Nurse Practitioner Resume: 7 Tips to Optimize Your Resume

Resumes are crucial when attracting potential employers and landing a new job, especially for nurse practitioners. Let’s discuss seven tips to optimize your resume so you can land your next dream job.

1.    Master the Applicant Tracking System

Chances are that if you have ever submitted your resume online, it’s been through an applicant tracking system (ATS). ATS software scans your resume for keywords and qualifications that employers are seeking in a candidate. Sometimes your resume may never reach a recruiter if it doesn’t pass the ATS search. 

To pass the ATS, include the application job title and any keywords the employer is seeking within your resume. For instance, if the job posting says “strong problem-solving skills,” add this exact phrase in your resume where applicable. Also, if the job title says “Family Medicine Nurse Practitioner” and you have experience in primary care, then type “family medicine” instead of primary care. You want to match the job title as much as possible to the employer's job title. With this information in mind, you will likely have several versions of your resume with different keywords and titles. 

2.    Include a Cover Letter

Always include a cover letter with your resume, as this is most likely the first thing recruiters read. A good cover letter piques the employer’s interest in reading your resume and explains how your background ties to the job opportunity. 

Highlight your qualifications and achievements and explain why you are an ideal candidate. The cover letter also allows you to address any employment gaps. Create a new cover letter for every job application and tailor it to match your qualifications with the job-specific requirements.

 3.    Embrace Your Summary of Qualifications

Resume experts are now advising applicants to ditch the objective section of their resume. Instead, include a headline statement with your summary of qualifications. The headline statement goes below your name. It’s a brief description of yourself in bold font to draw the reader’s attention.

The summary of qualifications emphasizes your achievements and skills relevant to the position. For example, if the position is for a wound care company, consider including that you have a wound care certification. Also, make this section a minimum of three to four bullet points so it’s easier for the hiring manager to read.

4.    Highlight Your Skills

Nurses have various interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills. Sometimes it can be difficult to include every skill on your resume. Incorporate your skills when detailing your prior job duties under professional experience. Include soft skills like building rapport, listening, and your personality. Also, incorporate hard skills, such as your analytical and technical abilities.

If you still have trouble including your skills, add a skills section. Nurse practitioners who perform an array of procedures typically include a skills section, but this is directed more towards inpatient care. Sometimes employers request a separate list of common diseases and conditions that you manage and treat. Have this prepared as a separate document in case they request this information.

5.    Outline Your Professional Experience

The professional experience section outlines your past job positions. Include at least your last three positions. If you are a new nurse practitioner, adding your prior nursing experience is acceptable since some nursing skills are transferable. Some employers review past nursing experience and take it into account when considering an offer.

Use bold font for job titles and dates, so it’s easier to scan your resume. Arrange your employment dates in reverse chronological order. In addition, use a bullet list to detail your job responsibilities under each position. Keep the bullet points consistent with either sentence fragments or complete sentences. Always use active tense and action words.

6.    Include Education, Licenses, and Certifications

Towards the end of your resume, include your education, licenses, and certifications. Separate the education and license sections. Under the education section, detail your degrees and graduation dates. Add “expected graduation date” if you have an education in progress.

Licenses and certifications can be under the same section. List all your licenses, including the state. This requirement is especially important when applying for telehealth positions. To make it easier for potential employers to verify your licenses, write their expiration dates.

7.    Review the Format

Next, let’s review some essential details when formatting your resume.

• Ensure your resume is easy to scan and read. It makes it easier for the recruiter and hiring manager to glance at during your interview

• Avoid using special fonts, colors, or characters, as they can distract the reader

• Avoid graphics and pictures, as most companies consider these unprofessional

• Attempt to keep your resume to one page in length. If a potential employer wants more information about clinical hours, education, or publications, they will request a curriculum vitae (CV)

• Ensure you use correct spelling and grammar. An error could hinder you from getting hired

• When saving your resume, name the file with your name or initials and a number. Don’t name the file something you wouldn’t want a recruiter to read, such as “Resume version 3” 

Nurses and CNAs have various hard-earned accomplishments and skills. Make sure your resume highlights these. If you’re having trouble creating your resume, you can always consider a professional resume writing service.