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Table of contents

ER nurse resume examples
How to format your ER nurse resume
Write an ER nurse resume in 5 easy steps
Include a cover letter
ER nurse resume — key takeaways
Frequently asked question about resume writing

In the rapid-paced environment of the emergency room, you’re the frontline in critical care, juggling multiple cases and communicating across an interdisciplinary team of medical professionals. Your swift decisions can mean the difference between life and death.

But when it comes to capturing that same intensity and breadth of experience in a resume for potential health care employers, you’re not sure where to begin.

An exceptional ER nurse resume can be the key advantage to landing a position in renowned hospitals and working in high-acuity settings. We’ll help you craft a document that resonates with hiring managers and health care professionals.

This guide will cover:

Outstanding ER nurse resume samples.
How to make a strong resume yourself.
Optional sections for your ER resume.
Why it’s good to include a cover letter with your resume.
Important tips to improve your job search.

Need to make your ER nurse resume right away? Dive into our Resume Maker. Choose a design that embodies the urgency and precision of the ER and receive guidance for each section, ensuring content that genuinely showcases your skills and dedication.

ER nurse resume examples

Entry-level ER nurse resume example

Entry level resume example emergency room nurse

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Why this entry-level ER nurse resume works:

Clarifies the career objective
At the beginning of your career, it’s essential to explain your aspirations and ambitions. A well-defined career objective aligns with your personal strengths and the professional direction you intend to pursue, offering a clear roadmap for your future endeavors.
Encompasses a breadth of clinical skills
Even at the entry level, the resume harnesses clinical rotations, internships and other training to showcase a substantial skill set. This reflects the nurse’s ability to react swiftly and competently in lifesaving situations.
Showcases educational and training credentials
The emerging ER nurse prominently displays their nursing education and any specialized emergency room training, underscoring a solid foundation in emergency medical care.

Experienced ER nurse resume example

Experienced resume example emergency room nurse

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Why this experienced ER nurse resume works:

Starts with a powerful professional summary
The experienced ER nurse kicks off with a professional summary, emphasizing their proven expertise in triage, patient stabilization and interdisciplinary team collaboration.
Outlines an extensive clinical skill set
As one advances in their ER nursing career, many skills are acquired. This resume accentuates critical skills, from trauma care and advanced cardiac life support to coordination with doctors and allied health professionals.
Highlights pivotal ER cases and outcomes
For a seasoned ER nurse, pinpointing high-stakes situations and the impact of their interventions becomes vital. This resume highlights particular cases where the nurse’s expertise was key to patient recovery.
Emphasizes chronological job history
The resume maintains a chronological structure, detailing the journey from an entry-level nurse to a seasoned ER professional, illuminating the depth of experience and consistent career growth.

Looking for a specific job title? Check out our other nursing resumes:

Browse other popular samples

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How to format your ER nurse resume

Selecting the right resume format is a big step for an emergency room nurse. Your chosen format should shed light on your journey and achievements in emergency care. Consider these three formats:

The chronological resume format is apt for seasoned ER nurses. It highlights your experiences in reverse-chronological order, letting potential employers trace your progression in emergency care — like pivotal cases you’ve handled or specific roles you’ve embraced through the years.
The combination resume format adeptly merges your work history with a comprehensive skills section. It’s perfect for ER nurses at the midpoint of their careers, especially those eyeing lead or supervisory roles.
The functional resume format zeroes in on skills, making it ideal for nurses newly venturing into the ER realm or those transitioning from roles such as nursing internships or academic programs.

With your format in place, it’s time to choose a design.

Choosing an appropriate resume template

Create your resume

Your resume template should epitomize the dedication and professionalism of an ER nurse.

For ER nurses who want to land a good position quickly, a simple resume template might be best. Its minimalist design foregrounds your skills and experiences in the clearest way possible.

But if you want to make an impression, you can always choose a creative or modern resume. These styles are a bit more adventurous, making them well-suited for emphasizing your unique style and adaptability — traits invaluable in the fast-paced ER environment.

Given the competitive nature of the health care industry, some hiring managers will be inundated with applications. Your aim should be to pick a template that accentuates your key skills, experiences and achievements. Clear headings, bullet points and strategic use of white space will guide the reader’s attention for easy scannability.

Just so you know — we support various file types, with options like Word resume templates and Google Doc templates readily available.

Now that you’re armed with your resume look and feel, you’re primed to make an impact. Let’s start writing!

Write an ER nurse resume in 5 easy steps

Think of your resume as a snapshot of your journey in the ER. It should capture the most important moments, from those lifesaving procedures to collaborative efforts with fellow medical staff. Your resume tells the tale of countless patients you’ve helped, crises you’ve navigated and the continuous learning you’ve embraced.

