Top 9 Tips to Make your Resume Stand out
1. Choose the Best Format for your Resume
Choosing the best resume format is essential to highlight your strengths as a Home Health Nurse. If you have consistent work experienced home health nurse, particularly with various healthcare providers, including comprehensive patient assessments, use the below points to add to your resume.
- Reverse chronological resume: Ideal for experienced nurses. Lists work experience from most recent to oldest.
- Functional: Focuses on skills over experience. Best for career changers or those with gaps.
- Combinational: Mixes both formats - showcases skills and includes detailed work history.
2. Key Sections of a Home Health Nurse Resume
Here’s a breakdown of what to include:
- Contact Information: Include your full name, phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile (if applicable). Ensure this information is easy to find at the top of your resume.
- Professional Summary: Write a summary (2-3 sentences) that encapsulates your experience, skills, and what you bring to the role. Tailor this section to reflect the specific job you are applying for.
- Licenses and Certifications: List your nursing license (e.g., RN, LPN) and any relevant certifications (e.g., CPR, First Aid, Home Health Aide certification). Ensure these are up to date.
- Skills: Highlight both hard and soft skills relevant to home health nursing. This may include patient assessment, wound care, medication management, communication, and empathy.
- Professional Experience: Detail your work history, focusing on roles related to home health nursing. Use bullet points to describe your responsibilities and achievements, quantifying your impact where possible (e.g., "Managed care for 10+ patients weekly, improving patient satisfaction scores by 20%").
- Education: Include your nursing degree(s), the institutions you attended, and graduation dates. If you have additional training or coursework relevant to home health care, list that as well.
- Additional Sections: Depending on your experience, you may want to include sections for volunteer work, professional affiliations, or continuing education.
3. Writing a Strong Professional Summary
- Showcase years of experience
- Mention specializations (geriatrics, post-op care)
- Highlight soft skills (compassion, communication)
- Use keywords from the job description
Example:4. Highlight your Nursing Skills section
Use bullet points to divide your skills into technical and soft skills. Match the best keywords from the job postings for better ATS performance.
5. Effectively Highlight Your Work Experience
Your work experience section is where you prove your value. Instead of simply listing your responsibilities, include how you assessed patient status and demonstrated the impact you made in each role. Focus on measurable outcomes, clinical skills, and how you helped improve patient health, families, or your healthcare team.
Format to Follow:
Job Title | Employer Name | City, State | Month Year – Month Year
(Use consistent formatting and reverse-chronological order.)
Writing Tips:
- Use bullet points (4–6 per role) for easy reading.
- Start each bullet with a strong action verb (e.g., administered, coordinated, reduced, implemented).
- Include results, metrics, or achievements when possible (e.g., “Reduced patient readmissions by 20%”).
- Tailor each point to reflect home health nursing skills, like wound care, patient education, or telehealth support.
Example:Home Health Nurse | Harmony Homecare | Dallas, TX | Jan 2020 – Present
- Deliver personalized nursing care to 10+ patients weekly in home settings, focusing on the elderly and post-operative recovery.
- Perform wound care, administer injections, and monitor chronic conditions, including diabetes and hypertension.
- Educate patients and families on proper medication usage and lifestyle adjustments.
- Coordinate care plans with physicians and ensure accurate EMR documentation.
- Recognized for achieving 95% patient satisfaction ratings over 3 consecutive years.
6. How to Add Certifications and Licensure
List certifications and licenses under their heading. Include:
- Name of Certification
- Issuing Organization
- Year Awarded / Expiry if applicable.
- License number (optional)
Example:Certifications & Licenses
- Registered Nurse (RN), Texas State Board of Nursing, Active
- Basic Life Support (BLS), American Heart Association, Expires May 2026
- Wound Care Certification (WCC), NAWCO, Issued 2024
7. Emphasizing Education
Include degrees in reverse-chronological order.
Format: Degree | School | Location | Year
Example:Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
Houston Community College, Houston, TX — 2015
8. Including Soft Skills and Achievements
Soft skills set you apart in patient care, while your knowledge of nursing procedures enhances your effectiveness. Combine them with measurable results.
Examples:- “Praised for empathy and clear communication, resulting in a 90% patient retention rate.”
- “Improved wound healing time in post-op patients by 30% through personalized care plans.”
9. Customizing for ATS and Job Postings
Tailor your resume for each job. Tips:
- Use job title keywords (e.g., “home health RN,” “home care nurse”)
- Include matching skills and phrases from the job ad.
- Save your resume as a PDF unless instructed otherwise
Resume Example: Home Health Nurse
Below are two home health nurse resume examples - one for a beginner (entry-level) and one for an experienced professional.
Beginner Home Health Nurse Resume Example (Entry-Level)
Emily Harper, RN
Phoenix, AZ
emily.harper23@gmail.com | (480) 555-0912
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/emilyharperRN
Objective
Compassionate and newly licensed Registered Nurse with hands-on experience through clinical rotations in home health and geriatrics. Passionate about providing patient-centered care, promoting independence, and educating families on disease management. Seeking a home health nursing role to apply clinical knowledge and strong interpersonal skills in a supportive team environment.
