Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Cover Letter Sample

Now that you’ve created the perfect certified nursing assistant resume, it’s time to write your CNA cover letter and start applying for jobs.

A well-written cover letter isn’t just an essential part of the job application process – it’s arguably more important than your resume because it gives hiring managers insight into how your experience matches the role they’re advertising.

With that in mind, here are four tips for writing a CNA cover letter that will land you an interview.

Tip #1: Make a Great First Impression

Before you get into the body of your cover letter, there are some simple things you can do to start off on the right foot.

For instance, if you don’t know how to address your cover letter, instead of just writing “To whom it may concern” or “Dear Sir or Madam,” either check online or pick up the phone to find out the name of the hiring manager.

Writing the correct cover letter greeting makes all the difference, yet many applicants neglect to do so.

You should also know how to format your cover letter correctly. This includes where to put the address and contact details in a way that matches the overall aesthetic. A mistake in the little details could severely hurt your application, whereas choosing the right layout and design could elevate your letter above all the others.

Tip #2: Highlight Your Compassionate Personal Traits

Nursing is a job that involves delivering a high level of personal care. One way to reassure hiring managers that you have the necessary qualities is to highlight your friendliness through strategic implementation of interpersonal skills.

For example, our candidate doesn’t just list her daily duties, she also demonstrates that she is aware of their implications and context:

Working as a certified nursing assistant involves more than caring for the elderly and vulnerable – it also requires tact and sensitivity when dealing with their families. Difficult matters often arise in this line of work, and hiring managers are looking for candidates who can handle such situations with discretion.

Show that you’re aware of this and your application will immediately be viewed in a better light.

Tip #3: Do Your Research

If you want to go the extra mile with your cover letter, do some research about the hospital or facility that you’re applying to and specifically describe how you can help.

This will instantly set you apart from other candidates who did not bother to dig deeper. It also shows you have initiative – a very useful trait for a nursing assistant.

Our candidate discovered that her target hospital had just installed some new equipment that she is experienced at using:

Several wards at Harris Memorial Hospital recently installed new equipment to help with the high number of bedridden patients. I am confident using Gait Belts, Hoyer lifts, and EasyStands in compliance with OSHA and HIPPA guidelines.

With just a little research, our candidate found a way that her skillset will be directly useful to her target hospital. When hiring managers read this, they’re already imagining her in the role. Then it’s only another small step (generally, the interview) to being offered the position.

Tip #4: Employ a Call to Action

As you put your finishing touches to your cover letter, there’s still a few things to remember. One effective way to end on a high note is to write a call to action in your final paragraph.

A call to action is a prompt to the hiring manager. It shouldn’t be too pushy, but it should definitely have conviction.

For example, you can begin by thanking the hiring manager for their time, and then saying that you’d love to have an interview. You can also leave your email address and phone number, and state that you’re looking forward to hearing back from them.

If you feel the position is in high demand, you could be extra proactive and write a time when you plan to follow up. This will ensure that after your letter has been received it stays on top of the pile, and even if you aren’t offered this job, your name might come up again if another position opens.

Time to Start Writing

Now that you’ve read our tips, your cover letter should almost be ready to send. Download your favorite free cover letter template to finish things off with polish.

Or if you want to be confident of making the best impression possible, our easy-to-use cover letter builder will help you whip up a flawless cover letter in minutes.