Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) scan nursing resumes for specific clinical competencies, patient care metrics, and certifications. To stand out to healthcare recruiters and nursing managers, your resume must highlight the exact skills required for the unit you're applying to. This guide covers the top hard and soft skills for Registered Nurses.
Top hard skills for registered nurse resumes
These are the technical skills that ATS systems and hiring managers look for on registered nurse resumes. Include the ones you genuinely have experience with.
Patient Assessment
Crucial for evaluating patient conditions and determining the appropriate course of care.
Medication Administration
Demonstrates your ability to safely and accurately deliver prescribed treatments.
IV Therapy
Essential for administering fluids and medications directly into the patient's veins.
Electronic Health Records (EHR)
Shows proficiency in documenting patient care using systems like Epic or Cerner.
Vital Signs Monitoring
Fundamental for tracking patient stability and identifying potential health issues early.
Wound Care
Important for preventing infection and promoting the healing of surgical or traumatic wounds.
Infection Control
Highlights your commitment to maintaining a safe, sterile environment to prevent healthcare-associated infections.
Triage
Vital for prioritizing patient care based on the severity of their condition, especially in emergency settings.
Phlebotomy
Shows your capability to safely draw blood for testing and transfusions.
Care Plan Development
Demonstrates your ability to create and manage individualized strategies for patient recovery.
Basic Life Support (BLS)
A mandatory foundational skill for responding to cardiac or respiratory emergencies.
Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)
Critical for managing severe cardiovascular emergencies and often required in acute care.
Patient Education
Essential for instructing patients and families on post-discharge care and health management.
Specimen Collection
Important for gathering biological samples accurately for laboratory analysis.
Pain Management
Shows your ability to assess and alleviate patient discomfort effectively.
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Build your resume →Essential soft skills
Beyond technical ability, these soft skills differentiate strong registered nurse candidates.
- Empathy
- Critical Thinking
- Communication
- Time Management
- Adaptability
- Teamwork
- Problem Solving
- Attention to Detail
- Stress Management
- Active Listening
Recommended certifications
| Certification | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Basic Life Support (BLS) | A foundational certification required for almost all nursing roles to handle emergencies. |
| Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) | Often required for nurses in critical care, ER, or telemetry units. |
| Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) | Essential for nurses working with infants and children in pediatric or emergency settings. |
| Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) | Validates expertise in providing care to acutely or critically ill patients. |
| Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN) | Demonstrates specialized knowledge and experience in pediatric nursing. |
Power action verbs
Start your bullet points with these strong verbs to demonstrate impact.
Example resume bullet points
Here's how to use these skills in real resume bullets with quantified results.
ATS optimization tips
Use Standard Terminology
Avoid using obscure abbreviations for procedures or equipment. Stick to standard medical terminology and recognized acronyms like EHR, IV, and BLS to ensure the ATS parses your resume correctly.
Include Unit-Specific Keywords
Tailor your resume to the specific department (e.g., ICU, ER, Pediatrics) by including relevant keywords from the job description, such as 'telemetry monitoring' or 'neonatal care'.
Highlight Quantifiable Metrics
ATS algorithms and hiring managers look for impact. Include metrics like patient ratios, number of beds in the unit, or improvements in patient satisfaction scores.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most important skills for a Registered Nurse resume?
The most critical skills include clinical competencies like medication administration, patient assessment, and EHR proficiency, alongside essential soft skills like empathy and critical thinking.
How many skills should I list on my RN resume?
Aim to include 10-15 hard skills and 5-10 soft skills. Focus on the ones most relevant to the specific nursing role and unit you are applying for.
Should I include my nursing license on my resume?
Yes, absolutely. Your state RN license and its expiration date, along with standard certifications like BLS and ACLS, should be prominently displayed, often near the top of your resume.
Put these skills to work
Now that you know which skills to highlight, use our free resume builder to create an ATS-optimized resume with the right keywords in the right places.
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