resume for nursing graduate school admission

6 New Grad Nursing Resume Examples + How To Write

Are you a new grad nurse or about to complete your nursing degree? If so, congratulations on your impressive accomplishment! At this point, you may be wondering what is your next action in the strategy to secure a job. If so, read on for vital information to help you successfully navigate the unchartered territory of finding employment as a nurse. Preparing a top-notch resume is an essential step in securing a position after graduation. When thinking about how to compose a resume, you might ask, what are some exceptional examples of new grad nursing resumes? This article, 6 best new grad nursing resume examples, will guide you through the process of creating a professional new grad nursing resume that is sure to impress. Additionally, well-structured resume examples will visually aid you in designing your resume that is sure to catch the eye of your future employer.

What Exactly Is A New Grad Nursing Resume?

How is a new grad nursing resume different from an experienced nursing resume, 4 reasons why an exceptional resume makes a difference to new grad nurses, 1. you may be competing with experienced nurses-, 2. there may be many candidates-, 3. highlights new skills-, 4. helps to get your foot in the door-, what are some exceptional examples of new grad nursing resumes, example #1: resume of diane joyner, diane joyner, licenses and credentialing, clinical experience, student nurse.

• Performed new mom, baby and labor and delivery patient care duties on a 12-bed obstetrics unit. • Team leader for student nurse rotation on 2 occasions. • Developed nursing care plans on 2-3 patients each week. • Completed 75 clinical hours in obstetrics.

• Performed patient care duties on a busy 28-bed pediatric unit. Commended by clinical instructor, preceptor, and unit nurses for ease of adaptation, enthusiasm, and expert nursing care of children on unit. • Team leader for colleagues on 4 occasions. • Developed nursing care plans on 3-10 patients per week. • Developed and instituted engaging quiet activity lessons and entertainment boxes for children while in the hospital. • For children in quarantine, developed exercises to promote circulation and heart health while recovering in isolation, if applicable. • Completed 75 clinical hours in Pediatrics.

• Provided nursing care in a busy inner-city ER, ICU, and CCU. • Completed 90 hours total of critical care clinical hours. • Evaluated at 100% by the instructor for competence in critical care skills.

• Completed 30 outpatient hours as a public health nurse, either traveling for home visits or at a community clinic. • Evaluated and developed plans of care for patients from 7 months to 70 years old. • Completed 30 additional outpatient hours in a public elementary and middle school.

• Performed basic nursing care in a 400-bed community hospital with 2-4 adult patients daily. • Administered nursing services to seniors and disabled patients in community rehab and nursing facilities. • Completed 100 hours total of med-surg clinical hours.

Work History

Certified nurses aid.

• Performed basic hygiene and health aide services in a 300-bed nursing facility during vacations and summer.

Secretary to Bloomsburg University Department of Nursing

• Performed basic office duties such as filing, answering phones, and typing reports.

Babysitter for 2 diabetic sisters

• Hired to babysit and carefully monitor 2 diabetic children where carb counting, blood sugar monitoring, and insulin injections were necessary.

• Hostess, waitress, cook, and dishwasher duties as needed in a bustling restaurant.

Volunteer Work

• Mother of a newborn • Candy striper • Campus Catholic Organization • Church nursery worker • St Francis Soup Kitchen • Campus blood drive

What Makes This An Exceptional New Grad Registered Nurse Resume:

Example #2: resume of jan beck, licenses and credentialing.

1/2021-4/2021 Boseman, Montana

• Performed new mom, baby, and labor and delivery patient care duties on an 8-bed birthing center. • Developed nursing care plans on 1-2 patients each week. • Completed 75 clinical hours in obstetrics.

9/2020-11/2020 Boseman, Montana

• Performed patient care duties on a busy 20-bed pediatric unit. • Developed nursing care plans on 2-4 patients per week. • Completed 75 clinical hours in Pediatrics.

1/2020-5/2020 Boseman, Montana

• Provided nursing care ER, ICU, and CCU. • Completed 90 hours total of critical care clinical hours. • Evaluated at 99% by the instructor for competence in critical care skills. • Selected consistently by the staff and clinical instructor to work on Covid and burn units along with special cases.

11/2019-12/2019 Boseman, Montana

• Completed 30 psychiatric clinical hours at a 150-bed psychiatric hospital. • Completed psychiatric evaluations and instituted and monitored mental health treatment plans on 2 patients per day.

9/2019-10/2019 Boseman, Montana

• Completed 30 outpatient hours in a high school health clinic.

1/2019- 5/2019 Boseman, Montana

• Performed basic adult nursing care in a 200-bed community hospital with 2-4 patients daily. • Completed 100 hours total of med-surg clinical hours.

WORK HISTORY

University lab assistant.

5/2019-Present Boseman, Montana

• Selected by nursing faculty to assist in Anatomy and Physiology labs along with Microbiology lab.

Student Tutor

1/2020-Present Boseman, Montana

• Tutored students in course work for science, health, computer technology.

HONORS AND AWARDS

• Graduated second in nursing class with a 3.96 GPA • Received 4.0 in all clinical rotations • Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor Society • Award for future nurse in excellence and scholarship

Example #3: Resume of Joan Zimmerman

Joan zimmerman.

1/2021-4/2021

• Completed 60 clinical hours rotating between urgent care and family health clinic. • The preceptor stated she felt very confident in all skills and knowledge to independently care for patients under her supervision.

9/2020-11/2020

• Performed patient care duties on a busy 60-bed pediatric unit. • Developed nursing care plans on 2-4 patients per day. • Completed 75 clinical hours in Pediatrics.

1/2020-5/2020

• Provided nursing care ER, ICU, and CCU. • Completed 90 hours total of critical care clinical hours. • Evaluated at 100% by the instructor for competence in critical care skills. • Team head 3 out of 10-week rotation. • Nurses on the unit commented daily on my advanced knowledge of cardiovascular conditions and ability to handle patient care efficiently.

11/2019-12/2019

• Completed 30 psychiatric clinical hours at a 241-bed psychiatric hospital. • Completed psychiatric evaluations and instituted and monitored mental health treatment plans on 2 patients per day.

9/2019-10/2019

• Completed 60 outpatient hours rotating between units for women’s health, labor and delivery, NICU, PICU, and newborn nursery.

1/2019-5/2019

• Performed basic nursing care on adults in a busy 600-bed hospital with 2-4 patients daily. • Completed 100 hours total of med-surg clinical hours.

Walmart Cashier

5/2017-Present

Honors and Awards

• Graduated first in nursing class with a 3.99 GPA • Received 4.0 in all clinical rotations • Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor Society • Future Nurse Leader Award • School of Nursing Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award

Volunteer and Leadership Experience

• President of Student Nursing Association • Captain of the high school basketball team

Example #4: Resume of Lizzie Arndt

Lizzie arndt.

1/2021-5/2021 Jersey City, New Jersey

• Completed 60 clinical hours performing home health services on patients of a variety of ages and conditions, including prenatal and postnatal care. • Developed new mom instructional videos on breastfeeding and bathing.

9/2020-11/2020 Eastman, New Jersey

• Performed patient care duties on a busy 62-bed pediatric unit. • Developed nursing care plans on 2-4 patients per day. • Completed 75 clinical hours in Pediatrics. • Rotated onto pediatric burn unit.

1/2020-5/2020 Eastman, New Jersey

• Provided nursing care ER, ICU, CCU, and adult burn unit. • Completed 90 hours total of critical care clinical hours.

11/2019-12/2019 Eastman, New Jersey

• Completed 30 psychiatric clinical hours at a state prison on both men’s and women’s units. • Completed psychiatric evaluations and instituted and monitored mental health treatment plans on 1-3 patients per day.

9/2019-10/2019 Eastman, New Jersey

• Completed 60 outpatient hours rotating between units for women’s health, labor and delivery and NICU, PICU, and newborn nursery. • Achieved 100% on clinical skills and knowledge testing. • Developed competency checklist for pre- and post-natal teaching of pregnant women and new moms. • Established support reference material for new mom packet.

1/2019- 5/2019 Eastman, New Jersey

• Performed basic adult nursing care in a busy 575-bed hospital with 2-4 patients daily. • Completed 100 hours total of med-surg clinical hours in the hospital and adjoining rehabilitation center.

Swim Instructor and Lifeguard

5/2017-Present Jersey City, New Jersey

• Graduated first in nursing class with a 3.95 GPA • Received 4.0 in all clinical rotations • Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor Society • Outstanding Nursing Student Award • Scholarship for swimming • Scholarship for academic excellence

Extra-Curricular Activities

• Division I swimming all 4 years in college

Example #5: Resume of Lynn Horton

Lynn horton.

• Performed new mom, baby and labor and delivery patient care duties on a 50-bed women’s health unit. • Completed 75 clinical hours in obstetrics.

• Performed patient care duties on a busy 20-bed pediatric unit. • Developed nursing care plans on 2-4 patients per week. • Rotated onto pediatric oncology unit to care for 1-2 oncology patients per day. • Completed 75 clinical hours in Pediatrics.

• Provided nursing care in ER, ICU, and CCU units. • Completed 96 hours total of critical care clinical hours.

• Completed 30 psychiatric clinical hours at a 40-bed detox and substance abuse facility. • Completed psychiatric evaluations and instituted and monitored mental health treatment plans on 2-3 patients per day. • Assisted nursing and psychiatric staff with detox and substance abuse treatment and therapy.

• Completed 30 outpatient hours in a home health agency to include care for adults and children with cancer.

• Performed basic nursing care in a 600-bed community hospital with 2-4 patients daily. • Completed 100 hours total of med-surg clinical hours.

Certified Nurse Assistant

• Provided comfort and basic care to adult patients with cancer.

• Graduated Magna Cum Laude • Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor Society • Award for future nurse in excellence and scholarship

Volunteer and Extra-curricular Activities

• Served as a companion and nurse’s aide to a friend dying of cancer • Division III university softball player

Example #6: Resume of Paul Linney

Paul linney.

1/2021-4/2021 Tampa, Florida

• Performed new mom, baby and labor and delivery patient care duties on a 30-bed birthing center. • Performed basic nursing and prenatal care to walk-in women’s health center. • Completed 75 clinical hours in obstetrics and women’s health.

9/2020-11/2020 Tampa, Florida

• Performed patient care duties on a busy 38-bed pediatric unit. • Developed nursing care plans on 2-3 patients per week. • Completed 75 clinical hours in Pediatrics.

1/2020-5/2020 Tampa, Florida

• Provided nursing care in ER, ICU, and CCU units. • Completed 90 hours total of critical care clinical hours.

10/2019-12/2019 Tampa, Florida

• Completed 30 psychiatric clinical hours on a 62-bed psychiatric unit, which included detox and substance abuse treatment. • Completed psychiatric evaluations and instituted and monitored mental health treatment plans on 2-4 patients per day. • Assisted nursing and psychiatric staff with detox and substance abuse treatment and therapy. • Achieved 100% for clinical rotation. • Selected as team leader 5 out of 8 weeks on unit. • The Nurses and the preceptor remarked weekly about comfort level and ease with working with psychiatric patients.

9/2019-10/2019 St. Pete, Florida

• Completed 30 outpatient hours in a community center for at-risk youth. • Held group sessions for abused and traumatized teens. • Met individually with 2 patients per week for individual counseling and psychiatric sessions and care.

1/2019-5/2019 Tampa, Florida

• Performed basic nursing care in a 300-bed community hospital with 2-4 patients daily. • Completed 100 hours total of med-surg clinical hours.

VOLUNTEER AND EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

• Boys Club of Clearwater • Paxton Ministries Soup Kitchen • Special Olympics

HOW TO WRITE AN EXCEPTIONAL NEW GRAD RN RESUME?

1. proper format.

• Your name and contact information at the top of the page • Easy to read (not fancy) fonts such as New Times Roman, Arial, and Calibri • Font size 11 or12 • Stay consistent in fonts and style types • Be concise • No abbreviations or slang

2. Summary or objective

• Professional goals • Name of unit and institution where you are applying • Nursing skills and qualities pertinent to the position • Degrees and professional certifications

3. Licenses and credentialing

• The full name of your license or certification • Institution or body that issued license

4. Education

• Official school name • Location of the school • Dates you attended or graduated • Degree that you completed

5. Clinical rotations

• The type of the clinical rotation • Dates of the rotation and total hours completed • Name of institution (and city/state) of clinical • Name of unit you worked on

6. Work history

• Position held, then the name of the company/organization where you worked and the city and state with starting and ending date of hire • In a few words, describe the job

7. Volunteerism

• Church bake sales, nursery work, chicken BBQ worker, soup kitchen, and vacation bible school assistant • Hospital candy striper • Homecoming committee • Musical lighting and props • Prepped dinners for a homeless shelter • Assistant to professor • Staffed nursing department booth for college fairs • Blood pressure checks for health fairs • Assisted with blood drives on campus

8. Honors and awards

9. skills/language summary, 10. appropriate length, 11. match your resume to the job, 12. proofread, 7 common mistakes to avoid when writing your new grad nursing resume, 1. not including non-work experience-, 2. being too modest-, 3. too wordy-, 4. not personalized-, 5. leaving out accomplishments-, 6. not customizing-, 7. not proofing-, 3 consequences of a poorly written new grad rn resume, 1. you may never get an interview-, 2. your resume sets the stage-, 3. you may receive lower compensation-, my final thoughts, frequently asked questions answered by our expert, 1. what is the difference between new grad nurse resume and new grad nurse cv, 2. as a new grad nurse, when should i write my resume, 3. do i need a different resume for each new grad nursing job i apply to, 4. how long is my new grad nursing resume good for, 5. how many words should a resume be for a new graduate nurse, 6. how much time does it take to write an exceptional resume for a new grad nurse, 7. what is the best resume format for new grad nurses, 8. should i put my gpa on my new grad nurse resume, 9. should skills be on my new grad nurse resume, 10. what is a good objective for a new grad nursing resume, 11. how to list registered nurse license on my new grad nursing resume.

