Top Soft Skills to List in a Nurse Resume

I remember the moment Sara, one of my favorite coaching clients, burst into tears on our Zoom call.

She had just spent 10 hours rewriting her nursing resume, and she still felt like it was missing something. “I don’t know what they want,” she said. “I put all my clinicals, my certifications… but I don’t feel like it shows who I really am.”

And you know what? She wasn’t wrong.

Most nurse resumes list what you did. Few show how you did it — and that’s exactly why understanding the top soft skills to list in a nurse resume can make all the difference.

If you’re reading this because you want your resume to reflect not just your experience but your heart — this guide is for you.

Let’s walk through the top nursing soft skills that get noticed, with real examples, smart tips, and the support you deserve.

What are the best soft skills for a nurse resume?

Communication, empathy, teamwork, adaptability, problem-solving, critical thinking, and time management are among the top soft skills to include in a nurse resume.

Why Soft Skills Matter More Than You Think

Technical skills might get your resume through the first filter. But soft skills? That’s what hiring managers feel when they meet you.

Soft skills show your bedside manner. Your ability to lead a shift change with grace. Your talent for staying calm when a patient’s family is panicking.

According to Indeed, soft skills can be just as important as clinical experience, especially in fast-paced or emotionally demanding roles.

So no, soft skills aren’t fluff. They’re your superpower.

Top Soft Skills to List in a Nurse Resume (With Examples)

Let’s go through the big ones — and how to make them stand out.

1. Communication Skills for Nurses

Being able to talk to patients is one thing. Being able to explain a new diagnosis in plain language to a scared family? That’s something else entirely.

Example:
“Educated patients and families on post-op care, resulting in a 30% decrease in follow-up calls due to confusion.”

2. Empathy

Hiring managers want to know: Can you connect with patients who are scared, in pain, or vulnerable?

Example:
“Provided emotional support to long-term care patients, earning 95% satisfaction in patient surveys.”

3. Teamwork in Nursing Resume

Nursing is rarely a solo job. You need to show you play well with others — from aides to attending physicians.

Example:
“Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to manage care plans for 12+ patients per shift.”

4. Adaptability

Healthcare moves fast. Shift changes, new protocols, emergencies… can you pivot?

Example:
“Adapted quickly to hospital-wide EMR transition with zero documentation errors.”

5. Critical Thinking

Think: prioritizing care, catching early signs of decline, making judgment calls under pressure.

Example:
“Recognized early symptoms of sepsis, initiating rapid response protocol within 3 minutes.”

6. Problem-Solving Skills in Nursing

You’re troubleshooting constantly — IV lines, upset families, equipment glitches.

Example:
“Resolved frequent medication timing conflicts through improved shift handoff notes.”

7. Time Management

How you balance patients, charting, medication rounds, and emergencies matters. A lot.

Example:
“Managed care for 7+ patients per shift while maintaining accurate documentation and timely medication delivery.”

8. Leadership (even if you’re not a manager)

Yes, even new grads can show leadership. Think precepting, mentoring, or being the one who keeps calm.

Example:
“Mentored two student nurses during clinical rotations, receiving positive feedback from instructors.”

Story Time: How Kevin’s Soft Skills Got Him the Job

Kevin was a travel nurse with great experience, but his resume felt… robotic.

We added:

• Empathy through a patient story
• Leadership by noting how he trained a float nurse
• Adaptability during COVID protocol shifts

He told me later, “They said they hired me because I sounded like someone they wanted on their floor.”

That’s the power of soft skills.

✈️ Planning to take your nursing career on the road? Don’t miss our complete Travel Nurse Resume: Format, Skills, and Examples That Get You Hired to help you land high-paying assignments across the country.

Where to Include Soft Skills in a Nurse Resume

1. Your Summary: “Compassionate RN with 4+ years of med-surg experience, known for clear communication, teamwork, and calm leadership during high-pressure situations.”

2. Bullet Points in Experience: Rather than listing “good communicator,” show what that looked like on the floor.

3. Skills Section: Keep it clean, like:

• Communication
• Team collaboration
• Emotional intelligence
• Time management

Pro Tip: Pair each soft skill with a real action, result, or example.

📄 Want to build a powerful nursing resume that gets results in today’s job market? Check out our Nurse Resume Guide 2025: Formats, Templates, Skills & Mistakes to Avoid to make sure your resume stands out for all the right reasons.

FAQs Section

Q: What are the best soft skills for a nurse resume?
A: Communication, empathy, teamwork, adaptability, problem-solving, critical thinking, and time management are key skills employers look for.

Q: Why are soft skills important on a nursing resume?
A: They show how you interact with patients and teams. They demonstrate bedside manner, professionalism, and your ability to navigate tough situations.

Q: How do I describe soft skills on my resume?
A: Instead of just listing them, give context. Add short, clear examples in your job descriptions or summary.

Q: Should I include soft skills in my nursing resume summary?
A: Absolutely. This helps set the tone and gives hiring managers a quick emotional read on who you are.

Q: How many soft skills should I include?
A: Around 5 to 7. Focus on the ones most relevant to the role you’re applying for.

Additionally, Resumes that pair hard skills with soft skills and context are more likely to be read fully. They’re also more memorable.

Why? Because stats alone don’t build connection. Stories do.

So don’t be afraid to show who you are.

You Are More Than Your Job Title

Most people think a resume is a list of tasks.

But really? It’s a story about who you are at work.

Soft skills are how you make people feel. How you move through the chaos of a night shift with a calm voice and a steady hand. How you teach, comfort, adapt, and lead.

You already have the experience.

Now let your resume show it.

Want a head start? Build your free new nurse resume . It’s clean, simple, and built to help you feel confident applying. You’ve got this.