Nurse CV Example and Writing Guide

Hospitals and recruiters scan a nurse CV for three things: valid registration, the type of ward you have worked in, and your certifications. Put these where they are easy to find, then support them with short, factual bullet points.

Use this template Start blank

What to include in a nurse CV

  • Show your registration (for example PNC number or the licence of the country you apply to) in the CV, not only in the interview.
  • State the ward or specialty and the number of beds or patients you handled.
  • List certifications with year: BLS, ACLS, IV cannulation, infection control.
  • Use clinical keywords from the job advert, because hospitals often filter CVs by keyword.
  • Mention shifts, on-call work and any training you gave to juniors.

Sample profile (copy the idea, not the words)

Registered nurse with 5 years of experience in a 300-bed teaching hospital, specialising in medical and surgical care. Confident with patient assessment, medication administration, IV therapy and clear handover, with a focus on patient safety and compassionate care.

Skills to consider

Patient assessment, IV therapy and cannulation, Medication administration, Infection control, Wound care, Electronic patient records.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Listing every small course without dates or issuing body
  • Leaving out your licence status or expiry date
  • Writing a long personal profile instead of facts

How to write a nurse CV step by step

  1. Start with your contact details and headline. Write your name, phone, e-mail and city, and a headline such as "Registered Nurse - Medical and Surgical Ward".
  2. Write a two to three sentence profile. Say who you are, how many years of experience you have and one result you are proud of.
  3. List experience, newest first. For every job give the title, employer, dates and two to four bullet points that show results.
  4. Add education and certificates. Include degree, institute and year. Add licences or short courses that the job needs.
  5. Finish with skills and languages. Choose skills from the job advert that are really yours.
  6. Proofread and export as PDF. A PDF keeps your layout the same on every device.

Nurse CV: frequently asked questions

What should a nursing CV include?

Contact details, a short professional summary, licence or registration, clinical experience, education, certifications such as BLS and ACLS, and relevant skills.

How do I write a nurse CV for jobs abroad?

Keep to one or two pages, use international formatting, list your licence and any exam results (such as IELTS or OET) and write dates in a consistent format.

Can a fresh nursing graduate use this example?

Yes. Replace the experience with clinical placements and internships, and put education and certifications at the top.

More CV examples

Doctor CV example

Healthcare

Pharmacist CV example

Healthcare

Lab Technician CV example

Healthcare

Dental Assistant CV example

Healthcare

See all CV examples · Read CV writing guides