New Grad Nurse Resume Examples

Writing a new grad nurse resume can feel like nursing a headache. You’ve just graduated, and the world of job hunting is now your reality. The task of presenting your skills and education in a standout manner is overwhelming. You're not alone—many new grad nurses find composing a resume to be one of their most challenging first tasks. With so many formatting choices and industry expectations, it's easy to get stuck. It’s essential to craft a resume that not only highlights your capabilities but also passes through automated systems used by employers. This guide will ease your way through the process, ensuring you break into your new role with confidence.

Selecting the right resume template is crucial for new grad nurses. A well-designed template can set the tone, highlight your strengths, and present your information clearly. It can make the difference between landing an interview or being overlooked. Opt for a clean, professional design that stands out without distracting from your content.

Discover the power of over 700 resume examples that will help you write a compelling resume tailored for new grad nurses.

What to focus on when writing your new grad nurse resume

When creating a resume as a new grad nurse, it's key to highlight your education, clinical experience, and any skills that set you apart. Emphasize your nursing degree, certifications, and any relevant coursework. Include clinical rotations to showcase your hands-on experience, and detail any part-time healthcare jobs or volunteer work. To make your resume stand out, add bullets such as proficiency in electronic health records, knowledge of patient care protocols, and excellent communication skills.

Must have information on your new grad nurse resume

Creating an effective resume as a new grad nurse is essential for standing out in a competitive job market. Here are the must-have sections you should include:

• Contact Information
• Professional Summary
• Education
• Clinical Experience
• Licenses and Certifications
• Skills

Including additional sections like volunteer experience, professional affiliations, and relevant coursework can further strengthen your resume and showcase your capabilities. Make sure each section is clearly labeled and easy to read.

Which resume format to choose

For a new grad nurse resume, a functional format is ideal since it highlights your skills and education over work experience, which might be limited. Use Rubik or Montserrat fonts to look modern, setting you apart from those using Arial or Times New Roman. Always save your resume as a PDF to ensure formatting stays intact. Standard margins of one inch on all sides keep your resume easy to read. Section headings should be clear and concise as they help Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) understand your resume.

Your new grad nurse resume should include:

• Contact Information
• Summary or Objective
• Education
• Clinical Rotations or Relevant Experience
• Skills
• Certifications and Licenses
• Volunteer Experience
• References (optional)

Resume Mentor's free resume builder takes care of all of these details, making it easier for you to create a job-winning resume.

How to include education on your resume

The education section is a vital part of your new grad nurse resume. This section highlights your qualifications and shows you have the necessary background for the job. Tailor this section to the nursing position you are applying for, and omit any irrelevant educational details. Listing a high GPA or "cum laude" honors can make you stand out. When listing your degree, be clear and precise.

Here’s a bad example of an education section:

This example is bad because it lists a degree in History, which is not relevant to a nursing position. Highlighting a GPA of 3.0 with no mention of honors doesn't add value. Including the Dean's List is less relevant without context related to nursing.

Here’s a better example of an education section:

This example is good. It clearly lists a relevant degree with high honors and a strong GPA. Focusing on a Bachelor of Science in Nursing shows you have the required education for the job. Mentioning "cum laude" sets you apart and demonstrates excellence.

How to include volunteering on your resume

Listing volunteer experience on your new grad nurse resume is important. Start by emphasizing your commitment and the skills you gained. Include your volunteer work in a separate section or integrate it into your experience section. Highlight how it has prepared you for a nursing role.

Begin with an active verb to describe your role, such as "Assisted" or "Supported." Detail the organization, your duties, and the impact you made. If you’re placing it in the experience section, keep the format consistent with your other entries.

Here is an example to consider:

In this example, the role is clearly defined and tied to relevant skills for a nursing position. Using verbs like "Assisted" and "Supported" shows action and involvement. Highlighting duties such as patient care and recording vital signs demonstrates practical skills. This experience connects directly to the responsibilities of a new grad nurse, showcasing both commitment and relevant experience.

How to write a quantifiable resume experience section

Writing your resume experience section as a new grad nurse with little to no experience can feel like a challenge, but it's completely manageable. Your goal is to translate your academic and volunteer experiences into relevant skills and accomplishments that show you are prepared to excel in a new role. Start with a clear order: education, volunteer work, clinical rotations, and work experience if any. Focus on transferring skills from your academic projects and volunteer activities to the nursing field. Highlight any academic accomplishments, even if they are awards or relevant course titles. Tailor your resume to the job description to ensure you’re hitting their key points. Use action words like "assisted," "managed," "organized," and "led" to describe what you’ve done effectively.

