Registered Nurse resume example
Nursing resumes must lead with licensure, certifications, and specialties. ATS systems in healthcare are aggressive, missing keywords like ACLS, Epic, or your specialty will filter you out before a human sees your resume.
A strong registered nurse resume opens with a short summary naming your specialty and one result, backs every role with measurable achievements and lists the skills employers look for, such as Critical Care, EMR / Epic, Patient Education and ACLS. Key tip: Put your RN license and state in your contact section or immediately below your name.
How to write a Registered Nurse resume
1. Lead with outcomes in your summary
Name your speciality, years of experience and one result. Keep it to three or four lines.
Registered Nurse with 6 years of ICU experience at Level 1 trauma centers. ACLS/PALS certified. Expert in Epic EMR and high-acuity patient management. Maintained 98% patient satisfaction score across 4 consecutive quarters.
2. Quantify every bullet you can
Recruiters scan for numbers. Users, revenue, time saved and ratings all count.
- Managed care for 4–6 ICU patients per shift in 24-bed Level 1 trauma unit
- Achieved 98% patient satisfaction score across 4 consecutive quarters
- Trained 8 new graduate nurses as preceptor, reducing orientation period by 20%
3. Include what recruiters look for
- RN license and state (e.g., RN, CA License #XXXXXX)
- Certifications: ACLS, BLS, PALS, specialty certs
- EMR experience: Epic, Cerner, Meditech
- Patient-to-nurse ratio experience
4. Mirror the job ad's keywords
Paste the job description into the ATS checker to see which terms you are missing.
Check my resume against a job ad →Expert tips
Put your RN license and state in your contact section or immediately below your name
List all certifications with expiry dates (ACLS, BLS, specialty certs)
Name your EMR systems, Epic, Cerner, Meditech are ATS keywords
Quantify patient ratios, satisfaction scores, and unit size
Registered Nurse resume FAQs
What should a registered nurse resume include?
A registered nurse resume should include: RN license and state; certifications: ACLS, BLS, PALS, specialty certs; EMR experience: Epic, Cerner, Meditech. Lead with a short summary and keep every bullet focused on results.
How long should a registered nurse resume be?
One page if you have under about five years of relevant experience, and up to two pages for more senior registered nurse roles. Cut anything that does not support the job you want.
Which skills should I put on a registered nurse resume?
Common skills for a registered nurse resume include Critical Care, EMR / Epic, Patient Education, ACLS and IV Therapy. List only the ones you genuinely have, and match the wording of the job description where it honestly applies.
Related roles
Applying for this role? See the registered nurse cover letter example.