Nurse Manager Resume Example
Pursuing a career as a nurse manager provides opportunities for career progression and responsibilities involving ensuring compliance standards and overseeing patient care. If you want to stand out with your nurse manager applications, you'll need to create a professional resume that makes a strong impression on employers. In this article, we'll discuss how to create a nurse manager resume that catches the eye of employers, with tips and examples to help you write your own.
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 nurse manager applications. 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. Continue reading to find the best nurse manager resume tips from careers experts at Jobseeker.
What to include in a nurse manager resume
A successful nurse manager resume will typically include each of the sections listed below, with some optional sections.
If you're applying for an entry-level nurse manager role and have limited relevant experience, consider using a skills-based, or functional resume format. The layout emphasizes your skills and education above your work experience. Furthermore, a junior resume is more likely to focus on soft and transferable skills, as well as relevant training, internships and volunteer roles.
If you have some experience as a nurse manager, 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. 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.
As a highly experienced candidate, you'll want your nurse manager 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
Your nurse manager 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. Make your resume header clear, concise and as brief and compact as possible. Consider different layouts that spread the information horizontally across the page rather than using a different line for each piece of information.
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.
Zoe Bennett
zoe.bennett@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
124 Conch Street, Bikini Bottom, CA
linkedin․com/in/zoe–bennett123
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 nurse manager.
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.
A good resume summary reflects the job description and highlights some of the key skills required for nurse manager roles, while leaving the reader with an impression of your unique qualities and strengths. The most effective resume summaries also provide evidence to back up the claims made in them. Take a look at some strong examples of how to approach a nurse manager resume summary in the graphic below.
Good example:
Experienced Nurse Manager with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), adept at overseeing nursing staff, managing patient care operations, and implementing evidence-based practices. Proven track record in enhancing patient outcomes, ensuring regulatory compliance, and fostering a collaborative team environment. Skilled in budget management, staff training, and quality improvement initiatives. Dedicated to delivering high standards of patient care and operational efficiency
Bad example:
Nurse manager with some background in nursing and overseeing staff. Involved in roles related to patient care and following guidelines. Have worked on improving outcomes and creating a team atmosphere. Experienced in handling budgets, training staff, and working on quality projects. Focused on maintaining care standards and running things smoothly
On the other hand, an unsuccessful resume summary is one that mentions irrelevant skills, qualities and achievements and fails to differentiate you from other candidates. See above for some examples of things to avoid when writing your nurse manager 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 nurse manager. For each entry, list the job title, the name of the employer, its location and the dates you worked there. Add each job in reverse-chronological order, starting with your current or most recent role.
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 work experience section pulls the reader 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. Review some strong examples of resume work experience sections in the graphic below.
Good example:
Nursing Manager, January 2022 - Present
CareBridge Health Services, Mesa
- Successfully reduced patient readmission rates by 15% through implementation of targeted care coordination and follow-up programs
- Spearheaded a staff training initiative that improved patient satisfaction scores by 20% within one year
- Implemented a new electronic health record system, increasing documentation efficiency by 30% and reducing errors by 25%
Bad example:
Nursing Manager, January 2022 - Present
CareBridge Health Services, Mesa
- Improved patient care through various initiatives and programs
- Led team efforts to enhance overall healthcare services
- Implemented systems to boost efficiency and reduce errors
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 and Qualifications
The education section provides space to list your highest and most recent academic achievements that are relevant to working as a nurse manager.
Opportunities as a nurse manager 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 quality improvement initiatives or clinical care expertise.
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. Include bullet points to show any specialist modules you studied, awards or exceptional grades and achievements that can set you apart from other candidates. These will all contribute to creating a positive impression on employers.
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
American University, Washington, D.C
Skills
Listing your key skills can help to prove your suitability for nurse manager jobs. These could be budgeting and finance, problem-solving aptitude or various other relevant skills. Again, include any skills that match those listed in the job description. Focus particularly on technical skills required for nurse manager jobs and transferable skills that show your qualities as a nurse manager.
Listing hard skills on your nurse manager resume
Hard skills are specific skills related to the job you're applying for. They include particular abilities, technical skills and industry knowledge that relate directly to jobs as a nurse manager. Furthermore, your hard skills list helps to show employers how competent and experienced you are at key nurse manager 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.
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 nurse manager resume, see below.
- Clinical care expertise
- EMR system proficiency
- Staff management skills
Listing soft skills on your nurse manager 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. Indeed, transferable skills are growing in importance in the modern world of work, so make sure you include several of these in your resume. It's best to aim for four or five soft skills that match the job description and reflect your strongest personal qualities.
A strong soft skills section should play to your strengths, listing skills that reflect your personal qualities while also reflecting the skills listed in the job description. For some examples of good soft skills for a nurse manager resume, see below.
- Effective communication skills
- Emotional intelligence (EI)
- Conflict resolution abilities
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, make sure you list the dates of your certifications and licenses so employers can see they're up-to-date and valid.
Review the list below for some suitable certifications for a nurse manager resume:
- Nurse Executive-Board Certified, 2022
- Certified Nurse Manager, 2022
- Certified Nurse Leader, 2022
Jobseeker Tip:
Optional Sections
As well as the main sections of a nurse manager resume, optional sections can help you prove your credentials to employers. Pick from the optional sections below to help show the employer you have the skills and experience for the job.
