How to beat ATS in its own game with a solid nurse resume

In today’s competitive nursing job market, your resume is often the very first impression you make—and it has to be both attention-grabbing and ATS-friendly. Whether you’re stepping into your first role as a new graduate or bringing years of RN experience to the table, creating a resume that clears ATS filters and stands out to recruiters is crucial. This guide will walk you through how to craft a nurse resume that gets noticed in 2025.

And if you’d rather skip the trial-and-error? NurseResumeBuilder.app can create a polished, ATS-optimized nurse resume for you in just minutes, complete with AI-powered bullet points, tailored summaries, and professional templates built specifically for nurses.

What is an ATS and Why It Matters

Most healthcare employers today use ATS software to manage job applications. These systems scan resumes for keywords and structure to determine if you’re a match. If your nurse resume isn’t optimized for ATS, it might be rejected before a human ever sees it.

Key Elements of an ATS-Friendly Nurse Resume

1. Use Standard Section Headings

Avoid creative or fancy titles like “My Journey” for your experience. Stick to headings like:

• Summary
• Work Experience
• Education
• Skills
• Certifications

2. Include the Right Keywords

Use keywords found in the job posting. For example:

• “Patient care”
• “Medication administration”
• “Electronic Health Records (EHR)”
• “Triage”

3. Avoid Graphics and Tables

ATS often can’t read images or tables. Stick to plain text and use bullet points to list achievements.

Crafting a Strong Professional Summary

Begin your resume with a brief 2–3 sentence professional summary that showcases your key qualifications.

Example:

“Compassionate Registered Nurse with 5+ years of experience in fast-paced hospital environments. Skilled in triage, critical care, and EHR documentation. Dedicated to improving patient outcomes and delivering quality care.”

Quantify Your Achievements

Rather than listing duties, show your impact with numbers.

Example:

• Managed care for up to 15 patients daily in a Level I trauma center
• Reduced patient discharge times by 20% through improved coordination
• Trained 10+ new nurses in EHR systems

Tailor Your Resume to Each Job

Tailoring your resume to each application greatly increases your odds of passing the ATS. Use the same language and highlight the specific skills listed in the job description.

Include Relevant Certifications and Licenses

Make sure you list all valid certifications and licenses clearly:

• BLS (Basic Life Support)
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support)
• RN License (Include state and license number)

Recommended Resume Format for 2025

1. Reverse-Chronological Format

This format is still preferred by ATS systems and recruiters. It lists your most recent experience first and moves backward.

2. Font and Layout

• Font: Calibri, Arial, or Times New Roman
• Font Size: 11–12 pt
• Margins: 1 inch all around
• Length: 1 page for new grads, 2 pages max for experienced nurses

Sample Resume Snippet

Work Experience

Registered Nurse | St. Mary’s Medical Center | New York, NY

June 2020 – Present

• Provided direct care for 10–12 patients per shift in a high-acuity surgical ward
• Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to implement care plans
• Improved documentation accuracy by 25% through EHR training

Top Skills to Include

• Patient Assessment
• IV Therapy
• Medication Administration
• Infection Control
• EHR Systems
• Wound Care
• Critical Thinking

Final Tips

• Proofread thoroughly
• Save your resume as a PDF (unless the job post asks otherwise)
• Name your file professionally: Firstname_Lastname_Resume.pdf

Conclusion

Writing an ATS-friendly nurse resume in 2025 requires a mix of keyword optimization, clear structure, and quantified accomplishments. By tailoring your resume to the role and using a clean, professional format, you can significantly increase your chances of landing interviews and job offers.

Don’t want to deal with formatting headaches but still need a standout resume? With NurseResumeBuilder.app, you can create a polished nurse resume in minutes. It’s built specifically for nurses and uses AI to craft strong professional summaries and powerful bullet points.

No matter where you’re applying—hospital, clinic, or long-term care facility—these tips will help your resume rise above the rest. And if you’d like some extra support, NurseResumeBuilder.app is here to make the process effortless.