New grad nursing resume examples
What makes this a great new grad nurse resume sample
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Highlights clinical experiences
As a fresh nursing graduate, your clinical rotations are your hands-on experiences. Make them shine! Present a succinct, easy-to-read history of your clinical and internship experiences, showcasing your practical exposure in the health care field.
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Showcases a blend of skills
As a newly graduated nurse, you’ve honed a wide array of hard and soft skills. Your resume should highlight both these sets of skills. Be sure to include technical skills like patient care and knowledge of medical procedures, as well as soft skills like communication and empathy.
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Leverages quantifiable metrics
Use numbers to underscore your experiences wherever possible. For example, mention the number of clinical hours completed, the specific number of patients cared for or any notable accomplishments during your internships. Quantifiable achievements can leave a stronger impression.
New grad nurse resume text example
Here’s a version of the above resume in an easy copy-and-paste format.
Joliet, IL 60435 | 555-555-5555 | example@example.com
Driven and dedicated nursing master’s graduate seeking a registered nurse position to apply advanced knowledge and skills in delivering exceptional patient care. Committed to utilizing evidence-based practices, critical thinking abilities and leadership qualities to contribute to a dynamic health care team. Will provide comprehensive and compassionate care that promotes positive patient outcomes by applying a solid foundation in nursing theory and research and leveraging hands-on experience.
Medical-surgical Nurse
Ascension Saint Joseph
Joliet, IL | August 2018 – Current
- Care for a diverse caseload of medical-surgical patients, demonstrating competence in providing comprehensive assessments, developing care plans and implementing evidence-based nursing interventions.
- Administer medications, manage IV therapy and monitor patients’ vital signs, ensuring accurate and timely documentation.
- Collaborate with the health care team to ensure adequate care coordination, resulting in a 15% reduction in patient readmissions.
Staff Nurse
Ascension Saint Joseph
Joliet, IL | February 2015 – August 2018
- Monitored patient’s vitals post-surgery, managed medical equipment and administered medications and IVs.
- Coordinated care with physicians and other clinical staff to prepare for treatment, carry out interventions and enhance continuum of care.
- Recorded over 20 weekly patients’ medical history, vital statistics and test results in electronic medical records.
Nursing Student
St. Francis Campus Health Center
Joliet, IL | February 2013 – February 2015
- Participated in clinical rotations at health care facilities, such as hospitals, clinics and long-term care facilities.
- Observed and assisted registered nurses and health care professionals in providing direct patient care.
- Learned and demonstrated proper techniques for procedures such as injections, wound care, IV therapy and catheterization.
- Creative problem-solving
- Medical supply management
- Medication administration
- Medical procedure preparation
- Proficient in electronic medical records (EMR) systems and documentation
- Patient monitoring
- Medical screening
- Treatment preparation
Master of Science Nursing
University of St. Francis
Joliet, IL
Graduated: June 2023
Bachelor’s in Nursing (BSN) Nursing
University of St. Francis
Joliet, IL
Looking for a specific job title? Check out our other nursing resumes:
Choose the right resume format for your new grad nurse resume
As a newly minted nursing graduate ready to embark on your professional journey, it’s crucial to present yourself to potential employers effectively. The first step? Picking the right resume format.
The widely used chronological resume, which focuses on work history and career growth, might not be the best fit for you right now.
But don’t worry! For fresh graduates like yourself with limited professional experience, other formats work in your favor.
The functional resume emphasizes your skills and capabilities more than your work history. This format gives prominence to your academic accomplishments, clinical experiences and any nursing-related skills you’ve learned along the way.
The combination resume is another good option. This format gives equal balance to work experience and skills.
Explore our resume-formatting guide for a deeper dive into how proper formatting can brilliantly spotlight your skills and qualifications.
Select an appropriate new grad nursing resume template
As a new nursing graduate, crafting a competitive resume is a significant step toward launching your professional career.
While all resume templates may seem similar initially, each offering standard sections like your professional summary, skills, educational background and work experience, they vary substantially in style. Picking one that complements your new nursing career is essential.
Given that nursing falls under the health care domain, a safe bet would be to opt for a straightforward, clean resume template. These simple resume templates focus on conveying information in a clear and efficient manner, which is particularly valuable in the medical field. However, remember that while you’re a fresh graduate, your resume design should be professional and practical rather than an overly modern template.
You can conveniently download our resume templates for Word, or if you’re a Google Doc user, our Google Doc resume templates.
