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New Grad LPN Resume Examples & Templates

Looking for your first job as a new grad LPN? Our new grad LPN resume examples showcase essential skills like patient care, teamwork, and communication to help you stand out to employers.

Gabriela Hernandez
by Gabriela Hernandez CPRW, Career Advice Writer
Last Updated: December 22, 2025

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Daniel Chen

Portland, ME 04104
(555)555-5555
Daniel.Chen@example.com

Professional Summary

Compassionate LPN with 9 years of healthcare experience. Proven track record in enhancing patient care and streamlining processes. Skilled in medication administration, patient education, and clinical documentation.

Work History

New Grad LPN
Harmony Health Center - Portland, ME
January 2024 - December 2025

  • Managed patient documentation with 98% accuracy
  • Administered meds to 25 patients daily with precision
  • Reduced patient wait time by 15% via process improvement

Licensed Vocational Nurse
Meadowbrook Clinic - Portland, ME
January 2019 - December 2023

  • Led care team of 5 to increase patient satisfaction by 20%
  • Educated families on care plans, improving adherence by 30%
  • Streamlined supply orders, cutting costs by 12%

Nursing Assistant
Greenfield Hospital - Portland, ME
January 2016 - December 2018

  • Assisted 10+ patients per shift with daily ADLs
  • Maintained patient hygiene, boosting approval ratings by 10%
  • Documented patient vitals with 96% precision

Skills

  • Patient Care
  • Medication Administration
  • Patient Education
  • Clinical Documentation
  • Team Collaboration
  • Time Management
  • Health Assessment
  • Problem Solving

Certifications

  • Basic Life Support (BLS) - American Heart Association
  • Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) - American Heart Association

Education

Master of Science Nursing
University of Texas Health Science Center Houston, Texas
May 2015

Bachelor of Science Nursing
Texas State University San Marcos, Texas
May 2014

Languages

  • Spanish - Beginner (A1)
  • French - Beginner (A1)
  • Mandarin - Beginner (A1)

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How to Write a New Grad LPN Resume Summary

Your resume summary is the first impression you make on hiring managers, making it important to highlight your strengths and qualifications right away. As a new grad LPN, focus on showcasing your clinical skills, patient care experience, and any relevant certifications that set you apart from others. To help you craft an powerful summary, here are some examples that illustrate effective techniques and common pitfalls to avoid:

Weak resume summary

I am a newly graduated LPN eager to start my nursing career. I have learned a lot in school and want to use my skills to help patients. A supportive workplace where I can grow is what I'm looking for, and I believe I can make a positive impact if given the chance.

Why this summary misses the mark:
  • Lacks specific details about clinical skills or experiences that differentiate the job seeker
  • Overuses personal pronouns and vague language, making it feel less professional
  • Emphasizes the applicant's desires rather than highlighting what they can contribute to an employer

Strong resume summary

Compassionate and detail-oriented new grad LPN with 1 year of clinical internship experience in long-term care facilities, providing direct patient care and support. Successfully implemented a new patient mobility program that improved resident mobility by 20% within six months. Proficient in medication administration, wound care management, and using electronic health records to improve patient documentation.

Why this summary works:
  • Highlights relevant clinical experience as a new graduate while emphasizing hands-on internship training
  • Includes a quantifiable achievement that showcases a positive impact on patient care outcomes
  • Demonstrates key nursing skills and competencies that are essential for an LPN role
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PRO TIP

If you’re just starting out and don’t have much experience, consider using a career objective on your resume. This can highlight your passion and goals effectively. You can find many resume objective examples that cater specifically to nursing roles to help you get started.

Showcasing Your Work Experience

The work experience section is important for your resume as a new grad LPN, containing the bulk of your content. Good resume templates always emphasize this section to highlight your hands-on experience.

This area should be organized in reverse-chronological order, detailing your relevant roles. Use bullet points to showcase specific achievements and skills developed during each position.

Now, let's look at a couple of examples that will illustrate effective ways to present your work history. These examples will clarify what catches attention and what may fall flat:

Weak work experience

Licensed Practical Nurse

Community Health Center – Los Angeles, CA

  • Assisted with patient care
  • Administered medications as instructed
  • Maintained patient records
  • Collaborated with healthcare team
Why this work experience section misses the mark:
  • Lacks specific employment dates
  • Bullet points are overly broad and do not highlight unique skills or achievements
  • Emphasizes routine duties rather than showcasing strong contributions
Strong work experience

Licensed Practical Nurse

Sunrise Healthcare Center – Orlando, FL

June 2022 - Current

  • Administer routine care and treatments to a diverse patient population, achieving a high satisfaction rate in quarterly surveys
  • Assist in developing patient care plans alongside registered nurses, leading to a 15% decrease in readmission rates
  • Educate patients and families on managing chronic illnesses, improving their understanding and adherence by 20%
Why this work experience section works:
  • Each bullet point starts with a powerful action verb that highlights the nurse’s impact
  • Incorporates quantifiable data to clearly demonstrate achievements and improvements
  • Showcases key LPN skills through specific tasks and outcomes relevant to the profession

While your resume summary and work experience are important, don't overlook other essential sections that improve your application. Each part plays an important role in showcasing your skills and qualifications. For further guidance, check out our comprehensive guide on how to write a resume.

