8 Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Resume Examples & Template
Written By Samuel JohnsSenior Content Editor & Certified Professional Resume Writer
Reviewed By Conrad BenzContent Manager & Hiring Manager
Samuel Johns
Senior Content Editor & Certified Professional Resume Writer
Samuel Johns is a Senior Content Editor and Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) at Resume Genius. In his 7+ years of experience in the careers space, he has helped hundreds...
We’ve grouped examples by care environment and experience level, with strategies underneath to tailor your resume for the next opening.
CNA resume examples by experience level
Browse our full gallery of resume templates for more design options.
More CNA resume examples
Here are more CNA resume examples sorted by job title and experience level:
Beginner CNA resume
Healthcare providers are always looking for new CNAs who can jump in and start supporting patients right away, but you’ll need a well-written resume to make your application stand out. Here’s a good beginner CNA resume example:
Example highlight
- Includes references: Most candidates shouldn’t include references on their resumes, but they can help you as an entry-level applicant by showing that a senior CNA or nurse manager trusts your skills.
Patient care assistant (PCA) resume
Apply for a PCA vacancy by using a resume similar to this one:
Example highlight
- Skills-first approach: This candidate lists their clinical skills before their work experience in an eye-catching way, helping the clinical hiring manager quickly see their key strengths.
State testing nursing assistant (STNA) resume
Show you qualify for STNA roles with a resume modeled on this one:
Example highlight
- Uses numbers: This candidate quantifies their resume achievements (example: caring for 14 elderly residents) to provide context about the workload they’re capable of handling.
Nurse aide resume
Highlight your qualifications for a nursing aide role by submitting an application that includes a similar resume to this:
Example highlight
- Engages the reader right away: A few sentences at the top of this resume summarize the applicant’s top CNA abilities — the information most likely to get the hiring manager interested in interviewing them for the role.
Travel CNA resume
Here’s a good travel CNA resume example to draw ideas from when you write your own:
Example highlight
- Language skills: Foreign language skills on your resume can boost your candidacy by showing hiring mangers you can communicate with a wider range of patients.
Resume examples for different industries
Check out resume samples from other industries to get ideas for how to present the information on your CNA resume.
CNA resume template
- Time management
- Documentation
- OSHA & HIPAA compliance
- Organization & prioritization
- Patient care
- Assist 15+ residents each shift with daily living activities, ensuring they’re on time for all meals and activities
- Provide social and emotional support to improve residents’ morale
- Establish rapport with team members, residents, and families
- Help residents with daily hygiene, including showering; oral and peri care; incontinence care; and minimizing rashes, sores, and soiling
- Support residents with field trips, arts and crafts, music, games, and reading activities
- Responded to 16+ patient calls per shift in a timely and efficient manner, determining need and providing care
- Observed physical and emotional changes, and reported patient conditions to nurses
- Transferred patients using Gait Belts, Hoyer Lifts, and EasyStands as needed, ensuring patient safety and comfort
- Followed LPN or RN instructions for range-of-motion activities for patients
- Certified Nursing Assistant License – Maryland Board of Nursing, 20XX
- CPR Certification – American Red Cross, 20XX
Most useful skills to add to your CNA resume
Hospitals and clinics look for CNAs whose resumes align with the skills emphasized in their job ads.
These CNA skills appeared most often in the 2,900 CNA job descriptions we analyzed to help you better target your resume:
Data
| Keyword | Percentage | Count |
|---|---|---|
| Taking Vital Signs | 37 | 1,074 |
| Operating Medical Equipment | 20 | 585 |
| Documentation | 18 | 532 |
| Infection Control Procedures | 18 | 532 |
| General Patient Care | 12 | 342 |
| Basic Nursing Procedures | 8 | 227 |
| Medical Terminology Knowledge | 7 | 193 |
| First Aid & CPR | 3 | 101 |
How to write a CNA resume that lands interviews
Follow these five tips to write a resume that lands you the CNA role you want:
1. Lead with your CNA certification and active state license details
Hiring managers need to confirm you’re eligible to work as a CNA before they look at anything else.
Prominently putting your certifications on your resume (alongside your active state license details) prevents the ATS from filtering you out and signals you’re job-ready on day one.
Example certifications section
Certifications
- Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), State of California — Active (License #CNA-20XX-123456)
- CPR/BLS for Healthcare Providers — Active (Expires 20XX)
2. Name the EHR systems and documentation tasks you’ve handled among your skills section
Documentation is part of safe patient care, not “extra admin work.” Listing EHR systems and specific charting tasks in your resume key skills section shows hiring managers you can communicate accurately with nurses and the care team, follow facility procedures, and reduce errors.
