Critical Care Nurse Resume Writing Tips and Sample

Thinking about the next phase of your career in critical care nursing? A great resume can help you stand out among other candidates. While your cover letter is a chance to show some personality and highlight your value, your critical care nurse resume is where you can showcase your achievements and experience.

Hiring managers might look through dozens of resumes when hiring for a role. To stand out in this demanding arena, follow these essential tips:

• Tailor to the role: Focus on critical-care-related experiences, emphasizing skills like rapid response, quality improvement initiatives, and committee work.
• Highlight achievements: Showcase specific accomplishments, such as successful patient outcomes, certifications earned, or specialized training attended.
• Quantify impact: If you can, use measurable metrics like the number of patients managed per shift, successful interventions, or improvements in patient health indicators.
• Be clear and concise: Keep your resume succinct, yet comprehensive. Use bullet points to outline responsibilities and achievements, making it easy for recruiters to scan through your qualifications.

If you’re looking for more tips for writing your resume, check out our nursing resume guide and our critical care nurse cover letter sample. Looking for critical care nurse resume examples? See our templated example below:

Critical Care Nurse Resume Example

Isaac Intensive

456 Critical Care Circle
Rescue, CA, 95672
Phone: 530-555-5678

Dedicated critical care nurse with a passion for providing high-quality patient care in critical settings. Known for decisive decision-making, strong teamwork, and a commitment to ensuring positive patient outcomes. Adept at managing complex medical situations while maintaining a calm and reassuring demeanor.

Work Experience

RN, Full-Time Day Shift, Medical ICU, Saint Francis Memorial Hospital

(September 20XX–present)

• Mentored junior staff nurses on critical care protocols, enhancing team efficiency and knowledge sharing within the ICU department.
• Administered life-saving treatments, including medication titrations, mechanical ventilation, and hemodynamic monitoring, ensuring accurate and timely interventions.
• Implemented and coordinated patient care plans, collaborating closely with interdisciplinary teams to optimize patient outcomes.

RN, Full-Time Night Shift, Cardiac ICU, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital

(April 20XX–August 20XX)

• Managed a caseload of up to 3 critical patients per shift, implementing immediate interventions and ensuring optimal care and stability.
• Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop and execute treatment plans, resulting in a 20% decrease in patient complications.
• Assisted in emergency procedures, including intubations and central line insertions, ensuring swift and accurate critical care delivery.

RN, Full-Time Night Shift, Cardiac Tele Unit, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital

(May 20XX–April 20XX)

• Grew critical thinking, cardiac assessment, and basic patient-care skills on a 23-bed heart failure unit

Achievements

• Assisted with the implementation of new evidence-based antimicrobial line caps, including staff in-service and ongoing education
• Assisted with the implementation of new seizure precaution equipment, including staff in-service and equipment maintenance
• DAISY award recipient, 20XX

Certifications

Certified Critical Care Nurse (CCRN) – AACN (License #156324)

Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Certification (License #87654)

Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification

Top Skills:

• Bedside monitoring using Philips, HP
• Epic, Cerner Documentation
• Chest Tubes (Pleur-Evac)
• Cardiogenic/Hypovolemic shock protocols
• Time management
• Mentorship

Education

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), San Francisco State University, CA

Critical Care RN Salary

The average critical care nurse salary is $85,100 per year. Your salary will depend on your certifications, experience, and location. Be sure you list out all your qualifications in your critical care RN resume so you can negotiate the highest salary possible.

Looking for the highest-paying states for nurses? These states have some of the most competitive salaries in the nation:

• California
• Hawaii
• Washington
• Oregon
• Alaska

Put Your Critical Care Nurse Resume to Work

Looking for a new workplace? We can help. Explore the latest ICU nurse jobs in your location and specialty and apply today.