LVN Resume Example & Writing Guide

You’ve got care and compassion by the ton and you’re looking for a fulfilling job. Becoming a licensed vocational nurse (LVN) might be the path for you! You will play a vital role in supporting people when they need it the most and ensuring they get the attention they need. 

If you’re ready to start applying for these vacancies, you need one secret weapon: an LVN resume that wows hiring managers. Whether it’s been a while since you applied for new jobs or you just need refreshing, we have the advice, tips, and hints you’ve been looking for. 

Here at Resume.io, we have everything you need to support your job search. That includes a library of 350+ resume examples, each with an accompanying writing guide to help you along the way. In the following guide, with corresponding LVN resume sample, you can expect to learn: 

• What an LVN professional does including daily tasks and duties
• How to write an LVN resume from scratch and the format to use
• What to include in each section of your resume to engage the reader
• Design and layout advice to make your application stand out from the crowd

Want to go back to basics? If you want to learn how to write a standardized resume, we have just what you need. Read our comprehensive writing guide to give you an overview.

What does a licensed vocational nurse (LVN) do?

A licensed vocational nurse (LVN) is an entry-level role, in which you will be supporting either a registered nurse (RN), a clinician, or a physician. While the tasks you have to take on will vary depending on where you work, here are some of the duties you can expect: 

• Taking blood samples from patients
• Getting patients ready to have surgery
• Offering care and support to patients
• Monitoring patient vital signs
• Offering guidance and advice to patients
• Sharing information with family members
• Reporting directly to the RN or physician

The above tasks are not easy. Should you decide that this career path is right for you, you will need a highly varied skill-set and a boat-load of empathy. If that sounds like you, training to become a licensed vocational nurse (LVN) may be the way to go. 

The coming years look bright for LVN positions. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, opportunities are expected to continue growing at a rate of 9% until 2030. So, whether you’re looking for a job change or to further your career, now is the ideal time.

How to write an LVN resume

Before you can get your next nursing job, you need to make sure that you know what to include in your resume. Your CV should contain the following elements:

• The resume header
• The resume summary (aka profile or personal statement)
• The employment history section
• The resume skills section
• The education section

Now, you may be tempted to opt for a one-size-fits-all approach. That means creating one LVN resume and using it for every application you complete. While you may think that this is a time-saving and ingenious idea, it’s a mistake. Employers can tell when you have not taken the time to tailor your resume to meet their criteria. This move tells them that you have a lack of genuine interest in the position. It’s likely to mean that you miss opportunities. 

To avoid that problem, do your research in advance. Take the time to research the institute or hospital. For example, if there’s a certain specialization, you might want to tailor your resume to support what the employer needs. If you make a habit of taking this step each time that you apply for a role, it will boost your chances. 

Choosing the best resume format for an LVN

Now that you understand what you need to include in your LVN resume, let’s talk about the format. The golden rule here is to use a reverse chronological resume format. That means positioning your accolades in chronological order starting with the most recent and working backwards. This approach means that the hiring manager can quickly see your latest info.

Of course, there are times when it’s OK to break the rules. If you’re not sure which format works for you, take a look at our full guide here. That way, you can make the right decision. 

Resume summary example

Next up, you need to write an eye-catching resume summary. This short paragraph usually sits at the top of your document. (Take a look at it on our LVN sample resume for some inspiration!) Your aim is to capture the reader’s attention. So, kick off with a bold statement that will set you ahead of the competition. Consider what you have that others don't.  

Employment history sample

If you have held a few positions before now, you can list them here. You should use the reverse chronological approach once again. 

List the name of your employer, your role, the dates that you were employed, and then bullet-point your notable accomplishments. Check out our resume sample for details. 

On the other hand, if you are writing a new grad LVN resume, you can use any of your placements as work experience. 

CV skills example

Your skills section is the centerpiece of your LVN resume. The hiring manager wants to know that you have the right talents for the job. You should be sure to include a mixture of both hard and soft skills in this section. Hard skills relate directly to the role, for example “monitoring vital signs” while soft skills are transferable. These may include interpersonal skills, such as “communication”. Ensure that you have a healthy mixture of both types. 

LVN resume education example

To become a licensed vocational nurse (LVN), you will need to have a high school diploma first and foremost. Next up, you will need to complete two years of vocational training. Presuming that you have all of this under your belt, you can start applying for LVN roles. List your training and education in reverse chronological order. You don’t need to include much more than the institutes and the dates you attended, plus the name of the certificates. 

Resume layout and design

Before you finish your LVN resume, there’s one last thing to think about: the look of it. You need to make sure that you make the right first impression on the hiring manager. For that reason, you shouldn’t opt for an overly complicated or flashy design. Instead, go for something classic, easy to read, and minimal. This move won’t detract from your experience. 

If you’re not a pro designer, don’t panic. We have a selection of resume templates that are free to use. Simply choose the one that suits your needs and fill out your information. 

Key takeaways for an LVN resume

1. Becoming a nurse is a rewarding career choice. However, before you can land your next job, you need to perfect your resume.
2. Always tailor your application to meet the needs of the employer. While this approach takes extra time and energy, it always pays off in the end.
3. Be sure to include a mixture of both hard and soft skills in your next resume.
4. The design of your resume should be simple! You don’t want to overwhelm the reader.