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If you’re looking for a job as a theatre nurse, it’s essential to write a CV that will highlight your key skills and applicable strengths. You can use this sample theatre nurse CV as a template to help you recognise the different information you need to include.
The following sections will break down how to write a theatre nurse CV into digestible chunks, so there’s no need to worry about leaving out important information. On top of implementing the below advice, read through our expert CV examples for more content and design ideas. Who said the process had to be complicated?
Ready to start? Keep reading as we cover:
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Sample theatre nurse CV
Mary James
4 Covington Close
London WC2 4TF
07912345678
Mary.James@example-example.co.uk
Professional summary
Accomplished Theatre Nurse skilled in evaluating theatre needs and preparing tools, supplies and patients to suppot seamless operations. Collaborates with physicians and nurses to provide comprehensive care. Monitors patient wellness and reports on conditions to proactively address potential complications.
Work history
May 2021 – Current
Lady of the Light Hospital – London
Theatre Nurse
- Assessed care provided during perioperative phases to determine protocols.
- Evaluated theatre equipment to determine cleanliness and readiness for use.
- Evaluated patient to determine discharge requirements and procedures.
October 2018 – April 2021
Saint Joan – London
Theatre Nurse
- Created safe environment for staff and patients by overseeing adherence to Covid-19 infection control measures.
- Responded to hand motions to immediately assist surgeons.
- Maximised productivity by preparing specialist equipment, devices and drugs needed for anaesthetic phase.
Skills
- Complex and acute care
- Medical inventory management
- Post-operative care
- Charting and reporting
- Room preparation
- Medication administration
- Health assessments
- Patient education
Education
2017
Nursing University of London London
Bachelor of Science Nursing
Theatre nurse CV template
Crafting a compelling theatre nurse CV shouldn’t be a headache. Simply take advantage of the resources available, such as our fantastic CV templates and online builder. The job is much easier when you have the right tools!
What is the best format for your theatre nurse CV?
While it’s tempting to charge right into CV writing, the first step is choosing an effective layout. How you present your information leaves a lasting impression on employers – well-written, organised CVs get the thumbs up, whereas messy applications don’t make the cut! There’s no need to design something from scratch. Instead, decide between popular CV formats.
We recommend sticking to the most widely accepted structures – the reverse-chronological CV or the skills-based CV. The former highlights your employment history, starting from your current or most role. The latter prioritises transferable skills, such as “administration”, “communication”, and “teamwork”.
So, which is best for a theatre nurse CV? Without a doubt, the reverse-chronological structure. Hiring managers won’t accept candidates without proven experience in medical environments, as the role is highly technical. Your career history will determine whether you secure an interview spot, so it should be the main focus of your application.
What else can make or break your chances of success? Here are a few general formatting tips to keep in mind:
- Your CV should be one to two pages long maximum
- Use headings, sections, and bullet point lists to improve readability
- Type in a neat font, like Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri
- Avoid images or bright colours – they don’t look professional
- Send your CV as a PDF or Word document unless asked otherwise
How to write a CV for a theatre nurse
Many candidates get flustered when figuring out how to write a CV, but it’s easier than you think with in-depth guidance. Now you’ve settled on your format, it’s time to tackle the all-important content – the delicious stuffing that’ll convince key decision-makers you’re the right person for the job!
Get your thinking cap ready as we run through the following sections:
- Adding contact details to your theatre nurse CV
- Start your theatre nurse CV with a personal statement
- How to present your work history on a theatre nurse CV
- Top skills for your theatre nurse CV
- Outlining education on a theatre nurse CV
Adding contact details to your theatre nurse CV
If you’ve sent dozens of CVs but haven’t heard back, you might have forgotten to add your most up-to-date contact information. It’s a small but essential part of your application. We advise noting your details at the top of the page, ideally in a slightly larger or bolder font. Employers need to know:
- Full name – first name and surname
- Location – including county and postcode
- Phone number – mobile is preferable
- Email address – keep it work-appropriate
Example of contact section for a theatre nurse CV
Linda Jackson,
113 My Road,
My Town,
My County, MY29 6GA,
01256 222444,
lindajackson@mymail.com
Start your theatre nurse CV with a personal statement
Want to make an unforgettable first impression that’ll put you miles ahead of the competition? Write a persuasive personal statement spotlighting your most valuable expertise, achievements, and skills. This introductory paragraph packs an almighty punch, despite only being three to four sentences long. So, what should you include? Use the following formula to cover the most important points.
