Nursing Student Resume examples & templates
Copyable Nursing Student Resume examples
Nursing students stand at the intersection of theory and life-saving practice, often becoming the unsung heroes of our healthcare system before they've even graduated. While learning to master clinical skills, they're already making profound differences in patient outcomes—research shows that facilities with nursing students actually experience fewer medication errors (a 17.8% reduction according to a 2022 study from the Journal of Nursing Education). They bring fresh perspectives, recently updated knowledge, and an eagerness that reinvigorates experienced staff. The role has transformed dramatically in recent years, with today's nursing students navigating not just traditional bedside care but also telehealth platforms, electronic health records, and increasingly complex patient cases.
The pandemic reshaped nursing education in ways we're still discovering. Clinical rotations now incorporate disaster preparedness alongside traditional skills, and simulation technology has become far more sophisticated (though nothing quite replaces that first real patient interaction!). As healthcare continues evolving toward preventative models and community-based care, nursing students who can adapt to varied settings while maintaining compassionate patient relationships will find themselves exceptionally well-positioned for career growth beyond graduation.
Junior Nursing Student Resume Example
Melissa Jimenez
Sacramento, CA 95821 • (916) 555-7812 • melissa.jimenez@email.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/melissajimenez • Available for relocation
Nursing student in final semester of BSN program with hands-on clinical experience in pediatrics, medical-surgical, and mental health settings. Gained practical skills through 400+
hours of supervised clinical rotations and part-time work as a Nursing Assistant. Passionate about patient advocacy with strong assessment skills and attention to detail. Seeking entry-level RN position where I can grow my clinical expertise in a collaborative healthcare environment.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Sacramento State University, Sacramento, CA
Expected Graduation: May 2023
GPA: 3.76/4.0
Relevant Coursework: Pharmacology, Adult Health, Pediatric Nursing, Mental Health Nursing, Community Health
Associate of Science, General Studies
American River College, Sacramento, CA
Graduated: May 2021
GPA: 3.82/4.0
CERTIFICATIONS
• BLS/CPR Certification, American Heart Association (Exp. 06/2024)
• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), California Board of Nursing (Exp. 12/2024)
• Stop the Bleed Training (Completed 10/2022)
CLINICAL EXPERIENCE
Student Nurse Clinical Rotations | Sacramento State University | Jan 2022 – Present
- Completed 127 hours in Med-Surg at Mercy General Hospital, caring for 2-3 patients per shift while practicing assessments, medication administration, wound care, and documentation
- Performed 96 clinical hours in Pediatrics at UC Davis Children’s Hospital, gaining experience with family-centered care and age-appropriate assessments
- Participated in 88 hours of Mental Health clinical at Heritage Oaks Hospital, developing therapeutic communication skills and safety planning
- Completed 104 hours in Community Health at Sacramento County Public Health, assisting with immunization clinics and health screenings
WORK EXPERIENCE
Nursing Assistant | Sutter Health, Sacramento, CA | June 2022 – Present (Part-time)
- Assist RNs with patient care for 5-7 patients per shift including vital signs, blood glucose monitoring, bathing, and ambulation
- Document patient intake/output and communicate changes in patient status to nursing staff
- Help reduce fall risk by implementing safety protocols, resulting in 0 falls during shifts over a 3-month period
- Received “Above & Beyond” recognition from supervisor for exceptional patient care during staffing shortage
Patient Care Volunteer | Mercy Hospital, Sacramento, CA | Sept 2021 – May 2022
- Delivered meals, water, and comfort items to patients on a 36-bed medical unit
- Assisted nursing staff with non-clinical tasks including answering call lights and stocking supplies
- Provided companionship to patients, especially those with few visitors
- Completed 187 volunteer hours while maintaining full-time student status
Retail Sales Associate | Target, Roseville, CA | Aug 2020 – Aug 2021
- Balanced part-time work with pre-nursing coursework while maintaining 3.8 GPA
- Developed strong customer service and communication skills while handling diverse customer needs
- Trained 4 new team members on POS system and store protocols
