Although there can be many jobs available within the nursing profession, you may want to consider writing a professional resume highlighting your skills and qualifications. By having a solid resume, you may find enhanced job opportunities, or openings for promotions or prospects toward advancing your nursing education.

A resume is a summary of who you are: your work history, education record and extra skills or qualifications you have gained along the way. It is a picture of your competence in your profession for those who may be considering you for a job or promotion. Resumes are often divided into several components, and are typically less than one page.

Your name and contact information should be prominent at the top of your resume. Potential employers should not have to hunt around the page to find out a way to get ahold of you. In fact, for some job openings with many applicants, your resume may only receive an initial scan while an employer narrows down the field. Some people choose to write an objective statement of goals in the area following their name. This statement is optional but if you can describe your goals clearly within a concise sentence or two, add this section to your resume.

Nurses who have strong work backgrounds may want to list their previous nursing careers first. This shows what skills, areas of expertise and work environments they have experienced, that may relate to potential new jobs. When you list your job experiences, write the name of the organization for which you worked, as well as the contact information and your dates of employment. You may also list a brief paragraph outlining your major duties. Be straightforward about the amount of time you have worked and avoid listing reasons why you left your former job.

The education section of your resume lists where you attended nursing school, as well as your previous secondary school, particularly in cases where you may have completed prerequisites. If you are a new graduate, you may also list your grade-point average if it is above a 3.4. List your schools’ contact information, as well as dates of attendance.

If you are a member of any professional organizations or you have specific achievements, you may also want to list these on your resume. Include volunteer experience, stating the nature of your volunteer work and listing relevant skills for the job for which you are applying. Examples include computer proficiency, CPR certification, your active nursing license or membership in professional nursing associations.

Avoid listing personal references on your resume, but instead write the names and contact information on a separate sheet to be given at the prospective employer’s request. Once you have completed your resume, read over everything carefully, ensuring you have not made any mistakes. Try to use active language to highlight your skills; and thoroughly consider your accomplishments, talents or work responsibilities that you can use to emphasize your overall qualifications.

You may want to have another person assess your resume by reading it with a critical eye. This can reveal potential mistakes or awkward language that you may not have seen. An alternative option is to hire a resume writer who can discuss your qualifications and strengths with you and write a document for you that will stand out to potential employers.

Your resume is an important part of finding a nursing job, and may help you to advance within your career. With some practice, you can write an excellent resume that will show others that you are the right candidate for the position you seek.