Trauma Nurse Resume Example
Starting a career as a trauma nurse gives you the chance to gain experience in assessing patient conditions and collaborating with EMTs. If you want to stand out with your trauma nurse applications, you'll need to create a professional resume that makes a strong impression on employers. In this article, we'll outline how to write a winning resume to boost your chances of success in your trauma nurse applications.
The aim of this article is to equip you with all the knowledge required to create a resume that positions you to succeed in your trauma nurse applications. The guide will show you practical examples of how to structure your resume to show off your best and most relevant skills and career achievements. It will also show you how to tailor your resume according to the job description and your unique skill set. Continue reading to find expert tips and advice from Jobseeker that will help you with your trauma nurse resume.
Main sections of a trauma nurse resume
Although the content of a trauma nurse resume may differ according to your experience and seniority, the main sections will remain the same.
A functional or skills-based resume format might be best for applications where you have little or no relevant trauma nurse experience. This layout prioritizes your skills and education sections above your work experience. Soft and transferable skills are often more highly valued by employers for junior roles, so highlight these. Also add any internships, volunteer work or training courses you've undertaken.
If you have some experience as a trauma nurse, use a traditional, reverse-chronological resume format and focus on showing how you've used the skills required for the job in your career to date. Your resume should focus on your career achievements, and the role you've played in successful projects and activities for your employers. Consult the job description for guidance on what to showcase, and provide evidence to support your claims.
For senior trauma nurse roles, you're likely to be competing against highly experienced candidates. Use a reverse-chronological resume format and focus on adding additional information that shows your credentials beyond your work experience. Expect your senior resume to be slightly longer than resumes for more junior roles. This is because you 'll want to add details of professional memberships, awards, publications, presentations and other achievements expected of senior professionals.
Your resume layout and structure may differ depending on your experience levels, but make sure your resume includes the following:
Resume Header and Personal Information
The resume header is the place to add your name and contact details, along with your LinkedIn URL if you have a profile, so employers can find more information about your career journey and skills. You don't typically need to add a photo, or any other personal information to this section. Create a clear, well-structured header that acts as the headline of your resume. Use color accents and blocks to help this section stand out and catch the eye of the reader.
Only include professional, name-based email addresses in your resume header. If you have an old email address that uses nicknames, puns, references to your personal interests or anything else that could appear unprofessional, set up a new email just for your job applications. Finally, always double-check your contact details are correct and up-to-date before sending your resume.
Lawrence Ross
lawrence.ross@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
1985 Hill Valley, CA
linkedin․com/in/lawrence–ross123
Resume Objective
The next section is the resume summary. The section might also be called 'resume objective' or 'personal profile'. This is a brief introduction to you, your key skills and your career achievements and ambitions. While a resume summary focuses on your career achievements and experience, a resume objective typically focuses on your ambitions for the future. Additionally, make sure your resume summary reflects the job description and focuses on qualities that are relevant to working as a trauma nurse.
Alternatively, you could use this section to reference your objectives and ambitions, and how this role would fit into your career journey.
A good resume summary is short and snappy, and focused on the skills and experience listed in the job description, with evidence to back it up. It will also help the reader to form their first impressions of you by providing an insight into your personality and unique qualities. See below for some great examples of how to approach your trauma nurse resume.
Good example:
Highly skilled Trauma Nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and extensive experience as a Trauma Nurse Specialist. Proficient in emergency care, trauma assessment, and critical patient management. Demonstrated ability to perform under pressure in fast-paced environments, providing exceptional patient care and support. Strong collaborative skills with interdisciplinary teams to ensure optimal patient outcomes. Dedicated to continuous professional development and excellence in trauma nursing practice
Bad example:
Nurse with a degree in nursing and experience in a specific area. Has skills in handling urgent situations and looking after patients who need special care. Can work well when things are busy and stressful, making sure patients get the help they need. Good at working with others in different roles to help patients. Interested in learning more and doing well in nursing
Alternatively, a poor resume summary would include bland, generic information that does little to prove your suitability for the role, while failing to provide any useful insights on you as a person or as a candidate. See above for some examples of things to avoid when writing your trauma nurse resume summary.
