Rikki Wimmer 
Looking for new ways to transform your nursing CV? We have the answers!
Nursing is a difficult but rewarding profession and you don't always have the time to spend keeping your CV updated. Whether you're looking for your first job, are interested in switching jobs, or are returning to work after a break, an up-to-date, professional CV is a must-have.
If you're feeling unsure about how to write a nursing CV, or if you don't know what to include, read on for some helpful tips and advice to upgrade your current CV and give yourself the best chance at success.
Keep it clear and logical
One of the biggest pieces of CV advice out there is to keep your document clear and concise. With that said, HR managers will still want to see some detail in a nursing CV, particularly because you're dealing with healthcare. It's important to achieve that balance of providing enough relevant information about your education, training, skills, and experience whilst still keeping it succinct and at the two-page mark.
Some useful tips on how to do this include:
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Using bullet points to list skills and experience
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Using sub-headings to break up text
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Listing your work history in reverse chronological order
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Limiting unnecessary adverbs and adjectives
Include your training placements
If you're a new graduate, or if you have limited nursing experience, it's wise to add your practical training and placements on your CV. Under an Education and Training section, detail where and when you received your professional qualifications and highlight any relevant placements, writing a brief summary of the work undertaken.
For nurses with a long work history, it's still necessary to include where and when you received your qualifications, but for any positions held over 10 years ago a summary will suffice ‒ there's no need for extensive detail here.
Have a nursing philosophy? Include it!
The difference between an average CV and an exceptional one does not always come down to the number of years of experience the applicant holds or the grades they achieved. An exceptional CV offers the HR manager a personalised glimpse into the unique values of the applicant and demonstrates how these values have influenced their experience. A simple way to stand out from the pack and showcase what you're about is to highlight your nursing philosophy or your nursing special interests in your personal statement.
Your nursing philosophy can be one or two sentences that outline your perspective, values, and ethics surrounding the care of patients, as well as the motivational factors that drove you to join the nursing profession. By including your philosophy, you'll help to individualise your CV and make it memorable. Just remember to keep it concise.
Use action words
After listing your skills and experience on your CV, it's important to demonstrate how you put those skills into practice. The Work Experience section of your CV is the ideal place to do this. Rather than simply listing previous duties and responsibilities, use action words in your CV to validate how you've used your skills in the workplace. Action words are verbs that grab your attention and promote a sense of proactivity and initiative such as, "achieved," "established," or "implemented."
For example, instead of saying "Followed workplace procedures and regulations," you could say, "Maintained a safe and caring environment by adhering to workplace safety procedures, rules, and regulations." It's a small difference that can have a large impact on your CV.
Final thoughts
A nursing CV can sometimes feel like a game of trial and error ‒ you try it one way, and if that doesn't work, you rejig it and try again. Fortunately, there's a way to take the guesswork out of it and present a polished, tailored, and professional CV each time you apply for a new role. With a professional CV writer from TopCV on your side, you'll give your application the best chance of success.
Click here to learn more about working with a TopCV professional CV writer and improve your chances of landing a new nursing job.