When crafting a resume for an LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) position, highlighting your relevant skills is crucial to stand out to potential employers.
Including the best LPN skills on your resume can demonstrate your ability to provide excellent patient care and contribute effectively to the healthcare team.
Table of Contents
What Are LPN Skills?
LPN stands for Licensed Practical Nurse. LPNs are healthcare professionals who work under the supervision of registered nurses (RNs) and doctors to provide direct patient care. They have a specific set of skills necessary to perform their role effectively. Some key LPN skills include: patient care, documentation and record keeping, medical knowledge, and others.
Jobs That Require LPN Skills
LPN skills are highly valued in the medical industry. Here are just a few examples of jobs that require such skills:
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
- Assisted Living Nurse
- Clinic Nurse
- Long-Term Care Nurse
- Home Health Nurse
- Occupational Health Nurse
- Hospice Nurse
- – and others
Top LPN Skills for a Resume
1. Patient Care
LPNs excel in providing direct patient care, including administering medications, monitoring vital signs, and assisting with activities of daily living.
Example: “Delivered compassionate patient care by administering medications, monitoring vital signs, and assisting with personal hygiene, resulting in improved patient comfort and well-being.”
2. Medical Knowledge
LPNs possess a solid understanding of medical terminology, anatomy, and physiology, enabling them to recognize symptoms, assess patient conditions, and communicate effectively with healthcare professionals.
Example: “Applied comprehensive medical knowledge to accurately assess patient conditions, collaborate with healthcare team members, and ensure proper delivery of care.”
3. Documentation and Record-Keeping
LPNs are skilled in maintaining accurate patient records, documenting care provided, and effectively communicating pertinent information to the healthcare team.
Example: “Demonstrated meticulous attention to detail in documenting patient care activities, maintaining accurate records, and facilitating smooth communication within the interdisciplinary team.”
4. Communication
LPNs have excellent communication skills to effectively interact with patients, their families, and healthcare professionals, ensuring clear understanding and collaboration.
Example: “Established open and effective communication with patients, families, and healthcare team members, fostering a supportive and collaborative care environment.”
5. Critical Thinking
LPNs possess critical thinking abilities to assess patient conditions, identify problems, and make informed decisions regarding appropriate care interventions.
Example: “Utilized strong critical thinking skills to assess patient symptoms, identify changes in health status, and promptly communicate concerns to the healthcare team.”
6. Technical Skills
LPNs are proficient in various technical skills, such as administering injections, operating medical equipment, performing wound care, and conducting basic laboratory tests.
Example: “Demonstrated proficiency in administering injections, conducting wound care, and accurately performing basic laboratory tests, contributing to efficient and comprehensive patient care.”
7. Empathy and Compassion
LPNs exhibit empathy and compassion in their interactions with patients, providing emotional support and creating a caring environment.
Example: “Displayed genuine empathy and compassion while attending to patients’ physical and emotional needs, fostering a comforting and reassuring atmosphere.”
8. Teamwork and Collaboration:
LPNs work collaboratively with other healthcare professionals, such as registered nurses (RNs), doctors, and support staff, to provide comprehensive patient care. They contribute effectively to a team environment, communicate openly, and actively participate in care planning and coordination.
Example: “Collaborated seamlessly with interdisciplinary teams, including RNs, physicians, and ancillary staff, to ensure cohesive patient care delivery and optimal treatment outcomes.”
9. Crisis Management and Adaptability
LPNs are skilled in handling emergency situations and adapting quickly to changing circumstances. They remain calm under pressure, prioritize tasks effectively, and make timely decisions to ensure patient safety and well-being.
Example: “Demonstrated exceptional crisis management skills by maintaining composure during emergencies, swiftly prioritizing interventions, and adapting to rapidly changing patient conditions.”
10. Patient Education
LPNs have the ability to educate patients and their families about their health conditions, medications, and self-care practices. They effectively communicate complex medical information in a clear and understandable manner, empowering patients to actively participate in their own care.
Example: “Provided comprehensive patient education on disease management, medication administration, and healthy lifestyle choices, resulting in improved patient compliance and positive health outcomes.”
How to Describe LPN Skills on a Resume
When describing LPN skills on your resume, it’s essential to highlight your relevant capabilities and accomplishments effectively. Here are some tips on how to effectively describe LPN skills on a resume:
- Use concise and clear language: Keep your descriptions succinct and easy to understand. Use bullet points to highlight each skill, making it easy for hiring managers to scan and grasp your abilities quickly.
