ER Nurse Resume Example
Starting a career as an ER nurse gives you the chance to gain experience in assessing patient conditions and collaborating with ER team. To succeed in your applications for ER nurse roles, you'll need a resume that reflects your relevant skills and experience. In this article, we'll outline how to write a winning resume to boost your chances of success in your ER nurse applications.
After reading this article, you'll feel confident creating an ER nurse resume that effectively showcases your relevant skills and experience. The article will take you through the key steps of creating a resume that presents your key skills, qualities and career achievements in a format that employers favor. It will also help you tailor your resume according to your unique skills and experience level. Read on to learn the tips Jobseeker careers experts recommend as the best for your ER nurse resume.
Main sections of an emergency room nurse resume
Although the content of an ER nurse resume may differ according to your experience and seniority, the main sections will remain the same.
For junior and entry-level ER nurse positions, you may be short on work experience to include in your resume. Select a resume layout that emphasizes your skills and qualifications, such as a functional format. 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.
Work experience is typically the most important resume section for ER nurse applicants with some prior experience. As such, it's best to use a traditional, reverse-chronological resume format. By using this resume format you can focus on showing how your experience has helped you develop the required skills for the job. Review the job description to understand which key skills and experience to focus on.
Senior job applications require a slightly different approach to mid-level or junior ER nurse roles. Use a reverse-chronological format focusing on your work experience, with a particular emphasis on the impact you've made. 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.
Your resume layout and structure may differ depending on your experience levels, but make sure your resume includes the following:
Resume Header
A ER 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. 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.
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.
Kyle Lee
kyle.lee@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
5150 Maple Drive, Twin Peaks, WA
linkedin․com/in/kyle–lee123
Resume Summary
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. In addition, your objective should highlight why you're an ideal candidate for ER nurse roles by showing key skills and qualities that reflect the job description.
Alternatively, write a paragraph that concentrates on your career objectives and how this role fits with your wider ambitions and progression.
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. The graphic below showcases some good examples of what to include in your ER nurse resume summary.
Good example:
Highly skilled and dedicated ER Nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and extensive experience in high-pressure emergency room settings. Proficient in rapid assessment, critical thinking, and delivering high-quality patient care in urgent situations. Adept at collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, managing multiple priorities, and maintaining composure in fast-paced environments. Excellent communication skills and a commitment to patient advocacy and safety
Bad example:
Nurse with a degree in nursing and some experience in busy places. Can quickly look at situations and think critically to help patients. Works with different teams and handles many tasks at once. Stays calm when things get hectic. Good at talking to people and cares about keeping patients safe
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. See above for some examples of things to avoid when writing your ER nurse resume summary.
Work Experience
Under your work experience section, add any jobs you've had in the past that are relevant to the position of an ER 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.
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 successful resume work experience section will always showcase skills and experience relevant to the job description, and how you put each to good use in your previous roles. Offering quantifiable evidence in an emergency room nurse resume proves you're a strong candidate for the job, such as client feedback, project outcomes, KPIs or financial results. Take a look at the examples below for some guidance on what works best for your work experience section.
Good example:
Emergency Room Nurse, January 2022 - Present
VitalCare Emergency Services, Madison
- Successfully reduced patient wait times by 30% through efficient triage and workflow optimization
- Spearheaded a training program resulting in a 25% increase in staff proficiency with advanced life support techniques
- Coordinated a multidisciplinary team to improve patient outcomes, achieving a 15% decrease in emergency department readmissions
Bad example:
Emergency Room Nurse, January 2022 - Present
VitalCare Emergency Services, Madison
- Improved patient care through teamwork and collaboration
- Enhanced department efficiency by implementing new processes
- Led initiatives to boost staff skills and knowledge
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.
Education
The education section provides space to list your highest and most recent academic achievements that are relevant to working as an ER nurse.
To work as an ER 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 trauma patient assessment or medication administration.
Enter the name and level of the qualification, the institution you studied at, its location and your dates of study or graduation. If you have space, include some bullet points outlining any specialist areas of study, awards or high grades, so the employer can learn more about your unique skill set and 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
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Skills
Listing your key skills can help to prove your suitability for ER nurse jobs. These could be trauma patient assessment, time management or various other relevant skills. Again, refer to the ER nurse job description for an indication of the types of skills the employer is looking for, and make sure your skills section reflects these.
How to include hard skills on your ER nurse resume
Under hard skills, add any specialist skills you possess that are specifically required for ER nurse jobs. These tend to be technical skills and industry knowledge essential to the position. Furthermore, it's important to show these skills in an ER nurse resume as they provide a strong indication of your experience in the sector. 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 an ER nurse resume are listed below.
- Advanced cardiac life support (ACLS)
- Electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretation
- Intravenous (IV) therapy
Showcasing your best soft skills
In your list of soft skills, add any personal strengths, qualities or transferable skills that make you a good fit for the job. Soft skills are often less specific to different industries, but that doesn't make them any less important. 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.
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 an emergency room nurse resume.
- Effective communication skills
- Critical thinking abilities
- Emotional resilience
Certifications and Training
In this section, include any ER nurse certifications, training or licenses you hold that are relevant to the job. Add any official certifications or accreditations that increase your level of qualification and suitability for working as an ER nurse. Therefore, make sure you list the dates of your certifications and licenses so employers can see they're up-to-date and valid.