• Full name of nursing license • The body that issued the license • Expiration date

12. Should I Put Clinical Experience On My New Grad Nursing Resume?

13. should i include preceptorship on my new grad nursing resume, 14. can i ask someone else to write my new graduate nurse resume, 15. is it a good idea to use ready templates to write my new graduate nurse resume, 16. are there any online apps or tools that make writing a good resume for a new graduate nurse easy.

Graduate Application Guide for Nurses

• Prerequisites
• GRE and MAT
• Application Requirements
• How to Apply

Are you ready to earn your online nursing degree?

Earning a graduate degree in nursing allows nurses to apply for higher leadership positions, earn higher salaries, and further specialize in nursing. If a nurse wants to become a nurse practitioner or researcher, they need more experience and skills to provide the best care to patients.

Aspiring or prospective nursing students should know exactly what’s required when applying for graduate programs. This guide covers graduate program admission requirements and what applicants should expect to provide with the applications.

Learn what really matters when applying to nursing graduate programs and the requirements for application.

Nursing Graduate Program Prerequisites

While these prerequisites apply to most graduate schools, keep in mind that different schools have different requirements. You can find graduate nursing school requirements on your preferred school’s website or talk to the school’s graduate admissions counselors.

Do I Need a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing to Earn a Nursing Graduate Degree?

While some graduate programs require applicants to hold a bachelor’s degree in nursing, other programs are designed for RNs without a bachelor’s degree. Many graduate nursing schools also offer accelerated or bridge programs for those who have a bachelor’s degree in a discipline other than nursing.

An RN-to-MSN program offers a pathway for nurses who have an associate degree in nursing rather than a bachelor’s degree. Some schools may also offer a direct-entry MSN which is designed for students with a bachelor’s degree in a discipline other than nursing.

Since bridge programs take longer to complete than BSN-to-MSN programs and are only offered by some schools, a BSN can reduce the amount of time spent in graduate school.

What Prerequisite Classes are Required for Graduate Nursing Programs?

Nursing graduate students must complete certain prerequisites to prepare for graduate-level coursework.

Prerequisites typically include:

Students who have completed these courses at accredited schools can typically transfer the credits into their graduate program. Private, for-profit schools sometimes do not hold accreditation or hold national rather than regional accreditation.

Students who attended an undergraduate school without regional accreditation should research the transfer policy of their prospective graduate school to ensure the institution will accept their degree and credits. If the graduate program does not offer the required prerequisite courses and the student either has not completed the courses previously or cannot transfer them, the learner may be able to complete prerequisites through another accredited college.

Is Work Experience a Prerequisite to a Nursing Graduate Program?

Nursing is a complicated and ever-changing field. Even after years of school and clinical, graduates sometimes need more time to become comfortable in their roles. That’s why many programs require applicants to submit a resume with their nursing graduate school application and may require a certain amount of relevant experience.

These programs are designed for nurses who want to specialize in a certain area. Applicants to RN-to-MSN programs , which do not require a bachelor’s degree, may need additional experience. Students with professional experience closely related to their field of study are often the most competitive applicants. For example, applicants to a nurse anesthetist program may benefit from experience working in the operating room or ICU. Students who plan to pursue graduate education directly after earning their bachelor’s degree should look for programs that do not require work experience.

Do I Have to Take the GRE or the MAT to Apply to Nursing School?

Many institutions require applicants to submit GRE or MAT scores. If a school accepts scores from either entrance exam , the applicant should choose the exam that best suits their unique situation, considering the subjects, costs, dates, and locations of each test.

The GRE tests students on analytical writing, verbal reasoning, and quantitative reasoning. The mathematical section is high-school level and below, and all sections require critical-thinking skills. The MAT comprises 100 semantic analogy questions, which assess the test-taker’s understanding of a variety of topics.

The GRE takes four hours to complete, and the MAT only takes one hour. The GRE costs $205, and students may incur additional fees for registering late or sending scores after the test. The cost of the MAT varies by location, with most testing centers charging about $100. Some schools require no entrance exam, while others waive the requirement for certain students.

MAT/GRE Waiver

Some students get nervous at the very thought of taking an entrance exam because they know they do not test well. Working nurses may also not have the time to study for an exam like this. Applicants with these concerns may be able to skip the tests with waivers.

Higher learning institutions may waive the requirement for GRE or MAT scores if a student has:

• High enough undergraduate GPA
• Specified number of years of experience or
• Previous graduate degree in any subject

Many schools make these exceptions because applicants with those qualifications have already proven they can excel at the graduate level or in nursing. To apply for a waiver, candidates should contact the admissions offices at their chosen schools. Each school has a different process, but they all require waiver candidates to fill out applications and provide proof of their eligibility.

Breakdown of MAT Scores

Pearson, the organization that oversees the MAT, scores each test digitally . Test-takers receive unofficial results immediately after completing the exam. Pearson sends official scores to each student’s choice of three institutions. Test-takers also receive official scores, including scaled scores and percentiles.

To calculate a scaled score, Pearson begins with the student’s raw score, which represents the number of questions missed, then uses statistical analysis to account for variations between tests. Each scaled score is between 200 and 600. The percentile illustrates how well the student performed compared to other test-takers. Students receive a percentile score between one and 99, which represents the percentage of learners who earned the same score or lower. For example, a student who scores in the 80th percentile did as well as or better than 80% of all MAT test-takers.

Nursing graduate schools evaluate exam scores differently. Many programs have a minimum score requirement of about 410. However, some universities have no minimum requirement and use the applicant’s MAT score in context with the rest of the application when making admissions decisions.

Sometimes a test-taker recognizes a poor performance before completing the exam. When that happens, the student can take advantage of Pearson’s no score option. The test-taker selects “do not process this score” on screen, and although the student does not receive a refund, Pearson will not send the suboptimal score to institutions.

Breakdown of GRE Scores

GREs have three sections: verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing. Scoring is fairly straightforward . The verbal reasoning and quantitative reasoning sections are multiple choice and scores range from 130-170 with one-point increments.

The analytical writing section is scored from 0-6, with half-point increments. This section comprises two essay questions. Two readers will score your entrance essay for the nursing program, and if their responses vary by more than one point, a third reader will also score your results. You receive the average of the scores.

The average/mean scores for each section are:

150.37 Verbal Reasoning

153.66 Quantitative Reasoning

3.6 Analytical Writing

In addition to your raw score, you receive a report that indicates your percentile, as described below.

GRE Scores and Percentiles

Percentiles indicate how your scores compare to other test-takers’ scores. The tables below show how raw scores convert into percentiles. For example, a scaled score of 170 on the verbal reasoning section means that you scored in the 99th percentile. In other words, you scored higher than 99% of all other test-takers. A 170 for quantitative reasoning means you scored higher than 96% of all test-takers.

Nursing School Application Requirements

Graduate nursing school requirements ensure you can succeed in the program and as a nurse. This is why they include measurements of your academic achievements, such as your GPA for nursing school or other undergraduate degree, as well as letters of recommendation and a personal essay or statement. These indicate whether you have the personal characteristics required for nursing.

Transcripts

Almost all nursing master’s programs require applicants to submit undergraduate transcripts, which must be official and unopened. In most cases, the undergraduate institution sends these official documents directly to the graduate school.

Admissions boards use transcripts to ensure the applicant holds the required degree, typically an ADN or BSN. Transcripts also reveal whether the applicant has taken prerequisite courses and provide insight into the academic areas in which the applicant excels. Many schools consider each applicant’s overall GPA and nursing GPA separately.

Some schools have no minimum GPA, except for applicants who wish to waive the GRE or MAT requirement. Most schools that set minimum GPAs require at least a 3.0 GPA, but some selective universities require a minimum 3.5 GPA.

Test Scores

When submitting a nursing graduate school application, a strong resume is important, especially if the program requires professional experience.

Resumes should be concise and easy to read. Students should accurately describe each of their previous positions while emphasizing skills applicable to advanced nursing practice. Important items to include are:

• Education and training
• Licensure and Certification
• Awards and accomplishments
• Volunteer work

Applicants who lack experience or who have gaps in their work history can strengthen their resume by adding volunteer or clinical experience. Applicants should be ready to explain any gaps in employment during an interview if required.

Essays and Personal Statements

Graduate nursing school applicants may need to submit a personal statement, an essay, or both. For applicants, understanding how to write a personal statement for nursing school can provide you with an important advantage.

Because the essay or personal statement is an opportunity to explain or compensate for gaps or issues in the rest of the application, students should devote significant time and energy to this piece of writing. Applicants should ensure the essay is free of grammatical, spelling, and punctuation errors. While a few misplaced commas may not result in a rejection, incoherent writing can ruin an application.

Each institution provides different prompts, but most essays focus on the applicant’s strengths and future plans to illustrate why the school should accept them. Admissions officials look for essays and statements conveying the applicant’s ambitions and motivations. Perhaps most importantly, the essay should be authentic and reflect the applicant’s true feelings about the nursing profession .

Letters of Recommendation

While the essay or personal statement allows applicants to explain themselves, letters of recommendation provide the perspective of the candidate’s colleagues and mentors. Recommenders should have experience with the applicant in an academic or professional setting. Some schools also ask applicants to provide letters of recommendation that speak to the student’s moral character.

Candidates should avoid choosing family members as recommenders and instead ask current or previous professors and employers. Applicants should approach potential recommenders early and give them plenty of time to write letters, ideally a few months.

Near the beginning of the letter, the writer should clearly state their intention to endorse the applicant. The writers should then highlight the applicant’s professional or academic prowess, dedication to nursing, and achievements. Like in essays, admissions boards prefer specific examples in letters of recommendation. UC Berkeley provides an example of an effective letter of recommendation.

English Proficiency Tests

International applicants from non-English-speaking countries must typically complete an English proficiency exam. These standardized tests demonstrate an applicant’s ability to understand English-speaking teachers and succeed in courses taught in English.

Many schools will not issue the required visa documentation without English proficiency scores. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) are both commonly accepted. Students should check with their prospective institution to learn about score requirements and which exams the school accepts.

Background Check and Drug Screening

How do you apply to nursing graduate school.

Nurses can advance their careers by applying to graduate school, but because the application process can take a year or longer, prospective students should begin researching early. Candidates should apply as soon as the documents are ready and the desired schools are accepting applications. Waiting until a week or two before the application deadline can be stressful, and even a minor setback can ruin the student’s chances of acceptance.

The steps for applying to graduate nursing school are:

• Complete required prerequisites for nursing school
• Collect necessary applications materials
• Prepare for and take the GRE or MAT
• Apply to programs
• Prepare for nursing program interviews
• Receive acceptance or rejection letters

NursingCAS provides a simple application process for students applying to participating schools. The system is operated by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and allows students to apply to many schools at once. NursingCAS charges graduate students $70 for the first school and $40 for each additional institution to which they apply; this fee is comparable to individual schools’ application fees. Both NursingCAS and individual schools may waive these fees for applicants who demonstrate financial need.

Rolling Admissions

Some graduate schools have a rolling admissions policy, which means they have no firm application deadline. Instead, they accept applications all year. Online schools often provide rolling admissions because of their scheduling flexibility. Prospective students who meet graduate school requirements can apply immediately. The school places applications in line for review as soon as they receive them and immediately notifies the student upon reaching a decision.

Because these schools process applications on a first-come, first-served basis, candidates can benefit from applying during less competitive seasons. The time between acceptance and enrollment depends on the number of available spots. The earlier students apply, the sooner they typically begin classes. The start date also depends on the program format. Students attending traditional universities generally wait until the end of the semester. Accelerated programs may offer classes lasting 5-8 weeks and usually offer more start dates per year.

