Resume Guide

RN Resume Skills That Land Interviews in 2026

Clinical Competencies, Certifications & What Nurse Recruiters Actually Search For

With 189,100 nursing positions opening annually and a nationwide shortage of nearly 296,000 RNs, your resume skills section can make or break your job search. The challenge? Knowing which clinical competencies hiring managers filter for, which certifications matter most, and how to prove your nursing skills with achievements that stand out.

Published
14 min read

What Skills Should a Registered Nurse Put on a Resume?

This guide covers the exact skills that get registered nurses hired, from core clinical competencies to the EHR systems hospitals actually use. You'll find copy-ready resume bullets for every experience level, specialty-specific keywords, and the certification stack that moves you to the top of the pile.

The Nursing Demand Reality

5% job growth projected through 2034, with 189,100 openings annually (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024). RN median salary: $93,600. Top earners in California exceed $148,000.

Registered Nurse Skills by Experience Level

Entry-level to senior: what to include at each career stage

New Graduate RN (0-1 years)

Focus on core clinical competencies and certifications. Build your assessment skills and EHR proficiency.

  • 1
    BLS certification (required) and ACLS within first year
  • 2
    Patient assessment and vital signs monitoring
  • 3
    Medication administration with barcode scanning
  • 4
    Basic IV therapy and venipuncture
  • 5
    EHR documentation in Epic or Cerner
  • 6
    Infection control and isolation precautions
  • 7
    Communication using SBAR format
  • 8
    Time management with 4-6 patient assignments

Experienced RN (2-5 years)

Develop specialty expertise and take on leadership roles. Precepting and charge responsibilities set you apart.

  • 1
    Specialty certifications (CCRN, CEN, PCCN, etc.)
  • 2
    Charge nurse and preceptor experience
  • 3
    Complex patient populations and high-acuity care
  • 4
    Quality improvement project participation
  • 5
    Advanced assessment and clinical judgment
  • 6
    Interdisciplinary care coordination
  • 7
    Float pool or cross-training in multiple units
  • 8
    Patient education program development

Senior RN / Clinical Leader (5+ years)

Drive unit outcomes and influence practice. Pursue advanced certifications and formal leadership roles.

  • 1
    Unit leadership and staff development
  • 2
    Evidence-based practice implementation
  • 3
    Quality metrics ownership and improvement
  • 4
    Magnet or shared governance participation
  • 5
    Advanced specialty certifications
  • 6
    Clinical educator or CNS pathway preparation
  • 7
    Hospital committee membership
  • 8
    Nursing research and publication
Not sure which skills to highlight for Registered Nurse roles? Our AI-powered Skills Finder analyzes job market data to suggest the most in-demand technical and soft skills for your experience level. Enter your target job title below to get personalized skill recommendations that will help your resume stand out to recruiters and ATS systems.

Try an example:

Enter your job title to discover relevant skills

Hard Skills for Registered Nurse Resumes

Technical skills with resume examples and ATS keywords

Patient Assessment & Care Planning
Head-to-Toe Assessment, Vital Signs, Nursing Diagnosis & Care Plans
ATS Keywords
Patient AssessmentHead-to-Toe AssessmentVital SignsNursing DiagnosisCare PlanningHealth AssessmentPhysical AssessmentNursing ProcessSBARClinical Judgment
Resume Bullets
Performed comprehensive assessments for 25+ patients daily across med-surg unit, identifying early deterioration signs that reduced ICU transfers by 18%
Developed individualized care plans for complex cardiac patients, improving discharge readiness scores by 22%
Conducted head-to-toe assessments identifying subtle neurological changes, enabling early stroke intervention for 3 patients
Implemented SBAR communication protocol for shift handoffs, reducing missed assessment findings by 40%

💡 Tip:Show assessment scope and outcomes. Mention patient volumes, acuity levels, and how your assessments improved care.

