ER nurses are the unsung heroes who transform patients’ lives. If you are an ER nurse and want to make a difference, craft a resume that stands out and highlights your education, experience, and skills. In today’s healthcare industry creating a standout ER nurse resume is important to get the job you desire. Emergency room nurses require special skills to face the challenges of an ER room, therefore it is important to showcase these skills to get the dream job. But how do I highlight these ER nurse skills? Here in this blog, we will discuss hacks and tips on how to make your ER nurse resume stand out.
How to create an ER nurse Resume
Tailor your resume to the Job Posting
The best way to stand out is to customize your resume according to the job requirements. For example, if the job posting is for a trauma care nurse, then use this keyword, as many hospitals use the Applicant Tracking System to screen resumes. And this is the best way to get noticed.
Lead with strong impact full Summary or Objective
Start with a small but strong and impactful summary that immediately grabs attention. It should highlight your latest experiences, certifications, and achievements. Do not just say an “ER nurse” but instead write a “Compassionate and highly skilled ER nurse with 8 years of experience in trauma care environments. Proven ability to manage critical cases and deliver life-saving care under highly pressured and challenging environments. ACLS and PCLS certified.”
Include your
- Name
- Phone number
- Email address
- Current location or address
TIP: End the statement to show your unique skills that will help the department. You can also list your certification, experiences in high-stress environments, and training.
List your professional Experience.
In this section, you can write about your clinical experience in the ER field for each position. You can also mention how your previous job helped you grow professionally. You can write about the following:
- Years of experience
- Job requirements
- Achievements
Highlight your Skills.
Highlighting your skills is important in your ER resume as it will help you to qualify for the job for which you are applying. Do not forget to list both soft and hard skills.
Examples of Hard Skills for ER Nurse Resume
- Advanced cardiac life support
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
- Medical Equipment Proficiency
- Trauma care
- Triage skills
- IV insertion and management
Examples of Soft skills for ER nurse Resume
- Effective communication.
- Critical thinking.
- Time management.
- Attention to detail.
- Leadership qualities.
- Conflict resolution.
Trauma levels you are experienced in as an ER Nurse
Trauma levels in the ER mean the severity and complexity of injuries of the patient which helps the ER nurses to make decisions about where to send the patient for care. The emergency room nurses need to understand these trauma levels so they can prioritize treatment and provide appropriate care to the patients. In your emergency room nurse resumes, make sure to add the experience you have with these trauma levels. Let us dive deep into understanding these trauma levels in an emergency room.
Trauma level classification
Level I Trauma Center (Comprehensive trauma care)
This level of trauma nurse is equipped to manage the most serious and complex trauma cases 24/7. For example, patients with major traumas like car accidents, multiple fractures, and more. The key components of Level I Trauma Care Centers are:
- Availability of trauma surgeons, specialized staff, and anesthesiologists.
- Advanced imaging and surgical capabilities.
- Laboratory services.
- Research and teaching facilities are associated with educational institutions.
Level II Trauma Center (Advance Trauma Care)
Level II trauma nurses also provide immediate care to stabilize patients suffering from head trauma, complex fractures, and more but without the need for Level I resources. They also can transfer patients with extremely complex surgeries to Level I trauma centers. The key components of Level II Trauma Centers are:
- 24-hour availability of trauma surgeons and other specialties
- Capable of handling moderate to severe cases
- Advanced imaging and surgical capabilities
Level III Trauma Centers (Immediate Trauma Care)
Level III Trauma nurses provide immediate care to stabilized patients and may transfer it to Level I or Level II Trauma Centers if they require more complex care. patients who are suffering from less severe traumas such as broken bones, abdominal injuries, etc. Key components of Level III trauma centers are:
- Provide immediate stabilization to the patients.
- Capability of emergency surgeries.
- Can transfer serious patients to Level I or Level II Trauma centers.
Level IV Trauma Care Centers (Basic Trauma Care)
Level IV trauma nurses manage patients that are less severe or facing non-life-threatening trauma, for example patients with minor injuries like sprains etc. Key components of Level IV Trauma Care Center are:
- Basic trauma resuscitation such as IV fluid resuscitation.
- Can transfer more serious patients to other levels of trauma for better care.
- Limited surgical capabilities.
Level V Trauma Center (Basic Care and Transfer)
Level V trauma nurses play a crucial role in providing basic life-saving care to patients before transferring them. For example, patients with minor injuries that are not life-threatening. Key components of Level V trauma centers are:
- Providing initial trauma stabilization
- Transferring patients to higher levels for advanced acre
- Limited facilities
If you have experience in any of these trauma centers, provide your experience and the situation that you have faced to make your trauma nurse resume stand out. mention your exact capabilities, expertise, and resources to the employers.
List your Educational Background
List your educational background before writing your certifications and licensing in your Emergency department RN resume. The education section includes the following.
- Degree
- University
- Years attended
- GPA
For example:
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Years Attended: 2015 – 2019
GPA: 3.95/4.0
List your ER nurse Certifications, Licenses, and Training Programs
List your licenses in your emergency nurse resume such as:
- Registered Nurse (RN) License
State of Texas, License #123456, Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC)
Expiration Date: 06/12/2024
2. Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN)
State of Texas, License #345623, Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC)
Expiration Date: 08/19/2025
List your certifications in your emergency department nurse resume such as:
- ACLS Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support
- PALS Pediatric Advanced Life Support
- TNCC Trauma Nursing Core Course
List your advanced certifications in your ER RN resume with the year such as:
- Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN), 2004
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), 2008
- Trauma Nurse Core Course (TNCC), 2010
Write Down your Training programs in your ER nurse resume such as:
- Emergency Nurse Pediatric Course (ENPC)
- Emergency Nurses Association (ENA)
- Date of Completion: 07/15/2023
- Basic Life Support (BLS)
- American Heart Association (AHA)
- Date of Completion: 04/10/2024
Tips on how to make your ER nurse resume standout
To make your emergency nurse resume stand out here is a list of tips and hacks for writing an eye-catching ER nurse resume.
- Youse specific keywords such as triage, trauma care, disaster response, critical care, etc.
- Use action verbs and strong language such as instead of writing responsible for you can say took charge.
- Display your certifications in dedicated sections and list the advanced certifications and training.
- Use clean and professional layouts such as Ariel and font sizes 10-12.
- Avoid cluttering and unnecessary graphics or color.
- Include volunteer work that is relevant and shows your skills in the ER field.
- Proofread before submitting as there should be no grammatical mistakes.
Conclusion
Crafting a standout ER nurse resume is important to get the job that you want. To make your emergency room nurse resume stand out you must use keywords and highlight your experiences, skills, and education. A well-crafted resume will set you apart and will get you noticed. Are you ready to take your ER nurse career to the next level? Then join SkillGigs now and unlock the job opportunities that best meet your needs and requirements. Create a profile in Skillgigs which will connect you to the topmost employers. SkillGigs help you showcase your ER nurse resume and will help you land your dream job faster. Sign Up now! Happy travel nursing.