The first example is too generic and doesn't showcase your unique achievements and skills. It lists basic tasks without any context or measurable accomplishments, making it less impactful.

The second example is well-written because it highlights specific achievements and quantifies them, showing the impact you had. It uses action words and offers context, making your accomplishments clear and relevant.

You can focus your resume experience section in different ways to make your background stand out. Below, we've showcased four approaches: skills-focused, project-focused, problem-solving focused, and collaboration-focused. Let’s dive into some examples.

Skills-focused

This approach highlights the skills you’ve gained through coursework, volunteer work, or clinical rotations. Each bullet emphasizes a specific skill relevant to nursing.

Project-focused

This method emphasizes projects you’ve completed, demonstrating your ability to manage tasks and achieve results. Each bullet points out a particular project and its outcomes.

Problem-Solving focused

Highlight specific instances where you identified and resolved issues. This showcases your critical thinking and adaptability.

Collaboration-focused

Show how you’ve worked as part of a team. Collaboration is key in healthcare, and this approach highlights your ability to work well with others.

Write your accountant resume objective section

Writing your resume objective as a new grad nurse can be tricky. Keep it short, clear, and focused on your career goals and skills. You should connect your passion for nursing with the specific qualifications you have and the needs of the employer.

Talking about yourself in a resume objective can be done effectively by highlighting your dedication, eagerness to learn, and specific skills or experiences that make you a strong candidate. Stay genuine and specific.

An objective focuses on what you want from the job and how you aim to contribute. A resume summary or resume profile highlights your top achievements and skills. A summary of qualifications lists your skills and experience concisely.

Here are examples demonstrating a poorly written and a well-crafted resume objective for a new grad nurse:

This objective is bad because it's vague and lacks specifics about your skills or how you can benefit the employer.

This example is good because it highlights specific traits, the type of work environment, and how you can add value to the employer.

Listing your new grad nurse skills on your resume

When crafting your resume as a new grad nurse, the skills section is crucial. You can choose to have a standalone skills section or incorporate your skills into other areas like your experience and objective section.

Your strengths and soft skills demonstrate your personal qualities, such as empathy, communication, and teamwork. Hard skills are job-specific abilities that you have learned through training or education, like patient care techniques, medication administration, and using medical software.

Skills and strengths also serve as resume keywords. Including them helps your resume pass through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) that filter resumes based on specified keywords.

Here is an example of a standalone skills section formatted correctly:

This skills section is good because it is clear and concise, tailored to the nursing profession, and highlights key abilities relevant to the job. It ensures that important keywords are present, which can help your resume stand out.

Best hard skills to feature on your new grad nurse resume

Hard skills are job-specific abilities a new grad nurse should have, crucial for executing their duties effectively. These skills should communicate your competency in patient care and technical proficiency.

Best soft skills to feature on your new grad nurse resume

Soft skills for a new grad nurse are essential as they demonstrate your ability to work well with patients and the healthcare team. These skills should highlight your interpersonal and communication abilities.

Extra sections to include in your new grad nurse resume

Starting your nursing career as a new graduate can be both exciting and challenging. Your resume is the key to open doors to potential employers, and including certain sections can enhance your appeal. Here's how you can include and leverage different sections for a well-rounded resume.

Include a language section—Highlight any foreign languages you speak fluently. This can show that you are versatile and able to communicate with a diverse patient population, which is valuable in healthcare settings.

Have a hobbies and interests section—Show your personality and what you do outside of nursing. This makes you more relatable and can indicate your ability to manage work-life balance effectively.

Add a certificates section—List relevant certificates like BLS, ACLS, or any specialized nursing training. This demonstrates your commitment to continuous education and enhances your qualifications.

Include a books section—Share books related to nursing or healthcare you have read. This shows that you are proactive about learning and staying informed in your field.

Pair your new grad nurse resume with a cover letter

A cover letter is a document sent with your resume to provide additional information on your skills and experience. It gives you the opportunity to explain why you are the best fit for the job and to highlight aspects of your background that may not be fully covered in a resume. A well-written cover letter can help an applicant stand out by showcasing their personality and enthusiasm for the position.

For a new grad nurse, a cover letter should focus on relevant education and clinical experiences gained during nursing school. Mention any rotations, internships, or volunteer work that relate to the job you’re applying for. Soft skills like communication, empathy, and teamwork are also essential to highlight, as these are crucial in a nursing role.

Crafting your cover letter can be quick and easy with Resume Mentor's cover letter builder. The tool not only simplifies the process but also allows you to export your cover letter as a PDF, ensuring that your content and formatting remain intact and professional. Start building your cover letter now and make a strong impression on potential employers.