurse continues to nurture the development of a professional identity by engaging with other nurses in the practice setting following graduation from nursing school, including being mentored by experienced nurses and having a spirit of collegiality with the interprofessional team.

Nurses live their professional identity by embracing the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics and taking proactive leadership roles in evidence-based practice and research, quality improvement, informatics, patient-centered care, patient safety, cultural sensitivity, interprofessional collaboration that promotes effective communication, resource utilization, and environmental health. A professional identity entails having a commitment to lifelong learning, service to the community, and achievement of advanced degrees and certifications. Lastly, a professional image is an outward reflection of the deep, personal, internalized process of a nurse's professional identity.

Consider the following strategies to help you develop a professional identity to advance the nursing profession:

  • Develop a personal philosophy of nursing as a foundation in your practice. How do you describe your beliefs about nursing, personhood, health, and environment from a global perspective? How do caring relationships promote health, healing, and effective communication and collaboration? How does patient-centered care ensure safe, quality patient care and promote the achievement of positive patient outcomes?
  • Become actively involved in professional nursing organizations. These organizations communicate standards of clinical practice, education, administration, and research. Students may begin service in professional organizations in the National Student Nurses' Association while still in nursing school.
  • Obtain advanced degrees and certifications based on your career goals. Competency requires ongoing learning in nursing practice. Nurses seeking leadership positions in healthcare organizations should explore achieving a minimum of a baccalaureate degree in nursing. A graduate degree in nursing is often desired. Nurses desiring a career as an NP or educator need to earn a master's or doctoral degree.
  • Seek leadership opportunities. Whether at the bedside, in management positions, teaching in a healthcare organization or academic setting, or participating in committee or community activities, leaders embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion.
  • Project a professional image. A professional image promotes a nurse's credibility, which begins with educational achievement, practice experience, and effective verbal and nonverbal communication skills. A welcoming countenance and demeanor, being kind, spending time with others, and actively listening promote relationship building.

The development of a professional identity is an evolving process that includes your knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values. Being a role model for nursing is the best way to project an image that reflects your professional identity.

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PMHNP Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Personal Statement, MSN, MN, Masters, DNP, PHD Doctorate, Certificate Program, Statement of Purpose Writing and Editing Examples, Letters of Recommendation

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DNP Personal Statement Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, Military Background

My last 8 years have been spent in the United States Army serving as a Respiratory Therapist. During my time serving my country I abandoned my original course of study in business and earned my BSN because I came to deeply love caring for the ill and wounded, helping them to heal: thus, nursing. Now 32 and a very serious, dedicated, and experienced nurse, I find myself most atttraced to Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing and now hope to begin studing towards the DNP Degree in my chosen specialization. My central focus will be on the mental health of soliders and veterans, especially PTSD.  I feel strongly that it is my optimal time to excel in graduate school. UXXX is my first choice because I love the diversity of your university and the surrounding area. I have now lived and worked in China, the Philippines, Thailand, Taiwan, Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, France, Switzerland, Italy, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Mexico, Peru, and Costa Rica; but California will always be my home. As an ethnic-Chinese who speaks intermediate Spanish and seeks to improve on a daily basis, I feel most at home in San Francisco.

MSN Degree, Psychiatric Mental Health Advanced Nurse Practitioner

Perhaps because I completed my undergraduate studies in business administration and have always excelled at the study of human organization, I have tended to think in terms of structural rather than individual responses to social problems. After working in the mental health field now for more than 4 years, developing a focus and a great passion for helping the underserved, in particular, I find myself mesmerized by the connection between poverty and social class on the one hand and mental health issues on the other. As a result, I look forward to advancing my career in the area of Mental Health Nursing so as to not only qualify myself to continue providing direct patient care, but also to develop my professional voice and be able, within time, to effectively direct my attention to the root causes of mental health issues in my community, so that future generations will not have to suffer to the extent to which is the case with those for whom I care daily.

Crafting a compelling PMHNP Personal Statement is crucial to standing out in the competitive application process. Whether you're applying for a Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) program or any other nursing specialization, follow these tips to make your personal statement shine:

Start Early: Procrastination can hinder your progress, so begin working on your personal statement as early as possible. This allows you ample time to draft, write, and refine your essay, ensuring the best final version.

Brain Dumping: Before you start writing, engage in brain dumping to jot down ideas, anecdotes, and experiences that can form the foundation of your essay. This process helps you identify compelling hooks and topics that might not fit elsewhere in your application.

Be Concise: Stick to the given word limit for your personal statement, typically one to two pages double-spaced. If you tend to be a rambler, set a goal for yourself, like one page, to ensure a concise and impactful essay.

Seek Professional Proofreading: Utilize resources like your school's Writing Center to get professional proofreading assistance. They can help with grammar, spelling, and overall flow while ensuring your paper remains true to your voice.

Share your best effort with your PMHNP Personal Statement rough draft with Friends and Family: Seek feedback from friends and family members who know you well and can provide valuable insights into your personality and experiences. Choose individuals who respond in a timely manner to keep the editing process smooth.

Stay True to Yourself: While seeking feedback and professional help is essential, ensure that your personal statement remains an authentic reflection of yourself. Avoid letting others completely shape your essay.

Emphasize Your Passion for the PMHNP field: Showcase your passion for nursing and your specific reasons for choosing this career path. Use anecdotes and personal experiences that demonstrate your dedication.

Answer the Prompts: Address any prompts provided by the school directly and thoroughly. If there are no prompts, focus on providing a comprehensive and engaging overview of yourself.

Proofread and Revise your Personal Statement: Once you feel comfortable with your essay, review it carefully for any errors or areas for improvement. Make sure it aligns with your goals and reflects your best work.

Trust Your Instincts: Know when you're ready to submit your PMHNP personal statement. Trust your instincts and feel confident that your essay accurately represents who you are as a potential nursing student.

Writing a Personal Statement can be challenging, but taking the time to develop a compelling and authentic essay will significantly enhance your nursing school application. Embrace your unique experiences, passion for nursing, and dedication to patient care to make your personal statement stand out and boost your chances of success in the application process.

The demand for mental health services is reaching critical levels, both in South Texas and across the United States. Unfortunately, only two-thirds of individuals who require these services can access them, primarily due to a severe shortage of psychiatric mental health providers, especially psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners. However, there is hope on the horizon, as institutions like ours are working diligently to address this issue and equip students with the necessary skills to make a meaningful difference in the field.

The mental health track is designed to prepare individuals to become competent psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners, who play a pivotal role in managing medications, providing psychotherapy, and treating individuals, families, and communities. The program's comprehensive curriculum ensures that students are well-versed in these areas and more, preparing them for the challenges they'll face in their professional journey.

Success in this program requires students to possess several essential skills, including the ability to prioritize and manage time efficiently. The workload can be significant, involving extensive reading and writing. Nevertheless, we are committed to supporting our students throughout their academic journey. Our student success center provides a robust support system, offering writing coaches and various resources to help students excel in all aspects of their doctoral studies.

However, academic excellence is not the sole factor that contributes to success in this program. Personal attributes such as compassion, patience, and a desire to break the stigma surrounding mental illness are equally crucial. Our students are individuals with a genuine commitment to helping others recover from mental health challenges and improve their overall well-being.

As the mental health crisis continues to loom, it is essential for us to nurture and empower a new generation of mental health providers who can make a tangible impact on society. By joining our mental health track, students will find themselves immersed in a transformative educational experience, one that equips them with the skills and empathy needed to serve their patients effectively and contribute to the fight against the mental health provider shortage.

If you share our passion for mental health advocacy, possess the right attributes, and seek to make a difference in the lives of others, we invite you to embark on this rewarding journey with us. Together, we can work towards a future where everyone has access to quality mental health care, and the stigma surrounding mental illness is eradicated.

Good luck on your PMHNP journey!

PMHNP Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Personal Statement, MSN, MN, Masters, DNP, Certificate

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The Ultimate Guide to Nursing Resumes in 2024

How to write a nurse resume, nurse resume research, nursing resume readers & robots, choose a nurse resume format, nurse resume format & design, writing your nursing resume, common resume mistakes, nursing resume templates, nurse resume faqs.

