Home Health Nurse Resume Example
Pursuing a career as a home health nurse provides opportunities for career progression and responsibilities involving documenting patient progress and monitoring patient vitals. To succeed in your applications for home health nurse roles, you'll need a resume that reflects your relevant skills and experience. In this article, we'll discuss how to create a home health nurse resume that catches the eye of employers, with tips and examples to help you write your own.
After reading this article, you'll feel confident creating a home health nurse resume that effectively showcases your relevant skills and experience. You'll learn how to show employers you've got the relevant qualities, skills and experience for the job, all presented in a format that employers prefer to see. The article also includes tips for formatting your resume according to your experience and strengths. Continue reading to find the best home health nurse resume tips from careers experts at Jobseeker.
Core sections to include in a home health nursing resume
The key sections to include in a home health nurse resume are similar to those for any role or profession.
A functional or skills-based resume format might be best for applications where you have little or no relevant home health nurse experience. This layout prioritizes your skills and education sections above your work experience. Likewise, an entry-level resume might focus more on soft and transferable skills, as well as details about internships, voluntary work or relevant training you've completed.
If you're already working as a home health nurse, concentrate on proving your credentials with your work achievements. Use a reverse-chronological resume format to place work experience prominently in your resume. By using this resume format you can focus on showing how your experience has helped you develop the required skills for the job. Review the job description to understand which key skills and experience to focus on.
Senior job applications require a slightly different approach to mid-level or junior home health nurse roles. Use a reverse-chronological format focusing on your work experience, with a particular emphasis on the impact you've made. Some elements to include in a senior resume for maximum impact might include awards, publications, conference presentations or professional memberships. By adding these sections, it's likely that your resume will be longer than a junior resume.
While the content and format of your resume may vary depending on your experience levels, it's important to always include the following sections:
Resume Header
In your home health nurse resume header, list your name, email address, phone number and address or location. You can also add your LinkedIn, if you have one, to help employers better understand your work history and skills. While in some countries, you might include additional personal information or a photo, these aren't necessary. Create a clear, well-structured header that acts as the headline of your resume. Use color accents and blocks to help this section stand out and catch the eye of the reader.
Opt for a professional-looking email address based on your name. If your email address could be construed as unprofessional or inappropriate because it contains nicknames or unsuitable language, create a new, more professional email address for your job applications. Always check your contact details to make sure they're up-to-date before you send your resume.
Bryan Taylor
bryan.taylor@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
742 Evergreen Terrace, Springfield, IL
linkedin․com/in/bryan–taylor123
Resume Summary
Following your resume header, write a resume summary to introduce yourself and showcase some of your key skills and achievements. Alternative names for this section are 'resume objective' and 'personal profile'. While a resume summary focuses on your career experience, a resume objective covers your ambitions and career plans. However, make sure you keep your resume summary short and snappy, and focused on the skills and experience listed in the job description.
Alternatively, use this section to emphasize your career objectives and explain how and why this role is a suitable step for you at this stage of your career.
A good resume summary reflects the job description and highlights some of the key skills required for home health nurse roles, while leaving the reader with an impression of your unique qualities and strengths. The most effective resume summaries also provide evidence to back up the claims made in them. Take a look at some strong examples of how to approach a home health nurse resume summary in the graphic below.
Good example:
Compassionate and dedicated Home Health Nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and extensive experience as a Home Health Registered Nurse (RN). Skilled in providing high-quality, patient-centered care in home settings, managing chronic illnesses, administering medications, and developing personalized care plans. Proven ability to collaborate effectively with interdisciplinary teams, educate patients and families, and adapt to diverse patient needs. Strong clinical skills, excellent communication, and a commitment to improving patient outcomes
Bad example:
Nurse with some experience in healthcare and helping people at home. Worked in roles where I provided care and managed health needs. Have worked with different kinds of patients and tried to help them with their health plans. Focused on making patient experiences better and assisting where I can
Conversely, an ineffective resume summary would include generic, unspecific information on your skills and experience, while failing to provide any useful information on what makes you a unique and interesting candidate. See above for some examples of things to avoid when writing your home health nurse resume summary.