SKILLS
- Clinical Skills: Vital signs, Sterile technique, Catheter care, Blood glucose monitoring, Basic wound care, Physical assessments
- Technical: Epic EMR (basic), Microsoft Office, Google Workspace
- Languages: English (native), Spanish (conversational)
- Soft Skills: Patient advocacy, Time management, Teamwork, Active listening, Cultural sensitivity, Stress management
ACTIVITIES & MEMBERSHIPS
• Student Nurses’ Association, Sacramento State Chapter, Member (2021-Present)
• Healthcare Volunteer, Annual Community Health Fair, Sacramento (2022)
• Blood Drive Volunteer Coordinator, American Red Cross Campus Drive (2022)
Mid-level Nursing Student Resume Example
Sarah Jameson, RN-BSN Student
jameson.sarah83@email.com | (417) 555-8234 | Portland, OR 97201
linkedin.com/in/sarahjameson | Available for clinical rotations and part-time positions
Dedicated nursing student with 5+ years of healthcare experience transitioning from CNA to RN. Known for building rapport with patients across diverse populations while maintaining clinical excellence. Successfully juggling academic commitments with part-time work at Providence Portland Medical Center. Looking to leverage my hands-on experience in med-surg and geriatric care during my final year of BSN studies.
EXPERIENCE
Student Nurse Extern – Providence Portland Medical Center, Portland, OR
June 2021 – Present
- Assist RNs with patient assessments, vital signs, and documentation for 6-8 patients per shift on a 32-bed medical-surgical unit
- Perform basic nursing procedures including IV site care, wound dressing changes, and catheter maintenance under RN supervision
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary team to implement fall prevention program that reduced incidents by 27% over 6 months
- Develop and practice therapeutic communication with diverse patient populations including geriatric, post-operative, and chronically ill patients
- Recognized by nurse manager for exceptional patient care during COVID-19 surge (earned “Rising Star” nomination Winter 2022)
Certified Nursing Assistant II – Laurelhurst Village Senior Living, Portland, OR
August 2018 – May 2021
- Provided direct patient care for 10-12 residents per shift including ADLs, mobility assistance, and vital signs monitoring
- Trained 7 new CNAs on facility protocols, proper body mechanics, and resident-centered care approaches
- Maintained detailed documentation of resident conditions, reporting changes promptly to charge nurse
- Served as “Tech Lead” on evening shifts, coordinating CNA assignments and handling staff scheduling conflicts
- Created simplified charting system for CNAs that was adopted facility-wide in 2020
Home Health Aide – Visiting Angels, Salem, OR
March 2017 – July 2018
- Assisted elderly and disabled clients with personal care, medication reminders, and light housekeeping
- Maintained continuity of care by developing personalized care plans for 6 regular clients
- Communicated effectively with family members regarding client status and needs
- Recognized for perfect attendance during 14-month employment period
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) – Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR
Expected Graduation: May 2023 | Current GPA: 3.78/4.0
- Clinical Rotations: Medical-Surgical (216 hrs), Pediatrics (120 hrs), Obstetrics (96 hrs), Psychiatric (96 hrs)
- Senior Capstone Project: “Reducing Medication Errors Through Implementation of Barcode Scanning” (In Progress)
- Relevant Coursework: Pharmacology, Pathophysiology, Health Assessment, Evidence-Based Practice
Associate of Applied Science – Chemeketa Community College, Salem, OR
Graduated: December 2018 | GPA: 3.82/4.0
- Focus: Allied Health Sciences
- President’s List: 3 consecutive semesters
CERTIFICATIONS & SKILLS
Certifications:
- BLS/CPR for Healthcare Providers (American Heart Association, exp. 01/2024)
- Certified Nursing Assistant II (Oregon State Board of Nursing, since 2018)
- IV Therapy Certification (Completed 04/2022)
- Dementia Care Specialist (Alzheimer’s Association, 2019)
Skills:
- Clinical Skills: Vital signs, phlebotomy, wound care, catheter care, NG tube management
- Documentation: Epic EMR, Meditech, point-of-care charting
- Communication: Patient education, interdisciplinary collaboration, family liaising
- Languages: Conversational Spanish (medical terminology focus)
- Technical: Microsoft Office, telehealth platforms, medical equipment operation
Professional Memberships: Student Nurses Association (2020-Present), American Nurses Association – Student Member (2021-Present)
Senior / Experienced Nursing Student Resume Example
