A strong LPN reference letter tells a hiring manager what the nurse actually does: the skills, the judgment and the way patients and coworkers respond. Specific examples are what separate a letter that helps from one that gets skimmed.
Below are 6 free LPN reference and recommendation letters for different situations: an employer reference, a clinical instructor’s letter, a bridge program recommendation, a home health reference, a peer reference and a letter for a nurse returning to work. After them, use the free builder to write your own, then print it or copy it.
AdvertisementAll names, facilities and numbers are fictional. Replace every detail with true information, and leave out patient names and identifying details.
Not sure who should write it? Start with the person who has watched you work the most.
6 LPN Reference and Recommendation Letter Samples
Quick jump: Employer referenceClinical instructorBridge programHome healthPeer referenceReturning to work
Employer Reference for a Long-Term Care LPN
Juniper Hollow Care Center
1820 Maple Ridge Road
Dayton, OH 45402
October 30, 2026
Hiring Manager
Brookside Rehabilitation Center
Dear Hiring Manager,
Megan Parker, LPN, has asked me to serve as her reference, and I am glad to do so. She worked on our long-term care wing for three years, and I was her direct supervisor for all of them.
Megan manages medication passes for as many as 24 residents per shift, and she records each one carefully. She notices small changes, such as a resident eating less than usual, and reports them to the RN the same day. Families often tell us how steady and kind she is with their loved ones.
Megan is dependable and a pleasure to supervise. You can reach me at (937) 555-0142 for more detail.
Sincerely,
Angela Brooks, RN
Director of Nursing
Recommendation From a Clinical Instructor for a New Graduate
Alder Hollow Technical Institute
600 College Parkway
Spokane, WA 99201
October 30, 2026
Hiring Manager
Windmere Valley Medical Center
Dear Hiring Manager,
Your posting for a new-graduate LPN caught my attention, and I want to recommend David Miller. I taught David in the medical-surgical clinical rotation of our practical nursing program, and I watched him care for patients over 14 weeks.
David arrived prepared for every shift and asked good questions. He performed vital signs, dressing changes and oral medication administration under supervision with accuracy and calm. His preceptor on the floor noted that he spoke to patients respectfully and charted promptly, and he graduated with a 3.7 grade point average.
David has the habits of a safe, caring nurse. I recommend him confidently, and I welcome your call at (509) 555-0176.
Sincerely,
Rachel Simmons, RN, MSN
Clinical Instructor, Practical Nursing
Recommendation for an LPN-to-RN Bridge Program
Thistle Ridge Health Center
725 Ridge Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801
October 30, 2026
Admissions Committee
Blue Mountain Community College
Dear Admissions Committee,
I am pleased to support Karen Mitchell’s application to your LPN-to-RN bridge program. I have been her nurse manager for four years at our outpatient health center.
Karen already works beyond the usual LPN scope of tasks. She runs our daily patient flow, teaches newer aides how to take accurate vital signs and has helped two patients understand new diabetes medications by explaining them in plain language. Her charting is among the most complete on our team.
Karen is ready for greater responsibility, and I believe she will succeed in your program. Feel free to contact me at (828) 555-0119.
Sincerely,
Thomas Reid, RN
Nurse Manager
Reference for a Home Health LPN
Hollin Creek Physicians Group
140 Creekside Lane
Richmond, VA 23219
October 30, 2026
Hiring Manager
Tidewater Home Care Services
Dear Hiring Manager,
It is a pleasure to recommend James Carter, LPN, for a home health position. James made home visits for our group for two years while I coordinated the clinical schedule.
Working alone in a patient’s home takes judgment, and James has it. He completes wound care and medication checks, calls the supervising provider when something looks wrong and writes clear visit notes that are ready the same day. Patients and their families welcome him, and he arrives on time for nearly every visit, even in bad weather.
James is independent, careful and kind. I would gladly hire him again, and you may call me at (804) 555-0133.
Sincerely,
Monica Hayes, RN
Clinical Coordinator
Peer Reference From a Fellow Nurse
Quail Run Pediatric Clinic
510 Quail Run Road
Albuquerque, NM 87102
October 30, 2026
Hiring Manager
Sandia Children’s Health Center
Dear Hiring Manager,
This letter is a personal recommendation for Jessica Nelson, LPN, from a colleague who worked beside her at Quail Run Pediatric Clinic for two years. Although I am not her supervisor, I saw her work every day.
Jessica is the nurse other staff members ask to help when a child is frightened. She kneels to the child’s level, explains each step and keeps parents informed. She also covers for coworkers without being asked and keeps the supply room and her charting organized.
