How To Write a Nurse Practitioner Resume
To write a strong, accomplishment-driven nurse practitioner resume, detail your most compelling achievements within the health care space. Hiring managers want a better understanding of who you are as a professional, and the best way to accomplish this is by telling your own unique story.
For example, if you’re interested in pursuing a career within the mental health sector, highlight your approach to treating patient symptoms for specific disorders. Did you use evidence-based treatment modules? How successful were you in reducing depressive symptoms across your practice? By providing insights to showcase the nuances of your health care experiences, you’ll differentiate yourself from the competition during your job search. We’ll provide various expert tips to help you build your resume and advance your career.
- Entry-Level
- Mid-Career
- Senior-Level
1. Summarize your nurse practitioner qualifications in a dynamic profile
A professional profile is meant to give a brief overview of your career and areas of expertise to catch the attention of hiring managers. Focus on providing insights into your areas of expertise within the health care industry. For example, if you were a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, you’d highlight your ability to treat specific types of mental disorders. If you specialize in pediatric care, draw attention to your years of experience working in those types of units. Remember, the summary is the first thing the hiring manager sees on the resume, so make a strong first impression.
Nurse Practitioner Profile Example 1
Profile
A patient-focused nurse practitioner with seven years of experience delivering compassionate care to diverse patient populations. A proven track record of serving as a patient advocate to enhance the quality of health care standards and services.
Nurse Practitioner Profile Example 2
Profile
A nurse practitioner with over 10 years of experience delivering mental health treatments for patients suffering from depression and anxiety disorders. A proven track record of diagnosing disorders and identifying ideal medications to improve quality of life.
2. Showcase your nurse practitioner experience
As you craft your professional experience, draw attention to your strongest career achievements as a health care provider. When possible, incorporate metrics to strengthen the impact of your bullet points. For instance, including a 1-to-6 patient-nurse ratio would show prospective employers you can work effectively in high-volume clinical settings. As you build out this section, focus on including eye-catching accomplishments that will differentiate you from the crowded field of applicants.
Nurse Practitioner Professional Experience Example 1
Professional Experience
Nurse Practitioner, Central Hospital, Seattle, WA
October 2018 – present
- Provide treatment to over 120 patients per week in a hospital with a 1-to-5 patient ratio, conduct physical examinations, and analyze patient medical histories to diagnose acute and chronic conditions and develop appropriate treatment plans
- Deliver counseling sessions to 30 patients per month to provide education on nutrition, exercise regimen, health care risks, and disease prevention
- Treat patients undergoing hysterectomies, carotid endarterectomies, bypasses, and other surgical procedures
Nurse Practitioner Professional Experience Example 2
Professional Experience
Nurse Practitioner, Johnson & Taylor Medical Offices, Nashville, TN
July 2017 – Present
- Perform assessments for pediatric patients ranging from newborns to patients 21 years of age and manage chronic illnesses, acute conditions, and injuries
- Deliver empathetic and compassionate care to over 22 patients per day, build rapport and long-term relationships, and achieve patient satisfaction ratings of 91% to 94%
- Prescribe medication based on symptoms, age, and medical history, administer vaccinations, and provide education to patients and families
3. Outline your education and nurse practitioner-related certifications
Certifications within the health care space are more important than in most industries. In addition to your credentials, consider exploring optional certifications to include on your resume. This will show hiring managers you’re committed to furthering your medical knowledge and are passionate about delivering the highest quality of patient care. For instance, you could consider obtaining specialty certifications in both acute care and orthopedics to broaden your job opportunities in the open market.
Education
Template
- [Degree Name]
- [School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] [Dates Enrolled]
Example
- Master of Science (B.S.) Nursing
- University of Washington, Seattle, WA September 2014 – June 2016
Certifications
Template
- [Certification Name], [Awarding Organization], [Completion Year]
Example
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), ANCC, 2013
- Family Nurse Practitioner Certification, American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, 2013
4. Outline your most useful nurse practitioner skills and proficiencies
Understanding which keywords hiring managers and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) look for when evaluating applications is the first step to creating an effective nurse practitioner resume. The ATS scans for relevant keywords and identifies the most qualified candidates. Integrating keywords that match the job description is an essential part of the resume-building process. Below, you’ll find a list of keywords and skills you may encounter during your job search:
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Acute care | Case management |
| Clinical workflows | Communication |
| Compassionate care | Disease prevention |
| Evidence-based care | Family medicine |
| Internal medicine | Medication management |
| Mental health | Oncology |
| Orthopedics | Patient assessment |
| Patient care | Patient-centered care |
| Patient education | Pediatric care |
| Prescription management | Treatment planning |
| Wound care | |
5. Highlight patient-centered care and communication skills
As a nurse practitioner, your ability to communicate effectively with patients is essential for the delivery of quality care. Patient advocacy is an important aspect of contemporary health care, so highlight your ability to create treatment plans aligned with the emotional, cultural, and physical needs of patients. Hiring managers value candidates who deliver patient-centered care effectively in diverse clinical environments.
