LPN Resume & Job Application Advice
A curriculum vitae is a concise document that encapsulates your educational background, work history, and relevant experiences pertaining to the job for which you are seeking employment. Essentially, a CV is a written representation of yourself. Typically, resumes are mandatory when submitting job applications, serving as a crucial tool in the application process. Learning how to complete job applications is essential. Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), being professionals, are expected to present a professional resume, a prudent move even when not explicitly requested by the employer.
When crafting your resume, strive for perfection and the ability to persuade. A single typographical error, commonly known as a “typo,” could relegate your resume to the discard pile, eliminating you from contention. Constructing a resume involves incorporating at least four sections, with various optional segments available. Numerous online templates can be utilized, providing guidance, but customization is paramount. Taking shortcuts is discouraged; instead, invest effort in tailoring your resume. For assistance in crafting your resume, read on as we’ve outlined the essential components.
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Contact Information
Initiating the resume, this section is the simplest to complete. Always include accurate, updated details, encompassing your name, telephone number, address, and email address. If multiple phone numbers are applicable, include them. Personal websites can also be included, but avoid incorporating social media accounts like Twitter and Facebook, as employers are typically uninterested in connecting on a social level. Regularly update and verify this section.
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LPN Objective or Summary
This section serves as the initial substantive information for the employer. It should define who you are as an LPN and articulate your aspirations. Customized to the specific facility, it should convey genuine interest and remain succinct, avoiding unnecessary verbosity. Crafting a sentence outlining your future career or educational goals adds depth, portraying you as someone dedicated to self-improvement. A sample objective for a new graduate LPN could be:
“As a recent Licensed Practical Nurse graduate, I am seeking a challenging and responsible position in the nursing field. My goal is to expand my knowledge and experience while utilizing my current skill set to positively impact lives. Working at [insert facility name] will contribute to realizing my career aspirations, and short-term goals include obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree within the next five years.”
LPN Education Credentials
This section outlines your educational background in reverse chronological order, emphasizing degrees earned. Specify the institution’s name, city, and state, along with the graduation date, degree title, and any minors completed. While high school information may be omitted, including your grade point average (GPA) is advisable. A high GPA can leave a positive impression on potential employers, but if it’s below 3.0, consider omitting it and highlighting other skills and knowledge.
LPN Work Experience
Termed as work history, employment history, or relevant experience, this section necessitates details such as company names, locations, job positions, employment durations, and performed duties. Omitting salary information is recommended, focusing on relevant duties for the applied position. For newly graduated LPNs with non-healthcare-related jobs, emphasize qualities and experiences relevant to nursing, possibly incorporating volunteer experiences. Optional sections like honors, awards, languages spoken, certifications, volunteer experiences, and professional memberships may be included as deemed appropriate for specific job applications.
Optional Sections
Although not commonly included, these sections such as honors and awards, languages spoken, certifications, volunteer experiences, and professional memberships may be relevant for specific positions.
Basic Resume Formatting
While there are numerous online templates for resume formatting, certain universal rules apply:
– Place name and contact information at the top, ensuring your name is highlighted for visibility.
– Ensure accuracy and currency of all information.
– Eliminate all grammar and spelling errors to maintain professionalism.
– Structure the resume for readability and visual appeal.
– For new LPNs, limit resume length to one page, prioritizing clarity, conciseness, and accuracy.
– Maintain 1-inch margins on all sides.
– Opt for a professional and readable font (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman).
– Keep font size between 10 pt and 14 pt, with 11 or 12 pt being ideal for small lettered fonts.
LPN Job Application Tips
Upon completing your resume, the next step is to submit job applications and embark on your journey as an employed LPN. Filling out applications is a crucial aspect of the employment search, and although it may seem overwhelming, there are ways to streamline the process.
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In the ever-evolving technological landscape of the present day, numerous companies have embraced the shift towards conducting job applications in the digital realm, some even entirely discontinuing the provision of traditional paper applications. This dynamic presents a critical decision for nurses embarking on the quest for new employment
Opportunities: should they adhere to the conventional paper application or embrace the efficiency and convenience of the digital world? While some argue that the era of physically canvassing for jobs has reached its conclusion, especially in specific regions, the utilization of paper applications retains a distinctive advantage—an opportunity for potential employers to associate a face with the submitted application, occasionally leading to impromptu interviews. Although such spontaneous interviews are infrequent and unpredictable, they may result in immediate employment. Nevertheless, the predominant trend leans heavily towards online applications, signifying the path to the future and, from the perspective of nurses, the preferred route. Online applications bring forth a myriad of advantages over their paper counterparts.
- Apply at your convenience: Online applications offer the flexibility of submission around the clock, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, from any location with internet access.
- No traveling: In stark contrast to paper applications, which necessitate a physical visit to the facility, online applications can be effortlessly completed from the comfort of one’s home, eliminating the need for expenditures and time associated with travel.
- No limit on the number of applications: Online applications present an unlimited opportunity for submission. Imagine requesting a paper application only to be informed that they are currently unavailable, leading to a suggestion to apply online. This situation can be both exasperating and time-consuming.
- Reduced errors: Online applications often include prompts for incomplete fields or potential errors, adding an extra layer of accuracy verification to the process.
- Faster: Generally, online job applications expedite the submission process compared to the more time-consuming traditional paper applications.
Despite the evident advantages, online applications are not without their drawbacks. The primary concern revolves around the dependence on internet access. While the majority of individuals have computers and internet connectivity, a significant number still lack access to these resources. Additionally, the susceptibility of computers freezing or crashing during an online application poses a risk, particularly since such applications are often challenging to save.
How to Complete an LPN Job Application
Navigating through job applications, especially for critical positions like Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), can be an extensive process, seemingly demanding a comprehensive life history. Although this might be perceived as mildly inconvenient to downright time-consuming, it is imperative to fill out job applications thoroughly and truthfully. Dishonesty is not only unethical but also illegal. The most efficient approach to completing a job application is to gather all necessary information beforehand, significantly expediting the process.
- Personal Information: Inclusive of name, address, phone number, email address, social security number, eligibility to work in the United States, and legal information (arrests, convictions, etc.).
Education: Encompassing schools attended, graduation dates, degrees obtained, including nursing school and any education preceding LPN school, such as college or high school. - Certifications/Licensure: Covering certifications or licenses obtained, license numbers, issue dates, and expiration dates, with specific emphasis on detailing LPN license information.
- Employment History: Detailing past employers, addresses, phone numbers, supervisors, job titles, salaries, dates of employment, reasons for leaving, and permission to contact previous employers.
- References: Requiring names, job titles, employers, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses. It is advisable to seek permission before using someone as a reference.
- Availability: Specifying days and hours available to work, preferred shifts, and the date available to start work.
Certification: A section affirming the applicant’s truthful completion of the application, often requiring a signature on paper applications or a checkbox acknowledgment in online applications.
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Some job applications may necessitate additional submissions alongside the application itself, such as a resume and cover letter.
- Resume: A comprehensive summary of education, credentials, work experiences, and relevant accomplishments.
- Cover Letter: Often submitted for professional positions like LPN or Charge Nurse, it is a personalized letter expressing interest in a job, providing a brief overview of qualifications and professional background.
For more detailed guidance on crafting an LPN resume or cover letter, please refer to our comprehensive guides.
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