How Do I Write a New Grad Nursing Resume?

Congratulations, graduate nurse! You've poured your heart into nursing school, aced your clinical rotations, and now you're ready to land your dream job. But before you can start changing lives at the bedside, you need a resume that shines as brightly as your passion for patient care. Crafting a nursing resume as a new nurse can feel overwhelming, but don't worry, we've got you covered. Here's how to create a resume that gets noticed.

1. Start with a Strong Header and Professional Summary

Your resume should begin with your name, contact information, and a concise professional summary. As a graduate nurse, your summary should highlight your education, clinical experience, and key skills. For example:

''Compassionate and dedicated new graduate nurse with hands-on clinical experience in medical-surgical and pediatric units. Skilled in patient assessment, medication administration, and interdisciplinary collaboration. BLS and ACLS certified.''

2. Highlight Your Education

Since you're a new nurse, your education section is one of your strongest assets. Include:

• Your nursing degree (e.g., BSN, ADN)
• Your school's name and graduation date
• Honors or awards (e.g., Dean's List, scholarships)
• Relevant coursework or certifications (e.g., ATI Content Mastery Series)

3. Showcase Your Clinical Rotations

Your clinical experience is your golden ticket. List your rotations by specialty (e.g., Med-Surg, Pediatrics, ICU) and include:

• The facility name and location
• Dates of rotation
• Key responsibilities and skills learned (e.g., wound care, IV insertion)

4. Include Licenses and Certifications

Employers want to see that you're ready to hit the ground running. Highlight:

• Your RN license (or pending status)
• BLS/ACLS certifications
• Any additional training (e.g., HESI A2 or TEAS 7 prep courses)

5. Tailor Your Resume to the Job

Customize your nursing resume for each application. If you're applying for a pediatric position, emphasize your pediatric clinical experience. Use keywords from the job description to pass applicant tracking systems (ATS).

6. Keep It Clean and Professional

Avoid clutter. Use a clean, modern template with bullet points for readability. Stick to one page; recruiters spend seconds scanning resumes.

7. Proofread and Get Feedback

Typos can cost you an interview. Double-check for errors, and ask a mentor or career counselor to review your resume. For more tips, check out our nursing blog.

Final Thoughts

Your nursing resume is your first impression; make it count. By focusing on your education, clinical experience, and certifications, you'll show employers you're ready to excel as a new nurse. Need practice questions to prep for your next exam? Explore our NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN resources to boost your confidence.

Ready to take the next step? Visit Nurselytic for more tools to launch your nursing career!