You've survived orientation, learned the rhythm of your unit, and proven you can handle the job. You've probably had that moment where you caught something a more experienced nurse missed—because you were paying attention. That's real nursing experience. Let's make sure employers see it.
Crafting a Standout Licensed Practical Nurse Summary
Your summary is the first thing recruiters see. Here are examples that actually work for entry-level licensed practical nurses:
“Entry-level LPN with 10 months in skilled nursing facility. Provides care for 20+ residents daily. Expert in medication management, wound care, and fall prevention. Known for catching changes in patient condition early.”
“Licensed Practical Nurse with hands-on experience in home health setting. Manages 8-10 patient caseload independently. Strong in patient education, medication compliance, and family communication.”
“LPN with 1 year experience in busy primary care clinic. Performs triage, administers immunizations, and assists with procedures. Familiar with Athena and Epic EHR systems. Excellent patient satisfaction scores.”
“LVN with 8 months pediatric clinic experience. Administers vaccines, conducts well-child assessments, and educates parents. Calm under pressure with anxious children and families.”
Pro Tips for Your Summary
- Lead with your care setting and patient population
- Include patient load and scope of practice
- Mention EHR systems you work with
- Show specialty skills you've developed
Essential Skills for Entry-Level Licensed Practical Nurses
Technical Skills
Soft Skills
- List skills you perform independently
- Include EHR systems: Epic, Cerner, PointClickCare, etc.
- Mention specialty equipment or procedures
- Show patient education abilities
Licensed Practical Nurse Work Experience That Gets Noticed
Here are example bullet points that show real impact:
- •Provide direct nursing care to 20+ long-term care residents
- •Administer medications including insulins and narcotics
- •Perform wound care and monitor healing progress
- •Document assessments and care in EHR system
- •Communicate patient changes to RN and physician
- •Supervise and delegate to CNAs
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Relevant certifications for entry-level licensed practical nurses:
- Move education below experience now
- Include continuing education courses
- License should be prominently displayed
Common Mistakes Licensed Practical Nurses Make
❌ Mistake
Just listing 'provided patient care'
✓ Fix
Show scope: 'Managed care for 20 residents daily including medication, wound care, and assessments.'
❌ Mistake
No clinical judgment examples
✓ Fix
Show you think critically: 'Identified sepsis signs early,' 'Caught medication interaction,' 'Advocated for patient needs.'
❌ Mistake
Missing specific EHR experience
✓ Fix
Include: 'Documented in Epic,' 'PointClickCare proficient,' 'Experience with Cerner.'
Quick Wins
- Add patient load and care setting prominently
- Include clinical saves or catches
- Show specialty training completed
- List EHR systems by name
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I pursue RN while working?
Many LPNs do LPN-to-RN bridge programs. If career advancement is your goal, it's worth considering. Many employers offer tuition assistance.
How do I move to a hospital setting?
Get certifications (IV, ACLS), apply to hospital LPN positions (they exist in OR, dialysis, etc.), or consider bridging to RN for more hospital options.
Is specialization worth it?
Yes. Wound care, IV therapy, and dialysis certifications increase your value and often come with higher pay.
The Bottom Line
Your entry-level licensed practical nurse resume should show what you've accomplished, not just what you've done. Focus on impact, use numbers, and keep it clean and ATS-friendly. When you're ready, use our free resume builder to create a polished, professional resume in minutes.
Average Salary: $45,000 - $55,000 | Job Outlook: Growing 6% through 2030
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