June 1, 2022

Travel Nurse Resume Tips

Resume applications on wooden desk ready to be reviewed

Before we get into the details, we’ve included two handy documents for you to use to make sure you’re ready to submit when that dream assignment is posted. Look over our Resume Template Example to see what you’ll want to include on your resume, and use our Traveler Profile Cheat Sheet to know what you’ll want to keep updated to stay submission-ready!

Resume Template Example

Traveler Profile Cheat Sheet

While there are rules for building a great resume that applies to any industry, there are a few that apply specifically to travel nursing. Here are some tips for building a masterpiece of a resume that will get you the position you want.

Highlight Your Adaptability

Travel nurses are known to hit the ground running. Show your next employer that you are flexible. Add in floating experience and list several ways that demonstrate your adaptability. Floating positions will also display well-rounded expertise. Don’t forget to include figures supporting the impact of your amazing work.

Include Credentials

Highlight your education, nursing licenses, certifications, academic achievements, and/or awards. List volunteer work if it’s relevant to the travel assignment or job for which you’re applying. Think of anything that showcases your qualifications and sets you apart from other applicants, and add it to your resume.

Be Concise

Be thorough and specific but keep it short. Your resume shouldn’t be more than a page. Even with a lot of experience, write concisely to avoid too many pages. Be sure to mention if a hospital you’ve worked in was a Magnet, teaching, trauma, or any other kind of hospital. Include any specific contributions to employers or training programs that you assisted with.

Update It

Save the job description and use the facility’s objectives to help you update your resume. It’s best practice to revise your resume after each assignment. Your work history should be listed in chronological order, with the most recent job at the top. You never know when a great opportunity might come along.

Proofread Multiple Times

As with any resume, use spell check and simple fonts. It’s easy to overlook your own errors, so it helps to have someone else proofread your resume. If you don’t have a second pair of eyes, print it out and read it out loud, slowly. You’ll increase your chances of catching any silly mistakes you previously didn’t see.

Include Your Contact Information

Once you’ve added all of the details to market yourself well, make sure your contact information is visible and easy for the employer to find. Include a phone number, email address, and the URL to your LinkedIn page if you have one. Your email address and LinkedIn URL should be simple and professional. If not, it’s highly recommended that you create a new email address and update that URL.

Your resume doesn’t have much time to impress, so make sure it’s polished, and you’ll be that much closer to getting the assignment you want!