Creating a strong charge nurse resume is essential for professionals aspiring to lead healthcare teams effectively.

As a charge nurse, you not only need to demonstrate clinical expertise but also exceptional leadership, communication, and organizational skills. This role often requires a unique blend of hands-on patient care, administrative tasks, and team coordination.

In this article, we’ll guide you through building a resume process that showcases your qualifications for the position, highlights your most relevant achievements, and demonstrates your capability to handle the dynamic responsibilities that come with this important position.

Charge nurse resume examples

Emergency department charge nurse resume sample

Emergency department charge nurse resume template

Emergency Department Charge Nurse Resume
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Resume for emergency charge nurse | Plain text

Name: Sarah Johnson
Location: New York, NY
Contact Information:
- Phone: (555) 123-4567
- Email: sarah.johnson@email.com

Objective

Compassionate and dedicated charge nurse with over 10 years of experience in emergency department care. Seeking to contribute my expertise as an Emergency Department Charge Nurse at Mount Sinai Hospital.

Professional Experience

Emergency Department Charge Nurse

Mount Sinai Hospital – New York, NY

July 2020 – Present

  • Supervise a team of 15-20 nurses in a high-volume emergency department with over 60,000 annual visits.
  • Lead triage processes, improving patient throughput by 15%.
  • Coordinate care for trauma and critical patients.
  • Develop staff schedules, reducing overtime by 10%.
  • Conduct in-service training for new nurses.

Emergency Room Nurse

NYU Langone Health – New York, NY

June 2015 – June 2020

  • Provided care in the emergency room, including triaging, wound care, and administering medications.
  • Collaborated with physicians for optimal patient outcomes.
  • Assisted in EHR implementation, improving charting accuracy.
  • Monitored compliance with infection control protocols, resulting in zero hospital-acquired infections during tenure.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

New York University, NY

Graduated: May 2015

Certifications

  • Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) – Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing, Issued: June 2016
  • Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) – American Heart Association, Issued: June 2019
  • Basic Life Support (BLS) – American Heart Association, Issued: June 2023

Languages

  • Spanish: Fluent (spoken and written)
  • English: Native proficiency

Skills

  • Triage and Prioritization
  • Crisis Management
  • Team Leadership
  • Patient Education
  • Electronic Health Records (EHR)
  • Cultural Competency
  • Staff Development and Training
  • Emergency Response Coordination

Strong sides of this charge nurse resume example:

  • The objective succinctly defines the experience and what they are seeking in their next role.
  • The use of metrics (e.g., "improving patient throughput by 15%" and "reducing overtime by 10%") demonstrates tangible achievements and impact.
  • Highlighting bilingualism (Spanish) is a strong asset, especially for emergency where effective and professional communication with diverse patient populations is crucial.
  • The document clearly outlines the candidate's expertise in both leadership and clinical settings, showcasing versatility in managing high-pressure environments.
How to properly format a resume for a charge nurse?
  • Choose a classic font like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman in 10–12 point size. This ensures readability while maintaining a professional look.
  • Create a one page resume if you have under ten years of experience. A two-page resume is acceptable for more seasoned specialists.
  • Set 1-inch margins on all sides of charge nurse resume and use adequate line spacing to prevent overcrowding. Keep resume components separated and use headers for clarity.
  • Add bullet points to outline resume accomplishments and responsibilities clearly. Avoid long paragraphs, as they’re harder to read quickly.
  • Maintain uniform layout throughout—headings should match, and dates must be aligned consistently.

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ICU charge nurse resume example

Sample ICU charge nurse resume

Name: David Martinez
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Contact Information:
- Phone: (555) 987-6543
- Email: david.martinez@email.com
- LinkedIn: /in/david-martinez

Objective

Experienced ICU Charge Nurse with a focus on critical care, team leadership, and patient-centered outcomes. Seeking to leverage my skills at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

Professional Experience

ICU Charge Nurse

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center – Los Angeles, CA

January 2018 – Present

  • Supervise a team of 12 ICU nurses in a 20-bed intensive care unit specializing in cardiac and neuro patients.
  • Improved nurse-patient ratios during high-demand shifts, reducing burnout rates by 20%.
  • Oversee care for high-acuity patients, including ventilator management and advanced cardiovascular interventions.
  • Lead crisis management protocols during medical emergencies.
  • Contributed to initiatives reducing hospital-acquired infections by 10%.
  • Coordinate interdisciplinary communication to ensure seamless patient transitions between departments.

