Hard skills include essential technical competencies such as patient monitoring, basic medical procedures, and proper documentation practices that ensure high-quality care.
CNA Resume Examples & Templates
Looking to advance your career? Our CNA resume examples showcase how to emphasize vital skills like patient assistance, communication, and teamwork that will help you stand out to employers.
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Popular CNA Resume Examples
Check out our top CNA resume examples that emphasize important skills such as patient assistance, effective communication, and attention to detail. These examples will guide you in showcasing your qualifications effectively.
Ready to build a standout resume? Our Resume Builder offers user-friendly templates specifically designed for healthcare roles, making the process simple and efficient.
Recommended
Entry-level CNA resume
What this resume does well:
This entry-level resume for a CNA effectively highlights the applicant's hands-on experience in patient care, showcasing achievements such as a 15% reduction in infection rates and a 30% improvement in patient mobility. New professionals must convey their clinical competencies and commitment to patient care, demonstrating how their educational background and practical experiences translate into valuable skills for potential employers.
Mid-career CNA resume
What this resume does well:
This resume skillfully showcases qualifications that demonstrate the applicant's readiness for more responsibilities. By highlighting achievements and leadership experiences, it reflects a strong career progression and a commitment to improving patient care standards.
Experienced CNA resume
What this resume does well:
This work experience section demonstrates the applicant's extensive experience as a certified nursing assistant, highlighting their role in assisting multiple patients and improving data accuracy by 30%. The clear bullet-point format improves readability, making it easy for hiring managers to identify key achievements quickly.
Resume Template—Easy to Copy & Paste
Olivia Martinez
Buffalo, NY 14201
(555)555-5555
Olivia.Martinez@example.com
Professional Summary
Dedicated CNA with 4 years of patient care experience. Proven proficiency in improving care efficiency by 30%. Expert in multitasking in fast-paced environments.
Work History
CNA
Harmony Health Center - Buffalo, NY
June 2024 - December 2025
- Improved patient care efficiency by 30%.
- Documented vital signs of 25+ patients daily.
- Supported nursing staff improving team workflow.
Patient Care Technician
Riverside Medical Group - Albany, NY
January 2022 - May 2024
- Led a 15% increase in patient satisfaction.
- Managed inventory, reducing supply costs by 20%.
- Trained 10+ new technicians on safety protocols.
Medical Assistant
Greenfield Hospital - New York, NY
January 2021 - December 2021
- Scheduled appointments for 50+ weekly patients.
- Increased record accuracy by 25%.
- Enhanced patient compliance with treatment plans.
Skills
- Patient Care
- Vital Signs Monitoring
- Clinical Documentation
- Team Collaboration
- Inventory Management
- Patient Scheduling
- Record Accuracy Improvement
- Safety Protocols Training
Certifications
- Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) - Illinois Board of Nursing
- Basic Life Support (BLS) - American Heart Association
Education
Master's Nursing
Springfield University Springfield, Illinois
May 2020
Bachelor's Biology
Illinois State University Normal, Illinois
May 2018
Languages
- Spanish - Beginner (A1)
- French - Intermediate (B1)
- Mandarin - Beginner (A1)
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How to Write a CNA Resume Summary
Your resume summary is the first section hiring managers will see, making it important to create a lasting impression. This brief introduction should effectively showcase your qualifications and demonstrate how you exceed the job requirements.
As a Certified Nursing Assistant, you should emphasize your compassion, patient care skills, and ability to support healthcare teams. Highlighting these attributes will ensure employers recognize your value in providing essential patient support.
To illustrate what makes an strong resume summary, consider the following examples. They will clarify effective strategies and common pitfalls:
Weak resume summary
I am a dedicated certified nursing assistant with years of experience in various healthcare settings. I want to find a job where I can help patients and grow my career. A supportive environment with good benefits and training opportunities would be great for me. I believe I can make a positive impact if hired.
Why this summary misses the mark:
- Lacks specific details about the job seeker’s skills, making it hard to assess their qualifications
- Overuses personal language, which detracts from professionalism and clarity
- Emphasizes what the job seeker seeks rather than highlighting how they can contribute to the employer
Strong resume summary
Compassionate Certified Nursing Assistant with over 3 years of experience in providing high-quality patient care in long-term care facilities. Successfully improved patient satisfaction scores by 20% through effective communication and personalized care plans. Proficient in vital sign monitoring, assisting with daily living activities, and maintaining a safe and clean environment for patients.
Why this summary works:
- Starts with specific years of experience and highlights the area of expertise
- Includes quantifiable achievement that shows direct impact on patient satisfaction
- Mentions relevant skills that are critical to the CNA role, improving employability
PRO TIP
If you’re new to the workforce, consider crafting a career objective instead of a traditional summary. This approach highlights your goals and enthusiasm. Explore resume objective examples tailored for certified nursing assistants to guide you in showcasing your potential.
Showcasing Your Work Experience
The work experience section is important for your resume as a CNA, and it will contain the bulk of your content. Good resume templates always prioritize this section to highlight your relevant experience.
This area should be organized in reverse-chronological order, detailing each position you've held. Use bullet points to succinctly describe your key achievements and responsibilities in each role.
