New Grad Nursing Text-Only Resume Examples
Years of Experience
- Example #1 — Hospital #1
- Example #2 — Private Practice#2
- Example #3 — Medical Center #3
Alice Doe
(123) 456-7890
[emailprotected]
123 Address Rd, Chapel Hill, NC 12345
Profile
Registered Nurse (RN)
— Recently completed Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from the University of North Carolina
— Two years’ experience as a hospital orderly; praised on all formal reviews for strong service mindset and focus on effective patient care
— Naturally curious and committed to gaining and applying new expertise
Professional Experience
Hospital Orderly, Regional Hospital, Chapel Hill, NC | January 2021 to Present
— Prepare equipment for IVs, physical exams, and other medical procedures
— Assist with physical exams, including moving patients as needed
— Keep rooms neat and clean by replacing linens, sterilizing surfaces, and wiping down diagnostic machines
— Transfer patients to X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, and other testing locations as directed by care teams
Receptionist, Ear, Nose & Throat Clinic, Winston-Salem, NC | June 2019 to December 2020
— Greeted patients, provided pre-appointment paperwork, and processed insurance information
— Answered phones to schedule patient appointments and field questions about course of care
— Processed insurance claims, submitting paperwork and speaking with insurance company representatives when needed
Education
Bachelor of Science in Nursing, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill | 2022
Coursework on:
— Electronic Health Records (EHRs)
— Nursing Theory & Ethics
— Patient Relations & Communications
— Post-Anesthesia Care
— Treatment Planning
Allen Doe
(123) 456-7890
[emailprotected]
123 Address Rd, Raleigh, NC 12345
Profile
Registered Nurse (RN)
— Recently completed BSN degree with high honors from North Carolina State University
— Strong work experience as a nursing assistant; praised for high efficiency and productive collaboration with physicians and nursing teams.
— Bilingual: Fluent in English and Spanish
Key Skills
— Cross-Discipline Coordination
— Efficiency Improvement
— Electronic Health Records (EHRs)
— Medical Research
— Microsoft Word, Excel
— Patient Care & Communications
— Process Streamlining
— Statistical Analysis
— Team Collaboration
Work Experience
Nursing Assistant, Dr. Steve’s Medical Practice, Durham, NC | January 2022 to Present
— Greet patients and provide safe transport to exam rooms for appointments with physicians
— Monitor preliminary vitals, including blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation, height, and weight
— Document findings in EHR database for use by physicians
— Discuss any medical findings or patient concerns with physician as needed
Education
Bachelor of Science, Nursing, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC | 2022
3.8 GPA | magna cum laude
Co-Curricular Experience
Research Assistant, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC | September 2021 to December 2021
— Entered study participants’ demographic information into tracking software, providing any disclosures related to participation
— Gathered and entered study results into database to help researchers draw accurate conclusions
Language
Fluency in Spanish
Harold Rogers
(123) 456-7890
[emailprotected]
123 Your Street, Seattle, WA 12345
Profile
Registered Nurse (RN)
— Recently finished Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing with honors from the University of Washington
— Nursing Extern recognized for effectively assisting patients with ADLs and providing quality care based on empathy and cultural awareness
— Adapt readily to new work challenges and conditions
Key Skills
— Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
— Medication Administration
— Patient Management
— Patient-Centered Care
— Telemetry
— Vital Signs Monitoring
— Wound Care
Work Experience
Nursing Extern, UW Medical Center, Seattle, WA | April 2021 to June 2022
— Monitored patients’ vital signs, collected blood samples, administered medications, and performed patient testing under supervision of RNs
— Assisted RNs with patient intake, discharges, and physical examinations
— Helped transport patients while ensuring a safe environment in compliance with hospital regulations
— Created medical reports and documented patient symptoms
Volunteer Experience
Volunteer, Seattle County Retirement Home, Seattle, WA | May 2020 to April 2021
— Helped RNs care for elderly and disabled citizens, providing safe and courteous support for meals, transport, and daily activities
Education
Bachelor of Science (BS) in Nursing, University of Washington, Seattle | 2022
3.7 GPA | cum laude
Coursework on:
— Anatomy & Physiology
— Community-Based Care
— Nursing Ethics
— Nursing Theory
— Pathophysiology
— Pharmacology
— Psychology
— Statistics
Credentials
Registered Nurse (RN), State of Washington | 2022
Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification | 2022
Tips for Writing a Better New Grad Nursing Resume
1. Brainstorm things you’re proud of, both in and outside college
The foundation for a great resume is your enthusiasm for the things that interest you. To start building that foundation, take 10 minutes to quickly brainstorm and write down your answer to this question: Which of your accomplishments from the past year, whether in school, practicum, work, volunteer work, or general life experience, makes you most proud?
