LPN
resume examples
What makes this a great LPN resume sample?
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Focuses on skills
This entry-level LPN resume uses the functional format which allows the candidate’s skills to outshine the relatively minimal experience.
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Emphasizes career goals
Because this candidate is less experienced, a resume profile that places more focus on career goals was a smart choice.
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Highlights the numbers
Achievements are easier to understand when they’re backed up by numbers. This resume shines because the candidate’s accomplishments are described using actual data.
What makes this a great LPN resume sample?
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Focuses on experience
This LPN resume example uses the chronological format, which is perfect for this candidate because she has more than 10 years of experience to showcase.
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Communicates clearly
The simple and elegant resume design that this candidate has chosen makes it easy to read and understand her information.
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Uses active languages
Instead of cliches like “responsible for,” this resume uses active language like “assessed” and “managed.”
Choose the right resume format for your LPN resume
To land the job you want, you need to get the right information in front of a recruiter. How do you accomplish that? By selecting the right resume format.
There are three different resume formats successful job seekers use:
- Experienced applicants should consider a chronological resume format to highlight work experience and a strong career progression..
- Applicants with little to no experience should consider using a functional resume format.
- Midlevel applicants with three to five years of relevant experience would benefit from a combination resume format, which is ideal to showcase a balance of skills and work experience.
Visit our guide to learn more about how to format a resume to highlight your candidacy.
Select an appropriate LPN resume template
While every resume template will have the same basic sections — a professional summary or resume objective, skills, work history and education — you can customize the look and feel of your resume by selecting the right template.
For an LPN, we recommend keeping things professional and basic. To that end, check out our simple resume templates. Or, peruse our template library to see if one of our modern resumes is more your style.
How to write an LPN resume in 5 simple steps
Writing a resume might be daunting, but if you take it one step at a time, you’ll have a job-winning LPN resume faster than you think!
STEP 1
Study the LPN job description
A well written resume is customized to the job at hand. But, how do you go about customizing it? Start by reading the job ad closely.
The job ad should tell you everything you need to know about the key requirements the employer is looking for in applicants. The criteria they’re looking for are the keywords you should incorporate in your resume to let them know you have exactly what they’re after. If the job ad is vague, however, do some research on your own to learn more about what employers seek in top candidates and add what you find to your resume.
If you’re able to successfully incorporate exactly what they want into your resume, you’ll improve your chances of landing a job interview.
STEP 2
Write a professional summary or resume objective
Depending on your level of experience, your LPN resume should include either a professional summary or a resume objective to start. Think of this section as your resume profile, where you provide potential employers with a summary of your most relevant skills and experience and some professional highlights.
Candidates with less experience should choose a resume objective, which states your transferable skills and your career goals. Applicants with more direct experience in nursing should use a professional summary, which outlines your skills and experience and highlights some of your most notable professional accomplishments. Here are some strong examples for your LPN resume:
LPN professional summary example:
Seasoned Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) with eight years of experience in providing comprehensive patient care in diverse health care settings. Proven ability to handle high-stress situations and develop strong relationships with patients and their families. Skilled in executing a broad range of nursing procedures, including wound care, medication administration and health assessments. Adept at collaborating with interdisciplinary medical teams to enhance patient outcomes. Committed to providing empathetic, compassionate care while maintaining efficiency and adherence to all safety guidelines. Seeking to leverage my expertise and experience to take on new challenges and contribute positively to a dynamic health care team.
LPN resume objective example:
Newly licensed and enthusiastic Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) eager to contribute to a health care team with strong clinical knowledge and excellent patient care skills. Trained in a variety of nursing procedures, from administering medication to wound dressing. Demonstrated ability to build relationships with patients and their families during clinical rotations. Committed to providing compassionate care and improving overall patient outcomes. Seeking an opportunity to apply my nursing education and passion for health care in a professional setting.
STEP 3
Highlight your most relevant LPN skills
Regardless of your experience level, hiring managers will be looking closely at the LPN skills you list. Skills for an LPN resume should be added to your resume skills section and peppered into your professional summary (or resume objective) and your work experience section.
It’s critical that you provide employers with a solid mix of hard and soft skills. Hard skills are the measurable skills needed to perform a job. These skills are easily taught in a classroom. Soft skills, on the other hand, are nontechnical, making them difficult to measure. They are behaviors and personality traits that help you do your job well. Below, we provide a side-by-side list of hard and soft skills to help you see the difference between the two.
Hard and soft skills for an LPN resume
Here is an example of a strong LPN skills section:
- Skilled in Basic Life Support (BLS) procedures and CPR
- Natural leader interested in mentorship and teamwork
- Patient, empathetic and communicative
- Competent in infection control procedures and proper usage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Pro Tip
Even for jobs that don’t require interacting with the public, soft skills are important to list. Employers seek out candidates who already possess these skills because they’re difficult to teach.
