Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Resume Example & Writing Guide

What should your CNA resume include?

CNAs typically work with sick and injured people of different age groups, and they offer assistance with a wide variety of activities, such as bathing and taking medications. They’re also responsible for various administrative tasks, such as answering patient calls and maintaining documents.

As a CNA, your resume should focus on some of the key skills you need for this job, such as communication and empathy. In most states, this profession is regulated, so you’ll need a license to practice as a CNA in a clinical setting.

Why use this CNA resume example?

Our CNA resume is ideal for applicants with some basic experience who are on the lookout for the next big opportunity. The resume begins with the applicant’s contact name, contact details, and a resume title. The resume title corresponds with the job role, i.e. Certified Nursing Assistant. The first section of the resume is a power statement that establishes the applicant’s skills and experience. The goal of this statement is to introduce the applicant and provide a high-level overview of their field of expertise.

After the power statement, the qualifications summary focuses on some of the job-related and soft skills that are crucial to a CNA role. To improve readability and make the information easier to digest, it’s best to have this section in a bulleted list. Some of the keywords to include in this section are patient care, collaboration, and communication.

In the professional experience section, the applicant’s work history is listed in a reverse chronological sequence with the most recent job title mentioned first. Each position consists of two sections: daily responsibilities and key accomplishments. Use job-related keywords when describing your experience to help the resume score well with ATS. The final section of the resume focuses on the applicant’s educational background. Since CNA is a regulated profession, it’s important for the applicant to mention their professional license and license number. A college degree is a bonus, but it’s not a prerequisite for this job. 

Which key skills are relevant for a CNA resume?

CNAs rely on their management and administrative skills to execute a wide variety of tasks. Some of the skills needed for a CNA resume include, but are not limited to:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Interpersonal skills

• Empathy and compassion

• Multitasking and the ability to manage stress

• In-depth understanding of various medical terms and terminologies

• Physical stamina (ability to remain on foot for long time periods)