Let me guess: You’ve stared at that blank page for way too long, wondering what to include in your resume — and what not to.
Maybe you’re fresh out of nursing school. Or maybe you’ve been a caregiver for years and finally decided to turn that heart for the elderly into a professional path.
Either way, I know how it feels. The uncertainty. The “Do I have enough experience?” spiral. The fear of being overlooked.
You’re not alone. I’ve walked this road with so many aspiring geriatric nurses. The truth is — once you understand what hiring managers actually want to see, creating your resume gets a whole lot easier.
This guide is your calm in the resume storm. It’s not filled with fluff or jargon. Just clear, kind, and proven tips to help you write a resume that feels like you — and gets results.
What Is a Geriatric Nurse Resume?
A Geriatric Nurse Resume is a nursing resume that highlights your experience and skills in elderly care. It’s tailored for roles in:
🏥 Nursing homes
🏡 Assisted living facilities
🩺 Home health care
🧠 Dementia/memory care units
What sets it apart? A strong focus on compassion, communication, and your ability to support older adults with dignity and expertise.
Must-Have Sections in a Geriatric Nurse Resume
Let’s break it down section-by-section. Each of these parts tells the story of who you are — not just what you’ve done.
1. Contact Information
✅ Full Name
✅ Phone Number
✅ Professional Email
✅ City & State
✅ LinkedIn Profile (optional but recommended)
2. Professional Summary
This is your quick hello — your 15-second pitch.
Example for experienced nurses:
“Compassionate RN with 4+ years in long-term care facilities. Skilled in dementia support, mobility assistance, and family communication. Dedicated to creating calm, safe environments for elderly patients.”
Example for new grads:
“Newly licensed RN with hands-on clinical experience in geriatric care. Passionate about supporting aging adults with patience and empathy. Strong communicator and fast learner eager to grow in a long-term care setting.”
3. Licenses & Certifications
🎓 RN License ❤️ CPR & BLS (American Heart Association) 🧠 Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP) 💓 ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) 📅 Don’t forget to list expiration dates
4. Clinical or Work Experience
Format: Job Title | Facility Name | Dates Worked
Example:
Geriatric Nurse | Sunnyvale Long-Term Care | Jan 2021 – Present
- Provided daily care to 20+ elderly patients with chronic conditions
- Implemented fall prevention techniques and assisted with mobility
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams and family members
No paid experience? Use clinicals:
Clinical Rotation | Rosewood Nursing Home | Sept 2023 – Dec 2023
- Assisted with feeding, hygiene, and medication under RN supervision
- Documented care using EMR systems and observed dementia care techniques
5. Skills Section
Highlight both your soft and hard skills:
🧓 Elderly Patient Care
💊 Medication Administration
🧠 Dementia & Alzheimer’s Support
📝 EMR Documentation
❤️ Compassionate Communication
🚶♂️ Fall Risk Management
6. Education
Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN)
New York Community College – Graduated May 2022
7. Continuing Education
📌 Add this to stand out from other applicants!
Continuing Education:
- 🩹 Wound Care Management – Medline University, Dec 2023
- 👶 PEARS Certification – AHA, Jan 2024
- 👁️ Elder Abuse Prevention – CEU Academy, Nov 2023
Formatting Tips That Matter
✅ Keep it clean, modern, and readable
✅ Use one professional font (like Calibri or Arial)
✅ Stick to one page (max two if you’ve got years of experience)
✅ Save as a PDF when sending
Want a plug-and-play layout? Grab our free template [here].
Coaching Story: Jenna, the CNA Turned Geriatric Rockstar
Jenna had zero “official” nursing jobs. She’d been a caregiver for her grandmother for years and just finished CNA training.
She thought she had nothing to offer. But we focused her resume on what she learned, not just where she worked.
We included her home caregiving, a glowing testimonial from her clinical instructor, and two continuing education courses.
She got 3 interviews in under a week.
Sometimes, it’s not about being the most experienced. It’s about being the most honest and relevant.
Mistakes That Can Ruin a Great Resume
🚫 Listing duties instead of results
🚫 Forgetting license numbers or expiration dates
🚫 Using overly technical language
🚫 Not tailoring it to a geriatric setting
Use real metrics when you can: ✔️ “Cared for 15 dementia patients during 10-week rotation”
✔️ “Reduced daily patient call-outs by 20% with repositioning schedule”
Real-World Data You Should Know
According to a report by Glassdoor, resumes with specific numbers and outcomes get up to 70% more attention from recruiters. Include stats, even small ones!
FAQs
Q: What should be included in a geriatric nurse resume?
A: Contact info, summary, licenses, certifications, experience, skills, education, and continuing education. Highlight senior care experience.
Q: How do I write a resume for a geriatric nursing position?
A: Tailor your resume to elderly care, show compassion, use metrics, and format it cleanly.
Q: What are the must-have sections in a geriatric nurse resume?
A: Contact Info, Summary, Licenses, Experience, Skills, Education, and Continuing Ed.
Q: What skills should I list?
A: Dementia care, mobility support, medication admin, EMR, communication.
Q: Should I include continuing education?
A: Absolutely. It shows commitment and keeps your knowledge current.
Final Words: You’ve Got This
Writing your resume might feel intimidating, but you don’t have to do it alone.
Just by reading this, you’re already taking steps most people never take. That matters.
Want a little extra support? Check our free Geriatric Nurse Resume Builder. It’s simple, clean, and designed to help you shine.
Keep going. The right opportunity is waiting for you.
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