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Table of contents

CNA resume examples
More CNA resume examples
Choose a format for your CNA resume
How to write a CNA resume in 5 simple steps
Add a cover letter
Key takeaways for your CNA resume
Frequently asked questions from job seekers

Nobody understands the difficult but vital work of a certified nursing assistant better than — well — a CNA! And while it may be a challenging job, showing off your CNA skills on a resume might seem worse than trying to complete your documentation before it’s time to hand off your shift while three patients are calling for you. But, with the right tools at your disposal, crafting the perfect resume is easier than you think!

With the help of this guide, you’ll see that making a resume that works for you is as doable as taking your patients’ vitals. Read on for more information about:

This guide will show you:

CNA resume samples for applicants of different experience levels.
Tips for writing the best CNA resume in 2024.
What to include in a CNA resume.
How to choose a resume template and format that shows off your achievements.

If you’re ready to make your resume, take a look at our AI Resume Builder. This tool lets you choose a design and provides advice and auto-generated text suggestions for every section.

Next, let’s review a couple of resume examples for job seekers at different stages in their CNA careers.

CNA resume examples

Entry-level CNA resume example

Entry level resume example certified nursing assistant

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What makes this a great CNA resume sample

Focuses on skills.
This CNA resume example features two skills sections which play to the applicant’s strengths and downplay lack of experience.
Highlights certifications.
This applicant has chosen to list two relevant certifications which demonstrate their nursing expertise.
Incorporates relevant experience and achievements.
The professional skills section of this resume uses numerical data to give a concrete sense of ability and achievement to the candidate’s CNA skills.

Experienced CNA resume example

Experiened resume example senior certified nursing assistant

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What makes this a great CNA resume sample

Utilizes a chronological resume format.
Because this applicant is experienced, they have opted for a chronological format which gives extra attention to their work history.
Begins with a compelling professional summary.
This applicant has opted for a professional summary, in which they have highlighted some of their achievements and soft skills.
Uses action words.
The work experience section of this resume is chock-full of action words which convey the impact of the applicant’s career.

More CNA resume examples

Looking for a different title? Check out our other nursing resume examples for more inspiration.

Browse other popular samples

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Choose a format for your CNA resume

Landing a job begins with communication. Introducing yourself to the right people and making a good impression is key. That’s what a resume is for. Make sure your resume stands out by selecting an appropriate resume format that is easy to read, uses appropriate resume fonts and communicates your qualifications as a CNA.

A chronological resume format is perfect for experienced CNAs. This format places work history front and center.
A functional resume format is a great choice for the beginner CNA resume. Applicants with less experience should use this format to emphasize their skills instead.
A combination resume format is a strong compromise for midcareer applicants. Combination resumes give equal weight to work experience and skills.

Visit our guide to learn how to format a resume to strengthen your chances of landing the perfect role.

Select an appropriate CNA resume template

Create your resume

The anatomy of a resume is pretty much the same for every job-seeker. Despite having the same basic sections, there are plenty of opportunities to express some individuality within your CNA resume. To start, make sure you choose the right resume template. For CNA resumes, a template should be organized and simple.

Try using a CNA resume template from our library of creative, modern or simple resume templates. Any one of these CNA resume templates are designed to be easy to read and organized so that your qualifications are the star of the show.

How to write a CNA resume in 5 simple steps

Resumes may look mostly the same in every field, but do not let this deter you from customizing your resume. The best resume is one that is tailor-made to earn you the position that you want.

Step 1

Study the CNA job description

You already know what makes you an excellent certified nursing assistant. Now, you need to pay attention to what CNA job listings are looking for. Do the research to understand the specific role as much as you can. Search the job listing for details of what the hiring department is looking for. Include keywords from the job listing to show the hiring department exactly what they want to see — so long as you do have the skills or experience you’re including, of course.