When writing down your answers, do not worry about arranging them according to any resume conventions you already know. Your goal at this early stage isn’t to write a polished resume. It’s to gain momentum in the overall writing process and start generating the raw material from which you can make your best resume.
Once you’re done brainstorming highlights from the past year, you’ll want to repeat this process for the previous four years or so. Date each group of notes (e.g., “January 2022 to January 2023,” “January 2021 to January 2022,” etc.), and save and name the document something like “Resume Brainstorming.”
2. Filter information based on your goal
Following the brainstorming process above, save a copy of your document and then filter your information following your target nursing job. You can do so by taking it one detail at a time. With each point, answer the same yes-or-no question: Does this overlap with the types of things you’d be doing in your target job? If your answer is no, delete that detail. If yes, plan on including that detail in your final resume.
This filtering process reflects the most important thing to know about your resume: It shouldn’t be an overview of your experience but an overview of your relevant experience. It should take whatever shape is necessary to give the hiring manager a clear view of your background related to the job.
If you’re applying to several different types of nursing jobs, you’ll want to filter your information and create many versions of your resume. Making and using multiple resumes may seem tedious. However, it is far more frustrating to send out the same document to countless job postings and not receive a response. (If you stay focused on the yes-or-no question above, you can quickly run through your brainstorming notes each time.) With targeted resumes, you can gain traction in your search by showing each hiring manager why you’re a fit for their particular job opening and why they should call you promptly for an interview.
3. Strike the right tone
For nearly any piece of regular writing, it’s important to choose language that sets and maintains a clear tone or “voice.” That rule applies equally to your job search documents. Here’s a quick overview of the voice you should aim for on each one:
- Resume: formal, forthright
- Cover Letter: engaged, confident
- LinkedIn Profile: friendly, personable
To achieve a forthright voice on your resume, use simple sentences and straightforward accounts of your experience. Keep this advice in mind, especially when writing your Profile section, since you may be tempted (or think you need) to use terms like “Exceptional,” “Impressive,” or “Outstanding at,” when a more modest yet direct phrase like “Skilled at” is better.
Key Skills Hiring Managers Look for on New Grad Nursing Resumes
You can give your resume a big boost by adding keywords.
Most employers now use an applicant tracking system (ATS), which scans each submitted resume for keywords relevant to the job opening. When the ATS finds a resume with many relevant keywords, it flags the document for the hiring manager.
To make your resume ATS-friendly, add a keyword-rich “Skills” or “Expertise” section. Here are some common keywords for new grad nursing resumes:
Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
---|---|
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) | Efficiency Improvement |
Electronic Health Records (EHRs) | Healthcare Team Collaboration |
Medical Research | Microsoft Office Suite |
Patient & Family Relations | Patient Care & Communications |
Patient Management | Patient-Centered Care |
Post-Anesthesia Care | Process Improvement |
SPSS Statistics | Telemetry |
Treatment Plans | Wound Care |
NOTE: As the above list indicates, you should only use noun phrases in this section. Reserve personal attributes and adjectives (like “highly collaborative” or “strong work ethic”) for your Profile summary. Any time you’re unsure whether a term fits in this section, just plug it into the phrase “I’m skilled in [term].” If the term makes a correct sentence (“I’m skilled in team collaboration”), you can add it. But if it makes nonsense (“I’m skilled in highly collaborative”), leave it out.