Work History
Next, list your relevant employment history and any key achievements that show you're suitable for a home health nurse position. Add each previous employment in reverse-chronological order. This means starting from your current or most recent role and working back in time from there. Include your job title, the company name, the location of the job and your dates of employment.
Under each job entry, add several bullet points highlighting your responsibilities and achievements. Consult the job description for a list of the key requirements for the role and make sure your work experience section showcases how you meet these requirements.
A successful resume work experience section will always showcase skills and experience relevant to the job description, and how you put each to good use in your previous roles. Offering quantifiable evidence in a home health nursing resume proves you're a strong candidate for the job, such as client feedback, project outcomes, KPIs or financial results. Take a look at the examples below for some guidance on what works best for your work experience section.
Good example:
Home Health Registered Nurse (RN), January 2022 - Present
CareGivers at Home, Inc, Fremont
- Provided high-quality, patient-centered care to over 50 homebound patients, achieving a 95% patient satisfaction rate
- Implemented personalized care plans, reducing hospital readmissions by 30% within the first six months
- Trained and mentored a team of 10 new RNs, improving overall team performance and patient outcomes
Bad example:
Home Health Registered Nurse (RN), January 2022 - Present
CareGivers at Home, Inc, Fremont
- Delivered excellent care to patients, ensuring their needs were met and enhancing their overall well-being
- Developed and executed care strategies to improve patient health and satisfaction
- Guided and supported nursing staff to foster a collaborative and efficient work environment
The example above can give you some idea of what not to include in your resume work experience section. Less effective resume work experience sections might take a more vague, descriptive approach to previous jobs. They focus on responsibilities and everyday duties rather than referencing career achievements and the value you've added for previous employers.
Education
Under education, add details of any degrees or professional qualifications relevant to home health nurse roles.
A home health nurse role tends to require candidates to have a university or college degree, so make sure you list yours in your resume. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree or similar is the most suitable for this job, but you could also include any other relevant qualifications that show your wound care management or IV therapy skills.
Include any qualifications relevant to the role. For each, add the name and level of the award, the institution name, its location and your dates of study. If you have space, include some bullet points outlining any specialist areas of study, awards or high grades, so the employer can learn more about your unique skill set and knowledge.
If you took part in any volunteering or you were a leader or member of any university societies, you could also mention these in your education section.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), 2017 - 2020
University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
Hard and Soft Skills
Listing your key skills can help to prove your suitability for home health nurse jobs. These could be IV therapy skills, patient advocacy skills or various other relevant skills. Again, include any skills that match those listed in the job description. Focus particularly on technical skills required for home health nurse jobs and transferable skills that show your qualities as a home health nurse.
How to list hard skills on your home health nurse resume
For your hard skills list, include any technical abilities or specific industry knowledge that's essential to working as a home health nurse. These could be skills gained through work experience or qualifications. Furthermore, your hard skills list helps to show employers how competent and experienced you are at key home health nurse duties and responsibilities. It's best to aim for four or five key hard skills that match the job description. These can really showcase your suitability for the job.
You'll make more impact with your resume hard skills list if you focus on technical skills that reflect your unique expertise and specialism, and that match the key requirements in the job description. See the graphic below for some tips on hard skills for a home health nurse resume.
- Patient care assessment
- Medication administration
- Wound care management
How to list soft skills on your home health nurse resume
Your soft skills are the core qualities and personal characteristics that make you a good employee. They tend to apply to multiple professions and jobs, though the soft skills you'll require may change as you move from junior to senior positions. Indeed, transferable skills are growing in importance in the modern world of work, so make sure you include several of these in your resume. You should generally look to include up to five soft or transferable skills that match the job description.
An effective home health nurse resume soft skills section should be targeted to include skills that reflect your personality and unique characteristics, while also matching the job description. The graphic below includes some examples of good resume soft skills.
- Communication and empathy
- Problem-solving abilities
- Time management skills
Licenses and Certifications
In your certifications section, list any professional certifications or licenses that are relevant to working as a home health nurse. These might be licenses that show you're qualified to operate certain equipment, or certifications that give you the edge over candidates with otherwise similar career history. Therefore, add any necessary licenses and certifications in this section, along with valid dates so employers can see you're still qualified for the job.
