Applying for a job takes a lot of work, whether you’re a recent graduate or someone with decades of nursing experience. You’re busy researching the place of employment where you’re applying, and you want to make sure your resume is perfect so you’ll stand out.

The University of Colorado College of Nursing at Anschutz Medical Campus wants our students and alumni to succeed in their nursing careers, so we put together a helpful list of things to check before you hit “submit” on a job application.

Tailor Your Resume to the Job You’re Applying For

Read the job description of the job you’re applying for. Do you have some of these skills or qualities? Make sure your resume matches these skills. You may want to add or delete certain skills or descriptions if they don’t match the type of position you want. If you’re adding skills to your resume, make sure you have these skills; don’t list something you haven’t done.  

For example, are you applying for a management role at a clinic? Have you had management experience before (whether formally or informally)? Is this listed on your resume? Are you applying for a job as a pediatric nurse? Make sure you list your experiences working with children.

💡CU Nursing tip: Include a cover letter with your resume. This will allow you to expand on your experience, why you’re the right fit for the position, and why you’re interested in the position. You can also go into more detail about your skills and achievements.

Be Specific About Your Current and Previous Responsibilities

Don’t be vague about what you’ve done at your previous and current jobs. Be specific, but concise, about the responsibilities you’ve had. Use action verbs and positive adjectives that highlight the excellent care you give to patients and show you’re dedicated to improving patient outcomes.  

💡CU Nursing tip: If you’re a new graduate looking for your first nursing job, you can list clinical experience along with any additional healthcare experience.

Keep It Simple!

Don’t use 10 different fonts, eight colors, and six font sizes on your resume. While you may think this will make your points and qualities stand out, it will make your resume too busy and difficult to read. And make sure things are in order.  Start with the most relevant information and use easy-to-read fonts. In addition to your name, phone number, and email address, you should include the following: work experience, volunteer experience, certifications, credentials, licenses, and education. Remember, the employer may check your social media presence, so make sure your accounts are professional.    

💡CU Nursing tip: Your resume should be one to two pages, depending on your experience and the type of job you’re applying for. Some industries, like academia, may require a resume that’s several pages long.

Is Your Resume Relevant?

Is your resume old and out-of-date? Keep your resume updated! Don’t wait every time you want a new position to update your resume. Refreshing and updating your resume regularly will make things easy when you apply for jobs (especially if you’re applying for more than one at a time).

Re-read Your Resume

Once you’ve finished writing (or updating) your resume, read it over again. Does it make sense? Did you check for typos or missing words? Make sure your phone number and email address are correct. Have someone else (a friend, family member, or mentor) look it over. They may find things you missed – or give you advice on what to add or delete.

💡CU Nursing tip: Use a professional email address on your resume. Don’t use something inappropriate or something unprofessional. Something like firstname.lastname@emailaddress is acceptable.

Use Your Resources!

CU Nursing has resources to help you in your job search. The Writing Center at CU Denver and CU Anschutz has resume and cover letter examples for nurses. You can also set up an appointment to meet with them. Reach out to your mentors, faculty, or other nurses for advice.

Additional sources:

• NurseJournal.org: Nurse Resume Writing Tips
• Nurse.org: Nursing Resume
• Indeed.com: Write a New Grad Nursing Resume