Completing nursing school is a very exciting time; now, on to the job search. Writing a nursing resume for the very first time may be daunting because other than your clinical experience gained in school and during rotations, you lack clinical experience.

So, through a well-structured resume, you can easily list down your skills, education, and passion in terms of patient care, giving one an edge in this competitive job market.

Roles and Responsibilities of a New Grad Nurse Resume

Clinical Skills

He or she should have the skills to carry out patient assessment to detect the conditions and symptoms of the particular diseases seen in the patients. It should also cover the knowledge and awareness of the medications, cleaning and dressing the wounds, etc.

Communication skills

Listening, understanding and documenting the patient’s issues, conditions and collaborating with physicians during the treatment.

Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

Making critical decisions in terms of the medications and treatment based on the data acquired through the patient's condition. Managing different kinds of patients and dealing with unforeseen complications.

Check out the free templates for new grad nurse resume.

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Steps to Make an Outstanding New Grad Nurse Resume

Write a Clean Summary

As a new graduate, your professional summary should focus on your education, clinical experience, and commitment to quality patient care. Highlight any exceptional skills or significant accomplishments that distinguished you in nursing school and tailor this section for the specific job you are applying for.

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Convey Your Educational Background

As a nursing student, education will likely be your biggest selling point. Focus on your academic background, especially listing honors, relevant coursework, and certifications. Include:

The name of the school
The type of degree you want to earn; for example, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Anticipated date of graduation
Any applicable coursework, for example, Pathophysiology, Pharmacology
Academic honours, including Dean's List

Explain Your Clinical Experiences

That's when your clinical rotations become solid gold on paper. When you are applying as a fresher, convert your clinical rotations as a routine experience. Here you can describe the tasks and responsibilities you handle during the clinical experiences. Further, you can also include your skills relevant for the position to which you apply: patient care, administration of medications, collaboration with healthcare teams.

Whether you have worked in healthcare-related fields, such as a nursing assistant, home health aide, or even a receptionist at a clinic, these jobs should be included in your resume. These highlight your familiarities with the healthcare environment and patient interaction.

Highlight Certifications and Skills

Certifications and skills are vital in nursing and can make your resume stand out. Include any certifications such as Basic Life Support (BLS), First Aid, or Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS). For skills, focus on technical and soft skills such as:

Patient assessment
Electronic Medical Records (EMR) systems
Phlebotomy
Teamwork and collaboration
Communication and patient education

Write it in a Professional Tone

Use a clean, easy-to-read font such as Arial or Times New Roman.
Bold section headings, and make sure all bullet points are aligned.
Start with the most recent education, clinical experiences, and work experience first.
If possible, keep your resume to one page. Be concise and focus on relevant information.

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Final Words

A career as a nurse is one of the most reputed and crucial where every minute is precious for a patient's treatment. So, the hiring team will always look forward to choosing candidates who are experts in multitasking and greater clinical skills. So, it is significant to portray your skills, experiences, certifications and educational background in a clean and clear way in your resume.

Creating a nursing student resume might feel overwhelming at first, but by focusing on your education, clinical experience, and relevant skills, you can create a powerful document that will help you stand out. Remember to keep it professional, proofread carefully, and tailor it for each application.

Best of luck with your nursing career!

New Grad Nurse Resume