Take a look at some example certifications for a home health nurse resume below:
- Certified Case Manager, 2022
- Home Health Aide, 2022
- Wound Care Certification, 2022
Additional Information
If you need to provide further evidence of your suitability for the job, optional sections can be useful for a home health nursing resume. Choose optional sections from the list below, if they help to showcase your relevant skills and experience.
Hobbies
Adding your hobbies and interests is a legitimate way of showing off your skills and personal qualities. Your hobbies and interests are useful for a home health nursing resume if you want to show a different side to your personality, or to stand out among other candidates. They can also be valuable if you're a junior candidate without much relevant work experience. Only include hobbies and interests that showcase your personality and personal qualities, and add something different to your application.
Volunteer Experience
Voluntary work can help you develop useful skills, so it's a valuable addition to your home health nurse resume. Include the title of your volunteer role, who you volunteered for, as well as the dates you carried out the work. Provide brief details of your responsibilities and the impact you made.
References
Although it's rare to include references on a home health nurse resume, some employers may ask for it. Don't add references unless they're specifically mentioned by the employer in the job advert. Be sure to prepare your referees in advance, so they've agreed to provide a reference and are ready to be contacted.
Please contact me for a list of references.
Best words to use in a home health nurse resume
Add strong verbs to your work experience section to show the hiring manager the impact you made in your previous roles. Add strong verbs from the list below to create a greater impact with your work experience section.
- Administer
- Assess
- Coordinate
- Document
- Educate
- Monitor
- Advocate
- Implement
- Evaluate
- Support
If you want to create a resume that stands out from the crowd, use Jobseeker's expert-designed resume templates. You can also find cover letter templates that work to get you noticed by employers.
Example resume for home health nurse applications
The home health nurse resume example below incorporates all the information from above into a full-designed resume template, so you can see how a final resume will look:
742 Evergreen Terrace, Springfield, IL
•
bryan.taylor@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/bryan–taylor123
Compassionate and dedicated Home Health Nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and extensive experience as a Home Health Registered Nurse (RN). Proven ability to deliver high-quality, patient-centered care in diverse home settings. Skilled in developing personalized care plans, managing chronic conditions, and providing education and support to patients and their families. Excellent communication and organizational skills, with a strong commitment to improving patient outcomes and enhancing quality of life.
Home Health Registered Nurse (RN)
2020
-2022
CareBridge Home Health Services (Glendale)
- Successfully managed a caseload of 30+ patients, improving overall patient outcomes by 20% through personalized care plans and interventions
- Implemented a new patient education program, reducing hospital readmission rates by 15% over six months
- Trained and mentored 10+ new nurses, enhancing team efficiency and ensuring compliance with best practices and regulatory standards
Patient care assessment
Medication administration
Wound care management
Communication and empathy
Problem-solving abilities
Time management skills
Certified Case Manager
Home Health Aide
English - Fluent
Spanish - B2
Quick tips for a home health nursing resume
Tips for best resume practices
- Quantify your achievements and show evidence of how you've used your skills to bring positive outcomes in your career to date.
- Mention key skills that show you're suited to the job throughout your resume, as well as in the dedicated skills section.
- Tailor your resume to make it as relevant as possible to the role you're applying for. Consult the job description and adapt your resume to reflect the required skills and experience.
- Proofread your resume to ensure it's free from spelling and grammar errors. Even minor errors can make a difference to your chances.
- Mention your key educational achievements, such as degrees and professional qualifications, along with grades such as your GPA, if they're high.
Things to avoid on your resume
- Don't use an unprofessional email address. Instead, create a simple email address based on your name.
- Don't add personal information such as your age, gender, a photo or marital status, as these can lead to bias in the hiring process.
- Don't use jargon or business-speak. It can make your resume appear clichéd and harder to read.
- Don't clutter your home health nurse resume with too much information. Keep everything focused on showcasing your relevant skills and achievements.
- Don't add any hobbies or interests unless they directly showcase a skill or experience that's relevant to the job.
