Surgical nurses play an essential role in ensuring surgeries go smoothly by preparing surgical equipment, assisting surgeons and helping patients before, during and after operations. This career path requires professionals to have the right qualifications, including certification and practical work experience. Learning about how to highlight your credentials on your resume can help you get a new surgical nurse job.In this article, we outline the steps for how to write a surgical nurse resume and we provide two sample resumes so you can write your own. When you're ready, upload a resume file or build an indeed resume to start applying for surgical nurse positions.To upload the template into Google Docs, go to File > Open > and select the correct downloaded file.
How to write a surgical nurse resume
Here are seven steps for writing a surgical nurse resume:
1. Prepare an outline
Having an outline for your resume is a great way to organize your ideas. You can either format your own resume by using clear section headings for each portion or you can use a template to guide your writing. To make your section headers clearer, try using a consistent formatting style like bolding to distinguish headers from the body text. When you organize your resume effectively, it makes it easy for the reader to find the information they need at a glance.
2. Format your header
Include a header on your resume that states your first and last name and your contact details. Some details to include are your phone number, email address and the city and state in which you live. Additionally, you can add a link to any professional social media platforms you use. Putting these details in the header allows the reader to find your contact information so they can follow up with questions or schedule an interview.
3. Write a professional summary
After your header, write a professional summary. These summaries are typically one to two sentences long. They provide an overview of your most relevant professional experiences or skills. You can also add details related to your professional goals and values to align your mission with the employer's. If you're a recent graduate or have little direct field experience, your professional summary is a great place to express your enthusiasm and willingness to learn.Related:A Guide To Writing a Resume Summary With Samples
4. Outline your work history
In the work history section, outline your most recent or relevant job positions. Use this section to show your skills and accomplishments in previous roles so the reader can gain insight into your abilities and determine whether you're a good fit for their team. For each entry in this section, provide details about your job title, dates of employment and the name of the company. Use a list of three to five bullet points to describe your responsibilities in each role. Try to start each point with an active verb. Using strong verbs allows you to be concise and descriptive.Related:How To Use Active Verbs in Resume and Interviews
5. List your skills
Use this section to account for any additional skills you have. For example, surgical nurses need a combination of soft and technical skills to succeed in their roles. You can include soft skills like empathy, communication or foreign language fluency. Additionally, address any specific technical skills you have, such as assisting with specific surgical techniques or using certain types of equipment.
6. Include your education
Surgical nurses typically need at least a bachelor's degree in nursing to qualify for their roles. They may also pursue a master's degree or other certifications to advance their careers or increase their qualifications for a position. It's important to showcase your education on your resume so the hiring manager knows you have the right credentials for the position.Related:How To List Education on a Resume
7. Name additional certificates
In the final section of your resume, list any additional certificates you may have. For example, surgical nurses may earn certificates that qualify them to work with certain clinical populations, such as pediatric, geriatric or cardiac patients. Listing these certificates on your resume helps you illustrate all your relevant skills, credentials and accomplishments to the hiring manager.