Rounds Admissions

Some nursing programs may provide rounds admissions in order to better accommodate clinical schedules. Schools with this type of admissions policy have application deadlines throughout the year. Most schools offer deadlines in the fall, spring, and summer. Each deadline corresponds with a start date. For example, students who apply by September of 2021 may begin courses in January or August of 2022.

While undergraduate students may benefit from applying for spring and summer start dates, which often have less competition, this is not necessarily true for nursing graduate programs. Because many applicants are current professionals and are not on an academic schedule, some nursing graduate schools may receive applications throughout the year. Instead of waiting for a time with less competition, candidates should apply at a time that fits their schedule.

Waiting for Acceptance Letters

After applying, students should receive a confirmation that the university has received the application. Since most candidates submit online, this confirmation often comes in the form of an email containing instructions on how to check the status of the application and how long the applicant should expect to wait for a decision. Long wait times do not indicate acceptance or rejection. After waiting, applicants receive a letter with an acceptance, rejection, or placement on a waitlist.

Students who are admitted to more than one program should carefully evaluate their options before enrolling. Learners should consider cost, time, distance, and available specialties. Those who are placed on a waitlist may be admitted when accepted students choose other schools. Candidates who receive rejection letters can review their applications and talk to admissions specialists. After improving their applications, they may apply again and receive an acceptance.

Frequently Asked Questions About Applying to Graduate Nursing School

What gpa do you need for nursing grad school.

Graduate nursing schools typically require a 2.75 GPA, and highly competitive schools require a 3.5 GPA minimum. With this in mind, other factors determine acceptance or rejection. A graduate program takes all of a student’s test scores, letters of recommendation, and leadership roles into account. GPA is just one indicator of how well a student would fit into the nursing program.

Does nursing require graduate school?

Not all nursing jobs require a graduate degree to apply. However, nurses that earn an MSN benefit from higher salaries , more job opportunities, and better experience to help care for patients. Some graduate programs even prefer applicants that have already worked in the nursing field.

Is it hard to get into nursing grad school?

Some of the most rigorous nursing graduate programs require high test scores and various top-ranking qualifications, but not every program fits each student’s goals. Each program varies and suits the needs of their respective nursing students.

How long does it take to get an MSN?

The fastest way to earn an MSN is to enroll in an accelerated BSN-to-MSN program that turns the typical six years of undergraduate and graduate classes into 4-5 years.

Whether you’re looking to get your pre-licensure degree or taking the next step in your career, the education you need could be more affordable than you think. Find the right nursing program for you.

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How to Create a New Graduate Nurse Resume & Cover Letter

Nursing resume vs cover letter, how to write a new grad nurse resume.

• Resume Tips
• Cover Letters
• Cover Letter Example

By the time you graduate nursing school, you may be an expert in cath placement, starting IVs, and dropping those nursing diagnoses, but you might not be an expert in the one act you’ll need to ace right after graduation: getting your first nursing job .    It might be easy to think that your application process for your first nursing job will be similar to that stressful practicum exam (why is it so much harder to put on sterile gloves in front of other people?!), but to apply for a nursing job, you’ll need to create an effective new graduate nursing resume and cover letter.    Of course, it can be a little more challenging to create a resume if you’re a new grad without any official nursing experience, but don’t worry—most hospitals not only expect that, but welcome new grads, and are specifically recruiting new grad nurses. So, here’s how to craft the perfect new grad nursing resume and cover letter, with examples to help you land that dream job. 

First things first: let’s discuss the differences between a nursing cover letter and a resume. A cover letter is a personal letter that you will include either in an email or with the application. The cover letter directly addresses the employer states your interest in the job, and lists a few personal reasons why you’re right for the job. There will be more on crafting a cover letter below. 

A resume, on the other hand, is your professional portfolio that lists your education, experience, skills, and certifications. You can think of the cover letter as the personal touch and the resume as the highlight reel. 

There are two basic ways to create a nursing resume : 

• Craft your own version
• Use a premade template 

For instance, many document editing software systems, such as Word, have built-in templates that can be adapted for your own individual use. 

In general, no matter if you craft your own resume or use a premade template, a new grad nursing resume will include 5 basic elements:

1. Your Personal Information

This section will include all of your personal information, such as your name, title, phone number, address, and email. Include a personal email address instead of a school-associated one. Eventually, your school email may be disabled and you will want HR to be able to contact you. Some people will also opt to include a small, work-appropriate headshot (no selfies!) as well.

A resume should highlight specific skills that you possess that can translate into your nursing career. For instance, skills such as working with a team, critical thinking, communication, and time management are all valuable for nurses.

3. Certifications

In this section, you should list any certifications you have already obtained, such as your CPR, ALS, or any other advanced certification you have earned. If you have passed your NCLEX, list your RN credentials as well.

4. Licenses

If you have not passed your NCLEX or have not taken it yet, you can write, “Eligible for NCLEX test for RN on X date,” so that the employer knows when you will be taking the NCLEX. 

Employing hospitals are understanding of the fact that there can be a delay between graduation and getting a date for your NCLEX test, so it’s okay to apply before you have taken your NCLEX test. 

Just be aware that if you are hired, there will be some limitations to your work until you officially become an RN.

5. Education

Under the education section of your resume, you will list any institutions for higher education that you attended. 

It’s optional if you want to include your high school, but considering you’re graduating from a nursing program, it’s not necessary. 

You can include details if you attended a college in the beginning of your education, then transferred. You’ll also include your GPA, any honors you received during your education, and your major and minor.

6. Relevant Experience

Because you most likely don’t have a lot of official nursing experience, this is the section to really highlight what kind of experience you do have that is relevant to the job. 

Of course, you’ll want to include any experience you have—both paid and volunteer—in the medical field. Maybe you’ve volunteered at a nursing home, have piloted community events, or have been working as a CNA. Whatever it is, highlight it!

If you made it through nursing school without any official healthcare work or volunteer roles, that’s okay too. You can translate many skills from different jobs, such as communication, teamwork, and time management with customer service or retail roles. 

>> Find Nursing Jobs Hiring Now on the Nurse.org Job Board

New Grad Nursing Resume Tips

It might feel challenging to create your first nursing resume, but here are some tips to help you along the way:

1. Don’t Be Afraid to Let Your Personality Shine

A new grad resume will be a pretty standard document and you should always keep it professional, but don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through your resume too. 

You can add personal touches, such as design elements, including color, or a personal photo, as well as highlight the skills and experiences and even goals for your future career.

2. Have Friends and Family Review the Resume

It’s time to bring in the village! Gather a few people you trust who can review the resume for you and make sure it’s typo-free and shines a spotlight on your best qualities.

3. Be Sure to Read the Job Description

If you are applying for a specific position or nurse residency program , be sure to carefully read the entire job description and posting so you know what they are looking for. 

If they have outlined specific skills or traits, include those in your resume. If they state that they are looking for someone who has graduated from a local school, highlight that on your resume. If they want someone who is willing to train in new areas, be sure to let them know that that’s you! 

Not only does referencing the job posting in your resume show them that you have done your research and really are the right person for the job, but it can also help ensure your resume gets past any resume-scanning software that the facility may be using.

4. Ask for Help

If you need assistance in crafting your resume, there are resources that can help. 

Firstly, you could consider asking your nursing school or professors for help. They should be able to point you to resources or help you directly. 

Next, a friend may be a good resource—they could have a template you could build off, or offer advice for creating your own resume. 

Lastly, there are professional resume services that you can hire for complete help with your resume. There are perfectly valid reasons why someone might need professional help for a resume, and there’s no shame in that.

5. Include Letters of Recommendation

Some places of employment may require references or letters of recommendation, but even if they do not, it’s a good idea to include references and letters of recommendation, if possible.

 A good place to start is to ask your professors, clinical educators, or current managers.

New Grad Nursing Resume Example

Education and certification.

Use this section to highlight your relevant passions, activities, and how they relate to nursing. It’s good to include Leadership and volunteer experiences here. Or show off important extras like publications, certifications, languages and more.

Bonus! New Grad Nursing Resume Templates You Can Use

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[gated-new-nurse-resume-template-3]

Cover Letters for New Grad Nurses

You’ve got your resume looking great, now it’s time for the dreaded new grad nurse cover letter . Never fear! We have the tips to help you shine on your cover letter.

Do You Need a Cover Letter When Applying to Jobs as a New Grad Nurse?

In most situations, you do need a cover letter when applying for nursing positions.

What Should You Include in a Cover Letter as a New Grad Nurse?

A new nurse grad’s cover letter should include your personal and contact information, like your name, address, phone number, and email, and a personal statement to the employer that you are applying for a job at. 

This is your opportunity to speak personally to the employer, highlight why you want to work for them, and how your skills, experience, and passions match with the job assignment.

How is a New Grad Nurse Cover Letter Unique From Other Cover Letters?

A new grad nurse’s cover letter should focus on your strengths and how those strengths can be an asset to the organization, as well as your future career goals and how taking this position will help you fulfill those goals. 

For instance, if you hope to gain experience in working in an ICU position, speak directly to that goal. 

New Grad Nurse Cover Letter Example

Your name Address Phone number, email

To Whom It May Concern:

I am interested in applying for a position at This Medical Center. I am a recent graduate of Your School, where I obtained my Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing. I will be eligible to sit for my NCLEX on THIS DATE and I am eager to utilize my knowledge and grow in experience by becoming a team member with This Medical Center.

During the course of my education, I INSERT PERSONAL DETAILS OR STORY ABOUT WHY YOU WANT THIS JOB OR YOUR OWN SKILLS. I am confident that my clinical experience in combination with my motivation, determination and strong critical thinking skills will enable me to excel in any clinical setting. 

As a long-time member of this community and someone who has had family members who have been patients at This Medical Center, it is extremely important to me to embody the goal of this organization by serving the community with caring, compassion and competence.

It is my sincere hope that I may become a vital member of the healthcare team at this organization. I aspire to grow on a professional level working with other team members, as well as personally, learning from each and every patient I will care for. I am confident that This Medical Center is an excellent choice for meeting these goals. 

Thank you in advance for your consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely, Your name, G.N. (graduate nurse)

How long should a new grad nurse's resume be?

• Ideally, a new grad’s resume should be no longer than one page.

Do you need to include a summary in your nursing resume?

• You do not need to include a summary in your nursing resume, but a few short sentences can highlight your experience up to now, as well as your goals in the job you are applying for. Here’s more on how to write an effective summary.

How can nurses improve new grad resumes?

• As a new grad, you can improve your resume by ensuring it aligns with the job position you’re applying for (for instance, include that any skills you have match what they’re looking for!), having trusted people review it for you, and if needed, hire professional help.

How do you write a nursing resume with no experience?

• If you have no official nursing experience, highlight relevant skills, education, and experiences that could directly translate into a role as a nurse. For instance, many jobs and volunteer roles have relevant skills such as communicating, working as part of a team, and time management.

Should I put GPA on a nursing resume?

• If you are a new grad, it can be helpful to put your GPA on a nursing resume, especially if you have not yet taken your NCLEX. Once you have earned your RN, however, a GPA is not necessary. You can include any academic honors, such as summa cum laude. 

Chaunie Brusie , BSN, RN is a nurse-turned-writer with experience in critical care, long-term care, and labor and delivery. Her work has appeared everywhere from Glamor to The New York Times to The Washington Post. Chaunie lives with her husband and five kids in the middle of a hay field in Michigan and you can find more of her work here . 

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• Nursing School

Nursing School Application Resume Examples

Examining nursing school application resume examples is a great way to learn about the key elements of this crucial component for your nursing school application. Along with your nursing school personal statement and nursing school letter of intent , an impressive resume will give a fuller context of your profile to the admissions committee. By now, you may be aware that the idea behind creating any resume is to provide information about your background in relation to the position or the program you are applying to. Similarly, your nursing resume helps in presenting your suitability for nursing. Without much ado, let's get started on how you can create an outstanding nursing school resume to get selected for your dream nursing school.

>> Want us to help you get accepted? Schedule a free strategy call here . <<

Article Contents 8 min read

What is a nursing school application resume.

As we already mentioned, the main purpose of a nursing school resume is to present your background, experiences, and suitability for nursing school. Whether you are applying to a nursing school directly after high school or after completing pre-nursing education at a community college, a nursing school application resume will help you emphasize relevant past achievements. 

The primary goal of every part of your application is to help the admissions committee assess whether you would make a great addition to their school. Take time to prepare your resume by calling attention to your relevant academic, extracurricular, and work experiences. A strong resume, along with an excellent nursing school letter of intent can convey your qualifications and background such that the admissions committee is convinced to select you. 

A nursing school resume should contain all the essential information about your pre-nursing background, including your educational endeavors and your work experience. Remember, if you do not have any formal work experience, your volunteer engagements also count. Here are a few major elements of your nursing school application resume.

Want to see a quick overview of the section below? Take a look at this infographic:

Contact information

The top section of your resume should mention your contact information. You must include your contact number and email address. You can add your LinkedIn profile URL to show your online presence and credibility.