Making an ATS-friendly resume
Applicant tracking systems (ATS) help recruiters and employers to manage their hiring process. They can handle some of the more time-consuming and resource-intensive jobs, such as initial screening of resumes. Employers often receive hundreds of applications per vacancy, and ATS software can quickly and accurately scan and rank resumes based on their likely suitability for any role. If you follow a few simple tips when writing your home health nurse resume, you'll give yourself a better chance of ranking highly in the ATS screening and progressing to the next stage.
Follow these guidelines to create the best ATS-friendly resume:
- Adopt a traditional structure for your resume, such as a reverse-chronological format or a functional format. These are likely to be the easiest layouts for ATS software to scan.
- Use keywords throughout your resume that reflect the job description, so ATS resume scanners can recognize a strong connection between your skills, and those in the job description.
- Use clear headings that break your resume up into readable, scannable sections that match the standard content employers expect from a resume.
- Adopt a resume design that uses clear, professional design principles and leaves white space for your content to breathe. Use the most readable fonts and incorporate subtle design elements to enhance the readability of your document.
- Keep your resume as concise as possible, to make it easier to read, and for ATS software to scan.
If you're looking for inspiration for your resume, discover our comprehensive resume examples and in-depth, expert career blog.
Frequently Asked Questions about a home health nursing resume
Now that you know how to write a professional home health nurse resume, you might also want to learn how to write an accompanying cover letter that makes a similar impact.
Firstly, think about whether you want to write a full, formal cover letter or whether a brief email to introduce yourself and draw attention to your resume will suffice.
A full, formal cover letter follows a traditional letter-writing structure and format. Add your header, the recipient's address an use professional greetings and sign-offs. In your first paragraph, introduce yourself and confirm the role you're applying for, along with your reasons for applying. Next, outline your key skills and achievements that are most relevant to the home health nurse job description. Finish by expressing your enthusiasm for the role and adding a call to action to encourage the hiring manager to contact you for further information.
You can create a professional cover letter in just a few simple, easy-to-follow steps using Jobseeker's tried and tested cover letter templates.
Even if you have no work experience, following a few simple tips for your home health nurse resume can ensure you make a strong impression on employers. Use a functional resume format instead of the standard reverse-chronological structure. This emphasizes your skills and education over your work experience. Utilize additional sections at the end of your resume to show you've got what it takes to do the job. These include hobbies and interests, voluntary roles, certifications and internships.
Use a resume headline to make it easy for the reader to start assessing your suitability for home health nurse positions at first glance. A well-written resume headline is also a way to increase your chances of passing the ATS resume scanning stage, by referencing keywords that match the job description. Take the time to draft a concise, eye-catching headline which includes the job title, one or two key skills and reference to either your experience level or track record.
See below for an example of a well-constructed resume headline:
- Entry-Level Home Health Nurse
- Compassionate Home Health Care Specialist
- Experienced Senior Home Health Nurse
The most suitable resume format for you depends on two crucial factors. Firstly, whether you have a body of relevant work experience. Secondly, the type of job and its seniority level. For applicants without much relevant work experience, a functional resume format tends to be best. This places the emphasis on your key skills and relevant qualifications. Once you have some relevant work experience, and for senior positions, a reverse chronological resume format is typically best. This emphasizes your work experience, which will probably be the key thing employers want to know about.
Key takeaways for your home health nurse resume
An effective resume is a concise, professional summary of your relevant skills and career achievements, showcased through a chronology of your career history. Choose the most suitable resume format for your experience levels, and focus on tailoring your resume based on the requirements listed in the job description.
Remember, Jobseeker resume templates and other tools make it easy to create a resume and cover letter that leaves a positive impression on hiring managers. Sign up now to start building your perfect resume. Whatever job you're applying for, a professional cover letter can make all the difference to your chances. Use Jobseeker's HR-approved tools and cover letter examples to inspire your applications.
Sources:
(1) Tips for Writing a Federal Resume, U.S. Department of Labor: https://www.dol.gov/general/jobs/tips-for-writing-a-federal-resume
(2) Resume Tips, Duke University: https://careerhub.students.duke.edu/resources/resume-tips/
