5 Resume Tweaks That Can Instantly Improve Your APRN Application
Small edits. Big impact. Make your resume stand out in a competitive field.
When you’re applying to APRN school, every part of your application needs to work for you, including your resume.
Many applicants spend hours perfecting their personal statement and prepping for interviews, but submit resumes that read like a generic job history. Your resume lists where you have worked but should also communicate clinical readiness, leadership, and intentionality.
The good news? You don’t need a full redesign. These 5 simple (but strategic) tweaks can instantly make your CRNA resume more compelling.
1. Use a CRNA-Focused Format
A general resume format doesn’t highlight the specific qualities CRNA programs are looking for. Use a layout that prioritizes:
ICU and critical care experience
Certifications (ACLS, PALS, CCRN, TNCC)
Leadership, teaching, or committee roles
Shadowing experiences
Volunteer work or community involvement
2. Add Metrics That Show Impact
List your job duties and quantify them where you can.
Compare these two examples:
❌ “Managed ICU patients with complex medical conditions”
✅ “Managed 1:1 care for critically ill patients in a 26-bed MICU, including post-op cardiac and septic shock cases”
❌ “Precepted new nurses”
✅ “Precepted 5+ new ICU nurses, with an emphasis on CRRT, titration protocols, and time management”
Programs want to see that you’re engaged, precise, and results-driven—just like a future CRNA.
3. Avoid Generic Buzzwords
Phrases like “team player,” “hard worker,” and “dedicated nurse” are overused and underwhelming. Instead, show those qualities through action.
Swap:
❌ “Strong communicator and leader”
For:
✅ “Led interdisciplinary rounds and served as unit liaison for end-of-life family meetings”
This shifts the focus from what you say about yourself to what you’ve actually done.
4. Include Shadowing and CRNA-Relevant Extras
If you’ve shadowed a CRNA—even for a few hours—put it on your resume. It shows initiative and commitment.
You can list it under a separate section like:
Professional Development & Exposure
Shadowed CRNA (10 hours), Level I Trauma Center – Observed anesthetic induction, airway management, and emergence in high-acuity surgical cases
Also include:
Conferences or webinars related to anesthesia
Research or quality improvement initiatives
Any preoperative, PACU, or OR-adjacent experience
These details give your resume depth and demonstrate intentional preparation.
5. Polish the Details: Spacing, Fonts, and File Name
Last impressions matter. Submitting a cluttered, hard-to-read resume—or one titled “Resume_Final_2022(3).docx”—can create the wrong impression.
✅ Use a clean, modern font (like Calibri, Helvetica, Arial, Times New Roman, or Garamond)
✅ Keep bullets aligned and spacing consistent
✅ Name your file professionally:LastName_CRNA_Resume.pdf
These may seem small, but they communicate attention to detail and professionalism.
Final Thought
Your resume is more than a job list—it’s a snapshot of your readiness to take on the rigor and responsibility of CRNA school.
These small tweaks can instantly boost clarity, credibility, and confidence. Don’t let formatting or phrasing be the reason you blend in. Make it count.
Interested in getting more information to be a successful CRNA applicant?