ICU Nurse Resume Sample Writing Guide [20+ Tips]

ICU Nurse Resume Sample Writing Guide [20+ Tips] ICU Nurse Resume SampleMargaret Houlihan, BSN, CCRNmargaret@houlihan.me970-710-0573ObjectiveCompassionate and exceptionally organized Registered Nurse with 7+ years of professional experience. Specialized in providing complex critical nursing care to adult patients at Intensive Care Units. Eager to join Bellevue Hospital to support its patients and staff. Recognized for providing exceptional quality service. ACLS and BCLS certified.Work ExperienceICU Registered NurseBronx-Lebanon Hospital Center, New York City, NY2015Provided patient care, performed assessments, and interventions at a 10-bed ICU unit for trauma and post-surgical patients.Assessed patients condition, notified physicians of clinical changes as well as prepared and implemented patient care plans.Monitored vital signs, adequacy of ventilation, and levels of consciousness and pain.Administered medications as determined by the patients condition (IV, Sub-Q, etc.)Communicated the patients condition to family members in a co mpassionate and non-technical manner.Key achievement:Complied with rigorous standards of service (90% compliance rate on average) delivering exceptional service to patients, physicians, guests, coworkers, and others.Staff Registered NurseNewYork-Presbyterian Lower Manhattan Hospital, NY20112014Assisted doctors in the delivery of medical procedures and provided basic life support in case of emergencies.Obtained and monitored patient vital signs.Cooperated with a multi-disciplinary team of MDs, PAs, etc. in a stressful environment.Educated patients about medications, treatment procedures and discharge processes.Handled patient questions and kept accurate records, maintaining confidentiality at all times.Key achievement:Developed critical thinking and analytical skills applicable across the entire nursing field.EducationBachelor of Science, NursingSacred Heart University, Fairfield, CN2011Associate of Science, BiologyNational University, San Diego, CA2008Licenses and CertificationsRegi stered NurseLicence #8947839ACLS, BCLS, CCRNCPRKey SkillsCCUERTriple lumen CVPAV fistulasBedside monitoring (HP, Philips)Meditech documentationPatient/family educationCommunicationDecision makingCollaborationLanguagesSpanishAdvancedPortugueseCommunicativeWant to save time and have your resume ready in 5 minutes? Try our resume builder. Its fast and easy to use. Plus, youll get ready-made content to add with one click. See 20+ resume templates and create your resume here.Sample ICU Nurse ResumeSee more templates and create your resume here.One of our users, Nikos, had this to say:[I used] a nice template I found on Zety. My resume is now one page long, not three. With the same stuff.Create your resume nowTargeting other medicine or healthcare jobs? See one of our dedicated guides:Nursing SkillsNursing ResumeCaregiver ResumeCNA ResumeRadiologic Technologist ResumeMedical Assistant ResumeNursing Student ResumePhlebotomy ResumeMed-Surg Nurse ResumeCharge Nurse ResumePediatric Nurse Resu meOR Nurse ResumeLabor and Delivery Nurse ResumeNurse Practitioner ResumeLPN ResumeER Nurse ResumeNurse ManagerRegistered NurseDoctorSample Resumes for All JobsHeres how to write your ICU nurse resume that proves youre vital to the hospital.1. Choose the Best Format for Your ICU Nurse ResumeYour patients require the best possible care and attention. Formatting your ICU resume only requiresYour patience.Follow these formatting rules:Create a solid resume header and include your contact information.Split your resume into sections. Add legible reader-friendly headings.Select thebest resume format. Most of the time youd go for the chronological layout. It puts your experience and achievements in the spotlight.Make sure your resume font is legible and not too tiny.Embrace white space, and avoid cramming in too much information.Decide on the best file format. In most cases, youll be hesitating between a PDF of Word resume. Long story short: go for a PDF unless youre explicitly asked not t o.2. Write a Critical Care Nurse Resume Objective or SummaryA resume summary or a resume objective can also be referred to as a resume profile.However you decide to call it, thats the part that comes up top and serves as an opening to your entire resume.Use it to show the hiring manager why youre the perfect candidate and what skills/qualities youd bring to the team.A resume summary works best for candidates with 2+ years of experience. As the name aptly suggests, its a brief statement with your key achievements that demonstrate your potential to a prospective employer.A resume objective is a good choice