Top Mistakes to Avoid on Your Med-Surg Travel Nursing Resume

With over 650,000 med-surg nurses across the United States, it's no surprise that medical-surgical nursing is the most common specialty in the field. And while that means there are plenty of job opportunities, it also means the competition is fierce - especially for travel nursing positions. In a sea of qualified candidates, even the smallest mistake on your resume can land you in the "no" pile.

Here are some of the most common med-surg travel nurse resume mistakes, and how to avoid them so you can stand out and secure your next assignment.

1. Using a Generic or Boilerplate Summary

Your resume summary is your first impression - make it count. Many nurses reuse a one-size-fits-all statement across every application, but hospitals are looking for nurses who align with their specific needs.

Customize your summary for each job. If the facility requires experience at a Level II Trauma Center or prefers nurses with strong float experience, make sure that information is clearly stated up top.

Pro tip: Think of your summary as your elevator pitch. What's the unique blend of skills and experience you bring to the table?

2. Writing Overly General Job Descriptions

Your resume should paint a clear picture of exactly what you've done and how you've added value in previous roles. Avoid vague descriptions like "Provided patient care on med-surg floor."

Instead dig deeper:

• What types of patients do you care for?
  
• What were the nurse-to-patient ratios?
• Did you regularly float to other units?
• Were you trained on EMR systems like Epic or Cerner?
• What skills or procedures did you perform most often?

The most specific you can be, the better your chances of showing the hiring manager that you're a perfect fit.

3. Minimizing or Skipping Travel Nursing Experience

One of the most common resume mistakes? Treating travel contracts like they're secondary to permanent positions. Many hospitals prefer travel nurses with prior experience, so this is your time to shine.

Be sure to include:

• The number of contracts you've completed
  
• The duration of each assignment
• The facilities and locations where you've worked
• The types of units you floated to or specialized in

Even better - note any contracts you extended (which shows strong performance) or worked during high-need times like holidays or crisis response.

4. Leaving Out Licenses and Certifications

It might fee like a given, but always include your active state licenses and essential certifications. Don't assume hiring manager will just know you have your BLS, ACLS, or Compact License - they want to see it spelled out clearly.

Make it easy for them to verify that you meet the job's minimum requirements.

Bonus Tip: If you hold specialty certifications (like CMSRN or NIHSS), list those too. They can help your resume rise to the top.

5. Overlooking Grammar, Spelling, or Formatting Issues

Attention to detail is a must in med-surg nursing - and your resume is your first chance to prove you have it.

Spelling and formatting mistakes might seem small, but they can suggest a lack of thoroughness. Use tools like Grammarly, stick to clean, consistent formatting, and always proofread your resume more than once. If possible, have a colleague or recruiter give it a second look.

Final Thoughts

You med-surg travel nurse resume is more than a document - it's your passport to your next great adventure. By avoiding these common missteps and tailoring your resume for each opportunity, you'll be in a much stronger position to land assignments that match your skills and career goals.

Need more guidance? Don't miss our full guide: How to Write the Perfect Travel Nurse Resume to Get the Job You Want.