Travel Nurse Resume Example
Pursuing a career as a travel nurse provides opportunities for career progression and responsibilities involving documenting medical records and providing patient care. A strong resume for travel nurse applications showcases your skills, experience and achievements and helps you stand out from other candidates. In this article, we'll discuss how to create a travel nurse resume that catches the eye of employers, with tips and examples to help you write your own.
After reading this article, you'll feel confident creating a travel nurse resume that effectively showcases your relevant skills and experience. You'll find valuable tips on writing a resume that best showcases your unique skills and achievements. There is also extensive guidance on how to structure your resume to match the job description, and to reflect your experience levels to impress HR specialists and employers. Read on to access expert insights from Jobseeker that will help you create a winning travel nurse resume.
Main sections of a travel nurse resume
Most resumes contain similar key sections, with a travel nurse resume being no different.
If you have no work experience as a travel nurse or have just started in the industry, you could consider using a functional or skills-based format, which emphasizes your skills and education. Draw attention to your soft and transferable skills, as employers will value these highly for entry-level roles. You could also mention any internships, training or volunteer work that helps you showcase skills relevant to the position.
When applying for mid-level travel nurse positions, it's typically best to opt for a reverse-chronological resume format. This is because work experience tends to be the most important resume section for this level. Rather than simply listing your responsibilities in each role, show the impact you made and offer evidence that demonstrates the skills and experience listed in the job description.
As a highly experienced candidate, you'll want your travel nurse resume to showcase your depth of relevant work experience, as well as other achievements. Use a reverse-chronological format and add additional sections to prove you're a strong candidate. Senior resumes are often longer than resumes for junior roles. This is because you may choose to include extra sections, such as awards, professional memberships, publications, conferences or certifications on your resume.
The order you present these sections can vary according to your career stage, but it's still essential to include each of the following:
Resume Header
Your travel nurse resume header is the place to add your contact details. Start by adding your full name and underneath, include your email address, phone number and location. Adding your LinkedIn profile, if you have one, can help the employer get a better insight into your skills and industry expertise. You don't need to include any additional personal information or a photo. 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.
Make sure the email address you list in your header is professional-looking and doesn't contain any inappropriate content such as nicknames or unsuitable language. Opt for an email address based on your name or profession, or a combination of both. Finally, check your contact details before sending your resume, to ensure everything's up-to-date.
Christopher Diaz
christopher.diaz@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
7 Eccles Street, Dublin, OH
linkedin․com/in/christopher–diaz123
Resume Summary
Following your resume header, write a resume summary to introduce yourself and showcase some of your key skills and achievements. Alternative names for this section are 'resume objective' and 'personal profile'. While a resume summary focuses on your career experience, a resume objective covers your ambitions and career plans. In addition, your objective should highlight why you're an ideal candidate for travel nurse roles by showing key skills and qualities that reflect the job description.
Alternatively, use this section to emphasize your career objectives and explain how and why this role is a suitable step for you at this stage of your career.
The best resume summaries reflect the job description and focus on qualities that are relevant to working as a travel nurse, while highlighting elements of your personality that make you an ideal candidate. They also quantify the information provided with evidence. The graphic below showcases some good examples of what to include in your travel nurse resume summary.
Good example:
Dynamic and dedicated Registered Travel Nurse (RN) with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and extensive experience in diverse healthcare settings. Proven ability to provide high-quality patient care, adapt quickly to new environments, and collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams. Skilled in patient assessment, critical care, emergency response, and specialized procedures. Committed to maintaining excellence in clinical practice and enhancing patient outcomes. Highly adaptable, resourceful, and passionate about delivering compassionate healthcare services across various locations
Bad example:
Nurse with a background in healthcare and patient care. Worked in various places, providing care and working with different teams. Experienced in checking patient conditions and handling urgent situations. Focused on keeping up with good practices and improving patient experiences. Flexible and interested in providing care in different settings
On the other hand, a resume summary can be ineffective if it lacks specific information about how your skills align with the job description, or fails to paint a picture of your unique qualities and talents. The visual above includes some examples of what not to do with your travel nurse resume summary
Work Experience
In your work experience section, list any previous relevant roles you've worked in, as well as your key achievements as a travel nurse. Add each previous employment in reverse-chronological order. This means starting from your current or most recent role and working back in time from there. Include your job title, the company name, the location of the job and your dates of employment.
Under each job entry, add several bullet points highlighting your responsibilities and achievements. Consult the job description for a list of the key requirements for the role and make sure your work experience section showcases how you meet these requirements.
A good resume work experience section includes your most relevant previous jobs and highlights your key achievements in each role. To make the best possible impression on hiring managers, make sure each entry in your work experience section references skills and experience listed in the job description, and shows how you added value to each role with quantifiable evidence and outcomes. Review some strong examples of resume work experience sections in the graphic below.
