“I took all these courses, but I have no clue where to put them on my resume.”
That’s something I’ve heard more times than I can count — from brand-new grads to seasoned nurses with stacks of CEUs and certifications. If you’re feeling overwhelmed trying to figure out how to list continuing education on your nursing resume, you’re not alone.
And guess what? You’re not doing it wrong. You just need a roadmap. And I’m here to give you that.
As a career coach who’s helped hundreds of nurses land jobs (even when they felt completely lost), I promise — continuing education is not just filler. When used right, it’s a game-changer.
Let’s walk through it together. Step-by-step. With real examples and warm, clear advice that works even if you’re new, changing careers, or coming back after a break.
Why Continuing Education Matters (More Than You Think)
Here’s something most people don’t realize: hiring managers love nurses who keep learning.
Why? Because it shows you’re:
- Dedicated to patient care
- Up-to-date on best practices
- Willing to grow professionally
Whether it’s a one-hour webinar or a multi-week course, it all says the same thing: you care.
When I helped my client Lila — a new grad RN who had completed a ton of online CEUs — we added them under a special “Continuing Education” section. She felt like she had nothing to show, but guess what? She got 2 interviews that week.
The trick isn’t if you should include continuing education. It’s how you present it.
Where to Put Continuing Education on a Nursing Resume
This depends on how much experience you have.
If you’re a new nurse or switching specialties:
Add a section titled “Continuing Education” right after your Education or Certifications section.
If you’re experienced and want to show off CEUs:
You can create a separate section called “Professional Development” or “Ongoing Education” below your experience.
If the course is relevant to a job posting:
Mention it under the Experience section as a bullet point if it enhanced your job performance.
How do I list continuing education on a nursing resume?
Use a separate section titled “Continuing Education,” “Professional Development,” or “Certifications.” List course title, provider, and date completed. Only include what’s relevant to the role you’re applying for.
Real Examples of Continuing Education for Nurses
Here’s what it might look like on your resume:
Continuing Education
- “Fundamentals of Wound Care Management,” American Nurses Association — Completed July 2023
- “Mental Health in Acute Settings,” Coursera — Completed May 2023
- “IV Therapy and Phlebotomy Essentials,” Nurse.com — Completed Jan 2023
If you’re short on clinical experience but rich in CEUs, this section becomes your superpower. ✨
Listing Certifications and CEUs (With Confidence)
A lot of nurses ask me:
“Should CEUs be listed on a resume?”
Absolutely — if they’re relevant. Think about CEUs like bonus proof that you’re actively learning and improving.
💡 Pro Tip: Group CEUs under broader topics. Instead of listing 15 different courses, summarize:
Professional Development
- Completed 20+ CEUs in infection control, wound care, and trauma-informed nursing (2022–2023)
This shows you’re active without overwhelming the page.
And yes — online courses count too. Just make sure they’re from credible platforms (like Medline University, ANA, Nurse.com, Coursera, or your state’s board-approved providers).
Can I Add Webinars and Short Courses?
Yep! If it’s relevant and from a reliable source, it counts.
Just be mindful: if you watched a quick Instagram Live by a nurse influencer, maybe keep that one off. But if it was a certified one-hour CEU with a test? Go ahead and add it.
Where to List Nursing Certifications on a Resume
Your main certifications (BLS, ACLS, PALS, etc.) should go in their own section near the top.
Certifications
- Basic Life Support (BLS) – American Heart Association – Expires 2025
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) – American Red Cross – Expires 2024
These are different from CEUs but equally important.
For more help on this, check out our Complete Nursing Resume Guide.
Common Mistakes Nurses Make with Continuing Education
Let’s clear these up real quick:
- ❌ Listing irrelevant courses just to fill space
- ❌ Adding outdated CEUs from 10 years ago
- ❌ Forgetting to update expiration dates
- ❌ Using inconsistent formatting (dates missing, providers unclear)
✅ Instead, keep it clean, recent, and relevant.
Best Continuing Education Topics to Highlight
Not sure what to include? Here are high-value areas:
- 🧠 Mental Health & Trauma-Informed Care
- 🦠 Infection Control & PPE Best Practices
- 💉 IV Therapy, Phlebotomy, and Wound Care
- 👩⚕️ Telehealth & Patient Communication
- 📋 Clinical Documentation and EHR Systems
Courses in these areas show you’re tuned in to what modern employers want.
How Ongoing Education Helps You Stand Out
Let me tell you about Martin.
He was a mid-career LPN who hadn’t worked in 6 years. Felt totally invisible. But he’d been taking online CEUs to stay current — over 30 hours in the past year alone.
We showcased them in a “Professional Development” section and tied them into his cover letter. That one change? He landed a job offer within two weeks.
📈 According to Nurse.org, many employers now see ongoing education as a hiring priority — especially for roles in specialty care or leadership.
So yes — your CEUs can be the thing that gets you noticed.
FAQs: Continuing Education on a Nursing Resume
Q: Where do you put continuing education on a nursing resume?
A: Create a separate section titled “Continuing Education” or “Professional Development” below your certifications or experience.
Q: How do you list online courses on a nursing resume?
A: Include course title, provider, and date. Make sure the course was approved for CEUs or offered by a credible source.
Q: Should CEUs be listed on a resume?
A: Yes — especially if they’re recent, relevant, and aligned with the job you’re applying for.
Final Thoughts + A Gentle Nudge
Your resume isn’t just a document. It’s your story.
And continuing education? That’s the part that says, “I care enough to keep learning.”
So whether it’s a course you took at midnight after a 12-hour shift, or a full certificate program you saved up for — it matters. It all matters.
Want to make things easier? Use our free nursing resume Builder that includes a Continuing Education section built in.
You’ve got the heart. Now let’s help you show it on paper.