Medication Administration
IV Push, Oral, Subcutaneous, Intramuscular & High-Alert Medications
ATS Keywords
Medication AdministrationIV PushHigh-Alert MedicationsMedication SafetyMedication ReconciliationPharmacologyDrug InteractionsControlled SubstancesBarcode ScanningFive Rights
Resume Bullets
Administered 150+ medications daily with zero medication errors over 2-year period using barcode scanning verification
Managed complex insulin protocols for diabetic patients, achieving 95% blood glucose target compliance
Administered chemotherapy and biotherapy agents following ONS guidelines, maintaining 100% safety compliance
Led medication reconciliation initiative reducing discrepancies at admission by 35%

💡 Tip:Highlight medication safety achievements and specialized administration skills like chemotherapy or insulin protocols.

Electronic Health Records (EHR)
Epic, Cerner, Meditech & Clinical Documentation
ATS Keywords
EpicCernerMeditechCPRSEHREMRElectronic Health RecordsClinical DocumentationChartingOrder EntryClinical Informatics
Resume Bullets
Documented patient care in Epic EHR for 6,000+ patient encounters annually with 98% compliance rate on quality metrics
Served as Cerner superuser, training 25 new nurses on clinical documentation and order entry workflows
Implemented Meditech documentation templates reducing charting time by 20 minutes per shift
Achieved Epic proficiency certification and trained peers on SmartPhrases for efficient documentation

💡 Tip:Name specific EHR systems you've used. Epic and Cerner control over 50% of the US hospital market, so proficiency matters.

IV Therapy & Venipuncture
IV Insertion, PICC Care, Central Line Management & Blood Draws
ATS Keywords
IV TherapyIV InsertionVenipuncturePICC LineCentral LinePort AccessBlood DrawPhlebotomyInfusion TherapyCLABSI Prevention
Resume Bullets
Maintained 92% first-stick IV insertion success rate across 500+ placements annually
Managed central line care for 15+ patients daily with zero CLABSI infections over 18 months
Administered complex IV infusions including TPN, blood products, and vesicant medications
Trained as IV therapy resource nurse, mentoring 12 new graduates on venipuncture technique

💡 Tip:Quantify your success rates. First-stick success and infection prevention metrics impress hiring managers.

Wound Care & Ostomy Management
Wound Assessment, Dressing Changes, Pressure Ulcer Prevention & Ostomy Care
ATS Keywords
Wound CareWound AssessmentDressing ChangesPressure Ulcer PreventionHAPI PreventionOstomy CareSkin AssessmentBraden ScaleNPWTDebridement
Resume Bullets
Managed complex wound care for 20+ patients weekly, achieving 85% wound closure rate within target timeframes
Implemented Braden Scale assessments and turning protocols, reducing unit HAPI rate by 45%
Provided ostomy education to 50+ patients and families, improving self-care confidence scores by 60%
Served as wound care champion, conducting weekly skin rounds and staff education sessions

💡 Tip:Show wound healing outcomes and prevention achievements. Hospital-acquired pressure injuries are a key quality metric.

Cardiac Monitoring & Telemetry
ECG Interpretation, Arrhythmia Recognition & Hemodynamic Monitoring
ATS Keywords
Cardiac MonitoringECG InterpretationTelemetryArrhythmia RecognitionHemodynamic Monitoring12-Lead ECGRhythm InterpretationCode BlueRapid ResponseSTEMI
Resume Bullets
Monitored 8-12 telemetry patients simultaneously, identifying lethal arrhythmias requiring immediate intervention 15+ times
Interpreted 12-lead ECGs and escalated STEMI findings, contributing to door-to-balloon times under 60 minutes
Managed hemodynamic monitoring for post-cardiac surgery patients including arterial lines and Swan-Ganz catheters
Achieved ACLS certification and responded to 50+ code blue events with successful resuscitation outcomes

💡 Tip:Highlight rhythm interpretation skills and rapid response to cardiac events. Telemetry experience is valuable across many units.

