Congratulations on earning your degree in nursing and becoming a new graduate nurse! A well-written resume is one of the most important tools you have when looking for a job. Your resume is the first thing an employer sees about you, so it’s important to craft one that showcases your skills, experiences, and love for nursing. This article will show you how to create a great nurse resume for new grad that will catch the attention of hiring managers and get you the job you want. Let’s take a look at the most important parts of your resume.
Key Components of a Nurse Resume
1. Information about how to be contacted
At the top of your resume, you should put your full name, your professional title (“Registered Nurse” or “RN”), your phone number, and a professional email address. Avoid unprofessional or outdated email names.
2. Objective
Your professional summary, also called a “career objective,” is a short paragraph that highlights your most important skills, accomplishments, and career goals. Change this section to match the job you are applying for.
3. Education and licenses
Write your school history, including the name of the nursing school you attended, the degree you received, and the date you graduated. Mention any significant qualifications such as CPR or Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS).
4. Rotations in clinic and internships
Mention any clinical rotations or nurse internships you did while you were in school. Focus on the skills you have learned and the skills you have acquired.
5. Abilities and Specialties
List your nursing skills and any additional training you have. Include both hard skills and soft skills, such as knowing how to administer medications and care for wounds.
6. Relevant experience
Even if you graduate from nursing school, you may have useful work experience from nursing externships or part-time jobs. Focus on any jobs you’ve held that are similar to the jobs you’re looking for.
7. Achievements and Honors
Mention any awards or honors you received during your nursing school. These honors show how hard you work and how talented you are.
8. Licenses and Membership
List any nursing licenses you hold and any professional nursing groups you are a member of. Being a part of these groups shows that you want to be better at your job.
9. Citations
Show that suggestions can be provided if asked. You don’t have to put them on your resume, but you should be willing to provide them if asked.
Creating a resume specifically for a nurse
The layout of your resume is a big part of making a good impression. Here are some tips for layout that will help make your resume stand out:
1. Choosing the best format
The two most popular types of resume formats are chronological and functional. If your work history is consistent, choose a chronological style. If you don’t have much experience, you can use functional style to highlight your skills.
2. Advice on fonts and formatting
Choose a professional font such as Arial, Calibri or Times New Roman and make the font size 11 or 12 points. Use bullet points to organize information and make it easier to read.
3. Adding a professional photo
You don’t need to include a professional headshot, but if you do, make sure it’s of good quality and shows you off in a nice way.
4. Including keywords
Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are used by many companies to screen resumes. Include keywords from the job description to improve your chances of getting noticed.
How to Make Your Resume Match the Job Description
Every job application should have a unique resume tailored to the role and company. Here’s how to craft your resume successfully:
- Examining the job advertisement
- Read the job description carefully to find out what skills and qualifications the company is most looking for.
- Demonstrate relevant skills Highlight nursing skills and experiences that match job requirements.
- Emphasis on clinical experience
- If the job requires specific clinical experience, be sure to include it on your resume.
- Focus on “soft skills”.
Nursing is not just about technical skills; Show that you can communicate well, work well with others, and show compassion.
Advice on how to write a great cover letter
Your cover letter is a great place to show your style and how much you want the job. Follow these steps to create a unique cover letter:
1. Getting to know the hiring manager
Address your cover letter to the job manager or recruiter by name as much as possible.
2. Showing what you love
Talk about why you chose nursing as a career and how much you love helping people.
3. Connecting your experiences
Talk about how your past events prepared you for the job you’re applying for.
4. Is it important for a hospital or clinic?
Tell them why you want to work in their position and how you can help them achieve their goals.
What a new nurse resume for new grad should and shouldn’t include
Things to do:
Use action words like: Start bullet points with strong action verbs like “managed,” “collaborated,” or “evaluated.”
Count your achievements: Whenever you can, put a number on what you’ve done to show your impact.
Customize for each job application: Tailor your resume to each job application to showcase your best skills and experiences.
Don’ts: Using unprofessional email addresses: Don’t apply for jobs with unprofessional or childish-looking email names.
Overdesigning the resume: Keep your resume design clean and professional and don’t use distracting colors or images.
Adding irrelevant hobbies: Don’t include hobbies that don’t help your nursing application.
How to deal with gaps in employment
If your resume shows breaks between jobs, be prepared to talk about them in the interview. It’s important to be honest, and you can talk about any learning experiences or volunteer work you’ve done during that time.
Getting a Job:
When your resume gets you an interview, it’s time to prepare for it. Here are some tips for interviewing:
1. Looking into space
Find out about the hospital or center where your interview will take place. Learn about their beliefs, their culture and what they have done recently.
2. Practicing simple questions
Practice answering common questions asked in nursing interviews to become more confident.
3. Shows you have confidence
Show that you are sure of yourself in the interview, but also be humble and willing to learn.
4. Asking questions that require thinking
Prepare smart questions to ask the interviewer to show how interested you are in the job and the company.
Using professional materials
There are several tools you can use to create a great resume:
1. Re-use the templates
Use expertly designed templates to save time and make sure your resume looks good.
2. Writing services for resumes
Consider getting help from a service that specializes in writing nurse resumes.
3. Career counselling
Consult a career counselor to get specific advice on how to improve your resume and job search plan.
4. Online portfolios
Consider creating an online portfolio to show off your skills and experiences to possible employers.
Emphasize your skills, experiences and love of nursing,
As a newly graduated nurse, landing your first job can be both exciting and daunting. In a tough job market, if your resume is well-organized and customized, you have a better chance of getting noticed. Remember to emphasize your skills, experiences and love of nursing, and don’t forget to write an interesting cover letter to go with your resume.
With the right approach and a commitment to always be better, you will be well on your way to landing your dream job as a nurse and embarking on a fulfilling and rewarding career in the healthcare business.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How long should my resume be as a new nurse graduate?
A1: Aim for a one-page resume, but if you have a lot of useful experience, a well-organized two-page resume is fine.
Q2: Can I put non-nursing work experience on my resume?
A2: Yes, you can add non-nursing work experience to your application if it shows that you have skills that can be used in nursing.
Q3: Do I really need a cover letter?
A3: Some companies may not ask for a cover letter, but you should still send a letter to show your personality and interest in the job.
Q4: Should I include my clinical skills even if they are only short rotations?
A4: Yes, short clinical experiences also show that you are exposed to different fields and settings that are important to your nursing career.
Q5: How soon after sending my application should I follow up?
A5: A friendly follow-up email or phone call after a week shows that you are still interested in the job.