Trauma Nurse Resume Writing Tips and Example

If you want a workplace infused with adrenaline and a sense of purpose, trauma nursing could be your calling. Trauma nurses operate in fast-paced emergency rooms, delivering life-saving interventions to patients with severe injuries. With 40 million injury-related emergency department visits each year, these professionals are in high demand. If you want to join this field, you’ll need a standout trauma nurse resume and cover letter.

Our easy-to-follow formula is designed to help you create a powerful nursing resume — your ticket to catching the eye of hiring managers and scoring a job interview for a trauma nurse position. As a bonus, we’ve included a resume sample to fuel your creativity.

3 Tips to Write a Standout Trauma Nurse Resume

1. Structure Your Resume for Success

In the competitive world of job hunting, you have a mere 7.4 seconds to make an impression. Within this brief window, your goal is simple: Radiate competence and ignite interest. Use these seconds wisely to present yourself as a competent candidate that they’d want to learn more about.

To spark interest, you can start with a nursing resume objective, which gives an employer a snapshot of your qualifications and skills. Next, arrange the information you want to incorporate into your trauma nurse resume across these key sections:

• Resume summary or objective
• Key qualifications
• Professional experience
• Education
• Skills
• Certifications

2. Prove Your Competence

Earlier, you laid out a structure. Now, it’s time to back it up with data to prove your competence. How do you do that? By providing numbers and highlighting specific skills.

Numbers provide clear, measurable data, making your achievements stand out. Mentioning essential trauma nurse skills demonstrates your specialized competence, showcasing that you’re not just a good nurse — you are an outstanding trauma nurse. Some relevant skills to consider putting in your resume include:

• Advanced airway management
• Chest tube insertion
• Shock management
• FAST exam (focused assessment with sonography in trauma)
• Tourniquet application
• Hemorrhage control techniques
• Rapid sequence intubation

3. Use Job-Specific Keywords

Nowadays, many companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to speed up the hiring process. These systems act as gatekeepers, scanning resumes for specific keywords and weeding out applicants who don’t match. To make it past this phase, tweak your resume with the exact keywords from the job post. If they want a trauma nurse, use “trauma nurse,” not “trauma unit RN.”

Trauma Nurse Resume Sample

Lorena Lopez, RN, TCRN

Splint Street, CA | firstlast@email.com | 444-444-4444

Highly skilled trauma nurse with seven years of experience. Distinguished service in the U.S. Coast Guard. Experienced in emergency room, medical-surgical, and field settings.

Key Qualifications

• Proficient in rapid trauma assessment to identify life-threatening injuries, utilizing scoring systems like the Glasgow Coma Scale and Injury Severity Score.
• Efficient in trauma triage for prioritizing and managing multiple cases.
• Knowledgeable in trauma care protocols, including blood product administration and other critical interventions.
• Active in community outreach to raise awareness about trauma prevention and first aid interventions.

Education

San Diego University, San Diego, CA, 20XX

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

GPA: 3.8/4.0

Professional Experience

Reputable Hospital, Trauma Nurse, 20XX–present

• Conducted quick and thorough trauma assessments for prompt intervention.
• Applied advanced airway management and hemorrhage control skills to ensure efficient and effective treatment of trauma patients.
• Collaborated with trauma teams, including surgeons, anesthesiologists, and radiologists, to ensure coordinated and comprehensive patient care.
• Maintained accurate and detailed patient records, ensuring compliance with healthcare regulations.

U.S. Coast Guard, Trauma Nurse, 20XX–20XX

• Conducted rapid trauma assessments during search and rescue operations, ensuring timely identification and treatment of life-threatening injuries.
• Administered advanced life support and critical care interventions during operations.
• Collaborated with multi-disciplinary teams in response to maritime accidents, natural disasters, and medical evacuations.
• Participated in disaster preparedness drills to enhance response capabilities.

Great Hospital, Med-Surg Nurse, 20XX–20XX

• Provided direct care to a diverse patient caseload, focusing on postoperative care and chronic medical conditions.
• Administered medications, monitored vital signs, and implemented care plans for postoperative and general medical-surgical patients.
• Effectively managed crises and emergencies, including rapid response to deteriorating patient conditions and participation in code blue teams.
• Implemented patient safety initiatives to minimize the risk of falls, medication errors, and other adverse events.

Skills

• Trauma assessment and critical care interventions
• Advanced airway management, intubation, and use of supraglottic airway devices
• Hemorrhage control and application of hemostatic agents
• Strong communication and interdisciplinary collaboration skills
• Excellent time management and organizational abilities
• Language comprehension: English and Spanish
• Software proficiency: Epic, Cerner, WebPT

Certifications and Licenses

• Basic life support (BLS)
• Advanced cardiovascular life support (ACLS)
• Registered nurse (RN)
• Trauma certified registered nurse (TCRN)

Professional Memberships

• Society of trauma nurses (STN)
• American nurses association (ANA)

Trauma Nurse Salary

The average salary for a trauma nurse in the U.S. is $73,000 per year. Your paycheck will largely depend on your education, experience, certifications, and geographic location. If you’re open to relocation, consider looking for work in these top-paying states for RNs:

• California
• Hawaii
• Washington
• Oregon
• Alaska

Ready to Use Your Trauma Room Nurse Resume?

Need help finding a job? IntelyCare is your ultimate employment matchmaker, connecting you with the best opportunities nationwide. Explore our job board to find trauma nurse jobs that fit your skills and interests.