Table of Contents
Introduction
If you want to stand out over the other job applicants, you need to write a strong and effective resume that grabs the hiring manager’s attention. In order to do this, you need to highlight relevant skills and show that you are a good fit for the company. Using the following tips and the licensed practical nurse resume template for Word will help you create your own professional document. This resource will cover how to craft the important sections such as the summary statement, work experience section, skills section and education section.
Writing Your Summary Statement
Start your resume with the summary statement, which is meant to be a concise way to highlight your most important skills and accomplishments. This is often the only part of the document that a recruiter will read, so make sure it is attention-grabbing by incorporating keywords from the job description.
You can write this section in either bullet points or sentence form, but keep it to only three lines. Make sure it contains the following:
• The top two or three skills that relate to the position
• Your title and a succinct overview of your professional experience
• Specific personality traits or accomplishments that pertain to the job
Our licensed practical nurse resume template for Word can be used as a guide to write your own.
Example 1
Licensed practical nurse with over five years of experience. Compassionate, patient and effective communicator. Great interpersonal skills, with ability to deal with health care providers and patients.
Example 2
Compassionate nurse with over 10 years’ experience in the health care industry. Strong communication skills, with ability to relay information to relevant parties. Patient, detail-oriented and caring.
Example 3
• Patient licensed practical nurse with 15 years of experience
• Detail-oriented, kind and compassionate
• Practiced ability to communicate with other healthcare providers, patients and family members
Example 4
• Nurse with over a decade of experience in a health care setting
• Compassionate and organized, with excellent interpersonal skills
• Strong verbal and written communication abilities
Writing Your Skills Section
The skills section is where you will concisely show what proficiencies you can bring to the table to be successful in the position you are applying to. Create a skills section that is attractive to employers by using the licensed practical nurse resume template for Word as a guide. Here are some other best practices to follow:
• List first the most important skills, which may be found in the job description
• Use bullet points to keep the section easy to read
• Include five to eight relevant skills
Here are some example skills for licensed practical nurses that you may want to include:
• Extremely caring and empathetic towards patients
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Always patient and able to cope with stressful situations
• Responsible and detail-oriented when managing patient care
• Strong interpersonal skills, with ability to interact productively with staff, patients and family members
• Great physical stamina and able to work long hours
Writing Your Work History Section
This section is where you will highlight your achievements and professional experience. You should demonstrate to the employer that you have the abilities to perform the job at a high level. Use the following tips and licensed practical nurse resume template for Word to write this section:
• Include current and past job titles, the company’s name and dates of employment
• Begin with strong action verbs to describe accomplishments
• Use five to eight bullet points for each position
• Read over the job description and incorporate keywords into this section
The following are some examples of how to list your responsibilities as a licensed practical nurse:
• Administered basic patient care, including inserting catheters, changing bandages and managing IVs
• Monitored patients’ health by measuring vital signs, managing medication use and making general observations
• Educated patients and family members about conditions, medical procedures and home care
• Recorded detailed notes and communicated with health care providers for best possible treatment
Writing Your Education Section
Highlighting your education experience is extremely important for certain occupations. Demonstrate your education by listing your schooling and certifications in a simple manner, as can be seen in the licensed practical nurse resume template for Word. The following best practices will help guide you:
• List education in reverse chronological order
• You can mention your graduation year, but if it has been a long time you can leave off the date
• GPA should not be included, although you can list honors if they apply
Example 1
Associate in Nursing
University of Nebraska
Courses in biology, pharmacology and diagnostic tests
IV Therapy Certification
CPR Certification
Example 2
Bachelor of Nursing – 2016
Magna cum laude
Nebraska University
Associate of Nursing- 2014
Nebraska Community College