ICU Nurse

St. Mary Medical Center – Long Beach, CA

March 2011 – December 2017

  • Provided critical care to patients in a 15-bed ICU, including multi-organ failure and respiratory distress.
  • Collaborated with intensivists to adjust treatment plans based on patient progress.
  • Trained new ICU nurses.
  • Administered complex medication regimens and monitored for adverse reactions.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

University of California, Los Angeles, CA

Graduated: May 2010

Certifications

  • Certified Critical Care Nurse (CCRN) – American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, Issued: March 2012
  • Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) – American Heart Association, Issued: July 2021
  • Basic Life Support (BLS) – American Heart Association, Issued: May 2023

Skills

  • Ventilator Management
  • Hemodynamic Monitoring
  • Critical Care Protocols
  • Leadership and Mentorship
  • Quality Improvement
  • Emergency Response Coordination
  • Patient Advocacy
  • Data Analysis for Clinical Decision-Making

Why this example of charge nurse resume is impressive:

  • It highlights leadership skills in managing ICU nurses, with a focus on improving nurse-patient ratios and crisis management.
  • The candidate's experience in critical care is emphasized through specific skills like ventilator management and hemodynamic monitoring, which are crucial for an ICU charge nurse.
  • Mentioning specific improvements such as reducing hospital-acquired infections shows a results-driven approach.
  • Relevant certifications (CCRN, ACLS, BLS) demonstrate ongoing commitment to maintaining high standards of care in a critical setting.
Should I choose a charge nurse resume summary or objective?

Resume summary is ideal for experienced charge nurses.

  • It highlights key achievements and skills, providing a snapshot of your qualifications.

Charge nurse resume summary sample:

Experienced and dedicated Charge Nurse with over 10 years of clinical expertise in high-volume hospital settings. Skilled in team leadership, patient care management, and implementing process improvements to enhance outcomes.

Resume objective is suitable for those newer to the field or shifting roles.

Charge nurse resume objective example:

Compassionate and driven Registered Nurse aiming to leverage 5+ years of clinical experience and recent certifications to grow in a charge nurse role, delivering quality patient care and fostering a collaborative environment.

Pediatric charge nurse resume template

Pediatric charge nurse resume sample

Pediatric Charge Nurse Resume
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Resume for pediatric charge nurse | Text version

Name: James White
Location: Chicago, IL
Contact Information:
- Phone: (555) 654-3210
- Email: james.white@email.com
- LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/james-white

Objective

Experienced Pediatric Charge Nurse with over 12 years in patient care. Seeking to contribute my expertise to Lurie Children's Hospital to enhance patient outcomes.

Professional Experience

Pediatric Charge Nurse

Lurie Children's Hospital – Chicago, IL

March 2019 – Present

  • Lead a team of 10 nurses in a pediatric unit with 30 beds.
  • Developed a pediatric pain management protocol, reducing patient distress during procedures.
  • Manage staffing levels and schedules, maintaining optimal nurse-to-patient ratios.
  • Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to create individualized care plans.
  • Lead weekly team meetings, reducing hospital readmissions by 7%.
  • Supervise implementation of evidence-based pediatric care standards to improve overall patient safety.

Pediatric Nurse

University of Chicago Medicine – Chicago, IL

June 2013 – February 2019

  • Provided direct care to pediatric patients.
  • Supported families in understanding treatment plans and provided emotional care.
  • Participated in patient safety programs.
  • Assisted in clinical research projects aimed at improving pediatric nursing protocols.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

University of Illinois at Chicago, IL

Graduated: May 2013

Certifications

  • Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) – American Heart Association, Issued: June 2016
  • Basic Life Support (BLS) – American Heart Association, Issued: June 2023

Community Involvement

  • Volunteer Nurse at Chicago Children's Hospital Foundation
  • Mentor for new pediatric nurses at Lurie Children’s Hospital

Skills

  • Pediatric Pain Management
  • Family Education
  • Pediatric Emergencies
  • Multidisciplinary Collaboration
  • Infection Control
  • Child Development Assessment
  • Emotional Support Techniques
  • Clinical Documentation Accuracy

This sample charge nurse resume is effective for several reasons:

  • It clearly highlights the experience in pediatric care, which is essential for a charge nurse role.
  • The inclusion of a pediatric pain management protocol showcases the candidate's high value skill and enhance care standards.
  • Emphasizing family education and emotional support underlines a holistic approach to patient care, important in pediatric settings.
  • The leadership in managing a team of nurses, alongside specific accomplishments like reducing hospital readmissions by 7%, demonstrates a results-oriented approach.
How to showcase your charge nurse resume skills?

The skills on resume plays a crucial role in any application, as it showcases your qualifications directly.

  • Hard skills are teachable abilities or knowledge sets that are typically job-related and measurable. They are acquired through formal education, training programs, or hands-on experience and can be verified or tested.
  • Soft skills are more personality-based and relate to how people interact, manage their work, and handle challenges. They are transferable across jobs and industries, making them valuable in nearly any professional setting.

