Nursing CV Examples & Templates

Follow this guide to create a professional nursing CV

• Choose a CV template and use a professional font throughout the document. 
• Start with a CV header for your contact information and professional links. 
• Create a personal statement to introduce yourself to the employer.
• Build a list of 6 to 12 skills, focusing on hard skills
• Write a thorough work experience to showcase your quantifiable accomplishments and soft skills.
• List your education and include as much information as possible. 
• Include any additional, optional sections to highlight you’re a well-rounded candidate with different skills to offer. 

Employers want nurses who are highly skilled, knowledgeable and compassionate. They generally look for the following qualifications and certifications in nurses:

• Education: Employers typically require a minimum of an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN). Some employers prefer or require a BSN, especially for leadership or advanced practice roles.
• Licensure: All nurses must be licensed in the state where they practice. This typically requires passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).
• Clinical experience: Employers may prefer or require candidates to have a certain amount of clinical experience, especially for specialized roles like critical care or pediatrics.
• Certifications: Nurses can obtain certifications in specialized areas of practice, such as critical care, pediatrics or oncology. Employers may prefer or require nurses to have certifications for certain roles.
• Soft skills: Employers also value soft skills such as communication, teamwork and critical thinking. These skills are important for providing excellent patient care and working collaboratively with other healthcare professionals.

Having the right education, licensure, certifications, and soft skills can help nurses stand out to employers and advance in their careers.

The salary potential for a nursing professional varies depending on several factors, including education, experience, certifications and location. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for registered nurses (RNs) was $81,220 in May of 2022.

The highest-paying industries for RNs include government, hospitals and outpatient care centers. RNs with advanced degrees or certifications in specialized areas, such as critical care, emergency or pediatrics, may earn higher salaries.

Nurse practitioners (NPs), who are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), typically earn higher salaries than RNs. According to the BLS, the median annual wage for NPs was $125,900 in May of 2022.

Overall, nursing is a rewarding and in-demand career with opportunities for advancement and specialization. Salaries for nursing professionals can vary widely depending on location and other factors, but the potential for a good salary and career growth is high.

The career outlook for nursing professionals is generally positive. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of registered nurses (RNs) is projected to grow 6% from 2022 to 2032, which is faster than the average for all occupations.

There are several factors contributing to the demand for nurses. The aging population is increasing the demand for healthcare services, including preventative care and long-term care. Additionally, advances in technology and healthcare delivery are creating new opportunities for nurses to work in non-traditional settings, such as telemedicine and home health.

Furthermore, there is a growing need for nurse educators, researchers and leaders to advance the nursing profession and improve patient outcomes. Overall, nursing is a rewarding and in-demand career with opportunities for advancement and specialization.

The ideal CV format for a nursing professional should be clear, concise, and easy to read. CVs have an open format. Unlike the resume formats — functional, combination and chronological — which follow a particular order according to your years of experience, you can choose the CV order according to your strongest qualifications, industry or job requirements. 

Use one of our professional CV templates, and pay close attention to your grammar and keywords to create the perfect CV. Here are a few quick tips to keep in mind: 

• Use a professional font, such as Arial or Times New Roman, and keep the font size between 10 and 12 points.
• Use headings and bullet points to organize your information and make it easy to scan.
• Include a header at the top of each page with your name and contact information.
• Use reverse-chronological order for your work experience, starting with your most recent job.
• Use action verbs to describe your duties and achievements in each job.
• Emphasize your qualifications and skills that are relevant to the nursing job you are applying for.
• Keep your CV to two pages or less unless you have extensive experience.

Overall, your CV should be tailored to the nursing job you are applying for and showcase your qualifications, skills and experience in a way that demonstrates your ability to provide excellent patient care and work collaboratively with other healthcare professionals.

A CV is a comprehensive document that showcases your entire career, from your academics to your work experience, certifications, skills and more. Unlike a resume, there is no set format. Candidates can adjust it according to their strengths. Also, a CV can be up to 10 pages long, a vast difference from the one-page and two-page resume formats. 

In the U.S., a nursing CV is often used for nursing roles in specialized care, academics, or advanced practice roles. However, it will depend on the employer’s requirements. Follow the application instructions to determine if you should use a CV vs. Resume.