Nursing Assistant Resume Examples

Nursing Assistant Resume Example

If you want to land a nursing assistant job, your resume needs to show your skills and experience clearly. I see lots of resumes every week-simple, direct ones stand out.

I’m going to walk you through real nursing assistant resume examples and templates. You’ll see entry-level, experienced, and specialized samples, so you can pick what fits your path.

You’ll also find a free CNA resume template and downloadable PDF. This way, you can start building a resume that hiring managers actually read.

Sample Nursing Assistant Resume

Check out this sample nursing assistant resume if you want a starting point. I focus on real skills, certifications, and experience you actually need to get hired.

I always highlight patient care, teamwork, and strong communication. Employers look for these on over 90% of job postings. Use bullet points to keep things clear and easy to scan.

You should also include any state certifications or specialized training. This helps your resume stand out, especially in competitive markets.

Entry-Level and Experienced Nursing Assistant Resume Samples

You don't need years of experience to make a strong nursing assistant resume. I see entry-level applicants land interviews by highlighting clinical rotations, certifications, and people skills.

Experienced nursing assistants should focus on quantifiable achievements. For example, mention "supported 25+ patients daily" or "trained 10 new hires." Numbers help your resume stand out.

There are differences in what you show off at each stage. Entry-level? Emphasize relevant coursework and volunteer work. Got experience? List specific accomplishments and leadership roles.

Specialized Nursing Assistant Resume Examples

Some nursing assistants work in specialized settings, like pediatrics, geriatrics, or rehabilitation centers. If you have this experience, call it out. Employers look for these focused skills.

You can highlight specific certifications, like CNA II or dementia care. This helps your resume stand out, especially for jobs in long-term care or hospitals with specialty units.

If you’ve worked with ventilator-dependent patients or in hospice care, mention it. Numbers help-like “supported 20+ post-op patients monthly.” Tailor your resume to the specialty you want.

CNA Resume Template and Sample PDF

If you need a CNA resume template, I always suggest starting with a clean, easy-to-edit format. This helps you highlight your skills and certifications without clutter.

You can find a CNA resume sample PDF online for quick reference. PDFs keep your layout consistent, so your resume looks the same on any device or printer.

Customize each section to match the job posting. I recommend listing your certifications, clinical skills, and any special training. This gives recruiters what they want right away.

A strong template saves you time. You just update the details and focus on what matters-your experience and patient care skills. That’s how you make your application stand out.

What Does a Nursing Assistant Do?

Nursing assistants work in hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living, and private homes. In 2019, about 1.5 million nursing assistant jobs existed in the U.S., according to government data.

I help patients with daily care, support nurses and doctors, and provide basic medical assistance. You don’t need a college degree, but certification is required in most states.

The job duties, pay, and career outlook can vary depending on where you work and your experience. Let’s look at what’s involved in more detail.

Nursing Assistant Duties and Responsibilities

Nursing assistants handle a mix of hands-on care and daily support tasks. I help patients with bathing, dressing, eating, and moving around-basic stuff, but essential for comfort and safety.

You also monitor vital signs, like temperature and blood pressure. I record changes and report them to the nurse or doctor right away. This helps spot problems early.

There are also emotional support duties. Patients often need a friendly face or someone to talk to. You build trust and help them feel less anxious during tough times.

CNA Salaries and Job Outlook

The median pay for CNAs sits around $30,850 per year, or about $14.80 an hour. Your actual salary depends on location and employer type-hospitals tend to offer the highest rates.

Job growth looks promising for CNAs. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts an 8% increase in jobs from 2019 to 2029, which is twice the average for most careers.

If you want job security and steady demand, nursing assistance is a solid bet. Aging populations and increased healthcare needs help keep this field stable and growing.

How to Write a Nursing Assistant Resume

How to Write a Nursing Assistant Resume

1. Write a Compelling Resume Summary or Objective

2. Highlight Your Nursing Assistant Experience

3. List Your Education and Certifications

4. Showcase Key Nursing Assistant Skills

5. Customize and Proofread Your Resume

ResumeJudge

Writing a nursing assistant resume means showing your experience, certifications, and the patient populations you help. Hiring managers want details-don't leave out those daily care tasks.

You need a resume that quickly shows your skills and how you work with others. I’ll walk you through each section so your resume stands out.

1. Write a Compelling Resume Summary or Objective

Start your nursing assistant resume with a strong summary or objective. This goes right at the top, so it’s the first thing a hiring manager sees.

Use this space to highlight your certifications, years of experience, and the patient populations you work best with. Be specific-“CNA with 3+ years in senior care” catches attention fast.

I always point out my top skills and what makes me stand out, like supporting 20+ patients daily or collaborating with nurses. This helps show the impact you bring right away.

2. Highlight Your Nursing Assistant Experience

Start by listing your most recent jobs first. Focus on your daily tasks-like assisting with ADLs, monitoring vital signs, or supporting patient mobility.

I always mention the number of patients I help per shift or any high satisfaction scores I receive. This shows exactly how I contribute to patient care.