The Ultimate Guide to Nursing Resumes by Nurse.org

Expert Reviewed by: Amanda Guarniere, NP, Founder of the Resume RX

In 2024, a vague, uninspiring nursing resume just won't cut it. Recent years have fostered growing competition for the best nursing jobs , creating a greater need for nurses to learn how to write exceptional nursing resumes. With vast opportunities and diverse requirements from various employers, every nurse must put their best foot forward to market themselves for the best positions. 

However, this ever-changing world of online applications and robotic resume readers makes it more complex for nurses to get to the first rounds of interviews. This article will help you tackle the daunting task of writing a nursing resume that stands out. We'll help you build a better nursing resume by giving you an inside look at how robotic resume readers work and providing tips on how to make your resume, things you should and shouldn't include, and provide examples and templates.

Defining your personal brand as a nurse to make your resume stand out

Think of your job search as your own personal marketing campaign. And the product is you! Your resume is an advertisement for your professional nursing brand. A brand is more than a logo - it’s the overall impression you give your audience. In this case, your audience is a potential employer. 

As with any advertisement, the goal of your nursing resume is to pique your audience’s interest in a limited amount of time. It’s commonly said that hiring managers will spend less than ten seconds reading your resume. And in many cases, it has to first be screened by a resume-reading robot before it reaches human hands.

So, you must carefully curate your brand for these employers. Captivate them with your professionalism, unique skillset, experience, and personality using your nursing resume. These tactics may help get your foot in the door for an interview, where you can close the deal by impressing them in person.

The first and most important step in any marketing campaign is the research phase. The more you learn about potential employers, the better you can tailor your registered nurse resume to their requirements.

Initial Employer Research for Nursing Resumes

Before you begin tailoring your resume for specific jobs, take some time to answer the following questions about each company:

  • Who are they?
  • What is their company culture?
  • What do they struggle with as an organization?
  • What qualities are they looking for in a potential candidate?
  • Which of their desired qualities do you possess?

Researching Company Culture and Values

The internet has made it fairly easy to hop online and start your research right now from your mobile device. Employers' websites and social platforms will give you an inside glimpse at their culture and values.

Instead of simply reading a job posting, take a few extra steps to investigate the employer's online presence:

  • Check out the company website - what does their mission statement say?
  • See what they tweet about
  • Investigate what photos they post on Instagram
  • Learn about the articles they share on Facebook
  • Check their LinkedIn - do you have any connections at the company?
  • Look at their Google ratings

Examine Required vs Preferred Nursing Qualifications

The research phase isn't just about investigating the company - you also need to understand the job description. Specifically, understanding the difference between "required" and "preferred" qualifications will help you build a tailored resume for each job:

Required Qualifications

These are just what they say - requirements. Those who do not possess these qualifications will not be considered. 

Preferred Qualifications

Skills that are desired but are not deal-breakers for the employer. You may still be considered even if you do not possess these. 

As you personalize your nursing resume to different opportunities, these qualifications will, in part, guide what you do and do not include. You should include any and all required qualifications if you want an employer to consider your candidacy. 

If you do not possess some or all of the preferred qualifications, you can apply anyway and still be in the running. However, including the ones you do possess on your tailored nursing resume is always the best practice.

Build a Master Resume

You may want a solid starting point from which you can use your research to build a dedicated resume for each position you apply for. Queue the "master resume," a comprehensive working document that highlights everything you've accomplished and every skill you've fostered as a nurse thus far. 

We recommend starting with a foundational nurse resume so that you can alter it for each role you apply to. This way, you won't be rewriting a new resume for every single position. But you'll also avoid submitting "cookie-cutter" resumes that employers won't bother looking at twice.

Use Research to Personalize Your Nursing Resume

Dale Carnegie once said that “A person’s name is, to that person, the sweetest and most important sound in any language.” Personalizing your RN resume matters, with both how you mention and address the future employer and how to include your specific qualifications that match what they are looking for.

Using your research and leveraging your professional brand and personality to target your nurse resume could lead to the interview of your dreams. Not targeting it, however, could lead you on the fast track to nowhere.

The internet revolution transformed the hiring process, impacting the entire labor market in a very short time. 15 years ago, printing your resume on off-white linen paper and hand-delivering it to employers was the status quo. But as little as five years later, doing so might only get you some perplexed looks and urges to apply online.

Technological advances will continue shaping the job market in 2024.  USC Annenberg reports that up to 55% of companies are making investments in AI recruiting measures. But even now, many employers screen online applicants using resume-reading robots. 

This section explores how these bots impact the hiring process and how to get your nursing resume past them and into a real person's hands.

What Is a Resume Reading Robot?

How to get around resume reading robots for nursing jobs

ATS systems are highly technical but can only do what their program says, unable to come close to human discretion. So, knowing how ATS systems work can help you write a resume that passes their screening.

Here's a brief overview of how employers use ATS software to screen nursing applicants:

1. Knockout Questions

Recruiters can use an ATS to scan for keywords or "knockout questions" like "Do you have an active Washington State Nursing License?" These functions help them swiftly eliminate unqualified candidates.

2. Disqualifying Statements

They may also configure the ATS to include “disqualifying statements.” An ATS searching for these statements will automatically reject nursing resumes with certain keywords or phrases. 

For example, an ATS screening for bachelor's-trained nurses might reject resumes that mention an associate's degree. If you have both, consider listing only your BSN.

3. Keyword Screening

Finally, recruiters may use the ATS to find resumes with exact keywords or phrases. These may include qualifications listed in the job description, degrees, or skills. They can program the ATS to reject any application that does not include their specified keywords.

How Does ATS Work?

Not all ATS systems are created equally. They vary greatly in their functionality and behavior. Most ATS systems are programmed to score resumes according to keywords. However, they can be configured to search and score resumes based on various other criteria.

The results are imperfect. Some ATS systems can't differentiate between titles, such as Clinical Nurse II and Registered Nurse, or distinguish between the terms BLS and Basic Life Support. So how do you navigate these intricacies in your nursing resume?

Best Practice:   R ead the job description and use the exact wording for the qualifications listed that you possess.

If you use acronyms and abbreviations, make sure to spell out the entire word, followed by the shortened version. It would be disappointing to have all the requested qualifications but be filtered out by the ATS because you used only the acronyms when the robot was programmed for the full phrases spelled out.

What Are the Shortcomings of ATS?

The problem is that ATS does not ‘read’ a resume as a human would - it simply collects data. It doesn’t care about aesthetics, either. It is programmed by an employer to search for the right keywords, in the right order, on the right part of the resume.  

Also, the system can get confused pretty easily. For example, if the font is too fancy or if it encounters unrecognizable symbols, it may score the resume as ‘unqualified’ and move on to the next resume. It does what it is configured to do, nothing more and nothing less.

While ATS has streamlined the hiring process for employers, it’s also made job search extremely challenging for the job seeker. In fact, 94% of hiring professionals say that ATS has positively influenced their hiring goals, while 80% of job seekers say that their online job search is stressful.

What Other Hiring Technology Might I Encounter?

Recently, some employers have started to use artificial intelligence in a different way - during the interview process. Rather than having strict ATS filters, they offer more candidates the opportunity to interview, but there is a catch.

You don't interview with the employer but with a computer. In these one-way or “on-demand” interviews, you essentially get the opportunity to record your video response to interview questions. After you submit it, hiring managers or recruiters review the video responses before choosing the candidates for formal interviews.

Does Every Employer Use ATS?

While many employers use ATS, there are definitely employers who still rely on human resource professionals to screen resumes. In those instances, a human resources professional usually skims the resumes and invites the most qualified candidates in for an interview.

The problem here is that most employers will receive hundreds of resumes for a single opening. To get through the resumes quickly, the HR professional may resort to a simple scan of the resumes knowing that even qualified applicants may not make it. It’s simply a way to reduce the number of applicants.

