If you’re getting ready to launch your healthcare career as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), congratulations—you’ve taken a smart first step. But here’s the challenge: when it comes to nursing resumes, there’s plenty of advice online, and most of it is about as clear as a hospital discharge note. So how do you create a CNA resume that actually gets interviews in 2025? Whether you’re a recent graduate, making a career switch, or simply seeking a fresh start, your resume needs to stand out for the right reasons. That means highlighting your clinical skills, patient care experience, and compassion—all presented in a format that passes both Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and human recruiters.
Below, I’ll break down the top 5 CNA resume examples for every stage of your career. I’ll also share modern resume tips that work, common pitfalls to avoid, and smart ways to make the best first impression—even if you’ve never worked a hospital shift. Plus, I’ll show you how to skip the formatting drama with the Nurse Resume Builder—the tool designed for healthcare job seekers who want results, not headaches.
Why a Great CNA Resume Matters in 2025
Let’s address the elephant in the break room: CNA jobs aren’t getting any easier to land. With competition piling up and employers getting choosier day by day, its becoming a hard nut to crack. In 2025, most hospitals and long-term care facilities will use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to weed out generic, poorly formatted resumes before a human ever reads them. You need to pass that digital bouncer before you even get a shot at the interview.
Here’s what’s different about CNA resumes:
- Emphasis on direct patient care: Employers care more about your ability to lift, bathe, and comfort patients than your ability to create PowerPoints.
- Soft skills count: Kindness, communication, and reliability aren’t “fluff”—they’re essential job skills.
- Certifications are non-negotiable: CNA licensure, CPR/BLS, and any additional training should be front and center.
If you want more guidance, check out our Professional Nurse Resume Guide for formatting and section ideas that apply to all nursing roles.
The Anatomy of an Interview-Winning CNA Resume
Before we get into the resume examples, let’s first cover the key elements every CNA resume needs to have:
- Professional Summary: 2–3 lines that highlight your passion for patient care, any specialties, and your unique strengths.
- Certifications & Licensure: Your CNA certificate, BLS/CPR, and any state-specific credentials.
- Experience: Whether it’s a paid job, internship, or clinical rotation, show what you did and how you made a difference.
- Skills: Both hard skills (vitals monitoring, mobility assistance, documentation) and soft skills (empathy, teamwork).
- Education: Where and when you trained, with any honors or special coursework.
- Formatting: Simple, ATS-friendly layout with keywords from the job ad.
Now, let’s get to the heart of it—real CNA resume examples, with commentary and takeaways for your own resume.
CNA Resume Example #1: The “New Grad, No Experience” Template
Professional Summary:
Compassionate CNA graduate, recently certified, with clinical training in hospital and long-term care settings. Eager to deliver high-quality, dignified care as part of a collaborative healthcare team.
Certifications:
- Certified Nursing Assistant, State of Texas (License #123456), 2025
- Basic Life Support (BLS), American Heart Association, 2024
Education:
Diploma in Nursing Assisting, Dallas Health Institute, Dallas, TX (2025)
Clinical Experience:
Student CNA | Sunny Meadows Long-Term Care, Dallas, TX | Feb–May 2025
- Assisted 10+ residents daily with ADLs: bathing, feeding, mobility
- Documented vital signs and intake/output accurately in EHR
- Praised by preceptors for patience and gentle communication
Skills:
- Vitals monitoring (BP, pulse, temperature)
- Patient hygiene and toileting
- Safe patient transfers and mobility support
- Compassion, teamwork, time management
Why it works:
This resume demonstrates that you don’t need extensive experience to appear job-ready. It highlights practical clinical training, an active license, and the soft skills employers value most.
Pro Tip: If you’re a new grad, highlight your clinical rotations like work experience. It counts!
See more real CNA resume examples.
CNA Resume Example #2: Long-Term Care Specialist
Professional Summary:
Experienced CNA dedicated to supporting elderly residents in nursing homes and assisted living. Recognized for patience and maintaining resident dignity.
Certifications:
- Certified Nursing Assistant, State of Florida (Active)
- BLS/CPR, Red Cross, valid through 2026
Experience:
CNA | Golden Years Senior Living, Tampa, FL | 2022–Present
- Provide daily ADLs for 20+ residents, including dementia patients
- Led activity sessions to promote social engagement
- Reduced fall incidents by 12% through vigilant monitoring
Skills:
- Dementia care, memory support
- Mobility/transfer techniques
- Activity coordination
- Respectful communication with residents and families
Why it works:
Specializing in long-term care? Show your passion for elder care and any quantifiable outcomes. Employers love measurable achievements.
CNA Resume Example #3: Hospital CNA (Acute Care Focus)
Professional Summary:
Versatile CNA with experience in acute hospital settings, including med-surg and post-op units. Fast learner and effective under pressure.
