Why a good resume is essential when applying for a new med-surg RN job

A thorough and effective resume is necessary to secure a job as a med-surg RN. Your resume is your first introduction to an employer and is a tool to showcase your professional qualifications, skills, and unique experience. A compelling resume is your first point of contact with a potential employer and should be written for a lasting impression.

Your resume should be detailed, yet concise, and should highlight your nursing degree (BSN) and any relevant certifications. It is used to effectively communicate your proficiencies and to differentiate you from a field of competitive candidates.

We will provide a few important tips and an example of a template resume to help improve your resume/CV and secure a job interview.

How long should a med-surg nurse resume be and what information should be included?

A med-surg nurse’s resume should be comprehensive but concise. You should provide enough information to showcase your qualifications, skills, and experience. Generally, a resume should be around one to two pages in length, but content should be prioritized over the length.

The following information should be included in your resume: contact information, resume summary or objective, education, licensure, clinical experience, skills, professional membership, continuing education, certifications, and any honors and awards.

Key Points that need to be included in a Med Surg Nurse Resume

Contact Information: Include your full name, professional title, phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile (if applicable).

Pro Tip: Your name should be highlighted with the biggest text on the page and listed near the top. Your address should only include city and state. The provided email should be a professional email, but not an employer email. (Never use your current job email for a resume.)

Resume Summary or Objective: Provide a brief, targeted statement summarizing your expertise, career goals, and what you offer as a med-surg RN.

Education: Include your educational background, including the name of the institution, degree earned, and graduation date. List your education in reverse chronological order with your most recent and highest degrees first. List your RN degree.

Pro Tip: If you are a new graduate, you may want to place the education section above the experience section. As you gain work experience, your education section should be shortened. If you have not graduated, you can add “expected graduation date” to the school.

Certifications and Licenses: Specify any specialized certifications related to med-surg including Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse (CMSRN) or Medical-Surgical Nurse-Board Certified (MEDSURG-BC).

Clinical Experience: Include your work history in reverse chronological order. For each position, include the name of the hospital or clinic, location, and dates of employment. Highlight any specialized procedure or technique you have experience performing.

This is the most important section as a med-surg nurse. Your professional experience should be presented in bullet points, and a separate section should be created for each relevant previous job. The headline for each previous job experience section should in bold with the addition of the time you were employed. Beneath the company name, the position should be mentioned, and the bulleted points should list the job responsibilities.


Pro Tip: It is important to mention not only the job responsibilities but also the achieved results at that job.

Presentations and Conferences: If applicable, include any conferences or seminars where you have presented your work or findings.

Skills: Outline both your technical and interpersonal skills that are relevant to a med-surg RN. Include your proficiencies in relevant subspecialties such oncology, neuroscience, cardiac, pulmonary, orthopedic or transplant nursing.

Professional Memberships: List any associations i.e. Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses (AMSN).

Awards and Honors: Highlight any special recognition or awards you have received for your contributions to the profession.

Professional Development: Showcase ongoing education, training, and workshops that you have attended to stay current in the field.

Note: If applicable, mention any languages that you proficient in. 

A med-surg nurses’ resume should highlight a combination of medical, technical, interpersonal, and leadership skills. Here are some important and relevant skills to include:

  • Patient Assessment and Monitoring:
    • Demonstrate skill in patient assessment and monitoring critical vital signs.
  • Post-operative and Recovery Management:
    • Accurate assessment of the patient condition to improve surgical outcomes.
  • Pain Assessment and Medication Administration:
    • Assess pain, manage the condition, and administer medications as needed.
  • Procedural Support:
    • Provide tracheostomy, catheter, and ostomy care.
  • Wound and Dressing Care:
    • Prevent infection and provide wound care.
  • Equipment and Technology Knowledge:
    • Knowledge of telemetry monitoring, EKG interpretation, IV therapy, central line care, and venipuncture.
  • Teamwork:
    • Work collaboratively with the interdisciplinary teams.
  • Decision-Making and Advocacy:
    • Make ethical decisions and advocate for the patient.
  • Continuous Learning:
    • Commit to professional development and remaining current with advancements.
  • Communication Skills:
    • Effective communication with colleagues and patients.
  • Documentation and EMR Proficiency:
    • Accurate charting in electronic medical records to ensure continuity of care and legal compliance.

Pro tip: It is common for each job post to receive hundreds of applications and a resume checking system is often in place for recruiters to filter through relevant applications. You should customize your resume to each specific med-surg job you are applying for. Be sure to emphasize your relevant skills and experience to demonstrate to the employer you understand the requirements of the job and why you are the best candidate. You will be more successful if you identify the key phrases in the job description and incorporate them into your resume. 

Resume example-template: You can view sample med-surg nurse resumes online, and can even build and customize your resume on websites like Live Career.

Now that you are ready to land the job! Check out our open Med-Surg Nurse opportunities!

Looking for more specialties? Check out our TELE opportunities!