CNA Resume examples & templates
Copyable CNA Resume examples
The aging Baby Boomer generation has sparked massive growth in healthcare support roles, with Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) standing at the frontlines of this demographic shift. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, CNA positions are projected to grow by 8% through 2030 — faster than the average for all occupations — creating over 192,800 job openings annually. But this isn't just about numbers. The role itself is evolving, with many facilities now integrating CNAs into interdisciplinary care teams rather than treating them as interchangeable support staff. This shift acknowledges what many healthcare veterans already know: CNAs often have the most consistent patient contact and can provide critical insights that doctors and nurses might miss during brief interactions.
If you're considering a CNA career in today's healthcare landscape, you're looking at more than just an entry-level position. You're stepping into a role that's increasingly recognized as fundamental to patient outcomes and satisfaction. And with the growing focus on specialized care for conditions like dementia and chronic illness management, CNAs with targeted training will likely find themselves more valued—and better compensated—in the years ahead.
Junior CNA Resume Example
Jaime Rodriguez
Buffalo, NY | (716) 555-1234 | jaimerodriguez@email.com | linkedin.com/in/jaimerodriguez
Compassionate Certified Nursing Assistant with 1+ year experience in both long-term care and hospital settings. Known for attentive patient care and strong time management skills. Recently completed CNA training with clinical rotations at Buffalo General Hospital. Looking to grow my career in a challenging healthcare environment where I can continue developing my skills while providing exceptional patient care.
EXPERIENCE
Certified Nursing Assistant – Oakwood Senior Living, Buffalo, NY
February 2023 – Present
- Provide daily care for 8-10 residents in assisted living facility, including bathing, grooming, and toileting assistance
- Monitor and record vital signs for residents, reporting changes to nursing staff
- Assist residents with mobility, using proper transfer techniques to prevent injuries
- Document care activities and observations in electronic health records system
- Helped implement a new resident check-in protocol that decreased response time by 17%
CNA Intern – Buffalo General Hospital, Buffalo, NY
September 2022 – December 2022
- Completed 120 hours of supervised clinical experience across medical-surgical and rehabilitation units
- Assisted RNs with patient care tasks including vital signs, bed changes, and ambulation
- Practiced proper infection control procedures in a busy hospital environment
- Received positive feedback from preceptor on patient communication skills
Home Health Aide (Part-time) – Family Care Services, Buffalo, NY
June 2022 – September 2022
- Provided in-home care for 3 elderly clients, including meal preparation and light housekeeping
- Accompanied clients to medical appointments and helped with medication reminders
- Maintained detailed care logs for family members and supervising nurse
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATION
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Erie Community College, Buffalo, NY
Certification obtained: January 2023
Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification
American Heart Association
Expires: December 2024
High School Diploma
South Buffalo High School, Buffalo, NY
Graduated: June 2021
SKILLS
- Patient bathing & hygiene
- Vital signs monitoring
- Transfer assistance
- Range of motion exercises
- Electronic health records (PointClickCare)
- Infection control
- Basic wound care
- Dementia care
- Spanish (conversational)
- Strong communication skills
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Volunteer experience: Weekly visitor at Buffalo Children’s Hospital (2021-present)
Mid-level CNA Resume Example
Maria Jimenez
Phone: (512) 555-3978 • Email: maria.jimenez@email.com • LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mariajimenez
Austin, TX 78704
Compassionate Certified Nursing Assistant with 5+ years of experience providing quality care in both long-term care and hospital settings. Known for building rapport with patients while efficiently managing daily care tasks. Consistently maintain accurate medical records and collaborate effectively with nursing teams to deliver exceptional patient care. Bilingual in English and Spanish with a track record of handling high-pressure situations calmly.