Remember, we’re here to support you in creating the perfect resume that sets you on the path to success in your nursing career.
How to write a new grad nurse resume in 5 simple steps
Even when demand for nurses is high, new nursing graduates like yourself may still find themselves in a competitive landscape, vying for sought-after entry-level roles or internships.
So how can you distinguish yourself from other candidates? The answer lies in creating a personalized resume for each application. Here’s how you can do just that.
STEP 1
Thoroughly analyze the job description
Crafting an effective resume for new nursing graduates involves tailoring it specifically for each position.
This requires you to carefully examine job postings — the goal is to understand what potential employers want. Which particular skills or attributes are they emphasizing in the job description? What are the explicit requirements? Each one of their criteria is a keyword to integrate into your resume if you have what they’re asking for.
As a new nursing graduate, you will likely gain a competitive advantage if you thoughtfully integrate these keywords into your resume by underlining the relevant courses, clinical experiences or specific patient-care abilities that illustrate you have what they’re after.
The closer your nursing education aligns with the employer’s requirements, the higher your chances of getting invited to an interview.
STEP 2
Write a professional summary or resume objective
The introduction of your resume carries significant weight. After all, it’s your first opportunity to make a good impression. There are two forms of introductions, each catering to different stages of your career.
A resume objective is ideal for new nursing graduates or those with limited experience. This approach emphasizes your career goals and transferable skills. It focuses on what you aim to accomplish in your career and how your current abilities will help you achieve that.
However, once you have a couple of jobs in your rearview mirror, a professional summary becomes more fitting. Summaries underline your skills and experiences, giving you a platform to highlight your most prominent achievements.
In either case, don’t forget to include your credentials. These can range from licenses and certifications to special training you’ve undergone. Credentials provide concrete proof of your competence and dedication to your profession.
Here are some robust examples for your new graduate nurse resume:
New grad nurse professional summary example:
Dedicated, empathetic and newly certified nurse with a remarkable academic record and experience from clinical placements. Possesses a strong understanding of patient care, infection control and medical terminology, honed through rigorous coursework and hands-on training. Committed to delivering patient-centered care, reinforced by an exceptional academic record and practical experience from clinical rotations.
Example of an objective for a new grad nurse resume:
Newly licensed and certified nurse known for empathy and meticulous attention to detail, seeking to leverage skills and knowledge in a challenging role. Aspiring to gain further hands-on experience, enhance health care quality and foster professional growth in nursing. Eager to contribute positively to an innovative healthcare team, bringing forth a strong academic background and a dedicated passion for nursing to drive patient satisfaction and overall healthcare efficiency.
STEP 3
Highlight your most relevant grad nurse skills
Whether you’re launching your professional journey as a new nursing graduate or hunting for an internship, skills are the heartbeat of your resume.
Though every resume features a dedicated skills section, skills actually permeate the entire document, echoing from your resume objective (or professional summary) to your clinical experiences and education section.
Aim for a healthy balance between hard and soft skills when showcasing your skill set. Hard skills, like the body’s anatomy, form the structural base — these are the technical, measurable abilities you’ve sharpened in the classroom or during clinical rotations.
Soft skills, however, are akin to the blood flow that keeps the body functional. They may not be as easy to quantify, but these personality traits make you a joy to work with, bringing warmth to the professional environment and comfort to your patients. Hard skills and soft skills coexist in harmony.
Hard and soft skills for a new grad nurse resume
Pro Tip
Every candidate requires both hard and soft skills. The technical skills of nursing are crucial, but without interpersonal skills like communication and leadership, you might hinder your professional journey.
STEP 4
Write a compelling clinical experience section
Every recent nursing grad brings unique academic experiences to their resume, but you know what unifies them all? A robust clinical experience section.
This section displays your hands-on nursing practice, demonstrating your ability to apply theoretical knowledge from coursework, contribute to a health care team and positively influence patient outcomes.
Here’s an exemplary entry for a recent graduate’s clinical experience:
Nurse Intern, General Hospital – Little Rock, AR
June – August 2021
- Completed a 10-week intensive internship program in the hospital’s outpatient department.
- Recorded patient information to update the electronic health records system.
- Supported registered nurses with patient care, including monitoring vital signs and administering medication under supervision.
- Cultivated excellent bedside manners and effective communication with patients, earning positive feedback from patients and their family members.
- Collaborated with an interdisciplinary care team to deliver comprehensive patient care.
Pro Tip
You have a better chance of capturing the hiring manager’s attention if you use strong action words. The bullet points above, for example, use “supported,” “cultivated” and “collaborated” to make the work history more active and engaging.