Use bullet points to keep things clear. If you regularly handle 15+ patients or collaborate closely with nurses, spell it out. Numbers make your work stand out.

3. List Your Education and Certifications

I always list my highest level of education first-high school diploma, associate degree, or GED. This helps hiring managers see I meet basic requirements fast.

You want to include your CNA certification, the issuing state, and the date you earned it. If you’re still in school, add your expected graduation date.

It’s smart to mention extra certificates, like CPR, BLS, or dementia care. This shows you’re up-to-date and willing to keep learning. Use bullet points if you’ve got several.

4. Showcase Key Nursing Assistant Skills

You want your key skills section to pop, so I always list both hard and soft skills here. This helps recruiters see I’m a well-rounded candidate.

Highlight abilities like vital sign monitoring, ADL assistance, electronic health records (EHR), and infection control. I also mention strong communication, teamwork, and empathy-these matter in daily care.

Try to match your skills to the job posting. If they want experience with memory care or pediatric patients, include those. Using the right keywords can help your resume get past automated screening.

5. Customize and Proofread Your Resume

I always tweak my resume for each nursing assistant job. Switch up your keywords and responsibilities to match the job description. This helps your resume get past automated filters.

Double-check grammar, spelling, and formatting. Even a small typo can hurt your chances. Proofreading matters, especially since 77% of hiring managers reject resumes with errors.

Ask a friend or mentor to review your resume before you send it. Fresh eyes catch things you might miss. This final step can make you stand out.

Choosing the Best Format for Your Nursing Assistant Resume

Picking the right resume format really helps your skills stand out. With so many nursing assistant jobs out there, clear structure puts you ahead from the start.

You want your experience, training, and certifications to be easy to spot. A strong format also helps applicant tracking systems find your keywords, which means your resume actually gets seen.

Next, I’ll go over the main format styles, show you what to include, and share a few layout tips that work for nursing assistants.

Reverse-Chronological, Functional, and Hybrid Formats

When you’re building your nursing assistant resume, format matters. There are three main types: reverse-chronological, functional, and hybrid. Each one works best for different situations.

The reverse-chronological format puts your most recent job first. This helps recruiters see your work history at a glance. About 75% of hiring managers prefer this style.

If you’re switching careers or have gaps in employment, try the functional format. It highlights your skills and training instead of where you’ve worked.

You can also use a hybrid format. This one mixes both skills and work history, so you don’t have to choose just one way to show off your strengths.

Top Sections to Include on Your Resume

You always want a clear header with your name, city, and up-to-date contact info. I usually put my email and phone number right at the top.

Next, add a summary or objective. This should be two or three sentences showing what drives you and how your goals line up with the job you want.

Don’t skip your certifications and licenses. List your CNA license, CPR certification, or anything else required for nursing assistant jobs. This section proves you’re ready to work.

Your work experience section needs clear job titles, employers, and dates. Use bullet points to show what you did-focus on patient care, teamwork, and any measurable results.

Don’t forget your skills section. Highlight hands-on abilities like patient lifting, vital sign monitoring, or EMR software. Recruiters scan this area quickly, so keep it specific.

Wrap up with your education. High school or GED is usually enough, but name any nursing courses or extra training. This gives you an edge, especially if you’re new to the field.

Resume Layout, Design, and ATS Tips

I always stick with a clean layout-think lots of white space, clear headings, and no fancy graphics. This makes your resume easier for both people and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to read.

Use standard fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman in sizes 10-12. Margins around 1 inch help everything look balanced. Overcrowding the page makes your resume harder to scan.

Many employers use ATS software, so I suggest avoiding tables, icons, or unusual formatting. Always use keywords from the job posting-this helps your resume get noticed by the system.

A well-organized, simple design keeps your experience front and center. With these layout tips, you boost your chances of getting that first interview call.

How to Describe Your Nursing Assistant Experience

You want to show more than just your daily tasks as a nursing assistant. Hiring managers look for real results and specific achievements.

Highlight your most relevant experience, even if it's not your most recent job. Use numbers and details to make your impact clear.

If you're new to the field or switching careers, you can focus on transferable skills and volunteer work. There's always a way to show your value.

How to Quantify Your Impact

I always tell people-numbers grab attention. When you describe your nursing assistant experience, you want to show exactly how much you handle.

You can mention things like the average number of patients per shift or how many shifts you cover weekly. This helps the hiring manager see your workload capacity.

Try to be specific. Instead of saying “assisted patients,” say “supported 12+ patients per day with daily care.” Numbers make your achievements real and relatable.

If you train new team members or help with procedures, mention that too. For example, “trained 3 new hires each quarter.” Quantifying your impact shows you’re results-focused.

Writing a Resume with No Experience

If you’re new to nursing assistant work, focus on related experiences. Volunteering, clinical rotations, or even job shadowing all show your commitment and willingness to learn.

Highlight transferable skills like communication, teamwork, or time management. Mention certifications, like your CNA license or CPR training, to prove you’re ready for the job.

Research the facility and tailor your resume to match what they value. This helps your application feel personal and shows you understand their needs, even if you’re just starting out.

