LPN Resume Keywords (2026): 60+ Licensed Practical Nurse Skills for ATS
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🚨 Not getting LPN interviews? Your resume is missing critical healthcare keywords.
In 2026, over 97% of healthcare facilities use ATS to filter nursing resumes before a recruiter ever sees them. If your resume doesn't include the exact keywords from the job description, you're invisible—even with years of patient care experience.
This guide gives you 60+ ATS-approved LPN keywords, organized by clinical skills, certifications, and specializations.
Why LPN Resume Keywords Matter in 2026
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is the #2 most in-demand job in 2026 according to Randstad USA, with a projected average salary of $56,000 and strong job security.
Healthcare recruiters rely heavily on ATS to filter through hundreds of LPN applications. According to the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), 75% of nursing resumes are rejected by ATS before reaching a human recruiter.
If your resume doesn't include the exact clinical skills, certifications, and EMR systems from the job description, you're filtered out—even if you're fully qualified.
The LPN Keyword Gap Problem
Common scenario: An experienced LPN with 5+ years of patient care applies to 50 jobs and gets zero interviews.
Why? Their resume lists "patient care" and "vital signs" but misses critical ATS keywords like "Medication Administration," "IV Therapy," "Epic EMR," "Wound Care," and "NCLEX-PN."
The solution: Use this comprehensive keyword guide to ensure your resume includes every term healthcare recruiters search for.
Table of Contents
- What Are LPN Resume Keywords?
- Top 10 Must-Have LPN Keywords
- Clinical Skills & Patient Care
- Medications & Treatments
- EMR & Healthcare Technology
- Certifications & Licensure
- Specialty-Specific LPN Keywords
- Before vs After Resume Examples
- FAQ
- Related Articles
What Are LPN Resume Keywords?
LPN resume keywords are the specific clinical skills, certifications, EMR systems, and healthcare terms that ATS systems and nurse recruiters search for when screening resumes for Licensed Practical Nurse positions. These keywords typically include:
- Clinical skills: Vital signs, medication administration, wound care, catheter care, specimen collection
- Certifications: IV therapy, CPR/BLS, ACLS, phlebotomy, NCLEX-PN
- EMR systems: Epic, Cerner, Meditech, eClinicalWorks, CPSI
- Patient care: Patient assessment, ADL assistance, mobility support, discharge planning
When your resume includes these keywords naturally and in context, ATS systems rank it higher, increasing your chances of reaching a nurse recruiter.
Top 10 Must-Have LPN Keywords (2026)
If you only add 10 keywords to your resume, make it these. They appear in 90%+ of LPN job descriptions.
| Rank | Keyword | Category | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Medication Administration | Clinical Skill | #1 LPN responsibility |
| 2 | Vital Signs | Clinical Skill | Core nursing competency |
| 3 | Patient Care | Clinical Skill | Fundamental LPN duty |
| 4 | EMR/EHR | Technology | Electronic medical records |
| 5 | IV Therapy | Certification | High-demand skill |
| 6 | Wound Care | Clinical Skill | Common patient need |
| 7 | CPR/BLS | Certification | Required certification |
| 8 | NCLEX-PN | Licensure | LPN licensing exam |
| 9 | Charting/Documentation | Administrative | Legal requirement |
| 10 | Patient Assessment | Clinical Skill | Daily nursing function |
60+ Essential LPN Resume Keywords (2026)
Our analysis of hundreds of LPN job postings reveals these must-have keywords.
📚 Part of our Complete Resume Keywords List — browse 50+ role-specific guides.
🔗 For registered nurse roles, see our RN Resume Keywords Guide.
