Working with people who have been diagnosed with cancer — or who are at risk of cancer — is a challenging task. But you’re the ideal professional for the job. From running regular assessments to administering proper treatments, you know what it takes to offer patients the healthcare support that they need throughout this difficult period.
No two patients are the same. As an oncology nurse, you are already a pro at tailoring your services to meet each individual’s needs. When the time comes to put pen to paper and write your resume, you need to use that same skill again. Creating a tailored oncology nurse resume that ticks all of the boxes will help you land your next job interview.
If you’re not sure where to start, you’ve come to the right place. In the following guide, we will take a look at the best way to write your application. As if that wasn’t enough to inspire you, we’ve also got an oncology nurse resume example for you to take a look at.
How to write a resume
Applying for nursing jobs can be overwhelming. You want to showcase your diverse skill-set, expertise, and experience. Encapsulating all of the above on one or two pages is a tall order. If you’re new to the realms of resume writing, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s take a look at how to craft a resume that wins the hiring manager over immediately.
Start with a rough draft
Before you do anything else, it’s smart to start with a resume draft. You won’t perfect this document the first time you give it a go. However, this activity allows you to get everything down onto paper. The main sections you need to include in this document are your profile summary, work experience, education, and skills. Fill them out as a starting point.
Perfect your resume summary
Your summary is the most freeform part of your resume. That means that it’s the best place to show off your personality. As an oncology nurse, you work one-on-one with patients. Let the reader see that you have the skills for the job in your summary. You may want to emphasize your caring nature, how you work with patients, or your passion.
Expert Tip
Stuck for what to write? Use the STAR method
Use the STAR method to describe a situation, task, action, and result. This is adapted from a behavioral interview technique, so interviewers will recognize the format. It's also a great chance for you to organize your key accomplishments.
Add extra sections if needed
In some cases, you may find that it’s smart to add extra sections. For example, including a Volunteer Experience or Technical Skills section may strengthen your oncology nurse resume. Consider what additional talents you can bring to the table here. You may want to talk about the specific systems you use, for example, or volunteer jobs you’ve held.
Include relevant keywords
Keywords could be your secret weapon. Before the hiring manager looks at your oncology nurse resume, it may have to get past computer software. Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) filter incoming resumes by ranking them according to how well they fit the job criteria. Refer to the original job advert and pick out job-specific words and phrases. Using these throughout your resume will help to increase your chances of overall success.
Use persuasive language
When you’re writing your resume, it’s important to use the right language. The words you use matter. Adopt a professional yet optimistic tone in your writing style. That way, you can show the hiring manager that you are approachable and will get the job done. You can win extra points by using action verbs. These words make you sound motivated and in charge.
Oncology nurse resume example
Now that you have some general advice on how to write an oncology nurse resume, let’s take things one step further. To help you nail your application, it’s worth looking at an expertly-written resume example. Take a sneak peek below for some inspiration:
Name
Title
City, State or Country if international
Phone | Email
LinkedIn URL
ONCOLOGY NURSE PROFESSIONAL
A highly competent, dedicated, and compassionate Oncology Nurse regarded for expertly providing infusion/chemotherapy services to patients with numerous types of conditions. Consistently provides high-quality care to patients while ensuring minimal discomfort and no adverse reactions on site. Respected for the keen ability to immediately develop trust and relationships with patients and families, treating many for numerous years. Strong organizational skills and ability to communicate with patients, their families, and medical staff to optimize care/outcomes. Known as a team player who goes out of the way to improve care in all situations. Enjoys celebrating milestones in treatments, and able to comfort families in times of uncertainty.
CORE COMPETENCIES
Chemotherapy
Electronic Charting
CPR/First Aid
Hemodialysis
Indwelling Catheters
IV Placement
Patient Care
Hospice Care
Patient Assessments
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Oncology Nurse
ZipJob, New York NY | Year to Year
Responsibilities
Developed lasting relationships with diverse clients while providing oncology treatments (1:7 ratio).