Common Action Verbs for New Grad Nursing Resumes
One of the most frequent resume mistakes is using too few verbs. You may fall into repeating the same generic verb (say, “Manage”) many times. This repetition can distract the hiring manager and fail to show the varied nature of your experience. The following list will help you mix up the verbs on your new grad nursing resume:
Action Verbs | |
---|---|
Assist | Collaborate |
Communicate | Coordinate |
Create | Determine |
Develop | Document |
Ensure | Evaluate |
Facilitate | Improve |
Introduce | Manage |
Monitor | Provide |
Reinforce | Review |
Strengthen | Support |
Update | Uphold |
How to Align Your New Grad Nursing Resume With a Job Posting
One thing unique to each job posting is any description of the hiring facility or organization. You can enhance your resume by tailoring it based on any details about the organization that resonates with you. Follow these four steps:
Step 1: Jot down a few notes on the type of work environment you like best. For instance, you may prefer an environment that’s:
— Collaborative
— Dynamic
— Fast-paced
— Patient-focused
— Process-oriented
— Progressive, forward-looking
— Quality-focused
Step 2: When you find an intriguing nursing job post, look for any details about the hiring facility or its work culture.
Step 3: Compare those details against your preferred work environment, highlighting any overlap.
Step 4: Add a line or two to your Profile emphasizing that similarity. For example, say you prefer a work environment that’s collaborative and patient focused. You find a posting saying “We are a team that places the patient experience at the center of every decision.” You can then add a Profile phrase such as “… recognized for effectively assisting patients with ADLs and providing quality care based on empathy and cultural awareness.”
This simple exercise can make your resume more accurately show why you’re a great fit for the role and why the hiring manager should call you for an interview.
More Resume & Cover Letter Resources
The Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts that jobs for registered nurses will increase by about six percent between 2021 and 2031.
For more on finding opportunities in this field, check out the links below:
Resume examples
— Nursing Entry Level Resume Examples
— Medical Surgical Nurse Resume Examples
— Registered Nurse Resume Examples
Cover letter examples
— Entry-Level Nurse Cover Letter Examples
— Healthcare Cover Letter Examples
— Grad Nurse Cover Letter Examples
Advice on your job search
— The Nursing Career Ladder: CNA to LPN/LVN to RN
— How to Include Personal and Academic Projects on Your Resume
— How Far Back a Resume Should Go in 2023?
FAQs
What looks good on a new grad nurse resume? ›
Introduction: a briefing of the most relevant parts of your new grad nurse resume. License: your RN license and related certifications. Education: your nursing school, completion date, and successes. Clinical experience: your time and achievements while working in patient care facilities.
How do I write a nursing resume with no experience? ›Your nursing student (no experience) resume works best if you include only a handful of relevant skills in your resume's skills section. List any specialties you might have (like pediatrics or geriatrics) plus technical skills like clincial documentation.
How long should a new grad RN resume be? ›One or two pages in length: Employers prefer a one- or two-page resume, depending on your level of experience. Margins and Font: We recommend 0.5 inch margins or greater and 11 point Times New Roman font.
What a nursing resume should look like? ›Reverse chronological format
Most healthcare professionals should consider using the reverse chronological format for their resumes, as this example of a nursing resume prioritizes career history and lists roles in sequential order. This format is ideal for: New nursing school graduates.
Don't include information about your hobbies and other personal information, unless you have used your nursing abilities in a volunteer role. You also don't need to include unrelated jobs. Resumes that are thorough yet concise and easy to read have the best chance of being considered.
What is the most important attribute for a graduate nurse? ›Communication is your most valued tool as a nurse, so it's best to start early. In the classroom – Get into the habit of seeking clarification. If you're a little reserved, find a student discussion board or a mentor rather than leaving crucial questions unanswered.
How do I sell myself as a new nurse? ›Strike up conversations with nurses and people from other healthcare disciplines, and exchange business cards. Keep in touch online and try to meet again in person, if possible. Also attend social events sponsored by your company to meet people from other departments. Connect on social media.
What if I have no experience on my resume what should I put? ›Writing a resume with no formal work experience means emphasizing other aspects of your life that'll showcase your skills and passions—like your education, and involvement in activities like extracurriculars or volunteering. Having dedicated sections for a summary and a list of skills can round out your resume.
