Neonatal Nurse Resume Writing Tips and Sample

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Written by Morganne Skinner, BSN, RN Content Writer, IntelyCare
A nurse works her first shift of the job she got with her neonatal nurse resume.

As a neonatal (NICU) nurse, you care for some of the tiniest (yet most resilient) patients. You’re an expert in all things newborns, from healthy to critically ill infants. Needless to say, your role in the healthcare team is essential.

Having a quality neonatal nurse resume can be the make-or-break factor in landing an interview and securing the job you want. In addition to your neonatal nurse cover letter, it’s the first opportunity for you to make an excellent impression on the hiring manager.

3 Writing Tips for Standout Neonatal Nurse Resumes

As you create your nursing resume, keep these tips in mind:

1. Lead with a professional summary. Dedicate a few sentences below your contact info to letting the hiring manager know why they should keep reading. What are your strong suits? How many years of experience do you have? What else helps set you apart from the competition?

2. Quantify when possible. Numbers give hiring managers a clearer picture of your qualifications. Be as specific as you can. Don’t just say you’ve performed a lot of assessments. Rather, state how many patients you’ve worked with, on average, within a year.

3. Make it relevant. Not sure which skills and certifications to put on your resume? Stick with the ones that are mentioned in the requirements portion of a job ad. Tailor your resume to each job’s list of requirements.

Neonatal Nurse Resume Sample

George Garcia

Concord, New Hampshire firstlast@email.com (555) 555-5555

Experienced neonatal nurse of five years seeking a per diem position. Developed strong advocacy and critical thinking skills during RN role at Concord Medical Center. Esteemed nursing professional committed to providing high-quality, safe neonatal care.

Key Qualifications

  • Detail-oriented, compassionate, and effective communicator
  • Possess an active, unencumbered RN license in New Hampshire
  • Specialized nursing care in low to moderate-risk neonates and infants

Education

Sprout University, Concord, NH 20XX

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Professional Experience

Concord Medical Center, Registered Nurse, 20XX–present

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

  • Provide specialized care to critically ill infants, including inserting IVs, respiratory care with ventilators, and obtaining daily weights.
  • Educate parents’ on infant care, equipment, condition, and procedures.
  • Administer medications, titrate IV medications per orders, and monitor vital signs on two neonatal patients per shift.

Toddler Town Medical Office, Registered Nurse, 20XX–20XX

  • Facilitated parenting classes with over 40 families, covering topics such as infant growth and development, breastfeeding, and healthy parent-child interactions.
  • Oriented and trained 16 nurses, educating them on facility policies, procedures, and best practices.
  • Performed newborn assessments on over 200 infants, including newborn screenings, assessing infant milestones, and obtaining vital signs.

Skills

Empathetic; Flexible; Organized; Time Management; Patient; Teamwork; Cultural Competence

Certifications and Licenses

Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)

Registered nurse (RN)

Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)

Neonatal Nursing Resume: Q&A

What are common neonatal nurse experience requirements?

You won’t always need prior nursing experience to work as a neonatal nurse, although some employers may prefer it. You will need competence in newborn care, newborn assessment, newborn resuscitation, critical thinking, and effective communication skills.

What is a personal statement for a neonatal nurse?

A personal statement consists of one to three sentences that summarize your qualifications and experiences. It’s very similar to an objective statement, except that this is more individualized and personal, explaining why you are a good fit. It should complement the information in your cover letter. Refer to the neonatal nurse resume sample for an example of what a personal statement looks like in practice.

What salary can a neonatal nurse expect?

The average neonatal nurse salary is about $71,500 per year. Depending on your degree, experience, location, and facility, your exact salary may differ.

Put Your Resume to Work

Now that you learned how to write an optimized neonatal nurse resume, you’re ready to apply for jobs. Need help with that? Search for neonatal nurse jobs on IntelyCare today.