A travel nursing resume is a great first impression to secure your dream contract position.
Recruiters use information from your resume and application to submit you to job openings of your choice. If you have a great resume, this makes the process easier. Within your resume, showcase why you are a great fit for the role. You can include relevant employment details and keywords that will capture the attention of hiring managers and hiring software. Take your time, use the tips below, and create a stellar resume that helps you stand out.
What should you include on your travel nurse resume?
The snapshot view:
- Summary/Objective Statement
- Nursing License & Certifications
- Nursing Education
- Nurse Skills
- Work History
- Name of hospital
- Facility Type
- City and State
- Start Date and End Date
- Position Held – Staff, PRN, or Travel Nurse
- Agencies name (If they were a travel nurse) this can be omitted if they were staff or PRN and it was a direct hire.
- Number of beds in the hospital
- Number of beds on their unit
- Patient Ratio
The Break-Down:
State a short & concise objective.
Use this section to introduce yourself clearly and describe why you are the best candidate for this position. In a short statement, outline your experience, specialty, and clinical skillset. Hiring managers are busy and have many applicants, therefore make sure your objective statement entices them to keep reading your resume.
Share your education, licensing & credentials.
Ensure this section includes respective types, numbers, expiration dates, and organizations that awarded them to you.
Share Your Nursing Skillset.
Show that you are well-rounded. List the nursing skills that you have mastered such as the type of patients you have worked with, procedures you’ve performed, and equipment you’re familiar with. Do not forget your soft skills, such as how you interact with staff, patients, and their families.
List Your Work History.
Use the reverse chronological format to show your most recent experience first. Include quantifiable information, keywords found in the job description, and action verbs to describe nursing responsibilities at previous jobs. List all your accomplishments that apply to your travel nursing career, do not hold back.
Here are a couple of examples:
- Frequently supervised 5 Registered Nurses, 2 Certified Nursing Assistants while providing excellent patient care.
- Completed 3 13-week contract assignments, provided patient care in busy ICU at level-1 trauma facility.
| 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 |
Common resume mistakes to avoid
- Any information that doesn’t pertain to healthcare. For example, don’t include past employment or education that is not related to the job you are applying to. Otherwise, it will just take up extra space on your resume.
- A generic resume. Every travel nurse assignment is different, so tailor your resume to each job you apply to. Call out your specific skills or accomplishments that correlate with the job details.
- Employment gaps. If you have time lapses between nursing positions, explain them upfront. Leave no opportunity for doubt or confusion.
- Not including keywords. Hiring managers may rely on automated software to scan your resume to determine if you are qualified for the position. Review travel nurse job descriptions to find keywords, such as Indeed.com or LinkedIn.com.
- Grammar and spelling errors. Proof-read your resume to double-check for all errors. Ask a friend to review too. Use Grammarly.com as a supplement to your computer’s spell and grammar check.
- Not naming the resume. The final touch is to name the resume intentionally. Tell the hiring manager exactly what the document is. For example fullname_specialty_resume.pdf
Sample Travel Nurse Resume
Does writing or updating your travel nurse resume make you feel overwhelmed? Click here to download this travel nurse resume sample to get started.
Need Help Navigating Travel Nursing?
Vero Healthcare Recruiters enjoy helping travel nurses throughout the entire process of finding, starting, and completing your assignment. If you have questions about formatting your resume, we are here to help provide suggestions for what hiring managers are looking for. We’ve helped 100s of travelers achieve their career goals. Contact us today to get hired as a travel nurse in healthcare facilities throughout the USA, Guam, and Saipan.
