When you apply for a new job, your resume is the first thing employers see. For this reason, you should do your best to make a good impression so you potentially get called in for an interview. The best way to do this is to ensure you format your resume correctly and make sure it includes essential information related to the job you are applying for.
Our ICU nurse job description for a resume is a great document to peruse as you craft your own resume. We have included proper formatting guidelines for including the best accomplishments, duties, skills, and other tips and tricks for writing a resume that sets you apart from the competition and enhances your chances of landing the job. Review this information to craft a winning document.
Using an ICU Nurse Job Description for a Resume
Even though everyone takes different career paths and possesses various career histories, everyone applying for an ICU nurse position still needs to possess certain certifications, responsibilities, and skills relevant to the position. These are things employees expect to see on a resume.
ICU Nurse Summary
You should include your most relevant and impressive accomplishments in your professional summary. This section of your resume should be a concise list that showcases the benefits you bring to an organization. Make sure you include at least one example of how you streamline patient care processes using metrics if possible. You should also summarize your experience working in an Intensive Care Unit and use industry-related terms, such as patient outcomes, environmental support, and vital signs.
ICU Nurse Education & Certification
Most employers will look for a candidate who possesses their Registered Nurse certification, but many employers also require a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing. For either your certification or degree, make sure you list your title, the institution you attended, and the date you graduated. Unless you graduated with honors, do not include your GPA in this section. However, you can set yourself apart from other candidates by listing any leadership experience within fraternities, sororities, or campus organizations.
ICU Nurse Duties & Responsibilities
Employers who look at your resume want to see specific examples of prior success as an ICU nurse. Your work experience section should emphasize this information, so make sure you focus on how your decisions in the workplace increased your patient outcomes, hospital stay rate, and rates of sanitation. You should also include any examples of leadership in this section to show your strengths and ability to lead a team.
You should also not forget to list how your duties in prior positions added to the overarching goals or mission of the hospital or healthcare facilities where you worked. This shows you cared about the greater good of the organization.
ICU Nurse Skills
You should only include skills relevant to your industry while you write the skills section of your resume. Some of the general skills you may possess as an ICU nurse include the ability to diligently monitor and assess vital signs; the ability to maintain an accurate flowchart of records; and the ability to order, interpret, and evaluate diagnostic tests.
Remember that industry-specific skills can vary greatly, especially in the medical field. For example, your skills may vary depending on whether you are a pediatric, neonatal, or general ICU nurse.
ICU Nurse Resume
Jane Johnson
Phoenix, AZ 11111
E: jjohnson@anymail.com T: 555-555-9903
Phoenix, AZ 11111
E: jjohnson@anymail.com T: 555-555-9903
Professional Summary
Experienced, compassionate ICU nurse with over a decade of experience in surgical intensive care and neonatal intensive care units. Patients included premature infants, those recovering from extensive operations, and those who experienced severe trauma. Extensive knowledge of continuous monitoring procedures and proper nursing practices.
Skills and Qualifications
• Knowledge of life support, IV administration, and HIPPA compliance
• Ability to correctly perform diagnostic assessments in time-sensitive situations
• Adept at providing therapy and treatment to patients of all ages
• Ability to administer medication according to physician orders
• Skilled at accurate reporting and documentation
• Extensive knowledge of procedural assistance practices
• Adept at reading situations and providing needed support to patient families
Work Experience
Critical Care Nurse – Banner Gateway Hospital
2013 – present
• Correctly monitor and assess patients on a continual basis
• Record accurate flowsheets of patient conditions during shift
• Promptly report any changes in patient conditions to treating physicians
• Coordinate and consult with healthcare team to enhance and promote positive patient outcomes
• Order, evaluate, and interpret diagnostic tests to assess and identify the condition of patients
Pediatric ICU Nurse – Mercy Gilbert Hospital
2011 – 2013
• Monitored the vital signs of patients and initiated corrective action when needed
• Closely observed changes from continuous respiratory and cardiac readings
• Administered various forms of infusion therapy, including antibiotics, antifungals, IV fluids, and electrolytes
• Analyzed lab results and presented them to the treating physician
• Provided information and support to the families of patients
• Assisted physicians during procedures, treatments, and examinations, including during life-saving situations
Newborn ICU Nurse – Phoenix Children’s Hospital
2007 – 2013
• Monitored the vital signs of premature infants and regularly assessed their condition
• Created and implemented continuous care plans for patients with varying medical conditions
• Initiated IV therapy and other forms of medical treatments
• Worked closely with patient families to ensure communication was a priority
• Gave new mothers advice and information regarding feeding, changing, and caring for their premature infant
• Assisted physicians by supporting treatment plan initiatives and affirming decisions based on symptoms and condition of the patients
Education and Certifications
Registered Nursing Certification – 2006
Mesa Community College
Bachelor of Science in Nursing – 2011
Northern Arizona University
How To Get Your ICU Nurse Resume Past an ATS
Today, ICU nurses face more significant competition for open jobs than ever before, making the job market particularly challenging for those looking for a new job. On top of this hurdle, there is often an extra step your resume must pass through before a recruiter or future employer sees it.
To find qualified employees, many organizations use Applicant Tracking Systems. These systems pre-screen resumes using sophisticated technology to find and identify industry-related phrases and keywords. Typically, these systems use a scoring algorithm, and resumes that receive a specific score move onto the next phase of the review process.
If you want to land an interview for an open job, you have to be sure your resume will pass an ATS test easily, and the best way to do this is to use certain phrases and keywords throughout your resume. As you review this ICU nurse job description for a resume, you will see several areas targeted for an ATS. These sections include specific industry-related phrases, such as vital signs, monitoring, tracking, assessment, and more.
Additionally, the resume clearly states each title and a list of responsibilities for each position. For instance, the jobseeker mentions phrases and words specific to her responsibilities working as a critical care nurse and repeats many of these phrases throughout the document.
While using exact keywords and phrases multiple times can be beneficial, make sure you don’t make these phrases sound forced. Modern systems can easily identify keyword stuffing and reject resumes that have used this practice.
You should also use your Professional Summary section as your first chance to start using keywords and avoid waiting to use important industry-related phrases until later on in your resume. Finally, you should read over your resume thoroughly to correct any spelling errors or misused words that could confuse an ATS.
