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Travel Nurse Resume Example & Writing Guide

A strong resume is vital for travel nurses to land the best assignments in a competitive field. Your resume must highlight your unique skills and experience to grab the attention of staffing agencies and hospitals. This guide breaks down the key elements of an effective travel nurse resume, with a sample resume to demonstrate proper formatting and content.

A travel nurse works short-term assignments at different healthcare facilities, wherever extra staffing is needed. Since they frequently change jobs, having a strong resume is essential for travel nurses to continuously find new assignments.

This guide provides a detailed travel nurse resume example, along with expert tips for showcasing your skills and experience. You'll learn what to include, how to highlight your strengths, and how to format your resume for maximum impact.

By following the advice in this article, you can create a travel nurse resume that gets noticed by recruiters and helps you land exciting assignments in your desired locations. Even if resume writing isn't your strong suit, you'll have the tools to develop a professional document that opens doors to new opportunities in your travel nursing career.

Common Responsibilities Listed on Travel Nurse Resumes

  • Providing comprehensive nursing care to patients in various healthcare settings
  • Assessing and monitoring patients' conditions, and administering medications and treatments as prescribed
  • Documenting patients' medical histories, vital signs, and progress in medical records
  • Collaborating with physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to develop and implement patient care plans
  • Educating patients and their families on various health-related topics, such as disease management, medication usage, and post-discharge care
  • Responding to emergency situations and providing appropriate interventions
  • Maintaining a safe and sterile environment for patients
  • Ensuring compliance with hospital policies, procedures, and regulations
  • Assisting with admissions, transfers, and discharges of patients
  • Maintaining accurate and up-to-date patient records and charts
  • Participating in continuing education and professional development activities
  • Demonstrating cultural competence and providing culturally sensitive care
  • Collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to coordinate patient care
  • Maintaining strict adherence to patient confidentiality and privacy regulations

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How to write a Resume Summary

While approaching the course of authoring an optimal summary or objective section for your travel nurse resume, grasp that this section is an abstract of who you are as a professional, what you've achieved, and what you aspire to contribute in the future. Neatly tucked at the apex of your resume, this section holds the power to shape the perception of potential employers towards your CV.

Think of it as a condensed, digestible review of your broader professional narrative that can enhance the reader's reception of your profile. It is not a space to merely list skills or accolades, but to integrate them meaningfully into your story.

Key components

First, establish your profile identity strongly. Identify yourself as a Travel Nurse to provide instant clarity about the nature of your focus and line of work.

Next, summarize your experience and achievements. Concentrate on measurable outcomes and significant milestones in your career. This could include the number of years you've been in the job, specializations you possess, key nursing skills you've utilized, or specific problems you've solved for hospitals or patients.

Moving forward, outline your goal. This need not be a specific position or role, but could be about the type of work environment or culture you're pursuing, your passion for a particular domain within travel nursing, or your pursuit of opportunities for development and learning.

Writing tips

Keep it concise. The summary/objective is subject to brevity, so use every word judiciously. Be economical with language; every sentence should contribute positively to the overall impression.

Focus on the employer's needs. Identify the key qualities and skills that potential hospitals or healthcare institutions are seeking and mirror these insights in your summary/objective.

Maintain authenticity. While it's necessary to demonstrate relevancy and aptitude, ensure you're also representing your individual traits and aspirations truthfully.

And finally, reread and revise. Continually refining your writing can reveal clarity, coherence, and strength not present in the first draft.

Remember, this is not an autonomous section of your resume but intrinsically connects to what follows in the document. Be clear, be concise, and most importantly, be authentically representative of your professional course and current intentions.

Strong Summaries

  • Award-winning Travel Nurse with extensive experience in critical care settings. Proven ability to manage high-stress situations with composure and efficiency. Seeking to leverage background and education to expand nursing experience with a reputable healthcare provider.
  • Committed Travel Nurse with over 5 years of experience in delivering high-quality care to patients in recovery and intensive care settings. Excels at coordinating with healthcare teams to develop complex patient care plans. Eager to bring medical expertise to a new organization.
  • Dynamic Travel Nurse with a strong record in delivering exceptional patient care in dynamic hospital environments. Known for compassion and efficiency in managing patient needs and providing top-notch care. Seeking to leverage skills in a growing healthcare organization.
  • Experienced Travel Nurse with ability to adapt quickly to new healthcare settings. Specialized in critical care with a focus on cardiac diseases. Eager to bring my flexibility and high-quality care to a diverse patient population.