Work History
In your work experience section, list any previous relevant roles you've worked in, as well as your key achievements as a trauma nurse. For each entry, list the job title, the name of the employer, its location and the dates you worked there. Add each job in reverse-chronological order, starting with your current or most recent role.
Also include some bullet points for each job mentioned, showcasing your achievements so the employer can see the impact you made on the company. Pay attention to the job description and make sure each point is relevant to trauma nurse roles.
The best resume work experience sections focus only on the most relevant previous jobs, and link each bullet point back to a skill or experience listed in the job description. It's also critical to provide evidence that shows the value you added to each role in a quantifiable way, such as project outcomes, key performance indicators or feedback from customers, colleagues or managers. Review some strong examples of resume work experience sections in the graphic below.
Good example:
Trauma Nurse Specialist, January 2022 - Present
Healing Horizons Trauma Care, Lexington
- Successfully coordinated and managed critical care for over 500 trauma patients annually, reducing mortality rates by 15%
- Led a multidisciplinary team in developing and implementing a trauma response protocol, improving response times by 20%
- Trained and mentored over 100 nursing staff in advanced trauma life support, enhancing overall team competency and patient outcomes
Bad example:
Trauma Nurse Specialist, January 2022 - Present
Healing Horizons Trauma Care, Lexington
- Worked with patients and medical staff to provide care and improve outcomes in a fast-paced environment
- Assisted in developing protocols and procedures to enhance team efficiency and patient care
- Provided training and support to nursing staff to ensure high-quality care and professional development
Above, you can see a weaker example of a resume work experience section to best avoid. A poor resume work experience section would typically use vague descriptions of activities in previous jobs, while focusing too much on responsibilities rather than achievements. Failing to focus on the skills and experience that match the job description is likely to harm your chances of success.
Education and Qualifications
The education section provides space to list your highest and most recent academic achievements that are relevant to working as a trauma nurse.
To work as a trauma nurse, employers tend to require candidates to have a specialist degree, such as a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). If you have this degree, focus on it in your education section, while also mentioning any educational achievements that show your critical care proficiency or trauma airway management.
Enter the name and level of the qualification, the institution you studied at, its location and your dates of study or graduation. You can also add some bullet points outlining any high grades, awards you won or specialist subjects you studied. Adding this information will show the employer your dedication to learning and your areas of specialist knowledge.
Additionally, mentioning any leadership roles or any societies and clubs you participated in while studying shows proactivity and initiative.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), 2017 - 2020
University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
Hard and Soft Skills
In your skills section, list any skills you've acquired or developed that are relevant to trauma nurse positions. Consider adding wound care management, effective communication skills or any other necessary skills for the job. Again, refer to the job description and make sure you include skills that the employer has listed as essential or desirable for employment as a trauma nurse.
How to list hard skills on your trauma nurse resume
Hard skills are specific skills related to the job you're applying for. They include particular abilities, technical skills and industry knowledge that relate directly to jobs as a trauma nurse. Furthermore, your hard skills list helps to show employers how competent and experienced you are at key trauma nurse duties and responsibilities. Aim to include four or five key hard skills. If you have space, explain how and where you've used that skill to create successful outcomes in your career. These skills will demonstrate your credentials and show how you meet the job description.
If you want to make a strong impression with your hard skills list, focus on hard skills that align with your specific industry expertise, and that reflect the job description. For inspiration on the right type of hard skills for a trauma nurse resume, see below.
- Emergency patient assessment
- ACLS certification
- Wound care management
How to list soft skills on your trauma nurse resume
Your soft skills are the core qualities and personal characteristics that make you a good employee. They tend to apply to multiple professions and jobs, though the soft skills you'll require may change as you move from junior to senior positions. Indeed, as the nature of work changes, soft skills are growing in importance, so make sure you include them in your resume. You should generally look to include up to five soft or transferable skills that match the job description.
The strongest resume soft skills sections include a mix of skills that match your best personal strengths, and that reflect the skills listed in the job description. See below for some examples of effective soft skills for a trauma nurse resume.
