CVICU Nurse Resume Example
Pursuing a career as a CVICU nurse provides opportunities for career progression and responsibilities involving assessing vital signs and monitoring CVIVU patients. A strong resume for CVICU nurse applications showcases your skills, experience and achievements and helps you stand out from other candidates. In this article, we'll showcase resume tips and examples that can help you create a professional CVICU nurse resume that catches the eye of hiring managers.
After reading this article, you'll feel confident creating a CVICU nurse resume that effectively showcases your relevant skills and experience. 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 the best CVICU nurse resume tips from careers experts at Jobseeker.
Key sections for a CVICU nurse resume
Although the content of a CVICU nurse resume may differ according to your experience and seniority, the main sections will remain the same.
If you have no work experience as a CVICU nurse or have just started in the industry, you could consider using a functional or skills-based format, which emphasizes your skills and education. 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 CVICU 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. Use your work experience section to highlight your career achievements and show how you meet the job description. Offer evidence of the impact you had on successful outcomes for the company.
If you're applying for senior CVICU nurse positions, you'll want to list career achievements and successes that emphasize your senior status. Use a reverse-chronological format and add extra sections to show key career highlights. It's likely that your senior resume will be longer than a standard resume of one-to-two pages. This is because you'll be listing additional achievements beyond your work experience, such as awards, publications and professional memberships.
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
Your CVICU 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. Be aware of the amount of space your resume header takes up. You don't want your contact details to take space away from the main content of your resume, so keep this section as brief as possible.
Use an email address that's professional and appropriate for professional communication. Typically this would be an email address based on your first and last name, or your initials. If necessary, you could include your profession or another unique identifier. Avoid using old email addresses that could be considered unprofessional or inappropriate. Additionally, always check your contact details before sending your resume to ensure they're up-to-date.
Timothy Ortiz
timothy.ortiz@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
123 Sesame Street, New York, NY
linkedin․com/in/timothy–ortiz123
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. Additionally, make sure your resume summary reflects the job description and focuses on qualities that are relevant to working as a CVICU nurse.
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 CVICU nurse, while highlighting elements of your personality that make you an ideal candidate. They also quantify the information provided with evidence. You can see some positive examples of a resume summary for CVICU nurse jobs below.
Good example:
Highly skilled Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU) Nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and extensive experience in providing critical care to patients with complex cardiovascular conditions. Proficient in advanced cardiac life support, hemodynamic monitoring, and post-operative care following cardiac surgery. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-quality patient care and improve clinical outcomes. Strong commitment to patient safety, continuous education, and professional development
Bad example:
Nurse with some experience in healthcare and working with patients who have heart issues. Familiar with certain medical procedures and equipment used in patient care after heart surgeries. Worked with different healthcare professionals to help patients and improve their care. Focused on keeping patients safe and learning more about the field
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 CVICU nurse resume summary.
Work Experience
Your resume work experience section is the chance to show your relevant previous jobs and career achievements as a CVICU nurse. List each relevant role in reverse-chronological order starting with your current or most recent role. Add your job title, the organization name, its location and the dates you worked there.
Add some bullet points under each job entry, explaining your achievements in the role, so the reader can see how you contributed towards success for the company. Provide evidence of your impact and make sure each point addresses a requirement listed in the job description.
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:
Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU) Nurse, January 2022 - Present
Heartland Medical Center, Pittsburgh
- Successfully managed critical care for over 200 post-operative cardiac surgery patients, achieving a 98% recovery rate
- Developed and implemented a new protocol for early mobilization, reducing patient recovery time by 30%
- Led a multidisciplinary team in a quality improvement project, decreasing central line-associated bloodstream infections by 40%
Bad example:
Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU) Nurse, January 2022 - Present
Heartland Medical Center, Pittsburgh
- Assisted in patient care and recovery processes
- Contributed to team efforts in improving healthcare outcomes
- Participated in developing healthcare protocols and procedures
The example above can give you some idea of what not to include in your resume work experience section. 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.
Educational Achievements
The education section provides space to list your highest and most recent academic achievements that are relevant to working as a CVICU nurse.
Opportunities as a CVICU nurse and similar roles in the sector usually require a specialist degree. If you have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, be sure to mention this in your resume. You might also want to list any qualifications that highlight your ECMO operation or critical care monitoring.
Include any qualifications relevant to the role. For each, add the name and level of the award, the institution name, its location and your dates of study. 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.
If you took part in any volunteering or you were a leader or member of any university societies, you could also mention these in your education section.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), 2017 - 2020
Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Skills
In your skills section, list any skills you've acquired or developed that are relevant to CVICU nurse positions. Consider adding ACLS certification, critical thinking 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 CVICU nurse.
How to include hard skills on your CVICU nurse resume
Hard skills are the key technical skills required for CVICU nurse positions. They include specific industry knowledge and abilities that you could learn on the job, or through a specialist qualification. Furthermore, your hard skills list helps to show employers how competent and experienced you are at key CVICU 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.
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 CVICU nurse resume are listed below.
- Critical care monitoring
- Ventilator management
- ACLS certification
Listing soft skills on your CVICU 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. In fact, you can develop soft skills throughout your career, and they tend to be suitable for various roles and professions. 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 CVICU nurse resume.
- Critical thinking skills
- Effective communication
- Teamwork and collaboration
Certifications
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, add any professional licenses or certifications, along with valid dates that show they're still valid.
Read on to see some relevant example certifications for a CVICU nurse resume:
- CCRN (Adult), 2022
- CSC (Cardiac Surgery), 2022
- CMC (Cardiac Medicine), 2022
Optional Information
There are several additional sections you could add to a CVICU nurse resume, to improve your chances of success. Add any of the sections below that help you showcase your key skills and experience.