An objective in your nursing school resume should be a short description of your skills along with your intent of joining a particular nursing school. It will give the admission’s committee a bird’s eye view of your profile.

For example,

Aspiring nursing professional with two years of volunteer experience in pediatric care, seeking acceptance to XXXX University’s nursing program.

Nursing schools value candidates with practical skills. You should mention your past work experience and the organizations where you worked. Remember, it is not always necessary to have a paid job experience to list in this section. Volunteering at a healthcare facility and shadowing experiences work as well. Refer to your nursing school personal statement so that you do not miss out adding any experiences. Also, make sure that your resume and personal statement donot contradict each other.

If you have worked in a non-healthcare job, such as a part-time job on campus, you can mention the skills you gained that are applicable to nursing. For instance, the communication skills you gained in your part-time job as a customer service representative work for a nursing school resume because good communication skills and customer service skills are essential skills for a nursing professional.

Education details

This section in your resume should include the details of your educational qualifications for nursing school. Make sure to include your highest level of education and even your GPA if it is impressive. You can also mention the relevant coursework in your undergraduate degree. For example, if you have a Bachelor of Science in Biology, you can mention that you studied anatomy as a subject. The admissions committee can understand that you have foundational knowledge about the human body and are suitable for a nursing program. 

Nurse training certifications

If you have undergone any relevant training certifications, you should mention them in your nursing school resume. It will demonstrate your commitment to nursing and a proactive attitude. For instance, it is good to include CPR or Cardiopulmonary resuscitation procedures training on your resume. Similarly, training certifications such as Basic Life Support, Certified Wound Treatment Associate, Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support, etc., are useful if you wish to become a nurse. Nursing training certifications will show that you have done the necessary preparation on your part to become a nurse in the future. 

You should add a separate section that lists your relevant soft and medical skills. For example, if you have experience handling medical equipment or conducting a medical procedure, you can mention that in the “Skills” section. Similarly, if you have developed soft skills such as managing a team or leading a project, you can include them. Remember, these will inevitably come up during your nursing school interview questions , so, presenting the admissions committee with these experiences right off the bat ensures them they you possess these valuable qualifications!

Achievements

Did you accumulate accolades that you are proud of? This section is a great place to describe those achievements. For example, if you received an academic accolade such as Dean’s list, you can list that on your nursing school application resume. Your accomplishments demonstrate your eagerness to excel and your sense of purpose. 

What is the best format for nursing school application resume?

A reverse-chronological format is best for a nursing school application resume. A resume in this format starts with your most recent and relevant position or academic endeavor. This type of resume is useful in any field, whether it be an MBA resume or a nursing resume, because it gives an overview of your career and allows the admissions committee to understand how you developed relevant skills throughout your journey to nursing school. Start your resume by mentioning your latest work experience and continue to list your experiences based on recency. Similarly, in the education section, mention the degree you completed most recently and then go back to your previous undertakings.

A great resume compels the admissions committee to invite you to a nursing school interview and ensures them that adding you to their school will improve the quality of their program. Here are a few tips to make your nursing school application resume better:

If you think you have a lot of content to mention, trim your responsibilities and achievements to capture the essence of your learning. For example, if you volunteered with the Red Cross Club for two years, you can eliminate minor responsibilities which will have little impact on your application. One more idea to shorten your resume is by mentioning only your most recent workplaces and projects. "}]">

Let us take a look at some of the example resumes for nursing school:

Andy Clamson

65, Sudbury Street

Detroit, MI

656-565-6655

[email protected]

https://linkedin.com/andycm

Recent graduate seeking a professional nursing program at Wayne State University to gain academic training in the field of nursing. Proven experience in handling medical emergencies with a sense of purpose to provide excellent care for patients. 

Medical Experience

Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI

Preceptorship Nurse, Month 20XX- Present

• Assisted 5 patients above the age of 60 years, in walking and specimen collection, and received 90% positive feedback.
• Updated information on vital signs and assessment results for assigned patients with 99.9% accuracy as observed by the preceptor.
• Achieved an improved patient satisfaction rate by 50% in 1 month through my communication and problem-solving skills.

John D. Dingell VA Medical Center, Detroit, MI

Clinical Practicum in Acute Care, Month 20XX- Month 20XX

• Responsible for the assessment and diagnosis of 20 patients with 98% positive feedback in evaluations.
• Planned the daily care and treatment goals for 5 patients with a 15% improvement in recovery time for 2 patients.
• Improvised patient care activities to reduce supervisor’s daily routine check time by 40%.

Other Experience

Wayne County Community College, Detroit, MI

Student Research Assistant, Biology, Month 20XX- Month 20XX

• Mentored 2 junior assistants in preparation of lab materials for instruction.
• Devised 3 new protocols for efficiency of experiments through an improvement in workflow by 30%.

Bachelor of Science (Biology), Month 20XX- Month 20XX

• Relevant coursework in Anatomy, Pharmaceuticals Oncology and Biochemistry.
• CPR/First Aid
• Basic Life Support
• Data recording
• Patient care routine planning

Certifications

• Advanced Wound Care Certification

Need help preparing for your nursing school interview as well? Check out this video:

Jamie Owen 

994, Clement Avenue

  [email protected]

https://linkedin.com/jowne

Bachelor of Nursing graduate with 2+ years of experience seeking admission into the nursing program at SONHS, University of Miami. Practically skilled with patient monitoring and care in a clinical environment.

Baptist Health South Miami Hospital, Miami, FL

Student Volunteer, Month 20XX- Present

• Responsible for recording the vitals of 10 patients every day with an accuracy of 99.9%.
• Assisted 18 patients with daily hygiene and personal care and received 100% patient satisfaction.
• Removed peripheral IV under the directions of the daily supervisor.
• Reduced delay in meal serving to patients by 95% by delivering food and snacks to them as directed by the senior supervisor.
• Implemented routine check diagnostic procedures with 100% efficiency.

Holtz Children’s Hospital, Miami, FL

Nursing Intern, Month 20XX- Month 20XX

• Assisted in reducing the severity of conditions in young adult patients post surgeries by performing 90% of medical assessments.
• Worked with a team of 5 nurses in rotation to earn the trust of young age patients.
• Reduced inventory shortage issues by 80% through constant communication with the inventory manager.

Miami Dade college, Miami, FL

Bachelor of Science in Nursing, GPA 3.6, Month 20XX- Month 20XX

• Relevant coursework in advanced health assessment and community health nursing.
• IV Management
• Interpersonal Communication
• Volunteer of the Year 20XX, Baptist Health South Miami Hospital, Miami

Olivia Jones

34, Pink Boulevard                                                                  

000-XXX-0000                                                                                      

https://linkedin.com/oliviajones

Graduate student with a passion for providing care seeking the nursing program at XYZ University. Exceptionally skilled in communication, teamwork, and clinical assistance.

• OSHA and HIPAA Compliance
• CPR and BLS
• Patient Care
• Data maintenance
• Data reporting

Clinical Experience

Community General Hospital

Nursing Volunteer, Month 20XX- Month 20XX

• Assisted in triaging patients and recording vital signs with an intake of more than 30 patients weekly.
• Reduced errors in the hospital database by 60% through running accuracy checks.
• Prepared patient paperwork for intake and discharge in 30% less time by introducing automated data flow through XYZ software.
• Participated in routine checks with RN and supervisor.
• Received 95% positive feedback from patients for daily care service. 

Baycare Health Network- North Hospital

Nursing Assistant Volunteer, Month 20XX- Month 20XX

• Attended 10+ patient calls per night with reduction in turnaround time by 35%.
• Assisted 7 residents with daily care activities and meals.
• Observed vital signs in non-intensive care units and reported data to RN with 100% accuracy.
• Moved and transferred patients minimum 3 times in a shift for diagnosis and general activity.

Alliance College of Nursing

Bachelor of Nursing, 3.9 GPA

Month 20XX- Month 20XX

Research Publications

• Considerations of Control Conditions Designs in Trials of Exercise Interventions in Diabetes Patients, Journal of Nursing, Month 20XX

Your nursing school resume should focus on your previous study in a related field and practical skills that will help you in a nursing degree. 

If you do not have formal paid experience, you can mention volunteering and shadowing experience. Describe your accomplishments and learnings that would be relevant for a nursing degree.

Start your nursing resume with a resume objective, and list your experience and education details. Mention your hard and soft skills.

Your nursing school application resume should be one page long. A resume longer than one page fails to impress the admissions committee.

Yes, you should mention relevant work experience in your nursing school resume. If your work experience is in a different field than healthcare, emphasize the skills relevant to nursing.

The reverse chronological format is the best for writing a nursing school application resume.

Frame your nursing school application resume objective using 2-3 best skills along with what you would like to achieve using your skills.

Always keep your nursing school application resume as current as possible. Mention only the latest and relevant education and experiences. 

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Roshni Liza John

Hi BeMo team Thank you for the informative content. I am a Pharm D (Doctor of Pharmacy) graduate from India, aspiring to switch my career to Nursing by pursuing Master of Nursing Studies (graduate entry) in Australia. Please guide me how should I frame a strong and effective Resume and SOP for the same. It would be a great help.Thanking you in advance. Warm Regards Roshni Liza John Mobile no: 91 9790879668

BeMo Academic Consulting

Hi Roshni! Thanks for your message. Please reach out to us for a free strategy call to discuss how we can help you!

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28 Nursing Resume Examples That Worked in 2024

• Nursing Resumes
• Nursing Student Resumes
• Nursing Resumes by Credentials
• Nursing Resumes by Role

Writing Your Nursing Resume

Although the demand for nurses is growing, getting a job in the nursing industry isn’t easy, especially if you’re making a start or submitting a letter of resignation at your current position. 

How are you supposed to know how to  write a stunning resume  so employers will immediately want to hire you and create a cover letter detailing your accomplishments? 

Getting into the nursing field is tough, so  we analyzed dozens of nursing resumes to learn what works and what doesn’t to help you get a great nursing job .

No matter your specialty or where you’re in your nursing career, we’ve got 28 nursing resume samples to help you  build a resume  from scratch or update your current resume to get you your next nursing job in 2024!

Nursing Resume

or download as PDF

Why this resume works

• One of the quickest ways to do so is by including your licenses in your title. This clearly signals to the employer that you’re qualified for the position.
• Adding an optional licenses section is another way to demonstrate your abilities, so if you have the room, make sure to add that section.
• Instead, tailor your resume to the  nursing job description . What keywords did they list? What responsibilities do they expect you to complete? Use this as your guide to include what employers most want to see.

Experienced Nurse Resume

• Some professions require CVs for senior-level officials, while other industries are fine with a resume no matter their seniority level. Check the job description to see what kind of information the employer requires, so you know what to write.
• Try to demonstrate the different specific responsibilities you’ve had throughout your career. What kinds of clinical techniques have you done? For example, have you assisted with ADLs, administered particular tests, or diagnosed specific types of diseases?

Nursing Student Resume

• The key is to be specific about what you contributed or learned during your time in school.
• How did you assist your peers or supervisors? Did you witness anything especially noteworthy? What did you learn? Listing details like these helps employers qualify your abilities. 
• While an objective is strictly optional, it’s a great way to convey your excitement for the position and some of your relevant skills. 

New Grad Nursing Resume

• If you lack experience, that’s okay! Just include more details about your clinical rotations. You can also mention non-healthcare-specific work experience if you have it.
• For example, does the job description talk a lot about compassionate care? Then you should include the phrase “compassion” in your skills section.

• As you progress, unleash quantified achievements in your previous roles, emphasizing how you helped patients and improved outcomes (hint: reducing medication errors by 28% and enhancing patient safety).

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Resume

• In addition to your title, if you have any certifications or additional licenses, include them on your resume in a designated section.
• If you’re struggling to know what to write on your CNA resume, it can help to look at  CNA resume examples  and local CNA job descriptions to determine what employers want to see and what metrics to include. 

RN BSN Resume

• Go beyond helping patients and list all the times you’ve helped doctors treat a condition more quickly or improved after-surgery recovery rates. Add how you’ve endeavored to assist patients remotely during tough times (if any) such as providing remote sessions during COVID-19.

Registered Nurse Resume

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Resume

• If your current specialization is different from the job description, don’t stress! You should still be specific about your experience, but focus on transferable skills that go hand-in-hand with other fields.
• For example, do you specialize in long-term care, nephrology, or developmental disabilities? Include how you applied those abilities throughout your LPN resume.
• Of course, you need to include where you got your nursing degree, but don’t stop there! Adding a certifications or licenses section can show off your training and catch a hiring manager’s eye quickly.

Critical Care Nursing Resume

• Gain promotion and assume a new role with greater responsibility after that. Use this to show your dedication by backing your achievements with numbers.

Director of Nursing Resume

• List down all the variety of software you’re proficient in and write how you’ve used each right from the beginning of your career. Last but not least, never forget to add your RN license!

