Free nurse resume builder

Key skills for nurses

Include these skills in your resume to pass ATS filters for nurse positions:

• ✓Patient care & assessment
• ✓Electronic Health Records (EHR / Epic / Cerner)
• ✓HIPAA compliance
• ✓Medication administration
• ✓IV insertion & management
• ✓Critical thinking & triage
• ✓BLS / ACLS / PALS certification
• ✓Patient & family education
• ✓Care plan development

Resume tips for nurses

1. 1Always list your active nursing license number, state, and expiration date.
2. 2Include all relevant certifications: BLS, ACLS, PALS, CEN, CCRN, etc.
3. 3Quantify patient load: 'Managed care for 8–10 patients per shift in a 32-bed ICU'.
4. 4Use exact nursing keywords from the job posting — healthcare ATS systems are particularly strict.
5. 5Highlight any specialty experience (ER, ICU, Oncology, Pediatrics) prominently.

Before you apply, use our free ATS resume scanner to check your resume against the job description and find missing keywords — completely free, no account required.

Browse our free ATS-friendly resume templates — all free to download as PDF, no sign up required.

Frequently asked questions

What should a nurse resume include?

A nursing resume should include your nursing license details, clinical experience with unit type and patient ratios, certifications (BLS, ACLS, etc.), education, technical skills (EHR systems), and any specialty training. Always list your license number and state.

How long should a nurse resume be?

One to two pages. New graduate nurses should aim for one page. Experienced nurses with 5+ years of relevant clinical experience can use two pages.

Are these nurse resume templates ATS-compatible?

Yes. All templates use single-column layouts, standard section headings, and avoid tables or graphics — the formatting issues that most often cause nursing resumes to fail hospital ATS systems.