LPN Resume Example
A career as a LPN typically involves administering medications safely and monitoring patient vitals. A strong resume for LPN applications showcases your skills, experience and achievements and helps you stand out from other candidates. In this article, we'll outline how to write a winning resume to boost your chances of success in your LPN applications.
This complete guide to a LPN resume will equip you with the tools you need to compete in your applications. You'll learn how to show employers you've got the relevant qualities, skills and experience for the job, all presented in a format that employers prefer to see. The article also includes tips for formatting your resume according to your experience and strengths. Read on to learn how to write a perfect LPN resume, from the advice of careers experts at Jobseeker.
Key sections for a LPN resume
A successful LPN resume will typically include each of the sections listed below, with some optional sections.
If you're applying for junior, entry-level or graduate LPN positions and you lack work experience, consider using a skills-based resume format to emphasize your skills and education. Draw attention to your soft and transferable skills, as employers will value these highly for entry-level roles. You could also mention any internships, training or volunteer work that helps you showcase skills relevant to the position.
Work experience is typically the most important resume section for LPN applicants with some prior experience. As such, it's best to use a traditional, reverse-chronological resume format. Your resume should focus on your career achievements, and the role you've played in successful projects and activities for your employers. Consult the job description for guidance on what to showcase, and provide evidence to support your claims.
If you're applying for senior LPN positions, you'll want to list career achievements and successes that emphasize your senior status. Use a reverse-chronological format and add extra sections to show key career highlights. Senior resumes are often longer than resumes for junior roles. This is because you may choose to include extra sections, such as awards, professional memberships, publications, conferences or certifications on your resume.
You will have some choice over your resume layout and structure, but be sure to include these sections as the core of your document:
Header and Personal Information
The resume header is the place to add your name and contact details, along with your LinkedIn URL if you have a profile, so employers can find more information about your career journey and skills. You don't typically need to add a photo, or any other personal information to this section. Keep your header clear and concise, with only the most necessary information included. Opt for a stylish, professional design that creates a strong first impression.
Only include professional, name-based email addresses in your resume header. If you have an old email address that uses nicknames, puns, references to your personal interests or anything else that could appear unprofessional, set up a new email just for your job applications. Finally, always double-check your contact details are correct and up-to-date before sending your resume.
Roy Alvarez
roy.alvarez@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
1313 Webfoot Walk, Duckburg, CA
linkedin․com/in/roy–alvarez123
Resume Profile
Following your resume header, write a resume summary to introduce yourself and showcase some of your key skills and achievements. Alternative names for this section are 'resume objective' and 'personal profile'. While a resume summary focuses on your career experience, a resume objective covers your ambitions and career plans. In addition, your objective should highlight why you're an ideal candidate for LPN roles by showing key skills and qualities that reflect the job description.
Alternatively, write a paragraph that concentrates on your career objectives and how this role fits with your wider ambitions and progression.
A good resume summary is short and snappy, and focused on the skills and experience listed in the job description, with evidence to back it up. It will also help the reader to form their first impressions of you by providing an insight into your personality and unique qualities. Take a look at some strong examples of how to approach a LPN resume summary in the graphic below.
Good example:
Dedicated and compassionate Licensed Practical Nurse with a Practical Nursing Diploma and extensive hands-on experience in providing high-quality patient care. Proficient in administering medications, monitoring vital signs, assisting with daily living activities, and collaborating with healthcare teams to optimize patient outcomes. Strong communicator with a commitment to patient safety, well-being, and comfort. Adept at handling emergency situations with a calm and efficient approach
Bad example:
Nurse with a background in practical nursing and experience in taking care of patients. Skilled in giving medications, checking health signs, and helping with daily tasks. Worked with others in healthcare to help patients feel better. Good at talking with patients and focused on keeping them safe and comfortable. Can handle urgent situations calmly and efficiently
On the other hand, an unsuccessful resume summary is one that mentions irrelevant skills, qualities and achievements and fails to differentiate you from other candidates. The visual above includes some examples of what not to do with your LPN resume summary
Employment History
Next, list your relevant employment history and any key achievements that show you're suitable for a LPN position. List each relevant role in reverse-chronological order starting with your current or most recent role. Add your job title, the organization name, its location and the dates you worked there.