NICU Nurse Resume

• Use the career objective to frame your clinical experience through the lens of NICU by highlighting your ability to communicate with families or work in high-pressure environments.

Operating Room Nurse Resume

• Surgeons are always seeking cutting-edge technology that can unlock new medical capabilities. Showcase your expertise in working with these innovative systems—like robotic arms—to enhance your operating room nurse resume .

School Nurse Resume

• Are you skilled in using platforms specific to educational institutions, such as SchoolMessenger? Include them on your school nurse resume to prove that you’re prepared to handle the caseload.

Telemetry Nurse Resume

• You can bolster your telemetry nurse resume by listing any special certifications that further qualify you for the task, such as Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS).

Nurse Practitioner Resume

• The best format for nurses in 2024 is the reverse-chronological format since it shows how you’ve grown your skills over the years. However, if you have a gap in your job experience, there are other formats you can use to disguise that.
• Adding a few splashes of color to your  nurse practitioner resume  makes it look prettier and helps readability. Just be sure to choose a color that is easy on the eye (no neons, please).

ICU Nurse Resume

• To avoid the fear of the blank page, start by using a  resume outline  to give you a basic structure to follow and show you what your finished resume should look like.
• So, when you’re writing the work experience bullet points, use general responsibilities like “provided effective care”), but be specific about how you helped your patients (and what resulted from your ministrations). 

Travel Nurse Resume

• To help stand out above the competition, clarify your work experience sections so employers know if you’ve had traveling nurse contracts or not. 
• More likely than not, you don’t need a resume objective or summary, nor do you need to list individual projects. Remember that you can go into more detail about achievements and skills in your  nursing cover letter .

Charge Nurse Resume

• For example, have you had the opportunity to manage or lead co-workers? Have you ever trained a nurse and oversaw scheduling? Be specific about how you’ve managed projects and people and what resulted from your leadership.
• Want to know a quick and easy way to write a  charge nurse resume ? Start by using a  resume template  to format your information, then fill in the blanks with specific details about your past experience and skills.

Chief Nursing Officer Resume

• This formatting showcases your career growth and leadership development by highlighting your most recent (and likely most relevant) job. 
• We recommend you include six to 10 skills, with at least 70 percent hard skills such as BLS, QA/QC, federal compliance, and fiscal health analysis.

Telehealth Nurse Resume

• Luckily, there are multiple  resume tips  you can incorporate to make your resume a cut above the rest, including choosing specific hard skills in your skills section and formatting your resume in reverse-chronological order.
• If you have a degree higher than a high school diploma, ignore your high school information since employers don’t need it. If you have multiple nursing degrees, include all of them.

Nurse Consultant Resume

• Use business-related numbers like sales growth or revenue/profit increases to demonstrate your worth as an employee.
• Don’t forget to add other sections to showcase your training and certifications.
• If you decide to include these sections, keep them brief and include only what’s relevant to the job you’re seeking.

Office Nurse Resume

• Do your homework on the environment you’re applying to work in, and ensure you showcase why you’re a good fit for that specific job. After all, an ER unit with high patient turnover may be much more interested in your high-efficiency standards than an in-home clinic that consistently services a much smaller patient load.
• Sure, your resume may look good when you finish writing it, but have you run it through a  resume checker  yet? You might not realize you’ve been using passive voice or inconsistent punctuation, and even though you’re not applying for a job as an English Teacher, a hiring manager won’t be thrilled if you overlook little details when they’re going to literally put lives in your hands.

Home Dialysis Nurse Resume

• Unfortunately, as much as it may be interesting for you to look back over your life history, most hiring managers won’t be quite as thrilled about the prospect. Adding a career summary to your resume can give recruiters the highlights, without drowning them in a sea of information.
• Trust us on this, nothing bothers a hiring manager more than a resume that is 1.01 pages long.

ER Nurse Resume

• Certifications like the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) and Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) depict that you’ve done the work and undergone the rigorous training needed to be an ER nurse.

Labor and Delivery Nurse Resume

• If you’ve spent your time outside work organizing events to promote women’s health and reproductive rights, it’s a powerful statement that shows your passion and commitment and deserves to be mentioned in your resume.

Nurse Manager Resume

• If you’re well versed with a particular HR management tool or medical management software, it’s one less thing a hospital or healthcare center will have to train you on.

Pediatric Nurse Resume

• An extensive program, like a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, from an esteemed institute like Johns Hopkins University, for example, is a worthy inclusion in your pediatric nurse resume , demonstrating that you’ve learned from the best.

Related resume guides

• Physician Assistant
• Dental Assistant

Hiring managers typically receive a torrent of resumes whenever there’s an open position, so if you prepare your nursing resume haphazardly, you are more likely to get the boot than the job. To avoid that sad scenario, you need to make your nursing resume readable, logical, and pleasing to the eye. It should showcase your skills and experience while being ATS-compliant, and it should show off a bit of your personality, too. 

It make sound like an impossible task, but before your get overwhelmed, start by taking it one step at a time. First, choose your formatting style: reverse-chronological, functional, or hybrid.

Reverse-chronological, functional, and combination/hybrid format

A well-structured resume is essential for your job search. Even if your resume has perfect content, if your resume isn’t easy to skim at a glance, it’s unlikely you’ll be called for an interview. Your content matters, but so does  how  you present that content. Therefore, proper  resume formatting  is a salient feature you don’t want to get wrong.

There are three popular formatting options for designing your resume in 2024: reverse-chronological, functional, and hybrid. 

• Focuses more on your skills
• Ideal for a recent graduate or an entry-level candidate
• Reverse-chronological format
• The most common format
• Lists relevant experiences and skills in reverse-chronological order
• The best for making it past the ATS
• Combines functional and reverse-chronological features
• Highlights both your skills and experience
• Ideal if you have a handful of experience or are re-entering the workforce

The best bet for a nursing resume would be the reverse-chronological format. This helps the recruiter see your upward career progression. If you started as an intern in a given health organization, and then moved up the career ladder to become a full-fledged nurse, your potential employer will be able to track your progression and assess your qualifications faster.

Contact header

It’s important to include the relevant contact header information in the right order. If you’re a nurse, your   contact header should have the following:

• Your name —Employers won’t automatically know you, so you need to include your first and last name. 
• Phone number —Use your personal cellphone number instead of a work phone in case a potential employer calls when you’re not on the job.
• Email address —Include a professional email address, preferably combining your first and last name.
• City & state —This is optional but recommended so employers know if you’re local. 
• LinkedIn —Some employers require your LinkedIn profile, but even if it’s not mandatory, it’s helpful for employers to see your career progression.

The contact header should be, you guessed it, at the top of the page. Good font choices are Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri, all at 12 point size. When it comes to color, remain conservative with black and white. Some  resume templates  can format your resume to strikingly display your contact information, just like this header:

Will your nursing resume beat the ATS?

Optimizing your resume for the Application Tracking System (ATS) increases your chances of being called for an interview. The ATS is a tool that many companies use to quickly scan resumes and weed out applicants without relying on someone to read through them first.

Most resumes aren’t designed to beat ATS, and end up being filtered out before they ever reach the recruiter. However, if you know how to properly  format your resume , you’ll pass the ATS scan and make your way to a person. Here’s what you should know about the role of fonts, font size, margins, header names, logical order, skills, and page length, as far as ATS-friendly resumes are concerned:

• ATS-friendly fonts make it easy for a computer to read your resume. Some of the most commonly used ATS-friendly fonts include: Times New Roman, Calibri, and Arial. Preferably, they should have a font size of 10-12 points.
• Beyond just font type, font size also matters. Preferably, your body font size should be 10-12 points, while your headers can be bigger.
• Margins also matter, since the ATS automatically assumes your margins are the standard size of one-inch all around. Any bigger or smaller, and the ATS might mis-read your resume.
• Keywords are the main focus of the ATS, so make sure your skill keywords and header names match what’s in the job description.
• The ATS is not sensitive to the number of pages, but one page is the standard across professions. 

Writing your nursing resume

Putting together an effective nursing resume may seem overwhelming and not worth your effort. However, putting in the extra effort now will pay off when you get an interview. And remember, you’re not doing this alone. We’re dedicated to helping you  write an amazing resume  by providing advice on common frustrating decisions like this:

• When an objective is most useful on your nursing resume
• When a summary can be the preferred choice
• How to list your most relevant nursing work history
• Adding volunteer work and academic endeavors when work history is light

Do you need an objective or summary on your nursing resume?

When crafting your nursing resume, you have the option to use career objectives and summaries.

When to include a career objective in your resume:

• You can use an objective when changing or modifying your career.
• For instance, if you plan to change from a surgical assistant registered nurse to an emergency room registered nurse, you’d use an objective to highlight that you’re pursuing a new subfield within nursing.
• Use a career objective if you’re looking for an entry-level job and lack experience. 

When a summary is right for your resume:

• Use a summary to highlight your most valuable experience and skills. These are ideal when you have vast experience in nursing.
• For example, if you’ve worked in a health setting for 10 or more years, you can include a summary.
• A summary is effective for connecting varied work experiences.

When not to use objectives or summaries:

• Skip the objective or summary if you’re not planning to customize it to each position you apply for. Otherwise, it’s generic filler that takes up too much white space.
• This lacks specificity and reads “I just need a job to pay the bills.” While that may be true, employers want to know you’re passionate about your work and will improve your workplace.
• This lacks depth and work history details that should hallmark a summary. It’s void of substantial expertise, specializations, and skill specifics.

When objectives or summaries are worth including:

• This objective highlights the years of experience and the candidate’s field of expertise while also naming the potential employer.
• This summary highlights their years of experience, the key areas they’ve worked in, and their specialities within those fields.

Nursing work experience?

Don’t forget to indicate relevant experience in your resume. While we wouldn’t recommend including every job you’ve had since you were 16, you can get away with adding work experience from different fields if you’re an entry-level candidate.

However, if you’re applying for a senior position, you’ll need to include at least  three  nursing positions on your resume, especially if you’re applying for a managerial or specialty position. For instance, a director of care management requires nine years of experience, four of which must be managerial.

Conversely, a registered nurse position may require one year of direct patient care. The responsibilities, in this case, are not very demanding. If you lack experience overall, you can include any academic projects and volunteer work that is relevant to the  nursing job description .

Writing your job experience bullet points for your nursing resume

Three examples of poor job experience bullet points for nurses:

• Generally, you should avoid using “I,” and you should include specifics, not just generic statements of experience.
• This bullet includes “I” and lacks job specifics and quantifiable metrics.
• Although it may sound nice on the surface, it doesn’t answer exactly what the patient did and the results of their work.

Three examples of good job experience bullet points for nurses:

• This uses an action verb combined with quantifiable metrics.
• Again, this uses an action verb but furthermore, it describes exactly what the candidate provided (primary care training). 
• Specific, pertinent job duties show employers your skills and can also help you pass the ATS; two thumbs up for this one!

Quantify your impact as a nurse

When preparing your resume, remember that no employer wants to waste time reading vague statements about your performance. Instead, they want to see supporting details. So, whenever you can, you should quantify your impact and achievements.

For instance, if you say you “served many patients daily,” a potential employer might wonder about the exact number because ‘many’ is a relative term.

Examples of how to quantify metrics:

Suppose the  nursing job description  asks for a training specialist who can train other nurses. In that case, you can indicate the number of training sessions you conducted per day in your previous employment.

• Number of clinical training sessions per day
• Trained 75% of new hires on pre and postoperative care >20 days per month

Some of the health facilities labor under tremendous pressure. The number of patients you serve per day can help potential employers gauge whether you will cope well under pressure. So, it’s lucrative to include the number of patients you served per a specific amount of time.

• Number of patients served in a day 
• Worked in a setting with a 6:1 patient-nurse ratio, receiving 400+ visitors per day

Top skills for your nursing resume

It’s helpful to understand the differences between hard and soft skills to list in your  resume skills section . Keep the number of skills you list in between six and 10 to avoid overwhelming the reader.

Hard skills are those tools you use to do the job, aka technical abilities that require training. 

Examples of hard skills:

• ERM systems
• Medical documentation
• Infant and child care
• Emergency care
• Ambulatory care
• CPR certified

On the other hand, soft skills are abilities that are harder to quantify and are more personality-based.

Examples of soft skills:

• Communication 
• Professionalism
• Positive attitude

Get noticed! Look for keywords within a job description:

• Many companies use ATS to scan resumes for keywords from the job description, so it’s in your best interest to include the right keywords.
• Include keywords in both your  nursing cover letter  and resume. 
• Choosing keywords from the job description helps you customize your resume and thus, makes you more appealing to the hiring manager.
• Employing the right keywords makes your resume relevant and noticeable, giving you an edge over the competition.

