When Was the Last Time You Updated Your Nurse Resume?

Nursing careers don’t stay still — and neither should your resume.

Whether you're actively applying or simply keeping your career options open, staying on top of your nursing resume helps you track your growth, highlight your evolving skillset, and position yourself for leadership roles or specialty shifts.

This is your reminder: Never stop leveling up.

Start With Your Last Quarter

Ask yourself: What have I accomplished in the last 90 days?

Look back at both professional and personal growth. Think about:

• Certifications or CEUs you completed

• Projects you managed

• Committees or workgroups you joined

• Cross-training or new specialties you explored

• Speaking engagements or presentations

• Awards, recognitions, or shout-outs

  
  

Pro tip: Check your LinkedIn posts, emails, work calendar, even your phone photos. You may have documented milestones without even realizing it. Clock it. Capture it.

Highlight Partnerships & Collaborations

Nursing doesn’t happen in a silo. Your resume should reflect the teams you’ve worked with and the multidisciplinary relationships you've built. These partnerships show leadership, communication skills, and your ability to collaborate across departments.

• Clinical teams

• Behavioral health integration

• Care coordination with case managers or social workers

• Community health initiatives

• School-based health partnerships

• QI or policy workgroups

  
  

Document Projects You Led or Supported

Leadership isn’t always about your job title — it’s about impact.Make sure your resume reflects:

• Quality improvement initiatives

• New workflows or protocols you helped design

• EMR transitions you supported

• Policy development or staff training

• Nurse mentorship or precepting roles

  
  

Every project you’ve touched is a reflection of your ability to drive change and lead.

Review & Refresh Your Resume Headings

Are your current resume headers still working for you? As your career evolves, so should your resume sections. Consider adding or updating:

• Clinical Leadership

• Project Management

• Care Coordination & Collaboration

• Policy Development

• Quality & Safety Initiatives

• Community Health Partnerships

• Behavioral Health Integration

  
  

Pro tip: Don’t be afraid to customize your headers based on the job you're targeting.

Translate Your Job Titles for New Opportunities

Your job title at your current organization may not always match industry norms. When applying for roles outside of your current system (or outside of traditional bedside), make sure your titles are easily understood by recruiters, HR, and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

For example:

• “Nurse Manager, School-Based Health Services” → “Outpatient Nurse Manager, Pediatric Community Health”

• “Health Center Advisor” → “Healthcare Program Manager, Federal Grants & Partnerships”

  
  

Translation = Visibility.

Keep It Moving And Keep It Current

Even if you're not actively job hunting today, your resume is a living document.Update it quarterly. Build a "brag file" to track wins.Stay ready — so when opportunity knocks, you're not scrambling.

Just My Nursing Perspective

Your career grows faster when your resume keeps up. Nurse leadership happens long before your title catches up. Small wins add up. Don’t downplay them.

“You’re not starting from scratch—you’re building from experience.”

Nurse Meg | NursePathwaysPro