In addition, include a few bullet points under each job, highlighting your key achievements so the hiring manager can see how they led to successful outcomes. Back up each point with evidence to show how you meet the job description.
A successful resume work experience section will always showcase skills and experience relevant to the job description, and how you put each to good use in your previous roles. Offering quantifiable evidence in a licensed practical nurse resume proves you're a strong candidate for the job, such as client feedback, project outcomes, KPIs or financial results. Review some strong examples of resume work experience sections in the graphic below.
Good example:
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), January 2022 - Present
Healing Hands Homecare Services, Reno
- Efficiently managed patient care for up to 30 patients per shift, ensuring timely medication administration and accurate documentation
- Successfully trained and mentored 10 new LPNs, improving team performance and patient care standards
- Implemented a new patient tracking system, reducing medication errors by 25% and enhancing overall workflow efficiency
Bad example:
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), January 2022 - Present
Healing Hands Homecare Services, Reno
- Provided quality patient care in a fast-paced environment, ensuring high standards of service and patient satisfaction
- Assisted in the training and development of new staff members to enhance team effectiveness and improve patient outcomes
- Contributed to the implementation of systems to improve operational efficiency and reduce errors in patient care processes
The example above can give you some idea of what not to include in your resume work experience section. Poor examples of resume work experience sections tend to be vague and fail to quantify your achievements and the impact you've made in your career to date. They may also focus on responsibilities above relevant skills and how you've used them.
Education
Under education, add details of any degrees or professional qualifications relevant to LPN roles.
Opportunities as a LPN and similar roles in the sector usually require a specialist degree. If you have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, be sure to mention this in your resume. You might also want to list any qualifications that highlight your patient data documentation or vital signs monitoring.
List every relevant qualification, including the name and level of the course, the name of the school, college or university, its location and your graduation date. You can also add some bullet points outlining any high grades, awards you won or specialist subjects you studied. Adding this information will show the employer your dedication to learning and your areas of specialist knowledge.
If you were a member of any clubs or societies, or volunteered for any causes while studying, you could also mention these in your education section.
Practical Nursing Diploma, 2017 - 2020
Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
Skills
The skills section is one of the main ways to show employers you've got the skills required for LPN roles. Whether your skills include medication administration, time management skills or any other useful skills for the role, you'll want to list them here. Again, include any skills that match those listed in the job description. Focus particularly on technical skills required for LPN jobs and transferable skills that show your qualities as a LPN.
Highlighting your hard skills
In your hard skills list, include any specific abilities related to the role you're applying for. These could be technical skills or industry knowledge that showcases your expertise in your chosen profession. Furthermore, your hard skills list helps to show employers how competent and experienced you are at key LPN duties and responsibilities. It's best to aim for four or five key hard skills that match the job description. These can really showcase your suitability for the job.
Your resume hard skills list should reflect your unique and specific industry expertise and experience, while also fulfilling the requirements listed in the job description. See the examples below for an idea of what an effective LPN resume hard skills list looks like.
- Vital signs monitoring
- Medication administration
- Wound care management
Listing soft skills on your LPN resume
Your soft skills are the core qualities and personal characteristics that make you a good employee. They tend to apply to multiple professions and jobs, though the soft skills you'll require may change as you move from junior to senior positions. In fact, you can develop soft skills throughout your career, and they tend to be suitable for various roles and professions. Aim to include approximately five soft skills that reflect the skills listed in the job description.
A strong soft skills section should play to your strengths, listing skills that reflect your personal qualities while also reflecting the skills listed in the job description. For some examples of good soft skills for a LPN resume, see below.
