Why a good resume is essential when applying for a new LTC LPN job

A well-crafted and effective resume is necessary to secure a position as a LTC LPN. Your resume serves as your first introduction to an employer and is a tool to showcase your professional qualifications, skills, and experience. A compelling resume is your initial point of contact with a potential employer, and it should be written to make a lasting impression.

Your resume should be detailed, yet concise, and should highlight your practical nursing diploma (PN) and any other specialized training you may have. It is used to effectively communicate your proficiency in long-term patient care and to differentiate you from a field of competitive candidates.

We will provide a few important tips and an example of a template resume to help improve your resume/CV and secure a job interview.

How long should the LTC LPN job resume be and what information should be included?

An LTC LPN’s resume should be comprehensive but concise. You should provide enough information to showcase your qualifications, skills, and experience. Generally, a resume should be around one to two pages in length, but you should prioritize content over the length.

The following information should be included in your resume: contact information, resume summary or objective, education, clinical experience, skills, certificates, professional membership, continuing education, and any honors and awards.

Points that need to be included in a resume

Contact Information: Include your full name, professional title, phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile (if applicable).

Pro Tip: Your name should be highlighted with the biggest text on the page and listed near the top. Your address should only include city and state. The provided email should be a professional email, but not an employer email. (Never use your current job email for a resume.)

Resume Summary or Objective: Provide a brief, targeted statement summarizing your expertise, career goals, and what you offer as an LTC LPN.

Education: Include your educational background, including the name of the institution, degree earned, and graduation date. List your education in reverse chronological order with your most recent and highest degrees first if applicable. List your PN diploma.

Pro Tip: If you are a new graduate, you may want to place the education section above the experience section. As you gain work experience, your education section should be shortened. If you have not graduated, you can add “expected graduation date” to the school.

Certifications and Licenses: Specify your PN diploma and any relevant certification.

Clinical Experience: Include your work history in reverse chronological order. For each position, include the name of the hospital or clinic, location, and dates of employment. Highlight any specialized procedure or technique you have experience performing.

This is the most important section as a LTC LPN. Your professional experience should be presented in bullet points, and a separate section should be created for each relevant previous job. The headline for each previous job experience section should be in bold with the addition of the time you were employed. Beneath the company name, the position should be mentioned, and the bulleted points should list the job responsibilities.


Pro Tip:  It is important to mention not only the job responsibilities but also the achieved results at that job.

Presentations and Conferences: If applicable, include any conferences or seminars where you have presented your work or findings.

Skills: Outline both your technical and interpersonal skills that are relevant to LTC. Include your proficiencies in relevant technology or subspecialties, such as gerontology or occupational health.

Professional Memberships: List any LPN associations you are a part of like NFLPN.

Awards and Honors: Highlight any special recognition or awards you have received for your contributions to the profession.

Professional Development: Showcase ongoing education and training that you have attended to stay current in the field.

Note: If applicable, mention any languages that you are proficient in. 

A LTC LPN’s resume should highlight a combination of medical, technical, interpersonal, and leadership skills. Here are some important and relevant skills to include:

  • Patient Care:
    • Monitoring patients and expertise in managing conditions like diabetes, hypertension, COPD, and dementia.
  • Medical Administration:
    • Proficiency in administering medications and treatments.
  • Infection Control:
    • Following and implementing protocols to minimize infections.
  • Wound Care:
    • Knowledge of wound care and dressing changes.
  • Emergency Response:
    • Knowledge of CPR, First Aid, and handling medical emergencies promptly.
  • Compassion and Empathy:
    • Understanding and sensitivity to the emotional and psychological needs of patients and their families.
  • Regulatory Compliance:
    • Familiarity with state and federal regulations for long-term care facilities, such as OSHA and HIPAA compliance.
  • Patient Advocacy:
    • Represent patients’ best interests and ensuring they receive respectful care.
  • Continuous Learning:
    • Commitment to professional development and remaining current with advancements in long-term healthcare.
  • Communication Skills:
    • Effective communication with colleagues, patients, and their families.
  • Advocacy/ Quality Improvement:
    • Advocate for the resident’s needs, preferences and rights to ensure they receive appropriate care.

Pro tip: It is common for each job post to receive hundreds of applications and a resume-checking system is often in place for recruiters to filter through relevant applications. You should customize your resume to each specific LTC LPN job you are applying for. Be sure to emphasize your relevant skills and experience to demonstrate to the employer you understand the requirements of the job and are the best candidate. You will be more successful if you identify the key phrases in the job description and incorporate them into your resume. 

Resume example-template: Here is a template resume for a LTC LPN courtesy of LiveCareer.com. You can also build, view other similar resumes, and customize your resume on their site.