Resume for Public Health Nurse Roles: Examples & Writing Tips
“I have no idea what to put on my resume.”
That’s the first thing Jenna, a new public health nurse, said to me. And honestly? She wasn’t alone. I’ve worked with hundreds of job seekers — fresh grads, career changers, self-taught learners. That sentence comes up every time.
It’s scary to try and cram your experience, your heart, your why into a single page. Especially when you care so much about people. That’s what public health nurses do. You don’t just check blood pressure. You protect whole communities.
So today, I want to walk you through writing a resume for public health nurse roles. I’ll keep it simple. I’ll make it real. And I’ll share stories and examples along the way so you don’t feel like you’re doing this alone.
Let’s make your resume feel like you — qualified, compassionate, and ready.
How to Write a Resume for Public Health Nurse Jobs
Here’s something a lot of people don’t realize: You don’t need 10 years of experience to write a strong resume. What you do need is a strategy.
Start with a skills-based format if you’re newer or shifting into public health. For those with experience? A hybrid format works great (mixes skills and experience).
And the secret sauce? Make it readable. Recruiters scan resumes in under 7 seconds, according to a study by Glassdoor.
What Should I Include in a Resume for Public Health Nurse Jobs?
- Contact Info
- Resume Summary (yes, you need one)
- Licenses & Certifications
- Clinical, Public Health, or Community Experience
- Key Skills
- Education
- Volunteer Work (very important in this field)
Resume Summary for Public Health Nurse (Example):
Empathetic RN with 3+ years of experience in community-based health programs and preventive care. Skilled in population health outreach, health education, and program planning. Dedicated to improving wellness outcomes through culturally sensitive care.
Resume Summary for New Grad:
Newly licensed RN with a passion for public health and community outreach. Completed clinical rotation in health promotion and vaccination programs. Eager to support population health efforts with evidence-based practices and advocacy.
Key Skills to Include in Your Public Health Nurse Resume
Hiring managers want to see a mix of hard and soft skills. Here are some to sprinkle throughout your resume:
- Public health nursing skills
- Community health education
- Epidemiology basics
- Disease prevention
- Program planning
- Cultural competence
- Case management
- Patient advocacy
- Chronic disease management
- Health screenings
- Health promotion strategies
- Vaccination program coordination
- EMR documentation (name the system, like Epic)
And yes, soft skills matter too:
- Active listening
- Clear communication
- Team collaboration
- Problem solving
Which Resume Format Is Best for Public Health Nurse Roles?
Let me break this down:
If you’re a new grad or changing careers: Go for a skills-based resume. Highlight relevant training, volunteer work, and transferable strengths.
If you have 1–5 years of experience: Use a hybrid format. Mix your experience and your public health nursing skills.
If you’re very experienced: A traditional reverse-chronological format works fine, but still include a strong summary and skills section.
Can I Apply to Public Health Nursing Roles Without Experience?
Short answer: Yes.
Longer answer: So many of my clients think they can’t apply unless they’ve already worked as a public health nurse.
But here’s the thing. Your clinical rotations, school projects, community work, or even organizing a vaccine drive at your church counts.
When I helped David apply, he only had experience as a school nurse and some volunteer work. But we framed his role like this:
Community Health Nurse (Volunteer) | Chicago StreetCare Program | 2022–2023
- Provided wound care and screenings for 200+ unhoused individuals
- Offered education on hygiene, nutrition, and vaccination access
- Worked with a team of RNs and volunteers to track patient progress
That landed him two interviews.
Public Health Nurse Resume Example: Work Experience
Public Health Nurse | City Health Department | Jan 2021 – Present
- Led vaccination clinics across 8 underserved neighborhoods, administering over 2,000 doses
- Coordinated disease prevention workshops for school-age children and older adults
- Worked cross-functionally with social workers, epidemiologists, and case managers
- Maintained detailed records in Epic EMR
Community Health RN | MobileCare Outreach | 2020 – 2021
- Delivered health screenings and chronic disease education to vulnerable populations
- Conducted home visits and assessed community risk factors
- Designed patient materials for low-literacy populations
Volunteer Experience Section
Please don’t skip this.
Public health nursing values heart-led work. If you’ve ever taught CPR at a youth center or helped distribute COVID tests, that’s real, meaningful experience.
Example:
Health Fair Coordinator | Healthy Living Coalition | Mar 2022
- Organized blood pressure and glucose screenings for 300 attendees
- Worked with pharmacists and nurses to provide health education in Spanish and English
Certifications to Include on Your Public Health Nurse Resume
- Registered Nurse (RN license)
- Basic Life Support (BLS)
- Public Health Nurse (PHN) Certification
- Certified in Public Health (CPH) – optional but impressive
- Any CEUs in health policy, epidemiology, or disease prevention
Be sure to include:
- License Number (if required)
- State Issued
- Expiration Dates
🧠 Want a Nurse Resume That Gets Interviews—Not Ignored?
Whether you’re applying as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner or aiming for a Charge Nurse position, we’ve got proven tips to help you stand out. Check out our PMHNP resume tips that actually get interviews and explore real Charge Nurse resume examples that hiring managers love. Your next opportunity starts with the right resume—make it count!
Real-Life Story: Helping Grace Land Her First Public Health Role
Grace came to me after six months of applying with no luck.
She’d been using a resume built for hospital jobs. Lots of terminology. Lots of procedures.
We rewrote her resume to focus on her community rotation, her vaccine clinic work, and the Spanish classes she took to better connect with families.
We even added this line: “Passionate about serving marginalized communities with empathy, education, and culturally competent care.”
She got a callback in a week. Her voice cracked when she told me.
“I didn’t think anyone saw me until now.”
They do. You just have to show them.
Should You Include a Cover Letter for a Public Health Nurse Job?
Yes. 100 times yes.
Your resume shows your experience. Your cover letter shows your heart. Use it to explain your passion for public health, tell a story, or highlight something not in your resume.
Check a full cover letter guide for Nursing Resume that breaks it down step-by-step.
FAQs Section
Q: What should I include in a resume for public health nurse jobs?
A: Include your contact info, summary, license, certifications, experience, key skills, education, and any public health or volunteer work.
Q: What certifications should a public health nurse resume include?
A: RN license, PHN certification, BLS, and any CEUs related to epidemiology or public health. List license numbers and expiration dates.
Q: Should volunteer work be included on a public health nurse resume?
A: Yes! Especially in public health. It shows initiative, compassion, and real-world experience in serving communities.
Final Words from a Career Coach Who Gets It
Writing your resume isn’t just about getting a job. It’s about telling your story.
It’s okay to feel nervous. It’s okay to feel stuck. But what matters is that you keep going. Because the work you do as a public health nurse? It matters. Deeply.
You’re not just applying for a role. You’re applying to make a difference.
If you want a soft start, Try our free resume Builder for public health nurses. It’s clean, easy, and made with heart.