In either case, the goal of the modern resume is to ‘sell’ yourself in an organized, targeted manner for a specific role. The best way to design an effective, attention-grabbing resume is by making strong assertions in the beginning followed by supporting evidence.

How to Get Past the ATS

  • Target your resume to the specific position. Do this by reading job descriptions and selecting keywords noted in the descriptions - competencies, skills sets, education, and experience.
  • Match individual experiences to keywords/key skill sets found within the job posting.  
  • Research the employer and target the resume based on the facility's values and culture. 
  • Make strong assertions within the top ⅓ of the resume.
  • Follow those assertions with supporting evidence.
  • Include a “ Professional Summary ” if you are an experienced Nurse.
  • Only apply to roles that you match 100% of the “Required Qualifications.” 
  • Use simple fonts such as Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri.
  • Never use smaller than 10-point font. See Part 5 for more styling suggestions. 
  • Use simple black bullet (dots) points, not special bullet symbols.
  • Save your resume as a .doc, .docx, or .pdf format.
  • If using an abbreviation, always spell out the words followed by the abbreviation or acronym. You never know how the abbreviation was entered into the ATS. 
  • Use standard, simple section headers such as “Work History” or “Education.”
  • Settings you’ve worked in 
  • Patient demographics
  • Policies/procedures
  • EMR/EHR used
  • Medications administered
  • Equipment used
  • Don’t use the same title as at your current employer if it is different from the title in the job description. Use the title in the job description. 
  • Don’t overload your resume with keywords. Use them appropriately. Overusing keywords will flag a resume and could cause the ATS to lower your score.
  • Don't forget to support the keywords you use with evidence throughout your resume.
  • Do not put your contact information in the header section because ATS will not see it.
  • Do not include tables because most ATS can’t read them. Other ATS can only read them if their operator programmed them to do so. 
  • Do not use creative section headers such as “Where I’ve Worked” because the ATS likely doesn’t understand what that means.
  • Don’t include a headshot, graphics, special fonts, photos, colored fonts, or unique bullets. 
  • Do not state, “References available upon request.” It takes up too much space and is unnecessary. If employers want references, they’ll ask. 
  • Don’t place skills at the bottom of the resume. Many ATS systems only scan the top ⅓ of the resume for keywords. If you have important keywords at the bottom, the ATS may not see them and could disqualify your resume. 
  • Don’t use “I” statements; resumes should be written in the third person. 
  • Do not rely on resume builder software. Stay in control of your registered nurse resume.

How to Spot an ATS

If you’ve ever visited a job posting and seen an “APPLY NOW” button, you’ve encountered the elusive resume-reading bot. ATS requires candidates to enter data on the front end. 

Maybe you’ve gone through the steps to create a login, complete the application and upload your resume. Perhaps you didn’t realize at the time that you were entering your information into an applicant tracking system.  

Raise your hand if you never heard back from an employer after applying online. Raise your other hand if you received an automated response “thanking” you for your interest and never heard back!

Now, keep in mind that it can be difficult to stand out when you are applying for a job online, especially when there is an ATS involved. As you consider your overall job search strategy, try to think of other ways that can increase your chances of getting a job. Don’t be afraid to ask your network connections for referrals and recommendations, or let friends and family know what type of position you are looking for and where. While your resume is absolutely important, it isn’t the only tool that can lead to you getting a job.

Prior to ever typing words onto your resume, it’s important to first decide on a resume format. There are three types of resume layouts. While we highly recommend the reverse-chronological layout for most nursing professionals, we’d encourage you to make the best choice for yourself.

Here’s a breakdown of the three most popular types of resume layouts: 

1. Reverse Chronological Nursing Resume

This layout focuses on career history and lists jobs in reverse chronological order. We recommend this type of registered nurse resume for the majority of healthcare professionals and will focus the details of this article on the format. It is best suited for:

  • New nursing graduates
  • Nurses with fewer than 5 roles within the past 5-7 years. 
  • Travel Nurses with <10 completed assignments
  • Nurses with experience in only 1-2 specialties
  • Nurses applying for a similar role
  • Nurses wanting to show vertical career progression 

nursing personal statement 2021

2. Functional Nursing Resume

This nurse resume layout places emphasis on skills and deemphasizes work history. However, it does not pass the ATS test well, and hiring managers overall do not prefer it. We recommend against this layout for the majority of nursing professionals. Typically, people who use this format are: 

  • Changing careers
  • Have large gaps in employment
  • Do have years of experience in the role in which they are applying

nursing personal statement 2021

3. Combination Nursing Resume

This layout is a mixture of the reverse chronological and the functional resume. While it places emphasis on skill sets, abilities, and accomplishments, it also highlights applicable work history. We recommend combination resumes for nursing professionals with the following background, goals, and barriers: 

  • Nurses with experience in multiple specialties and/or medical professions
  • Seasoned travel nurses with >10 completed assignments
  • Nurses with multiple small gaps in employment
  • Nurses looking to change specialties
  • Nurses interested in changing careers

nursing personal statement 2021

Writing a nursing resume can feel overwhelming. It’s no easy task! Nowadays, nursing resumes must be able to pass through resume reading software before it even reaches a recruiter. That’s why we’ve put together THREE nurse resume templates to cater to your unique professional needs and employment situation.

nursing personal statement 2021

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nursing personal statement 2021

The first formatting and design consideration you should make when creating your nursing resume is how well an  ATS will read them. We recommend the following comprehensive design and formatting guidelines to appease common ATS systems:

Many experts believe you can achieve the perfect balance of text to white space in your nursing resume using the following margin settings:

  • Top Margin: 1"
  • Side Margins: .63"

Left alignment is standard since that’s how most people (and robots) read. You may think a justified alignment looks tidier, but it can leave uneven gaps between words and ultimately make text harder to read. 

In the nursing profession, length should not be the focus of the resume. While we recommend 1-2 pages, some nurses may have resumes with 3 (or more) pages.

Don’t stress over length too much. If the resume is slightly over the page amount by a few lines try changing the margin, font style, font size, or shortening statements. The bottom line is it should look visually appealing and should include keywords.

We recommend  Times New Roman or Arial to best utilize the functionality of the ATS. However, this is your personal preference. Take note that Times New Roman can be difficult to read if it is smaller than 11pt.

If you are striving for a resume that looks visually appealing when printed, there are great ways to achieve that without going overboard with design. For example, you could use the “small caps” feature for headings, which keeps the font the same but adds a bit more character and differentiation. Or, you could try a font pairing, using serif fonts for headers and sans serif for body text.

Important Note: Different font styles will take up different amounts of space. See how these identical statements look vastly different despite both being in 11 pt font:

Experienced Travel Nurse with 8 years experience in critical care nursing.

Throughout the resume, there should be different-sized fonts. We recommend the following for each section: 

Name 18 - 22 point
Contact Info 10-11 point
Section Headers 12-14 point
Descriptions 10-11 point

It’s important to note that 10-point font should be the smallest size on the resume. 

While some ATS systems claim to read colors, we encourage you to simply use black. 

Special Characters

We recommend keeping the resume very simple. Basic bullet points (black dots) may be used when desired. Simple lines are acceptable as well. 

Design Features to Avoid

The following design features are best left off the resume: 

  • Multiple font styles
  • Special characters

As you’ve learned, ATS systems skim resumes and locate specific information in the correct order. We’d suggest using the following categories and section headers to optimize your nursing resume for ATS scoring.

Contact Information

This is the first section of the resume and does not require a title. Your name should be front and center. Don’t make the recruiter search for it. Make sure it’s the largest font on the page. While there are varying opinions on the exact placement of the name, we recommend a simple classic version in the following format:

Your name should be the first thing a recruiter, hiring manager, or ATS system sees on your nurse resume. It should share a line with your nursing credentials and be in a bold, readable, 18-22 pt font. If you go by a different name, make sure to list both in this section.

Nursing Credentials

Your nursing credentials should directly follow your first and last name on a nursing resume. The preferred order to list these in is Highest degree earned, Licensure, then National Certifications.

