Employment for licensed practical nurses (LPNs), referred to as licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) in California and Texas, is expected to grow over the next decade. LPNs play an important support role for registered nurses (RNs) and physicians, with a broader scope of practice than that of certified nursing assistants (CNAs). If you’re looking at new grad LPN jobs, you’ll find many opportunities in both acute care and post-acute care.
We understand that starting your career as an LPN may seem daunting at first. Credenza can help you get a better idea of where you want to focus your efforts, so you can find a role that best meets your preferences.
Choosing the Right Schedule and LPN Specialty
Indeed, one of the great things about the nursing profession is the wide variety of shifts, facility types, and specialties. As an LPN, you can choose from full-time, part-time, contract, temporary, per diem, and remote roles.
If you already have a focus in mind for your budding LPN career, you can also search for LPN new grad jobs by specialty, such as:
Applying for New Grad LPN Jobs: Resume and Cover Letter
Your cover letter and resume form a prospective employer’s first impression of you, so take your time with both as you prepare to apply to LPN new grad jobs. This might seem challenging, since your experience will be limited to your clinical rotations, which you absolutely should highlight on your new grad nursing resume. You’ll also want to list your non-clinical work experience — especially roles related to health and wellness — which can help illustrate your work ethic, ability to handle responsibilities, and familiarity working within a team environment.
As a new grad who has yet start work as an LPN, you might also consider including:
- Volunteer work. This always looks good on a resume and speaks to a candidate’s character and integrity.
- Awards and honors. Whether it’s scholarships, honor society memberships, or other accolades, mentioning these can help your resume rise to the top.
- Extra-curricular activities. Employers may favor candidates with diverse interests and aptitudes, which may suggest an ability to handle multiple tasks.
It’s also important to customize your resumes and cover letters for each position, making sure you match the requirements listed in the job ad. Hiring managers can tell whether you’re taking the time to apply for a specific role or simply sending out a generic resume and cover letter for a wide variety of roles. Also, be sure to highlight any nursing certifications you may have received, such as gerontology or hospice and palliative care, if you’re applying for a role in that particular area.
Interviewing for LPN New Grad Jobs
As a new grad, you might be a little nervous about going into your first interview. The best way to alleviate this fear is to prepare in advance by reviewing commonly asked LPN interview questions and thinking about how you might respond. Also, remember that this is your opportunity to ask questions, too, which will help you decide whether the job is right for you.
New Grad LPN Salary Range
Starting salaries for new LPNs are generally lower than the average in a given state, as one might expect. While the national average salary for LPNs (and LVNs) is $67,050 annually, or $32.24 per hour, you’ll find that your new grad base pay can vary quite a bit depending on the location, facility type, and employer.
Credenza Is Your Source for New Grad LPN Jobs
You’re credentialed and have outlines of your resume and cover letter ready. Now all you need are some good leads. Want more options? Review all the latest LPN jobs in your area of interest.
