Whether you’re an experienced certified nurse assistant (CNA) or an entry-level candidate, a good resume objective grabs an employer’s attention and encourages them to continue reading your resume.
Here’s an outline for writing a CNA objective you can use when writing your own resume.
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1st sentence: introduce your background
Mention how many years of relevant experience you have (if any), as well as your degree or level of education.
Additionally, highlight some of the skills you’ve developed during your career to give employers a better idea of your qualifications.
If you’re just starting your career as a CNA, then include an overview of your relevant degrees and certifications to show you’re qualified to start working. If you’re still studying you can mention that too: “Currently earning my CNA certificate at NYU.”
First sentence example
A patient-focused CNA with 2+ years of experience providing CPR and first aid, wound dressing, and feeding assistance at Mercy Street Hospital.
2nd sentence: highlight core skills
Highlighting the skills and abilities that make you a great nurse is also important. Here are 15 soft and 15 hard CNA skills for your resume:
Soft Skills
- Compassionate
- Detail-oriented
- Patient-focused
- Friendly
- Hardworking
- Punctual
- Diligent
- Empathetic
- Patient
- Adaptable
- Good communicator
- Team player
- Positive attitude
- Respectful
- Strong work ethic
- Stress management
Hard Skills
- Legal and ethical compliance
- Treatment planning
- Infection control
- CPR and first aid
- Wound care
- Charting and documentation
- Assisting with mobility and transfers
- Medical terminology understanding
- Proper hygiene and sanitation procedures
- Assisting in activities of daily living (ADLs)
- Observing and reporting patient conditions
- Providing care (basic care, e.g., bathing, dressing)
- Measuring vital signs (blood pressure, temperature, etc.)
- Handling medical equipment (e.g., catheters, feeding tubes)
- Feeding assistance (including for patients with specific dietary needs)
Try to include 2–3 of these top skills in your CNA objective, like so:
Second sentence example
Skilled in providing high-quality nursing care, committed to supporting patient recovery and improving health outcomes.
3rd sentence: state your goals
In your final sentence, state your career goals. For example, include the role you want to fill and how your skills make you a strong fit for the position.
Relating your skills and experiences back to the company shows employers you’re:
- Dedicated to being a CNA
- Detail-oriented and spent time tailoring your application to the position
- Able to bring value to the organization
Third sentence example
Aiming to leverage my experience and knowledge to effectively fill the CNA position at Hilldale Health Center.
8 CNA resume objective examples
The CNA resumes objective example below include a variety of experience-levels and situations to help you write your own.
Entry-level positions
If you’re applying for entry-level positions be sure to highlight relevant internships and volunteer work in your resume objective.
A compassionate and detail-oriented CNA with recent certification from Cleveland State University. Currently earning practical experience at St. Paul’s Healthcare by providing top-tier patient care in a clinical setting. Skilled in providing patient assistance, committed to hygiene maintenance, emotional support, and precise documentation. Aiming to contribute to the patient care team as a full-time CNA at St. Paul’s Healthcare.
Reliable, focused, and well-spoken CNA recently certified at Baylor University. Able to bathe patients, administer essential medication, carry out various administrative tasks, and maintain a tidy and hygienic patient environment. Looking to bring my enthusiasm and strong communication skills to the role of Certified Nursing Assistant at Trinity Hospice.
Experienced workers
As an experienced certified nurse assistant applying for a new position, your resume objective provides an opportunity to discuss the best skills on your resume and highlight your strengths.
A dedicated and detail-oriented CNA with 5 years of experience in hospice care at Montefiore Medical Center, focused on residential care and patient documentation. Skilled in providing compassionate care, committed to ensuring patient comfort, accurate reporting, and timely care administration. Aiming to join the patient care team as a Certified Nursing Assistant at Mount Sinai, contributing to high-quality, compassionate healthcare services.
A patient-focused CNA with 4+ years of experience offering personal care to residents and patients at NYC Health+ Hospitals. Successfully managed daily care and administrative tasks in a fast-paced environment. Skilled in providing round-the-clock care, maintaining resident quarters, and offering emotional support. Aiming to support end-of-life care as a Certified Nursing Assistant at Zenith Hospice, ensuring dignity and comfort for all patients.