Emily Rodriguez, BSN-RN Student
Philadelphia, PA | (215) 555-7842 | e.rodriguez@email.com | linkedin.com/in/emilyrodriguez
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Dedicated healthcare professional with 8+ years of progressive experience transitioning from CNA to LPN while pursuing BSN. Known for strong clinical assessment skills and compassionate patient advocacy in high-acuity settings. Experienced in geriatric, med-surg, and emergency care with a track record of implementing patient-centered care plans that improved outcomes by 17% at current facility. Seeking to leverage extensive hands-on experience and leadership abilities in an RN role following graduation in May 2023.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Licensed Practical Nurse – Penn Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA
June 2018 – Present
- Provide direct patient care to 12-15 patients per shift on a high-acuity med-surg unit with 92% positive patient satisfaction ratings
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to implement and evaluate care plans for patients with complex medical needs
- Mentor 9 new nursing assistants and LPN students, developing a unit orientation program that reduced onboarding time from 4 weeks to 3 weeks
- Recognized for identifying early sepsis indicators in 4 patients, allowing for prompt intervention and preventing ICU transfers
- Serve as charge nurse for night shift twice weekly, managing unit workflow and resource allocation for 32-bed unit
Certified Nursing Assistant – Riverside Senior Living, Philadelphia, PA
March 2016 – June 2018
- Assisted 8-10 residents daily with ADLs, mobility, and comfort measures in long-term care facility
- Documented vital signs, intake/output, and condition changes, communicating concerns to nursing staff
- Implemented fall prevention strategies that reduced incidents by 31% on assigned wing
- Received “Caregiver of the Quarter” recognition twice for exceptional resident care and family communication
Home Health Aide – BrightStar Care, Camden, NJ
January 2015 – March 2016
- Provided in-home care for 4-5 clients with varying needs including post-surgical recovery, chronic illness management, and end-of-life care
- Coordinated with family members and supervising RN to ensure continuity of care
- Maintained detailed documentation of client status, medication compliance, and nutrition
- Developed personalized engagement activities for clients with dementia that improved mood and reduced sundowning behaviors
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) – Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
Expected Graduation: May 2023
GPA: 3.76/4.0 | Dean’s List: 5 semesters
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Certificate – Community College of Philadelphia
Completed: May 2018
GPA: 3.82/4.0
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) – Red Cross Training Program, Philadelphia, PA
Completed: December 2014
LICENSURE & CERTIFICATIONS
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) – Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing (#LP123456) – Exp. 2024
- Basic Life Support (BLS) – American Heart Association – Exp. 09/2023
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) – American Heart Association – Exp. 11/2023
- IV Therapy Certification – Completed 2019
- Dementia Care Certified – Alzheimer’s Association – Completed 2017
SKILLS
- Clinical assessment & vital signs monitoring
- Medication administration & documentation
- Wound care & dressing changes
- IV therapy & phlebotomy
- Electronic Medical Records (Epic, Meditech)
- Patient & family education
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Crisis intervention & de-escalation
- Spanish (conversational)
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
- Student Nurses’ Association (SNA) – Temple University Chapter, 2021-Present
- National Association of Licensed Practical Nurses (NALPN), 2018-Present
How to Write a Nursing Student Resume
Introduction
Landing that perfect nursing student position isn't just about your clinical skills—it's about marketing yourself effectively on paper first. Your resume is often your first chance to show nursing managers that you've got what it takes, even without years of experience. I've reviewed thousands of nursing student resumes over my career, and the difference between those that get interviews and those that don't isn't always about who has more experience—it's about presentation, relevance, and showing potential.
Resume Structure and Format
Keep your nursing student resume clean and scannable—most hiring managers decide whether to continue reading in about 6 seconds!
