Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Resume Examples [20 Tips]

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Resume Examples [20 Tips] A certified nursing assistant (CNA) is responsible for assisting patients with healthcare needs. CNAs are usually supervised by Registered Nurses (RNs) or a Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs). Your CNA resume must demonstrate your skills and qualifications to do the job, as well as your ability to effectively cooperate and communicate in a team.And you know what?Youre about to learn how to write the best CNA resume out there.And it doesnt matter if you want to write a CNA resume with no experience or youre a seasoned pro with bags of experience.This guide will show you:A CNA resume sample better than 9 out of 10 other resumes.How to write a CNA resume that will land you more interviews.Tips and examples on how to show off your CNA resume skills.How to prepare a CNA job description for a resume to get any job you want.Want to save time and have your resume ready in 5 minutes? Try our resume builder. Its fast and easy to use. Plus, youll get ready-made content to add with one click. See 20+ resume templates and create your resume here.Sample CNA ResumeSee more templates and create your resume here.One of our users, Nikos, had this to say:[I used] a nice template I found on Zety. My resume is now one page long, not three. With the same stuff.Create your resume nowLooking for more resume writing advice? Explore our guides for all sorts of nursing-related positions:Nursing ResumeCaregiver ResumeMedical Assistant ResumeNursing Student ResumePhlebotomy ResumeMed-Surg Nurse ResumeCharge Nurse ResumePediatric Nurse ResumeOR Nurse ResumeLabor and Delivery Nurse ResumeNurse Practitioner ResumeLPN ResumeICU Nurse ResumeRegistered Nurse (RN) ResumeDoctor ResumeNurse Manager ResumeProfessional Resume Examples1Choose the Best CNA Resume TemplateHeres the thingThe BLS stats show the overall employment of CNAs is projected to grow faster than the national average for all occupations.It means two things:More CNA job opportunities for you. And more competition.The good news?Your CN A resume will knock out all the others.First off, see to it that your resume for a CNA position follows the reverse-chronological resume format.Why this format, rather than a functional resume or combination resume?Most recruiters are familiar with the chronological resume layout, so its very easy for them to scan.And thats a huge plus because on average a recruiter spends only about 6 seconds scanning a resume.More than that, a chronological resume draws the recruiters attention to your achievements and experience. And thats exactly what you want to show off.As youre formatting your resume remember to:Use resume-friendly fonts.Write reader-friendly headings.Make good use of white space.Save your resume as a PDF file.Not so sure about how to choose the best CNA resume template? Our guide on choosing the best resume format will help you make up your mind.2Write a Riveting CNA Resume Objective or SummaryHeres how it works:A recruiter will scan your resume from top to bottom.Theyll gla nce over your resume contact information and spend a bit more time looking at your resume profile.Whats that?A resume profile is a term referring to either your resume summary or CNA resume objective.Heres how the two differ:A resume summary is a quick rundown of your relevant professional experience. Its a good choice for candidates who have been at least two years in the workforce.A resume objective is an introductory paragraph that focuses on your transferable skills to convince the recruiter youre a great fit. Its great for the candidates writing their first resume with no experience.Take a look at the sample CNA resume objective and summary below.CNA Resume ObjectiveExamplerightA dedicated newly-licensed CNA 2019 graduate (GPA 3.9) seeking to use nursing care and advocacy skills in an assisted living setting at Sunsetters Retirement Home. Previous internship experience in providing basic care for 5+ elderly patients. CPR certified.wrongA fresh grad looking for the first job as a certified nursing assistant.Take another look at the good example of an entry-level CNA resume objective.Even though it may come from a CNA resume with no experience, the candidate looks super-qualified for the nursing assistant job.The candidate mentions their:GPASkillsInternshipCertificationsPlus, they refer to the company by name and offer numbers that quantify the candidates skills.And all of this in just a couple of sentences.In contrastThe bad example of the certified nursing assistant resume objective is devoid of all these.CNA Resume SummaryExamplerightA reliable bi-lingual CNA of 10 years in diverse healthcare settings for the elderly. Eager to leverage management experience and take patient advocacy and care to the next level at HG Home for Seniors. In previous roles, directed a team of 5+ CNAs and devised a system that reduced incorrect medication administration by 99.9%. CPR and BLS certified.wrongCNA with 10 years of professional experience looking for a nursing assis tant job at your facility for seniors.Just like a good certified nursing assistant resume objective, a good summary for a CNA resume should:Describe your experienceMention your skillsRefer to the company by nameShow your accomplishmentsInclude numbers that show your impactPro Tip: Write your resume profile at the very end, once your entire resume is ready. This way it will be much easier for you to pick out your career highlights.The top part