ATS Resume Keywords for Nurse (RN/BSN): Complete Keyword Guide
Landing a Nurse (RN/BSN) role requires a resume loaded with the right keywords that ATS systems scan for. This guide provides a comprehensive list of ATS keywords categorized by hard skills, tools, soft skills, and certifications specifically for Nurse (RN/BSN) positions. Using these keywords strategically will significantly improve your ATS score and interview callback rate.
Hard Skills Keywords for Nurse (RN/BSN)
Hard skills are the most heavily weighted keywords in ATS scoring for Nurse (RN/BSN) roles. These represent your core technical competencies and are typically listed as required or preferred qualifications in job descriptions.
Include these keywords in both your skills section and within your work experience bullet points. Contextual usage (showing the skill in action) is more powerful than just listing it. For example, rather than just listing 'Patient Assessment,' write 'Built Patient Assessment-based application that...'
- Patient Assessment
- Medication Administration
- IV Therapy
- Wound Care
- Electronic Health Records
- Patient Education
- Vital Signs Monitoring
- Care Planning
- Infection Control
- Emergency Response
- Clinical Documentation
Tools and Technologies for Nurse (RN/BSN)
ATS systems specifically look for tool and technology keywords because they indicate hands-on, practical experience. For Nurse (RN/BSN) positions, familiarity with industry-standard tools is often a hard requirement.
List these tools in your skills section with specificity. Instead of just 'cloud computing,' list specific platforms like 'Epic EHR' and 'Cerner.' Many recruiters search the ATS database using specific tool names, so including them makes you discoverable.
- Epic EHR
- Cerner
- MEDITECH
- Pyxis
- IV Pumps
- Cardiac Monitors
- Point-of-Care Testing
- Telehealth Platforms
Soft Skills Keywords for Nurse (RN/BSN)
While hard skills dominate ATS scoring for Nurse (RN/BSN) roles, soft skills keywords are increasingly weighted by modern ATS systems. Many job descriptions specifically mention soft skills, and including them can differentiate you from candidates with similar technical profiles.
Don't just list soft skills—demonstrate them in your experience bullets. Instead of listing 'Compassion,' write an achievement that shows this skill in action.
- Compassion
- Critical thinking
- Communication
- Stress management
- Team collaboration
- Patient advocacy
Certifications That Boost Nurse (RN/BSN) ATS Scores
Professional certifications are high-value keywords for Nurse (RN/BSN) positions. Many ATS configurations use certifications as screening criteria or score boosters. Including relevant certifications can add 5-10% to your overall ATS score.
List certifications with both the full name and abbreviation to catch both search patterns. Include the issuing organization and year obtained for completeness.
- RN License (State)
- BLS (Basic Life Support)
- ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support)
- CCRN (Critical Care)
- CEN (Certified Emergency Nurse)
Example ATS-Optimized Bullets for Nurse (RN/BSN)
Here are example achievement statements that effectively integrate multiple Nurse (RN/BSN) keywords while demonstrating quantified impact. Each bullet contains 2-4 relevant keywords in natural context.
Notice how each bullet starts with an action verb, includes specific technologies or skills, and quantifies the result. This format simultaneously satisfies ATS keyword matching and impresses human reviewers.
- Managed care for 6-8 patients per shift in high-acuity medical-surgical unit
- Reduced medication errors by 50% by implementing barcode scanning verification process
- Trained 15 new graduate nurses in clinical skills and hospital protocols
Pro Tips
Include at least 80% of the hard skills mentioned in the specific job description for Nurse (RN/BSN) roles
Use both the full name and abbreviation for technical terms (e.g., 'Natural Language Processing (NLP)')
Place your strongest Nurse (RN/BSN) keywords in your professional summary, skills section, and most recent job description
Mirror the exact phrasing from the job posting—if they say 'stakeholder management,' use that phrase
Include 2-3 certifications relevant to Nurse (RN/BSN) to boost your ATS score by 5-10%
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Listing generic skills instead of specific Nurse (RN/BSN) technologies and tools
Including keywords you can't actually demonstrate in an interview
Focusing only on hard skills and ignoring soft skills that Nurse (RN/BSN) job descriptions emphasize
Using outdated technology keywords that don't match current job requirements
Not tailoring keywords to each specific job description