Postpartum Nurse Resume Example
Pursuing a career as a postpartum nurse provides opportunities for career progression and responsibilities involving providing patient education and monitoring vital signs. A professional resume for postpartum nurse applications will showcase your relevant skills and career achievements, to help you stand out from the crowd. In this article, we'll outline how to write a winning resume to boost your chances of success in your postpartum nurse applications.
This complete guide to a postpartum nurse resume will equip you with the tools you need to compete in your applications. 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 postpartum nurse resume tips from careers experts at Jobseeker.
Main elements of a postpartum nurse resume
Although the content of a postpartum nurse resume may differ according to your experience and seniority, the main sections will remain the same.
If you're applying for junior, entry-level or graduate postpartum nurse positions and you lack work experience, consider using a skills-based resume format to emphasize 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're already working as a postpartum nurse, concentrate on proving your credentials with your work achievements. Use a reverse-chronological resume format to place work experience prominently in your resume. Rather than simply listing your responsibilities in each role, show the impact you made and offer evidence that demonstrates the skills and experience listed in the job description.
For senior postpartum nurse applications, concentrate on your work experience and any accolades or achievements that prove your status as a highly experienced candidate. Use a reverse-chronological resume format with additional sections. 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
In your postpartum nurse resume header, list your name, email address, phone number and address or location. You can also add your LinkedIn, if you have one, to help employers better understand your work history and skills. While in some countries, you might include additional personal information or a photo, these aren't necessary. Make sure your resume header is as brief as possible and doesn't take up too much valuable space. Choose a clear, professional design that sets the tone for your application.
Make sure the email address you list in your header is professional-looking and doesn't contain any inappropriate content such as nicknames or unsuitable language. Opt for an email address based on your name or profession, or a combination of both. Finally, check your contact details before sending your resume, to ensure everything's up-to-date.
Julia Cook
julia.cook@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
221B Baker Street, Chicago, IL
linkedin․com/in/julia–cook123
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 postpartum nurse roles by showing key skills and qualities that reflect the job description.
Alternatively, focus on introducing your career ambitions, and why this role is a good fit, both for you and the organization.
The best resume summaries reflect the job description and focus on qualities that are relevant to working as a postpartum nurse, while highlighting elements of your personality that make you an ideal candidate. They also quantify the information provided with evidence. The graphic below showcases some good examples of what to include in your postpartum nurse resume summary.
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, an unsuccessful resume summary is one that mentions irrelevant skills, qualities and achievements and fails to differentiate you from other candidates. The visual above includes some examples of what not to do with your postpartum nurse resume summary
Employment History
In your work experience section, list any previous relevant roles you've worked in, as well as your key achievements as a postpartum 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.
In addition, include a few bullet points under each job, highlighting your key achievements so the hiring manager can see how they led to successful outcomes. Back up each point with evidence to show how you meet the job description.
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. Review some strong examples of resume work experience sections in the graphic 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
In the graphic above you can see a great example of what to avoid when writing your resume work experience section. 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.
Typically, working as a postpartum nurse requires a university or college degree, which you'll need to list on your resume. If you're working in this sector, it's usually a good idea to highlight your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree or other relevant qualifications. Focus on qualifications that showcase your neonatal care techniques or breastfeeding support expertise.
Enter the name and level of the qualification, the institution you studied at, its location and your dates of study or graduation. You can enhance this section by adding bullet points that show any outstanding grades, awards or achievements and any specialist subjects you studied. These details can make you stand out from other candidates.
Membership or leadership of any societies, clubs or causes while studying can also make a positive impression on hiring managers. Consider adding these to your education section for more insight into how you used your time as a student.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), 2017 - 2020
University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO
Skills
In your skills section, list any skills you've acquired or developed that are relevant to postpartum nurse positions. Consider adding postpartum hemorrhage management, empathy and compassion or any other necessary skills for the job. Again, include any skills that match those listed in the job description. Focus particularly on technical skills required for postpartum nurse jobs and transferable skills that show your qualities as a postpartum nurse.
Listing hard skills on your postpartum nurse resume
For your hard skills list, include any technical abilities or specific industry knowledge that's essential to working as a postpartum nurse. These could be skills gained through work experience or qualifications. 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.
