Finding a certified nursing assistant (CNA) job can be challenging in this challenging job market, but these free CNA resume examples can help you make the most of your job application. Use this helpful writing guide to tailor your resume to specific job posts and compare good and poor examples to perfect your resume.
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Your CNA resume format is as important as how you write your resume . This sample resume demonstrates the best resume layout : 1-inch margins, bullet points and clear resume headings for each of the following sections.
With online job boards making it easier to mass-apply to multiple jobs, hiring managers can spend as little as six seconds on your resume. A resume summary sits at the top of your document to pitch the top three accomplishments within those six seconds.
With the correct information, a hiring manager might pause and spend more time on your resume. Follow these writing tips to make the most of this resume section and showcase your compassionate nature, patient care experience and relevant certifications.
Write no more than four sentences. Keep your descriptions short and focused on core details. Avoid anything that doesn’t directly address the job needs.
Scan the CNA job description for resume keywords like repeated responsibilities or mandatory qualifications. Also, look for requested skills or qualifications with special font treatment, such as underlined, bolded or highlighted phrases.
Identify similar experience to the resume keywords you found and feature them prominently in your resume.
Compassionate and dedicated CNA with over five years of experience providing exceptional patient care in hospital and long-term care settings. Proficient in assisting with daily living activities, monitoring vital signs and maintaining patient records. Certified in CPR and First Aid, strongly committed to enhancing patient comfort and well-being.
How this example of a CNA resume works:
This CNA job seeker wisely mentions nursing-relevant information, such as assisting with daily living activities, monitoring vital signs and working in hospital and long-term care facilities.
They briefly mention valuable certifications like CPR and First Aid and empathetic skills like commitment to patient comfort.
I am a CNA with some experience in healthcare. I have worked with patients before and can do tasks like taking vital signs and helping with daily activities. I am looking for a job where I can use my skills and grow in my career.
How this example of a CNA resume fails:
This vague summary briefly mentions their healthcare and patient experience but fails to share how many years of experience they have. This lack of information forces a hiring manager to scroll down and mentally calculate this information.
The phrase “some experience” also conveys a lack of confidence. You can improve this section by using resume power words and adding specific skills.
If you write a chronological resume or combination resume , your work history will feature the bulk of your qualifications. This detailed section highlights your steady employment history, accomplishments, notable patient care and specialized tasks related to care specialties.
Add this information to retain a hiring manager’s interest successfully:
Start with your most recent job and work backward. Add your job title, employer, location, dates of employment and a breakdown of your notable responsibilities.
Focus on notable duties like CNA charting , vital sign monitoring, patient care and maintaining hygienic recovery spaces.
Add patient commendations, accomplishments or recognitions received in your role.
Write your CNA job description for resume s using an easy-to-skim layout, such as numbered or bulleted lists.
Green Valley Nursing Home
Springfield, IL | June 2021 – present
How this CNA resume example works:
This job seeker narrows in on DNA-related tasks, patient care and patient advocacy by highlighting their focus on personalized care plans, generalized nursing and practical staff training to ensure consistent and excellent patient care.
Adding multiple Employee of the Month awards proves management recognized their contributions.
Green Valley Nursing Home
Springfield, IL | June 2021 – present
How this CNA resume example fails:
Although this CNA shares their experience with medication distribution and patient engagement, they don’t share any relevant information a hiring manager can use to compare their experience to the job’s needs.
Is this candidate familiar with paper or electronic CNA charting? Are they familiar with everyday multi-medication interactions? What first aid or medical triage experience do they hold? Answering these questions can improve this example.
Your education section will highlight the relevant schooling, certifications, and specialized training you have completed to care for patients successfully. Consider adding the following relevant CNA qualifications.
Start with your most recent or highest level of education and work backward.
For each entry, list the institution’s name, location, degree or certification earned, and dates attended or completed.
If applicable, mention specific courses or training programs relevant to the CNA role.
Highlight any relevant certifications, such as CPR, First Aid or CNA certification.
Example of a CNA education resume section:
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Certification
Springfield Community College, Springfield, IL
Completed: May 2018
Additional Certifications:
Although you should feature transferable resume skills throughout your document, a skills section is a strategic place to add six to eight soft skills , hard skills or technical skills that haven’t been mentioned elsewhere in your resume.
Here’s a sample list of skills to add to your resume, but remember to prioritize the qualifications requested in the open job description.
Vital signs monitoring
Personal hygiene assistance
Electronic Health Records (EHR) management
Basic medical terminology
CPR and First Aid
Medical equipment operation
Charting and documentation
With only one page to impress hiring managers, using unique, active language can help keep hiring managers engaged with your document. These action verbs dynamically convey your responsibilities and achievements, allowing you to create a vivid picture of your capabilities.
Consider this curated list of 20 action verbs to improve your CNA resume .