What happens if you have no experience to put on resume? ›You can create a killer no-experience resume by emphasizing your education instead. Include relevant internships, soft & hard skills, and projects. Other sections you can include on your resume are hobbies & interests, languages, certifications, or achievements.
Why is it so hard to get a job as a new grad RN? ›From someone who has been an RN for many years (35+) and having served in many types of administrative positions, the general reason it is difficulty to get that first RN job is because as a new RN graduate, there is a lack of experience and/or knowledge to perform the job expectations.
Why do new grad nurses quit? ›
75% of those surveyed cited staffing shortages as their main concern. 55% of the new graduate nurse population plans to leave the field before retirement.
What percentage of new grad nurses quit? ›Over 50% of nurses quit within the first five years.
More specifically, over 17% quit within the first year, and a whopping 56% quit after the first two years. This issue has also been exacerbated by the COVID-19 Pandemic, as 95% of nurses have reported feeling burnt out within the past three years.
- Patient Assessment. ...
- CPR and BLS Skills. ...
- Medication Management. ...
- IV-Line Placement and Infusions. ...
- Patient Safety and Infection Control. ...
- Charting on the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) ...
- Communication. ...
- Teamwork.
- Caring. ...
- Communication Skills. ...
- Empathy. ...
- Attention to Detail. ...
- Problem Solving Skills. ...
- Stamina. ...
- Sense of Humor. ...
- Commitment to Patient Advocacy.
- Too much information. ...
- A solid wall of text. ...
- Spelling mistakes and grammatical errors. ...
- Inaccuracies about your qualifications or experience. ...
- Unnecessary personal information. ...
- Your age. ...
- Negative comments about a former employer. ...
- Too many details about your hobbies and interests.
So nurses need to make sure their resumes are formatted properly. In 2023, the most common resume format remains the “reverse-chronological” format. So this is your best bet.
What should I put on my first nursing resume? ›- Your Personal Information. ...
- Skills. ...
- Certifications. ...
- Licenses. ...
- Education. ...
- Relevant Experience.
The top ranked skills areas included efficient and effective communication, professional nursing behaviours, privacy and dignity and managing medication administration.
What are 3 areas of improvement nursing? ›- Never Stop Learning.
- Check and Double-Check.
- Don't Save Time by Cutting Corners.
- Focus on the People.
- Don't Be Embarrassed to Ask Questions.
- Don't Forget to Put Yourself First.
- Treat Technology Like the Friend It Is.
This includes posture, eye contact, voice volume, and use of time while communicating interest in the job. With practice, all these traits may provide a positive interview experience.
How can a new nurse make extra money? ›
- Earn an advanced degree. ...
- Get certified in a specialization. ...
- Consider a leadership role. ...
- Become a travel nurse. ...
- Become a private duty nurse. ...
- Become an immunization nurse. ...
- Become an instructor. ...
- Become a nurse health coach.
- The Importance of Impression Management. ...
- Be On Time (Or Even a Little Early!) ...
- Dress Appropriately. ...
- Introduce Yourself. ...
- Ask Questions and Ask for Help. ...
- Talk Less and Listen More. ...
- Have a Positive Attitude. ...
- Show Appreciation.
Sample Answer: Though patient care is important, patient and family education is a major part of this position. In addition to my hands-on work with patients, I believe my time working as a community nurse has given me the experience I need to effectively educate patients about their conditions and treatment options.
What skills does a new grad nurse have? ›...
- Patient and family education.
- Checking and monitoring vital signs.
- Emergency room care.
- Patient transport.
- Patient safety.
- Communication.
- Time-management.
- Critical thinking and problem-solving.
- Good communication skills: Effective communication skills are essential for nurses of all experience levels. ...
- Compassionate personality: ...
- Someone who is willing to be a team player: ...
- A willingness to learn: ...
- Computer skills:
- Patient Assessment. ...
- CPR and BLS Skills. ...
- Medication Management. ...
- IV-Line Placement and Infusions. ...
- Patient Safety and Infection Control. ...
- Charting on the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) ...
- Communication. ...
- Teamwork.