How to Write a Killer New Grad Nursing Resume Objective (+25 Examples)


ou've graduated nursing school—congratulations! Now, let's land you that first job. This guide breaks down how to write a powerful resume objective, with over 25 examples to get you started.

For a new graduate, a resume objective is your secret weapon. It’s a short, targeted paragraph at the top of your resume that tells a hiring manager who you are, what you can do, and why you’re the perfect fit for their team.


Before we dive into the examples, let's get the fundamentals right:


What a Winning Nursing Objective Includes:


  • Your Credentials: Clearly state your license (e.g., Registered Nurse or LPN).

  • Key Skills: Mention 1-2 of your strongest clinical or soft skills (e.g., compassionate patient care, IV insertion, electronic health records).

  • Your Goal: Name the specific facility and the type of role you're seeking. This shows you've done your research.

  • Your Value: Briefly state what you hope to contribute to their team or patient population.

  • How to Write Your Objective in 3 Simple Steps:


  • Start with Your Title. Lead with a strong descriptor like "Compassionate and detail-oriented new graduate Registered Nurse..."

  • Add Your Skills & Knowledge. Weave in skills mentioned in the job description. For example, "...with hands-on clinical experience in telemetry and emergency medicine."

  • State Your Intention. End by clearly stating your goal. For example, "...seeking to apply my passion for patient advocacy and clinical skills to the Medical-Surgical team at St. Jude's Hospital."

  • What's Better: A Resume Objective or a Summary?


    You might hear a lot about the "resume objective vs. resume summary" debate. Here’s the bottom line for a new grad:


    A resume objective is your best bet. It focuses on your future career goals and how you plan to contribute, which is perfect when you don't have years of experience to summarize. It tells a potential employer where you're headed, not just where you've been.


    As you gain experience, you'll transition to a resume summary, which highlights your past accomplishments and professional background. For now, stick with a forward-looking objective.


    25+ New Grad Nursing Resume Objective Examples


    Use these examples as a launchpad. Remember to always customize your objective for the specific job you're applying for. A generic objective is an immediate red flag for hiring managers.



    General Registered Nurse (RN) & LPN Objectives


  • Driven and compassionate new graduate Registered Nurse with a BSN and recent clinical experience in acute care settings. Eager to apply my knowledge of patient assessment and evidence-based practice to the RN Residency Program at Cleveland Clinic.

  • Newly licensed and enthusiastic LPN with a passion for geriatric care and patient education. Seeking to contribute my skills in medication administration and wound care to the dedicated team at Golden Years Senior Living.

  • Detail-oriented Registered Nurse with a strong academic background and hands-on training in fast-paced hospital environments. Aims to leverage skills in charting (EPIC) and patient-centered care to secure a Staff Nurse position at Mercy General Hospital.

  • Motivated new graduate LPN with excellent communication skills and a proven ability to build trust with patients and families. Looking to begin my nursing career by providing high-quality care at the Northwood Community Health Center.

  • A recent ASN graduate and newly licensed RN with a solid understanding of medical-surgical nursing. Seeking to apply my clinical skills and commitment to teamwork to the Med-Surg unit at University Hospital.


  • Objectives Focused on a Specialty


  • Pediatrics: Empathetic and newly certified Registered Nurse with pediatric clinical rotations at Children's National. Eager to bring my gentle approach and passion for family-centered care to the Pediatric Unit at [Hospital Name].

  • Emergency Department: High-energy and resilient new graduate RN with training in triage and trauma care. Seeking to apply my quick-thinking and calm demeanor to the fast-paced Emergency Department at [Hospital Name].

  • Labor & Delivery: A dedicated and supportive new RN with a deep passion for maternal and newborn health. Aims to contribute my clinical knowledge of labor and postpartum care to the Family Birth Center at [Hospital Name].

  • ICU/Critical Care: Analytically-minded new graduate RN with an honors distinction and clinical experience in a critical care setting. Seeking an ICU Nurse position to apply my skills in monitoring complex patient conditions at [Hospital Name].

  • Oncology: Compassionate Registered Nurse with volunteer experience at the American Cancer Society and clinical training in oncology care. Eager to provide holistic and supportive care to patients and families at the [Cancer Center Name].