We've included a  credential quick reference guide below to help you fill out your resume perfectly.

The days of listing your home address on a resume are over - most employers don't need this information, and we advise against including it on your resume as a security precaution. However, this is a personal decision you can make at your own discretion.

You should never leave your location off completely because many employers have location parameters set in their ATS systems. Ensure you include your city and state in the contact information portion of your nursing resume.

Phone/Texting Number

Oh, technology! Yes, some employers will actually text their candidates. Make sure to indicate if you receive texts and whether the phone number is a cell phone or a home phone. This is a great time to make sure your voicemail message states your full name and is professional.

Email Address

It is in your best interest to ensure that you have a professional email address that does not reveal your age. Age discrimination is real, and listing your birth year or using an antiquated email service like AOL can definitely trigger it.

Your email address should include a variation of your name and some numbers if necessary. You can even make a totally separate email account and use it only for your job search.

LinkedIn Profile

If you have a LinkedIn profile definitely include it. If you don’t have a LinkedIn profile, you could be missing out on opportunities. Now is the time to create one!

In your settings, you can easily create a shortened LinkedIn URL that doesn’t have a bunch of random numbers and letters.

How Your Digital Footprint Impacts Your Nursing Job Search

Though you may not list it, you should consider your social media and online presence when you complete the contact information portion of your resume. Potential employers will likely look you up online. Many Recruiters tell us that looking a candidate up on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter is one of the first things they do. So, make sure everything you post online is what you would want an employer to see. 

Additionally, online behavior can benefit you. Do you have a nursing-related website or blog? Are you an Instagram celebrity? Maybe you created a successful YouTube channel when you were a newbie nurse. Include all this on your resume if it relates to nursing. This is all part of your unique brand!

Nursing Resume Credential Quick Reference Guide

According to the American Nurses Credentialing Center (AACN), the preferred order is Highest degree earned, Licensure, and National Certification.

Educational degrees include doctoral degrees (Ph.D., DrPH, DNS, EdD, DNP), master’s degrees (MSN, MS, MA), bachelor’s degrees (BS, BSN, BA), and associate degrees (AD, ADN).

Licensure credentials include RN, LPN, CNA, and APRN.

National certification , which is occasionally voluntary for nurses and obligatory for advanced practice nurses, is awarded through accredited certifying bodies such as the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), includes RNBC (Registered Nurse-Board Certified) and FNP-BC (Family Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified).

You may also choose to include awards and honors:

Outstanding achievements in nursing, such as FAAN (Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing).

Other certifications that recognize additional skills, such as the EMT-Basic/EMT, awarded by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians.

Here is an example of contact information on a nursing resume that puts it all together:

Penny Lite, BSN, RN   Los Angeles, CA | Text/Call: (987) 654 - 3210 | [email protected] | www.linkedin.com/pennylitern

Professional Summary

Don’t make an employer (or ATS) search your entire resume for reasons to invite you to an interview. Tell them right off the top exactly why you are the best candidate for the role.

Every position is unique, and this is your first opportunity to optimize the resume for ATS and to also catch the employer’s eye. Spend a little time to target it and let your qualifications and accomplishments shine. 

While there is some debate about how to introduce your resume, we suggest using a professional summary as opposed to a career objective. The professional summary can be formatted in either a short paragraph or a bulleted list asserting qualifications and providing a concise career snapshot.

How to Write a Professional Summary for a Nursing Resume

Think of your resume summary as an “elevator pitch” - a quick, attention-grabbing, loaded statement that entices the reader to want to continue on. Your professional summary is unique to you and should be targeted to a specific role, just like the cover letters career counselors used to tell us about.

However, it could definitely include the following information: 

  • Number of years of experience in a specialty 
  • Common keywords found in nursing job descriptions e.g., excellent patient care, acute care, family education, compassionate
  • Facility designations or info about facilities 
  • Supervisory experience and number of subordinates
  • Special certifications or awards
  • Language abilities
  • Soft skills such as patience, compassion, and a cooperative spirit

Nursing professional summary example: 

4+ years nursing experience with strong clinical background in critical care (CCU) and intermediate care nursing (IMCU). Proactively streamlines operations, initiates tasks, and supports the healthcare team while prioritizing excellent patient care. Champions patient and family education by providing compassionate, inclusive care that encourages self-sufficiency. Recipient of the Daisy Award. Bilingual in English and Spanish.

Nursing Skills and Areas of Expertise

List your nursing skills within the top ⅓ of the resume - Don't make the common mistake of adding them last. With the popularity of ATS, this mistake could cost you an interview. This is especially true in nursing, as the profession requires very specific skills. 

Additionally, your hard skills should be directly targeted to the role as expressed in the job description. Is the employer asking for a specific EMR that you are experienced with? List it! Are you an expert at starting IVs because of your five years of experience in the emergency room? List it!

This should not be a generic list of skills but a specific list that is as quantified as possible. It’s possible that if you are a newer nurse or are making a specialty pivot you may not have hard skills to include. In that case, it’s okay to omit this section and highlight your transferable  soft nursing skills within your job history.

While most nurses list their license titles on their resumes, it’s been our experience that they leave off a few very important details - most notably, whether the license is active and the expiration date. 

Why is this important? Including this information lets potential employers know that you are ready to start work ASAP. They don’t have to wait for the licensing process. Including your license number is optional, and you can make this decision based on your privacy comfort. The employer will likely be verifying your license online anyway (this is all public information).

If you are an advanced practice nurse, you may decide to leave off license numbers for privacy purposes, especially your DEA number or controlled substance registration number.

Here’s an example of how to list your licensure:

Registered Nurse - California, #RN00101, expires 4/17/2024.

Certifications and Credentials

This is another key section where some important details are typically missing on the nursing resumes we’ve seen. While most nurses list their credentials, it’s important to list them in a specific manner.

Don’t simply list acronyms, as some ATS systems may not be programmed to read shortened versions. Make sure to list the accrediting body, credential/certification number (where applicable), and expiration date. 

Here’s an example of how to list your certifications and credentials: 

Basic Life Support (BLS), American Heart Association, expires: 12/1/2021

Work History

Employers want to know what you can do for them, period.  Nurse recruiters we’ve talked to will zero in on this section. What are they looking for? Evidence, facts, quantifiable points - proof to support the assertions made in your resume summary.

Vague work histories are particularly frustrating to employers - especially when applicants copy and paste job descriptions. To avoid falling into those pitfalls, try incorporating these tips: 

Use simple section headers such as “Work History” or “Relevant Experience,” these are ATS friendly. “What I’ve Done” is not. 

List your experience in reverse chronological order.  If you have a lengthy employment history, you may consider only including the most recent 10-15 years of experience. This will shorten your resume and also limit the chances that you’ll encounter age discrimination. Looking at the big-picture experience from 25 years ago doesn’t necessarily speak to your recent nursing experience because employers care about what you can do for them now.

Work History Format

Adding your work history in a logical format can help your nursing resume beat the ATS and impress recruiters. We recommend using the following format for each work history segment:

1. Job Title and Specialty

This is a controversial subject, but we believe employers care more about what you’ve done than who you’ve worked for. Use the job title as it is listed in the job posting, or use a more industry-wide job title. Registered Nurse as opposed to Clinical Nurse II. 

2. Facility Name

Add the name of the facility or company you worked for after your job title. You can add this on the same line or a different line, but using the same line will optimize space.

3. Employment Dates  

These are important and can be listed in a number of ways. However, it’s been our experience that specific dates are not necessary for a resume. On an application, yes, on a resume, not so much. You can simply list the months and years (mm/yy - present).

4. Facility-Specific and Unit-Specific Information

This information is helpful and important to employers but is left off the majority of resumes we’ve seen, it includes: 

  • Trauma level: level I, II, III
  • Facility Designations 
  • Total Hospital beds
  • Total unit beds

Primary Duties and Accomplishments

This section looks best in a bulleted list of no more than six points and should include duties, noteworthy accomplishments, and achievements. It’s important to emphasize specific duties and not be too vague.

