In this post, you will learn how to write the perfect new grad nursing resume to get you the job!
Writing your first official resume after college can be overwhelming, and you’re probably wondering how to start or what to include.
Although most resumes are similar in format, the resume you will be writing as a new grad will differ in certain areas and it is helpful to know what you should and should not write on it.
A few months before I graduated, I started working on my new grad nursing resume. I knew some of the nurse residency programs I wanted to apply to were going to open their applications before I graduated, so I needed to get a head start. I researched for days and days to find the best possible templates, what to actually put on my resume, and what I could leave off.
I was able to get hired at my top nurse residency program (even with it being out of state) months before I graduated and passed my NCLEX.
Throughout my research, I learned some tips and tricks that I will share with you so you too can learn how to write a resume that will stand out from the others!
This post is all about how to write a new grad nursing resume.
Let’s start with the basics:
- Format
- Fonts
- Length
Most resumes are written in reverse chronological order – meaning your most recent experience is at the top and the rest will follow – this format is the most recommended and easiest for hiring managers to understand.
Font sizes are usually between 11 to 12 points and the most common font styles used are Times New Roman, Calibri, and Arial.
It is common practice to have your resume be 1 to 2 pages long max. This way recruiters and managers can actually skim through your resume without feeling like they are about to read an essay.
But this does not necessarily mean every single thing has to be set in stone.
My resume was 2 pages long because I had relevant experience as an LVN that I knew I wanted to include. In order for me to include my experience, and not have it be longer than 2 pages, I switched my font style to Verdana and used sizes 8 and 9.
Verdana is still a simple and professional font that is sometimes used for resumes, and although I used sizes less than 12, I made sure it was still readable.
If you are going to change the size of the font or the style in order to fit everything, you want to double-check it is still legible.
Use a simple/clean template
Everyone has different tastes, and you do not know who will be behind the computer reading your resume.
For this reason, it is best to play it safe and go with a template that looks professional, clean, and easy to read.
You can find many resume templates online or you can simply make your own.
I will be sharing with you my free resume template at the end of this post!
Okay, now you are ready to begin writing your resume, so let’s go through each section.
How to Write The Perfect New Grad Nursing Resume:
1. Name, email, number, and place of residence
At the top of your resume make sure you are displaying your name in big letters – this should be the first thing the recruiter and/or manager sees.
If you have already passed your NCLEX do not forget to add either “BSN, RN” or “RN” next to your name, if not then simply keep your first and last name.
Under your name write your phone number, email, and where you reside. You should have a professional email – preferably just your name, but if your name is too common, then you can add numbers as well.
When writing your residence, make sure you are only putting your city and state – no need for your full address or zip code!
2. Professional Summary
Otherwise known as Objective.
I like to personally have it as a Professional Summary rather than an Objective but you can do either or, and it is entirely up to you.
This is the part where most nurses get caught up in (I know I did).
Your Professional Summary is a snippet of who you are as a professional and what you will bring to the role. This is your chance to show yourself to the hiring manager and pique their interest in you so they can keep reading.
You should curate it to the best of your ability for the job you are applying to and keep it at 3 sentences and below.
In this portion, you can also add some of the skills you hold, either in a sentence format or in bullet points.
(Skills are not necessary, especially since most nursing managers know what students learn and are able to do during clinicals – but if you are adding them, just keep them short and simple).
3. Education
Since you are just graduating from nursing school, having your education on top is essential.
You can also add other schools such as LVN school or the college you received your Associate’s degree in, but just remember you do not need to add your high school.
Your writing setup should be:
- Degree earned
- Name of school
- City and state where your school is located
- Month and year of graduation
You can add your GPA only if it is asked for or if it is competitive – but this is not necessary.
[Related Post: 10 Common Nursing Interview Questions and Answers]
4. Clinical rotations
Recruiters and nurse managers know you are a new grad, and they know you probably won’t have much working experience, this is why adding your clinical rotations is highly recommended – and one of the main reasons that new grad nursing resumes are so different from even experienced nurse resumes.
Your clinical rotations should be in reverse chronological order, starting with your senior practicum first and going down the list for each class/semester.
In this section, your format should be:
- Name of the hospital
- Month and year of attendance
- Name of the unit you were in
- Which class were you in while attending said unit
- How many hours did you complete in each unit
You do not need to add bullet points explaining what you did, almost every nursing student is expected to do the same while in clinicals, so this will probably just take unnecessary time and space on your resume.
5. Certifications
This portion will include both your licenses and your certificates.
Licenses are either your RN, LVN, or any board-certified profession. Certificates will be your BLS, ACLS, IV Therapy certification, and so on.
If you were a CNA/PCA/PCT, LVN, phlebotomist, or medical assistant during nursing school, make sure you add these credentials.
If you have already taken your NCLEX-RN and have officially passed, your format should be:
- License attained
- License number
- State license was taken in
- Expiration date
- Add if your license is part of the Nurse Licensure Compact
If you are pending your NCLEX-RN and applying to a nurse residency program before your official graduation, you can put “(pending NCLEX exam)” in place of the license number.
6. Experience
If you have pertinent work experience such as working in the medical field, make sure to add these in this section.
You will need to add:
- Occupation title
- Name of company
- City and state where the company is located
- Months and years worked in the company
- 3-4 bullet points explaining your role in the job
If you have only worked in jobs outside of the medical field – but they are within customer service – you can add 1 to 2 jobs and write down skills that would transfer to your nursing degree.
Remember, nursing is a customer service job after all!
7. Volunteer/Affiliations
Having a volunteer section is not necessary, especially when you already have your clinical rotations, and even more so if you have working experience.
But, if you have been volunteering at a hospital or a nursing home, you can add this as it will show how passionate you are about your career.
If you do not have any related work experience, you can replace your work experience section with a volunteer section.
If you are a part of any nursing affiliations such as The National Student Nurses Association (NSNA) or Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, then you can definitely show these off!
You’re all set!
Once you have completed your resume, make sure to always proofread it, show it to a family member or a friend to double check, and you can even show it to your advisor at school!
Before you email it to a recruiter or submit it with your nurse residency program application, print it out and make sure the format, font, and everything else appears perfect on paper as well!
Good luck!
You can get your free New Grad Nurse Resume Template here:
Download Template
This post was all about how to write the perfect new grad nursing resume.
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