Why these are strong?

These examples are considered good practices for professional summary sections for travel nurse resumes. They successfully highlight the relevant past experiences, area of specialization, demonstrable achievements and adaptability of the nurse which are considered crucial in the profession. Each example also firmly indicates the candidate's intention to contribute their skills to a new organization which poses an essential characteristic of a Travel Nurse. It's a good practice to have specific, manageable and informed professional summaries as it provides a clear snapshot of the candidate's profile to the hiring entity.

Weak Summaries

  • Motivated nurse with some experience.
  • Energetic individual with passion for travel.
  • Team player capable of adapting to different environments.
  • Nurse with qualifications.
  • I like traveling and helping people.

Why these are weak?

The summarized examples are far too vague and generic which would count as a bad practice when writing a professional summary. Employers are looking for specific skills and experience that make you stand out from the other applicants. Statements like 'Motivated nurse with some experience' doesn't give any insight into your expertise or how many years you've been in the field. Similarly, being energetic or a team player are traits that are mostly expected in the nursing industry. 'Nurse with qualifications' is overly broad and doesn't specify what qualifications you have. Finally, 'I like traveling and helping people' is a generic interest and doesn't quantify your experience in travel nursing. It's important to include specific details like the number of years of experience, the type of settings you've worked in, any certifications you have, and so on, in order to make your summary more compelling and informative.

Showcase your Work Experience

The Significance of the Work Experience Section

The work experience section on a resume holds immense importance. It provides an invaluable look into your past roles, the skills you've garnered, and what you've accomplished throughout your nursing career. Essentially, it serves as your professional highlight reel in a world where words paint pictures of who you are and what you can bring to a potential employer.

In this digital age, there's a high chance your resume will initially be viewed by an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) before it ever reaches human eyes. As a Travel Nurse, your work experience section needs to contain the right blend of keywords specific to your industry to pass this robust software screening.

Having a well-rounded work experience section also can make a difference in how recruiters gauge your suitability for a position. For a Travel Nurse like yourself, showcasing your adaptive skills, a diverse background in different health settings, and the capability of performing effectively in evolving situations would be highly appreciated.

Expert Tip

Quantify your achievements and impact using concrete numbers, metrics, and percentages to demonstrate the value you brought to your previous roles.

Keys to a Well-Written Work Experience Section

When drafting your work experience section, think concisely. Include the positions you've held in reverse chronological order, highlighting your responsibilities and achievements for each role.

Start off each position with the title, the institution's name and location, and your tenure. Then, detail your duties and accomplishments in bullet-point format to enhance readability.

Strive for balance when describing your responsibilities and achievements. While it's important to showcase your practical skills and daily duties, don't overlook your achievements. Perhaps you've followed protocols to a T to control an outbreak, or maybe your quick decision-making has saved lives. These are accomplishments that demonstrate your skills in action—an aspect recruiters find highly appealing.

In the healthcare industry, particularly the nursing domain, there is a certain set of “hard skills” and “soft skills” that potential employers find indispensable. Hard skills are quantifiable and directly related to your job. For Travel Nurses, these would include clinical skills, emergency response, and patient care. Soft skills are personality-based and cover aspects like communication, teamwork, and adaptability, which are tantamount to thriving in new working environments.

Try to weave relevant hard and soft skill keywords naturally into your experience description. Doing so not only highlights your qualifications for the job at hand but also increases the chances of your resume making it past an ATS.

Remember, the aim isn't to exhaustively list every duty you held or project you worked on. Rather, selectively highlight your most relevant experiences and achievements that will mirror the major requirements listed in the job description.

Though the task of curating your work experience section may seem daunting, remember that the effort you put into this important piece could be the factor that sets you apart. Document your journey thoughtfully, frame your story effectively, and let your lived experiences speak for your expertise, authority, and trustworthiness in the field. If done right, your work experience section can leave an enduring positive impression on its reader, swaying the balance in your favor.

Strong Experiences

  • - Administered patient care in fast-paced ER with efficiency and composure, working with a variety of injuries and illnesses.
  • - Collaborated with interdisciplinary healthcare teams to plan, implement, or evaluate patient care plans.
  • - Provided nursing assistance in over 1000 surgical procedures.
  • - Implemented comprehensive nursing care plans that addressed physical and psychosocial patient needs.
  • - Trained 10+ new staff to ensure they meet globally accepted nursing best practices.
  • - Expedited adoption of new post-surgical recovery procedures which led to a 20% increase in patient satisfaction rate.

