Licensed Practical Nurse: resume screening criteria template

Active LPN license in your state with no restrictions, current CPR/BLS, and any required certifications for your setting (IV certification, specialized training). This is non-negotiable and predicts legal compliance.

Strong evidence: License number and state listed prominently, expiration date if recent, CPR cert with issuing organization (AHA, Red Cross), IV certification if applicable. Strong candidates mention maintaining continuing education hours or additional certifications like wound care or diabetes management.

Red flag: No license number listed, out-of-state license without mentioning reciprocity plans, expired certifications, or employment gaps that align with license renewal periods (suggests lapses). Vague language like 'certification in progress' without specifics.

Direct experience in your specific care environment (long-term care, home health, clinic, rehab) with similar patient populations. An LPN who excelled in a hospital may lack the autonomy skills for home health, or vice versa.

Strong evidence: Job titles that specify setting ('LPN - Skilled Nursing Facility,' 'Home Health LPN'), descriptions of patient populations ('managed care for 15-20 residents with dementia,' 'provided in-home care for post-surgical patients'), length of time in each setting (18+ months shows stability). Mentions of patient ratios or caseload size.

Red flag: Only hospital experience when you need long-term care skills, frequent setting changes (hospital to clinic to home health in short spans), or generic descriptions like 'provided nursing care' without specifying where or to whom. Job-hopping every 6-12 months.

Hands-on proficiency with the procedures your role requires daily: medication administration (PO, IM, subQ, IV if applicable), wound care and dressing changes, catheter insertion and care, blood glucose monitoring, vital signs assessment, ostomy care, tube feeding, or other setting-specific skills.

Strong evidence: Specific procedures listed ('administered medications via PO, IM, and subQ routes,' 'performed wound vac changes and staged pressure ulcers,' 'managed PICC line care'), frequency indicators ('daily medication pass for 25 residents'), mentions of protocols followed ('adhered to facility infection control standards, zero medication errors over 18 months'). Specialized skills like trach care or ventilator monitoring if relevant.

Red flag: Vague claims like 'performed nursing duties' or 'provided patient care' without naming procedures. Overemphasis on administrative tasks (scheduling, phone triage) when you need hands-on skills. No mention of medication administration experience, which is central to most LPN roles.

Accurate, timely charting is critical for care continuity and regulatory compliance. Look for experience with electronic health records and evidence of thorough documentation habits.

Strong evidence: Names specific EHR systems used ('PointClickCare,' 'Cerner,' 'MatrixCare,' 'Homecare Homebase'), mentions documentation responsibilities ('completed daily progress notes and care plan updates,' 'documented wound measurements and photos weekly'), or outcomes tied to documentation ('maintained 100% compliance on state survey,' 'zero charting deficiencies in annual audit'). References to care plans or interdisciplinary notes.

Red flag: No mention of documentation or EHR systems, which suggests either outdated paper-chart experience or weak documentation skills. Resumes that emphasize 'fast-paced environment' but don't mention charting (speed without accuracy is a liability). Previous employers known for poor compliance or survey deficiencies.

The ability to work independently within LPN scope, recognize changes in patient condition, and know when to escalate to an RN or physician. This separates competent LPNs from those who need constant direction.

Strong evidence: Phrases like 'worked independently on [shift/in patients' homes],' 'identified early signs of infection and notified physician,' 'triaged patient concerns and escalated urgent issues,' 'managed care for [number] patients with minimal supervision.' Mentions of being a charge nurse, precepting new staff, or handling on-call responsibilities. Examples of problem-solving or critical thinking.

Red flag: Only experience in highly supervised settings (hospital floors with RN at every turn), no examples of independent decision-making, or resumes that emphasize 'following orders' without showing initiative. Overreliance on phrases like 'team player' without evidence of working autonomously when needed.

Tenure in previous roles, reasons for leaving that make sense, and evidence of professional conduct. LPN turnover is costly, and past behavior predicts future reliability.

Strong evidence: Job tenures of 2+ years, clear progression or logical reasons for moves ('relocated to [city],' 'facility closed,' 'sought specialized experience in wound care'), recognition like 'Employee of the Month' or 'zero attendance infractions,' references to training others or serving on committees. Stable work history even if across multiple employers, as long as each role lasted 18+ months.

Red flag: Five jobs in three years with no explanation, terminations for cause (if disclosed or discoverable), gaps in employment that aren't explained (especially if they coincide with license issues), or patterns of leaving right after orientation periods (suggests inability to meet expectations). Resumes with no references available or 'references upon request' without offering any.