Travel Nurse & Allied Health Resume Tips

Create a Resume That Stands Out to Healthcare Facilities

Learn how to create a strong, ATS-friendly resume fortravel nurse and allied health assignments in 2025. These resume tips help youget noticed by healthcare facilities and secure better contracts.

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You’ve worked through rapid onboarding,high-acuity settings, and fast-changing protocols. But if your resume doesn’tshow that clearly—right from the top—you risk being overlooked for assignmentsyou’re fully qualified for.

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In 2025, a resume isn’t just adocument—it’s how you show healthcare facilities that you’re ready to deliverimpact on Day One. This guide was built specifically for travel nurses and allied health professionals (RTs, PTs, OTs, SLPs). It’s focused on the real-world standards facilities use when reviewing applications—and what helps you move forward faster.

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1. Start With YourSpecialty, Licensure & Certifications

Begin with your most essentialinformation at the top of your resume. This helps both recruiters and systemsunderstand exactly what roles you're eligible for—without having to dig.

Include:

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●       Your full name

●       License type (RN, RT, PT, OT, etc.)

●       Certifications (BLS, ACLS, PALS, NIHSS, etc.)

●       Compact/multi-state license status, if applicable

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Example:
Jane Smith, RN |Compact License | ACLS, PALS Certified

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2. Add a BriefProfessional Summary

Directly below your credentials, include a short professional summary. Thisis a snapshot of your experience, specialties, and key strengths thatimmediately show your value to healthcare facilities.

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Example:
Travel RN with6+ years of ICU and Stepdown experience across CA and TX. Known for high-acuitycare, seamless facility onboarding, and strong Epic EMR skills.

This helps facilities quickly understandyour fit—especially in fast-paced staffing situations.

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3. Present Your ClinicalExperience Clearly and Relevantly

List your assignments in reversechronological order. Focus on details that show the scope and complexity ofyour work—not just job duties.

Include:

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●       Facility name and location

●       Unit or department (ICU, Med/Surg, Rehab, Telemetry, etc.)

●       Assignment dates

●       Patient ratios (if relevant)

●       Procedures, outcomes, or technologies used

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Example:
ICU – MercyMedical Center, Sacramento, CA | Aug 2023 – Jan 2024
Managed 4:1 ICU patient load, supported post-op cardiac care, and documentedvia Epic.

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Keep it focused and outcome-driven—thisis where your resume reflects your real-world impact.

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4. Include Keywords ThatMatch Today’s Job Descriptions

Many resumes are reviewed by applicanttracking systems (ATS) before anyone at a healthcare facility sees them. Usingindustry-relevant keywords helps ensure your resume gets through those filters.

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Examplesof high-value keywords:

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●       ICU, Stepdown, Med/Surg, Rehab, Telemetry, OR, PACU

●       Epic EMR, Meditech, Cerner

●       Travel nursing, crisis response, per diem, PRN, float pool

●       Compact license, multi-state eligible

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Tip: Mirror language from job postings that match your goals. You’re notgaming the system—you’re aligning your resume with real hiring criteria.

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5. Address Career GapsProfessionally and Confidently

Short employment gaps typically don’tneed explanation. But for longer breaks (6+ months), include a short,professional statement that shows how you stayed engaged in your field.

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Examples:

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●       Completed CEUs inTrauma-Informed Care and IV Therapy

●       Worked PRN shifts whilerelocating

●       Took time for caregivingresponsibilities; currently available for full-time contracts

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Hiring managers understand that life happens.What they care about is your readiness now—and your ongoing growth.

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6. Use ReferencesStrategically

Unless the facility specifically requestsreferences upfront, don’t list them on your resume. Instead, prepare a separatelist you can provide later if needed.

When you do use references, make surethey’re relevant:

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●       Charge nurses, clinical supervisors, or department heads

●       Recent colleagues who can speak to your clinical skill, adaptability,and professionalism

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Note: If you’re returning from a break or transitioning to a new specialty,a strong reference can reinforce your credibility.

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Otherwise, simply add: “Professional references available uponrequest.”

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7. Keep It Short,Focused, and Easy to Read

One page is ideal for most travel nurseor allied health resumes. Two pages are acceptable for professionals withlonger work histories—as long as every section adds value.

Structure matters:

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●       Use bullet points—not paragraphs—for easier skimming

●       Keep language concise and active

●       Focus on outcomes, not just responsibilities

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Avoid filler like “excellentcommunication skills” unless it's backed by real examples in your work history.

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8. Format Your Resume forSpeed and Accessibility

Your resume should be visually clean andeasy to review quickly—especially on mobile devices.

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✔Use accessible fonts like Arial or Calibri
✔ Bold your section headers for clarity
✔ Avoid heavy design or graphics
✔ Save in formats facilities can open easily (PDF is most common, but Word orGoogle Docs are often requested too)

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Healthcare facilities reviewing dozens ofresumes per day don’t need fancy designs—they need clear information fast.

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Final Thoughts: Make YourResume Work Toward Your Assignment Goals

Your resume isn’t about checking boxes.It’s about connecting your clinical strengths to the right opportunities.

The best resumes in 2025 are:

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●       Focused on clinical value

●       Easy to review

●       Aligned with healthcare facility needs

●       Built around your assignment goals—not just your history

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📩 If you’re ready to sharpen yourresume and get more strategic about your next assignment, we’re here to help.

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🔗Request a personalized resume review today → Contact us

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