Personal Hobbies and Interests
Adding your hobbies and interests is a legitimate way of showing off your skills and personal 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 nurse manager experience. If you're thinking about adding hobbies and interests, just make sure they add something unique to your application, and showcase your personality and interests in unique and interesting ways.
Voluntary Work
This section can be valuable for a nurse manager 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
It's not typical to include references in a nurse manager resume, but some employers might ask for them. Don't add references unless requested by the employer. 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 strong verbs for your a nurse manager 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.
- Coordinate
- Supervise
- Implement
- Evaluate
- Mentor
- Facilitate
- Advocate
- Educate
- Collaborate
- Optimize
For help creating an eye-catching resume design to catch the attention of hiring managers, see Jobseeker's professional resume layouts. You can also use our clear, effective cover letter templates to complete your application.
Example of a nurse manager resume
Now we've covered the main sections to include in your nurse manager resume, let's take a look at how it all comes together in the example below:
124 Conch Street, Bikini Bottom, CA
•
zoe.bennett@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/zoe–bennett123
Experienced Nurse Manager with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and a proven track record as a Clinical Nurse Manager. Skilled in staff leadership, patient care coordination, policy implementation, and quality improvement. Adept at fostering a collaborative environment to enhance patient outcomes and operational efficiency
Clinical Nurse Manager
2020
-2022
Medicare Solutions Inc (Honolulu)
- Implemented a patient care protocol reducing hospital readmission rates by 15% within the first year
- Led a multidisciplinary team to achieve a 98% patient satisfaction score, the highest in the hospital's history
- Successfully managed a budget of $2 million, achieving a 10% cost reduction without compromising care quality
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
2017
-2020
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Chapel Hill, NC)
Clinical care expertise
EMR system proficiency
Staff management skills
Effective communication skills
Emotional intelligence (EI)
Conflict resolution abilities
Nurse Executive-Board Certified
Certified Nurse Manager
English - Fluent
Spanish - B2
Best practices for a nurse manager resume
Advice to help you craft a winning resume
- Action verbs can help show the actions you've taken and the impact you've made in nurse manager jobs (e.g. 'advocate', 'educate', 'collaborate').
- Mention key skills that show you're suited to the job throughout your resume, as well as in the dedicated skills section.
- Make your nurse manager resume short and to-the-point. A length of one page is ideal for junior roles, while two is acceptable for senior applications.
- Review your resume thoroughly and correct any errors before sending it, to avoid unnecessary harm to your chances.
- Mention your key educational achievements, such as degrees and professional qualifications, along with grades such as your GPA, if they're high.
Pitfalls to avoid with your resume writing
- Don't include personal details beyond your name, location and contact details. Adding your age, gender, nationality or a photo can create unwanted hiring bias.
- Don't exaggerate, lie or hide details about yourself as these can all undermine your chances of success with nurse manager applications.
- Don't include hobbies unless they help you prove a skill or experience that's necessary for the job.
- Don't use jargon or acronyms that can make your nurse manager resume more difficult to read.
- Don't add work experience that's unrelated to the role you're applying for, as it isn't likely to help your chances of success.
Making an ATS-friendly resume
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 you're writing your nurse manager resume, there are several things you can do to make sure your resume stands the best chance of passing the ATS stage.
Create an ATS-optimized resume by following these quick tips:
- Opt for an established, traditional resume format such as a reverse-chronological or functional structure. These will ensure your resume includes all the necessary details ATS systems scan for.
- 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.
- Include clear headings in each section that match the traditional resume structure and format. This will make it easier for the ATS software to scan your resume.
- Adopt a clean, unfussy design that gives your content enough white space to breathe. Use professional, readable fonts and subtle use of color and other design elements.
- Make sure your resume is as concise as possible, so ATS applications can easily scan and identify the required details.
If you're looking for inspiration for your resume, discover our comprehensive resume examples and in-depth, expert career blog.
FAQs for a nurse manager resume
Now that you know how to write a professional nurse manager resume, you might also want to learn how to write an accompanying cover letter that makes a similar impact.
Before you write your cover letter, think about whether you need a formal, professional letter or if a brief, less formal email might be more suitable.
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 nurse manager 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.
If you have no experience, it's still possible to write a professional nurse manager resume that makes a positive impression on hiring managers. Use a skills-based resume format to highlight your relevant skills and education. This is more suitable for junior or entry-level roles where you might not have much work experience to showcase. Utilize additional sections at the end of your resume to show you've got what it takes to do the job. These include hobbies and interests, voluntary roles, certifications and internships.
Use a resume headline to make it easy for the reader to start assessing your suitability for nurse manager positions at first glance. A well-constructed resume headline can help your resume rank highly with ATS screening tools by referencing some of the key information from the job description. Write a concise headline including the job title, a reference to your experience or track record and one or two key skills.
See below for an example of a well-constructed resume headline:
- Aspiring Nurse Manager Seeking Growth
- Experienced Nurse Manager Leader
- Experienced Senior Nurse Manager
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. Once you have some relevant work experience, and for senior positions, a reverse chronological resume format is typically best. This emphasizes your work experience, which will probably be the key thing employers want to know about.
Takeaways for a winning nurse manager resume
The best resumes focus on your skills and the value you've added to previous roles, rather than focusing on your duties and responsibilities. Pick a resume format that matches your experience levels, and tailor the content of your resume to reflect the details of 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. 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/
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