Respiratory Care & Ventilator Management
Oxygen Therapy, Ventilator Settings, Tracheostomy Care & Respiratory Assessment
ATS Keywords
Respiratory CareVentilator ManagementOxygen TherapyTracheostomy CareBiPAPCPAPHigh-Flow OxygenABG InterpretationSuctioningVAP Prevention
Resume Bullets
Managed ventilator settings for 4-6 ICU patients daily, collaborating with respiratory therapy on weaning protocols
Administered oxygen therapy across delivery methods from nasal cannula to high-flow and BiPAP
Performed tracheostomy care and suctioning for long-term ventilator patients, maintaining zero VAP rate for 12 months
Interpreted ABG results and titrated oxygen therapy, achieving SpO2 targets for 95% of respiratory patients

💡 Tip:Ventilator experience is highly valued. Include weaning protocols and extubation success if applicable.

Patient Education & Discharge Planning
Health Teaching, Discharge Instructions & Self-Care Training
ATS Keywords
Patient EducationDischarge PlanningHealth TeachingTeach-Back MethodSelf-ManagementDischarge InstructionsCare CoordinationPatient SatisfactionHealth Literacy
Resume Bullets
Developed diabetes self-management education program, reducing 30-day readmissions by 25%
Provided discharge teaching using teach-back method, achieving 95% patient comprehension scores
Created multilingual education materials for diverse patient population, improving medication adherence 30%
Coordinated discharge planning with case management, social work, and outpatient providers for 15+ patients weekly

💡 Tip:Show how your education improved patient outcomes. Readmission rates and patient satisfaction scores are measurable wins.

Infection Control & Prevention
Hand Hygiene, Isolation Precautions, PPE & HAI Prevention
ATS Keywords
Infection ControlIsolation PrecautionsContact PrecautionsDroplet PrecautionsAirborne PrecautionsPPEHand HygieneCAUTI PreventionCLABSI PreventionHAI Prevention
Resume Bullets
Maintained 100% hand hygiene compliance as verified by unit audits over 18-month period
Implemented CAUTI prevention bundle, contributing to 50% reduction in catheter-associated infections
Managed care for COVID-19 patients in negative pressure rooms, adhering to strict PPE protocols
Served as infection control liaison, conducting peer education sessions that improved unit compliance to 98%

💡 Tip:Quantify infection prevention achievements. Zero HAI rates and compliance percentages are powerful metrics.

Pain Management & Comfort Care
Pain Assessment, Opioid Administration, Non-Pharmacological Interventions & Palliative Care
ATS Keywords
Pain ManagementPain AssessmentOpioid AdministrationPalliative CareHospiceComfort CareEnd-of-Life CareNon-Drug Pain ManagementPCA PumpPain Scales
Resume Bullets
Implemented multimodal pain management protocols, reducing opioid use by 30% while maintaining patient satisfaction
Assessed and managed pain for 25+ post-surgical patients daily using validated pain scales
Integrated non-pharmacological interventions including positioning, relaxation, and aromatherapy into pain plans
Provided compassionate end-of-life care for 40+ patients, supporting families through hospice transition

💡 Tip:Show balanced approach to pain management. Both effective pain control and opioid stewardship are valued.

Emergency & Rapid Response
Code Blue Response, Triage, Rapid Assessment & Crisis Intervention
ATS Keywords
Emergency ResponseCode BlueRapid ResponseTriageESI TriageROSCCrisis InterventionTrauma CareEmergency NursingCritical Thinking
Resume Bullets
Responded to 50+ rapid response and code blue events, maintaining ROSC rate above unit average
Performed emergency triage for 100+ ED patients weekly using ESI acuity system
Initiated emergency protocols for deteriorating patients, reducing time to intervention by 40%
Served on hospital rapid response team, providing critical care expertise across all units

💡 Tip:Highlight response times and outcomes. Experience with code teams and rapid response is valuable across settings.

Quality Improvement & Evidence-Based Practice
QI Projects, Research Implementation, Outcome Measurement & Best Practices
ATS Keywords
Quality ImprovementQIEvidence-Based PracticeEBPResearchOutcome MeasurementProcess ImprovementPDSA CycleRoot Cause AnalysisBest Practices
Resume Bullets
Led fall prevention QI project reducing unit falls by 35% through hourly rounding implementation
Implemented evidence-based sepsis screening protocol, improving early identification by 40%
Participated in Magnet designation process, contributing to nursing research and shared governance
Analyzed patient outcome data to identify trends, presenting findings to nursing leadership monthly

💡 Tip:Show measurable QI outcomes. Projects that reduced falls, infections, or readmissions demonstrate leadership potential.