- Stick to 1 page if you're just starting out (trust me, it's plenty)
- Use consistent headings (14-16pt) and body text (10-12pt)
- Choose professional fonts like Calibri, Arial, or Garamond
- Include clear section breaks with white space to improve readability
- Save as both .docx and PDF formats (some hospital systems require one or the other)
Profile/Summary Section
Your summary should be 3-4 lines that quickly highlight your clinical focus, relevant skills, and career direction. This isn't where you tell your life story!
Skip the objective statement about what you want. Instead, write a summary that shows what you can offer the healthcare facility. Frame yourself as a solution to their staffing needs.
Example: "Nursing student with 215+ clinical hours in pediatric and medical-surgical settings. Proven patient care skills with experience in vital signs monitoring, patient education, and EHR documentation. Known for compassionate bedside manner and strong time management skills."
Clinical Experience
This section is gold for nursing students! Even if you're early in your program, highlight your clinical rotations:
- List each clinical rotation with facility name, unit, dates, and hours completed
- Include specific patient populations you've worked with
- Mention key nursing skills practiced (taking vitals, administering meds, wound care)
- Quantify when possible ("Assisted with care for 5-7 patients per shift")
- Include any simulation lab experience if clinical hours are limited
Education and Certifications
For nursing students, education often comes before experience on your resume. Include:
- Your nursing program, expected graduation date, and current GPA (if above 3.3)
- Relevant coursework that aligns with the position you're applying for
- Certifications like BLS, ACLS, PALS, or CNA credentials
- Academic honors or scholarships (Dean's List, etc.)
- Student nursing association memberships
Keywords and ATS Tips
Many hospitals use Applicant Tracking Systems to screen resumes before a human ever sees them. To get past these digital gatekeepers:
- Mirror language from the job posting (if they say "patient care" don't just say "caregiving")
- Include nursing-specific terms like "patient assessment," "medication administration," and "care planning"
- Mention specific skills with equipment (IV pumps, glucometers, vital sign machines)
- Name EHR systems you've used (Epic, Cerner, Meditech)
- Avoid images, headers/footers, and tables that can confuse ATS software
Industry-specific Terminology
Nursing has its own language. Show you speak it by naturally incorporating terms like:
- ADLs (Activities of Daily Living)
- MAR (Medication Administration Record)
- Head-to-toe assessment
- SBAR communication
- Care plan development
- Patient education
Common Mistakes to Avoid
I've seen plenty of nursing students tank their chances with these errors:
- Using generic descriptions instead of specific nursing skills
- Forgetting to mention soft skills like communication and teamwork
- Including irrelevant work history without connecting it to nursing
- Omitting volunteer work in healthcare settings
- Using nursing jargon incorrectly (big red flag to nurse managers!)
Resume Transformation Example
Before: "Helped nurses with patients and learned a lot during my clinical rotation."
After: "Assisted RNs with patient care for 6-8 geriatric patients per shift, including taking vital signs, documenting intake/output, and performing basic wound dressing changes under supervision."
Remember—your resume isn't just about listing what you've done. It's about showing where you're headed in your nursing career. Even with limited experience, you can create a resume that demonstrates your potential, clinical competence, and passion for patient care.
Related Resume Examples
Soft skills for your Nursing Student resume
- Empathetic patient communication, especially with stressed family members during critical care situations
- Conflict resolution between healthcare team members during shift changes
- Clinical workflow prioritization – managing competing demands from multiple patients
- Cross-functional collaboration with doctors, techs, and social workers
- Stress management during 12-hour shifts (developed personal decompression techniques)
- Cultural sensitivity when working with diverse patient populations
Hard skills for your Nursing Student resume
- IV Catheter Insertion & Maintenance
- Electronic Medical Records (Epic, Cerner)
- 12-Lead ECG Interpretation
- Medication Administration (PO, IM, SubQ, IV)
- Basic Life Support (BLS) & ACLS Certification
- Wound Care & Dressing Changes
- Phlebotomy & Specimen Collection
- Medical Dosage Calculations
- Urinary Catheter Insertion