Registered Nurse skills for your CV

Registered nurses provide patient care across hospitals, clinics, and community settings. Employers prioritise clinical competence, NMC registration, and evidence of continuing professional development.

  • Healthcare
  • Salary range £28,000 – £45,000 (Band 5-7)
Hard skills10
Soft skills6
Tools5
Certifications4

Hard skills

The technical skills for this role, grouped by how much they matter.

Essential 5 skills

  • Patient AssessmentCore clinical competency
  • Medication AdministrationIncluding IV and controlled drugs
  • Care PlanningHolistic, person-centred care plans
  • Clinical DocumentationAccurate, timely record-keeping
  • Infection ControlFundamental to all clinical roles

Important 2 skills

  • Wound ManagementAssessment, dressing, and escalation
  • IV Therapy/CannulationExpected in most acute settings

Valuable 3 skills

  • ECG InterpretationValued in cardiac and acute medical wards
  • TriageImportant for A&E and urgent care roles
  • Palliative CareGrowing specialism with high demand

Soft skills

  • Empathy
  • Communication
  • Resilience
  • Team Working
  • Attention to Detail
  • Decision Making

Tools

  • Electronic Patient Records (EPR)
  • SystmOne
  • EMIS
  • eObs
  • NHS Mail

Certifications

  • NMC Registration
  • ALS/ILS Provider
  • IV Cannulation
  • Mentorship/SSSA
TipsCV

How to show these on your CV

  • Focus on clinical outcomes: "Reduced ward falls by 35% through targeted protocol" shows impact.
  • Include your NMC PIN number.
  • List specialist skills prominently.
  • Mention any audit, research, or teaching experience — it sets you apart.

Got the skills? Make them count

Check your CV free to see how well it matches this role, then put these skills to work with the guided editor before you apply.