Jessica would be a welcome addition to any team. My number is (505) 555-0164 if you would like to talk.
Sincerely,
Carla Jenkins, RN
Staff Nurse
Reference for an LPN Returning to Work
Granite Shoals Hospital
900 Lakeline Boulevard
Kansas City, MO 64106
October 30, 2026
Hiring Manager
Prairie View Health System
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am happy to write on behalf of Brian Thompson, LPN, who is returning to nursing after a two-year break to care for a family member. Brian worked on our rehabilitation unit for five years before he left, and I was his assistant director of nursing.
During his time here, Brian missed only two scheduled shifts in five years and often picked up extra coverage. He works well with RNs, aides and therapists, and his handoff reports were always clear. He has since completed a 12-hour refresher course on medication safety and current charting practices.
Brian was dependable then, and I expect he will be again. Reach me at (816) 555-0128.
Sincerely,
Denise Walker, RN
Assistant Director of Nursing
Free LPN Reference Letter Builder
Step 1. Who is the LPN?
Step 2. How should the letter sound?
Step 3. Tap the lines you want to include. Three to five is plenty.
Step 4. Click any text in the letter and type to make it yours.
Replace every [bracket] with true details. Describe what you saw the nurse do, and leave out patient names and any details that could identify a patient.
Saltmarsh Landing Care Center
410 Harbor Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Eastmoor Medical Associates
2250 Fairfield Road
Columbus, OH 43215
Larkspur Valley Home Health
905 Mesa Avenue
Tucson, AZ 85701
October 30, 2026
[Hiring Manager Name]
[Organization]
[Address]
Dear [Hiring Manager Name],
I am writing to recommend [Name] for a licensed practical nurse position, having supervised [Name] at [facility] since [Name] joined us as a new graduate.
This letter is to recommend [Name], an LPN I supervised for [number] years at [facility], for the position you have open.
It is my pleasure to support [Name]’s application for [position]. As charge nurse on our unit, [Name] has shown leadership that goes well beyond the LPN role.
[Name] is the kind of nurse patients ask for by name, and our whole team is better for the work.
[Name] meets and often exceeds the clinical and professional standards of our unit.
Below are a few examples of [Name]’s work that I observed directly.
[Name] performs [skills such as wound care, catheter care or medication administration] accurately and with sound judgment.
Patients respond well to [Name]’s patience and calm manner, including [example].
[Name] follows medication-safety procedures carefully, including [example such as double-checks or prompt reporting].
[Name]’s documentation is accurate and timely, and it supports smooth handoffs between shifts.
[Name] works well with RNs, aides and therapists, including [example of teamwork].
[Name]’s attendance and punctuality are dependable, and [example].
[Name] communicates clearly with families, including [example].
[Name] learns quickly and has completed [training or certification].
[Name] has mentored [number] new aides or nurses on [skill].
[Name] has served as [charge nurse or team lead] on [unit or shift].
I recommend [Name] without reservation.
I am glad to answer questions at [phone number] or [email].
Thank you for considering [Name]’s application.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
To save your letter: press Ctrl+P (Windows) or Cmd+P (Mac) and choose Save as PDF. Only the letter prints. To copy it, select the text inside the letter and press Ctrl+C or Cmd+C.
Why These Letters Work
| What works | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| A clear reason up front | The hiring manager knows right away why you are writing |
| How you know the nurse | Shows your view is firsthand |
| Specific clinical skills | Gives proof beyond general praise |
| Examples with results | Shows the nurse’s work made a difference |
| A clear recommendation | Tells the employer where you stand |
How to Write an LPN Reference Letter
| Part | What to write |
|---|---|
| Letterhead | Facility name, street, city, state and ZIP |
| Recipient | Hiring manager and organization, if known |
| Opening | The reason you are writing and how you know the nurse |
| Details | Clinical skills, patient care and one or two examples |
| Qualities | Teamwork, reliability, communication and growth |
| Closing | A clear recommendation and how to reach you |
- Open with the reason. Say you are recommending the nurse, how you know the nurse and for how long.
- Describe specific skills. Nursa advises giving specific examples of actions and their outcomes.
- Add one real example. A short story about a shift, a patient situation or a project is more convincing than a list of adjectives.
- Cover the person as well as the skills. Mention teamwork, reliability and communication.
- Tailor it to the job. Nursa recommends highlighting strengths that fit the role.
- Close with a clear recommendation. Offer a phone number or email, and keep the whole letter near 300 to 500 words.