How To Pick the Best Nurse Practitioner Resume Template
As a nurse practitioner, select a well-organized and straightforward template. If your template has bulky graphics or distracting colors, you may draw the hiring manager’s eye away from your health care accomplishments. When in doubt, choose a well-structured template that keeps the reader focused on why you’re qualified for the position rather than just visual appeal.
Nurse Practitioner Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
- Example #1
- Example #2
- Example #3
Sarah Johnson
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
LinkedIn | Portfolio
123 Franklin Pike, Nashville, TN 12345
Profile
A compassionate and patient-centered nurse practitioner with eight years of clinical experience treating adults and pediatric patients. A strong history of delivering empathetic care and providing emotional support to patients throughout treatment.
Professional Experience
Nurse Practitioner, Johnson & Taylor Medical Offices, Nashville, TN
July 2017 – present
- Perform assessments for pediatric patients ranging from newborns to patients 21 years of age and manage chronic illnesses, acute conditions, and injuries
- Deliver empathetic and compassionate care to over 22 patients per day, build rapport and long-term relationships, and achieve patient satisfaction ratings of 91% to 94%
- Prescribe medication based on symptoms, age, and medical history, administer vaccinations, and provide education to patients and families
Nurse Practitioner, St. John’s Hospital, Seattle, WA
June 2015 – July 2017
- Interfaced with diverse patients of varying ages to treat acute health conditions and injuries and provide education on treatment plans
- Collaborated with doctors and nurses to diagnose patients, determine appropriate treatments, and ensure positive patient outcomes
Certifications
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Certificate, American Nurses Association, 2016
- Family Nurse Practitioner Certification, American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, 2015
Education
Master of Science (B.S.) Nursing
University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN September 2013 – June 2015
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Nursing
University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN September 2009 – June 2013
Key Skills
- Clinical operations
- Evidence-based treatment plans
- Patient-centered care
- Patient education
- Relationship building
Frequently Asked Questions: Nurse Practitioner Resume Examples and Advice
What are common action verbs for nurse practitioner resumes?-
Many candidates run out of action verbs to use during the resume writing process, especially within the health care industry. In many instances, only a limited number of verbs can describe your clinical experience accurately. Differentiating your usage of action verbs can improve the reading experience and keep your content fresh. We’ve compiled a list of action verbs to craft your resume:
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Administered | Analyzed |
| Collaborated | Communicated |
| Conducted | Coordinated |
| Delivered | Diagnosed |
| Enhanced | Identified |
| Implemented | Improved |
| Interfaced | Led |
| Managed | Oversaw |
| Performed | Provided |
| Resolved | Supported |
| Treated | |
How do you align your resume with a job description?-
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job openings for nurse practitioners are expected to increase by 46% by 2031, equivalent to around 112,700 new roles. This projected growth is much more rapid than the average 5% growth across all industries. As the average life expectancy increases, more nurse practitioners will be required to provide preventative health care and treat acute and chronic illnesses.
Although job prospects for nurse practitioners are excellent, still align your resume with the description to differentiate yourself from the competition. While it can be tempting to fire off the same resume for every position to save time, doing so could ultimately cause you to miss out. Adapting your resume to mirror each job description is a far more effective way to boost your chances of getting an interview.
What is the best nurse practitioner resume format?-
It is best to always use a reverse chronological format when crafting your nurse practitioner resume. This will ensure that your most recent achievements are featured at the top of your document. Avoid using a functional resume format in most instances, as this approach highlights skill sets without providing context or specific accomplishments for the hiring manager.
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Once you finish crafting your resume, write a matching cover letter. Rather than simply repeating all the existing information from your resume, customize your letter for individual applications. For instance, if you’re applying to a hospital that emphasizes health care equity, you might want to state that your commitment to diversity, equality, and inclusion (DEI) is what draws you to apply for the position. For more help, visit our nursing cover letter guide.