Top Skills to Include on Your Resume

Including a skills section on your resume is important as it provides immediate clarity on your qualifications. This section serves as a quick reference for employers, allowing them to gauge your suitability at a glance.

For hiring managers, this area simplifies the evaluation process by aligning your competencies with job requirements. New grad LPN professionals should emphasize both clinical skills and interpersonal abilities, which we will delve into further below.

Hard skills include important technical abilities such as basic patient care, medication administration, and vital signs monitoring that new grad lpns should highlight on their resumes.

Soft skills are essential for new grad LPNs, as they encompass qualities like empathy and communication that foster trust and improve patient care in a clinical setting.

Selecting the right resume skills is important for aligning with what employers expect from applicants. Many organizations use automated systems to filter out applicants lacking essential qualifications for the position.

To improve your chances, review job postings carefully to identify which skills are highlighted. This will help you prioritize relevant skills that appeal to both recruiters and ATS systems, ensuring your application stands out.

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PRO TIP

Elevate your job application by using our ATS Resume Checker, which identifies over 30 common mistakes to ensure your resume stands out and smoothly passes through applicant tracking systems.

10 skills that appear on successful new grad lpn resumes

Highlighting essential skills on your resume is important for attracting the attention of potential employers in the LPN field. You can reference our resume examples to see how these skills are effectively presented, helping you pursue job opportunities with greater confidence.

By the way, consider incorporating these key skills into your resume if they align with your background and job specifications:

  • 1

    Patient care

  • 2

    Teamwork

  • 3

    Attention to detail

  • 4

    Basic life support (BLS)

  • 5

    Medication administration

  • 6

    Clinical documentation

  • 7

    Time management

  • 8

    Interpersonal skills

  • 9

    Adaptability

  • 10

    Infection control practices

Based on analysis of 5,000+ nursing professional resumes from 2023-2024

Resume Format Examples

Choosing the right resume format is important for new grad LPNs, as it highlights essential skills and experiences while illustrating your career path effectively to potential employers.

Entry-Level 0 - 2 years

Functional

Focuses on skills rather than previous jobs

Functional

Best for:

Best for recent graduates and career changers with limited experience in nursing

Mid-Career 3 - 7 years

Combination

Balances skills and work history equally

Combination

Best for:

Mid-career professionals focused on showcasing their skills and growth potential

Experienced 8+ years

Chronological

Emphasizes work history in reverse order

Chronological

Best for:

Experienced nurses leading teams and advancing patient care

Frequently Asked Questions

Absolutely. Including a cover letter can significantly improve your application by highlighting your passion for nursing and showcasing your unique skills as a new grad LPN. To get started, consider using our Cover Letter Generator or explore our helpful writing tips on how to write a cover letter designed specifically for nursing roles. These resources can guide you in crafting a compelling narrative that resonates with employers.

As a new grad LPN, it's important to tailor your job application materials. A CV is often required for international positions, as it provides a comprehensive overview of your education and experience. Explore our resources on how to write a CV and review CV examples tailored to nursing roles.

Soft skills such as compassion, active listening, and adaptability are essential for new grad LPNs. These interpersonal skills foster trust with patients and improve collaboration with healthcare teams, ultimately leading to better patient care and a supportive work environment.

Highlight your transferable skills, such as communication, teamwork, and adaptability. These abilities illustrate your potential to excel in LPN roles, even if you lack direct experience. Share specific examples from your background that relate directly to patient care and nursing duties. This approach demonstrates your readiness and enthusiasm for the position.

A resume with no experience can still shine when applying for LPN positions. Highlight your clinical rotations, any relevant certifications, and experiences like internships or volunteer work. Showcase your interpersonal skills, compassion, and dedication to patient care. Employers value potential and enthusiasm, so believe in your ability to make a positive impression.

Yes, adding a personal mission statement to your resume is beneficial. It showcases your commitment to healthcare and career ambitions, which is especially valuable when applying to organizations with strong patient care values or mission-driven environments.

About the Author

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Gabriela Hernandez CPRW, Career Advice Writer

Gabriela is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and member of the Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches. She focuses on helping job seekers improve their professional resumes to highlight their unique skills and experience. Gabriela holds a B.A. in journalism from the University of Puerto Rico and offers more than four years of specialized experience helping candidates navigate the complexities of today’s online job market, with a strong focus on resume optimization and effective self-presentation.

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