Need stronger action verbs? Browse our Action Verbs Library for powerful words that make your achievements stand out.

Soft Skills Every Registered Nurse Needs

Interpersonal abilities that strengthen your resume

Clinical Judgment & Critical Thinking
Clinical Decision-Making, Problem Solving & Patient Assessment
ATS Keywords
Clinical JudgmentCritical ThinkingDecision MakingProblem SolvingAnalytical SkillsClinical Reasoning
Resume Bullets
Identified subtle changes in patient condition indicating early sepsis, initiating rapid response that prevented ICU admission
Recognized medication interaction risk during admission assessment, preventing potential adverse event
Applied clinical judgment to prioritize care for 6 critically ill patients during staffing shortage
Questioned physician order based on patient assessment, leading to treatment plan modification

💡 Tip:Show decision-making under pressure. Highlight situations where your assessment led to better patient outcomes.

Communication & Collaboration
Interprofessional Communication, SBAR & Team Coordination
ATS Keywords
CommunicationCollaborationTeamworkSBARInterprofessionalCare Coordination
Resume Bullets
Coordinated care across 8-member interdisciplinary team including physicians, PT, OT, and social work for complex discharge planning
Communicated critical lab values to physicians using SBAR format, ensuring timely interventions
Facilitated family meetings for end-of-life discussions, supporting informed decision-making
Served as charge nurse coordinating assignments and communication for 12-member team

💡 Tip:Show interprofessional teamwork and clear communication with patients, families, and the healthcare team.

Empathy & Patient Advocacy
Compassionate Care, Cultural Sensitivity & Patient Rights
ATS Keywords
Patient AdvocacyEmpathyCompassionate CareCultural SensitivityPatient-Centered CareBedside Manner
Resume Bullets
Advocated for patient pain management needs with care team, leading to updated treatment plan and improved comfort scores
Provided culturally sensitive care for diverse patient population, improving HCAHPS scores by 15%
Advocated for uninsured patient's medication access, connecting them with pharmacy assistance programs
Supported anxious pre-surgical patients with education and reassurance, reducing cancellation rates

💡 Tip:Show how you advocated for patient needs and provided compassionate care in challenging situations.

Adaptability & Stress Management
Flexibility, Resilience & Crisis Response
ATS Keywords
AdaptabilityFlexibilityStress ManagementResilienceCrisis ResponseFloat Pool
Resume Bullets
Adapted to floating across 4 different units during staffing crisis while maintaining quality care and positive patient feedback
Managed 8-patient assignment during pandemic surge while maintaining documentation compliance
Transitioned from day to night shift with minimal orientation, achieving full productivity within 2 weeks
Remained calm during simultaneous code blue and rapid response, prioritizing tasks effectively

💡 Tip:Show ability to handle changing priorities, high-acuity situations, and staffing challenges professionally.

Leadership & Mentorship
Charge Nurse, Precepting & Staff Development
ATS Keywords
LeadershipMentorshipPreceptorCharge NurseStaff DevelopmentTeam Building
Resume Bullets
Precepted 15 new graduate nurses over 3 years, with 90% retention rate and successful transition to independent practice
Served as charge nurse for 30-bed unit, managing staffing, admissions, and crisis response
Led unit practice council initiatives, implementing 3 evidence-based practice changes
Mentored nursing students during clinical rotations, receiving recognition from nursing school

💡 Tip:Show charge nurse experience, preceptor roles, and informal leadership even without formal titles.

Time Management & Prioritization
Workload Management, Task Prioritization & Efficiency
ATS Keywords
Time ManagementPrioritizationOrganizationEfficiencyMultitaskingWorkload Management
Resume Bullets
Managed care for 6 high-acuity patients with complex medication schedules, maintaining 100% on-time administration
Prioritized care tasks using Maslow's hierarchy, ensuring critical needs addressed during busy shifts
Completed all documentation within shift while maintaining bedside presence for patient rounds
Coordinated timing of 15+ scheduled medications across patient assignment without delays

💡 Tip:Show ability to manage multiple patients, competing demands, and time-sensitive interventions efficiently.