Professional Experience
Senior Certified Nursing Assistant – Lakeside Memorial Hospital, Austin, TX
June 2021 – Present
- Provide direct care to 8-12 patients per shift in a fast-paced medical/surgical unit
- Assist RNs with procedures, vital signs monitoring, and patient repositioning
- Decreased patient call response time by 27% through implementation of zone coverage system
- Mentor and train new CNAs (helped onboard 6 new hires in past year)
- Received “Excellence in Patient Care” recognition twice in 2022
Certified Nursing Assistant – Oakridge Nursing & Rehabilitation, Austin, TX
March 2019 – June 2021
- Provided personal care for 14-16 residents per shift, including bathing, grooming, and feeding
- Documented resident conditions, vital signs, and unusual incidents in electronic health records
- Collaborated with physical therapists to assist residents with mobility exercises
- Served as Spanish translator for 3 non-English speaking residents and their families
CNA – Float Pool – Sunshine Home Health Services, Austin, TX
January 2018 – March 2019
- Traveled to various client homes to provide personalized care services
- Prepared meals according to dietary restrictions and medication schedules
- Assisted clients with ADLs while promoting maximum independence
- Maintained detailed logs of client conditions and care provided for family and medical staff
Education & Certifications
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) – Texas Department of Health
License #TX58291 – Expires December 2024
Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification – American Heart Association
Renewed January 2023
Certificate in Phlebotomy – Austin Community College
Completed May 2021
High School Diploma – Reagan High School, Austin, TX
Graduated 2017
Skills
- Patient bathing, grooming & feeding
- Vital signs monitoring
- Electronic health records (Epic)
- Infection control protocols
- Patient transfers & positioning
- Spanish fluency (native speaker)
- Catheter care
- Blood glucose monitoring
- Dementia care techniques
- Post-surgical care assistance
Additional Information
Volunteer at Austin Animal Shelter (2019-present)
Member, National Association of Health Care Assistants
CPR & First Aid certified
Senior / Experienced CNA Resume Example
Diane M. Reynolds
Albuquerque, NM 87102 • (505) 555-2193 • dreynolds.cna@email.com • linkedin.com/in/dianereynolds
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Dedicated Certified Nursing Assistant with 12+ years of progressive experience providing compassionate patient care in long-term care, rehabilitation, and hospital settings. Known for exceptional bedside manner and ability to manage complex patient needs while maintaining dignity and comfort. Strong reputation for mentoring new CNAs and implementing more efficient care routines that improved patient satisfaction scores by 27% at current facility.
EXPERIENCE
SENIOR CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT | Presbyterian Hospital | Albuquerque, NM | August 2017 – Present
- Provide comprehensive care for 8-12 patients daily in a fast-paced medical-surgical unit, including vital signs monitoring, bathing, feeding, and mobility assistance
- Train and mentor new CNAs (14 to date), developing a 3-day shadowing program that reduced orientation time by 2 weeks
- Implemented a repositioning schedule that cut pressure ulcer incidents by 42% among bed-bound patients
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to coordinate complex care plans for patients with multiple chronic conditions
- Recognized as “CNA of the Year” in 2020 for exceptional patient advocacy and documentation practices
CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT II | Sandia Ridge Care Center | Albuquerque, NM | March 2014 – August 2017
- Cared for 10-15 residents in long-term care setting, specializing in dementia and Alzheimer’s patients
- Created personalized memory books for 23 dementia patients, which became a facility-wide practice
- Assisted with ADLs while promoting maximum independence; documented changes in condition that led to early intervention in 7 critical situations
- Participated in care planning meetings and family conferences to ensure continuity of care
CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT | Sunrise Rehabilitation Center | Santa Fe, NM | May 2011 – February 2014
- Provided post-acute care for patients recovering from strokes, surgeries, and traumatic injuries
- Assisted physical therapists with mobility exercises and ambulation techniques
- Maintained detailed records of fluid intake/output, vital signs, and behavioral changes
- Earned promotion to weekend shift lead after 18 months, supervising 3 CNAs
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
Certified Nursing Assistant – New Mexico Department of Health | License #CNA58291 | Current
BLS/CPR Certification – American Heart Association | Renewed January 2023
Dementia Care Specialist Certification – Alzheimer’s Association | 2019
Nursing Assistant Training Program – Central New Mexico Community College | 2011
Associate of Science (partial, 42 credits) – Santa Fe Community College | 2010-2011
SKILLS
- Patient Positioning & Transfer Techniques
- Wound Care & Dressing Changes
- Vital Signs Monitoring
- Electronic Medical Records (Epic, PointClickCare)
- Feeding Tube Management
- Tracheostomy Care (basic)
- Dementia & Memory Care
- Conflict De-escalation
- Spanish (conversational)
- Post-Mortem Care
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
- End-of-Life Care Workshop, Presbyterian Hospital, 2022
- Infection Control in Healthcare Settings, CDC Online Course, 2021
- Preventing Patient Falls Seminar, New Mexico Healthcare Association, 2019
- Difficult Conversations with Families Workshop, 2018
How to Write a CNA Resume
Introduction
When I started helping CNAs with their resumes 15 years ago, I quickly realized something: most healthcare facilities receive dozens—sometimes hundreds—of applications for each open position. Your resume isn't just paperwork; it's your ticket to an interview. As a Certified Nursing Assistant, your resume needs to showcase your patient care skills, medical knowledge, and compassionate nature while highlighting the specific experience that makes you stand out from other candidates.