- Communication and empathy
- Attention to detail
- Time management skills
Licenses and Certifications
Your certifications section is the place to mention any relevant professional LPN certifications, licenses or qualifications. You could list accreditations for certain professional roles or licenses for certain activities that help to make you a strong candidate. Therefore, add any necessary licenses and certifications in this section, along with valid dates so employers can see you're still qualified for the job.
See below for some suggestions of relevant certifications for a LPN resume:
- IV Therapy Certification, 2022
- Wound Care Certification, 2022
- CPR/AED Certification, 2022
Jobseeker Tip:
Optional Sections
There are several additional sections you could add to a licensed practical nurse resume, to improve your chances of success. Pick from the optional sections below to help show the employer you have the skills and experience for the job.
Hobbies
Hobbies and interests can be a useful way of showing your skills and experience beyond your work and education. Your hobbies and interests are useful for a licensed practical nurse resume if you want to show a different side to your personality, or to stand out among other candidates. They can also be valuable if you're a junior candidate without much relevant work experience. Don't include hobbies and interests in your resume unless they showcase a specific interest or aspect of your personality. You'll want them to add something to your application that you can't add elsewhere.
Volunteering
Voluntary work can help you develop useful skills, so it's a valuable addition to your LPN resume. Include the title of your volunteer role, who you volunteered for, as well as the dates you carried out the work. Provide brief details of your responsibilities and the impact you made.
References
References aren't a standard LPN resume section, but employers do sometimes ask for them. Check the job advert and only include them if requested. Add two or three professional references, and be sure to approach each referee before you include them.
References are available upon request.
Best action words for your LPN resume
Add strong verbs to your work experience section to show the hiring manager the impact you made in your previous roles. Choose from the list of words below to increase the impact of your work experience section.
- Administer
- Assist
- Monitor
- Document
- Coordinate
- Educate
- Assess
- Implement
- Communicate
- Collaborate
For help creating an eye-catching resume design to catch the attention of hiring managers, see Jobseeker's professional resume layouts. You can also use our clear, effective cover letter templates to complete your application.
Sample resume for LPN positions
The LPN resume example below includes all the sections above, so you can see how a completed resume looks:
1313 Webfoot Walk, Duckburg, CA
•
roy.alvarez@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/roy–alvarez123
Dedicated healthcare professional with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and extensive experience as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). Proven ability to deliver high-quality patient care, manage clinical responsibilities, and collaborate effectively with medical teams. Skilled in patient assessment, medication administration, and care plan implementation. Committed to enhancing patient outcomes through compassionate care and continuous professional development
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
2020
-2022
CareWell Health Services (Sacramento)
- Provided compassionate patient care, leading to a 15% increase in patient satisfaction scores in a high-volume healthcare facility
- Implemented a new medication administration protocol, reducing medication errors by 30% within the first six months
- Trained and mentored 10+ new LPN hires, improving team efficiency and reducing onboarding time by 25%
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
2017
-2020
Auburn University (Auburn, AL)
Vital signs monitoring
Medication administration
Wound care management
Communication and empathy
Attention to detail
Time management skills
IV Therapy Certification
Wound Care Certification
English - Fluent
Spanish - B2
Key tips for a LPN resume
Tips for best resume practices
- Tailor your resume to the job you're applying for by consulting the job description and using keywords throughout your document.
- Use strong verbs to help show the actions you've taken in different LPN roles (e.g. communicate, collaborate, administer).
- Kick off your LPN resume with a strong summary or objective statement that highlights your key skills and achievements.
- Mention key skills that show you're suited to the job throughout your resume, as well as in the dedicated skills section.
- Aim for a brief, concise LPN resume. One page is ideal for junior roles, while two pages are more suitable for senior positions.
Steer clear of these common resume writing errors
- Don't use overly decorative formatting and layouts that can detract from the content and make your LPN resume harder for scanning by applicant tracking systems (ATS).
- Don't list unrelated work experience unless you can show you used skills that are valuable to the job you're applying for.
- Don't use passive language - steer away from phrases like 'I was asked to' and use action words instead.
- Don't include hobbies unless they help you prove a skill or experience that's necessary for the job.