STEP 5
Highlight your education and training on your new grad nurse resume
As a new graduate nurse ready to step into the professional health care field, clearly showcasing your educational achievements and relevant training is crucial.
First, list your nursing degree and mention that you’ve successfully passed the NCLEX-RN examination to gain your license for practicing in your respective state.
If you’re currently enrolled in further studies or specialization courses, it’s important to represent this ongoing education. Include the expected completion date next to your course or degree. This shows potential employers your commitment to continuous learning and growth.
Once you’ve earned a higher-level degree, there’s no need to list your high school education in the education section of your resume. Keep the focus on your most relevant and recent educational accomplishments.
How to list your new grad nurse education:
Education
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) – In Progress
Estimated Completion: May 2024
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
GPA: 3.9/4.0
Capstone Project: “The Role of Nurses in Managing Chronic Pain”
Certifications
- Registered Nurse (RN), Michigan Board of Nursing
- Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)
- Basic Life Support (BLS)
Pro Tip
As a new graduate nurse, showcasing additional professional certifications or completed training programs can enhance your resume’s appeal. These can be integrated into your education section or presented in a separate section dedicated exclusively to highlighting your earned certifications.
Optional sections for your new grad nurse resume
Accolades and professional achievements
For new nursing graduates, adding honors and awards to your resume can significantly elevate your professional profile. This distinguishes you from the crowd and showcases your dedication and passion for the nursing field.
Whether these accolades are academic honors or certifications, they reflect your exceptional performance and competency in nursing. Mentioning these will improve your chances of landing a coveted entry-level nursing position.
Adding accolades and achievements on your new grad nurse resume:
Awarded “Top Nursing Student of 2023” – University of Florida
Secured first place in the “Florida Nursing Student Innovation Contest, 2022” for proposing an improved patient care model
Capstone projects and nursing internships
As a new nursing graduate, your practical experiences are crucial in demonstrating your readiness to transition from the classroom to the clinical setting. Highlighting significant capstone projects, internships or clinical rotations showcases your applied skills and nursing competence.
Detailing these projects can demonstrate your diverse capabilities, ranging from decision-making to collaboration. It also emphasizes your goal orientation — a quality highly appreciated in health care settings.
Adding projects and internships on your new grad nurse resume:
- Capstone Project: “Improving Patient Satisfaction Through New Communication Techniques”
- Internship: 10 weeks at Orlando Health, focusing on intensive patient care in their emergency department
Language proficiencies
Knowing multiple languages is a strong asset for new nursing graduates. Multilingual skills reflect cognitive flexibility, determination and cultural competence, which can help you communicate with a diverse patient population.
Additionally, these skills could provide opportunities in multicultural or international health care environments. Multilingual abilities can be a huge advantage over candidates who otherwise have similar qualifications.
Adding languages on your new grad nurse resume:
- English: Native
- Spanish: Conversational
- Sign Language: Basic
Extracurricular activities
Your resume as a new nursing graduate should also reflect your persona beyond the academic realm. Including pertinent hobbies or interests makes you more appealing, particularly when they resonate with your desired nursing role.
Why include personal pursuits? They help prospective employers gauge your cultural fit within their organization. These interests depict you as well-rounded, setting you apart from other applicants.
Adding interests and hobbies on your new grad nurse resume:
- Volunteer at local homeless shelters, providing basic health care screening.
- Passionate about fitness and nutrition, promoting healthy lifestyle choices within my community.
- An avid reader of health care journals and nursing research to stay current in the field.
Add a cover letter
As a newly graduated nurse entering the job market, you probably know that while opportunities abound, the competition is also fierce. Distinguishing yourself from the crowd is crucial. One effective way to do this is through a compelling cover letter.
As a new graduate, a well-crafted cover letter is especially important as it provides you the opportunity to:
If writing a cover letter seems daunting — you’re not alone! It’s worth exploring cover letter examples to understand what to include in an impactful cover letter and follow cover letter formatting guidelines to ensure your document maintains a professional appearance.
Short on time or unsure where to start? Consider using a Cover Letter Builder. This tool generates tailored text based on your background and experiences, helping you overcome the intimidation of a blank page. With a powerful cover letter in hand, you’ll be better positioned to secure the nursing position you aspire to.
Don is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with more than 10 years’ experience creating digital content, including four years helping job seekers develop their careers. He holds an M.S. in Journalism from Northwestern University.
