Guides

How to Tailor Your Resume for a Registered Nurse Job

A resume written for the specific registered nurse posting is easier for a recruiter to say yes to than one written for every job. Here's how to tailor yours, honestly.

Words that often show up in Registered Nurse postings

Every posting is different, so start with the one you're applying to. These terms come up a lot for this job; use the ones that are true for you, in the posting's exact wording.

• patient assessment
• care plans
• EHR (Epic, Cerner)
• medication administration
• unit type (ICU, Med-Surg, ER)
• patient ratio
• BLS / ACLS
• patient education

Turn duties into proof

Recruiters skim. A bullet that says what you did, how much, and with what tools is easier to say yes to than a vague duty.

What to put first

Lead with your license, certifications and unit type. Hiring managers check those before anything else. Then reorder the bullets under each job so the ones that match this posting come first.

Don't stretch the truth

Only use a keyword where it's true. If the posting asks for something you don't have, leave it off and mention in your cover letter how you're building it. Claims that fall apart in an interview cost more than a missing keyword.

Interview questions to prepare for

• Tell me about a time you caught a change in a patient's condition early.
• How do you prioritize when several patients need you at once?
• How do you handle a disagreement with a physician about a patient's care?

Answer with a short story: the situation, what you did, and what changed because of it.