  • Telemetry: Vigilant new RN graduate with a strong aptitude for cardiac monitoring and interpreting ECG strips. Looking to join the Telemetry Unit at [Hospital Name] to ensure a high level of patient safety and care.

  • Operating Room: Meticulous and focused new graduate RN with a keen interest in perioperative nursing. Seeking to develop my skills as a circulating nurse in the collaborative environment of the [Hospital Name] Operating Room.

  • Psychiatric/Mental Health: Patient and understanding new graduate RN with a concentration in psychology. Aims to apply therapeutic communication and crisis intervention skills to support patients at the [Mental Health Facility Name].


  • Objectives Highlighting Unique Skills


  • Bilingual: Bilingual (Spanish/English) new graduate Registered Nurse with a commitment to culturally competent care. Seeking to utilize my language skills to improve patient communication and outcomes at [Clinic or Hospital Name].

  • Tech-Savvy (EHR): Tech-proficient new LPN with extensive hands-on experience using Cerner and EPIC during clinicals. Eager to contribute to efficient and accurate patient charting at the tech-forward [Medical Group Name].

  • Leadership: New RN graduate and former nursing student association president with proven leadership and organizational skills. Looking to bring my collaborative spirit and dedication to a Staff Nurse role at [Hospital Name].

  • Veteran: Disciplined and resourceful U.S. Army veteran and new graduate RN. Seeking to leverage my experience in high-pressure situations and teamwork to excel in the Emergency Department at the local VA Hospital.


  • Objectives for Different Healthcare Settings


  • Large Hospital: Dedicated and adaptable new graduate RN seeking to begin my career in a dynamic and challenging environment. Eager to contribute to the high standards of patient care at a large teaching institution like [Hospital Name].

  • Community Clinic: Community-focused LPN graduate passionate about public health and preventative care. Aims to join the team at [Clinic Name] to provide accessible and compassionate healthcare to underserved populations.

  • Long-Term Care Facility: Patient and kindhearted new graduate RN with a passion for gerontology. Seeking to provide dignified and consistent care to residents at the [Long-Term Care Facility Name].

  • Outpatient Surgery Center: Efficient and organized new RN graduate looking to apply my skills in a fast-paced outpatient setting. Eager to contribute to positive patient outcomes and quick recovery times at [Surgery Center Name].

  • Private Practice: Professional and personable new LPN graduate with excellent interpersonal skills. Aims to support the clinical team and provide an exceptional patient experience at [Doctor's Office Name].


  • More Creative & Personalized Examples


  • A 2023 BSN graduate from Johns Hopkins University, eager to translate top-tier academic training and a passion for cardiac care into a successful career as a Registered Nurse on the Telemetry floor at [Hospital Name].

  • Seeking to launch my nursing career at a Magnet-recognized hospital. My goal is to apply the compassionate care techniques and critical thinking skills learned during my BSN program to the esteemed nursing team at [Hospital Name].

  • To obtain an entry-level RN position with the Pediatrics team at [Hospital Name], where I can utilize my clinical rotation experience in child wellness and my innate ability to connect with young patients and their families.

  • Pro Tips to Make Your Objective Shine


  • Keep it Concise: Three sentences is the sweet spot. Any longer and it becomes a paragraph that recruiters might skip.

  • Use Keywords: Read the job description carefully. Does it mention "patient advocacy," "EPIC," or "team environment"? Mirror that language in your objective.

  • Proofread, Then Proofread Again: A typo in your first three sentences can sink your chances. Read it aloud to catch awkward phrasing.

  • Your objective is the first thing a hiring manager reads, setting the stage for your entire application. By crafting a sharp, targeted, and professional statement, you're not just applying for a job—you're making a powerful first impression.


    Once your objective is polished, it sets the tone for the rest of your document. If you need help pulling all your clinical experiences and skills together into a clean, professional format, using a dedicated tool can be a lifesaver. A great resume builder from Resumost.com can help you organize your information and create a polished resume that gets noticed.


    Good luck with the job hunt—you've got this

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