- Effective communication skills
- Emotional resilience
- Critical thinking
Certifications and Training
Under certifications and licenses, add any further qualifications that show you're a good fit for the job. These could be official licenses required for the job or certifications that improve your employability. Therefore, list any official licenses and certifications, along with their dates, so employers can assess whether you've got the necessary qualifications to work as a trauma nurse.
Review the list below for some suitable certifications for a trauma nurse resume:
- TNCC Certification, 2022
- CEN Certification, 2022
- TCRN Certification, 2022
Optional Sections
As well as the main sections of a trauma nurse resume, optional sections can help you prove your credentials to employers. Choose optional sections from the list below, if they help to showcase your relevant skills and experience.
Hobbies
Add any hobbies and interests that reinforce your credentials for the position. Your hobbies and interests are useful for a trauma nurse resume if you want to show a different side to your personality, or to stand out among other candidates. They can also be valuable if you're a junior candidate without much relevant work experience. Don't include hobbies and interests in your resume unless they showcase a specific interest or aspect of your personality. You'll want them to add something to your application that you can't add elsewhere.
Volunteer Work
Adding voluntary roles can be a useful way of showing relevant experience and skills for trauma nurse roles beyond your main employment history. Include the title of your volunteer role, who you volunteered for, as well as the dates you carried out the work. Provide brief details of your responsibilities and the impact you made.
References
It's not typical to include references in a trauma nurse resume, but some employers might ask for them. Don't add references unless requested by the employer. Add two or three professional references, and be sure to approach each referee before you include them.
References are available upon request.
Best action words for your trauma nurse resume
Action words can help illustrate to the hiring manager the difference you made in each of your previous jobs. Choose from the list of words below to increase the impact of your work experience section.
- Assess
- Monitor
- Administer
- Evaluate
- Coordinate
- Respond
- Document
- Collaborate
- Stabilize
- Educate
Jobseeker's resume templates were created by careers experts to help you produce a professional resume in minutes. You can also find cover letter templates to complete an eye-catching job application that gets you noticed.
Example resume for trauma nurse applications
Now that you know everything that needs to go into your trauma nurse resume, let's review an example resume that you can use as a guide when creating your own:
1985 Hill Valley, CA
•
lawrence.ross@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/lawrence–ross123
Experienced Trauma Nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and a proven track record as a Trauma Nurse Specialist. Skilled in providing critical care to patients in emergency and trauma settings, proficient in advanced life support techniques, and committed to delivering high-quality patient care. Strong ability to work under pressure, excellent communication skills, and a dedicated team player.
Trauma Nurse Specialist
2020
-2022
Healing Hands Trauma Care (Toledo)
- Successfully implemented a trauma nurse protocol, reducing patient mortality rates by 15% over two years
- Led a multidisciplinary team in developing a state-of-the-art trauma simulation training program, increasing response efficiency by 25%
- Awarded "Excellence in Trauma Care" by the National Trauma Association for outstanding contributions to patient outcomes and education
Emergency patient assessment
ACLS certification
Wound care management
Effective communication skills
Emotional resilience
Critical thinking
TNCC Certification
CEN Certification
English - Fluent
Spanish - B2
Best practices for a trauma nurse resume
Tips to write the best resume
- Mention your key educational achievements, such as degrees and professional qualifications, along with grades such as your GPA, if they're high.
- Adapt your resume for every job application for maximum impact. Review the job description to understand the specific requirements for the role.
- Use a clear, professional resume format to make your document as accessible as possible, including a readable font and appropriate headings, margins and line spacing. This will make your resume easier for recruiters and hiring managers to read.
- Quantify your accomplishments by providing evidence that shows the impact you've made in your career.
- Include key skills throughout your resume that reflect the job description, and include a dedicated skills section.
Pitfalls to avoid with your resume writing
- Don't use overly complex formatting and layouts that can make your trauma nurse resume harder to read, and less scannable for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).
- Don't add hobbies and outside interests unless they help you prove a skill required for the role.
- Don't use an email address with offensive, funny or casual connotations. Instead, create a professional email address based on your name.
- Don't use out-of-date contact information. Always make sure your email address and phone number are correct before sending your resume.
