The holiday season often comes with unique opportunities for nurses, whether you’re looking to pick up extra shifts, explore a new specialty, or find short-term roles that fit your schedule. Making sure your nursing CV and professional profile are up to date is an essential step to securing those opportunities.
If you’re on the lookout for holiday nursing jobs, here’s how to give your CV and profile a quick refresh to stand out.
1. Refresh Your CV on the 1Nurse Platform
If you’re using the 1Nurse platform to find job opportunities, updating your CV and profile is critical. Employers are more likely to consider candidates whose information is current and detailed.
- Update your profile picture: Use a clear, professional photo. Update your profile with all relevant information like work experience, address, skills, education etc.
- Keep certifications and licenses current: Add any recent certifications like BLS or ACLS.
- Highlight your availability: Mention your readiness to work flexible shifts during the holidays.
Tip: Make sure your profile summary aligns with your CV for consistency.
2. Highlight Skills for Holiday Work
Holiday shifts often call for nurses who are flexible and work well under pressure. Make sure your CV reflects these qualities by emphasizing relevant experiences.
- Examples:
- Managed a high patient load during holiday periods in previous roles.
- Adapted to floating between departments based on staffing needs.
- Supported team morale during long shifts.
3. Showcase Your Availability
Many healthcare facilities need nurses to cover holiday-specific shifts. Let employers know you’re available by adding a note to your CV or profile.
- Include a line like:
“Available for evening, weekend, and holiday shifts during the upcoming season.”
4. Emphasize Communication and Teamwork
The holidays often require extra collaboration among staff. Use your CV to show how you’ve contributed to a team in the past.
- Examples:
- “Partnered with interdisciplinary teams to ensure seamless patient care during busy holiday seasons.”
- “Used effective communication to manage patient expectations during high-demand periods.”
5. Include Temporary or Seasonal Experience
If you’ve worked in short-term or holiday-specific roles before, be sure to include these experiences. They show you can adapt quickly and hit the ground running.
- Mention any roles through staffing agencies, per diem work, or seasonal assignments.
- Quantify your contributions where possible (e.g., “Cared for 30+ patients per shift in a high-demand urgent care setting”).
6. Keep Certifications and Licenses Up to Date
Employers need assurance that you’re ready to work right away. Make sure your CV and 1Nurse profile list all your current certifications and licenses.
- Examples:
- Basic Life Support (BLS)
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
- State-specific or specialty certifications.
7. Add a Professional Summary
Start your CV with a concise summary that highlights your skills and availability for holiday work.
- Example:
“Experienced registered nurse with 6+ years in acute care and temporary roles. Known for adaptability and strong patient care during busy holiday periods. Ready to take on flexible shifts this season.”
8. Focus on Measurable Achievements
When possible, include numbers to show the results you’ve achieved in previous roles.
- Examples:
- “Reduced patient wait times by 20% during a high-demand holiday period.”
- “Trained temporary staff on facility protocols, ensuring smooth operations during peak times.”
9. Keep Your CV and Profile Easy to Read
Recruiters are often pressed for time, so make your CV and profile straightforward and clean.
- Use bullet points for responsibilities and achievements.
- Clearly label sections like “Certifications” and “Work Experience.”
- Limit your CV to 1-2 pages for clarity.
10. Optimize for Online Platforms
If you’re applying through the 1Nurse platform or similar sites, use keywords that employers are likely searching for.
- Examples of keywords:
“Flexible scheduling”
“Holiday shifts”
“Seasonal nursing”
“Temporary roles”
11. Double-Check Contact Details
Make sure your contact information on both your CV and 1Nurse profile is correct and up to date.
- Include:
- A phone number you can be reached at easily.
- A professional email address.
- Your LinkedIn profile (if applicable).
Wrapping It Up
The holiday season offers plenty of opportunities for nurses, but competition can be tough. By updating your CV and your profile on platforms like 1Nurse, you can increase your chances of landing a role that fits your needs.
Take a few minutes today to refresh your information—you’ll thank yourself when those job offers start rolling in!
Update your profile here now!
