Geriatric Nurse Resume Example & Writing Guide
Use this Geriatric Nurse resume example and guide to improve your career and write a powerful resume that will separate you from the competition.
Nurses who work with the geriatric population are highly tuned into the needs of their patients. They understand that older people have different medical needs than younger people and that they might need more specialized care. They know that older patients may have more complex medical histories and require more frequent follow-ups. And they understand that many of their patients are living at home rather than in a hospital setting.
Because geriatric nurses have such a unique set of responsibilities, they must possess a unique set of skills. They must be able to assess an older person’s health needs quickly and accurately. They must be able to communicate effectively with patients, families, and other members of the healthcare team. And they must be able to advocate for their patients in a way that promotes their best interests.
Here are some tips and an example resume to help you write a stellar geriatric nurse resume that hiring managers will love.
How to Write a Geriatric Nurse Resume
Here’s how to write a geriatric nurse resume of your own.
Write Compelling Bullet Points
Bullet points are the most important part of your resume, because they’re the only thing hiring managers will read. So it’s crucial that you use them to your advantage by including specific details about your experience and accomplishments.
For example, rather than saying you “provided care for elderly patients,” you could say you “provided care for elderly patients with Alzheimer’s disease, providing daily care and companionship while ensuring their safety and comfort.”
The second bullet point is much stronger because it provides specific details about what you did and who you did it for.
Identify and Include Relevant Keywords
When you’re applying for a job as a geriatric nurse, it’s important to make sure that your resume includes the right keywords. Most geriatric care employers use an applicant tracking system (ATS) to screen resumes. This system looks for certain terms related to the job, like “aging” or “end-of-life care,” in order to determine whether your skills and experience are a match for the role. If your resume doesn’t include enough of the right keywords, the ATS might filter out your application before a human ever sees it.
To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of common geriatric nurse keywords below:
- Nursing
- Healthcare
- Patient Safety
- Elder Care
- Basic Life Support (BLS)
- Inpatient Care
- Hospitals
- Patient Education
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
- Healthcare Management
- Medication Administration
- Clinical Research
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
- Wound Care
- Home Care
- Electronic Medical Record (EMR)
- Patient Advocacy
- Nurse Residency
- Critical Care Nursing
- Mental Health
- IV Therapy
- Nursing Education
- Trauma Nursing
- Healthcare Information Technology (HIT)
- Skilled Nursing
- Leadership
- Gerontology
- Personal Care
- Clinical Practice
- Medical-Surgical
Showcase Your Technical Skills
As a geriatric nurse, you will be working with elderly patients who may have a variety of health concerns. It is important to list any relevant technical skills on your resume, such as experience with electronic health records (EHR) systems, patient monitoring systems, and medical devices. You should also list any other relevant skills, such as experience with wound care, IV therapy, or pain management.