Even the most qualified candidates can be overlooked if their resumes do not pass through the Applicant Tracking System (ATS). These systems are designed to streamline the hiring process, but they also pose a challenge: resumes must be formatted and written in a way that ensures they are read by both the ATS and human recruiters. Here’s a guide to crafting a nursing resume that passes the ATS and helps you stand out in your job search.
Understanding the ATS
Before crafting your resume, it’s essential to understand how the ATS works. Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are software employers use to filter, rank, and manage job applications. They scan resumes for keywords, skills, and qualifications that match the job description. According to a recent report, over 98% of organizations use ATS to manage their hiring process. Your resume needs to be optimized for human eyes and these automated systems.
How to Craft a Nursing Resume That Passes the Applicant Tracking System (ATS)
1. Use Relevant Keywords
The first step in creating an ATS-friendly resume is to use relevant keywords. These keywords are usually found in the job description. For instance, if the job posting mentions “patient care,” “clinical experience,” or “emergency room,” make sure these terms appear in your resume. However, avoid keyword stuffing. Instead, incorporate these keywords naturally into your resume’s content.
Example:
Clinical Experience: Managed patient care in a high-volume emergency room setting, ensuring compliance with all health regulations and standards.
Patient Care: Provided comprehensive patient care, including administering medications, wound care, and patient education.
2. Keep It Simple and Structured
An ATS-friendly resume should have a simple and clean format. Avoid using fancy fonts, graphics, or images, as these can confuse the ATS. Stick to standard resume sections such as Summary, Experience, Education, Skills, and Certifications. Use clear headings and bullet points to make your resume easy to read.
Example:
Professional Summary:
Registered Nurse with 5+ years of experience in providing quality patient care in hospital and clinical settings. Skilled in emergency response, patient education, and clinical documentation.
Experience:
Registered Nurse | City Hospital | May 2018 – Present
Administered patient care in a 50-bed emergency room.
Coordinated with healthcare teams to deliver comprehensive patient care.
Conducted patient assessments and developed care plans.
3. Quantify Your Achievements
Including quantifiable achievements in your resume can make a significant impact. Numbers and statistics provide concrete evidence of your skills and accomplishments. For example, instead of saying “Provided patient care,” you could say “Managed care for 30+ patients per shift in a high-volume emergency room.”
4. Highlight Your Skills
Your skills section should include both hard and soft skills relevant to the nursing profession. Hard skills are specific, teachable abilities such as IV insertion, EHR management, and medication administration. Soft skills include communication, empathy, and teamwork.
Additionally, be sure to include the following top skills listed on resumes for nurses, which are:
Patient care (39%)
Medicine administration (29%)
Patient assessments (25%)
Patient education (18%)
Patient monitoring (16%)
5. Use Action Verbs
Start each bullet point in your experience section with a strong action verb. Action verbs demonstrate your active role in previous positions and make your resume more dynamic and engaging.
Example:
Administered medications and treatments to patients.
Coordinated with multidisciplinary teams to develop patient care plans.
Educated patients and families on post-discharge care.
6. Tailor Your Resume for Each Job
One of the most effective ways to pass the ATS is to tailor your resume for each job application. This means adjusting your resume to match the specific job description. Highlight the skills and experiences most relevant to the position you’re applying for.
7. Avoid Common Mistakes
Several common mistakes can prevent your resume from passing the ATS. These include using incorrect file formats (stick to .docx or PDF), using headers or footers that ATS can’t read, and including unnecessary graphics or images.
8. Proofread Your Resume
Finally, always proofread your resume before submitting it. Spelling and grammatical errors can make a negative impression on both the ATS and human recruiters. According to a recent study, 77% of recruiters see typos or poor grammar as dealbreakers. Use tools like Grammarly or have a trusted colleague review your resume to ensure it is error-free.
Using NurseMagic™ AI to Find Your Dream Job
To make writing a resume even easier, the new NurseMagic™ ResumeBuilder tool includes pre-populated skills tailored specifically to your profession, whether you're an RN, APRN, LPN, or another nursing role. This feature helps ensure you don't miss out on highlighting crucial skills recruiters are searching for. By using this tool, you can effortlessly create a comprehensive and polished skills section that accurately reflects your expertise and increases your chances of standing out to potential employers.
Ready to streamline your resume creation process? Request an invitation to participate in the NurseMagic™ Beta and use our NurseResumeBuilder to craft a downloadable resume in as little as 10 minutes. With the help of AI and pre-populated skills tailored to your nursing role, NurseMagic™ has you covered. Sign up here: https://beta.nursemagic.ai/signup
Conclusion
Crafting a resume that passes the ATS is essential in today’s job market. By using relevant keywords, keeping your format simple, quantifying your achievements, highlighting your skills, using action verbs, tailoring your resume, and avoiding common mistakes, you can increase your chances of getting noticed by both the ATS and hiring managers.
Remember, the goal is to create a resume that not only gets past the ATS but also showcases your qualifications and experiences in the best light possible. With these tips, you’re heading to landing your next nursing position.
Meet NurseMagic™
NurseMagic™ is an app designed for nurses. It uses AI to provide helpful and easy-to-use nursing tools, making daily tasks easier and more efficient. With its status as a Joint Provider with PACE, the app also offers convenient, accredited continuing education (CE) programs to nurses, enabling them to meet requirements for licensure.
To request an invitation to participate in the NurseMagic™ Beta, nurses can visit this site: https://beta.nursemagic.ai/signup
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