Good example:
Registered Travel Nurse (RN), January 2022 - Present
Nomadic Care Solutions, Anaheim
- Successfully managed care for critically ill patients in a Level 1 Trauma Center, achieving a 98% patient satisfaction rate
- Led a team of nurses in implementing a new electronic health record system, improving documentation efficiency by 30%
- Awarded "Nurse of the Year" for exceptional patient care and dedication, selected from over 200 nursing professionals
Bad example:
Registered Travel Nurse (RN), January 2022 - Present
Nomadic Care Solutions, Anaheim
- Provided high-quality patient care in various healthcare settings
- Collaborated with healthcare teams to enhance patient outcomes
- Adapted to diverse clinical environments efficiently
Above, you can see a weaker example of a resume work experience section to best avoid. Less effective resume work experience sections might take a more vague, descriptive approach to previous jobs. They focus on responsibilities and everyday duties rather than referencing career achievements and the value you've added for previous employers.
Education
In this section list any educational qualifications or degrees that are relevant to travel nurse roles.
Typically, working as a travel nurse requires a university or college degree, which you'll need to list on your resume. If you're working in this sector, it's usually a good idea to highlight your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree or other relevant qualifications. Focus on qualifications that showcase your iv therapy administration or electronic health records.
List your relevant qualifications in reverse-chronological order. Add the name and level of the award, the institution, its location (if this isn't obvious from the name) and your dates of study. You can enhance this section by adding bullet points that show any outstanding grades, awards or achievements and any specialist subjects you studied. These details can make you stand out from other candidates.
If you organized or participated in any clubs or societies while at university, or you took part in any voluntary work, you could also mention these here.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), 2017 - 2020
Yale University, New Haven, CT
Skills
In your skills section, list any skills you've acquired or developed that are relevant to travel nurse positions. Consider adding critical care experience, adaptability or any other necessary skills for the job. Again, include any skills that match those listed in the job description. Focus particularly on technical skills required for travel nurse jobs and transferable skills that show your qualities as a travel nurse.
How to include hard skills on your travel nurse resume
For your hard skills list, include any technical abilities or specific industry knowledge that's essential to working as a travel nurse. These could be skills gained through work experience or qualifications. Furthermore, an extensive list of hard skills helps to make a compelling case for your travel nurse job applications, as they show employers your understanding of the travel nurse role. It's best to aim for four or five key hard skills that match the job description. These can really showcase your suitability for the job.
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 travel nurse resume, see below.
- Iv therapy administration
- Electronic health records
- Critical care experience
Showcasing your best soft skills
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, without soft skills, you may struggle to adapt to travel nurse roles or meet the standards expected of you. So make sure you include several key soft skills on your resume. You should generally look to include up to five soft or transferable skills that match the job description.
Your soft skills section should make the most of your unique personal qualities and strengths, while also reflecting the requirements laid out in the job description. See below for some examples of useful soft skills for a travel nurse resume.
- Adaptability
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking
Certifications and Training
Your certifications section is the place to mention any relevant professional travel nurse certifications, licenses or qualifications. These might be licenses that show you're qualified to operate certain equipment, or certifications that give you the edge over candidates with otherwise similar career history. Therefore, add any necessary licenses and certifications in this section, along with valid dates so employers can see you're still qualified for the job.
Read on to see some relevant example certifications for a travel nurse resume:
- BLS Certification, 2022
- ACLS Certification, 2022
- PALS Certification, 2022
Optional Sections
To provide further information on your suitability for the role, you could add some optional sections to a travel nurse resume. Take a look at the sections below and add any that help you show how and why you're right for the job.
Personal Hobbies and Interests
Add any hobbies and interests that reinforce your credentials for the position. Consider listing hobbies and interests to help your resume stand out, or to provide the employer with some insight into your personality and wider interests. They're perfect for candidates who might lack genuine work experience as a travel nurse. 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.
Volunteering
This section can be valuable for a travel nurse resume, if you've done any voluntary work that showcases your relevant skills. 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
Although it's rare to include references on a travel nurse resume, some employers may ask for it. Don't add references unless they're specifically mentioned by the employer in the job advert. Only include referees that you've had prior approval from, and notify them to expect contact from the employer.
References are available upon request.
Best words to use in a travel nurse resume
Start each bullet point in your work experience section with a strong verb to show actions you took. Choose verbs from the suggestions below that highlight your key skills or those mentioned in the job description.
- Administered
- Coordinated
- Documented
- Educated
- Assessed
- Implemented
- Monitored
- Collaborated
- Facilitated
- Optimized
Jobseeker's clean, attractive resume formats can help your applications make a strong impression on employers. Check them out for help designing a winning resume, and see our cover letter templates to help win over recruiters and hiring managers.