Certifications:
- Certified Nursing Assistant, California, #CA987654 (Active)
- BLS, AHA, exp. 2025
Experience:
CNA | St. Francis Hospital, Los Angeles, CA | 2023–Present
- Assisted nurses with post-op patient monitoring and wound care
- Transported patients safely between departments
- Trained new CNAs on infection control protocols
Skills:
- Vitals, wound care, post-op observation
- Teamwork, adaptability
- Transport safety, infection prevention
Why it works:
Acute care CNAs are expected to be flexible and calm. Mention specific units and your collaboration with RNs.
CNA Resume Example #4: Home Health Aide Hybrid
Professional Summary:
CNA and Home Health Aide with 3+ years supporting clients in home and community settings. Trusted for independence and reliability.
Certifications:
- CNA, State of Illinois
- Home Health Aide (HHA), 2022
- CPR/First Aid, American Heart Association
Experience:
CNA/HHA | Compassionate Care Home Services, Chicago, IL | 2021–2024
- Assisted 5+ clients daily with medication reminders, hygiene, and meal prep
- Notified nurses of changes in condition, preventing ER visits
- Built strong rapport with families and case managers
Skills:
- Medication assistance (non-administration)
- Light housekeeping, meal planning
- Documentation, family communication
Why it works:
If you’ve split your time between CNA and HHA roles, make that clear. Show your independence and client outcomes.
CNA Resume Example #5: Career Change/Second Career CNA
Professional Summary:
Former retail manager and new CNA passionate about direct patient care and team support. Brings customer service and organizational strengths to healthcare.
Certifications:
- CNA, Pennsylvania (Active)
- BLS/CPR, valid 2025
Education:
CNA Certificate, Harrisburg Medical Training, PA, 2024
Experience:
Sales Manager | Target, Harrisburg, PA | 2019–2023
- Led 12-person team and handled customer service escalations
- Scheduled and trained new hires, increased satisfaction scores
Relevant Skills:
- Patient communication
- Time management, documentation
- De-escalation, teamwork
Why it works:
Career changers can shine by translating past skills—like teamwork and customer care—into healthcare language.
Tips to Land Your First CNA Job (Beyond the Resume)
Building your resume is half the battle. Here are insider tips to boost your odds:
- Customize for Each Job:
Mirror the language in the job posting. “Vitals monitoring,” “ADLs,” and “team player” are golden keywords. - Keep Formatting Simple:
ATS systems reject complicated templates. Use clear headings and bullet points. - Lead with Licensure:
Employers want proof you’re legal to work on Day 1. - Show Your “Why”:
Don’t just list tasks. Show you care about patient dignity and comfort. - Always Proofread:
Typos = instant rejection. Spellcheck, then ask a friend to double-check.
How Nurse Resume Builder Makes It Easier
Still overwhelmed? You’re not alone. Writing a resume can feel like charting for 30 patients on no sleep. That’s why smart CNAs use Nurse Resume Builder—a tool designed for the realities of healthcare hiring.
- ATS-Proof Formatting: Your resume is generated in layouts that pass digital screeners, every time.
- Skill Suggestions: Get content ideas tailored to your experience—no blank page panic.
- One-Click Export: Download as PDF or Word, ready for upload.
- Templates for Every Stage: New grad? Career changer? We’ve got you.
Want more inspiration? Browse our real CNA resume examples to see what top candidates submit.
Common CNA Resume Mistakes (And How to Dodge Them)
Even great CNAs make these blunders. Here’s how to avoid them:
- Generic Job Duties: “Assisted patients” tells hiring managers nothing. Instead, try: “Provided hygiene care for 10 residents, ensuring safety and dignity.”
- Forgetting Licensure: Never bury your CNA credential at the bottom—put it up top.
- Overdesigned Layouts: Fancy fonts and colors? ATS can’t read them.
- Leaving Out Soft Skills: “Empathy” and “patience” belong on your resume.
- Omitting Experience: Even volunteer work counts if it’s hands-on with patients.
For more mistakes (and how to fix them), read our Nurse Resume Mistakes Guide.
FAQ: CNA Resume Writing for 2025
Q: What should I include if I have no paid CNA experience?
A: Clinical rotations, volunteer work, and even related roles like caregiver or home health aide all count.
Q: Should I mention patient ratios?
A: Yes! If you manage to care for 10+ residents per shift, highlight it.
Q: Is it okay to use resume templates?
A: Yes, as long as they’re ATS-friendly. (Hint: Nurse Resume Builder does this for you.)
Q: Should I list every skill?
A: Stick to those that match the job posting. “Vitals monitoring,” “mobility support,” “teamwork,” and “reliable” are always winners.
Q: Can I add other jobs (retail, etc.)?
A: Only if they show skills like communication, customer care, or teamwork that transfer to nursing.
Final Thoughts: Your First CNA Job Is Within Reach
Securing your first CNA role is a major milestone—and your resume is the key that opens the door to interviews. By using these CNA resume examples, tailoring each application, and leveraging tools like Nurse Resume Builder, you can sidestep common mistakes and make a lasting impression.
Begin shaping your healthcare career today—your dream job is out there, and you’re prepared to take it.
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