Postpartum Nurse Resume Example
Working as a postpartum nurse can provide a rewarding career, involving monitoring vital signs and assisting with breastfeeding. To succeed in your applications for postpartum nurse roles, you'll need a resume that reflects your relevant skills and experience. In this article, we'll discuss how to create a postpartum nurse 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 postpartum nurse 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. Read on to learn how to write a perfect postpartum nurse resume, from the advice of careers experts at Jobseeker.
Core sections to include in a mother baby nurse resume
It's essential to include a few core sections in your postpartum nurse resume, while there are also a few optional sections you can make use of to strengthen your application.
If you have no work experience as a postpartum nurse or have just started in the industry, you could consider using a functional or skills-based format, which emphasizes your skills and education. Draw attention to your soft and transferable skills, as employers will value these highly for entry-level roles. You could also mention any internships, training or volunteer work that helps you showcase skills relevant to the position.
If you have some experience as a postpartum 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.
As a highly experienced candidate, you'll want your postpartum nurse 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.
While the content and format of your resume may vary depending on your experience levels, it's important to always include the following sections:
Resume Header and Personal Information
Your postpartum nurse resume header should contain your name and contact details. These include your email address and phone number. If you have a LinkedIn profile, you can also add that, to give employers the chance to learn more about your skills and experience. It's not necessary to include a photo or any other personal information. 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.
Julia Cook
julia.cook@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
221B Baker Street, Chicago, IL
linkedin․com/in/julia–cook123
Resume Summary
In your resume summary, write a short paragraph that highlights two or three of your key achievements and skills for postpartum nurse roles. You could also call this section 'resume objective' or 'personal profile'. A resume summary covers your career experience to date, while a resume objective focuses more on your ambitions for the future. Additionally, make sure your resume summary reflects the job description and focuses on qualities that are relevant to working as a postpartum nurse.
Alternatively, you could use this section to reference your objectives and ambitions, and how this role would fit into your career journey.
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. Take a look at some strong examples of how to approach a postpartum nurse resume summary in the graphic below.
Good example:
Dedicated and compassionate Postpartum Nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and extensive experience as a Postpartum Registered Nurse (RN). Adept at providing exceptional care to new mothers and their infants, ensuring both physical well-being and emotional support. Proficient in postpartum assessments, breastfeeding support, patient education, and addressing complications. Strong interpersonal skills and a commitment to enhancing patient outcomes through evidence-based practices
Bad example:
Nurse with a degree in nursing and experience in working with mothers and babies. Involved in helping with care and support for new moms and their newborns. Familiar with checking on health, helping with feeding, and teaching patients. Good at talking to people and trying to improve care using known methods
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. The graphic above shows some of the pitfalls to avoid when creating your resume summary.
Work Experience
In the next section, list your employment history focusing on the most relevant previous roles and achievements that showcase your postpartum nurse skills. 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.
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.
The best resume work experience sections focus only on the most relevant previous jobs, and link each bullet point back to a skill or experience listed in the job description. It's also critical to provide evidence that shows the value you added to each role in a quantifiable way, such as project outcomes, key performance indicators or feedback from customers, colleagues or managers. There are some examples of strong resume work experience sections below.
Good example:
Postpartum Registered Nurse (RN), January 2022 - Present
NurtureNest Postpartum Care, Cleveland
- Successfully managed care for over 150 postpartum patients, ensuring optimal recovery and infant health through comprehensive education and support
- Implemented a lactation support program, increasing breastfeeding rates by 25% and improving overall maternal and neonatal outcomes
- Awarded "Nurse of the Year" for outstanding patient care, leadership, and contribution to the postpartum unit's best practices and safety protocols
Bad example:
Postpartum Registered Nurse (RN), January 2022 - Present
NurtureNest Postpartum Care, Cleveland
- Provided excellent care to numerous patients, enhancing their recovery and overall health through dedicated support and guidance
- Contributed to team efforts, improving patient satisfaction and outcomes in the postpartum unit
- Recognized for exceptional performance and commitment to nursing excellence in the workplace
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
In your education section, include details of your most relevant postpartum nurse qualifications and educational achievements.
A postpartum nurse role tends to require candidates to have a university or college degree, so make sure you list yours in your resume. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree or similar is the most suitable for this job, but you could also include any other relevant qualifications that show your postpartum hemorrhage management or newborn resuscitation skills.
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 organized or participated in any clubs or societies while at university, or you took part in any voluntary work, you could also mention these here.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), 2017 - 2020
University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO
Skills
The skills section of a mother baby nurse resume is a chance to list any skills you have that match those of the job description. You could include postpartum hemorrhage management, communication skills or any other skills that show you're a suitable candidate. Again, refer to the postpartum nurse job description for an indication of the types of skills the employer is looking for, and make sure your skills section reflects these.
Highlighting your hard skills
Under hard skills, add any specialist skills you possess that are specifically required for postpartum nurse jobs. These tend to be technical skills and industry knowledge essential to the position. Furthermore, an extensive list of hard skills helps to make a compelling case for your postpartum nurse job applications, as they show employers your understanding of the postpartum nurse role. If possible, add four or five hard skills that reflect the requirements of the job description. These will boost your chances of success in your applications.
Your resume hard skills list should reflect your unique and specific industry expertise and experience, while also fulfilling the requirements listed in the job description. See the examples below for an idea of what an effective postpartum nurse resume hard skills list looks like.
- Neonatal care techniques
- Breastfeeding support expertise
- Postpartum hemorrhage management
Soft skills on your postpartum nurse resume
Soft skills are your transferable skills and personal qualities that make you a good match for a postpartum nurse position and the organization. Soft skills tend to be more universal than hard skills, and can often apply to multiple jobs and industries. In fact, you can develop soft skills throughout your career, and they tend to be suitable for various roles and professions. Think of your best soft skills and add up to five that match the requirements of the job description.