Sentence one introduces who you are, including your job title and years of experience. Sentence two is the hook – catch the reader’s attention and reel them in with a jaw-dropping statistic. Giving concrete examples of what you can achieve is a powerful job-hunting tool. Finally, finish with your skills and specialisms, such as orthopaedics or cardiology.
As for the statistics, you could mention how many operations you assisted, patients you attended, or awards you won. Basically, pinpoint a few numbers that prove your capabilities and shout about them as loud as you can. The best theatre nurse CVs aren’t afraid to self-promote!
Here are a few extra tips to inform the writing process:
- Stick to the word count – around 150 to 200 words is plenty
- Place the statement at the top of the page for maximum visibility
- Use the third person to sound less me-centric
- Don’t use informalities – keep the tone professional and to the point
- Be authentic – avoid lifting text straight from the job advertisement
Example of personal statement for a theatre nurse CV
A fully licensed theatre nurse with 13 years of experience providing patient-centred care within various surgical service departments. Skilled in handling patients of different ages and with different needs, specialising in elderly care and patient aftercare. Possess a thorough understanding of sterilisation processes, surgical instruments, and postoperative phases.
OR
A dedicated theatre nurse with three years of experience in busy surgical wards. Helped complete over 2000 successful operations for a leading cardiothoracic centre, assisting a team of world-renowned surgeons. Boasts operating room scrub and circulation experience with specialties including orthopaedics, vascular, transplants, and cardiac procedures.
How to present your work history on a theatre nurse CV
Arguably, the career history section is the most fascinating for employers. Most positions require previous experience, so it’s a non-negotiable part of almost any CV. Theatre nurses must be even more meticulous because the role is highly specialised – include as much detail as possible to wow the hiring manager and secure your dream job!
Start from your current or most recent role and list three to six responsibilities for each. Generally, you should include additional bullet points for newer, more relevant positions. Run through the following:
- Job title
- Employment start and end dates
- Company name
- Company location
- Concise list of duties
- Workplace achievements
- Note references are available on request.
Employers receive hundreds of CVs, so how do you make yours stand out? Like the personal statement, we suggest impressing the reader with figures and real-world accomplishments. Let’s say you “responded to emergency situations promptly” – can you expand on this? Perhaps, you could mention how many emergency operations you assisted and how many lives were subsequently saved.
Lastly, avoid repetition. For example, if you’ve mentioned “sterilising equipment” underneath one position, talk about “patient aftercare” in another. Emphasising as many different responsibilities as possible will present a well-rounded view of your abilities.
Example of work experience for a theatre nurse CV
Theatre Nurse | Lady of the Light Hospital, London | June 2021 – Present
- Completing preoperative checks before surgical procedures.
- Ensuring safety through the relevant policies and procedures.
- Responding to emergency situations promptly.
- Administering medications as required.
- Collaborating with senior nursing staff on the planning, implementation and assessment of care.
Theatre Nurse | Saint Joan, London | October 2018 – April 2021
- Maintained the department and facility ethical standards
- Delivered first-rate nursing care in line with the hospital’s mission.
- Provided guidance to nursing staff.
- Contributed to risk assessment.
- Helped establish a safe healthcare environment for patient welfare.
Top skills for your theatre nurse CV
CV skills give you a competitive edge when the competition is tight. It’s a fantastic opportunity to summarise your top talents and specialisms, reassuring the employer you have what it takes to succeed. We suggest highlighting up to 12 skills, split equally between hard skills and soft skills.
What’s the difference? Hard skills are technical and often learnt on the job or through formal education, such as “preparing complex surgical instruments”, “assessing pre and post-op patients”, and “providing expert aftercare”. In contrast, soft skills are transferable and character-based – think “detail-oriented”, “adaptable”, and “emotionally intelligent”.
While it’s tempting to pack your theatre nurse CV with technical know-how, employers also want to know about your personality. Plus, soft skills are harder to learn, so valued highly in the workplace. Blending both is the best approach if you want to impress the reader!