Charge nurse hard skills:

  • Patient assessment
  • Medication administration
  • IV insertion and management
  • Electronic Health Records (EHR) proficiency
  • Wound care management
  • Critical thinking
  • Team coordination
  • Emergency response
  • Patient education
  • Care plan development

Soft skills for a charge nurse resume:

  • Leadership
  • Communication
  • Problem-solving
  • Empathy
  • Adaptability
  • Conflict resolution
  • Time management
  • Attention to detail
  • Patience
  • Decision-making

Operating room charge nurse resume example

Sample OR charge nurse resume

Name: Jessica Turner
Location: Houston, TX
Contact Information:
- Phone: (555) 321-4321
- Email: jessica.turner@email.com
- LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jessica-turner

Objective

Operating Room Charge Nurse with 15 years of experience in surgical care. Seeking to contribute leadership skills to Houston Methodist Hospital for high-quality surgical outcomes.

Professional Experience

Operating Room Charge Nurse

Houston Methodist Hospital, TX

April 2017 – Present

  • Lead a team of 20+ nurses in a busy surgical department.
  • Manage surgery scheduling, optimizing turnaround times.
  • Ensure infection control adherence, reducing surgical site infections by 12%.
  • Act as a liaison between surgeons, anesthesiologists, and nursing staff.
  • Implement perioperative process improvements to enhance operational efficiency.

Operating Room Nurse

Memorial Hermann Hospital – Houston, TX

June 2010 – March 2017

  • Provided perioperative nursing care.
  • Ensured sterility and proper preparation of surgical instruments.
  • Worked with surgeons and anesthesiologists for optimal surgical outcomes.
  • Maintained meticulous documentation of surgical activities and patient records.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

University of Texas Health Science Center – Houston, TX

Graduated: May 2010

Certifications

  • Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR) – Competency and Credentialing Institute, Issued: July 2014
  • Basic Life Support (BLS) – American Heart Association, Issued: May 2023
  • Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) – American Heart Association, Issued: June 2022

Skills

  • Surgical Instrumentation
  • Sterile Field Maintenance
  • Multidisciplinary Collaboration
  • Patient Safety
  • Leadership & Training
  • Operating Room Workflow Optimization
  • Emergency Response Preparedness
  • Equipment Troubleshooting

Why is this charge nurse resume example effective?

  • It emphasizes expertise in perioperative nursing and surgical scheduling, which are critical for an RN in the operating room.
  • Knowledge of surgical instruments and experience with EHR systems (Epic, Cerner) showcases technical proficiency and computer skills for resume, which is crucial for streamlining operations.
  • Including tangible results (e.g., "reducing surgical site infections by 12%" and "reducing delays by 15%") reflects a strong focus on outcomes and continuous improvement.
  • The leadership experience in coordinating a team of 20+ nurses highlights management skills and ability to work in high-pressure environments, essential for the operating room setting.
What academic credentials should I add to my charge RN resume?

Education section of resume is a foundational part of any application, as it reflects your formal training and eligibility for licensure. In the charge nurse role, it proves you have the qualifications to lead and manage patient care.

  • List your nursing degree(s) (e.g., BSN, MSN), the institution, and graduation dates.
  • Include any relevant certifications on resume, such as BLS, ACLS, or specialty certifications like CEN or CCRN.
  • Mention your license and the state(s) where you’re licensed to practice.
  • If applicable, mention recent courses or continuing education that add value to your skill set, especially leadership or management.

Psychiatric charge nurse resume template

Psychiatric charge nurse resume sample

Psychiatric charge nurse Resume
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Resume for psychiatric charge nurse | Text version

Name: Emily Johnson
Phone: (555) 987-6543
Email: emily.johnson@gmail.com
Location: Seattle, WA

Professional Summary

Compassionate and detail-oriented Psychiatric Charge Nurse with experience managing patient care and supervising nursing staff in mental health settings. Skilled in crisis intervention, medication administration, and developing individualized care plans.

Core Competencies

  • Psychiatric patient assessment
  • Crisis management and de-escalation
  • Staff supervision and leadership
  • Medication administration and monitoring
  • Individualized care plan development
  • Regulatory compliance (JCAHO, HIPAA)
  • Patient and family education
  • Electronic Health Records (EHR)
  • Interdisciplinary collaboration

Professional Experience

Psychiatric Charge Nurse

Green Valley Mental Health Center, Seattle, WA

March 2019 – Present

  • Lead a team of 15 nursing staff in a 40-bed inpatient psychiatric unit, ensuring high standards of patient care and safety.
  • Coordinate patient admissions, discharges, and transfers to optimize unit capacity.
  • Implement individualized nursing care plans in collaboration with psychiatrists and social workers.
  • Conduct staff training on crisis intervention and mental health best practices.