for freshers. It focuses on the skills youve learned and thus proves to your potential employer youre able to help them achieve their goals.When making a resume in our builder, drag drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check. Start building your resume here.Create my resume nowWhen youre done, Zetys resume builder will score your resume and tell you exactly how to make it better.Pro Tip: Yes, this section comes up top but you can just as well write it last. Why? It will be much easier to summarize your resume once you actually have something to summarize.3. Create the Perfect ICU Nurse Job Description for a ResumeThe work experience section is the lifeblood of your entire ICU resume.Its not enough to list your duties and interlace them with technical skills. You must prove youre able to work as part of a team, think on your feet, and provide top-class care to the patients entrusted to you.Heres how to nail your ICU nurse job description:Put your latest job up top and let the previous ones follow.Add job title, company name, and dates.List your duties and achievements in bullet points. Stay below 6-7 bullets, though.Focus on the experience relevant to the position youre applying for. And tailor your resume to the job offer.Let each bullet start with an action word: provided, assessed, monitored, conducted, etc.Put numbers wh erever you canquantified, measurable achievements shout Im effective!Pro Tip: There's a large skills gap in the healthcare sector, so make sure your experience bullet points communicate both: your technical skills and soft skills.4. Make Your ICU Nursing Resume Education Section CriticalThis is pretty much obviousYou cant just ignore the education section on a resume for an ICU nurse. Without your education, you wouldnt be where you are professionally.Heres how to list your education:5+ years of experience? List your degree, major, minors (if applicable), school name, graduation year.Less experience? Your education section would benefit from adding your GPA (if above 3.5), academic achievements, extracurricular activities, relevant coursework.Always include information on your professional certifications and licenses. Preferably in a separate section.Pro Tip: List your critical care nurse certifications in a separate section.5. Highlight Your ICU Nurse SkillsHeres a list of nursing skills you might consider using on your critical care nursing resume.ICU Nurse ResumeSkillsTechnical Skills:Automatic Internal Cardioverter Defib (AICD)Cardiogenic/Hypovolemic Shock patient careVentricular Assist Device (RVAD/LVAD) patient careRenal failure (acute/chronic) patient careIdentification and intervention during complications (CSG leak, clot, herniation, tension pneumothorax, aspiration, pulmonary edema, etc.)Chest Tubes (Pleur-Evac)Nebulizer treatmentsHickman/Broviac/Groshong catheterSeizure precautionsPain managementSpecimen collectionCare of drains/tubesBurn patientsUse of hypothermia blanketInserting IVsIV TherapyTransferable and Soft Skills:Problem SolvingDecision makingCritical ThinkingLeadershipCollaboration and TeamworkTime ManagementRemember to focus on the relevant skills, dont list everything.Heres what you need to do:List all your job skills, including soft skills, hard skills, and technical skills.Look at the job ad to see what skills specifically are require d of you.Now look back at your list to see which ones you have. Focus on these on your ICU nurse resume.Remember: dont just put your skills on a long list. Weave them into your experience section as well.Pro Tip: The skills youd want to put on your resume depend on the type of ICU nurse you are: SICU, CVICU, Surgical ICU, Trauma ICU, PICU, or other. Read this article to see what skills all ICU nurses need.6. Add Other Sections to Your ICU Nurse ResumeTo make your ICU nurse stand out consider adding sections on:Language skillsAchievements and awardsVolunteeringHobbies and Interests7. Attach Cover Letter to Your SICU Nurse ResumeCover letters matter.About 50% of recruiters expect a cover letter from you. Here comes a couple of hints to help you write your ICU nurse cover letter:Pick out a good cover letter format.Start your cover letter in a captivating way.Show what you can offer to the company.Finish your cover letter with a call to action.Pro Tip: Its a good idea to follow up on yo ur job application. Shoot an email or make a phone call. Its a bit of an extra effort but can take you a long way.This is it.Thats how you make a resume for ICU nurse positions.Are you writing an ICU nurse resume for the first time? Or perhaps youre a seasoned pro eager to help the rookies out? Wed love to hear from you, leave your comment below!