Also, try your best not to simply regurgitate basic nursing duties that would be assumed of your role. This will take up valuable space on your resume and not really tell the reader much about you !

Wondering what specifics to include? Here are a few questions to get those wheels turning:

  • What illnesses, injuries, or traumas do you care for? 
  • What cases do you work on? 
  • What type of medications do you administer and how? 
  • What therapies do you perform? 
  • What equipment do you use? 
  • How have you improved processes? 
  • When have I been first or best?
  • No. 1 achievement in each position?
  • Which achievements have the most impressive numbers?
  • When have I been publicly recognized?

Write Strong Nursing Resume Bullets

Wondering how to order your bullets and what to include? Try this: start with a verb leading to quantifiable data or a specific point and include a relevant duty.

Use our comprehensive tables to build compelling nursing resume bullets that make your achievements shine:

 Adhered  Displayed   Planned  
 Administered  Educated   Preserved 
 Applied  Ensured   Provided
 Assessed  Evaluated   Reacted
 Assisted  Executed   Reported 
 Built  Explained   Responded
 Collaborated  Followed   Scheduled
 Communicated  Helped   Shared
 Contributed  Led   Supervised
 Decided  Listened   Taught
 Delegated  Managed  Tracked
 Delivered  Measured  Trained
 Demonstrated  Negotiated  Treated 
 Developed  Observed  Updated
 Directed  Performed  Wrote
Assertive Friendly Productive
Attentive Hard-working Professional
Balanced Honest Qualified
Broad-minded Independent Realistic
Cheerful Inventive Reliable
Committed Knowledgeable Resourceful
Compassionate Mature Responsible
Conscientious Motivated Sociable
Consistent Objective Tenacious
Creative Patient Traditional
Direct Persistent Trustworthy
Dynamic Practical Unconventional
Eclectic Proactive Unique

Here is a brief work history resume example for nurses that puts it all together:

Registered Nurse, Acute Care - Example Medical Center 09-19 - Present

  • Supervised staff of 15 registered nurses, 8 certified nursing assistants, and 7 paramedics while multitasking excellent patient care. 
  • Cared for up to 4 patients per shift with acute neurological disorders, including strokes, spinal cord injuries, and head trauma.

Education and Training

In the nursing profession, education and training are of utmost importance. If you have work experience, this section can be fairly brief.  You should list your relevant degrees in chronological order. 

There are varying opinions regarding the specific ordering of education. However, we believe that the degree or certification title should be listed first. Employers care firstly that you have the education requirement they need and secondarily where you obtained the requirement. 

We suggest the following format:  Degree or Certification Title (acronym), Institution Name 

Here’s an example: 

Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (BSN), University of Washington 

Should I Include Graduation Dates on a Nursing Resume?

You are not required to include your college or high school graduation dates on your nursing resume , as it could reveal your age. Age discrimination is the top form of employment discrimination and affects all age groups. If you graduated more than 10-15 years ago, it may be a good idea to omit the date.  But this is a personal decision you should make at your own discretion.

Should I Include My GPA on a Nursing Resume?

Including your GPA in your nursing resume is optional. If you are particularly proud of your GPA, by all means, add it! However, it is not required. If you graduated with honors that you are proud of, you can definitely include that as well. Again the resume is a unique snapshot of you!

Should I Include my Non-Nursing Degrees and Credentials?

If you possess other degrees not related to nursing, it is not necessary to include those on your nursing resume. Some second-career nurses like to list this information, especially if there has been an interesting career pivot or one that brings a lot of value to your role as a nurse. Remember, you are telling your personal, unique story, and you get to decide what to include.

How Do I Add In-Progress Advanced Education Programs?

If you are currently enrolled in higher education to advance your studies within the nursing field, that should be listed on your resume and state that the degree is pending or in progress. However, if you started a graduate degree program, never finished, and do not plan on finishing, it is unnecessary to include it on the resume. 

Should I Include my High School Education?

Nurses do not need to include their high school diplomas on their resumes. The nursing profession requires completion of higher education, and therefore, your higher degree trumps your diploma. 

Awards, Accomplishments, and Affiliations

Though this section is not required, we encourage including awards and accomplishments that are relevant to the nursing profession. These details will provide the potential employer with more proof and evidence of who you are as a nurse. 

In this section, you can include: 

  • Awards and recognitions that are specific to the hospital or facility where you work, e.g. the Daisy Award, Employee of the Month, and Nursing Excellence Award
  • Professional memberships and affiliations relating to nursing and/or healthcare
  • Volunteer work, if it relates to nursing

We suggest the following format: Title, organization, year

Here are a couple of examples:

  • Recipient, Nursing Excellence Award, Washington Medical Center
  • Volunteer, American Red Cross - Haiti - 2012

Naming Your Nurse Resume Save File

One last thing, saving! Don’t just give your resume any old name! Hiring professionals sometimes receive multiple documents from candidates, and they don’t want to waste time sorting through every document to find the resume. Some prefer to organize resumes by specialty. Tell them exactly which document is your resume. 

We suggest the following format: firstlast_specialty_resume.doc

Here’s an example:

PennyLite_ICU_resume.doc

We’ve seen a lot of resumes over the years, and you might be surprised by the amount of strange information people have included on them. So, here are the top mistakes we’ve seen:

This should be a no-brainer but make sure to proofread and even have another set of eyes proofread for you.

Huge red flag for age discrimination.

An employer could assume your salary is too high or too low, so just don’t list it.

Don’t include things like photos, religious affiliations, Social Security Numbers, marital status, kids.

If you go by a different name, include both your legal name (the one on your license) and your nickname, e.g. Penny "Penelope" Lite.

Make sure your resume includes your most current and relevant positions.

Avoid using pronouns such as “I” statements. A resume should be in the third person.

An ATS will not see it there.

An appropriate email address is [email protected] but not [email protected].

No need to be fancy, a simple ring is fine, and a professional greeting is great!

Recruiters go through hundreds of resumes a day, so keeping track of all those files can be difficult. Make it easy for them.

Woot! If you’ve made it this far you should have an excellent understanding of how to write a great nursing resume. We know it’s a lot of information right now, and we hope that you’ll use the information to advance your career.

For a little more help, try using our free resume templates. And when you’ve landed your next interview, check out the next part in this series, The Complete Guide to Nursing Job Interviews .

>> Download free nurse resume templates!

What should be included in a nursing resume?

  • A nursing resume should include your education, experience, including clinical, work, and volunteer, any certifications you have, and skills. 

How do I write a nurse resume?

  • You can use a template to fill out your nursing resume or fill out your own. 

How do I list my nursing skills on my resume?

  • List skills that are in the job description or outline on the facility’s website. For instance, common nursing skills include critical thinking, teamwork, communication, team management, and high ethical standards. 

Do you put RN after your name on a resume?

  • You can include "RN" or "RN, BSN"  if you have other credentials. If you haven’t passed your NCLEX yet, you can put G.N. for Graduate Nurse.

How long should a nurse's resume be?

  • A nursing resume should be no longer than 1-2 pages. 

What is your greatest skill as a nurse?

  • The most valuable skill you have as a nurse may depend on your exact role and specialty, but in general, communication, kindness, empathy, and critical thinking are highly valued traits as a nurse. 

How far back should a resume go?

  • If you’re a recent graduate, you don’t need to go to high school, just include your college experience and degree. For experienced nurses, include all relevant experience. 

Amanda is an Ivy-league-educated nurse practitioner and career mentor who helps nurses find and land their dream jobs. She founded The Résumé Rx  in 2018 to help nurses with career and résumé strategy  Learn more about Amanda and her products at  www.theresumerx.com  and follow her on Instagram  @theresumerx.

Angelina Walker

Angelina has her finger on the pulse of everything nursing. Whether it's a trending news topic, valuable resource or, heartfelt story, Angelina is an expert at producing content that nurses love to read. She specializes in warmly engaging with the nursing community and exponentially growing our social presence.

