Travel Nurse Submission Ready Resume Guides and Tips

Unless you are a very special kind of person, you probably detest the task of composing or updating your travel nursing resume. The whole process of submitting your resume to what seems like countless agencies every time you remotely entertain the idea of starting a new travel nursing assignment may make a root canal sound like a walk in the park. We feel your pain – but before you willingly submit to root canals or any other Medieval torture, let us explain how we turn this necessary evil into a necessary (and relatively painless) asset that will give you the competitive edge to land your next travel nursing assignment.

Why do travel nursing agencies require my resume?

We request all nurses who express an interest in traveling with us to send us their resumes at the very beginning of our vetting process for several reasons:

• To ensure you meet all hiring criteria for our agency and the travel nursing assignments you’re interested in
• To make the best use of your time and ours – the sooner we receive your resume, the better our team can help to ensure your resume best represents your unique skillset and experience
• To help you get submitted to your desired assignment as quickly as possible – typically, travel assignments with the most appealing pay packages and facilities are the first to get scooped up, so having your resume in hand at the beginning of this process helps us get the ball rolling on your submission – especially if you reached out to us about a specific travel nursing assignment via our job search page, Indeed or social media pages.
• Every healthcare facility or VMS has its own unique set of forms and requirements for travel nurse submissions. Luckily, our recruiting team handles most of the tedious parts of this process for you. However, having your complete, accurate, and updated resume already in hand is vital for your recruiter (and most importantly, YOU) to come out on top of the submission process.

Note: We will never submit you for a travel nursing assignment without your permission to do so. 

What if my nursing resume is incomplete or needs updates?

Do not let resume anxiety become a roadblock to your travel nursing journey with us! Whether your resume needs a refresh or a complete overhaul from scratch, simply let us know how we can help. We’ll set up a time that works with your schedule to help you update or create a submission-ready travel nursing resume.

Bonus: Our internal team of recruiters, engagement specialists, and clinicians have an understanding of what facilities look for when reviewing travel nurse resumes supplementing their staff, which allows us to provide the knowledge and resources needed to get your resume submission-ready.

How do I know whether my resume is “submission-ready?”

A submission-ready resume for a travel nurse (or any other traveling Allied health professional) should include the following:

• Which type of license you have (RN, LVN/LPN, CNA, OR Tech, etc.) & which state(s) you’re licensed in if applicable
• Specialty, if applicable
• EMR system experience
• Additional certifications/accreditations (BLS, ACLS, CPR, PALS, CPI, etc.)
• Education (name of educational institution & year of graduation)
• Career objectives & highlights – Keep these short & sweet, and unique to you.
• Recent clinical experience in acute care facilities:
  • Start with the most recent experience and go backwards
  • At minimum, list last 3 facilities you worked/all relevant experience within the last 1-2 years
  • List agency (if applicable), facility, unit/floor, dates worked

What if I have a gap in my employment history within the last 1-2 years?

One of the best perks of travel nursing is the ability to take time off between assignments! Just provide a brief (and honest) explanation for the gap in your resume if this situation applies to you. We may ask you to provide more detail about the circumstances if needed. Depending on the duration of the gap and circumstances specific to your situation, we may still be able to work with you to find a travel nursing assignment.

What if I have a criminal charge or disciplinary action on my nursing license?

We require all prospective clinicians to disclose any criminal charges and/or disciplinary action on their nursing license upon providing their resume. However, these issues aren’t always dealbreakers. Depending on the severity of the offense, timing, and circumstances specific to your situation, we may still be able to work with you to find a travel nursing assignment.

Placement will be contingent on the policy or discretion of the facility you’re applying to work. Licensure verification is performed on all prospective employees upon receipt of their resume, as well as a background check upon offer acceptance. 

Be advised that failure to promptly self-report any new or previous criminal charge or board disciplinary action is grounds for immediate employment disqualification or termination at the agency and facility level. You can learn more about criminal charges or nursing board disciplinary actions from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing or find regulatory info specific to your state’s nursing board. Bottom line – It is always best to be upfront and honest regarding any history with your nursing license. 

Are there any other helpful resume tips or best practices I should consider as a travel nurse?

• Keep a digital copy of your resume easily accessible from your phone. Having this handy & ready to send at a moment’s notice will make the most of your time, sanity, and most importantly, your potential travel nursing opportunities. Mobile apps like Google Drive, Dropbox, or iCloud are fantastic for this. You can also use job search platforms like Indeed to keep your resume accessible and up to date on all your mobile and laptop devices.
• Get into the habit of updating your resume at every travel assignment. Keeping it updated will make submitting for your next assignment a breeze!

Need to renew your state nursing license soon? Learn more about Nursing CE Requirements for License Renewals

Get to know everyone on our Engagement, Recruiting, Clinical and Credentialing teams by visiting our Meet the Team page.

Do you have additional questions about what it takes to be a traveling clinician or what you need to get started? Check out our FAQ page or apply now!