STEP 4
Write a strong LPN work experience section
While the required background and experience will be different for each role, the key to getting noticed is writing a work experience section that demonstrates what you will bring to the table.
Here’s a sample LPN resume experience section:
Licensed Practical Nurse, Evergreen Healthcare Facility, New York, NY — June 2019 – Present
- Provide high-quality patient care to diverse patient population in a fast-paced, 200-bed health care facility
- Administer medications and treatments as prescribed by physicians and registered nurses, accurately documenting all procedures
- Monitor and record patient vital signs, promptly reporting any significant changes to supervising RN or physician
- Assist with daily living activities such as bathing, dressing and meal assistance to ensure patient comfort and dignity
- Collaborate effectively with interdisciplinary health care teams to develop and implement comprehensive care plans
- Conduct patient and family education on disease prevention, health promotion and appropriate at-home care techniques
Pro Tip
Make your LPN credentials pop by using action words, data and metrics to capture the attention of a hiring manager.
STEP 5
Showcase your education and training on your LPN resume
To be hired as an LPN, you’ll need to show employers that you have the required education and training. Unlike other health care fields, an LPN doesn’t need a bachelor’s degree, but you must complete education in practical nursing.
In this section, start by listing your highest level of education, which will likely include an accredited practical nursing certificate program followed by a high school diploma or GED.
How to list your LPN education:
Education
Education:
Licensed Practical Nurse Diploma
Piedmont Nursing College, New York, NY | May 2023
High School Diploma
Harborview High School, New York, NY | May 2018
Certifications and License:
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) – New York State Board of Nursing | License #12345 | June 2023
- Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification – American Heart Association | Valid until June 2025
Pro Tip
If you have professional certifications or special training, add them to your resume. You can include them in your education section or add a special section to your LPN resume.
Optional sections for your LPN resume
Awards and Certifications
Adding accolades to your resume is a smart way to show off your abilities, achievements and qualifications. Awards emphasize exceptional performance or leadership, whereas certifications offer hard evidence of your expertise and abilities in a specific domain.
Including certificates and awards on your resume sets you apart from other contenders. They tell the employer you are truly dedicated to your field and capable of making significant contributions to their organization — ultimately increasing your chances of landing the job.
How to list certifications on your LPN resume:
- 2021 – Piedmont College Nursing Student of the Year Award
- 2019 – Young Health Care Student Scholarship Award
Projects
Projects are a great addition to your resume because they show you’re capable of using theoretical knowledge in real-world situations. It’s one thing to learn something in class — it’s another to put the ideas into practice.
Projects are also a tangible demonstration of the types of skills — from problem-solving and time management to teamwork and leadership — that are valuable to employers. Not only that but also a relevant project can highlight your long-standing passion and expertise in a given subject.
How to list projects on your LPN resume:
Projects
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- Community Health Project, Piedmont Nursing College:
Led a team of five students in a community health project aimed at educating underserved populations about preventive health care and nutrition. Organized weekly health seminars and workshops, reaching over 100 community members. Collaborated with local health care providers to offer free health screenings, benefiting 50+ individuals.
- Pediatric Care Improvement Project, Florence Pediatric Clinic:
Worked closely with a team of health care professionals to develop and implement an initiative aimed at improving patient care in a pediatric setting. Conducted a comprehensive review of current practices and recommended changes based on evidence-based research. Efforts resulted in a 20% improvement in patient satisfaction scores over a six-month period.
Languages
Languages give you a chance to showcase your cultural awareness and adaptability, two qualities highly prized in today’s globalized job market. Being multilingual also expands your communication abilities, giving you access to a wider variety of clients, customers and stakeholders, and opening the door to international opportunities.
Additionally, knowing multiple languages suggests you have impressive mental agility and determination. Ultimately, all else being equal, if a job opening comes down to two candidates and one of them lists multiple languages on their resume, the multilingual candidate will be more attractive to the employer.
How to list languages on your software engineer resume:
- Fluent in English and Spanish
- Proficient in French
Interests and Hobbies
Adding hobbies to your resume is appropriate as long as they’re relevant to the job. They offer an opportunity to show your personality and meaningfully connect with a potential employer. Plus, they emphasize your transferable skills, like creativity or leadership — qualities you take from job to job.
Finally, hobbies and interests can demonstrate whether you’re the right culture fit for a company. They enrich your overall profile, showing the employer how you are a unique and fully defined person.
How to list interests and hobbies on your LPN resume:
- Passion for physical fitness, mindfulness meditation and yoga
- Devoted volunteer for after-school programs
- Enthusiastic amateur photographer
Hailey Brophy is an experienced writer with a diverse career in digital publication. She is passionate about using her unique skills and experiences to help job seekers find the information that they need to succeed.
