You did it! You’ve completed your nursing degree and are ready to dive into the healthcare field.
But first, you need to create a new grad nursing resume that showcases your skills, knowledge, and passion for nursing.
Don’t worry. I’m here to help.
How to Create a New Grad Nursing Resume
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to craft a nursing resume that gets noticed and lands you interviews.
But first, check out the info box below if you would rather have a professional write your nursing resume for you.
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1. Start with the basics
- Contact information
- Professional summary
- Education and licensure
Your resume should begin with your name and contact information, including your address, phone number, and email address.
Following that, write a concise, professional summary that highlights your nursing qualifications, passion, and what you can bring to a potential employer.
Don’t forget about your education, specifying your nursing degree and institution.
Also, mention your licensure, including the state you’re licensed in and your license number.
2. Highlight your clinical experience
- Rotations and internships
- Clinical hours and specialty areas
- Skills learned and applied
As a new graduate, your clinical experience is one of your most significant selling points.
List your clinical rotations and internships, detailing the facility, location, and duration.
Include the specialty areas and the number of clinical hours you’ve completed.
Emphasize the skills you’ve learned, such as patient assessments, care planning, and medication administration.
3. Showcase your non-clinical experience
- Volunteer work
- Leadership roles
- Relevant part-time jobs
While your clinical experience is crucial, don’t overlook your non-clinical experiences.
Highlight any volunteer work, leadership roles, or relevant part-time jobs that showcase your commitment to nursing and transferable skills, such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving.
4. Emphasize your soft skills
- Communication and teamwork
- Critical thinking and problem-solving
- Time management and organization
Soft skills are essential in nursing, as they contribute to your ability to work effectively with patients, families, and interdisciplinary healthcare teams.
Emphasize your communication, teamwork, critical thinking, problem-solving, time management, and organizational skills.
Provide examples of how you’ve demonstrated these skills in your clinical experiences or non-clinical roles.
5. Spruce it up with professional affiliations and awards
- Nursing organizations
- Honors and recognitions
- Scholarships and grants
Showcasing your professional affiliations and awards adds credibility to your resume and demonstrates your dedication to the nursing profession.
List any nursing organizations you’re a member of and any honors, recognitions, scholarships, or grants you’ve received during your nursing education.
6. Use a clean and simple layout
- Easy-to-read fonts
- Consistent formatting
- White space and bullet points
A well-organized, clean, and simple layout is essential for making your resume easy to read and comprehend.
Use easy-to-read fonts, consistent formatting, and bullet points to break up the text and create a visually appealing document.
White space is crucial for making your resume look uncluttered and professional.
7. Proofread and edit
- Check for grammar and spelling errors
- Seek feedback from mentors and peers
- Revise for clarity and conciseness
Before submitting your resume, proofread it thoroughly for grammar and spelling errors.
Ask mentors, peers, or career services professionals for feedback and suggestions.
Revise your resume for clarity and conciseness, ensuring it accurately reflects your nursing skills, experiences, and passion.
8. Research the employer and facility
- Mission, values, and culture
- Specialties and services offered
- Recent news and achievements
Before applying for a job, research the employer and facility to better understand their mission, values, and culture.
Familiarize yourself with the specialties and services they offer, and stay informed about their recent news and achievements.
This information will help you tailor your resume and cover letter to demonstrate your alignment with the employer’s needs and goals.
9. Identify keywords from the job posting
- Skills and qualifications
- Certifications and licensure
- Responsibilities and expectations
Carefully review the job posting to identify keywords related to the required skills, qualifications, certifications, licensure, and expectations.
These keywords will help you customize your resume to match the specific requirements of the job opportunity.
10. Incorporate relevant keywords throughout your resume
- Customize your professional summary
- Emphasize key skills and experiences
- Match your language to the job posting
Once you’ve identified relevant keywords from the job posting, incorporate them throughout your resume.
Customize your professional summary to address the employer’s needs and emphasize the key skills and experiences that match the job requirements.
Adjust your language to mirror the language used in the job posting, demonstrating your attention to detail and understanding of the position.
Example of a New Nurse Resume
Jane Doe, BSN, RN
123 Main Street, Anytown, USA 12345
Phone: (123) 456-7890
Email: [email protected]
Professional Summary
Compassionate and dedicated Registered Nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, eager to make a difference in patient care. Proficient in conducting patient assessments, developing individualized care plans, and implementing evidence-based practice. Skilled at building relationships with patients and families, promoting patient safety, and collaborating with interdisciplinary healthcare teams. Seeking to apply my nursing knowledge, passion for care, and commitment to lifelong learning in a challenging and rewarding nursing role.
Education
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
XYZ University, Anytown, USA
Graduation Date: May 2023
Licensure
Registered Nurse (RN) – State of USA
License Number: XXXXXXX
Clinical Experience
Medical-Surgical Rotation
ABC Hospital, Anytown, USA
September 2022 – November 2022
- Provided direct patient care for a diverse patient population, including assessments, medication administration, and patient education
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary healthcare teams to develop and implement individualized care plans
- Utilized critical thinking skills to identify and address patient needs and potential complications
Pediatric Rotation
Children’s Hospital, Anytown, USA
January 2023 – March 2023
- Cared for pediatric patients with a variety of acute and chronic conditions, including respiratory illnesses, diabetes, and congenital heart defects
- Provided family-centered care, involving parents and caregivers in the decision-making process
- Demonstrated effective communication skills to educate patients and families on disease management and preventive care
Non-Clinical Experience
Volunteer, Community Health Clinic
Anytown, USA
June 2022 – Present
- Assisted in triaging patients, taking vital signs, and providing health education on topics such as nutrition, exercise, and stress management
- Collaborated with clinic staff to organize community outreach events and health fairs
Leadership
Nursing Student Association
XYZ University, Anytown, USA
August 2021 – May 2023
- Served as treasurer, managing the organization’s budget and assisting with fundraising efforts
- Organized and participated in events promoting nursing education, community service, and professional development
Skills
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Patient assessment and care planning
- Medication administration and safety
- Time management and prioritization
- Critical thinking and problem-solving
Professional Affiliations
- American Nurses Association (ANA), Student Member
- National Student Nurses Association (NSNA), Member
Awards and Honors
- XYZ University Dean’s List, Fall 2020 – Spring 2023
- Nursing Excellence Scholarship, XYZ University, 2021-2023
How is a New Grad Nursing Resume Different From an Experienced Nurses Resume
A new grad nursing resume differs from an experienced nurse’s resume in several key aspects.
For starters, new grads often have limited nursing experience and need to focus on their clinical rotations, internships, and any relevant volunteer work or part-time jobs.
On the other hand, experienced nurses have a wealth of nursing experiences to draw from, allowing them to emphasize their advanced skills, certifications, and accomplishments within their specialty area.
Additionally, new grad resumes often highlight soft skills, education, and licensure more prominently, while experienced nurses may choose to focus on their achievements, professional affiliations, and continuing education efforts.
Why Does a Good Nursing Resume Matter
A good nursing resume matters because it’s your golden ticket to landing interviews and securing your dream job.
In the highly competitive healthcare field, having a well-crafted resume that effectively showcases your skills, knowledge, and passion for nursing can make all the difference in standing out from the crowd.
Moreover, a solid nursing resume can help you make a positive first impression on potential employers, demonstrating your professionalism, attention to detail, and commitment to the nursing profession.
Have Someone Else Write Your Resume
You can absolutely write your new grad nursing resume yourself with all the information provided in this article and on my site (go to the new nurse section on my site).
But I understand some nurses just don’t want to mess with it.
If that’s you, check out this company that will write your new nursing resume for you.
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