Let’s break this down step by step.

Step 1

Read the ER nurse job listing for keywords

Before starting your resume, carefully review the ER nurse job description, just as you’d prepare for a challenging shift in the ER.

Study job listings to identify essential skills and qualifications, such as patient triage, emergency interventions and interdepartmental communication. This scrutiny will help you understand the specific requirements of the medical facility, helping you craft a resume that resonates with each employer.

In health care, hiring teams often seek specific competencies. They might employ certain keywords to sift through a sea of applications.

For an ATS-friendly resume, ensure your content aligns with terms found in the job description. For example, if “critical care” or “rapid response” are mentioned, incorporate these into your professional summary, skills section and work history. But remember, only list the skills you actually have — honesty and precision are essential.

A great resume demonstrates that you’re not just any nurse — you’re the ER nurse they need.

Step 2

Summarize your career achievements

Begin your resume with a captivating resume profile. There are two main types of resume profiles for ER nurses: professional summaries and career objectives, and both are extremely effective depending on the circumstances.

A professional summary provides an overview of your nursing career and is best suited for those with extensive and consistent ER nursing experience. They’re especially powerful for nurses who have made notable impacts, like reducing patient wait times or pioneering new patient care protocols.

A resume objective, on the other hand, details your career goals. They are ideal for ER nurses who might be new to the profession, such as fresh nursing graduates or those transitioning from other nursing specialties. This format emphasizes your eagerness, transferable skills and the unique contributions you can bring to an emergency room setting.

Let’s examine how each of these would look on an ER nurse’s resume.

ER nurse professional summary example:

Experienced ER nurse with over seven years dedicated to providing top-notch emergency care in high-pressure settings. Successfully reduced ER wait times by 20% through process improvements and team collaboration. Recognized for excellent patient care and advocacy, as well as training new ER nursing staff.

ER nurse resume objective example:

Newly certified RN aspiring to leverage acquired academic knowledge in emergency care and passion for patient-centered service as an ER nurse at Harris Hospital. Dedicated to continuous learning, teamwork and bringing empathy and efficiency to high-stress environments.

Step 3

Highlight your essential ER nursing skills

In emergency care, your distinctive set of skills can make the difference between life and death. It’s crucial to showcase diverse skills to demonstrate your competence in an ER setting. Broadly, these skills can be categorized into two groups.

First, there are hard skills. For ER nurses, this encompasses medical procedures, knowledge of health care equipment, patient assessment techniques and emergency medical care protocols. Essentially, these are tangible and teachable abilities vital to the role.

The second group is called soft skills, and these pertain to your interpersonal attributes. Effective communication, teamwork, resilience under pressure and adaptability in high-stress scenarios are fundamental in emergency care. These skills underpin your capability to offer holistic patient care in the ER.

Your role in the ER is indispensable to ensuring patients receive timely, precise and compassionate care. Your skills should reflect your ability to tackle emergencies and improve patient outcomes.

Let’s explore the skills ER nurses commonly feature on their resumes.

Key skills for an ER nurse resume

Hard Skills

Trauma care
Life support techniques
Emergency medical procedures
Medication administration
Health care equipment operation
Patient assessment

Soft Skills

Communication
Empathy
Stress management
Teamwork
Decision-making under pressure
Problem-solving
Adaptability

Here’s an illustration of a well-organized ER nurse skills section:

Proficient in trauma care and advanced life support techniques.
Experienced in using modern health care equipment for emergency care.
Skilled in rapid patient assessment and triage.
Excellent communication skills, crucial for patient and team interactions.
Demonstrated ability to make swift decisions in high-pressure situations.
Efficient in managing stress and working in fast-paced environments.

Pro tip

Stay up to date on the latest advancements in emergency medical care and computer skills. Demonstrating awareness of cutting-edge practices and software can assure employers of your commitment to delivering quality care.

Step 4

Detail your ER experience

ER nursing is relentless and demanding. Your resume should show how your commitment and expertise apply to high-pressure situations.

When you write a work experience section, you’re really showing potential employers a range of skills, from an ability to handle emergencies to advocating for patients.

But don’t just list the ERs you’ve worked in. Dive deep into your role. Talk about specific cases that tested your skills, the challenges you faced, any leadership roles you assumed or specialized equipment you used. Make them realize that you’re not just an ER nurse but a vital pillar in any medical emergency.

To champion your contributions, employ action words in your resume. Words like “administered,” “triaged” and “coordinated” emphasize your active role in the fast-paced world of emergency care.

