How to Put Travel Nursing on Resume: A Comprehensive Guide
Travel nursing is an exciting and rewarding career choice that allows healthcare professionals to explore new places while also gaining valuable experience. However, when it comes to updating your resume, you may be unsure of how to effectively showcase your travel nursing experience. In this article, we will provide you with a comprehensive guide on how to put travel nursing on your resume, along with a common questions and answers section to address any doubts or queries you may have.
1. Start with a strong summary statement: Begin your resume with a well-crafted summary statement that highlights your travel nursing experience and skills. This will immediately grab the attention of potential employers.
2. Highlight your experience: Create a separate section on your resume specifically dedicated to your travel nursing experience. Include the names of the hospitals or facilities you worked at, the dates you were there, and any notable achievements or responsibilities you had during your assignments.
3. Emphasize flexibility and adaptability: Travel nursing requires the ability to quickly adapt to new environments and work with diverse patient populations. Showcase your adaptability and flexibility in your resume by highlighting your experience in different healthcare settings and with various patient demographics.
4. Showcase your skills: Include a separate section on your resume that lists your skills, both technical and interpersonal. This may include proficiency in electronic medical records systems, specific medical procedures, and strong communication or leadership skills.
5. Mention certifications and licenses: Travel nursing often requires specialized certifications and licenses. Make sure to include any relevant certifications or licenses you possess, such as ACLS, BLS, or state nursing licenses.
6. Discuss your ability to work independently: Travel nursing often involves being self-sufficient and able to work independently. Highlight your ability to work autonomously and manage your own workload effectively.
7. Include positive references: If you have received positive feedback or references from previous travel nursing assignments, include them in your resume or provide them upon request. Positive references can greatly enhance your chances of securing a travel nursing position.
8. Use quantifiable achievements: Whenever possible, use specific numbers or figures to quantify your achievements. For example, instead of saying “improved patient outcomes,” you could say “increased patient satisfaction scores by 20%.”
9. Highlight cultural competence: Travel nursing often involves working with patients from different cultural backgrounds. Emphasize your cultural competence and ability to provide culturally sensitive care in your resume.
10. Mention continuing education: Travel nursing provides ample opportunities for professional growth and continuing education. Include any relevant workshops, conferences, or courses you have attended to showcase your commitment to ongoing learning and professional development.
11. Address employment gaps: Travel nursing assignments can sometimes result in employment gaps. Be proactive and address these gaps in your resume by explaining the reasons for the gaps and highlighting the valuable skills and experience you gained during your travel nursing assignments.
12. Customize your resume for each job application: Tailor your resume to each specific job application. Highlight the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the position you are applying for.
13. Proofread and edit: Finally, ensure your resume is error-free and well-polished. Proofread it multiple times and have someone else review it as well to catch any typos or grammatical errors.
Common Questions and Answers:
1. Should I include all my travel nursing assignments on my resume?
It is not necessary to include every single travel nursing assignment on your resume. Include the most recent and relevant assignments that best showcase your skills and experience.
2. How do I deal with employment gaps caused by travel nursing assignments?
Address employment gaps by explaining the reasons for the gaps and emphasizing the valuable skills and experience gained during your travel nursing assignments. Focus on the positive aspects of your travel nursing experience.
3. Can I include non-nursing work experience on my travel nursing resume?
Yes, include non-nursing work experience if it is relevant to the position you are applying for or if it showcases transferable skills such as leadership, teamwork, or problem-solving.
4. Should I include my travel nursing agency on my resume?
Including your travel nursing agency is optional. If you feel it adds value to your resume, you can include it, but it is not necessary.
5. How do I showcase my ability to work with diverse patient populations?
Highlight your experience working with diverse patient populations, such as different age groups, ethnicities, or socioeconomic backgrounds. Discuss any specific training or certifications you have obtained in cultural competence.
6. Can I include travel nursing assignments as part of my work history?
Yes, you can include travel nursing assignments as part of your work history. List them chronologically along with your other nursing positions.
7. Should I include my travel nursing pay rates on my resume?
Including pay rates is not necessary and can be seen as unprofessional. Focus on showcasing your skills, experience, and achievements instead.
8. How can I demonstrate my adaptability and flexibility on my resume?
Highlight your experience working in different healthcare settings, with various patient populations, and your ability to quickly adapt to new environments. Discuss any challenges you faced during your travel nursing assignments and how you overcame them.
9. Should I mention that I am open to relocation on my resume?
If you are open to relocation, you can include a statement in your summary or objective section indicating your willingness to relocate for the right opportunity.