Creating the Perfect CV for Agency Nursing: A Guide for Nurses and Midwives

If you're a nurse or midwife considering agency work, your CV is more than just a document—it’s your ticket to exciting opportunities. A well-structured, detailed CV helps recruitment agencies match you to the right roles quickly and efficiently. It’s your chance to showcase your skills, experience, and qualifications, giving agencies and healthcare facilities the confidence that you’re the perfect fit.

Here’s how to create a CV that sets you apart and ensures you stand out in the competitive world of agency nursing and midwifery.

1. Start with the Basics

Include:

• Full Legal Name – and let us know if your preferred name is different!

• Phone Number

• Email Address

• Current Location (City/State)

• AHPRA Registration Number/s

2. Detailed Work Experience

For each role, include:

• Employment Dates: Use months and years (e.g., January 2020 – March 2023).

• Position Title: e.g., Registered Nurse, Clinical Midwife.

• Employer and Location: Name the healthcare facility and location.

• Employment Type: Permanent, part-time, casual, or agency contract.

• Area Worked: e.g., Emergency Department, Labour and Birth Suite.

• Key Skills: Highlight unique skills such as triage competency, ALS certification, or neoResus experience.

• Things to leave out: We expect basic nursing skills such as medication administration and assisting with ADL’s – so you don’t need to list this!

Example:

January 2021 – June 2023

Registered Nurse – Permanent - Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, WA

Emergency Department

• Triage competency with extensive experience in category 1–5 presentations

• Advanced Life Support (ALS) certified.

• Provided mentorship to new graduates and student nurses.

3. Qualifications

List all qualifications, including:

• Undergraduate Degrees (e.g., Bachelor of Nursing or Midwifery).

• Postgraduate Qualifications (e.g., Graduate Diploma in Critical Care).

• Specialized Training (e.g., MEC/REC, neoResus, ALS, Epidural Competency).

Example:

• Bachelor of Nursing, University of Sydney – Completed 2015

• Graduate Diploma in Midwifery, Griffith University – Completed 2017

• ALS Certified – Renewed June 2024

4. Additional Training and Certifications

Include any extra certifications that add value to your application, such as:

• Cannulation or venepuncture certification.

• Immunization training.

• Cultural awareness training, especially for work in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

• Pharmacotherapeutics

5. Professional Memberships and Registrations

List memberships and registrations, such as:

• AHPRA Registration (include your division, e.g., RN, RM).

• Membership with organizations like ACN (Australian College of Nursing).

6. Referees

Include 2–3 recent referees who can vouch for your clinical skills and professionalism. Provide their:

• Name

• Role

• Contact Information

Don’t worry – we won’t contact your referee’s until we have discussed this with you first! It’s just one step to help streamline the onboarding process if/when you choose to take an agency contract and onboard with a new employer.

7. Keep It Clear and Brief

While it’s essential to include detail, aim to keep your CV concise—2–3 pages is ideal. Use bullet points and clear headings to make it easy to read.

Need Help?

If this feels overwhelming, don’t worry—we’re here to help! If you need a template or guidance on what to include, have a chat with us today. At Kenmore Health Recruitment, we’re happy to provide personalized advice and support to get your CV ready for agency work.