We’ve all been there- excited to apply for a new nursing role, only to open our CV and feel a wave of dread. It’s outdated, cluttered, and simply not doing justice to your skills and experience!
Instead of sighing while tacking on your latest job and calling it a day, take the time to optimise your nursing CV. A well-structured, engaging CV will help you stand out to recruiters and land your dream nursing job.
How Long Should a Nursing CV Be?
The golden rule? Less is more! A nursing CV should be no longer than three pages. Keeping it concise ensures key information is easy to find and prevents important details from getting lost in the dreaded waffle. Speaking of pro tips, remember to keep formatting clean – Use clear headings, bullet points, and professional fonts for easy readability.
1. Personal Details
The first page of your CV is your introduction – think of it as your first impression. Make it count! Imagine you’ve walked up to a perfect stranger, and they know nothing about you, what are you mentioning?
- Full Name – Ensure your name is clear and professional. If you use a nickname, you can pop it alongside your legal name.
- Professional Title – Whether you’re a Registered Nurse (RGN), Healthcare Assistant (HCA), or Emergency Nurse, make sure your role is prominent.
- Contact Information – Include your phone number, email address, and optionally, your location (especially useful for agency nursing roles).
- LinkedIn Profile – If you have a well-maintained LinkedIn profile, consider adding the link.
2. Professional Summary
Your professional summary is your chance to sell yourself in 2–4 sentences.
- Highlight your years of experience and areas of expertise.
- Mention key skills and personal qualities that make you a fantastic nurse.
- Outline your career aspirations—where do you see yourself progressing?
Example:
“Compassionate and dedicated Registered Nurse with 5+ years of experience in acute care settings. Skilled in patient advocacy, medication administration, and emergency response. Passionate about delivering high-quality healthcare and looking to advance into leadership roles within the NHS.”
3. Work Experience
This is where you showcase your hands-on experience, demonstrating why you’re the perfect fit for the role.
- List roles in reverse chronological order (most recent first).
- Be concise—focus on key responsibilities and achievements.
- Use bullet points for clarity.
Format:
- Job Title | Employer | Dates of Employment
- Key Responsibilities & Achievements (2–3 bullet points per role)
Example:
Senior Staff Nurse | St. Thomas’ Hospital | 2020 – Present
- Provided holistic patient care in a fast-paced A&E unit, managing caseloads of 20+ patients per shift.
- Led a team of junior nurses, mentoring and supporting their professional development.
- Implemented a new triage system, reducing patient waiting times by 25%.
4. Education & Qualifications
List all relevant qualifications, registrations, and certifications in a clear format.
Example:
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSc) | King’s College London | 2018
- Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) Registration | Pin: 12345678
- Basic & Advanced Life Support (BLS, ALS) Certification | exp 2026
5. Additional Information
This section is optional but a great way to showcase any extra skills or experiences that make you stand out. Make sure to keep things relevant, focusing on information that makes you a desirable nursing candidate.
- Languages Spoken – Multilingual nurses are in high demand, making this essential to highlight.
- Ongoing Training & CPD – Highlight relevant courses, workshops, or certifications that enhance your nursing expertise.
- Volunteer Work & Professional Memberships – Mention any volunteering experience or memberships in professional bodies like the RCN (Royal College of Nursing).
A well-structured nursing CV can set you apart and boost your chances of securing an interview. If you’re looking for your next role, browse the latest nursing and social care job opportunities at NursLink today!