Nurses making heats with their hands

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31 Nursing Resume Examples That Worked in 2024

Stephen Greet

  • Nursing Resumes
  • Nursing Student Resumes
  • Nursing Resumes by Credentials
  • Nursing Resumes by Role

Writing Your Nursing Resume

Although the demand for nurses is growing, getting a job in the nursing industry isn’t easy, especially if you’re making a start or submitting a letter of resignation at your current position. 

How are you supposed to know how to  write a stunning resume  so employers will immediately want to hire you and create a cover letter detailing your accomplishments? 

Getting into the nursing field is tough, so  we analyzed dozens of nursing resumes to learn what works and what doesn’t to help you get a great nursing job .

No matter your specialty or where you are in your nursing career, we’ve got 31 nursing resume samples to help you  make a resume online  from scratch or update your current resume to get you your next nursing job in 2024!

Nursing Resume

or download as PDF

Nursing resume example with 10+ years of experience

Why this resume works

  • One of the quickest ways to do so is by including your licenses in your title. This clearly signals to the employer that you’re qualified for the position.
  • Adding an optional licenses section is another way to demonstrate your abilities, so if you have the room, make sure to add that section.
  • Instead, tailor your resume to the  nursing job description . What keywords did they list? What responsibilities do they expect you to complete? Use this as your guide to include what employers most want to see.

Experienced Nurse Resume

Experienced nurse resume example with 10+ years of experience

  • Some professions require CVs for senior-level officials, while other industries are fine with a resume no matter their seniority level. Check the job description to see what kind of information the employer requires, so you know what to write.
  • Try to demonstrate the different specific responsibilities you’ve had throughout your career. What kinds of clinical techniques have you done? For example, have you assisted with ADLs, administered particular tests, or diagnosed specific types of diseases?

Nursing Student Resume

Nursing student resume example with 4 years of experience

  • The key is to be specific about what you contributed or learned during your time in school.
  • How did you assist your peers or supervisors? Did you witness anything especially noteworthy? What did you learn? Listing details like these helps employers qualify your abilities. 
  • While an objective is strictly optional, it’s a great way to convey your excitement for the position and some of your relevant skills. 

New Grad Nursing Resume

New grad nursing resume example

  • If you lack experience, that’s okay! Just include more details about your clinical rotations. You can also mention non-healthcare-specific work experience if you have it.
  • For example, does the job description talk a lot about compassionate care? Then you should include the phrase “compassion” in your skills section.

nursing personal statement 2021

  • As you progress, unleash quantified achievements in your previous roles, emphasizing how you helped patients and improved outcomes (hint: reducing medication errors by 28% and enhancing patient safety).

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Resume

nursing personal statement 2021

  • In addition to your title, if you have any certifications or additional licenses, include them on your resume in a designated section.
  • If you’re struggling to know what to write on your CNA resume, it can help to look at  CNA resume examples  and local CNA job descriptions to determine what employers want to see and what metrics to include. 

RN BSN Resume

nursing personal statement 2021

  • Go beyond helping patients and list all the times you’ve helped doctors treat a condition more quickly or improved after-surgery recovery rates. Add how you’ve endeavored to assist patients remotely during tough times (if any) such as providing remote sessions during COVID-19.

Registered Nurse Resume

nursing personal statement 2021

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Resume

nursing personal statement 2021

  • If your current specialization is different from the job description, don’t stress! You should still be specific about your experience, but focus on transferable skills that go hand-in-hand with other fields.
  • For example, do you specialize in long-term care, nephrology, or developmental disabilities? Include how you applied those abilities throughout your LPN resume.
  • Of course, you need to include where you got your nursing degree, but don’t stop there! Adding a certifications or licenses section can show off your training and catch a hiring manager’s eye quickly.

Nursing Home Administrator Resume

nursing personal statement 2021

  • Begin with a careful analysis of the job listing and grasp the matching qualifications, skills, and requirements that resonate with your own experiences. Found them? Fantastic! Now, strategically incorporate those golden nuggets into your resume. In addition, picture how Amanda flaunts her nursing license–if you’ve got similar credentials or those shiny certifications, mention them somewhere in the side column.

Psychiatric Nursing Resume

nursing personal statement 2021

  • Take Sarah, for example. She didn’t just casually namedrop accomplishments like “reducing 30-day readmission rates by 14%” and “spreading awareness of mental health services among 1,280+ community members.” Nope. She made those wins pop out in her resume with bolding and underlining to wow the recruiter from the get-go.

Nursing Manager Resume

nursing personal statement 2021

  • How far back should you go? You wonder. If you have a master’s degree in nursing or healthcare management, make that the centerpiece of your education section. Otherwise, a bachelor’s degree fits the bill! Of course, don’t forget to add the institution’s name and the year you graduated.

Critical Care Nursing Resume

nursing personal statement 2021

  • Gain promotion and assume a new role with greater responsibility after that. Use this to show your dedication by backing your achievements with numbers.

Director of Nursing Resume

nursing personal statement 2021

  • List down all the variety of software you’re proficient in and write how you’ve used each right from the beginning of your career. Last but not least, never forget to add your RN license!

NICU Nurse Resume

nursing personal statement 2021

  • Use the career objective to frame your clinical experience through the lens of NICU by highlighting your ability to communicate with families or work in high-pressure environments.

Operating Room Nurse Resume

Operating room nurse resume example with 11 years of experience

  • Surgeons are always seeking cutting-edge technology that can unlock new medical capabilities. Showcase your expertise in working with these innovative systems—like robotic arms—to enhance your operating room nurse resume .

School Nurse Resume

School nurse resume example with 9 years of experience

  • Are you skilled in using platforms specific to educational institutions, such as SchoolMessenger? Include them on your school nurse resume to prove that you’re prepared to handle the caseload.

Telemetry Nurse Resume

Telemetry nurse resume example with 10 years of experience

  • You can bolster your telemetry nurse resume by listing any special certifications that further qualify you for the task, such as Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS).

Nurse Practitioner Resume

nursing personal statement 2021

  • The best format for nurses in 2024 is the reverse-chronological format since it shows how you’ve grown your skills over the years. However, if you have a gap in your job experience, there are other formats you can use to disguise that.
  • Adding a few splashes of color to your  nurse practitioner resume  makes it look prettier and helps readability. Just be sure to choose a color that is easy on the eye (no neons, please).

ICU Nurse Resume

Icu nurse resume example with 10+ years of experience

  • To avoid the fear of the blank page, start by using a  resume outline  to give you a basic structure to follow and show you what your finished resume should look like.
  • So, when you’re writing the work experience bullet points, use general responsibilities like “provided effective care”), but be specific about how you helped your patients (and what resulted from your ministrations). 

Travel Nurse Resume

Travel nurse resume example with 10+ years of experience

  • To help stand out above the competition, clarify your work experience sections so employers know if you’ve had traveling nurse contracts or not. 
  • More likely than not, you don’t need a resume objective or summary, nor do you need to list individual projects. Remember that you can go into more detail about achievements and skills in your  nursing cover letter .

Charge Nurse Resume

nursing personal statement 2021

  • For example, have you had the opportunity to manage or lead co-workers? Have you ever trained a nurse and oversaw scheduling? Be specific about how you’ve managed projects and people and what resulted from your leadership.
  • Want to know a quick and easy way to write a  charge nurse resume ? Start by using a  resume template  to format your information, then fill in the blanks with specific details about your past experience and skills.

Chief Nursing Officer Resume

nursing personal statement 2021

  • This formatting showcases your career growth and leadership development by highlighting your most recent (and likely most relevant) job. 
  • We recommend you include six to 10 skills, with at least 70 percent hard skills such as BLS, QA/QC, federal compliance, and fiscal health analysis.

Telehealth Nurse Resume

Telehealth nurse resume example with 9+ years of experience

  • Luckily, there are multiple  resume tips  you can incorporate to make your resume a cut above the rest, including choosing specific hard skills in your skills section and formatting your resume in reverse-chronological order.
  • If you have a degree higher than a high school diploma, ignore your high school information since employers don’t need it. If you have multiple nursing degrees, include all of them.

