Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Cover Letter

Submitting a well-written CNA cover letter is as much an essential part of your job application as your CNA resume.

This is because writing a cover letter gives hospital hiring managers insight into how your experience matches the nursing assistant role they’re advertising.

To ensure you submit the best nursing assistant cover letter possible, here are four professional writing tips and a template that’ll help you land an interview at the hospital of your choice.

1. Correctly format your CNA cover letter

You’ll need to know how to format your cover letter correctly if you want to display your nursing experience and qualifications clearly to the hiring manager.

Every CNA cover letter needs to include the following six sections:

1. Contact details (name, phone number, email address). Also, include today’s date and hiring manager’s information
2. Cover letter salutation (try to address your cover letter using the hiring manager’s name)
3. Introduction paragraph (that grabs the hiring manager’s attention)
4. Main Body paragraphs (list your nursing experience, skills, and great personal traits here)
5. Call to action (closing paragraph)
6. A formal sign off (using HR-approved language, such as “sincerely”)

CNA cover letter template

Here’s a template breaking down how to write a CNA cover letter and what information to include in each paragraph:

1. Contact Details

Address | Phone Number | Email

[Today’s Date]

[Hiring Manager’s Name]
Company City, State, Zip Code 
(xxx) xxx-xxxx
hiring.manager.email@gmail.com

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2. Opening Salutations

Dear [Mr./Ms./Mrs.] [Hiring Manager’s Surname],

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3. Introduction Paragraph

I’m thrilled to see your listing for the [CNA Position] at [Hospital Name]. As a dedicated and hardworking [Recent Graduate/CNA] with [# Years] of experience in [nursing assistant experience or skills] providing excellent care to patients. I’m confident that my [experience, certifications OR education] would be a valuable asset to your team.

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4. Main Body Paragraphs

Here, begin the body paragraph(s) of your cover letter. Ensure you highlight the following in one or two paragraphs:

• Use hard numbers to list any career achievements you have as a nursing assistant. For example, list how many patients you cared for, or how many beds you watched over.
• Because your personality traits (soft skills) are vital as a nursing assistant, it’s essential that you also discuss how you supported patients emotionally by being patient, friendly, and caring. 
• Do some research about the hospital you’re applying to. For example, the hospital may have recently installed new equipment that you’re experienced with using. List anything that can give you leverage amongst similarly qualified nursing assistants.  
• If you’re a nursing assistant with little to no experience, further emphasize your education here. Discuss how you excelled at clinical trials, internships, or in the classroom. 

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5. Closing Paragraph

My resume is attached for your review, and I would welcome the opportunity to discuss my [relevant nursing skills, education, or qualifications] further in an interview at your convenience. Thank you for your consideration, and I look forward to hearing from you.

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6. Sign Off

Sincerely,

Your name

2. Start your CNA cover letter with a great introduction

Before you get into the body of your CNA cover letter, you’ll need to start with an introduction that includes:

• The nursing role you’re applying for
• Hospital/company name
• Your intentions for applying
• Any notable career achievements you’ve made

Even if you’re an entry-level nursing assistant with little to no experience, you should still start your resume with a quick introduction. However, instead of displaying a career achievement, expand upon your education or your willingness and drive to excel at the nursing assistant position.

Here’s an example of a CNA cover letter introduction for a candidate with no experience:

I’m writing to you today to apply for the Certified Nursing Assistant position at Harris Memorial Hospital. I’m a recent graduate and a dedicated, hard-working nursing assistant, continually striving to provide patients with a high level of care. I’m excited by the prospect of working for a commendable, high-ranking establishment such as Harris Memorial Hospital, and I believe that my health care education, experience, and certifications make me the ideal candidate for this role.

Additionally, here’s an example of a CNA cover letter introduction for a candidate with experience:

I’m writing to you today to apply for the Certified Nursing Assistant role at Harris Memorial Hospital. I’ve worked in hospitals and senior homes for 6+ years, and have attended to over 500 patients thus far. I have also continually been commended by my colleagues and supervisors for the high level of care and emotional comfort I provide to patients. I believe my health care certifications and considerable experience make me the ideal candidate for this role.

3. Highlight your compassionate personality traits

Nursing is a job that involves delivering a high level of personal care, for which you’ll need a great deal of nursing soft skills. But, unlike writing a resume, you can’t just list your skills on your CNA cover letter.

One way to reassure hiring managers that you have the necessary soft skills and personality to excel at nursing is to highlight examples of how your interpersonal skills helped you while on the job.

Here’s an example of how to highlight your nursing soft skills and personality traits on your CNA cover letter:

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

4. End with a call to action

Lastly, you’ll need to end your cover letter by writing a call to action in your final paragraph.

A call to action is a prompt to the hiring manager to invite you for an interview to further discuss your talents and how they make you an ideal candidate. 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. Then, state that you’re looking forward to hearing back from them.

Remember, there’s no need to leave your email address or phone number in your final paragraph, as they should be at the top of your CNA cover letter in your contact details.

Here’s an example of a call to action on a CNA cover letter: