Crafting the Perfect Resume for Canadian or Mexican RNs Looking to Work in the USA
Learn how to create a resume that will make American employers say, “We need this nurse!”
Creating a resume can be daunting, especially if you’re an international registered nurse aiming to work in the USA. But fear not! Follow these steps to make your resume shine brighter than a Texan sun at noon.
Contact Information
Make sure your contact details are easy to find and not buried in fancy fonts or images. Here’s a simple format:
Jane Doe
Email: janedoe@example.com
Phone: +1-555-123-4567
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/janedoeProfessional Summary
Start with a short, impactful summary. Example:
Dedicated registered nurse with 5+ years of experience in critical care and emergency nursing. Seeking to leverage extensive medical training and patient care skills to provide high-quality healthcare in the USA.
Skills and Specialties
List your nursing skills and areas of expertise. Remember, ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) loves keywords! Every agency and hospitals use ATSs to screen resumes.
Skills:
- Critical Care Nursing
- Emergency Room Procedures
- Patient Assessment
- IV Therapy
- Bilingual: English and Spanish
Licenses and Credentials
Don’t be shy—list them all! Include your VisaScreen, NCLEX-RN pass, and any English proficiency tests you’ve aced.
Licenses and Credentials:
- Provincial licenses: Alberta, Ontario
- State licenses: New York, Texas
- NCLEX-RN Pass
- VisaScreen Certified
- BLS
- ALS
- IELTS Passed (if applicable)
Languages
Bilingual or multilingual? Let them know.
Languages:
- English (Fluent)
- Spanish (Fluent)
- American Sign Language (conversation)
Work Authorization
Mention the countries where you can work without sponsorship. This info helps employers understand your legal work status.
Authorized to work in:
- Canada
- United States (with appropriate visa)
Experience
Provide detailed descriptions of your past nursing jobs, including the full names of states or provinces.
Critical Care Registered Nurse | Sunnybrook Health Sciences 20XX-20XX
Toronto, Ontario, Canada- Managed a 12-bed ICU, providing comprehensive care to critically ill patients.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop and implement patient care plans.
- Conducted complex assessments, monitoring, and interventions to stabilize patients.
- Trained and supervised new ICU nurses and nursing assistants.
Nursing Education
Clearly state where you got your nursing chops.
Education:
Bachelor of Science in Nursing | University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada 20XXLeave Out Personal Details
Employers don’t need to know about your marriage, religion, age, or family status. Keep it professional! Let your recruiter know so that they can make the perfect match for your whole family.
With these tips in mind, your resume will be ATS-friendly and ready to impress American healthcare employers. Make sure to personalize it for each job application and keep it concise and clear.
Ready to start your new adventure in the USA? Update your resume and get applying! Good luck, future RN rockstar!