Writing your professional summary? Our AI Resume Summary Generator creates compelling summaries that highlight your key skills.

ATS Optimization for Nursing Resumes

  • Use exact terminology from the job posting, such as 'Epic EHR' not just 'electronic records' or 'telemetry' not 'cardiac monitoring'
  • Include your RN license number and state, plus any compact license information
  • List certifications with acronyms and full names: 'Basic Life Support (BLS)', 'Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)'
  • Specify unit types and patient populations: 'Medical-Surgical', 'ICU', 'Level I Trauma Center'
  • Quantify patient loads: 'Managed care for 6-8 patients per shift' or 'ED volume of 60,000 annual visits'
  • Include both clinical skills and EHR systems in a dedicated Skills section, then demonstrate them in experience bullets

Resume Mistakes Registered Nurses Should Avoid

Common errors that get skills sections rejected

Don't Do This

Listing only certifications without showing clinical application

Every RN has BLS. Without showing how you've used skills in practice, certifications are just checkboxes.

Do This Instead

Connect certifications to outcomes: 'ACLS certified; responded to 50+ code events with above-average ROSC rate'

Don't Do This

Writing 'Provided patient care' without specifics

All nurses provide patient care. This tells recruiters nothing about your skills, setting, or achievements.

Do This Instead

Add context: 'Provided direct care for 6 high-acuity cardiac patients, managing telemetry monitoring and titrating drips'

Don't Do This

Omitting EHR system names

Hospitals filter for specific EHR experience. 'Computer charting' won't match searches for 'Epic' or 'Cerner'.

Do This Instead

Name specific systems: 'Epic EHR documentation', 'Cerner order entry', 'Meditech clinical charting'

Don't Do This

Not quantifying patient loads or outcomes

Numbers prove capability. A recruiter can't assess your experience without knowing patient volumes and acuity.

Do This Instead

Include metrics: 'Managed 8-patient assignment on 40-bed med-surg unit' or 'Zero medication errors across 10,000+ administrations'

Don't Do This

Using outdated terminology or abbreviations

Healthcare language evolves. 'Bedpan changes' sounds dated; 'ADLs assistance' shows current practice.

Do This Instead

Use current terms: 'Evidence-based practice', 'interdisciplinary rounds', 'hand hygiene compliance', 'SBAR communication'

Don't Do This

Forgetting to include specialty unit experience

Unit type matters for job matching. 'Hospital nurse' doesn't help a recruiter filling an ICU position.

Do This Instead

Specify: 'Medical ICU', 'Level I Trauma ED', 'Labor and Delivery', 'Oncology/Hematology'

Don't Do This

Not highlighting leadership even without formal titles

Precepting, charge duties, and committee work show leadership potential that accelerates career growth.

Do This Instead

Include informal leadership: 'Served as relief charge nurse', 'Precepted 8 new graduates', 'Led unit practice council'

Before submitting your Registered Nurse resume, make sure it contains the right keywords. Our Keyword Scanner compares your resume against job descriptions to identify missing terms that could get your application filtered out by Applicant Tracking Systems. Paste your resume and a job posting below to see your keyword match score.
Scan Your Resume

Drop your resume here

PDF or TXT

or paste text manually

0 / 2500 characters

Adding a job description helps identify matching and missing keywords.

Try an example:

Keyword Analysis

Upload or paste your resume to analyze keywords and get optimization suggestions.

ATS Keywords for Registered Nurse Resumes

Terms that help your resume pass applicant tracking systems

ATS Keywords

Click to copy • Include these naturally in your resume

CategoryRecommended Keywords
Core Clinical Skills
EHR Systems
Certifications
Specialty Areas
Safety & Quality
Soft Skills

