Are you looking for a new nursing opportunity in a specialized area? A significant part of securing a nursing position in a specialized area is ensuring your qualifications match the specialty area you are applying to. Before you do that, make sure you have the essential nursing skills. Nursing requires a vast range of skills that are standard for all nurses, regardless of specialty. You can prepare yourself for complex patient scenarios with a well-rounded skill set. Essential skills required of all nurses include:

• Communication
• Teamwork
• Empathy
• Ethics
• Patient Education
• Safety
• Technological proficiency

Hiring managers seek:

The next step is to ensure you have the specialized skills needed for the specialty area of interest. All specialty areas require their own set of specialized skills. You must research the specialty and understand the specific requirements. Here is a sampling of nursing specialties and their respective skill requirements:

• Intensive care unit (ICU). This role requires an incredible amount of responsibility. A hiring manager for the ICU will be seeking out candidates with a unique set of skills. These hiring managers will expect you to have advanced clinical skills and experience. They also desire communication skills, problem-solving ability, and candidates who can think critically.
• Emergency room (ER). The rapid pace of the ER demands skills such as time management and flexibility. Multi-tasking, collaborating, and having the stamina to work long shifts are crucial to success. Additionally, the unique nature of this specialty requires composure in stressful situations.
• Pediatrics. Peds is a very rewarding specialty that requires mastering basic nursing skills. Knowledge of child development and interpersonal skills with young people is essential. Attention to detail and observation skills are central for this specialty. The ability to build relationships with both pediatric patients and their family members is vital.
• Geriatrics. The demand for nurses trained to help our country’s aging population is high. To work in geriatrics, you must understand the aging process and have patience and empathy. Communication skills are essential, especially non-verbal communication skills.
• Labor and Delivery (L&D). This nursing specialty requires empathy, critical thinking, decision-making, and communication skills. This specialty demands excellent communication skills with patients, families, and other providers. You must be able to adjust to a fast-paced, often stressful environment.

How to tailor the resume

To tailor your resume for a different nursing specialty, you must fully understand the specialty and what it entails. Understanding the details can help you create a resume targeted to the hiring manager’s needs. Clinical experience should be at the top of your list. Ensure you highlight your nursing skills that match the employer’s needs.

Specialized nursing fields typically require ongoing education and specific certifications. These qualifications boost the resume’s appeal. When you list your relevant certifications, you show the hiring manager your commitment to your specialty. Credentials can undoubtedly give you an edge.

Proficiency in relevant technologies is advantageous, especially in specialized areas like telehealth, where technological proficiency appeals to potential employers. Highlight your technological skills, and you will appear as a candidate ready for future challenges.

And do not forget your soft skills. Communication, empathy, and teamwork are vital to all nursing specialties. Feature the soft skills most relevant to the specialized field of nursing.

Showcasing Special Skills

A recruiter will look for specific skills that showcase your ability to provide excellent patient care in your targeted specialty area. You will want to incorporate these skills into your resume. Here are tips for effectively incorporating these skills into your resume:

• Use bullet points to highlight achievements that demonstrate each skill.
• Mention successful patient outcomes resulting from your skills.
• For communication skills, emphasize successful work with multidisciplinary healthcare teams or when communication impacts patient care.
• Use concrete examples, such as resolving a complex case, to emphasize critical thinking ability.  
• Include your detailed experience with relevant medical equipment, electronic health record systems, and other technical skills to demonstrate technical proficiency.

You need specialized skills to shift your nursing career into a specialty area and a resume matching your skills to the hiring manager’s needs. To do this, you must fully understand the specialty, learn the skills, and create a resume that connects your specialty skills to those desired by the hiring manager. Best of luck with your nursing career!

If you need a nursing job, check out ADN Healthcare! The professional healthcare recruiters at ADN Healthcare can help you reach your nursing career goals.