Nursing Action Verbs and Power Verbs To Use On Your Resume

We've compiled the best action verbs you can use to showcase your Nursing experience.

Kimberley Tyler Smith Author Photo
Compiled by: Kimberley Tyler-Smith
Senior Hiring Manager
20+ Years of Experience

You probably know that you need to start your resume's bullet points with action verbs. Why? Writing your bullet points this way tells recruiters exactly what you did and what actions you took on your job.

In addition to technical skills and medical know-how, nurses need a lot of transferable skills — think qualities like leadership, communication, empathy, and resilience. The best way to show that you have these qualities is through your choice of action verbs. If you’re applying for an entry-level nursing assistant role, you might want to emphasize your ability to follow instructions and work as part of a team, so choose verbs like Assisted or Prepared. If you’re looking for a more senior role, highlight your leadership potential with verbs like Implemented or Oversaw.


Action Verbs To Show Your Nursing Experience:

  • Championed
  • Trained
  • Advised
  • Treated
  • Collaborated
  • Improved
  • Educated
  • Reduced
  • Diagnosed
  • Prepared
  • Cleaned
  • Partnered
  • Documented
  • Recorded
  • Changed
  • Operated
  • Monitored
  • Administered

For more resume advice from recruiters in this field, read the complete Nursing Resume Guide.

We've compiled a lot more action verbs by job titles below.


Nursing Action Verbs By Job

Choose the job title that's most relevant to you to get targeted action verbs.

  • How to use action verbs
  • Verbs for Respiratory Therapist Resumes
        (e.g. Conducted, Developed, Performed, Rehabilitated & more)
  • Verbs for Care Coordinator Resumes
        (e.g. Managed, Collaborated, Assisted, Improved & more)
  • Verbs for Occupational Therapist Resumes
        (e.g. Instructed, Examined, Provided, Assessed & more)
  • Get a free resume review
  • Sample resume examples

  • How To Use Action Verbs On Your Resume

    To show you how to use these action verbs in your resume, see this infographic for reference. You'll note that each bullet point uses strong action verbs, with a specific description of the task that was accomplished.





    Action Verbs For Respiratory Therapist Roles

    Here are some strong Respiratory Therapist action verbs you can use to impress hiring managers:

    • Mentored
    • Developed
    • Recorded
    • Responded.
    • Rehabilitated
    • Maintained
    • Administered
    • Communicated
    • Delivered
    • Relieved
    • Collaborated
    • Sanitized
    • Conducted
    • Documented
    • Performed
    • Provided

    Relevant Examples Using Action Verbs

    Worked 1:1 with 43 clients to develop language, academic, social, and self-help skills through the implementation of individualized instruction and behaviour plans. .

    Provided PT services to 80+ patients with diverse therapeutic needs, including, coronary artery disease, stroke, and general reconditioning. .

    If you'd like a deeper dive into this role, read the full Respiratory Therapist Resume Guide.

    Action Verbs For Care Coordinator Roles

    A care coordinator needs to be a good manager/leader and good healthcare professional. Highlight both functions using strong action verbs. For example, using verbs like ‘led’ ‘coordinated’ and ‘trained’ are all strong action verbs that point to your leadership capabilities. 


    Here is a list of action verbs to help you highlight the dualistic functions of your job. Using action verbs like these will show recruiters your balanced skill set and previous experience.

    • Trained
    • Collaborated
    • Facilitated
    • Communicated
    • Improved
    • Organized
    • Coordinated
    • Supervised
    • Spearheaded
    • Supported
    • Administered
    • Guided
    • Managed
    • Conceptualized
    • Assisted
    • Mentored

    Relevant Examples Using Action Verbs

    Managed an average of 400 clinic referrals per month,providing case and disease management services to high-risk families such as children and adolescents diagnosed with autism and bipolar disorder..

    Facilitated the recovery of 10+ infants per shift, including those endangered by premature birth, defects; neurologic/renal/cardiac concerns; requiring advanced ventilation, & extracorporeal membrane oxygenation..

    If you'd like a deeper dive into this role, read the full Care Coordinator Resume Guide.

    Action Verbs For Occupational Therapist Roles

    Action verbs help effectively frame your accomplishments. They allow recruiters to skim through your resume and get an idea of your experience and capabilities. They are therefore an important part of your resume that you should pay particular attention to. As an occupational therapist, you should use action verbs that indicate your experience effectively performing the tasks required of you.


    Here are some action verbs that are especially effective for your position. Use them to elevate your resume and catch recruiters’ attention.

    • Assisted
    • Examined
    • Recorded
    • Collaborated
    • Assessed
    • Spearheaded
    • Monitored
    • Operated
    • Prepared
    • Trained
    • Partnered
    • Conducted
    • Instructed
    • Managed
    • Provided
    • Created

    Relevant Examples Using Action Verbs

    Improved quality of member care by 30% and lowered spending costs by 25% through proactively assessing root problems and initiating solutions using the best nursing practices within the health care team. .

    Worked the night shift as part of a rotating schedule, quickly adapting to different duties and responsibilities and acquiring a 95% satisfaction rate for efficiency, promptness, & care. .

    If you'd like a deeper dive into this role, read the full Occupational Therapist Resume Guide.

    Get a free resume review: Find out if your action verbs are strong enough.

    To figure out if you're using the right verbs on your resume, you should upload it to the tool below. It'll analyze at each of your resume's bullet points and verbs, as well as 20+ key criteria hiring managers look for, and tell you if you have any big mistakes that need fixing.




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