Nursing education and certifications

When preparing your nursing resume, include all the elements that will increase your chances of getting the job. You need to indicate the following:

• Your education level
• Any certifications or licenses
• Your experience in other nursing environments
• Your years of experience as a nurse

On the topic of licenses, you need to share your area of specialization. Specialists include registered nurses (RNs), certified registered nurse anesthetists, and clinical nurse specialists. Including your area(s) of expertise helps potential employers determine whether you’re the right candidate for the job.

Besides, including this information is easy to do and shouldn’t take up much space! Simply place certifications and licenses in a short section toward the bottom of your resume: 

Should you add projects, interests, or hobbies to your nursing resume?

Most of the time, you don’t need to include projects or  interests/hobbies on your resume . However, you may be able to add them depending on your level of experience and the type of role you’re seeking.

If you’re an experienced nurse, you’ve likely gained tangible experience that’s more important than undergraduate projects you’ve completed. Instead, you should highlight your key areas of experience and show your new employer how you’ll impact their business.

In the same vein, you may not need to indicate your hobbies or interests unless it’s encouraged. However, you can gain an advantage over the competition if you have strong qualifications and hobbies that match the company culture. 

To help you determine whether or not to include hobbies, visit the company’s website and read the “About Us” section to gauge whether they have a unique cultural fit. 

If you’re an entry-level candidate or a recent graduate, listing hobbies and projects can help you fill space and showcase your personality. However, it’s always good to review the job description to ensure these additions are relevant. Either way, keep the project and hobbies lists short and at the bottom of your resume.

Examples of hobbies/interests:

• Volunteering for community health services
• Learning new languages

Examples of projects:

• Organized and led breast cancer awareness campaign for two consecutive semesters
• Researched mental and psychiatric issues for semester-long experiment

Adjust your nursing resume for every job application

Remember to customize your resume when applying for a new job. Even if you’re only applying for specific roles, like LPN jobs, that doesn’t mean every job description for that title requires the same qualifications. There’s usually something unique to each position. Thus, for every application, make sure you tailor the following sections:

• (These can stay mostly the same, but you should adjust responsibilities and keywords slightly.)

To recap, each job description comes with different skill requisites. Furthermore, remember to note keywords you can use within the body of your resume and cover letter.

Your nursing resume must be error-free

As a nurse, you need to show the hiring manager that you’re observant and have an eye for detail. Remember, you’ll be working with patients and should demonstrate accuracy and precision. To ensure a flawless resume, run your document through a  resume checker  and have your colleagues proofread it. Don’t let typos cost you a job!

Confidently land your next Nursing gig

Many job seekers languish in the job market, especially considering the number of nursing graduates produced by universities each year and the fierce competition. So, you must be creative and savvy to survive the market. Happily, you’ve already taken the first steps by reading this guide, so congratulations!

We know you’ve worked hard to get this far, and we wish you all the best as you write a power-packed nursing resume and get ready for interviews in 2024! 

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Click the link below for a compilation of sample resumes for Master’s students in the School of Nursing

How to Write a Nursing Resume Objective for a New Graduate with Examples

A well-written resume objective can expand and improve your job prospects as a recent nursing graduate. Reviewing your accomplishments to discover what you can contribute to a work environment can better prepare you to write your resume objective and other application materials. This article will define nursing resume objectives and provide numerous objective examples to give you a clear idea of what a good objective looks like for a new graduate.

What is a resume objective?

A resume objective is a short explanation of your skills and career goals as they relate to the job you’re applying for. You usually add a resume objective right below your contact information so it’s one of the first things an employer sees. This statement is your chance to impress an employer and provide an overview of what qualifies you to join their nursing staff. 

A good resume objective should concisely outline the following: 

• Your professional goals
• The nursing skills and abilities you bring to the position 
• Your degrees and professional certifications

This statement should be no more than three sentences. It should make an impact so the hiring manager is compelled to read the rest of your resume. 

Resume objective examples for nursing graduates 

Here are some examples of nursing resume objectives for new graduates:

‘Enthusiastic and dedicated nursing graduate with a calm disposition, crisis management skills and extensive clinical hours in an urgent care setting. Empathetic patient advocate who increased patient adherence to therapy protocols by 25% over a three-month period. Seeking an entry-level position as a staff nurse at Boulder Hospital to assist with increasing quality of care.’

This objective is effective because it includes information relevant to the specific position, including accomplishments and skills that align with the profession. This objective also includes relevant keywords in order to be recognized by applicant tracking systems (ATS).

‘Patient-focused, empathic Registered Nurse pursuing a role as part of a growing medical practice. Bringing expertise and thorough knowledge of treatment to help change patients’ lives.’

This objective includes necessary elements such as the specific job title, certification and desired role.

‘Hard-working, compassionate recent nursing school graduate seeking a role as a rural nurse. Experience working in high-stress situations in emergency rooms and other clinical settings.’

The mention of a specific job title, specific goal and situational experience make this objective concise and easy to read.

‘Attentive, compassionate Registered Nurse with a comprehensive education seeking opportunity to work with children with special needs. Substantial administrative skills and thorough sense of detail perfect for a nursing management position.’

This objective shows the range of skills possessed by the individual and specific job goals which will make it stand out to employers.

‘Recently graduated Nurse pursuing a position on the staff of a medical clinic dedicated to public access to healthcare. Detail-oriented and caring, with a desire to encourage a positive atmosphere for patients of all ages and needs.’

This objective is direct in the position desired and demonstrates a goal to create a positive work environment.

‘Recent nursing graduate seeking an opportunity to mentor nursing students while offering quality healthcare in a large teaching hospital. Skills include a high level of professionalism in stressful situations and a comforting bedside manner.’

This graduate creates a two-sentence objective by delivering a concise statement that includes the job characteristics desired, skills offered and type of facility sought. 

‘Nursing graduate and licensed RN seeking a role in which acquired and innate caregiving skills can be used to improve the health and lives of medically-vulnerable individuals seeking treatment in a clinical setting.’

Immediately presenting obtained licensure and a straightforward statement make this objective easy to skim and sets the tone for a more in-depth resume.

‘Attentive ACLS-certified nursing graduate with a positive disposition, seeking a role as a Registered Nurse in a large inner-city hospital setting. Skills include flexibility, attention to detail and a genuine desire to nurture patients and assist doctors in their care.’

Leading with certifications, clearly stating the role sought and stating top skills make this concise objective informative and easy to read quickly.

‘Motivated recent nursing graduate interested in an entry-level nursing position at a medium-sized hospital. Offers special skills in surgical assistance and post-operative patient care as well as experience in pharmaceutical oncology. Top skills include efficiency, attentiveness and an analytical approach to health problems.’

This objective is especially detailed but still easy to read.

‘Nursing graduate seeking an entry-level role at a local healthcare center. Specialized training includes cardiac care, intravenous infusion and dialysis, and skills include building rapport and trust with patients and a willingness to continue learning.’

This graduate concisely explains what level of employment they’re looking for, where they want to work and what they’re specially trained in, which includes important keywords that make the statement stand out to ATS.

‘Dedicated nursing graduate seeking a role as a Registered Nurse for a state hospital. Special knowledge and expertise include critical care, oncology and emergency room care.’

This objective offers special training, specified role and desired workplace, all of which will allow the resume to be recognized by ATS and easily read by hiring managers.

‘Motivated nursing graduate seeking an opportunity to leverage skills in compassionate patient care, critical thinking and continuous learning in an entry-level nursing role at a clinic serving low-income community members.’

The skills in this objective are clear and relevant, and the role and place of work desired are concisely stated. Paired with relevant keywords, this objective will help this resume get attention from employers. 

‘Recent nursing school graduate seeking a full-time position on a busy hospital nursing staff where I can offer my compassionate care and varied clinical skills to help the hospital maintain and increase quality and efficiency levels of patient care.’

This objective manages to concisely state how hiring this person will not only fulfill the applicant’s needs but also how they’ll add value to the facility using their specific skills.

‘New nursing graduate seeking to offer compassionate care, communication and technical skills in a healthcare facility serving the elderly. Experience includes the successful completion of a one-year internship at a hospice care facility and multiple job-shadowing opportunities with established nurses and other medical professionals.’  

Since technology is constantly evolving, mentioning the skills related to technological advancements as well as compassion are likely to get an employer’s interest.

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Episode 79: How To Prepare Your Resume For CRNA School

• August 24, 2022

Your resume is the ticket to your dream CRNA School. That is why you must put effort into your CRNA school resume. However, with so many applicants, how can you catch the attention of your school and stand out? In this episode, Jenny Finnell shares some advice on preparing your resume for when you want to make a good impression on your future CRNA school. She breaks down the dos and don’ts of writing your application, as well as the tools you can use to make it spotless. What should be front and center? How long should your CRNA school resume be? What do you do to stand out? Jenny answers these questions and more in today’s show.

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How to prepare your resume for crna school.

In this episode, we’re going to discuss preparing your CRNA school resume. I’m going to cover some of the things that you should not be doing as well as some things you could be doing to make sure you make a good impression. Let’s go ahead and get into the show.

Put A Lot Of Effort Into Your CRNA School Resume

We’re going to discuss preparing your resume for CRNA school and some of the things that you should avoid as well as some things that you should be thinking about, little nuances so that you’re making a good impression. First and foremost, I want to make sure that when you guys start doing your CRNA school resume, you are not treating this process like checking a box. They will be able to tell if that is the case. It will essentially make it look like you are not putting a full amount of effort into it or that maybe you’re not the most serious applicant.

Make sure that when you work on your resume that you’re putting a lot of effort and time into making sure that it’s easy to read. It flows nicely. It’s well organized and you have a hundred million times triple-checked the spelling. I use Grammarly . There’s a free version of it. Just copy, paste, and stick it in Grammarly real quick because if you’re like me, I make typos without even realizing that I made them. I will reread something five times and I’m like, “How did I not see that?”

I use Grammarly a lot for that reason. Sometimes it’s hard to proofread your own stuff because your brain is plugging in words that aren’t there or it’s correcting the mistake because that’s what you meant to say, but you didn’t type it out that way. Make sure you have someone else lay eyes on your resume, too. Have your coworker, your friend, your mom, dad, or whomever. You can also do a resume review with CRNA School Prep Academy’s expert providers, that’s always an option as well.

Make sure that you’re putting a lot of effort into your CRNA school resume because, if you think about an invitation to a wedding or getting an invitation to anything for that matter, it’s your first impression. We always say, “Don’t judge a book by its cover,” but the reality is people do and will judge you based on your resume. That’s their first impression of you. They don’t know you or your personality. There’s something to be said with physically hearing someone speak, listening to the tone of voice and seeing their eye contact.

All of those things go into how you display yourself, where a piece of paper can’t usually do you justice. You have to go above and beyond to make sure when someone’s reading a piece of paper, if they’re in a bad mood or had a bad experience and go into reading your resume, that you’re going to make them smile somehow. They’re not going to know you. They are not going to hear a tone of voice or anything like that.

Place Your Educational Background Front And Center

Going into mistakes people make when they do the resume is they want to highlight their clinical experience. They tend to do this in place of their education. That is a mistake. If you think about it, you’re applying to grad school. You’re not applying for a job. If you took your old template from when you were applying to your ICU position, maybe it mattered more about your work experience as a nurse’s aide because you’re applying to a work position. You’re applying to work as a nurse versus applying to school.

Your educational background should be front and center. The other reason why you should put your education at the top of your resume versus going right into your clinical experience is that it’s going to be a shorter section. It’s going to be more concise to the point. If you were to put that at the end of your resume, they have to read through all your clinical stuff to find your education. By the time they get there, they may skim over it real quick and you’re going to get to highlight your accomplishments as well; you don’t want them skimming that.

Remember, you’re applying for a grad school position. Highlight your educational background. Where did you get the degree? What is the name of your school? When did you graduate? It’s not just the year. Some people make this mistake when they put, “I graduated in 2020. Did you graduate in May of 2020 or December of 2020?” Because this can say, “They graduated in May of 2020, so they have six more months of experience versus someone who graduated in December of 2020.” Differentiate yourself and make it known like, “I graduated in January of 2020, so I had the entire year of 2020 to get experience under my belt.”

How well did you do? I get asked this question a lot as far as, “Should you be placing your GPA on your resume?” The answer can go both ways. I do think if you have a 3.5 or higher, you should be highlighting that on your resume. At the end of the day, they are going to be reviewing your transcripts and calculating your GPA regardless. If you don’t do this step, it’s perfectly okay. If you’re a B-plus student on average and you have a 3.5, you should highlight that. Why not? It’s going to take up very little room and you might as well highlight it.

If you have someone who has maybe a 3.0 or a 3.2, this could be something that is better left off the resume. Again, they’re going to be calculating your GPA with your transcripts anyways but it gives you a space to highlight other things. Maybe you were given an award or maybe you served on a committee in nursing school. Make sure that you’re using your resume to highlight your strengths. That’s always what your resume is all about. That explains as far as highlighting your GPA and things like that.