of your resume is one of the first places the recruiter will look at. So make sure your professional resume header encourages them to read on.3Write The Best CNA Job Description for a ResumeRemember what we mentioned about job opportunities for CNAs?Theyre growing.ButSo is the competition.And, do you know wholl end up getting the best jobs?The best qualified CNAs.Theres a problem, though.Sometimes the best-qualified candidates dont get jobs. Why?Because they dont customize their CNA experience on a resume to the job offer.Fret notHeres how to g et your CNA resume job description right:Always tailor your resume to a specific job offer. Dont send a generic resume.Use the resume keywords you see in the job ad to pass the initial ATS scan and impress the recruiter.Focus on giving the most prominence to achievements on your resume, not your CNA responsibilities.Remember your achievements consist of your CNA duties backed up with numbers.This is what your resume job description could look like:CNA Job Description for a ResumerightMay 2010June 2016Mercy Hospital, Watertown, New YorkCertified Nursing AssistantDelegated CNA staff to understand infectious disorders and methodologies for infection control.Educated patients and their families on the nature of their physiological disorders.Ensured the observation of Privacy/HIPAA regulations by non-medical personnel.Inspired empathetic care and compassion among staff and patients.Directed a team of 5+ CNAs in the absence of the Nurse Manager without incident.Introduced a scheduling sys tem that improved patient comfort and medicine distribution.Key achievement:Implemented initiatives to reduce incorrect possible medication administration by 99.9%wrongWRONGMercy Hospital, Watertown, New YorkResponsible for communication with staff and patients.Keeping patient information private.Responsible for managing resources.Responsible for system supervision.NowTo make your resume experience section really stand out from the crowd, highlight your key accomplishments in a separate subsection.If you dont know what achievements are good for your resume, heres a couple of ideas:CNA Job DescriptionResume ExampleCollaborated with patients while using a transfer/gait belt.Delegated perineal care duties to other CNAs in the care facility.Advocated a high level of care and comfort for each patient.Consulted patients while dressing weak arms and legs.Fielded and recorded patient information with accuracy.Maintained positive relations and compassion with patients.Remember:To make your r esume for a hospital look impressive, put numbers next to your achievements to show the hiring manager your true impact.AndTake a look at our collection of job description bullet points samples to get inspired.Not sure how to go about preparing your job description on a CNA resume with no experience? Weve got a guide just for you: First Resume with No Work ExperienceWhen making a resume in our builder, drag drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check. Start building your resume here.Create my resume nowWhen youre done, Zetys resume builder will score your resume and tell you exactly how to make it better.4Show Off Your CNA Resume SkillsHeres a question:What skills to put on a resume for a CNA?The answer isRelevant.But how to identify the best skills for your resume?Easy.Theyre listed in the job offer.What you just need to do is identify which CNA skills for a resume you have.Heres how to do this:Prepare a master list with all your CNA skills for a resume.Note down your soft skills vs hard skills, as well as your technical skills.Go back to the job offer and note down all the CNA skills required by the employer.Now, see which skills your master list and the list based on the job ad have in common.Got them? These are the best CNA skills for your resume.Put up to 10 of your strongest skills in a separate Key Skills CNA resume section.Place your top skills strategically in the other CNA resume sections as well. For example, in your resume profile or resume experience section.If you find it challenging to come up with your master list, use our list of hard skills or soft skills for a CNA resume as a source of inspiration:CNA Resume SkillsProper handwashingAmbulating residents using a transfer/gait beltAssisting residents needing to use a bedpan/toiletingChanging bed linen while residents remain in bedChanging residents position to a supported side-lying positionDressing residents with weak limbsExcellent patient care skillsHelpin g patients with activities of daily livingMeasuring and recording a patient's blood pressureMeasuring and recording a residents radial pulseMeasuring and recording a residents respirationsProviding catheter care to the nursing home residentsProviding first aid to residentsProviding foot care to residents in a chairProviding mouth care to residentsProviding perineal care to female residentsProviding residents hand and nail careProviding residents a partial bed bath and back rubProviding residents with passive range of motion (ROM) exercisesGreeting the patientConsidering the level of comfort for each patientObservation skills for marking the patient's mental and physical healthPrioritizing workTime managementStrong verbal and concise written communication skillsEmpathetic and compassionate careAbiding by predetermined protocolsReassuring residents and familiesDirecting group activitiesInstructing family members about careMentoring new staffOrienting residents to the daily routineBasi c administrative record keepingDirect care servicesElectronic documentationFollowing care