Who Should Write the Letter
| Writer | Best for |
|---|---|
| Director of nursing or nurse manager | Overall performance and professionalism |
| Charge nurse or clinical supervisor | Day-to-day clinical skills and teamwork |
| Clinical instructor or preceptor | New graduates with little work history |
| Physician or provider | Clinical judgment and communication |
| Fellow nurse | A personal view of teamwork when no supervisor is available |
Vague vs Specific Praise
| Vague praise | Specific praise |
|---|---|
| She is a great nurse. | She completed a full medication pass for 24 residents with no errors in my audits. |
| He is good with patients. | He set up evening update calls for a family who could not reach the floor. |
| She is a team player. | She mentored five new aides during their first year. |
Protect Patient Privacy
A reference letter is about the nurse, not the patients. HHS explains that the HIPAA Privacy Rule protects individually identifiable health information, and that covered entities may not disclose it except as the rule permits or the individual authorizes in writing. Identifiers include names, addresses and birth dates. HHS also notes that employment records a covered entity holds as an employer are not part of protected health information.
The safe approach is to describe what the nurse did without naming or identifying any patient. Say a family or a resident, not a person’s name, room number or diagnosis details. This is general information, not legal advice, so follow your employer’s policy.
About the LPN Role
| LPN fact (BLS) | Detail |
|---|---|
| Typical entry education | A state-approved program, usually about one year |
| Licensing | Passing the NCLEX-PN exam, with requirements set by each state board |
| Job outlook | Employment is projected to grow about 3% over the decade |
| Median pay | About $64,400 a year |
| Employment | Roughly 666,900 LPN and LVN jobs |
| Openings | About 51,800 openings projected each year, on average |
These figures come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and may be updated, so check the source for current numbers.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Being vague. Name the skills and give an example.
- Including patient details. Leave out names and anything that could identify someone.
- Overstating. Write only what you saw and can stand behind.
- Using one letter for everyone. Personalize each one.
- Leaving out contact details. Employers may want to call.
- Skipping proofreading. Check names, dates and titles.
Letter Checklist
Tick each item as you finish. Your letter is ready when the counter reaches 10.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should an LPN reference letter include?
Say how you know the nurse and for how long, describe specific clinical skills and behaviors you saw, give an example with a result, and end with a clear recommendation and a way to reach you. Nursa’s guidance on nursing recommendation letters advises giving specific examples of actions and their outcomes.
How long should an LPN reference letter be?
Nursa suggests about 300 to 500 words, which fits comfortably on one page. Three short paragraphs are usually enough.
Who should write an LPN reference letter?
The best writer is someone who supervised the nurse directly and saw the work, such as a director of nursing, nurse manager, charge nurse or clinical supervisor. A physician or an instructor can write one when they have worked with the nurse closely.
What is the difference between a reference letter and a recommendation letter?
The two terms are often used interchangeably. A reference letter confirms who the nurse is and what you observed. A recommendation letter adds a clear endorsement for a specific job. The samples above work for either.
Can I mention patients in the letter?
Leave out patient names and any details that could identify a patient. HHS explains that the HIPAA Privacy Rule protects individually identifiable health information held by covered entities, and identifiers include names, addresses and birth dates. Describe what the nurse did, not who the patient was. This is general information, not legal advice, so check your employer’s policy.
Should I include licensure information?
Mention that the nurse is a licensed practical nurse, and say where the nurse practiced. The employer will verify the license with the state board, so do not state license numbers unless the nurse asks you to.
What if I supervised the nurse only briefly?
Say so honestly, and describe only what you saw. A short, truthful letter with one or two real examples is stronger than a long letter with vague praise.
Can a new LPN graduate get a reference letter?
Yes. A clinical instructor, preceptor or the supervisor from a practicum can describe skills, reliability and attitude. Nursa’s guidance advises tailoring the letter to the role and highlighting specific strengths.
Should I send the letter directly to the employer?
Follow the employer’s instructions. Some ask for letters to be sent to them directly, while others accept a copy from the nurse. If you are unsure, ask the nurse or the hiring manager.
Can I use the same letter for several nurses?
Use the same structure, but change the skills, examples and results for each person. Nursa advises against vague praise, and a generic letter reads as vague.
Conclusion
A good LPN reference letter is honest, specific and respectful of patient privacy. Use the samples and builder above to write yours, then see our staff nurse recommendation letter samples and CNA reference letter samples.
Related Reading
- Staff nurse recommendation and reference letter sample
- CNA reference and recommendation letter
- Health care reference letter sample
- More LPN resources
- More reference letter samples
- All LPN pages
Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses; Nursa, Nursing Recommendation Letter; HHS, HIPAA Privacy Rule summary. Sample letters are fictional. This page offers general information, not legal advice.