After registered nurses (RNs) earn a master’s degree and pass licensure exams to work as a family nurse practitioner (FNP), they have a variety of employment options. Whether they’re seeking a job in a doctor’s office or medical clinic or planning to open their own practice, FNPs should have a well-written resume.
A family nurse practitioner resume should not only reflect years of experience but also underscore the hard work and dedication that went into earning the degree. In healthcare, a solid resume is important to showcase work and, ultimately, land the perfect MSN career.
“An effective nurse practitioner resume demonstrates a high degree of professionalism and understanding of the health care field,” Health eCareers said in “Top 5 Nurse Practitioner Resume Writing Mistakes.”
For newly graduated FNPs, including those who earned an online master’s in nursing, crafting a resume helps achieve the of goal working closely with patients. At the same time, many FNPs have questions about the resume process, including:
How should an FNP resume be formatted?
Like all basic resumes, a family nurse practitioner resume should include information about work history, education and skills. Since FNPs already have years of experience, the information should be presented in one of two formats:
Chronological format
- Details work history by year
Functional format
- Highlights skills and achievements
“The functional resume may be a better fit for your needs if you have any long employment gaps or career shifts in your history that may confuse your readers,” LiveCareer said in its resume tips for nurse practitioners.
The FNP resume should be tailored to specific career goals and job opportunities to demonstrate how learned skills will benefit the new position.
What information should be included in an FNP resume?
In the years leading up to earning an FNP, many RNs have career experiences in a multitude of settings. In a resume, FNPs should showcase their proficiency, including all pertinent professional affiliations, club memberships and leadership experiences. Make sure to include a nursing license number and expiration date as confirmation of valid licensure.
Overall, a professional resume should be comprehensive and tailored to the position, author Krista A. White, Ph.D., RN, said in Career Watch, an American Nurses Association publication. She said clinical experience should include specific examples written in full sentences and personal information should be pertinent to the job opportunity.
“Because a resume is short and concise, it must indicate not only what you’ve done but also highlight why you’ll be an asset to the organization. For instance, don’t simply note that you led the task force on patient satisfaction, include that the task force improved satisfaction scores by an average of 2.6 points over the past 6 months,” White said.
In addition to a resume, are there other ways to showcase work?
Some FNPs may prefer to showcase their work in a CV, or a curriculum vitae, which presents information in a more detailed manner. A CV is generally written in a chronological format and includes comprehensive information. CVs are often required for positions in academia as nurse educators.
The employment site Indeed.com noted other differences between a CV and a resume:
Length
- Ideally, a resume is one to two pages, while a CV can be multiple pages and include a resume.
Customization
- A CV provides an extensive summary of career experiences and only changes as new experiences are added. A resume is tailored to individual job searches and changes to highlight specific skills or experiences.
Geography
- In parts of Europe, a CV and resume are one and the same and the words are used interchangeably. In the U.S., a resume and CV are distinctly different.
Indeed.com recommended that a CV include sections about publications, committee work, community service, and professional presentations.
“Early in your career, your CV will likely be short. This is perfectly acceptable, and potential employers and academic organizations will expect this,” authors White and Cynthia L. Castaldi, DNP, said in, “Creating and developing a professional CV,” in American Nurse Today. “As you move forward in your career, your CV will expand. However, this is accomplished only through conscious effort and strategic career planning.”
Today, a growing number of RNs are earning FNPs to expand their professional options. At Duquesne University, RNs enrolled in the online master’s of nursing program learn advanced nursing skills from the nation’s leading educators. Graduates are proud to highlight their Duquesne University education on their resume.
About Duquesne University’s Online MSN Program
Duquesne University’s online MSN and online Post-Master’s Certificate programs prepare RNs to use evidence-based practices to become leaders in advanced clinical care. Students can choose from three areas of specialization in nursing: Family (Individual Across the Lifespan) Nurse Practitioner, Forensic Nursing and Nursing Education and Faculty Role.
The university’s nursing program has been repeatedly recognized as a leader in nursing education, most recently as a “Best Online Graduate Nursing Program” by U.S. News & World Report. For more information, contact Duquesne University now.
Sources
Top 5 Nurse Practitioner Resume Writing Mistakes: Health eCareers
Practitioner Resume Samples: LiveCareer
Resume Makeover: Career Watch
What’s the Difference Between a Resume and a CV?: Indeed
Creating and developing a professional CV: ANA