How to Write an Entry-level Nursing Resume

Writing an effective entry-level nursing resume can be a challenge, but with the right tools, the right format, and the right guidance, you can create the resume hiring managers are looking for in a candidate.

Start by following these basic step-by-step tips for writing an entry-level nursing resume. For more information, check out LiveCareer’s professional resume builder! Our sophisticated text-creation and formatting tool can help you create an eye-catching, error-free document in just a few minutes.

A functional format allows you to focus attention on your skills and abilities and not so much on your practical on-the-job experience. This format was developed with new grads and mid-life career changers in mind.

Nursing Job Titles to Consider

As a recent nursing program graduate in need of an entry-level nursing resume, you understand that not all nursing jobs are the same. Different roles call for candidates with very specific skills and specialties. You can address this in your entry-level nursing resume by zeroing in on the specific role you seek and researching the most relevant skills and experience employers look for in a candidate.

Here are a few nursing job titles you may be considering:

OB Gyn Nurse

OB Gyn nurses (obstetrics and gynecology) specialize in the treatment of pregnant women and women with health issues involving the reproductive system. These nurses are RNs, which means they have completed an associates or bachelors level degree program and fulfilled all licensing requirements in the states where they work.

OB Gyn nurses typically prepare patients for procedures, monitor their progress, administer medications, work together with a healthcare team, keep patient records and perform of host of tasks related to pregnancy and childbirth. This is a relatively high-paying role that is in high demand, though both demand and salary will vary by region.

Check out our OB Gyn nursing resume examples for inspiration on how to build your own resume.

Office Nurse

Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses (also sometimes called office nurses) provide basic care under the registered nurses or physicians. To fulfill this role, jobseekers need to complete a state approved program, which usually includes a licensing exam and takes about one year from start to finish.

Office nurses work in a variety of locations, including hospitals, schools, clinics, residential facilities and private homes. Salaries for this role average at about $45,000, and working conditions can be challenging. The good news? Demand for these jobs is on the rise, and available positions are expected to increase by about 12 percent by 2026.

To write a standout office nurse resume of your own, check out our office nurse resume samples.

Oncology Nurse

An oncology nurse provides both medical and emotional care for patients who are being treated for all types of cancer. This role usually requires the associates or bachelor’s degree program necessary to become an RN, plus graduate level training in oncology nursing.

Nurses in this role are responsible for administering cancer treatments like chemotherapy, monitoring patient progress, maintaining records, and working together with a cancer care team which may include surgeons and radiologists. Like any role in nursing, this job can be mentally, physically, and emotionally challenging, but demand and salaries are both slightly higher than the average for RNs.

To write an inspiring oncology nurse resume, review oncology nurse resume examples.

Charge Nurse

Charge nurses usually occupy a managerial role and take responsibility for an entire department within their clinic or healthcare facility. To step into this role, nurses must be ready to add a leadership component to their existing clinical skill sets.

While some charge nurses also carry a patient load of their own, their primary task usually involves overseeing, reviewing, scheduling, evaluating and supervising the nurses and healthcare support staff under their purview. This is usually not an entry-level job, but as you begin to build your nursing career, you can set your sights in this direction. Need more help writing your resume? Take a look at our charge nurse example resumes.

Clinic Nurse

A clinic nurse (or clinical nurse) usually practices nursing at an advanced level. This role requires a master’s degree in nursing at a minimum, and often several years of specialized education beyond that point in areas like emergency care, pediatrics, or geriatrics.

Clinical nurses can work as primary care providers, but they don’t typically earn as much as physicians (medical school graduates), which puts them in very high demand, especially in budget-strapped facilities and rural communities. The advanced expertise of nurses at this level usually requires an expensive education, but this investment typically pays off and clinical nurses rarely spend long periods searching for work.

To write a resume that shows off your expertise, study our clinical nurse resume sample.

As a recent nursing program graduate in need of an entry-level nursing resume, you understand that not all nursing jobs are the same. Different roles call for candidates with very specific skills and specialties. You can address this in your entry-level nursing resume by zeroing in on the specific role you seek and researching the most relevant skills and experience employers look for in a candidate.