Core Skills
- Patient Education
- Medication Administration
- Vital Signs Monitoring
- Wound Care Basics
- EMR Familiarity (EPIC, Cerner)
- Infection Control
- Time Management
- Compassionate Care
Clinical Experience
Nursing Intern (Home Health Rotation)
Banner Home Health | Phoenix, AZ
Jan 2024 – Mar 2024
- Assisted registered nurses in visiting patients in home settings to monitor chronic conditions and perform basic care tasks.
- Helped document patient progress using EMR systems under supervision.
- Provided emotional support and basic education to patients on post-operative self-care.
Nursing Student – Geriatric Care Rotation
Sunrise Assisted Living | Scottsdale, AZ
Sep 2023 – Nov 2023
- Supported daily activities for elderly patients, including feeding, bathing, and administering oral medications.
- Practiced infection control protocols and monitored vital signs.
- Developed care plans in collaboration with nurse mentors.
Education
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
Pima Medical Institute, Mesa, AZ — 2024
GPA: 3.7/4.0
Relevant Coursework: Pharmacology, Home Health Nursing, Geriatrics, Anatomy & Physiology
Certifications
- RN License, Arizona State Board of Nursing — Active
- BLS (Basic Life Support) – American Heart Association, Valid through 2026
- HIPAA Compliance Training – 2023
Additional Experience
Volunteer Health Educator
American Red Cross, Phoenix, AZ — 2023
- Conducted community workshops on hygiene and basic chronic disease prevention.
Experienced Home Health Nurse Resume Example (Senior-Level)
Michael R. Coleman, BSN, RN
Charlotte, NC
mcoleman.nurse@gmail.com | (704) 444-1187
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michaelcolemanRN
Professional Summary
Dedicated and results-driven Registered Nurse with over 9 years of experience in home health, specializing in post-surgical care, chronic disease management, and palliative support. Skilled at developing individualized treatment plans, patient-specific care plans, reducing hospital readmissions, and delivering compassionate, high-quality care in diverse home settings. Proven record of coordinating with interdisciplinary teams and maintaining superior patient satisfaction ratings.
Core Competencies
- Complex Wound Care
- Chronic Illness Management (COPD, Diabetes, CHF)
- Medication Reconciliation & Administration
- Patient & Family Education
- Electronic Medical Records (Homecare Homebase, EPIC)
- Pain Management
- Telehealth Support
- Care Plan Development
- Hospice & Palliative Care
- Strong Communication & Time Management
Professional Experience
Senior Home Health Nurse
Novant Health at Home | Charlotte, NC
March 2018 – Present
- Manage a caseload of 12–15 patients weekly, delivering skilled nursing care, including wound care, catheter changes, and medication administration.
- Reduced hospital readmissions by 28% over two years by identifying early warning signs and intervening effectively.
- Serve as a preceptor for new hires and nursing students, mentoring them in home-based best practices.
- Document patient assessments and care plans using EMR, ensuring compliance with Medicare and Medicaid guidelines.
Home Health Nurse
Gentiva Health Services | Raleigh, NC
July 2015 – Feb 2018
- Provided direct care to elderly and post-surgical patients recovering at home, focusing on rehabilitation and independence.
- Educated families on disease management, dietary restrictions, and medication schedules.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to revise treatment plans based on patient progress.
Education
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
University of North Carolina at Charlotte — 2015
Licensure & Certifications
- Registered Nurse, North Carolina Board of Nursing — Active
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) – AHA, Valid through 2026
- Basic Life Support (BLS) – AHA
- Wound Care Certification (WCC), NAWCO — 2023
Awards & Recognition
- Novant Health “Excellence in Home Care” Award — 2021
- Employee of the Month (4x) – Gentiva Health
Entry-Level Home Health Nurse Resume Tips
If you're just starting:
- Use a strong objective instead of a summary.
- Focus on clinical rotations or internships.
- Emphasize transferable skills from volunteer work or part-time jobs.
- Add GPA if 3.5+
Mid-Career and Senior Home Health Nurse Resume Tips
If you have 10+ years of experience:
- Focus on leadership roles or case management experience.
- Include measurable achievements (e.g., improved patient compliance by 40%)
- Highlight mentoring or training responsibilities.
- Mention any speaking engagements or professional contributions
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Too much medical jargon
- Typos and grammatical errors
- Irrelevant work history (e.g., part-time cashier jobs)
- Using one generic resume for every job
- Including personal photos or outdated objective statements
Cover Letter for Home Health Nurse Jobs
Always include a tailored cover letter. Keep it 3–4 paragraphs:
- Start with a compelling introduction.
- Highlight key achievements
- Explain why you want to work for the employer.
- End with a call to action
Final Proofreading Checklist
Before submitting your resume:
- Is your contact information correct?
- Are job titles and dates accurate?
- Are bullet points consistent in style and format?
- Is the file name professional (e.g., SamanthaLewis_Resume2025.pdf)?
- Did you tailor for the specific job posting?
Conclusion
Crafting a standout home health nurse resume takes more than just listing your credentials; it requires a focus on quality care. It requires strategy, personalization, and clarity. By showcasing your compassion, competence, and commitment to home-based care as a dedicated home health nurse, you not only position yourself as a top candidate but also honor the critical role you play in providing specialized nursing care to patients' lives. Stand Out in a Competitive Nursing Market – Build Yours Now with Resume Builder.