Step 2

Write a professional summary or resume objective

Resumes begin with a resume profile which can be either a professional summary or a resume objective, depending on your experience. For less experienced candidates, go with a resume objective. A CNA resume objective focuses on your goals, skills, training and experience as a nurse. For more experienced CNAs, use a professional summary instead. A professional summary hones in on career experience and accomplishments.

Here are some strong examples for your CNA resume:

CNA professional summary example:

Highly dedicated and compassionate certified nursing assistant with 12 years of experience providing exceptional patient care in various health care settings, including hospitals, nursing homes and long-term care facilities. Proficient in assisting patients with activities of daily living, monitoring vital signs and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to deliver personalized care. Adept at fostering strong relationships with patients and their families, ensuring a comfortable and supportive environment. Demonstrated ability to adapt to diverse patient needs, prioritize tasks effectively and maintain accurate documentation. Committed to enhancing patients’ quality of life and contributing to the overall success of the health care team.

CNA resume objective example:

Motivated and compassionate certified nursing assistant with one year of experience seeking to leverage acquired skills to provide high-quality patient care. Eager to further develop professional expertise and contribute to the well-being of patients through up-to-date best practices in sanitization, hygiene and proper use of PPE. Committed to continuous learning and growth, striving to make a positive impact on patients’ lives and enhance their overall experience using excellent patient communication skills.

Step 3

Highlight your most relevant CNA skills

For seasoned CNAs and newcomers alike, the skills section of your resume is vital. Your CNA resume skills show your potential employer that you’re prepared for the full range of complex CNA duties. Your skills section should include both your hard skills as a trained nursing professional and your subtler soft skills.

Hard and soft skills both play a vital role in communicating your abilities. Hard skills are the concrete abilities that you’ve learned through your training and experience as a CNA. They’re the skills that can be taught and are often a nonnegotiable requirement for certain jobs. Soft skills are harder to define and measure. They are the personality traits, individual strengths and interpersonal strategies which make a person a good fit for a position. The following is a list of hard and soft skills for your CNA resume which will help you understand the differences between the two.

Hard and soft skills for a CNA resume

Hard Skills

Basic Life Support (BLS) or CPR certification
Knowledge of hygiene practices
Vital signs monitoring
Proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Administration of medications
Knowledge of medical terminology

Soft Skills

Compassion
Verbal communication
Resourcefulness
Time management
Attention to detail
Flexibility

Here is an example of a strong CNA skills section:

CPR certified and proficient in Basic Life Support protocols
Compassionate and patient communicator
Well-versed in standard hygiene practice and Personal Protective Equipment use
Flexible and attentive

Pro tip

Soft skills are difficult to teach. They may not look as concrete as hard skills do, but many employers give them just as much weight.

Step 4

Write a strong CNA work experience section

No matter the role, experience is the best way to show the hiring department that you know what you’re doing. Writing a work experience section means organizing your work history and communicating the core competencies, responsibilities and accomplishments that you’ve had in previous roles.

Here is an example of a great CNA work experience entry:

Certified Nursing Assistant, Saint Alice General Hospital
Montgomery, AL
June 2019 – Present

Administer patient care to over 3,000 patients per year.
Empower patients through informative and compassionate communication.
Promptly address emergency situations by assessing patients and administering Basic Life Support protocols when necessary.
Adapt to the changing needs of a fast-paced hospital environment.
Maintain hygiene practices to promote a sanitary hospital environment and limit the spread of infectious diseases among patients and staff.

Pro tip

Use action words instead of repetitive filler words. Action words give your CNA resume experience more authority and impact.

Step 5

Showcase your education and training on your CNA resume

A strong CNA resume must include your education and training. An associate or bachelor’s degree is helpful, but at the very least, a CNA will need to obtain their state’s required certification. This is usually done through the completion of an educational program and a competency exam. Use your education section to list the degrees you’ve earned as well as any further nursing training.

How to list your CNA education:

Education

Associate in Nursing (ASN)
Dallas Nursing Institute, Dallas, Texas

Certifications

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
American Red Cross CPR certified

Pro tip

Professional certifications demonstrate expertise and ability. Include any relevant certifications that you’ve earned to make your resume stand out.

