How to Write a Travel Nurse Resume in 2022: With 10+ Tips & Examples

by Hiration

Do you wish to become a traveling nurse?

The US Bureau of Labor Standards predicts employment of traveling nurses to grow by 9% from 2020 to 2030. According to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), 55% of today’s nursing workforce is 50 years or older. The retiring workforce would thus create even more opportunities in the future.

The job outlook is undoubtedly positive. But first, what is a traveling nurse?

A traveling nurse is a registered medical practitioner who provides healthcare services in areas where medical facilities are scarce or healthcare organizations are understaffed. They fill positions on a short-term basis ranging from 13 weeks to 26 weeks.

They work in various health environments and discharge duties similar to that of a non-traveling nurse. They look after patients, collaborate with other healthcare professionals to create patient care plans, maintain records of medical supplies, and respond to patients’ queries.

Now that you understand the job of a traveling nurse, all you need is a winning resume to land your dream job!

Read on to know how to draft the perfect traveling nurse resume.

How Should a Travel Nurse Write a Resume?


You need an impeccable travel nurse resume showcasing your skills, nursing degree(s), work experience, registered nurse license(s), etc, to intrigue the hiring manager.

Follow this guide to write your travel nurse resume:

Begin the Travel Nurse Resume with Personal Information


Include your personal information at the start of the resume in the header section. Write your:

  • Full name
  • Current designation
  • Name of the healthcare agency/clinic/hospital
  • Location

Also, include contact details- phone number, and email address, for the hiring committee to get in touch with you.

Also Read: How to draft an impeccable charge nurse resume in 2022?

Write a Comprehensive Travel Nurse Resume Summary


A resume summary is a brief introduction to your resume. It briefly conveys your professional experience, your specialty, your clinical skill set, and what you wish to achieve in the future. It is comparable to an elevator speech where you introduce yourself concisely yet effectively.

For instance, “5+ years of experience as a nurse serving in clinics and hospitals. In-depth knowledge of emergency medical procedures. Seeking a role to leverage my experience and expand my skill set”.

If you do not have prior work experience, you could write a resume objective stating your aspirations, motivations, and career goals.

Mention Prior Work Experience in Travel Nursing Resume


The work experience section comes before the educational section if you have substantial experience or have changed numerous jobs. Mention details of your prior experience in reverse chronological order as bullet points.

Use power verbs to begin sentences such as measured, monitored, contributed, etc. Include metrics to make this section effective such as the number of beds in your unit, nurse-to-patient ratio, etc. For instance, “Developed patient care plans for over 10 patients in the critical care units”.

Pro Tip: You can also add details of your volunteering experience in the work experience section. Mention details of your volunteering experience at the community health centers or medical mission trips in foreign countries.

Also Read: How to decode a labor and delivery nurse job description?

List Your Educational Background in Travel Nurse Resume


Most traveling nurses have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing or an associate’s degree. Follow a professional format while listing your educational background. Also, mention the projects undertaken, research published, awards, and honors received during the program.

Use the following format to list your educational background:

  • Name of degree
  • Name of university
  • Year of joining
  • Year of passing
  • Academic accomplishments(Projects/published research/awards/honors)
  • GPA

List your Certifications and Licenses in Travel Nurse Resume


The nursing roles are becoming fairly competitive. Mentioning nursing certifications and licenses for specialty skills in your resume gives you a competitive edge over other candidates.

Use the following format to list your certifications and licenses:

  • Name of certification/license
  • Date of expiry
  • Certifying body
  • Certification/license number

Given that, some licenses and certifications have become the norm before your first nursing job. Most nursing candidates highlight them on their resumes. They also compliment your lack of professional work experience.

Following are the nursing licenses that must be mentioned on your resume:

You could opt to obtain licenses in multiple states to open up more opportunities for you. There are also walkthrough states- Arizona, Idaho, Louisiana, Missouri, and South Carolina, that issue a temporary license valid for 30 days to 6 months. Do check with the concerned state departments before applying for licenses.

Following are the certifications that you could choose from:

  • Basic Life Support
  • Certified Wound Treatment Associate
  • Trauma Nursing Core Course
  • Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support
  • Pediatric Advanced Life Support
  • IV Therapy Certification
  • Long Term Care Certification

Also Read: How to write a flawless nurse practitioner resume in 2022?

List your Travel Nurse Resume Skills


List down your skills on a piece of paper and divide them into hard skills and soft skills. Now, match them with the skills required in the job description. Choose the top 10 nursing skills you possess that are also mentioned in the job ad or would be helpful on the job to include in your resume.

Here are some skills to consider mentioning in your resume:

  • Patient Education
  • Recording Vital Signs
  • Record Keeping
  • Computer Skills
  • CPR Instructing
  • Excellent Communication
  • Leadership Skills
  • Empathy
  • Highly Organized
  • Teamwork
  • Stress Management
  • Problem-Solving

What Should a Travel Nurse Resume Look Like?: Tips to Write Travel Nurse Resume


When writing a travel nurse resume, make sure to follow these tips:

Format the Resume Using a Professional Layout Design


Use a professional layout with sections dedicated to personal information, work experience, education, skills, and certifications. Use clear headings and maintain white spaces between headings to increase the readability of the resume.

Always remember to:

  • Mention information as bullet points using 11 or 12-point font size
  • Maintain 1-inch margins on each side
  • Use professional fonts such as Calibri, Arial, or Cambria consistently throughout the resume
  • Save the file as “Name-Job title-resume”.pdf

Also Read: What are the ‘Do’s & Don't’ of writing a resume in 2022?

Use the Job Description to Customize Your Resume


The job description covers the employer’s expectations. It is important to link those expectations to your professional experience. Use medical keywords used in the job description to make your resume ATS compliant. You could also focus on being flexible about traveling since traveling nurses are associated with short-term roles only.

Attach a Cover Letter Along


A cover letter emphasizes your interest in the job. It is 3/4th of a page long with an introduction, body, and conclusion. Begin with a catchy introduction and mention the job you are pursuing. Mention your past work-related accomplishments as the body. Finally, wrap up with a call to action, asking them for an in-person or online interview.

Also Read: What are the main sections to add to a resume?

Proofread Before Applying


It is good practice to proofread all professional documents before applying. Look for silly typos, grammatical errors, and mistakes you might have made while drafting the resume.

Key Takeaways


A traveling nurse takes up short-term nursing roles in various health environments and locations. They discharge duties similar to that of a non-traveling nurse. A travel nurse resume is required when applying for roles in clinics, hospitals, or health organizations.

  • A travel nurse resume should have a dedicated section for personal information containing name, contact information, job title, organization, and location.
  • The next section should include a resume summary or objective statement.
  • The work experience section should include details of prior work experience in reverse chronological order with job title, organization’s name, and responsibilities held.
  • The education section should include details of the nursing program or degree obtained along with the academic accomplishments if any.
  • The certifications and licenses section should include all valid certifications and licenses held at the time of application.
  • The skills section should be highlighted, mentioning the key technical skills and soft skills that align with the job ad.
  • Always use a professional layout while drafting the travel nurse resume.
  • Attach a cover letter to emphasize your interest in the role.
  • Proofread the travel nurse resume before submitting the application.

Are you looking for a traveling nurse job and wish to write a travel nurse resume? Visit Hiration’s AI-powered resume builder for a smooth resume-building experience. We provide 24/7 online chat assistance.

Also, reach out to support@hiration.com for additional queries that you may have.