Example of a travel nurse resume
Using each of the sections above, we've created this example travel nurse resume, to help guide you when creating your own:
7 Eccles Street, Dublin, OH
•
christopher.diaz@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/christopher–diaz123
Experienced Travel Nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and a proven track record as a Travel Nurse Specialist. Adept at delivering high-quality patient care across diverse healthcare settings. Skilled in adapting quickly to new environments, coordinating with multidisciplinary teams, and implementing best practices in patient treatment. Strong clinical skills, exceptional problem-solving abilities, and a dedication to patient advocacy and safety.
Travel Nurse Specialist
2020
-2022
Nomadic Care Solutions (Saint Paul)
- Successfully managed care for diverse patient populations in over 15 states, ensuring high-quality outcomes and patient satisfaction
- Trained and mentored over 50 new travel nurses, improving onboarding efficiency and overall team performance
- Implemented evidence-based practices that reduced hospital readmission rates by 20% in multiple healthcare facilities
Iv therapy administration
Electronic health records
Critical care experience
Adaptability
Communication skills
Critical thinking
BLS Certification
ACLS Certification
English - Fluent
Spanish - B2
Key tips for a travel nurse resume
Simple tips for creating a winning resume
- Quantify your successes by providing figures and other evidence that shows how your skills have made a difference to your employer.
- Make a strong first impression with a concise, impactful travel nurse resume summary that showcases your key qualities.
- Adapt your resume depending on the job you're applying for. Take a look at the job description and make sure you reference all the required key skills and experience.
- List your qualifications in your education section, including any necessary degrees or certifications, along with high grades.
- Keep your travel nurse resume concise, with a target length of one page for less experienced candidates, and two pages for senior positions.
Things to avoid on your resume
- Don't use passive language because it's less engaging for the reader. Change phrases like 'the target was exceeded' to 'I helped the team exceed the target'.
- Don't use an unprofessional email address. Instead, opt for a simple email address based on your name.
- Don't list irrelevant work experience as it will likely do nothing for your chances of success.
- Don't fill up your travel nurse resume with unnecessary information that contributes nothing to your chances of success.
- Don't lie or exaggerate any information on your travel nurse resume, as this can cause you problems further down the line.
Making an ATS-friendly resume
Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are one of the key ways recruiters and employers manage the hiring process. The systems can screen candidates by scanning and ranking resumes based on each candidate's likely suitability for the vacancy. When writing your travel nurse resume, a few simple tips can help you pass the ATS stage with a higher-ranking resume, giving you a better chance of success with your applications.
Follow these simple rules when writing your resume, to make sure it's ATS compliant:
- Use a traditional resume format, such as reverse-chronological or functional. These will give your resume a structure that's easier for ATS to scan.
- Add keywords that match the job description throughout your resume, as ATS applications scan for these and well-placed, considered use can help your resume rank more highly.
- Include clear headings that make it easy to identify each section of your resume. This will help any ATS software navigate your resume during the scanning process.
- Utilize a clean, clear resume design that helps make your content more readable. Use simple fonts and subtle color accents and design elements that don't detract from the written content.
- Make sure your resume is as concise as possible, so ATS applications can easily scan and identify the required details.
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 travel nurse resume
Now that you know how to write a professional travel nurse resume, you might also want to learn how to write an accompanying cover letter that makes a similar impact.
Check the job description to see whether a full, formal cover letter is necessary. In some situations, it might be more suitable to simply send a brief email to introduce yourself and accompany your resume.
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 travel 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 no work experience, following a few simple tips for your travel nurse resume can ensure you make 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. Use the additional information sections at the end of your resume as a showcase for relevant skills and achievements. These can be a particularly useful way of proving you have the skills necessary for the job.
You can use a resume headline to introduce your document and set the tone for your travel nurse applications. Resume headlines can also help you pass the ATS stage of the selection process, by highlighting the job title and one or two key details. Take the time to draft a concise, eye-catching headline which includes the job title, one or two key skills and reference to either your experience level or track record.
Below you can see a resume headline example:
- Entry-Level Travel Nurse Professional
- Experienced Travel Nurse Professional
- Experienced Senior Travel Nurse Professional
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. If you don't have much experience, for example if you're applying for a graduate role or changing careers, you might consider a functional resume format. This focuses on your skills and education above your work experience. On the other hand, if you're experienced in your industry or applying for senior positions, a traditional, reverse chronological resume format is usually best. This places most emphasis on your work experience.
Key points for your travel nurse resume
An effective resume is a concise, professional summary of your relevant skills and career achievements, showcased through a chronology of your career history. Choose the most suitable resume format for your experience levels, and focus on tailoring your resume based on the requirements listed in the job description.
Use Jobseeker's resume templates, other tools and resources to create an application that impresses employers. Sign up today to access a wealth of valuable resume and cover letter resources. Jobseeker's expert-designed cover letter generator can help your applications make a strong first impression on hiring managers. Find detailed cover letter examples to complement your resume and get your application noticed.
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/
