How to Optimize Your Nursing Resume for ATS (and Actually Land an Interview)

No Nurse Left Behind (the ATS Black Hole)

If you’ve ever applied for a remote nurse job and heard nothing back, you’re not alone. Blame the robot overlords—otherwise known as Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). These clever little bots filter through hundreds of resumes to decide who gets a shot. Unfortunately, even the best nurses get ghosted if their resume isn’t tailored for ATS. Let’s change that.

Understanding ATS (AKA, the Digital Gatekeeper)

Think of the ATS as the world’s strictest triage nurse—one that only lets through resumes matching specific keywords and formats. The good news? With the right tweaks, your experience won’t get lost in the digital shuffle. The better news? Optimizing for ATS also helps real (human) recruiters give your resume a second look.

Step 1: Speak Their (Keyword) Language

Imagine you’re charting for a picky provider—what terms are they looking for? Scan remote nurse job descriptions (like those on the Telehealth Nurse Network Job Board) for recurring buzzwords: "telephonic triage," "virtual patient education," "Epic EMR," "multi-state licensure," and the like. No need to word salad your resume—just be sure your skills and experience align and use those actual job terms.

Step 2: Keep It Simple, Save the Fancy Fonts

ATS bots get flustered by creative formatting. Skip graphics, text boxes, tables, and photos. Stick with trusty fonts (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman). Use clear section headers—think "Professional Summary," "Licenses," "Work Experience." Save your personality for the interview; clarity wins on paper.

Step 3: List Relevant Tech & Credentials—Loudly

No recruiter—or ATS—wants to hunt for your RN license or telehealth skills. Put licensure (with state and number), certifications (like CCRN, CPHON, or Telehealth Certification), and tech you know (EHR platforms, remote monitoring tools) front and center. Example:
- RN, Compact License (Multistate, #0123456789)
- Proficient: Epic, MyChart, Teladoc Portal

Step 4: Quantify Like a Boss

"Handled a high-volume virtual caseload" is fine—"Managed up to 60 virtual patient consults weekly, reducing ER visits by 18%" is way better. Numbers cut through fluff and catch both bots and humans. Use impact-driven bullet points for everything you can justify with data, even if you have to get creative.

Step 5: Beat the Bots with Bullet Points

Forget paragraphs—bullets are your new best friends. They’re easier for ATS to parse and for recruiters to speed-read on their third cup of coffee. Start each bullet with an action verb: Coordinated, Launched, Triaged, Educated.

Want to Skip the Guesswork?

If all of this feels like nursing school flashbacks, check out the Telehealth Resume Starter Pack. It dishes up ATS-ready resume templates, keywords, and a checklist to go from applicant to rockstar in less time than your average handoff report.

Next Steps: The Human Touch

Once you’re past the bots, don’t forget to show off your authentic self. Join the Telehealth Nurse Network Community to swap advice, vent frustrations, or get feedback on your new-and-improved resume!

Let’s Get You (Virtually) Hired

With these tweaks, your nursing resume will glide past the ATS gatekeepers—giving you the shot you deserve at a role where your clinical superpowers can finally work from home. Scrub in (from your sofa). We’ll be cheering you on!