Some of you are taking different routes to becoming a nurse. Some of you have gotten your ADN and BSN. Some of you have a Bachelor’s in Biology and you get an accelerated BSN. Depending on what you do, make sure you put your most current schooling up top. If you had your ADN and got your BSN, your BSN should be at the top of the page versus the other way around. You should always go with the most current ICU experience, education experience, and degree at the top, and list the older experience below that.

Also, another tip is to spell out your degrees. Put Bachelor’s Degree in Biology versus BS in Biology. That’s a nuance that Mr. Richard Wilson pointed out to me. As a faculty member, he appreciates seeing things spelled out. It doesn’t take up a lot of room on your resume, plus it sounds and looks better. We discussed GPA. It’s the same thing. If you had cum laude and things like that, you could put that on your resume.

Another piece of advice given by Dr. Dawn AuBuchon, who has been a Program Director for several years and is now a Program Faculty at a CRNA college: A lot of you are taking courses and you’re like, “Should I list individual courses? I didn’t get a degree at this college, but I took individual courses there.” You don’t need to list individual courses if it’s going to reflect on your transcripts. If you’re currently in a course and it’s not going to reflect on your transcripts because when you submitted your transcripts, the course hasn’t finished, you can and should highlight the course you’re in.

What these program faculty and I have recommended is for you to approach your professor, wherever you’re at in the course, and ask them for a short letter that they can sign that says, “Such and such is in X, Y, and Z course is such and such into the semester. I anticipate them getting an X grade in the course.” Have them anticipate what they think your final grade will be as long as you keep performing as you have been performing in the course. It’s like an unofficial way of them saying, “I anticipate the student to achieve an A-minus, an A, or a B-plus, whatever it may be.”

It shows these schools that you are taking something additional, so they don’t miss it. After you have completed the course, you could submit that course to go into your overall GPA as long as they’re able to take things after the deadline. This is something that you can reach out to the program and let them know, “Is it possible for me to submit this course after I take it even though the deadline for applications is X date? Two weeks later, I’m going to have my final grade. I can submit an anticipated grade. Once this course is complete and it reflects on my transcripts, I can submit that.”

A lot of schools will take that into consideration. It is something to think about. Don’t think you have to list all these individual courses you’ve done at different schools, as long as it reflects on your transcripts. I’ve heard this argued in both ways. Make sure that your transcripts are solid. Review your transcripts. Don’t submit them and not look at them. I’ve had students that have happened where they think they take their transcripts from a school and submit it. They come to find afterward they didn’t submit all their transcripts as they thought they did.

Make sure you are laying eyeballs on your transcripts, especially if you’re submitting from multiple schools. You don’t want something to get missed. You can list things like honors, societies, rewards, and committees. You don’t have to put what you did, but list the fact that you have received rewards or you have served on the Student Nurse Association for your college. You can list that stuff there, along the lines of cum laude, Magna cum laude, and things like that in that area. It should be front and center because you’re applying to grad school.

CRNA School Resume Length And Format

The next big question that people always ask me is, “Jenny, how long should a resume be? What’s the difference between a resume and a CV, a Curriculum Vitae?” The short answer is they are using these terms interchangeably, so there’s not much difference in the way you’re going to be using a resume versus a CV. If you want to know the technical difference, the CV is more used for someone’s going to get a PhD, for example, and they have all this research they want to highlight in their resume. They could be 10, 20, or 30 pages long.

A CV doesn’t have a length requirement. It can be as long as you need it to be versus a resume which is designed to be more of a short one-page summary of your experience. That’s the technical difference. Schools will use this term interchangeably. If they say CV, it doesn’t mean they want a book from you. Based on the faculty that I spoke to, most of them have recommended trying your best to keep your CV or resume to two pages max. You also got to keep in mind that these schools sometimes are getting 150 to 200 applicants for 30 positions. The program faculty are going to be scanning over 100 resumes.

Sometimes, they have to get through it and the longer you make your resume, they may start to skim towards the end. They may focus on that first page and look at the second one, but by the time they get to the third page, they’re like, “This is more of the same stuff. I’ll move on right to the next applicant.” Keep in mind that the things that you put on pages 2 and 3 may not get the attention. Make sure that if you’re making your resume that long, the things you’re putting on the last page are not things you really want them to see because they may not mentally capture it at that point. That’s the rundown on CV versus resume, page lengths, and stuff like that.

The most important tip I have as far as building out your resume this way is to make sure you’re keeping it formatted universally. Make sure you’re using the same font and text size. If you’re going to put a date like, for example, March 2020 and you use the numbers and a dash, on the next section, don’t put March and spell it out with 2022. If you’re going to use numbers, use numbers. If you’re going to spell it out, spell it out throughout your resume. Keep your formatting universal and standard. It doesn’t matter which one you choose, but make sure it’s not going to be different per bullet point.

It’s going to seem sloppy even though it might not be intended to be that way. It will potentially come across as less professional. Make sure that your formatting is not that when you skip over to the next space, it’s indented differently as far as where it lines up. Resumes can be tricky. I don’t know how many times I’ve said bad words to my computer when I’m like, “Why is this doing this?” The format is all messed up. I highly recommend using a template.

If you have Canva , use that. You can have a free Canva account. I have a paid account because I use it every day, but there are so many templates in Canva. CRNA School Prep Academy has templates as well. We even have examples of resumes for you to follow. Use a template. Don’t stress yourself out. Keep it basic. If you’re on Canva, there are all kinds of crazy resumes. You don’t need anything bright and elaborate. Keep it neutral. You don’t need anything crazy and putting a picture, yay or nay. As long as it’s not overwhelmingly huge on the page, I don’t think it’s a terrible thing, but I also think it detracts from the overall purpose of the resume.

When you’re applying for a job, I don’t think that’s a bad thing. Applying for a job, and having a little picture of yourself, especially if it’s a professional shot, is nice. For grad school, I don’t know how necessary it is. If it takes up enough space to where you have less highlighting for you to do as far as your experience and what you’re coming with, you should avoid it, in my personal opinion.

It’s not going to matter to them. They want straight to the point. In applying for a job, you’re not taking 200 applicants for 30 positions or whatever that end up working out. Maybe you are. I don’t know. For grad school, keep it simple. It’s the KISS method, Keep It Simple, Stupid. Because sometimes the more you try to embellish and elaborate, the more difficult something becomes. That’s the same thing with a resume. Basic is okay. It’s okay if your resume is not pretty, all decorated with flowers and stuff. It’s more than likely preferred by the programs. Keep that in mind.

Experiences, Tenses, And Terms

When you get into the bullet points, as far as the skills that you’ve learned, keep in mind to always start with your most current experience at the top. I feel that now more than ever, people have so much travel experience on their resumes that they’re like, “I have twelve places to list.” Here’s what I can share with you from the advice that has been given: Start with your most current experience at the top. Go into detail on that location. You need to make a lot of bullet points on what you do.

On the next positions, especially if they’re similar experiences and skills, you can summarize or shorten that or only put the unique things. Maybe if at one facility you did this, but you didn’t do it at the other facility, make sure you’re putting that under that place. If the rest of it is similar, you can consolidate it. If you were to verbatim copy and paste all the same bullet points, I wouldn’t do that. That’s going to add tons of lengths to your resume and it’s going to be obvious that you’re copying and pasting. You’re not putting thought into what you have done differently at this site versus this site. That’s my advice as far as if you have a lot of different experiences.

Make sure you’re listing what makes that experience unique and different but you don’t necessarily have to repeat verbatim exactly what you repeated above for the other facility. When you monitor hemodynamics special devices whether that’s CRRT, ECMO, intracranial bolts, intraventricular drains, and all those things like art lines or swans, make sure you’re listing the types of devices you’re using that are unique and special to what experience you’re getting.

Keep in mind that when you’re talking about a current facility by using past tense words like monitored, it sounds like, “You monitored in the past. You do not currently monitor them now.” You can use past tense for past experiences, but if you’re at a current location, use active tense. It’s something that seems pretty basic and simple, but it does make a difference for the reader who is interpreting what they’re reading.

Also, vasoactive medications. Mr. Wilson prefers medications over using terms like drugs. It could be a little nuanced, but I would suggest that you take it to heart. Use the term medications versus the term drugs. It sounds a little more formal. Also, make sure you’re not using slang terms. Don’t abbreviate and use abbreviations. If you’re going to put Levo, don’t put Levo. Put Levophed. If you’re going to pick a trade name versus a generic name, pick one or the other. Don’t flip-flop back and forth. It’s sticking with one way.

As long as you’re using the medication term, that’s okay but make sure you’re not interchangeably using both or flipping back and forth. If you’re using a term, make sure you’re spelling out the whole word. Don’t put benzos. Put benzodiazepines. Make sure you’re spelling out the whole word when you’re putting medications if you were to list them specifically. In sedatives, you can say benzodiazepines because Versed is a benzodiazepine drip. It’s putting terms like vasopressors or vasoactive drugs versus medications.

Also, if you’re putting vasopressors on there, you don’t necessarily have to list out every single vasopressor that you’ve ever used. If you have the space and you want to, you can, but know that you don’t necessarily have to. As long as you speak to the fact that you routinely use vasopressors and titrate those drips, that is okay. Keep in mind, too, that based on where you put what you’re doing, whether that’s at the top- let’s say you had your hospital, the surgical unit you work in, and the fact that you’re an RN there. Mark it as the most current dates of experience to present or when you started to present.

Starting on your first bullet point, put the skill and tasks that you think are the most valuable for your CRNA school experience, like titrating vasoactive medications and monitoring and managing hemodynamics, special device management, and things like that. Put those things in bullet points first.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to poo-poo communication with the family or patient education. Those are all important things. Especially if you have a lot of different experiences, if you list that first and they start skimming, they may miss some more important bullet points as far as the fact that you’re managing these advanced life support methods like ECMO and things like that.

You should be putting those bullet points on top of the list and saving the additional things like different unit leadership roles that you’re doing as a bullet point closer to the end. It’s the same thing with patient education and things like that. Put your actual ICU critical skills that you have gained that are unique to the ICU first and follow up with the other things at the end.

Also, you want to make sure that you’re not switching tenses. I mentioned speaking current versus past terms based on where you’re working, but again, don’t flip or interchange them. Don’t put monitored and monitoring in the same sentence. If you’re saying things like, “You are monitoring hemodynamics.” You should save titrating vasoactive medications for the next bullet point.

Combining monitoring hemodynamics and titrating vasoactive medications, what if they read monitoring hemodynamics and start mentally skimming, and then go to the next bullet point before they see the vasoactive medication titration. Make it its own bullet point. It helps you stand out a little bit more.

You got to think about this in the sense that people are going to be reading this and probably trying to read it at lightning speed. It’s like, “Squirrel. What’s next?” They’re going to have hundreds of applicants to sort through and they’re human. These are not robots that are doing this. Make sure that you’re making it as edible as possible in the smallest chunks. It’s like, “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.” When you’re reading a resume, you’re taking little chunks at a time. Help them take little chunks at a time, so they don’t miss anything, especially if they’re going to start going quicker towards the end of the actual piece of paper.

You can also utilize a side to place certifications like CCRN, CMC, and things like that. There’s usually a little sidebar on a resume where you can place those types of things, so they don’t get lost at the end of the resume. For the bulk of it, when you’re doing all that, those are my big pieces of advice for you. Use the sidebar as a way to highlight things that maybe you wouldn’t mention in the body of the resume. Ultimately, don’t be afraid to have someone else lay eyes on your resume. Keep in mind that this is the first impression that you’re making for the CRNA schools and they’re looking at several resumes.

Probably all of you were like, “How do I stand out?” Everyone wants to find unique ways to stand out and things they’re doing differently, but the reality is a lot of you are going to look similar on paper and that’s okay. It is what it is. You all have to get the same requirements. There’s only so much you can do differently. One thing I want to make sure I point out is don’t lie. People are honest with me about it. They’re like, “Jenny, I put this, but I’m nervous because technically, I haven’t been on my own. When I was oriented, I watched my preceptor do ECMO. I haven’t done ECMO, but I put it out in my resume.” I’m like, “What? Why?”

Anything you put on your CRNA school resume is fair game for them to say, “You listed it. You must be well-versed in it if you’re going to put it on your resume.” That’s the way they take it when you put it on your resume. If you put ECMO, but you truly have never been trained to do ECMO, but you watched your preceptor do it a few times, you maybe be opening a giant can of worms. You could get lucky, but if you get unlucky, they ask you about it and you can’t fully explain how ECMO works because you truly have never done it, you’re going to burn yourself a hole.

Be careful. The easiest way around it is don’t lie. If you’re tempted to put something on your resume that you haven’t truly done because you think it’s going to make you stand out, that’s an indication or a red flag. That means that’s an action item. That’s something that you need to take action on. There is nothing to be ashamed of and feel bad about. If you started in the ICU a few months ago, cut yourself a little bit of a break.