- Don't lie or exaggerate on your trauma nurse resume, as this can create false expectations in employers and harm you in the future.
Guide to making your resume ATS-friendly
An applicant tracking system (ATS) is just one of the tools employers and recruiters can use to streamline their hiring practices. This typically includes screening candidates by scanning and ranking their resumes based on their likely suitability for any vacancy. When drafting your trauma nurse resume, there are a few guidelines to follow to give you the best chance of passing the ATS screening stage and progressing with your application.
Follow these simple rules when writing your resume, to make sure it's ATS compliant:
- Use a traditional resume layout, such as a reverse-chronological or functional format. This will mean your resume includes all the necessary sections, in the expected order.
- Include keywords throughout your resume that align with the job description. ATS software tends to compare your resume to the job description for points of similarity, so careful, considered use of keywords should help your chances of success.
- Add each section with clear headings that match the established resume conventions, so ATS software can easily identify each part of your resume.
- Adopt a resume design that uses clear, professional design principles and leaves white space for your content to breathe. Use the most readable fonts and incorporate subtle design elements to enhance the readability of your document.
- Use concise language to keep the length of your resume to between one and two pages. This will make it easier to scan for ATS applications.
For advice and guidance on creating the perfect resume, read our expert career blog and check out our detailed resume examples.
Frequently Asked Questions about a trauma nurse resume
After writing your trauma nurse resume, you'll want to write an accompanying cover letter that helps your application stand out.
In some situations, a full, professional cover letter may not be necessary. Check the job advert and decide whether to write a formal cover letter, or if a brief email is more suitable.
If you decide you want to write a traditional cover letter, follow the standard letter-writing conventions around layout and structure. In the main body of the letter, write an opening paragraph to introduce yourself and explain why you're applying for the trauma nurse role. Your second paragraph is typically where you highlight your key relevant skills and achievements. Finally, close by expressing your enthusiasm for the role and leave a call to action to encourage the hiring manager to make contact with you.
If you want to impress employers with a professional cover letter, use Jobseeker's simple and beautiful cover letter templates.
Even if you have little or no relevant work experience, it's still possible to write a trauma nurse resume that makes a strong impression on employers. Use a functional resume format instead of the standard reverse-chronological structure. This emphasizes your skills and education over your work experience. Additional resume sections such as volunteer work, hobbies and interests, certifications and internships can all help you showcase your relevant skills. These can be more prominent in your resume if you haven't got a lot of work experience.
If you want to create a strong first impression in your trauma nurse application, a resume headline can help. A well-constructed resume headline can help your resume rank highly with ATS screening tools by referencing some of the key information from the job description. Write a concise headline including the job title, a reference to your experience or track record and one or two key skills.
See an example resume headline below:
- Junior Trauma Care Specialist Nurse
- Experienced Trauma Care Specialist Nurse
- Experienced Senior Trauma Nurse Specialist
The resume format that gives you the best chances of success depends on your experience levels, as well as the type of job you're applying for and its seniority level. For entry-level roles, or situations where you're changing to a new career, a functional resume is often the best option. This places your skills and education above your work experience. If, however, you have experience in your chosen profession, a traditional, reverse chronological resume format might be the way to go. This showcases your relevant skills and achievements in your work experience section.
Takeaways for a winning trauma nurse resume
Writing a strong, impactful resume is about using your experience to demonstrate your relevant skills and achievements. You can do this through your work history or other resume sections. Choose a resume structure that makes the most of your relevant experience, whether through work or other activities, and be sure to tailor your resume to match the job description.
Remember, Jobseeker resume templates and other tools make it easy to create a resume and cover letter that leaves a positive impression on hiring managers. Sign up now to start building your perfect resume. Whether you're a junior or senior candidate, a professional cover letter can help to grab the attention of the employer. Jobseeker's cover letter examples were created by careers experts to provide useful tips and ideas for your cover letter.
Sources:
(1) Tips for Writing a Federal Resume, U.S. Department of Labor: https://www.dol.gov/general/jobs/tips-for-writing-a-federal-resume
(2) Resume Tips, Duke University: https://careerhub.students.duke.edu/resources/resume-tips/