Clinical Skills & Patient Care Keywords
| Category | Keywords |
|---|---|
| Vital Signs | Blood Pressure, Temperature, Pulse, Respiration Rate, Oxygen Saturation (SpO2), Pain Assessment |
| Patient Care | Activities of Daily Living (ADL), Bathing, Feeding, Mobility Assistance, Repositioning, Patient Transport |
| Assessment | Patient Assessment, Health Screening, Fall Risk Assessment, Skin Assessment, Neurological Checks |
| Documentation | Charting, Medical Documentation, Electronic Charting, Nursing Notes, Care Plans, SOAP Notes |
| Communication | Patient Communication, Family Communication, Interdisciplinary Communication, Handoff Reports, SBAR |
Medications & Treatments Keywords
| Category | Keywords |
|---|---|
| Medication Administration | Oral Medications, IM Injections, Subcutaneous Injections, Medication Reconciliation, PRN Medications |
| IV Therapy | IV Insertion, IV Monitoring, IV Medication Administration, Peripheral IV, IV Site Care |
| Wound Care | Wound Assessment, Dressing Changes, Pressure Ulcer Care, Wound Vac, Debridement Assistance |
| Specimen Collection | Blood Draw, Urine Collection, Sputum Collection, Specimen Labeling, Lab Test Coordination |
| Treatments | Catheter Care, NG Tube Feeding, Oxygen Therapy, Nebulizer Treatments, Sterile Technique |
EMR & Healthcare Technology Keywords
| System | Related Keywords |
|---|---|
| Epic | Epic EMR, Epic Charting, Epic Documentation, Epic Care Everywhere |
| Cerner | Cerner Millennium, Cerner PowerChart, Cerner Charting |
| Meditech | Meditech EMR, Meditech Nursing Documentation |
| eClinicalWorks | eCW EMR, eClinicalWorks Charting |
| AllScripts | AllScripts EMR, AllScripts Sunrise |
General Healthcare Technology
| Category | Keywords |
|---|---|
| Medical Equipment | Vital Signs Monitor, Glucometer, Pulse Oximeter, EKG Machine, Infusion Pump |
| Software | Electronic Health Records (EHR), Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE), E-Prescribing |
| Communication | Electronic Medication Administration Record (eMAR), Secure Messaging, Telehealth |
Certifications & Licensure Keywords
| Category | Keywords |
|---|---|
| Required | LPN License, NCLEX-PN, State Licensure, Active License, Multi-State Compact License |
| Life Support | CPR Certification, Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), PALS |
| Specialty Certifications | IV Therapy Certification, Phlebotomy Certification, Wound Care Certification, Geriatric Nursing |
| Training | OSHA Training, Infection Control, Patient Safety, HIPAA Compliance, Cultural Competency |
Specialty-Specific LPN Keywords
Long-Term Care / Nursing Home LPN
| Category | Keywords |
|---|---|
| Care Focus | Geriatric Care, Chronic Disease Management, Palliative Care, Hospice Care, End-of-Life Care |
| Skills | Dementia Care, Alzheimer's Care, Fall Prevention, Pressure Ulcer Prevention, Nutrition Management |
| Documentation | MDS (Minimum Data Set), Care Plan Development, Family Education, Resident Rights |
Medical-Surgical LPN
| Category | Keywords |
|---|---|
| Clinical | Post-Operative Care, Pre-Operative Care, Surgical Site Care, Drain Management, Pain Management |
| Monitoring | Vital Signs Monitoring, Input/Output (I&O), Surgical Recovery, Complication Monitoring |
| Skills | Sterile Technique, Wound Care, Foley Catheter Care, Patient Education, Discharge Teaching |
Pediatric LPN
| Category | Keywords |
|---|---|
| Specialization | Pediatric Nursing, Child Development, Family-Centered Care, Pediatric Medication Dosing |
| Skills | Immunizations, Growth Monitoring, Well-Child Visits, Pediatric Assessment, Play Therapy |
| Certifications | PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support), Pediatric IV Therapy, Neonatal Care |
Rehabilitation / Skilled Nursing Facility LPN
| Category | Keywords |
|---|---|
| Therapy Support | Physical Therapy Support, Occupational Therapy Coordination, Speech Therapy Assistance |
| Skills | Mobility Training, ADL Retraining, Fall Recovery, Prosthetic Care, Orthopedic Care |
| Documentation | Therapy Progress Notes, Functional Assessment, Discharge Planning, Home Care Transition |
Soft Skills for LPNs
| Category | Keywords |
|---|---|
| Communication | Patient Advocacy, Family Communication, Team Collaboration, Active Listening, Empathy |
| Organization | Time Management, Prioritization, Multi-Tasking, Shift Management, Caseload Management |
| Professionalism | HIPAA Compliance, Confidentiality, Professional Boundaries, Ethics, Patient Rights |
| Adaptability | Fast-Paced Environment, Emergency Response, Crisis Management, Flexibility, Problem-Solving |
👉 Want to instantly check your missing keywords? Try the ResumeAdapter free ATS scan — upload your resume + job description and get your missing keywords in seconds.
Before vs. After: LPN Resume Examples
❌ Weak Example 1
"Provided patient care and administered medications."
