Triage Nurse Resume Example
Working as a triage nurse can provide a rewarding career, involving assessing patient conditions and prioritizing emergency cases. A professional resume for triage nurse applications will showcase your relevant skills and career achievements, to help you stand out from the crowd. In this article, we'll highlight tips and examples for creating a triage nurse resume that makes a winning impression on recruiters and hiring managers.
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 triage nurse applications. You'll find useful insights on constructing a resume that makes the most of your unique skills, experience and strengths. You'll also learn how to tailor your resume according to the job description, and depending on your experience levels. Continue reading to find expert tips and advice from Jobseeker that will help you with your triage nurse resume.
Key sections for a triage nurse resume
It's essential to include a few core sections in your triage nurse resume, while there are also a few optional sections.
A functional or skills-based resume format might be best for applications where you have little or no relevant triage nurse experience. This layout prioritizes your skills and education sections above your work experience. Likewise, an entry-level resume might focus more on soft and transferable skills, as well as details about internships, voluntary work or relevant training you've completed.
If you're already working as a triage nurse, concentrate on proving your credentials with your work achievements. Use a reverse-chronological resume format to place work experience prominently in your resume. 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 triage 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.
You will have some choice over your resume layout and structure, but be sure to include these sections as the core of your document:
Resume Header and Personal Information
A triage nurse resume header contains your name and contact information. Add your first and last name, your phone number and your email address. Include your address or location, but avoid adding any other personal information. If you have a LinkedIn profile, you can add the URL to your header so the hiring manager can get a better understanding of your work history and experience. Keep your header clear and concise, with only the most necessary information included. Opt for a stylish, professional design that creates a strong first impression.
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.
Keith Perez
keith.perez@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
5150 Maple Drive, Twin Peaks, WA
linkedin․com/in/keith–perez123
Resume Summary
Next, write a short paragraph to introduce yourself. You could also call this section 'resume summary' or 'personal profile'. In two or three sentences, explain your professional background, achievements and key skills. If you choose to write a resume summary, this focuses on your career experience to date. On the other hand, a resume objective addresses your future plans and career ambitions. Additionally, make sure your resume summary reflects the job description and focuses on qualities that are relevant to working as a triage nurse.
Alternatively, write a paragraph that concentrates on your career objectives and how this role fits with your wider ambitions and progression.
The best resume summaries reflect the job description and focus on qualities that are relevant to working as a triage 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 triage nurse resume summary.
Good example:
Experienced Triage Nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), previously served as a Triage Nurse Specialist. Proficient in assessing patient conditions, prioritizing care, and providing critical support in high-pressure environments. Skilled in patient communication, clinical documentation, and emergency response coordination. Dedicated to delivering high-quality patient care and ensuring optimal outcomes
Bad example:
Nurse with some experience in healthcare and patient care. Worked in roles where I assessed situations and provided support. Have worked with different patients and tried to help in busy settings. Focused on communication, documentation, and responding to emergencies, aiming to provide good care and support where needed
Conversely, an ineffective resume summary would include generic, unspecific information on your skills and experience, while failing to provide any useful information on what makes you a unique and interesting candidate. See above for some examples of things to avoid when writing your triage nurse resume summary.
Work History
In the next section, list your employment history focusing on the most relevant previous roles and achievements that showcase your triage nurse skills. Include any relevant jobs you've held in reverse-chronological order. Start with your current or most recent roles and work back through previous roles. For each job, list your title, the name of the company, its location and the dates you worked there.
For each job listed in this section, add some bullet points so the employer can understand the skills you developed, and your achievements. Focus on showcasing the impact you made on the organization, and show evidence of how you made a difference.
A good work experience section pulls the HR leaders in with clear examples of where you've put the skills necessary for the job into good use in your career to date. This typically includes evidence of how your skills and activities contributed to positive outcomes for the organization. There are some examples of strong resume work experience sections below.
Good example:
Triage Nurse Specialist, January 2022 - Present
RapidCare Solutions, Detroit
- Implemented efficient triage protocols, reducing patient wait times by 30% and improving overall emergency department flow
- Trained over 50 nursing staff in advanced triage techniques, enhancing team proficiency and patient care quality
- Spearheaded a telehealth triage initiative, increasing patient access to care by 40% and streamlining remote consultation processes
Bad example:
Triage Nurse Specialist, January 2022 - Present
RapidCare Solutions, Detroit
- Improved patient care processes and enhanced department efficiency
- Conducted training sessions for nursing staff to boost skills
- Led initiatives to increase patient access and streamline services
In the graphic above, you'll see some examples of less effective resume work experience sections. A bad resume work experience section might fail to address skills and achievements that relate directly to the job description. Falling back on clichés, vague descriptions and basic responsibilities, rather than showing the impact you made, is likely to disengage the reader.
