26 Nursing Skills for Your Resume [List + Examples]

26 Nursing Skills for Your Resume List + Examples 26 Nursing Skills for Your Resume List + Examples 26 Nursing Skills for Your Resume List + ExamplesTo make the best impression on the hiring manager, use your resume to showcase your relevant experience and demonstrate that you have the skills needed to be a nurse. Lets take a look at how to build a high-quality nursing resume with the necessary skills, so you can position yourself as an ideal candidate.5 Main Types of Nursing Resume SkillsFollow our tips to write a skills-based resume.Below are the five main types of nursing resume skills youll need, regardless of your level or position.1. Basic Nursing SkillsThere are several basic nursing skills to list on a resume. Among the fruchtwein important are the abilities to manage time effectively, and to remain professional in sensitive situations.Time ManagementIn a hospital setting, time is precious - a few minutes can make all the difference to a patients health and well-being. Time management skills are necessary for all types of medical staff, but particularly for nurses. Medications, drips, and evaluations are required at timely intervals, and employers are always on the lookout for punctual applicants.ProfessionalismProfessionalism is an important quality in most fields, but its among the most essential skills needed to be a nurse. When you work with new patients each day, you will find yourself in situations that are uncomfortable or unfamiliar. In all instances, you must remain a professional and respect your patients and their loved ones.2. Clinical Nursing SkillsWhile soft skills are critical to display on your resume, youll also need to highlight clinical nursing skills and techniques that showcase your experience in a medical setting.Clinical nursing skills include the ability to adhere to hygiene standards, properly make a hospital bed, take a patients blood pressure, and give an injection.Highlight these hard skills on your nursing resume to show yo ur experience and capacity to fill the role.3. Leadership Skills in NursingNursing is a team-oriented profession, so your resume should emphasize your leadership skills by citing relevant experience. Specifically, employers want to see examples of your ability to lead a team.On your resume, describe situations in which you displayed strong leadership skills as a nurse, be it in an educational or clinical setting. Be specific by including the number of people you led and your achievements as a leader.4. Critical Thinking Skills in NursingEach day brings unique challenges for a nurse. To keep up with the continuous flow of patients, you must be able to think on your feet.To keep up with the constant flow of patients, you must be able to think on your feet.The ability to make logical, reason-based decisions is crucial for nurses. Thats why critical thinking skills are important in the nursing profession.On your resume, outline a situation in which your critical thinking skills helped y ou find a solution on the spot - and if possible share what you learned from the results.5. Communication Skills in NursingAs a nurse, you will interact with patients, doctors, and staff members from all backgrounds. You will be the link between health care providers and their patients, so communication is key.Effective communication skills are important for nurses, as you will need to accurately convey crucial details to doctors and support staff while being prepared to discuss sensitive matters and translate technical medical language into plain English for patients and their families.You should use your resume to specify the types of people you have experience communicating with, including superiors, peers, and patients.Skills Needed To Be a Nurse by Level PositionNurses require effective interpersonal skills.In addition to the fundamental nursing skills listed above, each nursing position requires a unique skill set that varies by experience level and specialty.Role 1. Nursing Assistant SkillsAs a nursing assistant, you will report to RNs who work closely with doctors to provide patient care. Your ability to follow directions and care for patients is a priority for employers, so emphasize your record as a committed employee.The following nursing assistant skills should also be displayed throughout your resumeA thorough understanding of HIPAA and privacy policiesAbility to take and record vital signsCPR and first-aid certificationsExperience in patient care, including feeding, bathing, and dressingRole 2. Registered Nurse SkillsAs an RN, you are expected to be a communications hub between doctors, patients, families, and CNAs. It is a supervisory role, so you must display leadership experience.A strong resume will include these registered nurse skillsAbility to oversee CNAs and organize many patient chartsKnowledge to perform and evaluate diagnostic testsAbility to work directly with patients, families, and doctorsExperience dressing wounds, administering medication, and aiding doctors in medical proceduresRole 3. Nurse Practitioner SkillsWhile RNs need an associates degree, a nurse practitioner (NP) must have a masters degree. Due to their higher education level, the responsibilities of an NP are greater. If youre an NP, you must be prepared to make decisions and work with patients independently.NPs should also include these skills on their resumesExperience diagnosing illnesses and prescribing medicationsKnowledge of preventive care strategiesUnderstanding of chronic diseases and how to manage themAbility to work independently in a clinical settingRole 4. ICU Nursing SkillsWorking in the ICU can be taxing - it requires monitoring many patients at the same time. If youre aiming for a job in the ICU, organizational skills should be listed on your resume.In addition, these ICU nursing skills should be includedExperience working in a team-based environmentAbility to evaluate multiple patients and respond as neededAbility to communica te crucial information to familiesTechnical skills required in the ICU, including tracheostomy care, insertion of central lines, administration of IVs, and assessing neurological activityRole 5. ER Nurse SkillsThe emergency room (ER) can be a hectic setting, so you need to show that youre prepared for the physical and emotional toll of being an ER nurse. Many of the skills listed above are also necessary for ER nurses.You need to show that youre prepared for the physical and emotional toll of being an ER nurse.Include these ER nurse skills on your resumeAbility to stay calm and collected in fast-paced environmentsExperience navigating sensitive situations (e.g., abuse and mental disorders) with care and compassionWillingness to advocate on behalf of your patientsAbility to cope with difficult situationsTakeawaysWhen applying for a nursing position, its important to present a good balance of soft and hard skills. Your commitment to basic nursing skills, like professionalism and criti cal thinking, is as necessary as technical knowledge.Employers will be looking for candidates who show competency in a fast-paced setting, so be sure to round out your application with the essential nursing skills for your resume.Read the job description closely and keep track of the keywords used so you can include them in your resume. Many employers use applicant tracking systems to scan resumes for specific terms as a preliminary measure, so dont be afraid to use them word-for-word.If youre feeling more confident about using nursing resume skills and are curious about how to get the rest of your resume up to scratch, consider learning how to write a nursing resume objective. Then, head over to our easy-to-use resume builder and create your personalized nursing resume in mere minutes.