Nurse CV UK: How to Write One That Gets NHS Interviews (2026)

Writing a Nursing CV for the UK

A nursing CV in the UK has specific requirements that differ from other professions — NMC registration, PIN numbers, mandatory training, and clinical competencies all need to be present and clearly laid out.

Whether you're applying for your first Band 5 post as a newly qualified nurse, or targeting a Band 6/7 specialist role, this guide covers exactly what UK nursing CVs need.

Nursing CV Structure (UK)

1. Contact details
2. Personal statement / professional profile
3. NMC Registration details
4. Work experience / clinical placements
5. Education and qualifications
6. Clinical skills
7. Mandatory training and certifications
8. Continuing professional development (CPD)
9. References (or "available on request")

NMC Registration

This goes near the top — above work experience. Include:

• •NMC PIN number (or "Awaiting NMC Registration" for newly qualified nurses)
• •NMC Registration status: Registered Nurse (RN) — Adult / Child / Mental Health / Learning Disabilities
• •Revalidation date (if applicable)

Hiring managers need to verify your registration before shortlisting. Make it easy to find.

Personal Statement for Nurses

3–4 lines. Cover: your registration, specialism or band level, key clinical competencies, and what you're looking for.

Example (Newly Qualified Nurse, Band 5):

"Newly qualified Adult Nurse (NMC PIN: [number]) with extensive placements across acute medical, surgical, and community settings. Achieved a First Class BSc in Adult Nursing from King's College London (2026). Proficient in IV cannulation, medicine administration, NEWS2 assessment, and end-of-life care. Seeking a Band 5 post in acute medicine or surgical nursing in a London NHS Trust."

Example (Experienced, Band 6 Specialist):

"Registered Nurse with 8 years' experience specialising in adult critical care at a London Level 1 Major Trauma Centre. FICM/RCN-accredited Critical Care competencies. Zero HAI rate maintained over 18 consecutive months. Seeking a Band 6 Senior Staff Nurse or CNS role in an ICU/HDU setting."

Clinical Placements and Work Experience

For newly qualified nurses, placements are your work experience. Write them like jobs.

Format:

`

Student Nurse Placement — Acute Medical Unit

[NHS Trust Name], London | Sep 2024 – Mar 2025

• Managed 4–6 patient caseload under supervision across a 28-bed acute medical ward

• Developed competency in IV cannulation, phlebotomy, and NG tube insertion

• Participated in NEWS2 monitoring and deteriorating patient escalation

• Achieved 'meets all outcomes' in sign-off mentor assessment

`

For experienced nurses, use the same format with achievement bullets instead of competency bullets.

Strong nursing achievement bullets:

• ✗*"Responsible for patient care on the ward"*
• *"Managed complex caseload of 6–8 high-dependency patients per shift, maintaining zero medication errors over 14 months"*

• ✗*"Helped with staff training"*
• *"Developed and delivered 4 mandatory training sessions on pressure ulcer prevention, achieving 100% staff completion within the Trust's target window"*

Clinical Skills Section

This is the nursing equivalent of a tech CV's skills section — ATS keyword territory.

List all relevant clinical skills explicitly:

Assessment & Monitoring

NEWS2, AVPU, pain assessment, fluid balance, nutritional screening (MUST), falls risk assessment

Clinical Procedures

IV cannulation, phlebotomy, catheterisation (male/female), NG tube insertion, wound dressing, PEG management

Medications

IV drug administration, controlled drug management, patient-controlled analgesia, SYRINGE DRIVER

Specialty Skills (list your own)

Ventilator management, tracheostomy care, haemofiltration, chemotherapy administration, theatre scrubbing

Mandatory Training and Certifications

UK nursing CVs must list mandatory training with completion dates:

• •Basic Life Support (BLS) — [Date]
• •Adult/Paediatric Advanced Life Support (ALS/PALS) — [Date]
• •Manual Handling — [Date]
• •Safeguarding Adults / Children — Level [X] — [Date]
• •Infection Prevention and Control — [Date]
• •Fire Safety — [Date]

Add specialty certifications:

• •FICM Critical Care competencies
• •ENB 998 (or equivalent mentorship qualification)
• •Nursing Associate qualifications
• •Non-medical prescribing (V100/V150/V300)

Education

Include NMC-approved programme information if applying internationally.

CV Length for Nurses

• •Newly qualified: 2 pages
• •Experienced nurses: 2–3 pages (clinical detail justifies length)
• •Senior / CNS / manager: 3 pages may be appropriate

Common Mistakes on Nursing CVs

Missing NMC PIN — It will be verified. If you're awaiting it, say so clearly.

Generic personal statement — "Compassionate and caring nurse" describes every nurse. Be specific about your specialism and achievements.

No mandatory training dates — Undated certifications look potentially expired.

Task descriptions instead of achievements — Even in nursing, quantify where you can: caseload size, audit results, training completion rates, quality metrics.

FixerCV's ATS checker works for healthcare CVs — it checks keyword coverage against the specific job description you're targeting.

Check your nursing CV →