✅ Optimized Example 1
"Provided comprehensive patient care for 30+ patients daily in skilled nursing facility, including medication administration, vital signs monitoring, wound care, and ADL assistance, achieving 98% patient satisfaction scores."
❌ Weak Example 2
"Used electronic medical records."
✅ Optimized Example 2
"Documented patient assessments, medication administration, and care plans in Epic EMR, ensuring 100% compliance with HIPAA regulations and Joint Commission standards."
❌ Weak Example 3
"Worked with elderly patients."
✅ Optimized Example 3
"Delivered specialized geriatric care for 45+ residents with dementia, Alzheimer's, and chronic conditions, implementing fall prevention protocols that reduced incidents by 40% and managing complex medication regimens."
How to Structure Your LPN Resume Keywords
1. Summary Section
Include 5-6 high-value keywords.
Example: "Compassionate Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) with 5+ years experience in long-term care and medical-surgical settings. Skilled in medication administration, wound care, IV therapy, and Epic EMR documentation. BLS and IV therapy certified."
2. Skills Section
Organize by category for ATS parsing.
Clinical Skills:
• Medication Administration, IV Therapy, Wound Care, Catheter Care
• Vital Signs Monitoring, Patient Assessment, Blood Draw, Specimen Collection
Technology:
• Epic EMR, Cerner, Meditech, eMAR, Electronic Charting
Certifications:
• LPN License (State), CPR/BLS, IV Therapy Certification, ACLS
3. Experience Bullets
Weave keywords into accomplishments with metrics.
Examples:
- "Administered oral and IM medications to 25+ patients per shift, maintaining zero medication errors and 100% documentation compliance."
- "Performed wound care and dressing changes for post-surgical and pressure ulcer patients, achieving 95% healing rate within standard timeframes."
- "Monitored vital signs, blood glucose levels, and oxygen saturation for high-acuity patients, escalating concerns to RN and physician as needed."
- "Documented patient care in Epic EMR, including assessments, interventions, and care plan updates, ensuring accurate handoff communication."
Entry-Level / New Graduate LPN Keywords
If you're a new LPN graduate with limited experience, emphasize:
| Source | Keywords to Highlight |
|---|---|
| Clinical Rotations | List specific units (Med-Surg, Pediatrics, Long-Term Care, Skilled Nursing) |
| Skills Practiced | Vital signs, medication administration, wound care, catheter care, charting |
| Certifications | NCLEX-PN (passed), BLS/CPR, IV therapy (if certified) |
| EMR Training | Any EMR systems used during clinical rotations |
| Preceptorship | Supervised patient care, nurse mentorship, clinical competency |
New Graduate LPN Summary Example: "Newly licensed LPN with clinical rotations in medical-surgical, geriatric, and pediatric settings. Proficient in vital signs monitoring, medication administration, wound care, and Epic EMR charting. BLS certified and eager to provide compassionate patient care."
FAQ
How many LPN keywords should I include?
Include 20-30 keywords that match the job description. Focus on clinical skills, certifications, and EMR systems mentioned in the posting.
Should I include state licensure information?
Yes! Include your state license number and status, e.g., "Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), California License #XXXXX, Active." Many ATS systems filter by licensure.
Do I need to list every EMR system I've used?
List the 2-3 you're most proficient in, plus any mentioned in the job description. If you've used Epic or Cerner, highlight those—they're industry standards.
Should I include BLS/CPR even if it's expired?
Only if you're actively renewing it. Instead, write "BLS Certification (renewal in progress)" if applicable. Never claim an expired cert.
How do I show specialty experience (e.g., geriatric, pediatric)?
Include specialty-specific keywords in your summary and experience bullets. For example: "Specialized in geriatric nursing for dementia and Alzheimer's patients."
Can I use the same LPN resume for all applications?
No. Tailor your keywords for each job based on the specific job description. ResumeAdapter helps you identify the right keywords for each role.
Related Articles
Internal Guides
- Complete Resume Keywords List Hub — Browse all role-specific keyword guides
- Registered Nurse (RN) Resume Keywords — RN keywords for advanced nursing roles
- Medical Assistant Resume Keywords — MA clinical and administrative keywords
- Nursing Resume Keywords — General nursing career keywords
- Healthcare Resume Keywords — Broader healthcare industry terms
- How to Pass ATS in 2026 — Complete ATS compatibility guide
External Resources
- Bureau of Labor Statistics - LPNs and LVNs — LPN job outlook and salary data
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) — LPN licensure information
- Randstad USA Top Jobs 2026 — LPN ranked #2 most in-demand job
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