Educational Achievements
The education section provides space to list your highest and most recent academic achievements that are relevant to working as a triage nurse.
If you're applying for triage nurse positions you'll typically need to have a degree. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) will usually help your chances of success. You could also list any qualifications that demonstrate your IV line insertion or EKG interpretation skills.
List every relevant qualification, including the name and level of the course, the name of the school, college or university, its location and your graduation date. You could also add one or two bullet points to draw attention to your grades if they were particularly good, as well as any specialist subjects you studied. This will help the hiring manager understand your knowledge and special skills better.
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
Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
Skills
Listing your key skills can help to prove your suitability for triage nurse jobs. These could be wound care management, conflict resolution skills or various other relevant skills for nurses. Again, include any skills that match those listed in the job description. Focus particularly on technical skills required for triage nurse jobs and transferable skills that show your qualities as a triage nurse.
How to include hard skills on your triage nurse resume
Hard skills are the key technical skills required for triage nurse positions. They include specific industry knowledge and abilities that you could learn on the job, or through a specialist qualification. Furthermore, these skills are essential for a triage nurse resume as they showcase your expertise in the field. Include around four or five key hard skills that are listed in the job description. These skills will help to convince the hiring manager that you're a good fit for the position.
For an effective resume hard skills section, focus on the technical skills that are most essential in the job description, and that match your specific expertise. Some examples of the best hard skills for a triage nurse resume are listed below.
- Emergency patient assessment
- EKG interpretation skills
- IV line insertion
Soft skills on your triage nurse resume
Soft skills are your transferable skills and personal qualities that make you a good match for a triage nurse position and the organization. Soft skills tend to be more universal than hard skills, and can often apply to multiple jobs and industries. In fact, as technology develops, soft skills are growing in importance for recruiters and employers, so be sure to add several of these to your resume. It's best to aim for four or five soft skills that match the job description and reflect your strongest personal qualities.
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 triage nurse resume.
- Critical thinking skills
- Emotional intelligence (EI)
- Effective communication
Licenses and Certifications
Under certifications and licenses, add any further qualifications that show you're a good fit for the job. These could be professional accreditations and licenses, or certifications that improve your level of suitability for the position. Therefore, add any professional licenses or certifications, along with valid dates that show they're still valid.
Below you can find several examples of certifications for a triage nurse resume:
- Certified Emergency Nurse, 2022
- Critical Care Registered Nurse, 2022
- Trauma Nursing Core, 2022
Optional Sections
If you need to provide further evidence of your suitability for the job, optional sections can be useful for a triage 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.
Hobbies and Interests
Add any hobbies and interests that reinforce your credentials for the position. These are particularly useful for your resume if you're short of work experience and need to showcase a particular skill or experience. Only include hobbies and interests that showcase your personality and personal qualities, and add something different to your application.
Volunteer Experience
Adding voluntary roles can be a useful way of showing relevant experience and skills for triage nurse roles beyond your main employment history. List your volunteer job title, the organization you volunteered for, its location and the dates of your involvement, alongside a brief explanation of your responsibilities in the role.
References
References aren't a standard triage nurse resume section, but employers do sometimes ask for them. Check the job advert and only include them if requested. Before adding any referees to your resume, ask them for their assistance and prepare them for contact by the employer.
References are available upon request.
Best action words for your triage nurse resume
Using strong action verbs in your work experience bullet points can make a stronger impression on employers and show the value you added to your previous roles. Choose verbs from the suggestions below that highlight your key skills or those mentioned in the job description.
- Assess
- Prioritize
- Evaluate
- Coordinate
- Administer
- Document
- Monitor
- Communicate
- Collaborate
- 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 of a triage nurse resume
Now we've covered the main sections to include in your triage nurse resume, let's take a look at how it all comes together in the example below:
5150 Maple Drive, Twin Peaks, WA
•
keith.perez@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/keith–perez123
Experienced Triage Nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and a background as a Triage Nurse Specialist. Skilled in patient assessment, prioritization of care, and effective communication with medical teams. Proficient in managing high-stress situations and providing critical support in emergency settings. Dedicated to delivering compassionate and efficient patient care.
Triage Nurse Specialist
2020
-2022
CareFirst Triage Solutions (Louisville)
- Successfully triaged and prioritized over 5,000 patients annually, ensuring timely and appropriate medical care
- Implemented a new triage protocol, reducing patient wait times by 30% and improving overall patient satisfaction scores
- Trained and mentored a team of 15 nurses, enhancing triage accuracy and efficiency within the emergency department
Emergency patient assessment
EKG interpretation skills
IV line insertion
Critical thinking skills
Emotional intelligence (EI)
Effective communication
Certified Emergency Nurse
Critical Care Registered Nurse
English - Fluent
Spanish - B2
Tips for triage nurse resumes
Tips to write the best resume
- Use reverse-chronological order for your work and education, starting with your most recent employment and education.