Nurse Consultant Resume

Nurse consultant resume example with 8 years of experience

  • Use business-related numbers like sales growth or revenue/profit increases to demonstrate your worth as an employee.
  • Don’t forget to add other sections to showcase your training and certifications.
  • If you decide to include these sections, keep them brief and include only what’s relevant to the job you’re seeking.

Office Nurse Resume

Office nurse resume example with 3 years of experience

  • Do your homework on the environment you’re applying to work in, and ensure you showcase why you’re a good fit for that specific job. After all, an ER unit with high patient turnover may be much more interested in your high-efficiency standards than an in-home clinic that consistently services a much smaller patient load.
  • Sure, your resume may look good when you finish writing it, but have you run it through a  resume checker  yet? You might not realize you’ve been using passive voice or inconsistent punctuation, and even though you’re not applying for a job as an English Teacher, a hiring manager won’t be thrilled if you overlook little details when they’re going to literally put lives in your hands.

Home Dialysis Nurse Resume

Home dialysis nurse resume example with 11+ years of experience

  • Unfortunately, as much as it may be interesting for you to look back over your life history, most hiring managers won’t be quite as thrilled about the prospect. Adding a career summary to your resume can give recruiters the highlights, without drowning them in a sea of information.
  • Trust us on this, nothing bothers a hiring manager more than a resume that is 1.01 pages long.

ER Nurse Resume

ER nurse resume example with 10+ years of nursing experience

  • Certifications like the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) and Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) depict that you’ve done the work and undergone the rigorous training needed to be an ER nurse.

Labor and Delivery Nurse Resume

Labor and delivery nurse resume example with 3+ years of experience

  • If you’ve spent your time outside work organizing events to promote women’s health and reproductive rights, it’s a powerful statement that shows your passion and commitment and deserves to be mentioned in your resume.

Nurse Manager Resume

Nurse manager resume example with 4+ years of experience

  • If you’re well versed with a particular HR management tool or medical management software, it’s one less thing a hospital or healthcare center will have to train you on.

Pediatric Nurse Resume

Pediatric nurse resume example with 4+ years of experience

  • An extensive program, like a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, from an esteemed institute like Johns Hopkins University, for example, is a worthy inclusion in your pediatric nurse resume , demonstrating that you’ve learned from the best.

Related resume guides

  • Physician Assistant
  • Dental Assistant

Job seeker stands between two plants and looks through binoculars, searching for job

Hiring managers typically receive a torrent of resumes whenever there’s an open position, so if you prepare your nursing resume haphazardly, you are more likely to get the boot than the job. To avoid that sad scenario, you need to make your nursing resume readable, logical, and pleasing to the eye. It should showcase your skills and experience while being ATS-compliant, and it should show off a bit of your personality, too. 

It make sound like an impossible task, but before your get overwhelmed, start by taking it one step at a time. First, choose your formatting style: reverse-chronological, functional, or hybrid.

nursing personal statement 2021

Reverse-chronological, functional, and combination/hybrid format

A well-structured resume is essential for your job search. Even if your resume has perfect content, if your resume isn’t easy to skim at a glance, it’s unlikely you’ll be called for an interview. Your content matters, but so does  how  you present that content. Therefore, proper  resume formatting  is a salient feature you don’t want to get wrong.

There are three popular formatting options for designing your resume in 2024: reverse-chronological, functional, and hybrid. 

  • Focuses more on your skills
  • Ideal for a recent graduate or an entry-level candidate
  • Reverse-chronological format
  • The most common format
  • Lists relevant experiences and skills in reverse-chronological order
  • The best for making it past the ATS
  • Combines functional and reverse-chronological features
  • Highlights both your skills and experience
  • Ideal if you have a handful of experience or are re-entering the workforce

The best bet for a nursing resume would be the reverse-chronological format. This helps the recruiter see your upward career progression. If you started as an intern in a given health organization, and then moved up the career ladder to become a full-fledged nurse, your potential employer will be able to track your progression and assess your qualifications faster.

nursing personal statement 2021

Contact header

It’s important to include the relevant contact header information in the right order. If you’re a nurse, your   contact header should have the following:

  • Your name —Employers won’t automatically know you, so you need to include your first and last name. 
  • Phone number —Use your personal cellphone number instead of a work phone in case a potential employer calls when you’re not on the job.
  • Email address —Include a professional email address, preferably combining your first and last name.
  • City & state —This is optional but recommended so employers know if you’re local. 
  • LinkedIn —Some employers require your LinkedIn profile, but even if it’s not mandatory, it’s helpful for employers to see your career progression.

The contact header should be, you guessed it, at the top of the page. Good font choices are Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri, all at 12 point size. When it comes to color, remain conservative with black and white. Some  resume templates  can format your resume to strikingly display your contact information, just like this header:

Nursing resume contact header.

Will your nursing resume beat the ATS?

Optimizing your resume for the Application Tracking System (ATS) increases your chances of being called for an interview. The ATS is a tool that many companies use to quickly scan resumes and weed out applicants without relying on someone to read through them first.

Most resumes aren’t designed to beat ATS, and end up being filtered out before they ever reach the recruiter. However, if you know how to properly  format your resume , you’ll pass the ATS scan and make your way to a person. Here’s what you should know about the role of fonts, font size, margins, header names, logical order, skills, and page length, as far as ATS-friendly resumes are concerned:

  • ATS-friendly fonts make it easy for a computer to read your resume. Some of the most commonly used ATS-friendly fonts include: Times New Roman, Calibri, and Arial. Preferably, they should have a font size of 10-12 points.
  • Beyond just font type, font size also matters. Preferably, your body font size should be 10-12 points, while your headers can be bigger.
  • Margins also matter, since the ATS automatically assumes your margins are the standard size of one-inch all around. Any bigger or smaller, and the ATS might mis-read your resume.
  • Keywords are the main focus of the ATS, so make sure your skill keywords and header names match what’s in the job description.
  • The ATS is not sensitive to the number of pages, but one page is the standard across professions. 

nursing personal statement 2021

Writing your nursing resume

Putting together an effective nursing resume may seem overwhelming and not worth your effort. However, putting in the extra effort now will pay off when you get an interview. And remember, you’re not doing this alone. We’re dedicated to helping you  write an amazing resume  by providing advice on common frustrating decisions like this:

  • When an objective is most useful on your nursing resume
  • When a summary can be the preferred choice
  • How to list your most relevant nursing work history
  • Adding volunteer work and academic endeavors when work history is light

nursing personal statement 2021

Do you need an objective or summary on your nursing resume?

When crafting your nursing resume, you have the option to use career objectives and summaries.

When to include a career objective in your resume:

  • You can use an objective when changing or modifying your career.
  • For instance, if you plan to change from a surgical assistant registered nurse to an emergency room registered nurse, you’d use an objective to highlight that you’re pursuing a new subfield within nursing.
  • Use a career objective if you’re looking for an entry-level job and lack experience. 

When a summary is right for your resume:

  • Use a summary to highlight your most valuable experience and skills. These are ideal when you have vast experience in nursing.
  • For example, if you’ve worked in a health setting for 10 or more years, you can include a summary.
  • A summary is effective for connecting varied work experiences.

When not to use objectives or summaries:

  • Skip the objective or summary if you’re not planning to customize it to each position you apply for. Otherwise, it’s generic filler that takes up too much white space.
  • This lacks specificity and reads “I just need a job to pay the bills.” While that may be true, employers want to know you’re passionate about your work and will improve your workplace.
  • This lacks depth and work history details that should hallmark a summary. It’s void of substantial expertise, specializations, and skill specifics.

When objectives or summaries are worth including:

  • This objective highlights the years of experience and the candidate’s field of expertise while also naming the potential employer.
  • This summary highlights their years of experience, the key areas they’ve worked in, and their specialities within those fields.

nursing personal statement 2021

Nursing work experience?

Don’t forget to indicate relevant experience in your resume. While we wouldn’t recommend including every job you’ve had since you were 16, you can get away with adding work experience from different fields if you’re an entry-level candidate.