Optional sections for your CNA resume

Awards and Certifications

Awards, accolades and other relevant professional achievements are another way that you can add interest to your CNA resume.

Awards and certifications highlight your nursing skills and your dedication and passion for your profession.

How to list awards on your CNA resume:

2016 Nursing Student Achievement Award – Finalist

2014 Academic Excellence Award – Recipient

Projects

Projects can also be a useful way to highlight skills and competence. This is more relevant to other professions, but there are a few ways that a projects section can work for CNAs. For example, if you’ve ever led new hire training for junior nursing assistants, or reorganized the way that regular sanitation is scheduled, these can be listed as projects.

How to list projects on your CNA resume:

Sanitation Practices:
Evaluated sanitation practices to look for opportunities to improve hospital hygiene. Oversaw the implementation of new organizational structures for janitorial and sanitation scheduling.
Leadership:
Mentored an incoming group of new hires; created an orientation curriculum and administered this curriculum to thirty junior nursing assistants.

Languages

Being multilingual is a great asset for any professional. If you speak multiple languages, include them on your CNA resume. Fluency in multiple languages demonstrates vital communication skills. This is especially useful to CNAs who may interact with a variety of patients who speak different languages.

How to list languages on your CNA resume:

Fluent in English and Spanish
Proficient in Portuguese and Tagalog

Interests and Hobbies

Hobbies and interests give extra character to a resume and allow you to express your personality, interests and passions. The things that interest you are a big part of what makes you a great worker and a great nursing assistant. As long as they are relevant and resume-appropriate, they should be included on your CNA resume. Where possible, try to highlight hobbies and interests that relate to the soft skills that suit CNA positions.

How to list interests and hobbies on your CNA resume:

Passion for pet care and animal husbandry
Enjoy soccer, softball and other team sports
Avid reader

Add a cover letter

Cover letter example certified nursing assistant

Create your cover letter

Once you’ve written the perfect resume, it’s time to elaborate on the finer details and show your personality on a cover letter. A strong resume is important, but without a persuasive cover letter, it may not be enough.

A CNA cover letter is your opportunity to tie together all of the qualifications on your resume in a way that explains to potential employers exactly why you are the right fit for the job.

Writing a cover letter is not as daunting as it may seem with a little help. Take a look at our cover letter examples to see what a good CNA letter includes and get inspiration for writing your own. With the perfect content and cover letter formatting, your personality, achievements and skills will shine through.

If writing a cover letter on your own seems too intimidating, worry not! Our professional Cover Letter Builder is here to help. This tool provides professionally written text suggestions for a competitive CNA letter. You can use the suggested text or modify it as needed to end up with a convincing document in no time!

Key takeaways for your CNA resume

Follow our steps for a standout resume

Pay attention to your strengths and do your best to build your resume around them.
Select the appropriate resume format

Decide on the best resume format for you based on your work history, experience, skills and achievements. Experienced applicants, for example, should choose a chronological format which highlights this experience.
Be specific to the role

Read the job description carefully and use it to inform the language of your resume. Incorporate keywords from the job listing when possible.
Include both hard and soft skills

A resume for a CNA should include a good mix of both hard and soft skills. CNA resume skills range from medical training and technical knowledge to subtler things like compassion, patience and enthusiasm.
Make your work experience section shine

Action words show the effects that you’ve had on your previous roles. Be active in your descriptions and avoid overused filler words. And, use numbers to quantify your work whenever possible.
Choose an appropriate resume template

A resume must be easy to read and well formatted. Take a look at our professional resume templates for examples. A CNA resume should use a template that is concise, professional and well-organized.
Go the extra mile

A powerful cover letter is the final piece of the puzzle. Don’t neglect this chance to communicate your talents in your own words directly to hiring departments.

Frequently asked questions from job seekers

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Hailey Brophy is an experienced writer with a diverse career in digital publication. She is passionate about using her unique skills and experiences to help job seekers find the information that they need to succeed.