Resume example · New Graduate Nurse (New Grad RN)

New Graduate Nurse (New Grad RN) resume example.

A new grad nurse resume has to carry weight that experience usually does, so it leans on clinical rotations, your NCLEX-RN status, and AHA life-support certifications instead of paid RN history. Hospital recruiters scan for a license line, named EHR systems like Epic, and proof you handled real patient loads during a capstone or preceptorship. This example shows how a fictional BSN graduate structures those elements to clear an applicant tracking system and reach a hiring manager.

// example resume

A worked example for a fictional candidate. Copy the structure, not the details. Swap in your own real experience.

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Caleb Whitman
New Graduate Registered Nurse (BSN) | NCLEX-RN Passed
[email protected] · (555) 486-2317 · Columbus, OH · linkedin.com/in/caleb-whitman
Summary

BSN graduate and newly licensed RN with 720+ clinical hours across medical-surgical, ICU, and labor and delivery units. Charted assessments and medication administration in Epic during a med-surg capstone preceptorship managing a 4-patient assignment under RN supervision. Holds active Ohio RN license plus BLS and ACLS from the American Heart Association. Seeking a med-surg or step-down nurse residency.

Experience
Med-Surg Capstone Preceptorship (Senior Practicum)Jan 2026 - Apr 2026
Riverbend Medical Center, Columbus, OH
  • Carried a 4-patient assignment on a 32-bed medical-surgical unit under a preceptor RN, completing head-to-toe assessments and documenting findings in Epic each shift
  • Administered oral, IV, IM, and subcutaneous medications using barcode scanning and the five rights, with zero medication errors flagged during the 180-hour rotation
  • Performed sterile wound dressing changes, Foley catheter care, and blood glucose checks, escalating abnormal vital signs and lab values to the charge nurse
  • Delivered discharge teaching on medication schedules and follow-up care to patients and families, confirming understanding through teach-back
Clinical Rotations (BSN Program)Aug 2024 - Dec 2025
Capital University School of Nursing, Columbus, OH
  • ICU (120 hrs): monitored ventilated and telemetry patients, titrated IV fluids, and assisted with central line dressing changes alongside critical care RNs
  • Labor and Delivery / OB (90 hrs): supported fetal monitoring, postpartum assessments, and newborn vital signs in a Level II maternity unit
  • Pediatrics (90 hrs): calculated weight-based medication doses and conducted age-appropriate pain assessments using FLACC and Wong-Baker FACES scales
  • Documented patient care across Epic and Cerner EHR systems and reinforced infection control and HIPAA standards in every rotation
Patient Care Technician (Part-Time)Jun 2023 - Dec 2025
Maple Grove Skilled Nursing Facility, Columbus, OH
  • Recorded vital signs, blood glucose readings, and intake/output for up to 12 residents per shift and reported changes to the licensed nurse
  • Assisted with activities of daily living, repositioning, and fall-prevention rounding on a long-term care unit
  • Maintained accurate charting in PointClickCare and supported care plan compliance for residents with dementia and limited mobility
Skills

Patient assessment · Medication administration (PO, IV, IM, subQ) · Epic and Cerner EHR charting · IV insertion and maintenance · Wound care and dressing changes · Vital signs and telemetry monitoring · Foley catheter care · Blood glucose monitoring · Patient and family education · Infection control and HIPAA compliance

Education
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Capital University, Columbus, OH - 2025. NCLEX-RN: Passed May 2026. Ohio RN License (active), Ohio Board of Nursing.
Certifications
  • Registered Nurse (RN) License - Ohio Board of Nursing (active)
  • Basic Life Support (BLS) - American Heart Association
  • Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) - American Heart Association
Tailor this to a real jobCheck your resume against a posting

Keywords ATS systems scan for

Use the ones that are genuinely true for you, in your own words. Mirror the exact phrasing from the job posting where it matches.

Registered NurseNCLEX-RNBSNPatient assessmentMedication administrationEpicCernerElectronic Health Records (EHR)Basic Life Support (BLS)Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)Medical-SurgicalInfection controlHIPAA compliancePatient education

How to make this resume stronger

Specific to new graduate nurse (new grad rn) roles, not generic advice.

  • State your license and NCLEX status up top

    Recruiters and ATS both scan for proof you can legally work. Put your RN license (with state board and status) and NCLEX-RN result in the header or directly under your degree. If you have not tested yet, write 'NCLEX-RN scheduled June 2026' rather than leaving it blank.

  • Turn clinical rotations into real experience entries

    List each major rotation with the facility, specialty, and hours, then add bullets with concrete skills like 4-patient assignments, Epic charting, or ventilator monitoring. A dedicated Clinical Rotations or Capstone section reads as legitimate hands-on practice, not coursework.

  • Name the EHR systems and AHA certifications exactly

    Hospitals filter for Epic, Cerner, and Meditech by name, and for BLS, ACLS, or PALS from the American Heart Association. Spell out the full term and the acronym once each, and pair every certification with its real issuing body so the resume survives keyword screening.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Listing a certification or its issuer incorrectly, such as crediting ACLS to the Red Cross instead of the American Heart Association, or claiming a credential you have not earned yet.
  • Listing a nurse residency program as a certification when you have only applied or been accepted, rather than completed it.
  • Hiding clinical rotations inside the education section as a single line, which buries the patient-care skills recruiters are actually looking for.
  • Writing vague duties like assisted with patient care instead of specific actions such as administered IV antibiotics or documented assessments in Epic for a 4-patient assignment.
  • Omitting the EHR systems you trained on, which can auto-reject your resume even when you are otherwise qualified for the role.

New Graduate Nurse (New Grad RN) resume FAQ

Can I apply for RN jobs before I pass the NCLEX?

Yes. Many hospitals hire new graduate nurses into residency cohorts before licensure, often listing the role as a graduate nurse or RN pending licensure. On your resume, state your NCLEX-RN status clearly, for example 'NCLEX-RN scheduled May 2026' or 'NCLEX-RN passed, Ohio RN license pending.' You typically must pass and hold an active license before your start date or within a set grace period.

What certifications should a new grad nurse list?

At minimum, list Basic Life Support (BLS) from the American Heart Association, since nearly every acute-care role requires it. Add Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) for ICU, ED, and cardiac roles, or Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) for peds and NICU, both also from the American Heart Association. Always include the issuing organization and keep the acronyms exact so ATS keyword filters match.

How do I fill a new grad nurse resume with no work experience?

Lead with your clinical rotations and capstone or preceptorship as experience entries, listing each specialty, the facility, hours completed, and the specific skills you practiced. Include any patient care technician, CNA, or externship work, your BSN or ADN, your NCLEX-RN status, and your AHA certifications. Together these show real hands-on patient care even without a prior paid RN job.

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Last reviewed June 14, 2026.