Get your registered nurse resume past ATS screening. Paste any job description below, get your keyword match score, and generate a tailored CV in 60 seconds.
These keywords appear most frequently in registered nurse job descriptions. Missing even a few can drop your ATS score below the screening threshold.
Hard and soft skills that registered nurse ATS systems look for
Common mistakes that cause registered nurse resumes to fail ATS screening
Name the specific EMR system you use - 'Epic' or 'Cerner' beats 'electronic medical records' in ATS filters
List your active state RN license and license number prominently - recruiters filter on active licensure
Specify your unit type: 'ICU', 'Med-Surg', 'ER', 'L&D' - these are primary ATS filter terms for nursing roles
Quantify patient load: 'managed 6-patient acute care caseload' shows realistic unit experience
Include both spelled-out certifications and acronyms: 'Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)'
Mirror the job description's specialty language exactly: 'telemetry unit' vs 'step-down unit' vs 'PCU' vary by employer
Top ATS keywords for RN resumes include the specific EMR system (Epic, Cerner, or Meditech), your unit specialty (ICU, ER, Med-Surg, Telemetry), certifications (BLS, ACLS, CEN), and clinical skills like medication administration, IV therapy, wound care, and patient assessment. Always match the exact terminology used in the job posting.
Include your RN license in a dedicated Licenses & Certifications section near the top of your resume. List the issuing state, license number, and expiration date. Format it as: 'Registered Nurse (RN) - [State] License #XXXXXXX, Exp. MM/YYYY'. If you hold compact licensure, note 'Compact State RN License'.
Yes - ATS systems at major health systems (HCA, Kaiser, Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic) filter heavily by unit specialty, EMR experience, and specific certifications. Use ATS CV Checker to compare your resume to each job posting and identify missing keywords before applying.
Use action verbs followed by clinical specifics and measurable outcomes. Example: 'Administered medications to 6-patient ICU caseload with 0 medication errors over 18 months' or 'Educated 50+ patients monthly on post-op wound care protocols, reducing readmission calls by 20%'. Combine clinical keywords with metrics.
Use a clean, single-column reverse-chronological format. ATS systems parse multi-column resumes poorly. Include sections in this order: Contact Info, Licenses & Certifications, Professional Summary, Clinical Experience, Education, Skills. Avoid tables and graphics - they confuse ATS parsers.
Guides to help you pass ATS screening faster