You'll make more impact with your resume hard skills list if you focus on technical skills that reflect your unique expertise and specialism, and that match the key requirements in the job description. See the graphic below for some tips on hard skills for a postpartum nurse resume.
- Neonatal care techniques
- Breastfeeding support expertise
- Postpartum hemorrhage management
Showcasing your best soft skills
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. Indeed, transferable skills are growing in importance in the modern world of work, so make sure you include several of these in your resume. You should generally look to include up to five soft or transferable skills that match the job description.
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 postpartum nurse resume, see below.
- 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. These could be professional accreditations and licenses, or certifications that improve your level of suitability for the position. Therefore, add any professional licenses or certifications, along with valid dates that show they're still valid.
Review the list below for some suitable certifications for a postpartum nurse resume:
- RNC-MNN Certification, 2022
- IBCLC Certification, 2022
- CLC Certification, 2022
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. Add any of the sections below that help you showcase your key skills and experience.
Personal Hobbies and Interests
Including your hobbies and interests can be a valuable way of showing your key skills and qualities. 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 a postpartum 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.
Volunteer Experience
If you're lacking relevant postpartum nurse work experience, volunteer work can help to show you still have the 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 relatively unusual to include references in a standard postpartum nurse resume, but they are required occasionally. Check the job advert to see if you'll need to add references to your resume. 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 action words for your postpartum nurse resume
Using strong action words to make your resume resonate with the employer. Choose from the list of words below to increase the impact of your work experience section.
- Assess
- Monitor
- Educate
- Support
- Administer
- Collaborate
- Document
- Advocate
- Coordinate
- Evaluate
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.
Sample resume for postpartum nurse positions
Now that you know everything that needs to go into your postpartum nurse resume, let's review an example resume that you can use as a guide 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
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
Do's and don'ts of a mother baby nurse resume
Tips to write the best resume
- Write a compelling resume summary or objective to introduce yourself and your key postpartum nurse skills.
- Quantify your accomplishments by providing evidence that shows the impact you've made in your career.
- Include key skills throughout your resume that reflect the job description, and include a dedicated skills section.
- Keep your postpartum nurse resume concise, with a target length of one page for less experienced candidates, and two pages for senior positions.
- Use a professional resume format with clear headings, a defined structure and consistent margins for optimum readability.
Things to avoid on your resume
- Don't lie or exaggerate about your postpartum nurse experience or achievements as it can harm your chances in the long term.
- Don't list work experience that has no relation to the role you're applying for. It wastes space and is unlikely to impress hiring managers.
- Don't clutter your document by trying to add too many details. Focus on core postpartum nurse skills and achievements that are relevant to the role.
- Don't include hobbies unless they help you prove a skill or experience that's necessary for the job.
- Don't use passive language - change phrases like 'the project was delivered' to sentences using strong active verbs.
Guide to making your resume ATS-friendly
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. There are several things you can do when writing your postpartum nurse resume, to give yourself the strongest chance of ranking highly in the ATS stage and progressing through the recruitment process.
Follow these guidelines to create the best ATS-friendly resume:
- 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.
- 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.
- Add each section with clear headings that match the established resume conventions, so ATS software can easily identify each part of your resume.
- Use a resume design that includes clean, professional design elements to give your content space to breathe. This might include clear, readable fonts, subtle color accents and simple 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.
A postpartum nurse resume FAQs
Now that you know how to write a professional postpartum nurse resume, you might also want to learn how to write an accompanying cover letter that makes a similar impact.
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 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 postpartum 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.
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 postpartum 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. 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.
A strong resume headline can give the reader an immediate idea of your suitability for postpartum nurse jobs. 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 concise headline including the job title, a reference to your experience or track record and one or two key skills.
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 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. For entry-level roles, or situations where you're changing to a new career, a functional resume is often the best option. This places 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.
Key points for your postpartum nurse resume
An effective resume is a concise, professional summary of your relevant skills and career achievements, showcased through a chronology of your career history. 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.
Jobseeker has a wealth of resume tools, including resume templates and examples, to help you create a winning job application. Sign up today to get started. A stylish, professional cover letter can make all the difference to your job prospects. See Jobseeker's cover letter examples, written by careers experts, to help you craft an eye-catching application.
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/