plansKeeping medical recordsKnowledge of medical terminologyKnowledge of healthcare industryMeasuring and recording vital signsPatient safety regulationsUtilizing adaptive equipment and safety devices properlyOn a side noteEven if you arent a certified nursing assistant, many of the above skills will be relevant skills to other roles in Medicine and Healthcare.Here are a few examples:Orderly: A hospital attendant charged with non-medical patient care.Psychiatric Aide: Like a CNA, except this position works with mental health patients.Medical Assistant: A worker without certification who helps doctors and nurses with routine tasks.Want to make sure your CNA resume is all spick and span? Learn a couple of resume tips and tricks. And don't forget about our comprehensive list of nursing skills.5Attend to Your CNA Resume Education SectionHeres the thing:Without a proper educational background, you w ould be no nursing assistant. Let alone certified.Thats why your certified nursing assistant resume must give the education section the right treatment.First things firstYour resume for a CNA position should show where you became certified.Every state has a Nurse Aide Registry. This registry establishes nurse aide training and competency.So, indicate the state where you earned your certification. Recruiters will appreciate this.Since every CNA program varies, consider including the number of hours in your training program and relevant coursework on your resume for CNA positions (if applicable).This is how you can list your CNA certification on a resume:Education on a CNA ResumeSampleSheriden Woods Health Center Nurse Assistant ProgramBristol, Connecticut, May 2007Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) 2007Completed 124 hours of Classroom and Clinical TrainingIf youre making a nursing assistant resume whos yet to be certified, just add information to this effect. It could read certificati on in process for example.If you graduated high school more than five years ago, you can skip listing your high school entirely.Otherwise, keep it short:Nursing Assistant ResumeExample EducationMiddletown High School, Bristol, CTGraduated in 2017If you hold any relevant certifications, list them in a separate section of your CNA resume.CNA Resume ExampleCertificationsCPR CertifiedBLS CertifiedSTNA CertifiedPro Tip: If the certifications you list on your resume have an expiration date, say until when theyre valid.FinallyIf youve completed any on-the-job courses related to your field of expertise, add them like this:CNA ResumeExample Courses2013OSHA BloodBorne Pathogen TrainingConnecticut Senior Living FacilityCompleted 30 hours TrainingHaving second thoughts on how to make the most of the education section on your CNA resume? Read our guide on how to put education on a resume6Consider Adding Extra Sections to Your CNA ResumeAdding extra sections to your CNA resume could be riskyUnles s you know how to handle it right.As with any other section on your certified nursing assistant resume, relevance is the name of the game.SoUse the extra space on your CNA resume to show youve got some unique skills and convince the recruiter youre their kind.Your CNA resume could benefit from such sections as:Achievements and awards on a resumeResume hobbies and interestsVolunteeringResume language skillsNot sure you got everything right on your CNA resume? Take a look at our guide with resume dos and donts to be 100% sure.7Write the Best CNA Resume Cover LetterShow off your impeccable communication skills, and write a cover letter for your CNA resume.If youre wondering:Do I really need a cover letter?Just know that 50% of the recruiters expect candidates to submit their cover letters. And 50% of the candidates are lazy enough not to write a cover letter.The conclusion is simpleYou can easily cater to the needs of half of the recruiters, and beat half of the candidates by just writ ing a CNA cover letter.The question isHow to write a cover letter?Its not that difficult. Your certified nursing assistant resume cover letter must be:easy to readon pointrelevantWell-organized.Easier said than done? Maybe.ButWe have a series of dedicated articles that will guide you by the hand from start to finish:Choose the right cover letter format for your needs.Make sure you start your cover letter in a captivating manner.Tel the recruiter what you can offer the company, not what you want.Finish your cover letter with a statement that will call the recruiter to action.And one more thing:Your CNA resume cover letter is a letter. Not a novel.So make sure your cover letter length is just right.Pro Tip: Make the best impression on the recruiter and learn how to follow up on your job application like a pro.Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here.Here's what it may look li ke:See more cover letter templates and start writing.Key TakeawayHeres how to make the best CNA resume:Lay out your resume in the reverse-chronological order.Open your resume with a resume objective or summary.Tailor your certified nursing assistant resume to the job offer.Use action words to highlight achievements on your resume.Focus on presenting your strongest CNA resume skills.Dont forget to include information on your certifications or licensures.Consider adding some extra sections to your resume.Write a CNA resume cover letter to boost your chances of landing a job interview.Do you have any other questions on how to make a CNA resume? Or maybe youre already a registered nurse whod like to share some advice? Wed love to hear from you! Give us a shout out in the comments below.