Registered Nurse – Psychiatric Unit

Sunrise Behavioral Hospital, Tacoma, WA

June 2015 – February 2019

  • Provided direct nursing care to patients with various psychiatric disorders including depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.
  • Assisted in crisis intervention and de-escalation of agitated patients.
  • Documented patient progress and maintained accurate records in EHR systems.
  • Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to update treatment plans.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

University of Washington, Seattle, WA

Graduated: 2015

Certifications

  • Registered Nurse (RN), Washington State Board of Nursing, 2025
  • Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Certification (PMH-BC), 2023
  • Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification, 2020

Professional Affiliations

  • American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) – Member since 2016

Volunteer Experience

Mental Health Advocate

Seattle Community Outreach Program

2017 – Present

  • Provide education and support for mental health awareness initiatives.
  • Assist in organizing community events focused on mental health stigma reduction.

What makes this charge RN resume compelling?

  • Bullet points describe specific responsibilities and accomplishments that show measurable scope.
  • Membership adds legitimacy and indicates ongoing engagement with the field.
  • The example is easy to scan with clear section headings and consistent formatting.
How to organize the experience section in a charge nurse resume?

Use reverse chronological order (most recent position first) and focus on achievements and responsibilities that are relevant to the charge nurse role.

  • Include your job title, the name of the healthcare facility, location, and the dates of employment.
  • For each role, focus on specific duties and key accomplishments.
  • Use bullet points and quantify achievements for resume when possible (e.g., “Managed a team of 12 nurses, achieving a 15% improvement in patient satisfaction scores”).
  • Start each bullet point with powerful action verbs like “Led,” “Developed,” or “Supervised” to convey your active role in patient care and team management.

Maternity charge nurse resume example

Maternity charge nurse resume

Name: Sarah Thompson
Phone: (555) 321-8765
Email: sarah.thompson@email.com
Location: Denver, CO

Professional Summary

Compassionate and experienced Maternity Charge Nurse with expertise in labor and delivery units. Adept at supervising nursing staff, coordinating patient care, and ensuring compliance with hospital policies and safety protocols.

Core Competencies

  • Labor and delivery management
  • Staff leadership and mentoring
  • Neonatal care and assessment
  • Patient education and support
  • Emergency response and crisis management
  • Electronic Medical Records (EMR) proficiency
  • Policy implementation and compliance
  • Collaborative care coordination
  • Pain management techniques

Professional Experience

Maternity Charge Nurse

St. Mary’s Medical Center, Denver, CO

April 2018 – Present

  • Supervise and support a team of 12 nurses on a 30-bed labor and delivery unit.
  • Coordinate patient admissions, triage, and discharge to optimize workflow and patient outcomes.
  • Lead daily shift briefings and training sessions on new maternity care protocols and safety measures.
  • Manage emergency situations such as fetal distress and postpartum hemorrhage, ensuring prompt and effective interventions.

Labor and Delivery Nurse

Denver General Hospital, Denver, CO

June 2015 – March 2018

  • Provided direct nursing care during labor, delivery, and postpartum periods for diverse patient populations.
  • Monitored fetal heart rates and maternal vital signs, administering medications as prescribed.
  • Educated patients and families on birth plans, breastfeeding, and postpartum care.
  • Documented all patient interactions accurately in EMR systems.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

University of Colorado Denver, CO

Graduated: 2015

Certifications

  • Registered Nurse (RN), Colorado State Board of Nursing, valid through 2026
  • Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP), 2023
  • Inpatient Obstetric Nursing Certification (RNC-OB), 2022
  • Basic Life Support (BLS), 2023
  • Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), 2023

Professional Affiliations

  • Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses – Member since 2017

Volunteer Experience

Birth Doula and Educator

Denver Community Health Services

2019 – Present

  • Provide prenatal education and emotional support to expectant mothers in underserved communities.
  • Facilitate workshops on childbirth preparation, breastfeeding, and newborn care.

Awards & Recognitions

  • Employee of the Year, St. Mary’s Medical Center, 2021
  • Excellence in Patient Care Award, Denver General Hospital, 2017

Core highlights of this resume for charge nurse:

  • Proven ability to supervise, mentor, and coordinate nursing staff, ensuring smooth unit operations and high-quality patient care.
  • Holds a BSN, RN license valid through 2026, and multiple certifications including RNC-OB, NRP, BLS, and ACLS
  • Recipient of Employee of the Year and Excellence in Patient Care awards, reflecting outstanding performance and dedication.

Conclusion

A well-crafted charge nurse resume can set you apart as a candidate capable of leading healthcare teams, managing patient care, and ensuring smooth operations.

By focusing on your leadership experience, clinical skills, and relevant certifications, you can build a document that captures your potential and prepares you for a successful step forward in your nursing career.

With the right structure and emphasis on key skills, your application will be ready to make an impression on any hiring manager.

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