Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) Resume Format That Gets You Hired

I’ve worked with hundreds of CNA hopefuls—some fresh out of training, others switching careers, and many who were just plain overwhelmed. And I always hear the same thing:

“I don’t even know what to write on my resume.”

Sound familiar?

Whether you’re a brand-new graduate, a caregiver with years of heart-filled experience, or someone returning to work after a break, creating a CNA resume can feel like trying to untangle a giant ball of yarn. Confusing. Frustrating. Stressful.

But it doesn’t have to be.

Today, I’m walking you through how to build a job-winning Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) resume format that actually works. Simple. Clean. Effective. I’ll also share the mistakes to avoid, how to write when you have no experience, and how to make your resume feel like you.

Let’s do this together.

How Do You Write a CNA Resume With No Experience?

Use a skills-based format. Focus on your education, certifications, clinicals, and the soft skills you already have. Highlight transferable experience (like caring for family members or volunteering). Compassion, patience, and reliability matter just as much as technical skills.

Step 1: Use the Right CNA Resume Layout

Let me start here: Simple is powerful.

I’ve seen too many people get caught up in fancy resume templates with color blocks and charts. But guess what? Most employers use applicant tracking systems (ATS) that can’t read those formats.

Here’s the best CNA resume layout:

• Contact Info
• Professional Summary
• Core Skills
• Certifications
• Experience
• Education

If you’re entry-level, you can swap Experience and Education—putting your school and training up top.

Step 2: Write a Short, Honest Summary

Think of this as your intro. Keep it to 2–3 sentences max.

Example (entry-level):
“Dedicated Certified Nurse Assistant with recent completion of CNA training and 120+ hours of hands-on clinical experience. Passionate about delivering high-quality, compassionate care to seniors and patients with chronic conditions. Known for being dependable, gentle, and patient-focused.”

Example (experienced):
“Experienced CNA with 3+ years providing direct patient care in long-term care and home health settings. Skilled in assisting with ADLs, charting vital signs, and supporting nursing staff. Recognized for reliability, kindness, and a strong work ethic.”

Step 3: Highlight Your Core Skills (Yes, Even If You’re New)

Let’s talk skills for CNA resumes.

Break it into two categories:

Hard Skills (technical):

• Vital signs monitoring
• Bathing, dressing, feeding assistance
• Electronic Health Records (EHR)
• Transfer and mobility support
• Infection control protocols

Soft Skills (personality):

• Patience and empathy
• Communication
• Reliability
• Team collaboration
• Problem-solving

Don’t underestimate your soft skills. When I helped Alex—a shy but caring CNA student—land her first job, it wasn’t her grades that sealed the deal. It was her compassion and communication style.

Step 4: Certifications Matter (Show Them Early!)

List your certifications clearly. It’s one of the first things recruiters check.

Include:

• CNA Certification (State + License # if available)
• CPR/First Aid
• BLS (Basic Life Support)
• Any in-progress courses (like Medication Aide or Dementia Care)

Example:

Certifications

• Certified Nurse Assistant (Illinois, Active)
• CPR Certified (American Red Cross)
• BLS (AHA), Expires: 06/2026

Step 5: How to Write Your CNA Job Duties (Without Sounding Boring)

Now let’s tackle CNA job duties for resume. The goal is to show what you did and how you helped.

Start with an action verb. Keep it short. And if you can, use numbers or specific results.

Examples:

• Assisted 8+ patients daily with bathing, mobility, and feeding
• Charted vital signs in EHR for all assigned patients
• Supported nursing team in managing fall-risk patients
• Provided compassionate end-of-life care for hospice residents

Even if you’ve only done clinicals, include them:

Example: Completed 120+ clinical hours at RiverView Nursing Center, assisting with ADLs, practicing infection control, and observing wound care procedures.

When I helped Taylor, a former babysitter turned CNA student, we used her caregiving background to highlight transferable skills. She wrote, “Provided in-home support to an elderly family member, including medication reminders and emotional companionship.”

That landed her an interview.

Step 6: Include Your Education (Even If It’s Still in Progress)

If you’re still finishing school, just be honest.

Example: CNA Training, Heartland Career Institute – Expected May 2025

High School Diploma | Westwood High | Graduated 2023

Tip: If your GPA is strong (3.5+), you can include it. Also add any honors, volunteer work, or leadership roles.

🩺 Starting your nursing career? Make your resume work for you. Learn how to include internships that highlight your hands-on experience, follow our entry-level nurse resume tips if you have no experience yet, and explore the full Nurse Resume Guide 2025 to master formats, templates, and avoid common mistakes.

Step 7: Make It ATS-Friendly (No Fancy Fonts, Please)

To get through ATS software:

• Use .doc or PDF (unless the job posting says otherwise)
• Stick with fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman
• Avoid graphics, tables, or text boxes

And please—check for typos. I once had a client misspell their own name. 😬 (We laughed about it later, but seriously… always double-check.)

Step 8: CNA Resume Examples That Work

Here’s a quick sample structure to follow:

[Your Name]
[City, State] | [Phone] | [Email] | [LinkedIn or Website if applicable]

Summary
Friendly and detail-oriented CNA with hands-on clinical experience and a strong work ethic. Passionate about elder care and supporting nursing teams.

Skills
Patient care, bathing/dressing, charting, infection control, empathy, teamwork

Certifications
Certified Nursing Assistant (TX), CPR (AHA), BLS (in progress)

Experience
Caregiver | Self-employed | 2022–2024
Supported elderly client with daily living activities, mobility, and medication reminders.

Education
CNA Training – Hope Health Institute (Expected June 2025) High School Diploma – Sunnyview High (2023)

FAQs (Real Questions from CNA Job Seekers)

What is the best format for a CNA resume?
Use a simple, clean layout with clear headings: Summary, Skills, Certifications, Experience, Education.

What should be included in a CNA resume?
Your contact info, summary, technical and soft skills, certifications, hands-on experience or clinicals, and education.

How do I list CNA skills on a resume?
Use a bullet-point section and include both patient care and people skills. Focus on relevance to CNA job duties.

Can I apply for CNA jobs with no experience?
Absolutely. Highlight your training, clinicals, and transferable skills like caregiving or volunteering.

How do I make my CNA resume stand out?
Tailor it to the job. Show your personality in the summary. Keep it clear, honest, and professional.

Should I include certifications on my CNA resume?
Yes. Always. Put them near the top, especially CPR and CNA license info.

What are examples of CNA duties for a resume?
Assisting with ADLs, recording vitals, helping with mobility, supporting end-of-life care, infection control, and communication with families.

Listen, I know job hunting can feel hard. Especially if you’re just getting started or switching paths. I want you to remember something:

You belong here.

You care for people. You show up. You listen when others don’t. And those qualities are gold in healthcare.

Don’t let a blank resume hold you back. You already have what it takes. You just need a way to show it.

Final Tip + Free Resource

Want a head start? Try our free CNA resume Builder. It’s clean, simple, and built to help you feel confident applying. You’ve got this.

And if you’re feeling unsure, remember: Your heart for helping people already makes you a great CNA. Now your resume can reflect that, too.