Five Basic Sections of an Entry-level Nursing Resume

Some healthcare resumes don’t follow the traditional resume format described here (check our site for more information if you’re looking for work as a physician or dentist). But an effective entry-level nursing resume will include these five traditional sections. Make sure your document contains these sections at a minimum, and feel free to add others if you choose.

1. Heading: Your nursing resume should start with a clear heading at the top of the page, which includes your name, contact information, and website links (optional). Your home address isn’t necessary on a modern nursing resume.
2. Professional summary: Under your heading, add about three or four lines of text that share your most important qualifications for the job. If you don’t have much experience, use this section to explain your passion for this work, your strongest skills, or your proudest academic and extracurricular selling points.
3. Skills: As a trained and certified nurse, regardless of your level of experience, you’ve accumulated plenty of clinical, therapeutic, software, leadership and client-engagement skills. You’ll want to highlight this part of your resume, since it’s the part most likely to help you shine.
4. Relevant experience: No on-the-job experience? No problem. Relevant experience doesn’t have to be limited to the workplace. Have you volunteered or completed an internship or clinical training program? Have you completed a residency or shadowed a nurse practitioner? All of these—and the hands-on work you completed as part of your degree program—are relevant to employers.
5. Education: Include your education on your resume, listing each of your programs and diplomas or certificates of completion, plus the institutions that granted them. Licensing information should also appear in this section.

As a recent nursing program graduate in need of an entry-level nursing resume, you understand that not all nursing jobs are the same. Different roles call for candidates with very specific skills and specialties. You can address this in your entry-level nursing resume by zeroing in on the specific role you seek and researching the most relevant skills and experience employers look for in a candidate.

12 Skills to Add to Your Entry-level Nursing Resume

1. Attention to detail
2. Academic excellence
3. Team work and leadership
4. A cool head under pressure
5. Organizational skills
6. Therapeutic language
7. Patient interaction
8. Patient education
9. Math and chemistry
10. Software skills
11. Written communication
12. Problem solving skills

6 Tips for Writing an Entry-Level Nursing Resume

Regardless of your specific background and preparation for a nursing role, here are a few tips that can help you create a winning entry-level resume. These tips apply to anyone who’s just starting out in the working world or switching from an established field into an entirely new industry.

1. Use a functional resume format. A functional format allows you to focus attention on your skills and abilities and not so much on your practical on-the-job experience. This format was developed with new grads and mid-life career changers in mind.

2. Focus on your transferable skills. Some skills help you stand out no matter which field you’re hoping to step into. For example, almost all of us have had a reason or a workplace need to apply skills like conflict resolution, sales, writing, public speaking, problem solving, scheduling, and time management. If you have these skills, they can definitely help you ease the transition to your new job or new industry.

3. Keep your resume short and clear. No matter what you’ve done—or not done just yet—keep your descriptions and explanations limited to one page. Don’t ramble or waste space by describing responsibilities or skills that your readers already recognize. Just stay on message.

4. Highlight soft skills: Mention your soft skills, such as patience, communication, and organization. Nurses build their careers on dozens of complex skill sets, from clinical procedures to conflict negotiation to database management. But soft skills are perhaps the most important. Show that you can educate patients, communicate clearly, and that you can stay organized and on task.

5. Judgement matters. An entry-level nurse may not be pushed immediately into critical life and death situations, but you’ll almost certainly be asked to exercise your clinical judgement and make independent decisions on day one. Show that you’re ready.

6. Use a professional resume builder. You don’t have to be a great writer to create a beautifully formatted resume. You might just need a little help. Check out LiveCareer’s resume templates that can be customized to meet your needs, or use our professional resume builder, which can help you create a perfect resume in minutes!

Once you're satisfied with your resume, if you want to get a head start on your next task, allow us to show you how to write an entry-level nursing cover letter. And don't worry, we've also got a handy cover letter builder in case you get stuck.