A top-performing CNA with 3+ years of clinical experience, including eClinicalWorks documentation, at John Peter Smith Hospital. Skilled in clinical care, assisting doctors with patient management, and administrative tasks. Aiming to contribute to the healthcare team as a Certified Nursing Assistant at SilverStone Healthcare, providing vital patient support and care.
Career changers
If you’re changing careers to become a certified nurse assistant, an objective helps you clarify to employers why you’re making the change and highlights your career goals and relevant skills.
Below are examples of career changer CNA resume objectives:
A recently certified CNA transitioning from 5 years of experience as a Hospital Administrator at Baylor University Medical Center, seeking to shift focus to direct patient care. Skilled in team coordination, patient support, and clinical care procedures. Aiming to leverage my administrative background and healthcare knowledge to excel in patient care as a Certified Nursing Assistant at Irving Medics.
An experienced Medical Record Clerk with CNA certification from Los Angeles Valley College, seeking to transition into a patient-centered care role. Skilled in organizing medical records, committed to ensuring accurate documentation, and patient care. Aiming to contribute my organizational and caregiving skills as a Certified Nursing Assistant at Cedars-Sinai, delivering high-quality patient care.
An aspiring CNA with a Bachelor’s degree in Art History and 5+ years of assistant teaching and customer service experience, along with 1+ year of volunteering in nursing homes. Skilled in patient communication, empathetic caregiving, and support in daily living activities. Aiming to provide compassionate care as a Certified Nursing Assistant at Domingus Hospital, fostering a positive environment for patient recovery and well-being.
Make sure you prepare answers to the most common CNA interview questions in case your application successfully catches the hiring manager’s attention.
Additional resources for certified nursing assistants
Here’s a list of additional resources to help you write your CNA resume:
- Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) resume examples
- CNA resume skills
- CNA cover letter example and tips
- 26+ Nursing Resume Examples & Writing Guide for 2025
- Nursing skills
- Language skills
- Collaboration skills
- Problem solving skills
- Teamwork skills
- Is a skills section necessary on a resume
- How many skills should you list on a resume
Frequently asked questions about writing a CNA resume objective
We’ve compiled some of the most frequently asked questions around CNA objectives and answered them below.
Can you write a CNA resume objective if you don’t have any experience?
Yes, you can write a CNA resume objective even if you don’t have any direct experience. The focus should be on your CNA certification, any relevant training, and soft skills that demonstrate your potential to excel in the role.
What should be included in a CNA resume objective?
Your CNA resume objective should highlight your relevant skills, experience, and soft skills (e.g., compassion, attention to detail). It should also mention where you obtained your certification, your years of experience, and your goals in the role you’re applying for. Be specific about how your background aligns with the position and healthcare facility.
How long should a CNA resume objective be?
A CNA resume objective should be concise, typically 3-4 sentences. Focus on summarizing your most important qualifications and goals while avoiding unnecessary details. In other words, your objective should provide a quick snapshot of your experience, skills, and the position you’re targeting.
Should I include my certification status in the resume objective?
Yes, if you are certified as a nursing assistant, mention it in your resume objective. If you’re still earning your certification, you can also indicate this by stating that you are “currently completing” or “recently certified” to show progress toward the qualification. This highlights your readiness or commitment to the role.
Can I include non-healthcare experience in my CNA resume objective?
Yes, if your non-healthcare experience demonstrates transferable skills like teamwork, time management, or customer service. For example, experience in a teaching or administrative role can be mentioned, especially if you’re transitioning careers, to show how those skills apply to patient care and healthcare environments.

The Resume Genius Team
The Resume Genius Team is a tight-knit crew of career coaches, hiring managers, and staff writers who are passionate about providing the best, most up-to-date career advice possible and helping job seekers land their dream jobs. Every article is reviewed by either Geoff Scott, Samuel Johns, Eva Chan, Corissa Peterson, or Dominique Vatin, our team of in-house Certified Professional Resume Writers. Resume Genius and its authors' career and resume advice have been featured in major publications such as CNBC, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, and Fortune.
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