The 3 Biggest Mistakes Nurses Make on Their CV

In this blog, you will learn

• What a Registered General Nurse is
• The 3 biggest mistakes nurses make on their CV
• How nurses can avoid making these mistakes 
• Where the latest nurse jobs are and how to apply for them

What is a Registered General Nurse?

A Registered General Nurse (RGN) is a qualified healthcare professional who is registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). RGNs provide comprehensive nursing care in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, and community health centres.

What are the 3 biggest mistakes nurses make on their CV?

When preparing a CV, nurses, like any other professionals, can make several mistakes that may hinder their chances of securing a job interview. 

Here are three common mistakes which nurses should avoid on their CV:

• Poor formatting and presentation
• Lack of focus on relevant skills and experience
• Omitting achievements and measurable outcomes

Poor formatting and presentation

 A CV that is difficult to read or lacks a clear structure can make a negative impression on potential employers. Nurses should ensure that their CV has a professional and organised layout, with clear section headings, bullet points, and consistent formatting. It is also important to use an easily readable font and appropriate font size.

How can nurses avoid this?

To avoid poor formatting and presentation on your nursing CV, it's important to use a professional template that provides a clear structure. Organise your CV into sections with headings, and use bullet points to highlight key information. 

Choose a legible font, such as arial, and maintain consistency in formatting throughout the document. Keep the content concise and focused on relevant details, and proofread carefully to eliminate any errors. It’s also worthwhile to get a friend or family member to cast their eyes over your CV before you submit it to check for errors which you may have missed. 

Finally, save your CV as a PDF to ensure its formatting remains intact when shared or submitted electronically.

Lack of focus on relevant skills and experience

Nurses often make the mistake of including too much irrelevant information on their CV. While it is important to provide a comprehensive overview of your professional background, it is equally crucial to highlight the most relevant skills, qualifications, and experiences for the specific nursing position you are applying for. 

Tailor your CV to the job requirements and emphasise your expertise in areas such as patient care, clinical skills, relevant certifications, and specialised experience.

How can nurses avoid this?

To avoid a lack of focus on relevant skills and experience on your nursing CV, it's crucial to tailor your document for each application. Start by thoroughly reviewing the job description to understand the specific skills and qualifications sought by the employer. 

Prioritise the most relevant information by highlighting it prominently on your CV. Use concise bullet points and specific examples to showcase how you have applied those skills in previous roles. 

Exclude any irrelevant information that does not directly relate to the nursing position you are applying for. Additionally, emphasise any certifications or training programs that align with the job requirements.

Omitting achievements and measurable outcomes

Another common mistake nurses make is failing to highlight their achievements and measurable outcomes in their previous roles. Employers are interested in seeing concrete evidence of your contributions and the impact you have made in your previous positions. 

Include specific examples of your accomplishments, such as improvements in patient outcomes or recognition received for outstanding performance

How can nurses avoid this?

To avoid omitting achievements and measurable outcomes on your nursing CV, it's essential to showcase your accomplishments and the impact you have made in your previous roles.

When describing your work experience, make sure you are including examples of achievements such as successful implementation of protocol, or being acknowledged for exceptional performance.

Quantify your achievements whenever possible by using metrics or percentages to provide a clear picture of your contributions. Focus on highlighting how your actions and skills have positively influenced patient care, teamwork, and healthcare outcomes. 

Nursing jobs

If you’re searching for your next interim nursing job, why not take a look at the latest vacancies, or simply upload your CV to be notified when a relevant position becomes available. 

Struggling to recruit nurses?

As nursing recruitment specialists, we support NHS Trusts, local authorities and private sector businesses nationwide with their temporary, interim and permanent recruitment needs. 

We can supply nurses across all specialisms of nursing including adult, mental health, children, and learning difficulties.

If you’re struggling to fill a vacancy, why not get in touch with our nursing specialist, Kaylah Henderson on 01772 954200 to see how we can help?

Who is Spencer Clarke Group?

Established in 2017, we’re an award winning and progressive recruitment agency based in the heart of the North West. Our reputation is built on trust, expertise and an unwavering commitment to exceed expectations. 

In 2024, we were named Recruitment Agency of the Year at the prestigious Recruiter Awards, an accolade we are extremely proud of. 

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