Why these are strong?

These examples are good because they highlight the candidate's practical experience, teamwork, adaptability in different situations, and an understanding of patient needs. They show specific evidence of the applicant's skills and impact, such as nursing assistance in surgical procedures, training new staff, and proactive introduction of new procedures. Quantifying the experience where possible helps to provide context and show the extent of the candidate's achievements. These points also show progression and a proactive approach, which is appealing to employers.

Weak Experiences

  • Participated in healthcare
  • Team member
  • Provided support
  • Did tasks as directed
  • Worked with patients

Why these are weak?

The examples provided are all bad practices because they are either too vague or generic. Without specific details, these points do not give any valuable information about the applicant's skills, experiences or accomplishments. They do not effectively convey the scope of the applicant's responsibilities and competencies. The phrases like 'participated in healthcare' and 'worked with patients' are too broad and do not provide the specifics on what kind of healthcare or patients. 'Team member' and 'provided support' do not clarify the specific role or contributions. Saying 'Did tasks as directed' makes it sound like the candidate was passive and just following orders, instead of actively contributing and taking initiative. These kind of phrases do not differentiate the candidate from other applicants and thereby fail to add any value to the resume.

Skills, Keywords & ATS Tips

Being a travel nurse requires a unique mix of hard and soft skills. While hard skills can help you perform essential tasks, soft skills can make a huge difference when it comes to patient care and teamwork. Both are crucial, so balancing them on a resume is key. Smart use of keywords that align with your skills can help you bypass the ATS, a software designed to filter resumes, so you can get the interview you deserve.

The Role of Hard Skills

Hard skills are practical, teachable abilities or knowledge areas that are job-specific. As a travel nurse, that would include anything from using medical equipment to administering medication. Hard skills form the basis of your capabilities as a medical professional, so they carry a lot of weight on your resume. Place them in an easy-to-find spot and ensure they align with the requirements listed in the job post.

The Importance of Soft Skills

Soft skills, on the other hand, aren't about your professional training. Wisdom, empathy, patience – these are all soft skills that matter greatly in your line of work. A travel nurse needs to adapt to new environments quickly, be a team player, and have powerful communication skills. Unlike hard skills, these aren’t easy to measure and require self-awareness. Showcasing these on your resume can underline your ability to fit into a team and cope with the challenges that travel nursing presents.

ATS, Keywords, and Matching Skills

An important part of this process is understanding how Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) work. To sort through numerous resumes, employers often use ATS, which screens resumes based on predefined criteria, such as keywords related to the job description. The more you match these, the higher the chance your resume gets noticed. So, using the right keywords that echo your hard and soft skills is very important. Look at the job description to understand what keywords are relevant, and include them where they naturally fit in your resume's skills section.

Making your hard and soft skills shine on your resume is fundamental in landing your next job as a travel nurse, and understanding the role of keywords and ATS can make the path to your desired job much smoother. Balanced and thoughtful content in the skills section can demonstrate your capabilities and potentials while navigating through the digital selection process effectively.

Top Hard & Soft Skills for Full Stack Developers

Hard Skills

  • Patient assessment
  • Medication administration
  • Wound care
  • IV therapy
  • Ventilator management
  • EKG interpretation
  • Phlebotomy
  • Catheterization
  • Tracheostomy care
  • Emergency response
  • Pain management
  • Telemetry monitoring
  • Infection control procedures
  • Medication reconciliation
  • Surgical preparation
  • Soft Skills

  • Adaptability
  • Empathy
  • Communication
  • Critical thinking
  • Time management
  • Stress management
  • Cultural competence
  • Teamwork
  • Problem-solving
  • Compassion
  • Flexibility
  • Patience
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Resilience
  • Professionalism
  • Top Action Verbs

    Use action verbs to highlight achievements and responsibilities on your resume.

  • Assessed
  • Administered
  • Managed
  • Interpreted
  • Performed
  • Monitored
  • Educated
  • Collaborated
  • Documented
  • Responded
  • Assisted
  • Implemented
  • Evaluated
  • Communicated
  • Coordinated
  • Prioritized
  • Advocated
  • Supported
  • Facilitated
  • Assured
  • Promoted
  • Maintained
  • Responded
  • Educated
  • Assisted
  • Prepared
  • Evaluated
  • Managed
  • Administered
  • Monitored
  • Documented
  • Collaborated
  • Educated
  • Assessed
  • Interpreted
  • Performed
  • Education

    As a Travel Nurse, adding education and certificates on your resume firmly bolster your professional credibility. Start by creating an "Education" section within your resume. List your educational qualifications chronologically, with the most recent one at the top. Each entry should include your degree or certificate name, institution, location, and graduation year(if applicable). Create another section labeled "Certifications," where you'll list your nursing licenses, certifications, and the states you're registered to practice. Include both the full name of each accreditation and the abbreviation, plus the year you obtained them. This way, potential employers can quickly grasp your background and expertise.

