ICU Nurse Resume Example & Writing Guide
- What should your ICU nurse resume include?
- Why use this ICU nurse resume example?
- Which key skills are relevant for an ICU nurse resume?
ICU nurses typically work in a hospital, and they provide a specialized type of service. If you’re looking for your next big step in this field, let our resume example help you out.
What should your ICU nurse resume include?
Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nurses are responsible for providing a wide variety of health-critical services to patients in the ICU. They are typically involved in patient assessment, patient care, and assisting senior doctors with surgeries.
This is a highly specialized field that requires the right mix of education and experience. For this reason, your resume should focus on both facets.
Why use this ICU nurse resume example?
Our ICU nurse resume is easy-to-read, and it contains the necessary information and industry-specific keywords to improve the applicant’s likelihood of making it past the initial screening stage.
The resume begins with the applicant’s name, contact details, and resume title, and it then includes a qualifications summary. The qualifications summary includes the applicant’s areas of expertise (such as EHR, EMR, and patient services) and key skills (such as communication skills). This provides a high-level overview of the applicant’s value proposition and expertise to the hiring manager in an easy-to-read format.
Since ICU nurses require specialized education and training, it’s important to mention the applicant’s educational background before their professional experience. Typically, this type of job requires a degree in nursing and a license to practice in the applicant’s state of residence.
Next, the applicant’s professional experience is listed in a reverse chronological sequence. Each job experience comprises two sections: day-to-day responsibilities and key accomplishments. This is where different industry-specific keywords are inserted to help the applicant’s resume make it past the ATS tool. Each accomplishment must begin with an action verb (such as established, leveraged, spearheaded) so that the applicant comes across as an achiever and not a doer.
The final section of the resume is a good spot to include the applicant’s technical proficiencies. This includes familiarity with certain software solutions, patient care best practices, and other tools and programs that will help the applicant stand out. In some cases, familiarity with one or more of these tools might be crucial for a particular job application.
Which key skills are relevant for an ICU nurse resume?
ICU nurses work in the healthcare sector, which is why they need the following skills if they want to enjoy long-term growth and success in their careers.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Multi-tasking skills and the ability to manage stress
Physical stamina (the ability to work long hours on feet)
In-depth knowledge and expertise in patient care
Decision-making and problem-solving skills
Clinical skills
Empathy, sensitivity, and compassion
Necessary education, training, licenses, and professional certifications
Summary example
Well versed in coordinating patient care and applying conventional infection control methods to protect patients and staff; proficient in diverse patient diagnostic / monitoring devices.
Outstanding communicator, skilled in connecting with patients and families while also effectively liaising with other hospital services to ensure continuity of care; fluent in English and Spanish.
History of overseeing nursing staff in daily patient care efforts, producing schedules and work assignments; knowledgeable in regulatory compliance requirements, including HIPAA and JCAHO.
Specialized in MSICU and MICU nursing, with excellence in patient assessment, telemetric monitoring, emergency response, treatment / medication administration, and step-down.
Experience assisting with central / PICC / arterial lines, establishing airways, managing chest tubes, operating ventilators, titrating specialized drips, and caring for venous / arterial catheters.
Proficient in electronic health record (EHR) / medical record (EMR) systems and productivity software, including Meditech and Microsoft Office Suite.
Employment history example
Staff Nurse - MSICU at Methodist Specialty and Transplant Hospital, San Antonio, Texas 2016 - Present
Provide care to patients recovering from liver and kidney transplant surgeries in 30-bed Medical Surgical Intensive Care Unit (MSICU) and 12-bed Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU). Work as member of dedicated multidisciplinary team to manage complex health issues and restore health to patients facing or recovering from severe liver and kidney failure. Communicate with patients and family members regarding diagnoses and treatment plans. Assess patient progress and update patient records.
Known as highly dedicated patient advocate, recipient of prestigious international DAISY (Diseases Attacking the Immune System) Award for exceptional results in providing skillful and compassionate nursing care.
Supported nursing staff and team by coaching and mentoring graduate nurses.
Staff Nurse – MSICU / MICU at Methodist Hospital System, San Antonio, Texas 2014 - 2016
Served in 13-bed Medical Surgical Intensive Care Unit (MSICU) and 12-bed Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU), assisted in stabilizing patients and ensuring consistent and effective care. Communicated constantly with multidisciplinary healthcare team, patients, and families. Performed or assisted with insertion of central, PICC, and arterial lines. Opened airways using Ambu bag techniques, administered O2, performed NT suctioning and ET intubation, including insertion, care, and discontinuation of chest tubes. Operated ventilators, administered titration of specialized drips, and inserted and monitored venous and arterial catheters.
Ensured safety of patients, staff, and visitors while complying with all hospital policies and regulatory requirements.
Completed training and certification in NIH Stroke Scale to assess patient neurological symptoms.
Telemetry Staff Nurse / Charge Nurse at Methodist Hospital System, San Antonio, Texas 2007 - 2014
Directed nursing care in 28-bed Telemetry Unit, supervising team of six Nurses, two Personal Care Assistants (PCA), and a unit Secretary. Ensured care of patients with diverse acute / chronic conditions, collaborating closely with Nurse Manager, Nursing Director, House Supervisor, and administrators. Conducted patient assessments, charting, telemetric monitoring, pre- / post-operative care, intervention, therapeutic planning, medication administration, and diagnostic testing, through step-down to Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Applied best-practice nursing techniques and principles of evidence-based care to ensure optimum outcomes. Utilized skill-based assignment strategies to match patients with nurses. Educated patients and families on post-discharge procedures and home care plans.
Developed highly effective care delivery strategies, infection control protocols, and fall prevention protocols.
Served on Unit Council / Shared Governance Board with aim of improving clinical, operational, service delivery, and community relations initiatives.
Education example
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) – Clinical Nursing Specialist at the University of the Incarnate Word.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) at the University of Texas Health Science Center.
Registered Nurse (RN) – Licensed to Practice in the State of Texas.
Skills example
Prisma Flex System for patients treated with Continuous Regnal Replacement Therapy (CRRT).
EV-1000 System in conjunction with a perioperative goal-directed therapy protocol for managing and monitoring hemodynamic parameters.
Artic Sun System for nurse management, monitoring, and controlling temperature in adult patients.
Blood Products | Saline Lock | IV & IV Push / Piggyback Medications | IM / Oral / Transdermal.
SubQ Medications | Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) | Chest Tubes | Nasogastric Tubes | Catheters.Central Line / Wound Dressing | Accucheck | Cardiac Arrest Procedures | Dysrhythmia Monitoring | Pulse.
Pulse Oximetry | Ostomy | Trach Care | Infusion Pumps | CPM | Hemovac.