Essential Nursing Assistant Skills for Your Resume

Skills are the backbone of any nursing assistant resume. Listing the right ones can mean the difference between getting noticed and getting ignored.

You want a good mix of hard and soft skills here. Show employers you can handle patients and technical tasks. I always focus on what the job ad asks for first.

Let’s break down the types of skills you need and which ones actually matter to hiring managers.

Hard vs. Soft Skills

When I work on my nursing assistant resume, I always split skills into hard and soft categories. This makes it easier for recruiters to scan and understand my strengths.

Hard skills are the technical abilities you learn through training, like taking vital signs or using medical equipment. You can often measure or test these skills, which makes them easy to prove.

Soft skills are more about how you interact with patients and coworkers. Think communication, empathy, or teamwork. These are just as important in healthcare, even if they're harder to quantify.

You want a mix of both on your resume. This helps show you're not just technically capable, but also someone patients and teams can rely on every day.

Top Hard Skills for Nursing Assistants

I always highlight vital signs measurement-think blood pressure, pulse, and temperature. It’s a core skill, and every hiring manager expects to see it on your resume.

Electronic health records (EHR) software proficiency is a must. Over 85% of U.S. hospitals use EHRs, so being comfortable with charting and data entry gives you a real edge.

You should also mention skills like medication administration, blood glucose monitoring, and assisting with physical therapy. These show you can handle hands-on medical tasks safely and reliably.

Top Soft Skills for Nursing Assistants

I always start with communication. You need to listen, explain, and ask questions-sometimes all at once. This helps patients feel understood and keeps teams on the same page.

Empathy is huge in this job. You’re working with people who feel vulnerable. Showing genuine care makes a big difference and builds trust with patients and families.

Adaptability is a must. Things change fast in healthcare. Being flexible helps you handle different patient needs and sudden shifts in workload.

Don't forget confidentiality. You deal with sensitive info every day. Protecting patient privacy isn’t just about following rules-it’s about respect.

If you highlight these soft skills, you show you’re ready for the real challenges nursing assistants face every day.

Certifications and Education for Nursing Assistants

Getting certified as a nursing assistant isn’t just a formality-it’s required in every state. Employers want to see your credentials up front.

Your education can make a difference, too. Whether it’s a CNA program, college classes, or extra training, every detail shows you’re ready for the job.

Relevant Education

Education matters a lot for nursing assistants. You want to show off your high school diploma or GED, since that’s the minimum requirement for most entry-level jobs.

If you’ve gone through a college program-like an associate’s degree in health sciences or biology-definitely list it. Add the school name, location, and graduation dates for clarity.

If you’re still in school or training, say so. Employers like to see expected graduation dates and any relevant coursework that lines up with nursing assistant duties.

Important Certifications

When I list certifications on my resume, I always start with the most relevant, like CNA. About 90% of employers look for this specific credential.

You should include the full name, issuing organization, and date earned. For example: Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Florida Board of Nursing, 2023.

Don’t forget other certificates, like CPCT/A or CHPNA. These show you’re committed to your field. This helps your application stand out.

Wrapping up, keep all certifications up-to-date and in good standing. This makes you eligible for the jobs you want and builds trust with hiring managers.

Additional Sections to Enhance Your Nursing Assistant Resume

Sometimes, your main resume sections just don’t cover everything you want to show. That’s totally normal, especially if you have unique skills or experiences.

You might want to highlight things like volunteering, certifications, or special projects. These sections can show hiring managers what makes you stand out.

CNA Cover Letter Examples and Certified Nursing Assistant Cover Letter Examples

If you want to stand out, you need a cover letter. I always say this is where you show your personality and explain why you love patient care.

When I look at CNA cover letter examples, I see they highlight compassion and teamwork. You can also mention any specific certifications or skills, like EHR usage or bilingual abilities.

Certified nursing assistant cover letter examples often use real numbers. For example, "I assisted over 30 patients daily" or "I trained 5 new hires." Numbers make your impact clear.

Key Takeaways for Writing a Nursing Assistant Resume

Writing a solid nursing assistant resume isn’t just about listing tasks. You need to show your skills, certifications, and the way you help patients every day.

You want your resume to look clean and easy to read. Employers spend just a few seconds scanning, so you need to grab their attention fast.

I always focus on tailoring each application to match the job and the healthcare facility. That extra effort really pays off in interviews.

Specialized Nursing Assistant Resume Examples

Nursing assistants work in hospitals, long-term care, and clinics. I know the skills and job duties can look a bit different in each setting.

If you want your resume to stand out, you need examples that match your experience. I’ll walk you through resumes for several specialized roles.

Patient Care Assistant Resume Examples

Looking for patient care assistant resume examples? I always focus on real experience-like helping 10+ patients per shift or assisting with daily living activities.

You want to highlight skills like charting, mobility support, and vital sign monitoring. Employers notice clear numbers, like reducing incident reports by 20%.

Patient care assistant resume examples usually include certifications, teamwork, and communication. This helps you stand out in busy hospital or clinic environments.