A good soft skills section would include skills that match the job description, and also reflect your key strengths and qualities. See the graphic below for an indication of what to include in a strong soft skills section for a postpartum nurse resume.
- Empathy and compassion
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking
Certifications
In your certifications section, list any professional certifications or licenses that are relevant to working as a postpartum nurse. Add any official certifications or accreditations that increase your level of qualification and suitability for working as a postpartum nurse. Therefore, add any professional licenses or certifications, along with valid dates that show they're still valid.
Below you can find several examples of certifications for a mother baby nurse resume:
- RNC-MNN Certification, 2022
- IBCLC Certification, 2022
- CLC Certification, 2022
Expert Tip:
Additional Information
In addition to the core sections of a mother baby nurse resume, there are several optional sections you could include to enhance your chances. Pick from the optional sections below to help show the employer you have the skills and experience for the job.
Hobbies and Interests
Listing your hobbies and interests can reveal key qualities that some employers may value. These are particularly useful for your resume if you're short of work experience and need to showcase a particular skill or experience. Only include hobbies and interests that showcase your personality and personal qualities, and add something different to your application.
Volunteer Work
This section can be valuable for a mother baby nurse 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 postpartum nurse 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 are available upon request.
Best words to use in a mother baby nurse resume
Start each bullet point in your work experience section with a strong verb to show actions you took. The suggested action verbs below will help the reader to understand your key qualities and the impact you made on the organization.
- Assess
- Monitor
- Educate
- Support
- Administer
- Collaborate
- Document
- Advocate
- Coordinate
- Evaluate
If you need help creating a resume that impresses HR managers, take a look at Jobseeker's professional resume templates. You can also access beautiful cover letter templates that help your application stand out.
Example of a postpartum nurse resume
Using each of the sections above, we've created this example postpartum nurse resume, to help guide you when creating your own:
221B Baker Street, Chicago, IL
•
julia.cook@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/julia–cook123
Compassionate and dedicated Postpartum Nurse with a BSN and extensive experience in providing comprehensive care for new mothers and their infants. Proficient in postpartum assessments, breastfeeding support, patient education, and emotional support. Adept at collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to ensure optimal patient outcomes and enhance the overall childbirth experience. Proven ability to manage high-stress environments while maintaining a calm and supportive demeanor
Postpartum Registered Nurse
2020
-2022
New Horizons Maternity Care (Greensboro)
- Implemented comprehensive postpartum education program, increasing patient satisfaction scores by 25%
- Spearheaded breastfeeding support initiative, resulting in a 30% rise in breastfeeding success rates
- Conducted postpartum depression screenings, identifying and referring 95% of at-risk patients to appropriate mental health services
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
2017
-2020
University of Massachusetts Amherst (Amherst, MA)
Neonatal care techniques
Breastfeeding support expertise
Postpartum hemorrhage management
Empathy and compassion
Communication skills
Critical thinking
RNC-MNN Certification
IBCLC Certification
English - Fluent
Spanish - B2
Key tips for a postpartum nurse resume
Key tips to help you craft a strong resume
- Quantify your achievements and show evidence of how you've used your skills to bring positive outcomes in your career to date.
- List your qualifications in your education section, including any necessary degrees or certifications, along with high grades.
- List key skills throughout your resume that show you're a good fit for the role, and include a separate 'skills' section.
- Thoroughly proofread your resume before you send it, to make sure it's free from errors in spelling or grammar.
- Showcase your key postpartum nurse qualities with a strong resume summary or objective to catch the attention of the reader.
Pitfalls to avoid with your resume writing
- Don't fill up your postpartum nurse resume with unnecessary information that contributes nothing to your chances of success.
- Don't include irrelevant work experience in your resume because it takes up valuable space and is unlikely to improve your chances of success.
- Don't mention hobbies or interests unless they help you prove a skill required for the role, that you haven't included elsewhere.
- Don't use an unprofessional email address. Instead, opt for a simple email address based on your name.
- Don't use passive language - avoid phrases like 'I was tasked with' and use strong action verbs instead.
How to make an ATS-friendly resume
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 drafting your postpartum 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.
Follow these guidelines to create the best ATS-friendly resume:
- Use a traditional resume format, such as reverse-chronological or functional. These will give your resume a structure that's easier for ATS systems to scan.
- 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.
- Use clear headings that break your resume up into readable, scannable sections that match the standard content employers expect from a resume.
- Use design elements that help make your resume more readable. These might include white space, clear, professional fonts and subtle color accents to help certain elements stand out.
- Use concise language to keep the length of your resume to between one and two pages. This will make it easier to scan for ATS applications.
For advice and guidance on creating the perfect resume, read our expert career blog and check out our detailed resume examples.
Frequently Asked Questions about a mother baby nurse resume
After writing your postpartum nurse resume, you'll want to write an accompanying cover letter that helps your application stand out.
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 postpartum 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.
You can create a professional cover letter in just a few simple, easy-to-follow steps using Jobseeker's tried and tested cover letter templates.
There are plenty of ways to still make a positive impression with your postpartum nurse resume, even if you lack relevant work experience. 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. Additional resume sections such as volunteer work, hobbies and interests, certifications and internships can all help you showcase your relevant skills. These can be more prominent in your resume if you haven't got a lot of work experience.
You can use a resume headline to introduce your document and set the tone for your postpartum nurse applications. 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 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.
You can use this example resume headline as a template for creating your own:
- Entry-Level Postpartum Care Nurse
- Experienced Postpartum Care Specialist Nurse
- Experienced Senior Postpartum Care Nurse
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. 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.
Key points for your postpartum nurse 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. Use a suitable resume format and tailor your resume for every application you submit.
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/
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