Registered Nurse skills

Essential skills

• Patient assessment: Employers check this through interview questions about how you gather information, spot changes and decide what to do next.
• Safe, accurate care: Employers look for examples of following care plans, checking details and preventing errors.
• Clinical documentation: Employers may ask how you keep records clear, timely and confidential.
• Infection prevention: Employers check your knowledge of hygiene, protective equipment and safe handling procedures.
• Prioritisation: Employers use scenario questions to see how you manage competing patient needs.
• Knowledge of nursing standards: Employers may ask how you apply professional guidelines and workplace policies in practice.

Technical and specialised skills

• Medication administration: Employers check your understanding of safe medication procedures and may ask for examples from your practice.
• Clinical procedures: Employers look for skills relevant to the role, such as wound care, specimen collection or monitoring vital signs.
• Use of clinical equipment: Employers may ask which devices you have used and how you ensure they are used safely.
• Electronic health records: Employers check your familiarity with digital documentation systems and your approach to protecting patient information.
• Specialty-specific knowledge: Employers assess relevant experience and may use questions or practical scenarios related to the clinical area.
• Emergency response: Employers may ask how you recognise deterioration, escalate concerns and follow emergency procedures.

Soft skills

• Communication: Employers assess how clearly and respectfully you explain information to patients, families and colleagues.
• Empathy: Employers look for examples of responding with compassion to patients’ concerns and circumstances.
• Teamwork: Employers ask how you coordinate care, share information and support colleagues.
• Adaptability: Employers use scenario questions to see how you respond when patient needs or priorities change.
• Professionalism: Employers check how you handle confidentiality, boundaries, accountability and feedback.
• Resilience: Employers may ask how you manage pressure while maintaining safe, attentive care.

How to show these skills on your resume

• Assessed patients, documented changes in condition and escalated concerns to the appropriate clinical team.
• Administered medications in line with care plans and workplace procedures, with attention to patient safety.
• Coordinated with patients, families and colleagues to support clear communication and continuity of care.

How to build them

• Practise core clinical skills: Use supervised practice, skills labs and workplace training to strengthen safe, consistent technique.
• Keep learning: Take relevant courses and review current clinical guidance and workplace procedures.
• Ask for feedback: Request specific feedback from supervisors and colleagues, then set a practical goal to work on.
• Build experience: Seek supervised opportunities in the clinical areas and procedures relevant to your career goals.
• Reflect on practice: After challenging situations, consider what went well, what you would change and what support or learning would help.
• Strengthen communication: Practise explaining care in plain language, listening actively and giving concise handovers.