- Tailor skills to the job description: Review the job posting or job description to identify the specific skills and qualifications sought by the employer. Customize your descriptions to align with their requirements and emphasize the skills that are most relevant to the position.
- Showcase your experience: Provide specific examples of how you’ve applied your LPN skills in previous roles. Use action verbs to demonstrate your contributions and accomplishments, focusing on measurable outcomes or positive impacts on patient care.
- Quantify your achievements: Whenever possible, include quantitative information to highlight your achievements. For instance, mention the number of patients you cared for daily, the percentage of improvement in patient outcomes, or the number of successful procedures you assisted with.
- Highlight teamwork and collaboration: LPNs often work as part of a team, so emphasize your ability to collaborate effectively with other healthcare professionals. Describe instances where you collaborated with RNs, doctors, and other staff members to provide comprehensive patient care.
- Emphasize problem-solving skills: LPNs need strong problem-solving abilities to assess patient conditions, identify issues, and make critical decisions. Provide examples of how you’ve used your problem-solving skills to address challenges and improve patient outcomes.
- Include relevant certifications or specializations: If you have acquired additional certifications or specialized training in specific areas, mention them in relation to your skills. This demonstrates your commitment to professional development and enhances your credibility.
Example of a Resume Emphasizing LPN Skills
[Your Name]
[Contact Information: Phone number, Email Address]
[LinkedIn Profile URL (optional)]Objective:
Dedicated and compassionate Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) with [number of years] years of experience providing exceptional patient care. Seeking a challenging LPN position to utilize my skills in [mention specific areas of expertise or interest], contribute to a healthcare team, and make a positive impact on patient outcomes.
Skills:
Patient Care
Medical Knowledge
Record-Keeping
Crisis Management
Technological Proficiency
Paient EducationExperience:
Licensed Practical Nurse
Riverside Medical Center
September 2020 – Present– Assisted in the provision of high-quality patient care by performing duties such as administering medications, monitoring vital signs, and assisting with personal care.
– Collaborated with healthcare professionals to coordinate patient treatments and ensure the smooth flow of care.
– Maintained accurate and up-to-date patient records, documenting care activities and assisting in the preparation of reports.
– Supported patients and their families by providing emotional support and answering their questions regarding care plans and procedures.
– Actively participated in team meetings, contributing insights and suggestions to improve patient care processes.Licensed Practical Nurse
Sunrise Senior Living
January 2018 – August 2020– Delivered comprehensive patient care by administering medications, monitoring vital signs, and assisting with activities of daily living.
– Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams, including registered nurses (RNs), physicians, and ancillary staff, to ensure cohesive patient care delivery and optimal treatment outcomes.
– Maintained accurate documentation of patient care activities, utilizing electronic health records (EHR) systems and facilitating effective communication within the healthcare team.
– Conducted patient assessments, recognized changes in health status, and promptly communicated concerns to the healthcare team, ensuring timely interventions.
– Provided patient education on disease management, medication administration, and healthy lifestyle choices, empowering patients to actively participate in their own care.Education:
Associate Degree in Nursing
City College of Nursing
Graduated May 2014Certifications:
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification
Intravenous (IV) Therapy Certification
Medication Administration Certification
In Summary
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that the employment of LPNs is expected to grow by 11 percent from 2018 to 2028, which is faster than the average growth rate for all occupations. Highlighting the best LPN skills on your resume can greatly enhance your chances of landing an LPN position.
By emphasizing your patient care abilities, medical knowledge, communication skills, critical thinking, technical expertise, and other relevant competencies, you showcase your value as a skilled and dedicated LPN.
FAQ
What Are the Specific Duties of an LPN?
LPNs have specific duties that include providing direct patient care, assisting with treatments, documenting patient information, collaborating with healthcare teams, educating patients and families, supporting patient well-being, assisting in emergencies, and following safety protocols. These responsibilities may vary based on state regulations and the healthcare setting.
What Are Some LPN Skills for a Resume With No Experience?
When writing an LPN resume with no experience, focus on transferable skills that demonstrate your potential. Key LPN skills to emphasize include compassion, strong communication, attention to detail, adaptability, time management, teamwork, and technical aptitude. Highlight relevant volunteer work, internships, or coursework to support your qualifications.