Registered Nurse Resume Bullets You Can Copy

Achievement statements tailored to your experience

  • Provided direct patient care for 6-8 med-surg patients per shift, maintaining 95% patient satisfaction scores
  • Administered 150+ medications daily with zero errors using barcode verification and five rights protocol
  • Documented patient care in Epic EHR for 5,000+ encounters annually with 98% quality compliance
  • Precepted 12 new graduate nurses, achieving 100% successful transition to independent practice
  • Maintained 92% first-stick IV insertion success rate across 400+ annual placements
  • Implemented fall prevention protocol reducing unit fall rate by 40% over 6 months
  • Coordinated discharge planning for 15+ patients weekly with case management and outpatient providers
  • Responded to 30+ rapid response and code blue events with successful patient outcomes
  • Achieved CLABSI-free unit for 18 consecutive months through bundle compliance
  • Served as charge nurse for 30-bed telemetry unit, managing staffing and patient flow
  • Developed diabetes education program reducing 30-day readmissions by 25%
  • Managed ventilator care for 4 ICU patients daily, collaborating on weaning protocols

Want personalized bullets? Our AI Bullet Generator creates achievement-focused bullets tailored to your experience.

Best Certifications for Registered Nurses

Credentials that boost your hiring chances

Basic Life Support (BLS)

Required

American Heart Association

Required for all RN positions. Renews every 2 years. Many employers provide on-site renewal.

Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)

American Heart Association

Required for ICU, telemetry, ED, and most acute care positions. Expected within 3-6 months of hire for many roles.

Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)

American Heart Association

Required for pediatric and emergency nursing. Expected for any role caring for children.

Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN)

AACN

Gold standard for ICU nurses. Requires 1,750 hours of direct care in critical care within past 2 years. Salary premium of $2-4/hour.

Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN)

BCEN

Validates emergency nursing expertise. Requires 2 years ED experience recommended. Recognized across all ED settings.

Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN)

AACN

For step-down, intermediate, and telemetry units. Bridge certification between med-surg and critical care.

Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN)

ONCC

For nurses caring for cancer patients. Demonstrates chemotherapy and oncology care expertise.

Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN)

PNCB

Validates pediatric nursing expertise across all settings. Valuable for children's hospitals.

Registered Nurse Resume Skills FAQ

Focus on clinical rotations with specific unit types (ICU, ED, med-surg), certifications (BLS, ACLS if obtained), EHR systems used in clinicals, and transferable skills from healthcare jobs. Include capstone or senior practicum details with patient populations and any simulation lab competencies.

Create a dedicated Skills section with 12-15 keywords organized by category (Clinical, Technology, Certifications). Then demonstrate these skills in your experience bullets. Quality over quantity: list skills you can actually discuss in an interview.

BSN is increasingly preferred, especially at Magnet hospitals. However, ADN nurses remain highly employable, particularly in non-Magnet facilities, long-term care, and areas with severe shortages. Many hospitals offer tuition support for ADN-to-BSN programs.

BLS is required for all RNs. ACLS is expected for critical care, telemetry, and ED. PALS for pediatrics. Specialty certifications like CCRN (critical care), CEN (emergency), and PCCN (progressive care) demonstrate expertise and often command salary premiums of $1-3/hour.

Use standard headers (Experience, Education, Certifications, Skills). Include exact keywords from job postings. Name specific EHR systems (Epic, Cerner). List certification acronyms AND full names. Avoid tables, graphics, and headers/footers that ATS can't parse.

According to BLS data from May 2024, the median RN salary is $93,600 nationally, with a range of $66,030 to $135,320. California leads at $148,000+ average. Specialty areas like ICU, OR, and travel nursing command premiums.

Yes, travel nursing demonstrates adaptability, rapid learning, and diverse experience. List each assignment separately with facility type, unit, and key accomplishments. Address potential concerns about job-hopping by emphasizing skills gained across settings.

Highlight transferable skills: patient assessment, medication administration, critical thinking. Get ACLS certified before applying. Emphasize any experience with higher-acuity patients, code response, or floating to ICU. Many hospitals offer residency programs for specialty transitions.

Critical care (ICU, ED), telehealth competency, behavioral health, and infection control remain high-demand. EHR proficiency, especially Epic, is expected. With the aging population, gerontology and chronic disease management skills are increasingly valuable.

Ready to Build Your Resume?

Use our AI-powered builder to create an ATS-optimized resume with these skills.

Start Building Free

Enjoyed this article?

Share it with your network