Hiring managers like seeing this because it lowers training time and reassures them you can handle a fast-paced workflow.
Example key skills section
Key Skills
- EHR systems: Epic, PointClickCare
- Documentation: intake notes, ADL charting, I&O tracking, vitals entry, rounding log
- Patient care reporting: pain observations, skin checks, behavior changes, safety incidents
3. Quantify your workload in bullet points to prove stamina and time management
Clinics want proof you can manage a heavy assignment without sacrificing care quality.
Quantifying your previous workload (like patients per shift, rounds completed, or call lights handled) in your work experience bullet points gives evidence of your stamina, prioritization, and reliability.
Example bullet point
- Supported an average census of 12–14 patients per shift, completing 4+ rounds and responding to 25–35 call lights while maintaining timely ADL care
4. Add clinical rotations and skills check-offs if you’re a new CNA
If you have a limited work history, clinical rotations help bridge the gap by proving hands-on readiness and basic training.
Listing settings, hours, and verified skills shows you’ve practiced core duties under supervision and can perform safely with patients, helping you stand out from entry-level candidates who only list coursework on their resumes.
Example education section
Education
- CNA Training Program, ABC Career Institute — Completed 20XX
- Clinical rotation: 120 hours in long-term care; assisted 10–12 residents per shift with ADLs, transfers, and mobility support
- Skills check-offs: vital signs, infection control/PPE, safe transfers (gait belt), bed baths, I&O tracking
5. Write a resume objective that encourages hiring managers to read your entire application
A good resume objective should be written last, even though it’s placed at the top of your resume right after your contact information. In 3–5 sentences, focus on highlighting your key skills, major achievements, and educational background.
CNA resume objective examples
Beginner CNA resume objective
Recently graduated certified nursing assistant with CPR certification and clinical experience. Passionate about caring for the elderly, brightening their days by expressing genuine interest in their lives while assisting them with daily activities. Seeking to enhance the Willow Brook Assisted Living environment with a positive attitude and skilled CNA care.
Resume objective for an experienced CNA
Reliable, caring certified nursing assistant with 6+ years of experience caring for elderly and vulnerable adults. Work well with bedridden, physically challenged, and memory-impaired residents. Friendly and compassionate, with excellent interpersonal communication skills. Discreet and confidential in all dealings with patients and staff. Achieved a 95% satisfaction rate with patients during my last tenure.
Senior CNA resume objective
Dedicated CNA with over 10 years of experience in providing compassionate care to a diverse patient population. Adept at collaborating effectively with medical teams to enhance patient outcomes, evidenced by a 30% reduction in patient recovery times through meticulous care plan evaluations and adjustments. Seeking to leverage extensive expertise and a proven track record of excellence in a leadership role at a top-tier medical facility.
Resume Objective for a Travel CNA
Adaptable CNA with 5 years of experience in fast-paced healthcare environments across multiple states. Specialize in providing excellent patient care in various settings, including emergency and surgical units, with a strong commitment to meeting the unique needs of each community. Eager to bring expertise and a flexible approach to the open Travel CNA role at Healing Touch.
Resume Objective for an STNA
Highly skilled, Ohio-certified STNA with 7 years of experience in providing critical support and care in assisted living and residential health settings. Proficient in handling complex patient needs and maintaining compliance with stringent healthcare regulations. Looking to apply my patient care skills and attention to detail in a challenging STNA role that allows for impactful work in improving patient quality of life.
Get help building your CNA resume
It can feel overwhelming to take in all the information, and that’s okay. If you want an easier way to build a strong CNA resume, our AI resume builder can help by focusing on your skills and patient care experience.
You can quickly make different versions of your resume for various CNA jobs, like in hospitals, nursing homes, home care, or rehab centers.
Build your resume in minutes
Average CNA salaries in the US
After you’ve written your resume, make sure you use it to apply for jobs within a fair salary range.
The following table includes information from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics’ latest Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics report for 2025. Here are the 10 states with the highest salaries for certified nursing assistants, as well as the national average for your reference when applying for work.
Top 10 states by average certified nursing assistant salary
| State | Salary / Year |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $49,970 |
| Washington | $49,960 |
| California | $48,790 |
| Alaska | $48,550 |
| New York | $47,530 |
| District of Columbia | $47,480 |
| New Hampshire | $47,190 |
| Massachusetts | $46,130 |
| Maine | $45,500 |
| Hawaii | $45,480 |
| National Average | $41,270 |
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