However, if you’re applying for a senior position, you’ll need to include at least  three  nursing positions on your resume, especially if you’re applying for a managerial or specialty position. For instance, a director of care management requires nine years of experience, four of which must be managerial.

Conversely, a registered nurse position may require one year of direct patient care. The responsibilities, in this case, are not very demanding. If you lack experience overall, you can include any academic projects and volunteer work that is relevant to the  nursing job description .

nursing personal statement 2021

Writing your job experience bullet points for your nursing resume

Three examples of poor job experience bullet points for nurses:

  • Generally, you should avoid using “I,” and you should include specifics, not just generic statements of experience.
  • This bullet includes “I” and lacks job specifics and quantifiable metrics.
  • Although it may sound nice on the surface, it doesn’t answer exactly what the patient did and the results of their work.

Three examples of good job experience bullet points for nurses:

  • This uses an action verb combined with quantifiable metrics.
  • Again, this uses an action verb but furthermore, it describes exactly what the candidate provided (primary care training). 
  • Specific, pertinent job duties show employers your skills and can also help you pass the ATS; two thumbs up for this one!

nursing personal statement 2021

Quantify your impact as a nurse

When preparing your resume, remember that no employer wants to waste time reading vague statements about your performance. Instead, they want to see supporting details. So, whenever you can, you should quantify your impact and achievements.

For instance, if you say you “served many patients daily,” a potential employer might wonder about the exact number because ‘many’ is a relative term.

Examples of how to quantify metrics:

Suppose the  nursing job description  asks for a training specialist who can train other nurses. In that case, you can indicate the number of training sessions you conducted per day in your previous employment.

  • Number of clinical training sessions per day
  • Trained 75% of new hires on pre and postoperative care >20 days per month

Some of the health facilities labor under tremendous pressure. The number of patients you serve per day can help potential employers gauge whether you will cope well under pressure. So, it’s lucrative to include the number of patients you served per a specific amount of time.

  • Number of patients served in a day 
  • Worked in a setting with a 6:1 patient-nurse ratio, receiving 400+ visitors per day

nursing personal statement 2021

Top skills for your nursing resume

It’s helpful to understand the differences between hard and soft skills to list in your  resume skills section . Keep the number of skills you list in between six and 10 to avoid overwhelming the reader.

Hard skills are those tools you use to do the job, aka technical abilities that require training. 

Examples of hard skills:

  • ERM systems
  • Medical documentation
  • Infant and child care
  • Emergency care
  • Ambulatory care
  • CPR certified

On the other hand, soft skills are abilities that are harder to quantify and are more personality-based.

Examples of soft skills:

  • Communication 
  • Professionalism
  • Positive attitude

Get noticed! Look for keywords within a job description:

  • Many companies use ATS to scan resumes for keywords from the job description, so it’s in your best interest to include the right keywords.
  • Include keywords in both your  nursing cover letter  and resume. 
  • Choosing keywords from the job description helps you customize your resume and thus, makes you more appealing to the hiring manager.
  • Employing the right keywords makes your resume relevant and noticeable, giving you an edge over the competition.

nursing personal statement 2021

Nursing education and certifications

When preparing your nursing resume, include all the elements that will increase your chances of getting the job. You need to indicate the following:

  • Your education level
  • Any certifications or licenses
  • Your experience in other nursing environments
  • Your years of experience as a nurse

On the topic of licenses, you need to share your area of specialization. Specialists include registered nurses (RNs), certified registered nurse anesthetists, and clinical nurse specialists. Including your area(s) of expertise helps potential employers determine whether you’re the right candidate for the job.

Besides, including this information is easy to do and shouldn’t take up much space! Simply place certifications and licenses in a short section toward the bottom of your resume: 

Nursing resume licenses section.

Should you add projects, interests, or hobbies to your nursing resume?

Most of the time, you don’t need to include projects or  interests/hobbies on your resume . However, you may be able to add them depending on your level of experience and the type of role you’re seeking.

If you’re an experienced nurse, you’ve likely gained tangible experience that’s more important than undergraduate projects you’ve completed. Instead, you should highlight your key areas of experience and show your new employer how you’ll impact their business.

In the same vein, you may not need to indicate your hobbies or interests unless it’s encouraged. However, you can gain an advantage over the competition if you have strong qualifications and hobbies that match the company culture. 

To help you determine whether or not to include hobbies, visit the company’s website and read the “About Us” section to gauge whether they have a unique cultural fit. 

If you’re an entry-level candidate or a recent graduate, listing hobbies and projects can help you fill space and showcase your personality. However, it’s always good to review the job description to ensure these additions are relevant. Either way, keep the project and hobbies lists short and at the bottom of your resume.

Examples of hobbies/interests:

  • Volunteering for community health services
  • Learning new languages

Examples of projects:

  • Organized and led breast cancer awareness campaign for two consecutive semesters
  • Researched mental and psychiatric issues for semester-long experiment

nursing personal statement 2021

Adjust your nursing resume for every job application

Remember to customize your resume when applying for a new job. Even if you’re only applying for specific roles, like LPN jobs, that doesn’t mean every job description for that title requires the same qualifications. There’s usually something unique to each position. Thus, for every application, make sure you tailor the following sections:

  • (These can stay mostly the same, but you should adjust responsibilities and keywords slightly.)

To recap, each job description comes with different skill requisites. Furthermore, remember to note keywords you can use within the body of your resume and cover letter.

Your nursing resume must be error-free

As a nurse, you need to show the hiring manager that you’re observant and have an eye for detail. Remember, you’ll be working with patients and should demonstrate accuracy and precision. To ensure a flawless resume, run your document through a  resume checker  and have your colleagues proofread it. Don’t let typos cost you a job!

Confidently land your next Nursing gig

Many job seekers languish in the job market, especially considering the number of nursing graduates produced by universities each year and the fierce competition. So, you must be creative and savvy to survive the market. Happily, you’ve already taken the first steps by reading this guide, so congratulations!

We know you’ve worked hard to get this far, and we wish you all the best as you write a power-packed nursing resume and get ready for interviews in 2024! 

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Children's nursing personal statement for 2021

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COMMENTS

  1. Nursing Personal Statement Template and Example

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  3. Nursing Masters Personal Statement Sample

    Nursing Masters Personal Statement Sample. Written by Sarah Hastings-Woodhouse. This is an example personal statement for a Masters degree application in Nursing. See our guide for advice on writing your own postgraduate personal statement. As a qualified nurse with over three years' professional experience, I was immediately drawn to your ...

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    A Band 5 personal statement example is a great way to understand what is expected in your nursing application. A band 5 nurse is generally proficient and has the ability to work autonomously. When writing your personal statement, include specific examples demonstrating how you have exceeded expectations in nursing roles.

  8. Showcasing Your Strengths: Writing an Effective Nursing Personal Statement

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  10. PDF Nursing Program Personal Statement DIRECTIONS

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  11. Nursing Personal Statement Samples: A Journey of Compassion and

    Introduction. This personal statement showcases the journey of a dedicated nursing professional inspired by a strong familial role model. It highlights the applicant's experiences from caring for a loved one through academic and volunteer engagements to professional achievements in critical care nursing. The narrative offers a comprehensive ...

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  16. PDF The Essentials: Competencies for Professional Nursing Education

    The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education provides a framework for preparing individuals as members of the discipline of nursing, reflecting expectations across the trajectory of nursing education and applied experience. In this document competencies for professional nursing practice are made explicit. These Essenials introduce 10 domains that represent the essence ...

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  18. Professional identity in nursing practice

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  20. Ultimate Guide to Nursing Resumes 2024

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  22. Sample Personal Statement For Nursing Job

    Example Nursing Personal Statement: A dedicated and compassionate nurse with a first class honours degree from the University of Southampton and over five years of nursing experience.

  23. Children's nursing personal statement for 2021

    Children's nursing personal statement for 2021. Hey, I've just started year 13 so have started to prepare my personal statement - I'm planning on doing a children's nursing degree. So far I've written quite a lot about experiences that can relate to nursing but I'm not sure if it's enough or in too much detail!?