Example of a powerful ER nurse work history entry:

Lead ER Nurse, HealthFirst Hospital
Houston, TX
March 2019 – December 2022

Supervised a team of seven nurses, ensuring swift and effective patient care during peak hours.
Liaised between doctors, patients and families, facilitating open communication and patient satisfaction.
Administered lifesaving procedures to critical patients, boosting survival rates by 20%.
Implemented an improved triage system, reducing patient wait times by 30%.
Championed regular training sessions, keeping the team updated on the latest ER protocols and techniques.

Pro tip

Showcase your achievements with metrics. Whether it’s reduced wait times, improved patient outcomes or increased team efficiency, numbers paint a vivid picture of your competence and dedication.

Step 5

Spotlight your qualifications

You can craft a strong education section by listing your degrees.

Remember to highlight any ER-specific training, workshops or certifications in addition to your college diploma.

How to present your education and credentials:

Education

B.S. in Nursing
Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD

Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN)
Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN)

Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Certification
American Heart Association

Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC)
Emergency Nurses Association

Additional sections for your resume

Certifications and continued education

Your involvement in ER-specific certifications and continued educational endeavors underscores your commitment to maintaining cutting-edge clinical skills and knowledge.

How to list certifications and continued education on your resume:

Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) Certification, American College of Surgeons, 2022
Pediatric Emergency Assessment Recognition and Stabilization (PEARS) Course, American Heart Association, 2021

Interests related to health care

Featuring personal projects or hobbies, especially those tied to health care advocacy, patient care or medical research, paints a fuller picture of your dedication to the profession and your passion.

How to feature hobbies and interests on your resume:

Launched a podcast series discussing challenges and achievements in ER nursing, providing insights and tips for upcoming professionals.
Initiated a local health care discussion group, fostering a community of medical professionals and hosting bimonthly sessions.

Community outreach and volunteering

Highlighting your volunteer engagements, especially if linked to community health initiatives, patient advocacy or medical missions, reflects your dedication to the nursing profession and your passion for community service.

How to showcase volunteer engagements on your ER nurse resume:

Partnered with local NGOs to organize health camps, providing emergency medical services in underserved areas.
Volunteered at community health fairs, offering basic health checks and educating the public on emergency care essentials.
Collaborated with a school’s health club as an advisor, teaching students first aid basics and promoting health care careers.

Include a cover letter

Cover letter example emergency room nurse

Create your cover letter

The medical field, especially emergency care, is highly competitive, which means every aspect of your application needs to shine. That’s why we always advocate for including a cover letter with your application. Crafting a compelling cover letter could offer a deeper dive into your dedication and passion for emergency care.

Cover letters provide a platform to express your passion for saving lives, the adrenaline-driven moments in the ER and why you’re motivated to be on the frontlines of patient care. Share detailed accounts of instances where you’ve tackled emergencies, collaborated seamlessly with multidisciplinary teams or made pivotal decisions that positively impacted patient outcomes.

If your resume has eyebrow-raising aspects, like gaps in your work history, use your cover letter to address them constructively. Discuss how these experiences have enriched your nursing skills, broadened your perspectives and made you more adaptable.

For guidance on crafting a meaningful letter, explore our guide on how to write a cover letter and find inspiration from our library of cover letter examples.

To maintain a consistent look between your cover letter and resume, think about utilizing a cover letter template from our Cover Letter Builder.

Let your cover letter make you the ideal candidate for the ER nurse position.

ER nurse resume — key takeaways

Personalize your resume for each position

Tailor your resume to match the specific demands of each ER role, emphasizing your skills in patient triage, quick decision-making and effective team collaboration.
Highlight your ER experience

Showcase your hands-on experience with emergency protocols, from trauma care to cardiac life support, demonstrating your ability to adjust quickly in high-stress, unpredictable situations.
Emphasize your commitment to continuous learning

Highlight any advanced nursing courses, certifications or seminars you’ve pursued, underscoring your dedication to staying updated with the latest medical techniques and evidence-based practices.
Showcase your dedication to patient care

While the resume provides a summary of your skills, an authentic cover letter can reveal your deep-rooted commitment to saving lives and the motivations behind your career choice. It adds a genuine touch.
Emphasize quantifiable outcomes

If you’ve contributed to reduced patient wait times, improved patient outcomes or championed a specific initiative in the ER, underline those milestones with definitive figures.
Discuss collaboration and teamwork

The ER isn’t a solo effort. Highlight times when you’ve collaborated seamlessly with other health care professionals, showcasing your ability to function effectively inside a team, ensuring the best care for patients.

Frequently asked question about resume writing

Last Updated: June 24, 2024

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Don is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with more than 10 years’ experience creating digital content, including four years helping job seekers develop their careers. He holds an M.S. in Journalism from Northwestern University.