Essential skills for a theatre nurse
- Extensive nursing care experience
- Very familiar with the current healthcare environment
- Knowledge of biological, physical, social, and behavioural sciences
- Proficiency in nursing research, management, and application
- Strong reasoning abilities regarding patient care
Desirable aptitudes to set you apart
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Attention to detail under pressure
- Strong administration and report-writing abilities
- Able to emphasise with different patients
- Cool-tempered and emotionally resilient
Outlining education on a theatre nurse CV
Education is pivotal to cinching a theatre nurse position – you simply can’t progress without it. Alongside school, college, and university qualifications, feel free to highlight extracurricular training and memberships to governing bodies. Our top tip? Only include your most relevant credentials. For instance, if you’ve studied a postgraduate degree or doctorate at university, you can skip over GCSEs.
While this section often comes towards the end of a CV, we also advise including your core qualifications at the top of the page. This will help employers quickly assess your suitability.
What does it take to become a theatre nurse? Firstly, you must qualify as an adult, child, or mental health nurse. Study a relevant university degree or search for apprenticeships that blend academic study and on-the-job training. Both avenues take around four years to complete. Afterwards, you can sign up for additional courses to consolidate the specialist skills you’ll need, such as perioperative care.
When discussing education, cover the following:
- Name of school, college, university, or other awarding body
- Study start and end dates
- Subject title
- Qualification level – e.g. GCSE or Level 2 Diploma
- Qualification result
Example of education for a theatre nurse CV
Certified with the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN), October 2022
Nursing University of London | September 2018 – June 2022
Bachelor of Science, BSc (Hons): First-class honours
London College | September 2016 – June 2018
3 A Levels: Biology (A), English (A), and Maths (B)
Top dos and don’ts for theatre nurse CV writing
Do
- DO underscore your areas of expertise Theatre nursing is an umbrella career encompassing countless specialisms. As such, mention your areas of expertise in your cover letter and personal statement. Employers love candidates with in-depth knowledge about specific healthcare areas, so you’ll be a more attractive prospect than your competitors.
- DO concentrate on your soft skills You must be a particular type of person to withstand the daily challenges of nursing. Employers will always prioritise empathetic, patient, and understanding applicants over highly experienced but grumpy contenders. Remember to spotlight your personality-based skills alongside your technical knowledge.
Don’t
- DON’T forget your cover letterA cover letter is a concise one-page document explaining who you are, why you’re interested in the role, and what makes you the most desirable candidate. It’s also a brilliant place to provide additional information that doesn’t belong in a CV, such as your career ambitions and notice period.
- DON’T send your CV without spell-checkingSpelling and grammar mistakes are sometimes unavoidable, but too many will give a bad impression. We advise running your CV through a free spell-checker before firing it off to prospective employers. Also, why not ask your friends and family for feedback? The more input, the better.
Your theatre nurse CV questions answered
What are the duties of a theatre nurse?
While the duties of a theatre nurse vary, one thing’s guaranteed – they’re always on their feet. Every day presents new and exciting challenges, and helping patients recover is undeniably rewarding. Responsibilities include:
- Briefing patients about what to expect before, during, and after surgery, including the risks and benefits
- Preparing and managing complex instruments and drugs
- Monitoring a patient’s vital signs during surgery
- Assessing whether a patient is healthy enough to be discharged
- Maintaining exceptional hygiene standards
What are the skills of a theatre nurse?
Above all else, theatre nurses must be detail-oriented and empathetic. On the one hand, they oversee a surgeon’s toolbox and must have an exhaustive understanding of the best surgical practices. On the other, they need active listening skills and compassion to help patients on their healthcare journey. Employers look for the following attributes:
- Excellent communication skills
- Patience in high-pressure environments
- Able to work well as part of a large team
- Resilience – surgery can be emotionally taxing
- Kindness towards people of all backgrounds
Who works in an operating theatre?
As a theatre nurse, you’ll work alongside other highly skilled professionals, including surgeons, anaesthetists, operating department practitioners, theatre support workers, cardiographers, and radiographers. Depending on the complexity of the operation, there might be up to ten healthcare providers in the theatre at once.
How much does a theatre nurse earn?
It’s impossible to pinpoint how much a theatre nurse earns because it depends on location, experience, and hours. However, the average salary in the UK starts at £30,000 and goes up to £60,000.
Wow employers with a well-written theatre nurse CV
This theatre nurse CV sample is one of a vast array of special tools you can utilise to understand more about CV writing. Job hunters requiring extra guidance should also look at the other comprehensive tools on this site.
Alongside the library of awesome CV examples and CV templates, our comprehensive CV builder makes piecing together your application a breeze. Using these handy resources will give you more headspace to nail the content and wow the hiring manager.