    Resume FAQs for Travel Nurses

    question

    What is the ideal format for a travel nurse resume?


    Answer

    The ideal format for a travel nurse resume is a reverse-chronological format, which lists your most recent experience first. This format highlights your relevant nursing experience and makes it easy for employers to quickly assess your qualifications.

    question

    How long should a travel nurse resume be?


    Answer

    A travel nurse resume should typically be one page in length. However, if you have extensive experience or certifications, it can be up to two pages. The key is to be concise and highlight only the most relevant information for the position you're applying for.

    question

    How can I make my travel nurse resume stand out?


    Answer

    To make your travel nurse resume stand out, focus on quantifying your achievements and using keywords from the job description. Highlight your adaptability, flexibility, and ability to work in diverse healthcare settings. Additionally, emphasize any specialized skills or certifications relevant to the position.

    question

    Should I include travel assignments on my travel nurse resume?


    Answer

    Yes, it's essential to include your travel assignments on your travel nurse resume. Employers want to see your experience working in different healthcare facilities and locations. Provide details about the facilities, locations, and dates of your travel assignments, as well as your specific responsibilities and accomplishments.

    Travel Nurse Resume Example

    Travel Nurses are RNs who take short-term assignments across various locations, filling staffing gaps at hospitals and clinics. Their roles are temporary, lasting weeks to months. For the resume, emphasize nursing specialties, licenses, versatility in different facilities, and ability to quickly adapt. Highlight your stamina for temporary roles and your flexibility to take assignments nationwide.

    Bella Frazier
    bella.frazier@example.com
    (977) 355-2752
    linkedin.com/in/bella.frazier
    Travel Nurse

    Dedicated and compassionate Travel Nurse with over 8 years of diverse experience in providing exceptional patient care across various healthcare settings. Adept at quickly adapting to new environments and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-quality, patient-centered care. Proven ability to remain calm under pressure, prioritize tasks effectively, and maintain a positive attitude in challenging situations.

    Work Experience
    Travel Nurse
    01/2021 - Present
    FlexCare Medical Staffing
    • Provided skilled nursing care in diverse specialties, including ICU, ER, Med-Surg, and Telemetry units in hospitals nationwide.
    • Quickly adapted to new healthcare environments, policies, and procedures to ensure seamless patient care delivery.
    • Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop and implement individualized patient care plans.
    • Maintained accurate and timely documentation of patient assessments, interventions, and outcomes in electronic health records.
    • Received consistent praise from patients, families, and colleagues for providing compassionate and attentive care.
    Registered Nurse
    06/2018 - 12/2020
    Swedish Medical Center
    • Provided comprehensive nursing care to patients in a fast-paced, 24-bed Medical-Surgical unit.
    • Collaborated with physicians and interdisciplinary team members to develop and implement evidence-based patient care plans.
    • Served as a preceptor and mentor to new graduate nurses, fostering their professional growth and development.
    • Participated in quality improvement initiatives to enhance patient safety and outcomes.
    • Consistently maintained a patient satisfaction score above 95%.
    Registered Nurse
    01/2016 - 05/2018
    Denver Health Medical Center
    • Delivered high-quality nursing care to a diverse patient population in a busy Emergency Department.
    • Triaged patients, assessed their condition, and prioritized care based on acuity.
    • Collaborated with emergency physicians and specialists to provide rapid, life-saving interventions.
    • Educated patients and families on post-discharge care, medication management, and follow-up instructions.
    • Recognized as "Employee of the Month" for exceptional performance and dedication to patient care.
    Skills
  • Patient assessment
  • Medication administration
  • Wound care
  • IV therapy
  • Telemetry monitoring
  • Critical care
  • Emergency nursing
  • Electronic health records (Epic, Cerner)
  • Patient education
  • Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams
  • Time management
  • Problem-solving
  • Effective communication
  • Adaptability
  • Compassionate care
  • Education
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
    08/2012 - 12/2015
    University of Colorado Denver, Denver, CO