Oncology Nurse Resume Example
Starting a career as an oncology nurse gives you the chance to gain experience in administering chemotherapy treatments and educating patients/families. To succeed in your applications for oncology nurse roles, you'll need a resume that reflects your relevant skills and experience. In this article, we'll highlight tips and examples for creating an oncology nurse resume that makes a winning impression on recruiters and hiring managers.
This comprehensive guide will give you all the tools you need to craft an oncology nurse resume that positions you strongly against other candidates. 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 expert tips and advice from Jobseeker that will help you with your oncology nurse resume.
What to include in an oncology nurse resume
The key sections to include in an oncology nurse resume are similar to those for any role or profession.
If you're applying for junior, entry-level or graduate oncology nurse positions and you lack work experience, consider using a skills-based resume format to emphasize your skills and education. Focus the content of your resume on your soft and transferable skills, and any hard or technical skills you've learned from your studies or career to date. You can also mention any relevant internships, training courses or voluntary roles you've taken on.
When applying for mid-level oncology nurse positions, it's typically best to opt for a reverse-chronological resume format. This is because work experience tends to be the most important resume section for this level. 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 oncology 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. 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.
While the content and format of your resume may vary depending on your experience levels, it's important to always include the following sections:
Header and Personal Information
The resume header is the place to add your name and contact details, along with your LinkedIn URL if you have a profile, so employers can find more information about your career journey and skills. You don't typically need to add a photo, or any other personal information to this section. 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.
Opt for a professional-looking email address based on your name. If your email address could be construed as unprofessional or inappropriate because it contains nicknames or unsuitable language, create a new, more professional email address for your job applications. Always check your contact details to make sure they're up-to-date before you send your resume.
Gerald Ruiz
gerald.ruiz@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
124 Conch Street, Bikini Bottom, CA
linkedin․com/in/gerald–ruiz123
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. Furthermore, when writing your profile, focus on two or three key skills and achievements that showcase your suitability for oncology nurse roles.
Alternatively, focus on introducing your career ambitions, and why this role is a good fit, both for you and the organization.
A strong resume summary focuses on two or three key skills and achievements that showcase your suitability for oncology nurse roles in a clear, quantifiable way. It also gives an insight into your personal qualities, to help the reader understand why you're a suitable candidate. Take a look at some strong examples of how to approach a oncology nurse resume summary in the graphic below.
Good example:
Compassionate and skilled Oncology Nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and extensive experience as an Oncology Nurse Specialist. Expertise in administering chemotherapy, managing patient care plans, and providing emotional support to patients and their families. Proven ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-quality, patient-centered care. Strong background in patient education, symptom management, and clinical research support. Dedicated to improving patient outcomes through evidence-based practices and continuous professional development
Bad example:
Nurse with some experience in healthcare and working with patients. Familiar with giving treatments and helping patients and their families. Worked with different healthcare professionals to provide care. Have some background in teaching patients about their health and managing symptoms. Interested in improving patient care through learning and development
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. The graphic above shows some of the pitfalls to avoid when creating your 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 an oncology nurse. 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 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. Take a look at the examples below for some guidance on what works best for your work experience section.
Good example:
Oncology Nurse Specialist, January 2022 - Present
CareBridge Oncology Services, Henderson
- Spearheaded a multidisciplinary team to develop a comprehensive patient education program, resulting in a 30% increase in patient adherence
- Implemented evidence-based pain management protocols, reducing patient-reported pain scores by 25% within the first six months
- Successfully coordinated over 50 clinical trials, contributing to advancements in cancer treatment and securing $2 million in research funding
Bad example:
Oncology Nurse Specialist, January 2022 - Present
CareBridge Oncology Services, Henderson
- Led a team to improve patient education, enhancing overall patient satisfaction and engagement
- Developed and implemented protocols to improve patient care and outcomes
- Coordinated clinical trials, contributing to advancements in medical research and treatment
Above, you can see a weaker example of a resume work experience section to best avoid. Poor examples of resume work experience sections tend to be vague and fail to quantify your achievements and the impact you've made in your career to date. They may also focus on responsibilities above relevant skills and how you've used them.
Education and Qualifications
In this section list any educational qualifications or degrees that are relevant to oncology nurse roles.
Opportunities as an oncology 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 electronic health records or chemotherapy administration certification.
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. 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 were a member of any clubs or societies, or volunteered for any causes while studying, you could also mention these in your education section.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), 2017 - 2020
University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT
Skills
The skills section is one of the main ways to show employers you've got the skills required for oncology nurse roles. Whether your skills include IV therapy proficiency, critical thinking abilities or any other useful skills for the role, you'll want to list them here. Again, refer to the job description and make sure you include skills that the employer has listed as essential or desirable for employment as an oncology nurse.
Listing hard skills on your oncology nurse resume
Hard skills are the key technical skills required for oncology nurse positions. They include specific industry knowledge and abilities that you could learn on the job, or through a specialist qualification. Furthermore, it's important to show these skills in an oncology nurse resume as they provide a strong indication of your experience in the sector. Add up to five key hard skills that show you're an ideal candidate for the role. It can also be beneficial to add context to each skill, showing how you've used it to positive effect in your career to date.
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 an oncology nurse resume, see below.
- Chemotherapy administration certification
- IV therapy proficiency
- Oncology patient assessment
Listing soft skills on your oncology nurse resume
Soft skills are the personal skills and qualities that make you a good fit for the job. They include transferable skills and strengths that help you settle into the role, adapt to new challenges and build effective working relationships. Indeed, transferable skills are growing in importance in the modern world of work, so make sure you include several of these in your resume. In this section, add four of five 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 an oncology nurse resume.