Resume Structure and Format
Keep your CNA resume clean and scannable. Hiring managers at busy healthcare facilities often make quick decisions about which candidates to pursue.
- Stick to 1 page for most CNA positions (2 pages only if you have 7+ years of experience)
- Use a simple, professional font like Calibri or Arial in 10-12pt size
- Create clear sections with bold headings
- Include plenty of white space—crowded resumes get overlooked
- Save as a PDF unless specifically asked for a different format
Profile/Summary Section
Start with a brief (2-4 sentence) summary that captures your experience level, specialties, and strongest skills. This is your "elevator pitch" to catch attention right away.
Example for a new CNA: "Recently certified nursing assistant with hands-on clinical training in geriatric care. Strong vital signs monitoring skills with experience in mobility assistance and personal care. Known for patient-centered approach and clear communication with residents and healthcare team."
Pro Tip: Customize your summary for each job application by mentioning the specific type of facility (nursing home, hospital, rehab center) and patient population you'll be working with.
Professional Experience
List your work history in reverse chronological order. For each position, include:
- Facility name and location
- Your job title
- Dates of employment (month/year to month/year)
- 4-6 bullet points describing your responsibilities and achievements
Make your bullets impactful by using action verbs and including specific details:
- Weak: "Helped patients with daily activities"
- Strong: "Provided compassionate personal care for 12-15 residents daily, including bathing, dressing, and grooming while maintaining dignity and independence"
Include measurable results when possible: "Reduced patient fall incidents by 23% through consistent use of proper transfer techniques and safety protocols."
Education and Certifications
This section is crucial for CNAs! Include:
- Your CNA certification with certification number and expiration date
- State registry status
- CPR/BLS certification
- Any specialized training (dementia care, wound care, etc.)
- High school diploma or GED (can omit if you have higher education)
- Any additional healthcare education or coursework
Keywords and ATS Tips
Many healthcare employers use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter resumes before a human sees them. To get past these digital gatekeepers:
- Include specific terms from the job posting (patient care, vital signs, ADLs)
- Mention specific skills (Hoyer lift, catheter care, blood glucose monitoring)
- List EMR/EHR systems you've used (Epic, Cerner, PointClickCare)
- Avoid using tables, headers/footers, and graphics
Industry-specific Terms
Pepper your resume with relevant healthcare terminology that demonstrates your knowledge. Some terms to consider (if they apply to your experience):
- Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
- Ambulation assistance
- Range of motion exercises
- Transfer techniques
- Intake and output monitoring
- Post-mortem care
- Telemetry monitoring
Common Mistakes to Avoid
I've reviewed thousands of CNA resumes, and these are the mistakes I see most often:
- Using generic descriptions that don't highlight specific skills
- Forgetting to list certifications with their expiration dates
- Including irrelevant personal information
- Using unprofessional email addresses
- Overlooking typos and grammatical errors (ask someone else to proofread!)
Before/After Example
Before: "Helped residents with daily needs and followed care plans."
After: "Provided comprehensive care for 8-10 residents per shift, including assistance with feeding, bathing, and toileting while strictly adhering to individualized care plans and maintaining detailed documentation in PointClickCare."
Remember—your resume should paint a picture of a capable, compassionate caregiver who can make patients feel comfortable while handling the technical aspects of the job. Good luck with your CNA job search!
Related Resume Examples
Soft skills for your CNA resume
- Patient advocacy – ability to speak up for patients’ needs while balancing facility protocols
- Crisis management – staying calm during medical emergencies while coordinating with nursing staff
- Cultural sensitivity when working with diverse patient populations and family members
- Conflict resolution between patients, family members, and occasionally between coworkers
- Mentoring skills – training newer CNAs on proper procedures and resident-specific care plans
- Stress management – maintaining composure during 12-hour shifts and unexpected staffing shortages
Hard skills for your CNA resume
- BLS/CPR Certification with 5+ years of recertification experience
- Vital signs monitoring using both manual and digital equipment (AccuChek, Dinamap)
- Electronic Medical Records (EMR) documentation in Epic and PointClickCare
- Advanced patient transfer techniques including Hoyer lift operation
- Wound care dressing changes and basic assessment
- IV site maintenance (not insertion) and monitoring
- Tracheostomy care and suctioning
- Feeding tube management (GT/NG) and intake monitoring
- Dementia care training with CARES certification