Provided treatment, therapy, assessment and education to 75 oncology patients on a continual basis
Supervised technicians in all aspects of patient care
Consistently monitored compliance/adequacy of treatments while working with the Physician and care team to ensure the best outcomes.
Implemented any changes written by the attending Physician in regards to prescription/plan changes.
Utilized clinical expertise and critical nursing judgment to establish a therapeutic relationship with patients and families through effective communication and mutual goal setting.
Educated patients and their families regarding their conditions and possible treatment options.
Achieved a record 100% patient satisfaction rating.
Cultivated a warm and compassionate atmosphere for patients receiving chemotherapy in an infusion treatment facility.
Educated patients on such topics as nutrition, medication side effects and proper skin treatments after radiation.
Achieved high staff morale and retention through effective communication, prompt problem resolution, proactive supervisory practices and facilitating a proactive work environment.
Consistently complied with applicable laws and regulations and ensured facility adhered to Medicare and Medicaid regulations.
Counseled patients and provided a listening ear for when they needed emotional support.
EDUCATION
Complete School Name, City, St/Country: List Graduation Years If Within the Last Ten Years
Complete Degree Name (Candidate) – Major (GPA: List if over 3.3)
Relevant Coursework: List coursework taken (even include those you are planning on taking)
Awards/Honors: List any awards, honors or big achievements
Clubs/Activities: List clubs and activities in which you participated
Relevant Projects: List 2-3 projects you have worked on
Key hard & soft skills for an oncology nurse
Your skills section is vital to a successful application. When completing this part of your resume, you should include both hard (i.e. technical) and soft skills. It’s important to get a balance of the two. The hiring manager will be looking for an oncology nurse who is a great all-rounder. Here are some of the top skills you may want to include on your resume:
Aligning with treatment plans
Liaising with departments
Empathy
Ethics
Time management
Patient safety
Compassion
Interpersonal communication
Conflict resolution
Offering treatments
Assessment management
File management
Critical thinking
Should you have any technical skills that align directly with the oncology field, list them here. As previously mentioned, you may want to add a specific section for Technical Skills. Consider whether you have enough to warrant a whole resume section. If the answer is yes, you may find that making this clear distinction makes the hiring manager’s job easier.
Summary & last words
Now that you’ve read our full guide, you should be ready to write an excellent oncology nurse resume. Follow the tips and tricks we have shared here to get the job done well.
Keep your resume format easy to scan by both humans and computers; our resume template is designed by our experts to satisfy both audiences. You should also include your own skills, achievements, and experiences. Job-winning resumes successfully market your unique skill-set, leading recruiters and hiring managers to want to learn more.
Finally, once your resume is complete, emphasize your interest with a customized cover letter. When writing, remember that the resume and cover letter should support each other. Check out our cover letter tips and examples for more advice now.
Introduction to ZipJob: Professional resume writers
If you want to triple your interviews and get hired faster, working with ZipJob is the answer. Since launching, we have helped more than 3,000 professionals across 65 different industries realize their professional dreams. We know what it takes to support you when reaching — and even exceeding — your long-term career goals. Our expert team of resume writers are well-versed in crafting applications that wow hiring managers. They will get to know you on a professional level and understand your vision for the future. That way, they can create an application package that allows you to speed up the ladder.
Why you should make use of our resume writing services to land your next oncology nurse job
You’re at the top of your game, offering patients the highest level of care. However, translating your talents to a hiring manager can be tough. If you want to take all of the hassle out of applying for your next job, we have the answers. Our team of experts offer personalized resume assistance to help you ace your next application. We have worked with a variety of professionals, including those in the healthcare sector. When you’re ready to take the next step on the ladder, we can help support you in moving up.
Resume writing service for an oncology nurse: Let us write your resume
The ZipJob resume writing service is a tailored offering that will match your professional goals. If you’re looking for a way to accelerate your career, look no further. We will pair you with a writer who understands the healthcare sector in-depth and can write a resume that speaks the hiring manager’s language. Check out our service packages to see which one aligns best with your personal targets and budget. Now is the time to invest in your career.