- Empathy and compassion
- Effective communication skills
- Critical thinking abilities
Certifications and Training
In your certifications section, list any professional certifications or licenses that are relevant to working as an oncology nurse. You could list accreditations for certain professional roles or licenses for certain activities that help to make you a strong candidate. Therefore, make sure you list the dates of your certifications and licenses so employers can see they're up-to-date and valid.
Below you can find several examples of certifications for an oncology nurse resume:
- OCN - Oncology Certified Nurse, 2022
- AOCNP - Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse Practitioner, 2022
- AOCNS - Advanced Oncology Certified Clinical Nurse Specialist, 2022
Expert Tip:
Optional Resume Sections
There are several additional sections you could add to an oncology nurse resume, to improve your chances of success. Pick from the optional sections below to help show the employer you have the skills and experience for the job.
Personal 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. 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
Voluntary work can help you develop useful skills, so it's a valuable addition to your oncology 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
It's relatively unusual to include references in a standard oncology nurse resume, but they are required occasionally. Check the job advert to see if you'll need to add references to your resume. Add two or three professional references, and be sure to approach each referee before you include them.
References can be provided upon request.
Best strong verbs for your an oncology nurse resume
Add strong verbs to your work experience section to show the hiring manager the impact you made in your previous roles. Choose from the list of words below to increase the impact of your work experience section.
- Administer
- Assess
- Collaborate
- Educate
- Evaluate
- Implement
- Monitor
- Perform
- Provide
- Support
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 an oncology nurse resume
The oncology nurse resume example below incorporates all the information from above into a full-designed resume template, so you can see how a final resume will look:
124 Conch Street, Bikini Bottom, CA
•
gerald.ruiz@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/gerald–ruiz123
Dedicated and experienced Oncology Nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and a proven track record as an Oncology Nurse Specialist. Skilled in providing comprehensive care to cancer patients, administering chemotherapy, managing treatment plans, and offering emotional support to patients and their families. Adept at collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-quality care and improve patient outcomes. Passionate about oncology nursing and committed to continuing education and professional development in the field
Oncology Nurse Specialist
2020
-2022
OncoCare Specialists, Inc (Norfolk)
- Implemented a comprehensive patient education program, increasing treatment adherence rates by 30% over two years
- Developed and led a multidisciplinary team initiative, reducing chemotherapy administration errors by 40%
- Spearheaded a clinical research project on immunotherapy side effects, resulting in a peer-reviewed publication
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
2017
-2020
Florida State University (Tallahassee)
Chemotherapy administration certification
IV therapy proficiency
Oncology patient assessment
Empathy and compassion
Effective communication skills
Critical thinking abilities
OCN - Oncology Certified Nurse
AOCNP - Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse Practitioner
English - Fluent
Spanish - B2
Do's and don'ts of an oncology nurse resume
Key tips to help you craft a strong resume
- Mention your key educational achievements, such as degrees and professional qualifications, along with grades such as your GPA, if they're high.
- Proofread your resume to ensure it's free from spelling and grammar errors. Even minor errors can make a difference to your chances.
- Make your oncology nurse resume short and to-the-point. A length of one page is ideal for junior roles, while two is acceptable for senior applications.
- Write a compelling resume summary or objective to introduce yourself and your key oncology nurse skills.
- Use a clear resume format with professional elements, including suitable headings, line spacing, fonts and margins, to make your resume as readable as possible for hiring managers.
Things to avoid on your resume
- Don't crowd your oncology nurse resume with too many unnecessary details. Focus on only the most critical skills and achievements.
- Don't add personal information such as your age, gender, a photo or marital status, as these can lead to bias in the hiring process.
- 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.
- Don't use out-of-date contact information. Always make sure your email address and phone number are correct before sending your resume.
- Don't use passive language - avoid phrases like 'I was tasked with' and use strong action verbs instead.
How to make your resume ATS compliant
Applicant tracking systems (ATS) are increasingly taking responsibility for the management and processing of job applications, helping hiring practices to become more efficient. This can include screening resumes by scanning and ranking each application according to how closely it matches the job description. When you're writing your oncology nurse 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:
- 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 throughout your resume that help ATS software match your application to the job description. A higher match means your application is more likely to proceed to be reviewed by human eyes.
- 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.
Frequently Asked Questions about an oncology nurse resume
After writing your oncology 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.
A full, formal cover letter follows a traditional letter-writing structure and format. Add your header, the recipient's address an use professional greetings and sign-offs. In your first paragraph, introduce yourself and confirm the role you're applying for, along with your reasons for applying. Next, outline your key skills and achievements that are most relevant to the oncology nurse job description. Finish by expressing your enthusiasm for the role and adding a call to action to encourage the hiring manager to contact you for further information.
If you want to impress employers with a professional cover letter, use Jobseeker's simple and beautiful cover letter templates.
Writing an oncology nurse resume with no experience needn't be a daunting task. There are still plenty of ways to impress hiring managers with your resume. Opt for a skill-based resume format instead of a traditional layout. This places your skills and education in a more prominent position on your resume. 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.
If you want to create a strong first impression in your oncology nurse application, a resume headline can help. 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.
Below you can see a resume headline example:
- Entry-Level Oncology Nurse Specialist
- Dedicated Oncology Nursing Professional
- Senior Oncology Nursing Specialist
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'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 points for your oncology nurse resume
The key to a strong resume is to showcase your relevant skills and achievements through your work experience and other activities. 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.
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/
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