Being a great nurse isn’t just about medical knowledge—it’s about balancing clinical expertise with empathy, quick thinking, and teamwork. Whether you're applying for your first nursing job or looking to advance your career, picking the right nursing skills for your resume can help you stand out.
But what exactly are the most important skills of a nurse? And how can you showcase them effectively? In this article, we'll break down key nurse skills, explain how to highlight them on your resume, and give you real examples to make your application shine.
What are nursing skills?
Nursing skills encompass the wide range of abilities that enable nurses to provide high-quality patient care, collaborate with other professionals within healthcare teams, and handle the challenges of a fast-paced medical environment—and sometimes emotionally demanding.
While some industries emphasize either hard or soft skills, nursing demands both in equal measure. “Nurses need to possess a mix of technical and soft skills,” says Desiree Hodges, director of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN), MBA, BSN, RN, CCRN, NE-BC. “Nurses have to use their technical skills to practice safely and their soft skills to practice compassionately. Soft skills are extremely important when it comes to being caring and compassionate to our patients.”
Nursing also stands out because of its balance between structure and adaptability. On one hand, nurses follow strict protocols and guidelines to ensure patient safety. On the other hand, they must constantly adjust to new situations—whether responding to an emergency, managing multiple patients at once, or stepping into leadership roles when needed.
Because the demands of nursing are so diverse, skills can be grouped into different categories based on how they’re developed and applied. Some are learned through formal education and hands-on clinical experience, while others come naturally or improve with time.
13 key nursing skills for a resume
Let’s break down some of the essential nursing skills, explaining why each one matters.
1. Adaptability
Adaptability is key in nursing, especially in fast-paced environments where circumstances can change quickly. Nurses must be able to adjust to new technologies, care protocols, or unexpected challenges, and the ability to stay flexible ensures that they provide the best care even in the face of uncertainty.
Read this next: Adaptability Skills Examples—and 10 Tips on How to Improve Yours
2. Active listening
Understanding patients' concerns, symptoms, and emotions requires full attention. Nurses must listen carefully, ask clarifying questions, and acknowledge patients' experiences.
3. Communication
Nurses often explain diagnoses, medications, and at-home care instructions. Breaking down complex medical information into simple terms helps patients feel more confident in their treatment.
Read this next: Your Communication Skills Matter for Every Job—Here’s How to Use, Improve, and Show Off Yours
4. Collaboration
Nurses coordinate with physicians, therapists, and other medical staff to offer comprehensive and well-organized patient care.
Read this next: 10 Collaboration Skills Examples—and How to Improve Yours
5. Reading nonverbal cues
Being able to “read the room” is essential. Patients may not always express discomfort or concerns directly, so recognizing facial expressions and body language can provide valuable insights.
6. Attention to detail
Nurses must closely monitor vital signs, pain levels, and overall well-being to detect subtle changes that could signal complications. This skill is essential for identifying early warning signs, allowing for timely intervention and better patient outcomes.
Read this next: What It Means to Pay Attention to Detail, and How to Excel at It
7. Time management
Shifts are packed with patient assessments, medication rounds, and documentation. Being able to prioritize urgent needs while staying on schedule is crucial.
Read this next: Your Guide to Time Management Skills in the Workplace
8. Organization
Nurses need strong organizational skills to maintain accurate records of patient progress, treatments, and significant changes, ensuring continuity of care. This skill also extends to managing medications—keeping them properly stored, labeled, and administered on time to prevent dosing errors and enhance patient safety.
Read this next: 5 Best Organizational Skills for the Workplace
10. Multi-tasking under pressure
In a hospital setting, nurses handle multiple patients at once. The ability to switch between tasks without losing focus is essential to high-quality care.
11. Critical thinking
Nurses assess symptoms, analyze test results, and determine the best course of action. Quick thinking can be the difference between a routine case and a medical emergency.
Read this next: What Critical Thinking Is—And 7 Ways to Improve Yours
12. Data analysis
From lab reports to patient history, nurses interpret large amounts of information. Spotting trends and anomalies can lead to early diagnoses and better treatment plans.
13. Problem-solving in high-stress situations
Healthcare is unpredictable. Whether dealing with a sudden change in a patient’s condition or resolving conflicts among staff, nurses must think fast.