Sometimes it takes more than a few months to get trained in ECMO. You have to get the feel and the lay of the land and get oriented before they do advanced training. All units are a little different as far as how soon they will be able to do that training for you. It’s okay. It’s not going to make or break you getting into CRNA school. I can promise you that, but what will make or break you in getting to CRNA school is if they catch you lying.

That’s my piece of advice as far as trying to stand out. Don’t lie about it and remember that anything you put on your resume can be fair game to go into more detail. Everything you put on there, you have to understand it. If they say, “You say you used ECMO. Tell me about how ECMO works or CRRT. You mentioned that you routinely use vasopressin. How does vasopressin work?” Whatever you put in your resume is going to lead them down that direction.

During your actual interview, a lot of these schools will have your resume in hand. They will be looking at your resume yet again and not just one person. The entire panel of people will have your resume and they may or may not pull questions from that. Sometimes they have a set bank of questions or favorite questions, for example, too.

Some of these schools hit heavily on emotional intelligence, but if they see that you work in a neuro ICU, maybe just to throw you off your game, they’ll ask you about a cardiac type of situation and what would you do? Technically, as ICU nurses, we all should be well-versed in ACLS and you are ACLS-certified. Instead of asking you neuro ICU-related questions, they may take you down the rabbit hole of ACLS.

It’s because it’s on your resume and you’re ACLS-trained, so it’s fair game. I hope you guys found this episode insightful and helpful. Thank you so much for tuning in every week. I appreciate you. If you have not already, I would appreciate it if you could leave a review. It means a lot. I will see you next week for another episode. You guys take care.

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• Goal Statements for Nurse Practitioner Graduate School Examples

Key Highlights Personal Statements for Nurse Practitioner Graduate School Examples

• A compelling goal statement is pivotal for NP graduate school applications to demonstrate motivations, fit, and communication strengths
• Effective NP goal statements should cover your career ambitions, reasons for pursuing advanced nursing practice, relevant experiences, specialty interests, purpose for graduate study, and program alignment
• Goal statement examples for high-demand NP specialties help showcase practice area interests and future objectives
• Polishing your draft entails tailoring content to each program, highlighting unique talents, and refining technical elements before submission

Nurse practitioners (NPs) play a critical role in healthcare delivery across diverse settings. They provide high-quality primary , acute , chronic, and specialty care to patients of all backgrounds. Many experienced nurses decide to advance their impact and career opportunities further by pursuing a graduate degree to become an NP.

When applying to highly competitive NP graduate programs, candidates must demonstrate their qualifications through various materials like test scores, transcripts, resumes, and recommendation letters. The goal statement is also a pivotal part of the NP school application. This single-page personal statement allows applicants to explain their motivations for becoming a nurse practitioner, highlight relevant nursing experiences, and showcase their stellar communication abilities.

Crafting a compelling, well-written goal statement is challenging. However, excellent NP school goal statements can give applicants a vital edge. This article will provide essential details about writing a standout graduate school goal statement tailored to nurse practitioner programs.

Why a Strong Personal Statement Matters for Nurse Practitioner School

Your goal statement carries significant influence over the admissions decision because it offers valuable insights not found elsewhere in your NP school application. This personal statement plays several important roles:

• Explains Motivations & Interests: The goal statement enables you to delve into the experiences, passions, and visions driving your pursuit of an NP graduate degree. This context is crucial for evaluating your mindset, disposition, and future trajectory.
• Demonstrates Program & Profession Fit: By thoughtfully highlighting your perspectives, qualifications, and objectives related to advanced nursing practice, you can show admissions committees your strong fit with the program’s priorities and the wider nursing profession.
• Showcases Communication Strength: As an aspiring nurse leader, you must be able to convey complex concepts clearly and effectively to diverse audiences. The goal statement provides a perfect platform to display strong written communication abilities expected of exceptional NP graduate candidates.

Since the goal statement offers vital insights into applicants as emerging nurse practitioners, it can profoundly influence admissions decisions when done well. That is why crafting a compelling goal statement is so invaluable for reaching your graduate nursing education dreams.

Elements of a Effective Goals for Nurse Practitioners

Outstanding NP school goal statements include several critical elements that offer admissions committees a 360-degree perspective on applicants. As you brainstorm ideas and craft your statement, be sure to cover these vital areas:

• Career Goals & Aspirations: Share your short-term plans and long-term visions related to nursing practice. Explain how achieving an NP degree connects to your ambitions. Discuss any relevant future leadership goals too.
• Motivations for Becoming an NP: What life experiences, healthcare exposures, or personal attributes motivate you to pursue advanced responsibilities and direct patient care as a nurse practitioner?
• Relevant Nursing Experiences: Spotlight specialized clinical skills, insightful patient interactions, research projects, or nursing leadership experience that equip you for NP-level education and practice.
• NP Specialties of Interest: Name one or more particular NP specialties you wish to focus on. Tie your specialty interests directly to prior nursing exposures or future goals.
• Fit with Program Offerings: Research the program and note specific courses, specialty tracks, practicum partnerships, faculty expertise or other offerings matching your interests.
• Purpose for Graduate Study: Explain why you need NP-focused graduate-level training to accomplish your practice, leadership, research or change-agent objectives.

Incorporating details on these crucial topics into your goal statement provides admissions committees the information they need to evaluate your preparation and motivation for tackling an NP degree program.

NP School Goal Statement Examples

Adult Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

My experience in adult intensive care sparked a calling to become an Acute Care NP. By attaining specialized skills and knowledge to care for seriously ill or injured adult patients, I aim to provide top-quality care coordination, deliver evidence-based treatment, and support families during difficult hospitalizations.

Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Witnessing the lack of empowering end-of-life care options for elderly patients fueled my passion for gerontology and palliative care. As an AGACNP, I want to help older adults with complex acute conditions understand their care choices, align treatment plans with personal values, and improve quality of life through skilled symptom management.

Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

I am truly inspired by my gerontology nurse mentor who formed decades-long care partnerships with senior patients. As an AGPCNP, I aspire to promote healthy aging, provide accessible primary care, coordinate resources, and develop rich therapeutic relationships with older adults facing chronic conditions.

Adult Nurse Practitioner

While working in an outpatient clinic, I grew devoted to delivering equitable care for underserved groups. My goal is to become an Adult NP, drawing on a diversity, equity and inclusion perspective to remove healthcare access barriers, partner with my local community, and empower patients as leaders in their own care.

Adult Psychiatric–Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Through my advocacy experiences, I witnessed how gaps in affordable psychiatric mental healthcare disproportionately impact communities of color. My mission is to promote mental wellness, diagnose/manage psychiatric disorders, and deliver culturally humble care as an Adult PMHNP.

Emergency Nurse Practitioner

I found my life’s passion while working alongside Emergency NPs making decisive diagnoses and coordinating urgent care teams under pressure. My goal is to obtain the specialized assessment and treatment skills necessary to provide top-tier emergency care across any acute or critical event.

Family Nurse Practitioner

My vision is to serve entire families as a trusted FNP – from newborns to elders. I want to advocate, educate, and form therapeutic partnerships supporting patient-centered care choices, healthy development, and wellbeing through all of life’s changes. I firmly believe nurses play an invaluable role in guiding families toward their highest health potential.

Gerontology Nurse Practitioner

Given rapid growth in the senior population, I want to specialize as a Gerontology NP to transform ageist attitudes, debunk outdated views of aging, support caregivers, deliver exemplary chronic care, coordinate resources, and improve systems serving the elderly through a social justice lens.

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner

Witnessing intense joy and sorrow in the NICU, I discovered a passion for caring for fragile newborns and families. As a Neonatal NP, I want to support healthy infant development, empower parents, build trust during uncertain times, advocate for patients, and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to foster a just, compassionate care culture.

Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

From volunteering at a pediatric specialty hospital, I grew devoted to supporting ill children and distressed families. My objective is to gain pediatric assessment/treatment expertise as a Peds Acute Care NP who compassionately educates, advocates, coordinates care teams, and eases suffering for young patients facing complex health issues.

Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

My pediatric rotation showed the profound impact early supportive relationships have on lifelong outcomes. As a Peds Primary Care NP, I want to partner with families across the lifespan – delivering accessible care, promoting wellness, accurately diagnosing concerns, innovating services, and connecting patients to resources from a social justice perspective.

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Through volunteering at a mental health crisis center, I discovered a deep passion for psychiatric care advocacy. As a Psychiatric Mental Health NP, I want to diagnose conditions accurately, reduce stigma through education, provide trauma-informed evidence-based therapies, and improve access/affordability of services to serve diverse communities.

Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner

My personal journey through high-risk pregnancy and birth complications shaped my commitment to women’s health advocacy. By becoming a Women’s Health NP, I aim to provide the full continuum of compassionate, empowering gynecologic and obstetric care to women facing health issues unique to females. I believe all women deserve judgment-free support for their family planning decisions.

Tailoring your goal statement to reflect your chosen or prospective NP specialty area better conveys your practice interests, disposition and future ambitions to admissions committees reviewing your application.

Career Goal Statement Do’s and Don’ts

When brainstorming ideas and crafting your nurse practitioner school goal statement, keep these do’s and don’ts in mind:

• Convey genuine passion and convictions driving your NP pursuits
• Showcase relevant nursing experiences, knowledge and transferable skills
• Research the program thoroughly to demonstrate fit
• Tailor content specifically to the target NP specialty and program
• Emphasize leadership ambitions grounded in real examples
• Use a professional yet personable voice in your writing
• Make generic statements lacking meaningful details
• Use clichés or platitudes that sound disingenuous
• Focus on barriers or challenges faced without resolutions
• Portray inflated competencies unrelated to actual abilities
• Pass off content from generic statement samples found online
• Submit an unedited draft without carefully proofreading

Keeping these goal statement best practices in mind while tailoring your content to the target school and NP specialty can help yield an authentic, compelling personal statement that stands out for all the right reasons.

Polishing Your Professional Goals Statement

After completing an initial draft of your nurse practitioner graduate school goal statement, allot time for fine-tuning the content before submission by:

• Tailoring to Each NP Program: Research details about the curriculum, specialty tracks offered, practicum partnerships in the community, program strengths and core focuses. Reflect these specifics in your statement.
• Checking for Clarity & Concision: Review the goal statement from an outside reader’s perspective. Is the narrative cohesive, logical and succinct without redundancy? Consider asking a peer to review your draft.
• Revising to Showcase Talents: What specialized experience, innate strengths, knowledge areas or assets make you uniquely qualified as an NP candidate for this particular program? Revise content to spotlight these talents.
• Perfecting the Technical Details: Verify precise graduate degree names/abbreviations featured in the program’s literature. Double check spelling, grammar and formatting for a polished final document.

Investing effort into multiple rounds of thoughtful editing enables you to put forward the very best version of your NP school goal statement possible. This commitment can pay dividends in terms of admissions outcomes and advancing your nursing practice aspirations.

NP School Personal Statement Conclusion

A well-crafted goal statement is vital for nurse practitioner graduate school candidates seeking to highlight their qualifications, motivations, and fit for highly selective NP programs. This personal statement provides helpful context about your background, aspirations, and purpose that other application components may not fully capture.

As covered in this article, excellent NP goal statements convey genuine passions for advanced nursing practice, align to specialty areas of interest, demonstrate strong communication abilities expected of nurse leaders, and differentiate applicants through unique experiences and perspectives. Model statement examples can help spark ideas when drafting content tailored specifically to your target NP specialties, career objectives, and graduate programs of interest.

Remember to allot ample time for multiple rounds of polishing to showcase your talents persuasively. With a compelling goal statement emphasizing your distinct value as an NP candidate, you can make great strides toward achieving your graduate nursing education dreams.

Best Nurse Practitioner Programs Near Me

We identified the top nurse practitioner programs for you through rigorous research. These premier schools have a record of graduating career-ready nurses who positively impact lives. Starting with the program best fit for you puts purposeful, meaningful work within reach. Let us guide your first steps towards a future of healing hope.

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Best Nurse Practitioner (NP) Methodology

• About the Author
• Latest Posts

Meredith Scannell CNM, MSN, MPH, PhD-student has extensive experience in critical care nursing and women’s health. She is a certified nurse-midwife, earned a diploma in nursing in 1995 received a Master’s Degree in Public Health and became a Certified Nurse Midwife in 2006, earned a Master’s Degree in Nursing in 2008 and currently perusing a PhD. She has extensive background working in critical care areas internationally in Boston, London, UK and Melbourne, AU. As a certified nurse midwife she has worked and the North Shore birth center delivering babies in a home like setting and at Beverly hospital. She has extensive educational background including specialized legal training and preparation to prepare as expert testimony. She holds two Masters degrees: a Masters degree in Nursing from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and a Masters degree in Public Health from Boston University School of Public Health. She has presented as an expert panelist at the International Meeting on Simulation in Healthcare.

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