An LPN resume needs to answer three questions quickly: are you licensed, where have you worked, and what can you do on a shift? Nursing managers often scan for the license first, then for the setting, such as long-term care, a clinic, home health, or a hospital unit.
In California and Texas the title is LVN (licensed vocational nurse). The advice here applies to both. We give a layout you can copy, keywords, bullets, and honest tips on licenses and scope of practice. For RN-level roles, see our registered nurse resume page.
What nursing managers look for in an LPN resume
LPN duties change by state and by employer. That is why your resume should say where you worked and what you did, not just "provided patient care."
- License status. State, license type (LPN or LVN), and whether it is active.
- Setting. Long-term care, skilled nursing, rehab, clinic, home health, hospital, school, or correctional care.
- Patient load. Number of residents or patients per shift, and the type of conditions.
- Tasks. Medication passes, vitals, wound care, catheter care, tube feeding, charting, and working with RNs or doctors.
- Reliability. Shift flexibility, years in one place, and training you received.
Scope of practice differs by state and employer. List what you were trained and allowed to do. Be careful with anything such as IV therapy, which may require added training in some states.
LPN skills and keywords for your resume
Pick only the keywords that fit your experience and the posting.
| Area | Keywords | Placement |
|---|---|---|
| Basic care | Vital signs, ADL assistance, patient hygiene, mobility, turning and positioning, fall prevention | Skills list |
| Medication | Medication administration, medication pass, oral and injectable medicines, medication records (MAR), controlled substance counts | Bullets |
| Clinical care | Wound care, dressing changes, catheter care, ostomy care, tube feeding, blood glucose checks, specimen collection | Bullets and skills |
| IV and advanced | IV therapy (where certified and allowed), venipuncture, trach care, vent care, only if you did them | Skills and certificates |
| Documentation | Charting, EHR software, care plans, shift reports, incident reports, HIPAA | Bullets |
| Teamwork | Working with RNs, supervising CNAs, family communication, patient education | Summary and bullets |
For help placing and wording skills, read skills to put on a resume. Since applicant tracking systems often search for these terms, see our resume keywords guide.
LPN resume example: section by section
This LPN resume sample uses an invented person. Copy the structure and replace every detail with your own.
1. Header
Riley Nguyen, LPN
City, State | 555-555-0100 | [email protected]
2. Summary
Licensed practical nurse with [number] years in skilled nursing and rehab care. Skilled in medication administration, wound care, and clear shift reports. Calm with residents and supportive of families.
3. License and certifications
Licensed Practical Nurse, State of [State], license number as required, expires [date]
BLS/CPR, American Heart Association, valid through [year]
IV Therapy Certificate (if applicable)
4. Experience
Licensed Practical Nurse, Example Care Center, City, State, 2022 - Present
- Gave medicines and monitored vital signs for about [number] residents per shift
- Performed wound care and dressing changes and reported changes to the RN
- Charted care in the EHR and gave clear reports at shift change
- Supervised [number] nursing assistants on the unit
5. Education
Practical Nursing Diploma, Example Technical College, 2022
Keep this on one page for most people. See how many pages a resume should be.
LPN resume bullets: before and after
Placeholders are marked in brackets. Use real figures or leave numbers out.
| Weak bullet | Stronger bullet |
|---|---|
| Gave medications | Administered scheduled medicines to about [number] residents each shift, checking records and reporting side effects to the RN |
| Did wound care | Cleaned and dressed pressure injuries and surgical wounds, tracking changes and informing the care team |
| Took care of patients | Cared for [number] patients per shift in a rehab unit, helping with mobility and daily needs |
| Charted | Documented care and changes in condition in the EHR during the shift, keeping handoff reports accurate |
| Supervised aides | Assigned tasks to [number] nursing assistants and checked their work for safety and completeness |
| Talked with families | Updated families on care plans and answered questions in plain language, escalating concerns to the RN |
Strong starting verbs are listed in our action verbs for resume guide.
New graduate LPN vs. experienced LPN
| Part of resume | New graduate LPN | Experienced LPN |
|---|---|---|
| Top section | Summary with school, license status, clinical focus | Summary with years, settings, and strengths |
| Order | License, education, clinical rotations, skills | License, experience, skills, education |
| Bullets | Clinical hours, patient types, skills checked off | Patient load, supervision, process improvements |
| Extra proof | Past CNA, caregiving, or volunteer work | Training, preceptor work, specialty care |
| Length | One page | One page, or two for a long career |
New graduates
If you are still waiting on your NCLEX-PN result, write "NCLEX-PN scheduled for month, year" and be accurate. List your clinical rotations as work: site, dates, patient group, and tasks. Past work as a nursing assistant is a strong asset; see our CNA resume examples for wording. Also see the new grad nurse resume guide.
