about six seconds reviewing each resume. Consider reviewing resume templates to find one that has aesthetic
appeal and a sensible layout.
Second, the sections you choose to include - and the order you put them in - is important. We recommend
something similar to the following:
Headings that every new-grad nursing resume should include (Required)
Every new-grad resume should include the following headings (we’ll discuss why we recommend these
headings and provide tips for each below):
1. Summary/Objective
Your resume summary or objective should be a few sentences that give measurable goals. Articulate
what you want from the nursing job you’re applying for, and what you believe you bring to the table
that makes you the right person for the job.
2. Licenses and Certifications
List out your certifications (and licences once you have it) with the full name of the license or
certification followed by the parenthetical abbreviation (the reason for this will be detailed when we
cover candidate screening software below), the full name of the issuing body, and the expiration date.
For your nursing license, include the state and license number. Also make a note if your license has
compact nursing state privileges.
Example for when you have your license:
2019 - Present Registered Nurse Licensure, Alaska Licensure Number: 55552323555
BLS, expiration date 11-12-2020
3. Education
For your schooling, include all relevant education. This means you shouldn’t include things like your
high school diploma, but should include your Bachelor of Science in Biochem. Make sure to make it
clear whether you have an ADN or a BSN (and don’t use those acronyms without writing them out
first!).
4. Clinical Rotations and/or Experience
Even the newest of new nurses has nursing experience!
Very few nursing schools lack a component of clinical rotations, practicums, or other training that
involves hands-on nursing care. Maybe you weren’t paid for it, but - THAT IS EXPERIENCE. Be sure to
specify what kinds of experience, and build your action-word-packed bullet points (more on this below)
to demonstrate how this experience 1) is indicative of the quality healthcare you’re capable of, and 2) is
going to help you succeed as an RN.
In the experience section, make sure to include details like type of work, start and end dates, weekly
number of hours worked, name of the hospital or facility (plus city and state - "St. Joseph’s" doesn’t tell
anyone anything), and name of your unit or department (Similarly, don’t provide a “5S” unit label! Stick
to names that will be meaningful to your audience - “Med/Surg,” “Stepdown,” etc.).
Experience