Practical Nurse Resume Examples (Template & 20+ Tips)

Do you have a passion for helping others? Becoming a Practical Nurse may be a great career choice for you. This article provides a comprehensive guide to writing a successful Practical Nurse resume that will help you get noticed by potential employers and land the job you want. We'll walk you through the important steps to writing an effective resume, such as crafting an eye-catching summary, highlighting your qualifications, and tailoring your resume to the job you're applying for. We'll also provide a Practical Nurse resume example to help you get started.

We will cover:

How to write a resume, no matter your industry or job title.
What to put on a resume to stand out.
The top skills employers from every industry want to see.
How to build a resume fast with our professional Resume Builder.
What a resume template is, and why you should use it.

Plus, we will provide expert resume writing tips and professional examples to inspire you.

What does a Practical Nurse do?

A practical nurse, also known as a licensed practical nurse (LPN), provides basic patient care under the direction and supervision of registered nurses and health care providers. Duties performed by a LPN may include taking vital signs, administering medications, monitoring and recording patient progress, assisting with treatments, providing patient education, and communicating with other health professionals.

We’re about to begin, but first, here are some other Practical Nurse related resume examples:

What are some responsibilities of a Practical Nurse?

Administering medication and treatments as prescribed by a doctor
Monitoring and recording patient vital signs
Providing bedside care to patients
Assisting with hygiene needs and activities of daily living
Observing and reporting changes in patient condition
Educating patients and families on health care management
Performing routine laboratory tests
Assisting physicians during examinations and procedures
Providing emotional support to patients and their families

Sample Practical Nurse Resume for Inspiration

Practical Nurse

Name: Alice Doe
Address: 123 Main Street, Anytown, CA 90210
Phone: (123) 456-7890
Email: alicedoe@email.com

Alice Doe is a Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) with over 10 years of experience in long-term care and hospital settings. She is dedicated to providing quality patient care and has a strong commitment to promoting health and wellness in her practice. Alice is an effective communicator and is skilled in developing relationships with patients and other healthcare professionals. She is organized, detail-oriented, and works well both independently and as part of a team.

Work Experience

Registered Practical Nurse | ABC Medical Center | Anytown, CA | 2018 - Present
- Provide quality patient care in a long-term care setting
- Assist with the development and implementation of care plans
- Provide emotional support and guidance to patients and families
- Administer medications and treatments as prescribed
- Monitor vital signs and document changes in patient condition
Registered Practical Nurse | XYZ Medical Group | Anytown, CA | 2012 - 2018
- Provided quality patient care in a hospital setting
- Assisted physicians with exams and treatments
- Administered medications and treatments as prescribed
- Monitored vital signs and documented changes in patient condition
- Assisted with patient education and discharge planning

Education

Diploma in Practical Nursing | Anytown College | Anytown, CA | 2012

Skills

Patient Care
Medication Administration
Clinical Documentation
Patient Education
Time Management

Certifications

Registered Practical Nurse | State of California | 2018 - Present
Basic Life Support | American Red Cross | 2018 - Present

Languages

English (fluent)
Spanish (basic)

Resume tips for Practical Nurse

Creating a perfect, career-launching resume is no easy task. Following general writing rules can help, but it is also smart to get advice tailored to your specific job search. When you’re new to the employment world, you need Practical Nurse resume tips.
We collected the best tips from seasoned Practical Nurse - Check out their advice to not only make your writing process easier but also increase your chances of creating a resume that piques the interest of prospective employers.

Highlight your relevant experience and education in the healthcare field.
Include any relevant certifications and licenses.
Mention any special skills or knowledge you possess, such as experience in a specialized area.
Include any awards or recognition you have received as a Practical Nurse.
Focus on your ability to provide excellent patient care and emphasize your communication and organizational skills.

Practical Nurse Resume Summary Examples

Practical Nurse resumes should include either a resume summary or a resume objective. These sections are important for summarizing a candidate's qualifications and experience, as well as providing a snapshot of their potential value to a prospective employer. A resume summary is a great way to provide a concise overview of a nurse's most relevant qualifications and experience and should be tailored to the job they are applying for. A resume objective is a more focused statement that outlines the candidate's career goals and how they plan to use their skills and experience to meet those objectives. Both resume summaries and resume objectives are valuable additions to a resume and can help a candidate stand out from the competition.