Experienced LPNs
Show steady record and growth: charge duties, training new staff, or special units. For showing growth, see how to show a promotion on a resume.
LVN resume: what changes?
An LVN resume is nearly the same as an LPN resume. The title differs by state, and the work is similar. Use the title that matches your license, and add the other in the skills or summary if the job post uses it, for example "Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)."
| Item | LPN | LVN |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Licensed practical nurse | Licensed vocational nurse |
| Where used | Most U.S. states | California and Texas |
| Exam | NCLEX-PN | NCLEX-PN |
| Resume advice | Same | Same, use LVN in header |
If you move between states, check whether your license transfers. Rules differ, so check your state board and the employer.
Licenses, certifications, and education: what to check
Requirements vary by state, employer, and setting. Check your state board of nursing and the job post.
- License: list the full title, state, and expiration date. If you hold a compact license, say so only if accurate.
- BLS/CPR: most employers require current certification. Add the expiration year.
- IV therapy, wound care, or other add-ons: list them as certifications only if you hold the paper.
- Education: name the program, school, and year. Add honors only when they are recent and meaningful.
If you are bridging toward an RN, say so briefly: "Currently enrolled in an RN program, expected [year]." Be honest about timing. For layouts, see how to list certifications on a resume.
Tailor your LPN resume to the care setting
LPNs work in very different places, and each one values different strengths. Read the posting and move the best match to the top of your experience.
| Setting | What the employer needs | What to show |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled nursing and long-term care | Steady medication passes, resident relationships, supervision of aides | Resident load, wound care, care plan updates, charge duties if you had them |
| Rehab unit | Mobility support, therapy teamwork, teaching | Post-surgery care, safe transfers, working with therapists |
| Doctor's office or clinic | Patient flow, injections, records | Rooming patients, vaccines where allowed, phone triage notes, EHR use |
| Home health | Independence, judgment, clear notes | Visits per day, wound care, patient teaching, travel and time management |
| Hospital or specialty unit | Pace, protocols, teamwork | Unit type, patient ratios, charting systems, floor teamwork |
| School or correctional care | Independent work, calm judgment | Daily care volume, medication handling, communication with staff |
Show how you work with RNs
LPNs work under the direction of RNs or providers. Show this clearly: reporting changes to the RN, following care plans, and knowing when to escalate. That kind of judgment is something managers want to see, and it is more convincing than the phrase "team player."
Mention shifts you can work
Care is a seven-day job. If you can work nights, weekends, or holidays, say so in your summary or a short availability line. Keep a master version of your resume with every task you have done, and trim a copy for each job.
Add training and extras
Mention things such as dementia care training, infection control training, or time as a preceptor for new aides. Our resume summary examples can help you write a tight opening for each setting.
Common LPN resume mistakes
- Hiding the license. Put it in the header and a license section.
- Vague duties. "Provided quality patient care" tells nothing. Name tasks and patient load.
- Listing tasks outside your scope. Match your state's rules and your training.
- No setting. Say whether it was long-term care, a clinic, or a hospital unit.
- Sharing patient details. Never include names or identifying facts.
- Complex layouts. Sidebars and columns can scramble in applicant tracking systems. See how ATS works.
- Expired dates. Check that every license and certificate date is accurate.
Final check for your LPN resume
- Read the posting and mark the setting, tasks, and certifications it asks for.
- Update your summary and bullets with the true matches.
- Upload your file to the ATS checker with the posting pasted in.
- Save as a PDF and read it once out loud for errors.
Need a clean layout fast? The AI resume builder can set up sections while you enter your real details. For design ideas, see our nurse resume template guide.
Use a plain layout your employer can read
Large care companies often take applications through online portals. A simple one-column layout with headings such as License, Experience, Skills, and Education is the safest choice. Avoid tables for layout, text boxes, and graphics. Save the file as a PDF, then select the text on screen to confirm it is real text and not a picture. Our ATS resume scanner guide explains how to test it. A clean file also prints well for walk-in interviews at local care centers.
Prepare for the interview
Expect questions about medication safety, how you handle a change in a patient's condition, and how you work with RNs and aides. Pick two short stories from your work that show careful checking and clear reporting. The STAR method keeps them simple: the situation, your task, your action, and the result. Bring a copy of your license and certifications, since many employers verify them. Keep references ready, such as a charge nurse or director of nursing who has seen your work, and ask permission before you list anyone.