Hobbies
Including your hobbies and interests can be a valuable way of showing your key skills and qualities. Hobbies can help you show different sides of your personality and make your resume more memorable to hiring managers. They're ideal to include if you're a junior candidate who might lack real world CVICU nurse experience. Think about adding hobbies and interests to your resume if they add some insight into your personality that you can't express elsewhere in your application.
Voluntary Work
If you're lacking relevant CVICU nurse work experience, volunteer work can help to show you still have the relevant skills. Add your volunteer job title or role, the name of the organization, its location and the dates you were involved.
References
References aren't a standard CVICU nurse resume section, but employers do sometimes ask for them. Check the job advert and only include them if requested. Be sure to prepare your referees in advance, so they've agreed to provide a reference and are ready to be contacted.
References can be provided upon request.
Best words to use in a CVICU 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. Add strong verbs from the list below to create a greater impact with your work experience section.
- Assess
- Administer
- Monitor
- Coordinate
- Educate
- Implement
- Document
- Advocate
- Collaborate
- Prioritize
If you want to create a resume that stands out from the crowd, use Jobseeker's expert-designed resume templates. You can also find cover letter templates that work to get you noticed by employers.
Example of a CVICU nurse resume
Using each of the sections above, we've created this example CVICU nurse resume, to help guide you when creating your own:
123 Sesame Street, New York, NY
•
timothy.ortiz@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/timothy–ortiz123
Dedicated and experienced Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU) Registered Nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Proficient in providing advanced critical care to post-operative cardiac patients, managing life-support equipment, and delivering comprehensive patient assessments. Strong background in collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, implementing evidence-based practices, and ensuring high standards of patient safety and care.
Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU) Registered Nurse
2020
-2022
HeartGuard Medical Center (Los Angeles)
- Successfully managed care for critically ill cardiac patients, achieving a 98% survival rate over a 5-year period
- Led a multidisciplinary team in implementing a new post-operative recovery protocol, reducing complication rates by 30%
- Trained and mentored over 50 new nurses, enhancing overall unit performance and decreasing staff turnover by 25%
Critical care monitoring
Ventilator management
ACLS certification
Critical thinking skills
Effective communication
Teamwork and collaboration
CCRN (Adult)
CSC (Cardiac Surgery)
English - Fluent
Spanish - B2
Best practices for a CVICU nurse resume
Tips for best resume practices
- Add your relevant education details, including any high grades such as your GPA or degree result.
- Order your work experience in a reverse-chronological timeline, starting with your most recent position.
- Keep your CVICU nurse resume concise, with a target length of one page for less experienced candidates, and two pages for senior positions.
- Use action words that show how you've made an impact in different CVICU nurse jobs (e.g. administer, implement, collaborate).
- Quantify the impact you've made in different roles by offering evidence of your key abilities and your contribution.
Avoid these common mistakes on your resume
- Don't list irrelevant work experience as it will likely do nothing for your chances of success.
- Don't use passive language - steer away from phrases like 'I was asked to' and use action words instead.
- Don't use an unprofessional email address. Instead, opt for a simple email address based on your name.
- Don't use overly decorative formatting and layouts that can detract from the content and make your CVICU nurse resume harder for scanning by applicant tracking systems (ATS).
- Don't lie or exaggerate the details of your CVICU nurse career or education, as this can backfire later in the recruitment process.
How to make your resume ATS compliant
Applicant tracking systems (ATS) help recruiters and employers to manage their hiring process. They can handle some of the more time-consuming and resource-intensive jobs, such as initial screening of resumes. Employers often receive hundreds of applications per vacancy, and ATS software can quickly and accurately scan and rank resumes based on their likely suitability for any role. When drafting your CVICU 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.
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.
- 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.
- Using clear, simple headings makes it easier for an ATS application to scan your resume, as it can easily identify what's in each section of your document.
- 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 simple, concise language to keep your resume to a maximum of one to two pages in length. This will make it easier for ATS software to read.
For tips and ideas to help you draft a professional resume to get noticed by employers, read our expert career articles and check out our detailed resume examples.
Frequently Asked Questions about a CVICU nurse resume
As well as writing a professional CVICU nurse resume, you'll need a cover letter to introduce yourself and emphasize your credentials.
Firstly, think about whether you want to write a full, formal cover letter or whether a brief email to introduce yourself and draw attention to your resume will suffice.
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 CVICU 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.
Jobseeker's tried and tested cover letter templates were created by experts to help you make a strong impression with your applications. Follow the simple steps to create a winning cover letter today.
If you have no experience, it's still possible to write a professional CVICU nurse resume that makes a positive impression on hiring managers. Select a resume format that emphasizes your skills and education over your work experience, such as a functional format. Make the most of additional sections such as hobbies and interests, volunteer work, certifications and internships. These can help you showcase skills that you've developed outside traditional work settings.
Use a resume headline to make it easy for the reader to start assessing your suitability for CVICU nurse positions at first glance. Resume headlines are also a powerful way of increasing your resume's chances of passing the ATS stage. They reference the job title and some of the keywords that match the job description. Write a short, snappy heading for your resume including the job title and a reference to your experience, your track record or one or two of your key skills.
See an example resume headline below:
- Junior CVICU Nurse Seeking Growth
- Critical Care Registered Nurse Expert
- Experienced CVICU Nurse Leader
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. If you're applying for a junior position or changing careers, you might want to consider a functional resume. This highlights your skills and education over 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.
Key takeaways for your CVICU 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 the most suitable resume format for your experience levels, and focus on tailoring your resume based on the requirements listed in 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. 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/