Now, let’s look at a couple of examples that illustrate effective entries in this section for cnas. These examples will help you understand what stands out and what should be avoided:
Weak work experience
Certified Nursing Assistant
HealthCare Services Inc. – Los Angeles, CA
- Assisted patients with daily living activities.
- Maintained cleanliness in the patient areas.
- Recorded patient information and vital signs.
- Communicated with nursing staff about patient needs.
Why this work experience section misses the mark:
- Lacks specific employment dates to establish timeline
- Bullet points are overly general without showcasing unique skills or achievements
- Emphasizes routine tasks rather than effective contributions or measurable outcomes
Strong work experience
Certified Nursing Assistant
Sunnydale Care Center – Orlando, FL
March 2020 - Current
- Assist patients with daily living activities, improving their comfort and overall well-being.
- Monitor vital signs and report changes to nursing staff, contributing to timely interventions that improve patient outcomes.
- Train new CNAs in best practices for patient care and safety protocols, fostering a supportive team environment.
Why this work experience section works:
- Starts each bullet point with effective action verbs that highlight the job seeker’s contributions
- Incorporates specific achievements that quantify the impact of the job seeker’s work
- Demonstrates essential skills relevant to the CNA role through concrete examples
While your resume summary and work experience are important elements, don’t overlook the importance of other sections. Each part plays a role in showcasing your skills and qualifications. For more detailed insights, take a look at our comprehensive guide on how to write a resume.
Top Skills to Include on Your Resume
A skills section is important for any strong resume as it allows you to showcase your qualifications at a glance. This helps employers quickly identify if you have the necessary competencies for the position.
Include a mix of hard and soft skills to improve your resume.
Soft skills encompass important interpersonal abilities like patience, active listening, and teamwork that foster trust and collaboration in delivering compassionate patient support.
Selecting the right resume skills is important for aligning with employer expectations and effectively navigating automated screening systems. Many companies use software to filter out applicants lacking essential skills, making it important to highlight what they seek.
To improve your chances, thoroughly review job postings for insights on which skills recruiters value most and ATS systems prioritize. This approach ensures your resume stands out and meets the criteria that hiring managers are focusing on.
PRO TIP
Make sure your resume stands out to hiring managers by using our ATS Resume Checker. It can catch over 30 common mistakes and boost your chances of getting noticed by applicant tracking systems.
10 skills that appear on successful cna resumes
Highlighting key skills on your resume can significantly attract recruiters looking for certified nursing assistants. You can see these essential skills reflected in our resume examples, allowing you to approach job applications with assurance.
By the way, consider incorporating relevant skills from the following list that align with your experiences and job specifications:
Compassion and empathy
79%
Patient care
79%
Vital signs monitoring
68%
Dressing assistance
53%
Maintaining confidentiality
44%
Bathing assistance
38%
Hipaa compliance
35%
Complex problem-solving
35%
Team collaboration
33%
End-of-life care
24%
Based on analysis of 5,000+ nursing professional resumes from 2023-2024
Resume Format Examples
Choosing the right resume format is important as it highlights your caregiving skills, relevant experience, and professional growth in the competitive CNA field.
Entry-Level 0 - 2 years
Functional
Focuses on skills rather than previous jobs
Best for:
Best for recent graduates and career changers with little experience in healthcare.
Mid-Career 3 - 7 years
Combination
Balances skills and work history equally
Best for:
Mid-career professionals looking to highlight skills and pursue growth opportunities.
Experienced 8+ years
Chronological
Emphasizes work history in reverse order
Best for:
Experienced caregivers excelling in patient management and mentorship.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I include a cover letter with my cna resume?
Absolutely, including a cover letter is a great way to differentiate yourself from other applicants. It allows you to elaborate on your skills and motivations for applying. If you’re looking for assistance, consider using our guide on how to write a cover letter or try the Cover Letter Generator to help create one quickly and easily.
Can I use a resume if I’m applying internationally, or do I need a CV?
When applying for jobs outside the U.S., use a CV instead of a resume. A CV provides a detailed overview of your professional background and is often required in many countries. To assist with this, explore our CV examples to ensure you create an effective document. Additionally, learn how to write a CV to further improve your application process.
What soft skills are important for cnas?
Soft skills like patience, empathy, and effective communication are essential for cnas. These interpersonal skills foster trust with patients and improve collaboration with healthcare teams, ensuring that care is delivered compassionately and efficiently.
I’m transitioning from another field. How should I highlight my experience?
Highlight transferable skills like communication, empathy, and organization from prior roles. These demonstrate you're ready to excel in patient care even without extensive clinical experience. Use concrete examples to show how your past achievements align with Certified Nursing Assistant duties and responsibilities.
How should I format a cover letter for a cna job?
When you format a cover letter, begin with your contact information, followed by a professional greeting. Introduce yourself in an engaging manner, highlight relevant CNA skills and experiences, and customize the content for the specific job. Conclude with a confident call to action.
Should I use a cover letter template?
Yes, using a cover letter template tailored for CNAs can improve your application by providing a clear structure that highlights essential skills such as patient care, communication, and teamwork. This organization allows you to effectively showcase relevant experiences and certifications to capture the attention of hiring managers.
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