- Don't use an email address with offensive, funny or casual connotations. Instead, create a professional email address based on your name.
Guide to making your resume ATS-friendly
Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are one of the key ways recruiters and employers manage the hiring process. The systems can screen candidates by scanning and ranking resumes based on each candidate's likely suitability for the vacancy. When you're writing your LPN resume, there are several things you can do to make sure your resume stands the best chance of passing the ATS stage.
Here a some simple tips to follow for an ATS-friendly resume:
- Choose a resume structure that matches the traditional, reverse-chronological layout or alternatively, the functional resume structure. This should make your resume more readable for ATS applications.
- Use keywords throughout your resume that reflect the job description, so ATS resume scanners can recognize a strong connection between your skills, and those in the job description.
- Include clear headings that make it easy to identify each section of your resume. This will help any ATS software navigate your resume during the scanning process.
- Utilize a clean, clear resume design that helps make your content more readable. Use simple fonts and subtle color accents and design elements that don't detract from the written content.
- Keep your resume as concise as possible, to make it easier to read, and for ATS software to scan.
If you're looking for inspiration for your resume, discover our comprehensive resume examples and in-depth, expert career blog.
Frequently Asked Questions for a LPN resume
Alongside your LPN resume, it's important to produce a professional cover letter that creates a similar positive impact on the reader.
Before you write your cover letter, think about whether you need a formal, professional letter or if a brief, less formal email might be more suitable.
For a full, traditional cover letter, follow formal letter-writing conventions with your header, address line and greetings. The main text of the letter tends to be split into three short paragraphs. Firstly, introduce yourself, confirm the role you're applying for and explain why you're applying for the LPN role. In the second paragraph, highlight your skills and experience that are most relevant to the job description. The third paragraph gives you the opportunity to express your enthusiasm for the role and your gratitude to the employer, while leaving a call to action which encourages them to make contact with you.
If you want to impress employers with a professional cover letter, use Jobseeker's simple and beautiful cover letter templates.
If you have no experience, it's still possible to write a professional LPN resume that makes a positive impression on hiring managers. Choose a resume structure that best showcases your key skills for the role, such as a functional format. This places your skills and education above your work experience. Use the additional information sections at the end of your resume as a showcase for relevant skills and achievements. These can be a particularly useful way of proving you have the skills necessary for the job.
A resume headline can catch the attention of the reader and give them a strong first impression about your suitability for LPN jobs. Resume headlines can also help you pass the ATS stage of the selection process, by highlighting the job title and one or two key details. Write a concise headline including the job title, a reference to your experience or track record and one or two key skills.
Here's an example of a strong resume headline:
- Compassionate Junior Licensed Practical Nurse
- Compassionate Licensed Practical Nurse
- Experienced Senior Licensed Practical Nurse
The top resume format for your applications will vary according to a couple of factors. First, how much professional experience you have. Second, what type of job you're applying for and its seniority level. For applicants without much relevant work experience, a functional resume format tends to be best. This places the emphasis on your key skills and relevant qualifications. For more senior roles where you have plenty of relevant experience, use a reverse chronological format. This resume structure places work experience at the heart of the document, using it as a showcase for your skills and achievements.
Key takeaways for your LPN resume
An effective resume is a concise, professional summary of your relevant skills and career achievements, showcased through a chronology of your career history. Pick a resume format that matches your experience levels, and tailor the content of your resume to reflect the details of the job description.
Remember, Jobseeker resume templates and other tools make it easy to create a resume and cover letter that leaves a positive impression on hiring managers. Sign up now to start building your perfect resume. Whatever job you're applying for, a professional cover letter can make all the difference to your chances. Use Jobseeker's HR-approved tools and cover letter examples to inspire your applications.
Sources:
(1) Tips for Writing a Federal Resume, U.S. Department of Labor: https://www.dol.gov/general/jobs/tips-for-writing-a-federal-resume
(2) Resume Tips, Duke University: https://careerhub.students.duke.edu/resources/resume-tips/
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