New Grad Nurse Resume Tips: Get Your Next RN Job

New Grad Nurse Resume Tips: Get Your Next RN Job

Graduating from nursing school is a major accomplishment. But once the cap is tossed and the NCLEX is behind you, the real challenge begins—landing that first RN job. For new nurses entering the workforce, your resume is your most important tool. Yet writing a new grad nurse resume can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re unsure how to present your clinical rotations or limited experience.

This guide breaks down what hiring managers are actually looking for in an entry-level RN resume—and how you can write one that gets interviews, even with no full-time nursing job under your belt.

Why New Grad Nurse Resumes Are Different

As a new graduate, you’re not expected to have years of bedside experience—but you are expected to demonstrate:

• Foundational clinical knowledge
• Professionalism
• Readiness to learn
• Exposure to various care settings through clinicals

A well-structured nursing student resume helps bridge the gap between education and employment. It signals to recruiters that you’re ready to transition from student to licensed professional.

New Grad Nurse Resume Format (2025-Approved)

Stick to a clean, ATS-friendly layout:

• Contact Information
• Professional Summary
• Licensure & Certifications
• Clinical Rotations (or Work Experience if relevant)
• Education
• Skills & Keywords

Keep it to one page unless you have significant prior healthcare experience.

1. Professional Summary (Example)

Even as a new grad, your resume should start with a strong, personalized summary.

Example:

Compassionate and driven BSN graduate with 1,200+ hours of clinical training in med-surg, pediatrics, and mental health. Recently passed NCLEX and committed to delivering safe, patient-centered care in a hospital setting. Seeking an entry-level RN role to grow as a collaborative and detail-oriented nurse.

Avoid general statements like “looking for an opportunity to grow”—instead, show what makes you job-ready.

2. Licensure & Certifications

Include:

• RN License (if you’ve passed NCLEX)
• Or write: NCLEX Passed – Awaiting License Number
• BLS Certification
• ACLS or PALS (if obtained)

3. Clinical Rotations Section (Your Experience Goldmine)

This is where new grads shine. List your clinical sites, unit type, and highlight what you did during those experiences.

Example:Clinical Rotation – Medical-Surgical UnitSt. Mary’s Hospital, Philadelphia, PA | Fall 2024

• Assisted in care for up to 6 patients under RN supervision
• Administered medications, performed wound care, and documented in Epic EMR
• Participated in discharge planning and patient education

Include 3–5 bullets per rotation. Focus on responsibilities and exposure, not outcomes.

4. Education

List your most recent nursing degree first:

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

Temple University, Philadelphia, PA — May 2024

GPA: 3.7 | Dean’s List (2023, 2024)

You can add honors, GPA (if over 3.5), or leadership roles in student nurse organizations.

5. Work Experience (If Applicable)

Include any:

• Healthcare-related jobs (CNA, unit clerk, EMT)
• Volunteer roles at clinics or hospitals
• Customer service or leadership roles (highlight transferable skills like communication or teamwork)

Keep each job to 2–4 concise bullets, emphasizing soft skills and professionalism.

6. Skills & Keywords for Entry-Level RN Resumes

This section helps you pass ATS scans. Pull directly from the job description if you can.

Technical Skills:

• Vital Signs Monitoring
• Electronic Health Records (EHR: Epic, Cerner)
• Patient Hygiene & Mobility
• Medication Administration (Under Supervision)
• Infection Control

Soft Skills:

• Time Management
• Communication
• Adaptability
• Patient Advocacy
• Team Collaboration

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even strong candidates can make resume errors. Here are a few to watch for:

❌ Using vague statements: Replace “Helped nurses with patients” with “Assisted with mobility and hygiene for 4–5 patients per shift.”❌ Skipping clinicals: This is your most relevant experience—don’t leave it out.❌ Unprofessional email addresses❌ Overcrowding the resume: Keep it simple and focused.❌ Ignoring keywords: You may never reach human eyes without them.

Nursing Resume Template for New Grads

Use a clean, modern design without columns or graphics. Choose easy-to-read fonts like Calibri or Arial, 10–12 pt. Save as a PDF unless instructed otherwise.

Need a head start? Check out the entry-level RN resume template on nurseresumebuilder.app—it’s specifically designed for new grads.

Don’t Let Resume Writing Hold You Back

We get it—writing a resume from scratch can feel daunting. That’s why more new grads are turning to smarter, nurse-specific tools like NurseResumeBuilder.app.

It’s not just a template—it’s a guided builder that:✅ Helps you write strong clinical rotation bullet points✅ Automatically formats your resume for ATS systems✅ Suggests personalized summaries based on your experience✅ Lets you download a professional, polished resume in minutes

And here’s the best part: while hiring a professional nurse resume writer can cost $300 or more, NurseResumeBuilder.app is available for less than $20.

Perfect for nursing students and recent grads who need to apply fast—and on a budget.

👉 Start building your new grad nurse resume today:nurseresumebuilder.app

Final Takeaway

You’ve already done the hard part—earning your degree and passing the NCLEX. Now it’s time to present your story confidently to hiring managers.

With the right formatting, strategic content, and a tool like NurseResumeBuilder.app, your new grad nurse resume can open doors to the opportunities you’ve worked so hard to earn.