Read on to see some relevant example certifications for an emergency room nurse resume:
- ACLS Certification, 2022
- PALS Certification, 2022
- TNCC Certification, 2022
Expert Tip:
Optional Information
In addition to the core sections of an emergency room nurse resume, there are several optional sections you could include to enhance your chances. Take a look at the sections below and add any that help you show how and why you're right for the job.
Hobbies
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 an ER 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.
Voluntary Work
Voluntary work can help you develop useful skills, so it's a valuable addition to your ER nurse resume. Add any voluntary roles, including your position, the name of the organization, the dates of your voluntary work and a brief explanation of your responsibilities and achievements.
References
References aren't a standard ER nurse resume section, but employers do sometimes ask for them. Check the job advert and only include them if requested. Add two or three professional references, and be sure to approach each referee before you include them.
References are available upon request.
Best words to use in an emergency room nurse resume
Add strong verbs to your work experience section to show the hiring manager the impact you made in your previous roles. Add strong verbs from the list below to create a greater impact with your work experience section.
- Assess
- Coordinate
- Administer
- Monitor
- Triage
- Stabilize
- Document
- Collaborate
- Educate
- 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.
Sample resume for ER nurse positions
Now we've covered the main sections to include in your ER nurse resume, let's take a look at how it all comes together in the example below:
5150 Maple Drive, Twin Peaks, WA
•
kyle.lee@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/kyle–lee123
Experienced ER Nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Proven ability to provide high-quality care in fast-paced emergency room settings. Skilled in triage, patient assessment, emergency procedures, and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams. Strong communicator with a commitment to patient advocacy and safety
Emergency Room Nurse (RN)
2020
-2022
SwiftCare Medical Center (Wichita)
- Successfully managed and stabilized over 200 critical patients annually in a high-volume emergency department
- Spearheaded a triage improvement project, reducing patient wait times by 30% and enhancing overall departmental efficiency
- Trained and mentored 15 new nurses, leading to a 95% retention rate and improved team performance in emergency scenarios
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
2017
-2020
Syracuse University (Syracuse, NY)
Advanced cardiac life support (ACLS)
Electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretation
Intravenous (IV) therapy
Effective communication skills
Critical thinking abilities
Emotional resilience
ACLS Certification
PALS Certification
English - Fluent
Spanish - B2
Tips for ER nurse resumes
Key tips to help you craft a strong resume
- Add each relevant job in reverse-chronological order, beginning with your current or most recent position and working back from there.
- Use strong verbs to help show the actions you've taken in different ER nurse roles (e.g. educate, prioritize, assess).
- Tailor your resume to the job you're applying for by consulting the job description and using keywords throughout your document.
- Add key skills throughout your resume that match the job description, along with a dedicated 'skills' section.
- Proofread your resume to ensure it's free from spelling and grammar errors. Even minor errors can make a difference to your chances.
Pitfalls to avoid with your resume writing
- Don't use an email address with offensive, funny or casual connotations. Instead, create a professional email address based on your name.
- Don't include hobbies unless you're light on work experience and they help you prove a skill required for the job.
- Don't use passive language - change phrases like 'the project was delivered' to sentences using strong active verbs.
- Don't clutter your ER nurse resume with too much information. Keep everything focused on showcasing your relevant skills and achievements.
- Don't use complex formatting that makes your ER nurse resume harder to read or less scannable by software such as applicant tracking systems (ATS).
How to make your resume ATS compliant
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 writing your ER 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.
Here are a few quick tips for creating an ATS-friendly resume:
- Choose a resume structure that matches the traditional, reverse-chronological layout or alternatively, the functional resume structure. This should make your resume more readable for ATS applications.
- Use of job description keywords throughout your resume will help it rank higher in the ATS scanning stage, as it will more closely match the requirements laid out in the job description.
- 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.
- Make sure your resume is as concise as possible, so ATS applications can easily scan and identify the required details.
For help crafting a winning resume, read our in-depth career blog and review our resume examples for inspiration.
An ER nurse resume FAQs
After writing your ER nurse resume, you'll want to write an accompanying cover letter that helps your application stand out.
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.
If you choose to write a full cover letter, follow traditional letter-writing conventions surrounding greetings, sign-offs and use of professional language. The body of the cover letter tends to be three paragraphs. The first introduces yourself and the role you're applying for, giving reasons for your application. The second briefly covers your key skills and achievements that are most relevant to ER nurse roles. Finally, the third paragraph re-emphasizes your interest in the role and leaves a call to action, encouraging the employer to reach out to you.
For help creating an eye-catching cover letter that impresses recruiters and hiring managers, use Jobseeker's professional cover letter templates.
There are plenty of ways to still make a positive impression with your ER nurse resume, even if you lack relevant work experience. 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 ER 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 short, concise resume headline incorporating the job title, one or two key skills that match the job description and a reference to your reputation or track record.
See below for an example of a well-constructed resume headline:
- Dedicated Junior ER Nurse Professional
- Experienced Emergency Room Nurse Specialist
- Experienced Senior ER Nurse Leader
The top resume format for your applications will vary according to a couple of factors. First, how much professional experience you have. Second, what 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. 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 ER nurse resume
If you want to catch the eye of employers and recruiters, you need a professional resume that showcases your best skills and career achievements. 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.
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. 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/
Impress potential employers with your resume
Follow step-by-step professional guidance to create a polished resume in minutes.
