Registered Nurse Resume Example
Professional Registered Nurse resume example with ATS-optimized template. Learn how to highlight clinical skills, certifications, and patient care achievements to land top nursing positions.
Last Updated: 2026-02-02 | Reading Time: 8-10 minutes
Quick Stats
Registered Nurse Resume Example
Rachel Thornton
rachel.thornton@email.com
(555) 318-7462
Nashville, TN
linkedin.com/in/rachelthornton-rn
Skills
Certifications
Education
Profile
Compassionate and detail-oriented Registered Nurse with 6+ years of experience in medical-surgical and telemetry units. Skilled in patient assessment, care plan development, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Reduced hospital-acquired infections by 22% through evidence-based protocol implementation.
Professional Experience
- —Managed care for an average of 5-6 cardiac telemetry patients per shift, monitoring continuous ECG rhythms and administering IV medications with zero medication errors over 18 months
- —Led a unit-based quality improvement initiative that reduced patient fall rates by 30% through implementation of an hourly rounding protocol
- —Mentored 8 newly licensed RNs during their orientation period, decreasing new-hire turnover by 15%
- —Collaborated with physicians and respiratory therapists to develop standardized sepsis screening protocols, improving early detection rates by 28%
- —Provided direct patient care for 6-7 post-operative and acute care patients per shift across a 36-bed medical-surgical unit
- —Implemented bedside shift reporting process that improved patient satisfaction scores (HCAHPS) by 18% within one quarter
- —Coordinated discharge planning for 200+ patients monthly, reducing 30-day readmission rates by 12%
Why This Resume Works:
- Quantified achievements with specific metrics
- Keywords match common job descriptions
- Clean, ATS-compatible formatting
- Strong action verbs throughout
How to Write a Registered Nurse Resume
Professional Summary
Open with your nursing specialty and years of experience. Highlight a signature achievement with metrics, such as reduced infections or improved patient outcomes. Keep it to 2-3 impactful sentences.
Work Experience
Quantify patient loads, outcomes, and quality metrics. Show how you improved processes rather than just listing duties. Reference specific protocols, scoring systems, and regulatory standards you worked with.
Skills Section
Lead with clinical competencies and certifications. Organize by category: clinical skills, technical proficiencies, and interpersonal abilities. Mirror terminology from the job posting.
Action Verbs for Registered Nurses
Registered Nurse Resume Keywords
These keywords appear most frequently in Registered Nurse job descriptions. Include relevant ones in your resume:
Technical Keywords
Patient AssessmentCare PlanningClinical DocumentationEvidence-Based PracticeInfection ControlMedication ReconciliationVital Signs MonitoringWound AssessmentPain ManagementPatient SafetyQuality ImprovementDischarge PlanningIndustry Keywords
HIPAA ComplianceJoint Commission StandardsPatient-Centered CareNursing ProcessScope of PracticeMagnet RecognitionHCAHPSCore MeasuresInterdisciplinary RoundingPopulation HealthTools & Technologies
Epic SystemsCernerMEDITECHPyxis MedStationAlaris IV PumpsPhilips IntelliVueVoceraKronosHealthStreamRelias LearningTableau (Quality Dashboards)Common Mistakes to Avoid
Listing only routine nursing duties without outcomes
Quantify your impact: "Reduced catheter-associated UTIs by 25% through adherence to CAUTI bundle protocols" instead of "Performed catheter care."
Omitting nursing license and certifications
Always include your active RN license state, license number (optional), and all current certifications such as BLS, ACLS, and specialty credentials.
Using clinical jargon that ATS systems may not recognize
Spell out abbreviations at least once (e.g., "Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)") and match keywords from the job description.
Not specifying unit type or patient population
Clearly state the unit (e.g., ICU, telemetry, OR) and average patient census to give recruiters context about your clinical environment.
Registered Nurse Resume FAQs
How long should a Registered Nurse resume be?
Most RN resumes should be 1 page for nurses with fewer than 10 years of experience. If you hold multiple specialty certifications or have extensive clinical experience, a 2-page resume is acceptable, but ensure every detail adds value.
Should I include my nursing license number on my resume?
Including your license number is optional but can help recruiters verify credentials quickly. At minimum, list the state of licensure and that your license is active. Some nurses prefer to provide the number upon request for privacy reasons.
What certifications should I highlight on a nursing resume?
Always list BLS and ACLS. Beyond those, include any specialty certifications relevant to the role (CCRN for critical care, CEN for emergency, CMSRN for med-surg). Specialty certifications significantly increase your competitiveness.
How do I show career progression on a nursing resume?
Use a reverse chronological format and highlight promotions, charge nurse responsibilities, and preceptor roles. Show increasing patient acuity levels and leadership responsibilities over time.
Should I include clinical rotations from nursing school?
If you have more than 2 years of professional experience, clinical rotations are generally unnecessary. New graduates should include rotations with the unit type, facility name, and key skills practiced.
Ready to Optimize Your Registered Nurse Resume?
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Last updated: 2026-02-02 | Written by JobJourney Career Experts