For Example:

Experienced Practical Nurse with 5+ years of experience providing direct patient care, administering medication, and performing assessments.
Practical Nurse with 3 years of experience in a long-term care facility, providing quality care to a diverse patient population.
Compassionate Practical Nurse with 2 years of experience in a hospital setting. Skilled at coordinating patient care and providing quality care.
Detail-oriented Practical Nurse with 4 years of experience in a clinical setting. Proficient in administering medications and documenting patient care.
Skilled Practical Nurse with 5+ years of experience in a home health setting. Experienced in providing direct patient care and creating care plans.

Build a Strong Experience Section for Your Practical Nurse Resume

Building a strong experience section for a practical nurse resume is important because it is the first thing a potential employer will look at when reviewing your resume. The experience section should provide potential employers with an overview of the skills and qualifications you have that are applicable to the position you are applying for. It should include any relevant certifications, licenses, educational qualifications, and work history. This section should also provide examples of how you have used your skills and qualifications in the past to help employers gain a better understanding of what you can bring to their organization.

For Example:

Provided direct patient care and monitoring of vital signs to patients in a long-term care facility.
Assisted in administering medications and documenting responses under the direction of the staff RN.
Performed basic nursing skills, such as dressing changes, wound care, and Foley catheter insertion and removal.
Assessed patient condition by observing physical and mental condition, intake and output, and exercise tolerance.
Maintained a clean, safe patient environment and monitored equipment functioning.
Educated patients and their families on health maintenance and disease prevention.
Reported patient status and concerns to the RN and other healthcare personnel.
Assisted in the development of individualized patient care plans.
Attended in-service programs to update job-related skills.
Provided support to patients and families during times of illness, distress, and loss.

Practical Nurse resume education example

A Practical Nurse needs to complete an approved practical nursing education program and pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN). Additionally, Practical Nurses must maintain licensure in the state in which they practice. Some states may require additional educational requirements such as continuing education courses.

Here is an example of an experience listing suitable for a Practical Nurse resume:

Diploma in Practical Nursing, ABC College, 2020
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Certificate, XYZ College, 2019
BLS/CPR Certification, American Red Cross, 2018
Basic First Aid Certification, American Red Cross, 2018

Practical Nurse Skills for a Resume

It is important to add skills to a Practical Nurse Resume because it demonstrates the candidate's clinical knowledge, technical abilities, and interpersonal skills. Employers want to see that the candidate has the necessary qualifications to perform the duties of the job. Examples of skills that should be included are patient care, record keeping, medication administration, team collaboration, communication, compassion, critical thinking, and problem-solving.

Soft Skills:

Critical Thinking
Organizational Skills
Attention to Detail
Interpersonal Skills
Empathy
Patience
Communication
Teamwork
Adaptability
Problem-Solving

Hard Skills:

Patient Care
Health Assessment
Medication Administration
Vital Signs
IV Therapy
Documentation
Wound Care
Injections
Diabetes Management
Patient Education

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Writing a Practical Nurse Resume

In this competitive job market, employers receive an average of 180 applications for each open position. To process these resumes, companies often rely on automated applicant tracking systems, which can sift through resumes and eliminate the least qualified applicants. If your resume is among the few that make it past these bots, it must still impress the recruiter or hiring manager. With so many applications coming in, recruiters typically give each resume only 5 seconds of their attention before deciding whether to discard it. Considering this, it's best to avoid including any distracting information on your application that could cause it to be thrown away. To help make sure your resume stands out, review the list below of what you should not include on your job application.

Not including a cover letter. A cover letter is a great way to explain why you are the best candidate for the job and why you want the position.
Using too much jargon. Hiring managers do not want to read a resume full of technical terms that they do not understand.
Omitting important details. Make sure to include your contact information, educational background, job history, and any relevant skills and experiences.
Using a generic template. Take the time to customize your resume to the job you are applying for. This will show the employer that you are serious about the position.
Spelling and grammar errors. Always double-check your resume for typos, spelling mistakes, and grammar errors.
Focusing too much on duties. Make sure to include accomplishments and successes to show the employer that you are a great candidate.
Including personal information. Avoid including any personal information such as age, marital status, or religious beliefs.

Key takeaways for a Practical Nurse resume

Highlight any certifications, specializations or qualifications that you have earned as a Practical Nurse
Include a comprehensive list of your duties and responsibilities in various nursing roles
Mention any clinical or administrative experience you have gained
Describe any awards or accolades you have received
Demonstrate your knowledge of medical terminology, patient care, and medical procedures
Detail any additional roles such as preceptoring or teaching other nurses
Highlight any involvement in professional organizations or continuing education courses
Focus on demonstrating your ability to effectively provide compassionate patient care

It's time to begin the job search. Make sure you put your best foot forward and land your next postal service job with the help of Resumaker.ai.