Read this next: Your 4-Step Guide to Solving Any Problem at Work—Faster
14. Ethical decision-making
Nurses frequently face tough choices, such as advocating for a patient’s needs or handling end-of-life care discussions. A strong ethical foundation guides them through these difficult moments.
How to highlight nursing skills on your resume
The right skills, presented in the right way, can help you stand out from the competition. So, how do you effectively highlight your nursing skills on your resume?
Create a dedicated skills section
A skills section is a quick and easy way to highlight your key competencies at a glance. This section should be concise, well-organized, and tailored to the job you’re applying for.
- Use bullet points or columns to make the section easy to scan.
- Group similar skills together (e.g., technical skills, patient care skills, communication skills).
- Prioritize skills that are directly mentioned in the job description.
Take a look at the following example:
Skills
- Technical skills: EMR proficiency, IV insertion, medication administration
- Patient care: Vital signs assessment, pain management, mobility assistance
- Communication: Patient education, active listening, team collaboration
- Organizational skills: Time management, record-keeping, multi-tasking
This format allows hiring managers to quickly assess whether you have the qualifications they’re looking for.
Read this next: How to Read a Job Description the Right Way
Highlight your nursing skills in other sections as well
Beyond a dedicated skills section, weave your skills throughout other areas of your resume. This adds depth to your experience and shows how you’ve applied these abilities in real-world situations.
Your summary, for instance, is often the first section recruiters read, so use it to highlight key skills that set you apart. Instead of simply listing skills, show how they make you a valuable nurse.
For example:
Compassionate and detail-oriented registered nurse with five years of experience in emergency and acute care settings. Skilled in patient assessment, medication administration, and critical decision-making under pressure. Adept at educating patients and families, ensuring high-quality care and positive health outcomes.
For your work experience section, demonstrate how you’ve used your skills in past roles. Instead of generic job descriptions, provide concrete examples and quantifiable achievements.
For example:
Registered Nurse | XYZ Medical Center | June 2020 – Present
- Implemented a new patient education program that improved medication adherence by 20%
- Led a team of five nurses in the ICU, ensuring seamless coordination during high-pressure situations
- Utilized EMR software to track patient progress, reducing charting errors by 30%
- Trained new nurses in IV insertion techniques, enhancing department-wide efficiency
Using strong action verbs and specific results in this section proves your capabilities rather than just stating them.
Leverage what makes you stand out
Every job is different, so tailoring your resume to each position is crucial. Carefully read the job description and prioritize the skills that align with what the employer is seeking.
- Use keywords from the job posting. Many hospitals and healthcare facilities use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to scan resumes before a hiring manager even sees them. These systems filter applications based on specific keywords related to the job description. If your resume doesn’t include the relevant terms, it might be automatically rejected—even if you're highly qualified. (Here's how to pick resume keywords that'll get your job application past the ATS.)
- Highlight certifications and continuing education. Specialized certifications (e.g., ACLS, PALS, CCRN) demonstrate expertise and commitment to professional growth.
- Showcase involvement in professional organizations. “Being involved with a professional nursing organization is a great way to demonstrate your commitment to the profession and your own professional growth,” Hodges says. “They offer opportunities for networking and connecting with nurses across the country and may open the door to leadership roles outside the workplace.” She says that when hiring, she looks for evidence that candidates are taking ownership of their career path—such as attending conferences or earning certifications in a specialty.
For example:
Professional Development
- Member, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN).
- Attended 2024 National Nurses Conference on Patient Safety.
- Certified in Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS).
Bring your resume to life in the interview
Your resume should be a true reflection of the work that you’ve done. “Be specific in your accomplishments,” Hodges says. “During the interview process, I want candidates to elaborate on their resume and not provide lots of new information. Surprises that come during the interview can often feel as if the candidate is telling me what they think I want to hear. Be proud of the work that you have done, and don't second guess your accomplishments.”
It’s not just what you know—it’s how you show it
Your nursing skills are more than just a checklist on a resume—they’re a reflection of your expertise, compassion, and commitment to patient care. Choosing the right ones to highlight can make all the difference in showing employers that you’re not only qualified but also the best fit for the role.
Put those skills to work—check out these amazing healthcare jobs on The Muse and land your next interview »