STEP 1List your contact details
Your contact details should be clear and easy to find at the top of your CV. Include your full name, contact number, email address, and location.
Example of a contact section:
Toby Williams
07912 345 678
toby.williams@example.co.uk
Edinburgh
STEP 2Write your personal statement
Directly beneath your contact information, include a brief paragraph that highlights why you’re the ideal candidate for a nursing role. This section, known as your personal statement, should be around three to four sentences. Use this opportunity to emphasise your nursing experience, areas of expertise, key achievements, and relevant skills. Below are examples of how to craft a compelling personal statement tailored for nursing jobs.
Personal statement for a registered nurse:
A compassionate and dedicated registered nurse with over 5 years of experience delivering high-quality patient care in fast-paced hospital settings. Adept at managing patient assessments, administering treatments, and providing support to both patients and families. Committed to improving patient outcomes and consistently contributing to a collaborative healthcare environment.
OR
Personal statement for a nursing assistant:
A proactive and caring nursing assistant with 3 years of experience assisting healthcare teams in providing exceptional patient care. Skilled in monitoring vital signs, assisting with patient mobility, and maintaining a clean environment. Passionate about supporting patients and contributing to the overall well-being of the healthcare facility
STEP 3List your work experience
The work experience section of your CV is crucial as it provides recruiters with a clear understanding of your professional background and showcases your relevant skills and achievements. It’s where you can demonstrate how your previous roles have prepared you for the position you’re applying for.
By including measurable results, such as improving patient care standards, streamlining processes, or achieving specific healthcare goals, you demonstrate your ability to make a tangible impact. This section also allows you to highlight the skills you’ve gained in real-world settings, such as teamwork, problem-solving, and time management, which are all essential for roles in healthcare.
For each role, make sure to include:
- Job title
- Company name
- Location
- Dates employed
- Key responsibilities
Work experience example for a nursing assistant:
Nursing Assistant
City General Hospital, London
05/2021 – Present
- Assisted in the care of up to 20 patients per shift, ensuring their needs were met efficiently and empathetically.
- Played a key role in improving patient satisfaction, contributing to a 15% increase in positive feedback scores.
- Worked alongside a team of 15 healthcare professionals, supporting doctors and nurses in daily patient care routines.
- Administered medications and monitored patient responses, contributing to enhanced patient outcomes.
Healthcare Assistant
West End Clinic, London
06/2019 – 05/2021
- Provided vital support in daily patient care, including monitoring vital signs and assisting with physical therapy.
- Implemented new patient intake procedures, reducing waiting times by 20%.
- Ensured compliance with health and safety protocols, contributing to a 100% safety record during employment.
- Coordinated patient appointments and assisted with follow-up care, improving overall patient flow.
STEP 4Showcase your skills
When writing your nursing CV, it’s essential to highlight your clinical and technical skills, such as experience with medical equipment, patient care techniques, and any specific nursing certifications you may hold.
In addition to your technical abilities, soft skills are crucial in the healthcare sector. Be sure to highlight your effective communication skills, ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team, and your problem-solving capabilities. Nursing is highly collaborative, and recruiters value candidates who can engage with patients, families, and colleagues in an efficient manner.
Tip: Customising your skills to match the specific job description can help you pass applicant tracking systems (ATS), which scan for relevant keywords.
Example of skills to include on your nursing CV:
Hard skills:
- Extensive knowledge of patient care protocols, clinical procedures, and nursing techniques.
- Proficiency with medical software and patient record systems (e.g., EPIC, Meditech).
- Expertise in administering medications, wound care, and patient assessments.
- Strong understanding of infection control practices and medical safety protocols.
- Ability to interpret patient data and adjust care plans accordingly.
- Experience with patient scheduling, coordination, and managing healthcare inventories.
Soft skills:
- Strong communication skills with patients, families, and healthcare teams.
- Exceptional problem-solving abilities for managing patient care challenges.
- Active listening to understand patient concerns and deliver empathetic care.
- Empathy and emotional intelligence in high-pressure situations.
- Adaptability to dynamic healthcare environments and shifting patient needs.
- Collaborative teamwork skills to work effectively with nursing and medical staff.
- Resilience and the ability to maintain focus in demanding clinical settings.
- Excellent customer service skills, ensuring patient satisfaction and trust.
STEP 5Showcase your education and qualifications
Your CV won’t be complete without a well-structured education section, especially in the nursing field, where your qualifications and training are crucial in demonstrating your ability to provide high-quality care. Start by listing your most recent nursing qualifications, including your degree title, the institution where you studied, and the dates you attended. For those who are early in their nursing careers, emphasise relevant coursework, clinical placements, and any specific areas of care that you studied in depth, such as paediatrics, geriatrics, or critical care, to show your foundational knowledge.
Additionally, nursing-specific certifications, such as the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) registration, Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), or any additional training in specialised fields like wound care, paediatric care, or mental health nursing, should be included. These certifications reflect your ongoing commitment to professional development and your expertise in the field.
Here’s what to include in your education section:
- Degree or qualification
- Institution name
- Dates attended (month and year)
- Key achievements or relevant courses (if applicable)
Example of a CV education section:
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
University of London, London, 2016 – 2019
- Key courses: Advanced Patient Care, Nursing Ethics, Health Assessment
- Clinical placements in paediatrics, emergency care, and community health.
Registered Nurse (RN) Certification
Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), 2019 – Present
- Full registration as a Nurse with NMC.