- Review your resume thoroughly and correct any errors before sending it, to avoid unnecessary harm to your chances.
- Choose a resume format that's clear, professional and makes your resume as readable as possible. Pay particular attention to the font, line spacing, heading and margins to make your document as easy-to-read as possible for employers.
- Quantify the impact you've made in different roles by offering evidence of your key abilities and your contribution.
- Keep your triage 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 - change phrases like 'the project was delivered' to sentences using strong active verbs.
- Don't add hobbies and outside interests unless they help you prove a skill required for the role.
- Don't forget to keep your header up-to-date with every application, to make sure you don't include old contact information.
- Don't clutter your document by trying to add too many details. Focus on core triage nurse skills and achievements that are relevant to the role.
- Don't use jargon or acronyms when you can use simple, straightforward language to say the same thing.
Tips on creating an ATS-optimized resume
Applicant tracking systems (ATS) help recruiters and employers to streamline their hiring process. They can store and process data, including applications and applicant data, quickly and efficiently. One of the jobs ATS applications are increasingly responsible for is initial candidate screening. The systems can quickly scan and rank resumes based on how closely they match the job description. There are several things you can do when writing your triage nurse resume, to give yourself the strongest chance of ranking highly in the ATS stage and progressing through the recruitment process.
Create an ATS-optimized resume by following these quick tips:
- 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.
- Use keywords throughout your resume that reflect the job description, so ATS resume scanners can recognize a strong connection between your skills, and those in the job description.
- Use clear headings that break your resume up into readable, scannable sections that match the standard content employers expect from a resume.
- Use a resume design that includes clean, professional design elements to give your content space to breathe. This might include clear, readable fonts, subtle color accents and simple design elements.
- Keep your resume as concise as possible, to make it easier to read, and for ATS software to scan.
If you're looking for inspiration for your resume, discover our comprehensive resume examples and in-depth, expert career blog.
Frequently Asked Questions about a triage nurse resume
As well as writing a professional triage nurse resume, you'll need a cover letter to introduce yourself and emphasize your credentials.
Firstly, choose whether you're going to write a full cover letter, or whether a brief email confirming your application and drawing attention to your resume will be sufficient.
For a full, traditional cover letter, follow formal letter-writing conventions with your header, address line and greetings. The main text of the letter tends to be split into three short paragraphs. Firstly, introduce yourself, confirm the role you're applying for and explain why you're applying for the triage nurse role. In the second paragraph, highlight your skills and experience that are most relevant to the job description. The third paragraph gives you the opportunity to express your enthusiasm for the role and your gratitude to the employer, while leaving a call to action which encourages them to make contact with you.
You can create a professional cover letter in just a few simple, easy-to-follow steps using Jobseeker's tried and tested cover letter templates.
If you have no experience, it's still possible to write a professional triage nurse resume that makes a positive impression on hiring managers. Choose a resume structure that best showcases your key skills for the role, such as a functional format. This places your skills and education above your work experience. Optional sections at the end of your resume can play a stronger role if you're lacking relevant work experience. Use certifications and training, hobbies and interests, volunteer roles and internships to show you've got the necessary skills for the job.
You can use a resume headline to introduce your document and set the tone for your triage nurse applications. A well-written resume headline is also a way to increase your chances of passing the ATS resume scanning stage, by referencing keywords that match the job description. Write a few words to set the tone for your resume, including the job title, your experience or track record and one or two key skills that make you stand out.
See an example resume headline below:
- Junior Triage Nurse Seeking Opportunities
- Skilled Emergency Triage Nurse Specialist
- Senior Triage Nurse Specialist
The best format for your resume depends on two key factors. Firstly, the amount of relevant work experience you have. Secondly, the type of role and its level of seniority. For applicants without much relevant work experience, a functional resume format tends to be best. This places the emphasis on your key skills and relevant qualifications. If, however, you have relevant work experience in the industry, it's typically best to use a reverse chronological resume format. This highlights your achievements in work, which is probably the most important factor for hiring managers to consider.
Takeaways for your triage nurse resume
The key to a strong resume is to showcase your relevant skills and achievements through your work experience and other activities. Pick a resume format that matches your experience levels, and tailor the content of your resume to reflect the details of the job description.
HR-approved resume templates and other tools by Jobseeker are the easiest way to create a winning job application. Sign up and follow the simple instructions to complete a resume that stands out from the crowd. Whatever job you're applying for, a professional cover letter can make all the difference to your chances. Use Jobseeker's HR-approved tools and cover letter examples to inspire your applications.
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/
