When writing your certified nursing assistant (CNA) cover letter, focus on how you can support patients’ comfort and well-being at the facility that posted the job. Also, emphasize your related skills like vital signs monitoring, first aid, infection prevention, or team collaboration.

This guide will help you write a cover letter that gets you interviews for your next job as a CNA.

Certified Nursing Assistant Cover Letter Templates and Examples

Build Your Resume
Resume Builder offers free, HR-approved resume templates to help you create a professional resume in minutes.

How To Write a Certified Nursing Assistant Cover Letter

Your CNA cover letter should usually have five sections in this order:

1. Heading

At the top of the page, include:

  • Your name and contact information
  • The date
  • The recipient’s name, title, company, and contact information (when available)

(Note: Feel free to omit this section if you send your letter by email and your contact details are part of your signature.)

Example


Jessica Sanders
Certified Nursing Assistant | [email protected] | (123) 456-7890 | 45 Address Street, Portland, OR 98765

March 1, 2024

Kelly Franklin
Hiring Manager
Copley Health
(987) 654-3210
[email protected]

2. Salutation

If you can’t find the recipient’s name, use a variation of “Dear Hiring Manager.”

Examples


Dear Ms. White,

Dear Harris Memorial Hospital Manager:

3. “Hook” or introduction

Catch the reader’s attention by citing an achievement from your resume or a key credential the employer seeks in applicants.

Example


Achieving a 97% patient satisfaction rating for this year was one of the proudest moments of my career. I achieved this goal through hard work and providing consistently excellent care to every patient I worked with.

4. Body paragraph(s)

Explain why the CNA job or health care facility interests you. Then, cite a few more of your key achievements or qualifications, possibly using bullet points.

Example


I am drawn to the prospect of working for a highly regarded long-term care facility like Copley Health. I feel I am a good match for your patient-driven approach to senior care. Some of my previous achievements include:

  • My ability to notice subtle physical and emotional changes in patients that might signify clinical deterioration
  • Assisting 14 elderly residents per shift with daily activities, as well as field trips and entertainment activities
  • Building trusted relationships with patients by showing empathy and compassion

5. Closing

Finally, request an interview for the position.

Example


I would love the chance to speak to you about how I believe that my years of experience could translate into improved patient care at Harris Memorial Hospital. Please feel free to contact me with a date that best suits your schedule.

Kind regards,

Mary Bergevin

Certified Nursing Assistant Cover Letter Tips

1. Show you excel at daily patient care

Start your letter with an example of your success as a CNA. For instance, maybe you stood out on your team for actively anticipating and responding to patients’ needs. Or perhaps you took on daily duties that improved focus among other nursing staff. Also, consider if you’ve earned any awards or general praise for high efficiency or adaptability in a health care setting.

Example


As a CNA at Wesley Senior Care, I received the CNA of the Year award in 2019 due to my outstanding patient care and passion for my work. In my two years of experience on the job, I helped patients complete daily activities while providing them with emotional support to improve their morale.

2. Explain why you’re drawn to the opportunity

On a separate document or sheet of paper, take 10 minutes to brainstorm why this CNA job or employer interests you. For example, maybe the organization has a strong program supporting patients’ daily mobility. Or perhaps you’re applying to one of the many CNA jobs at a skilled nursing facility, a care setting you’d like to return to. Also, scan the job posting for details on the wider health care team. Would you be working closely with occupational therapists or licensed vocational nurses? View your own work from that perspective and jot down any similar experience.

When you’re done brainstorming, review your notes: Do any stand out as important or persuasive? Take another 10 minutes to brainstorm and elaborate on them. Repeat this process until you have two or three concise sentences that speak to the job opening. By adding these to your cover letter, you can show hiring managers you read their job posting and are responding to it directly.

Example


I see that Seattle West Hospital is expanding its trauma unit and looking for additional nursing staff. I have over 11 years of experience as a certified nursing assistant in one of the busiest hospitals on the West Coast. I believe my knowledge of patient care in emergency situations will make me an asset to your nursing team.

3. Highlight your other strengths

Add a short list of bullet points to show your success in other key areas like health care documentation, vital signs monitoring, or patient and family relations.

Example


Some of the highlights of my career include:

  • Assisted in caring for a daily caseload of 37 patients in the cancer ward
  • Spent three years working in the emergency unit and dealt with a range of different patients on a daily basis
  • Assisted in setting up a new e-records system to manage the care of patients more efficiently in the hospital

Certified Nursing Assistant Text-Only Cover Letter Templates and Examples

  • Entry-Level
  • Mid-Career
  • Senior-Level

Mary Bergevin 
Nursing Assistant | [email protected] | (123) 456 -7890 | 123 Main Street, Miami, FL 12345

January 01, 2024

Jessica White
Senior Hiring Manager
Harris Memorial Hospital
(987) 654-3210
[email protected]

Dear Ms. White,

Decreasing the nursing staff turnover rate by 27% at Miami Central Hospital was one of the proudest moments of my career. I believe that I can bring the same level of enthusiasm and professional experience to Harris Memorial Hospital.

I have over 9 years of experience as a certified nursing assistant working in some of the busiest hospitals in the Miami area. I believe that I would be an asset to your nursing team at Harris Memorial Hospital and that I would assist in reaching your patient care goals.

Some of the highlights of my career include:

  • Assisted in caring for a daily caseload of 37 patients in the cancer ward
  • Spent three years working in the emergency unit and dealt with a range of different patients on a daily basis
  • Assisted in setting up a new e-records system to manage the care of patients more efficiently in the hospital

I would love the chance to speak to you about how I believe that my years of experience could translate into improved patient care at Harris Memorial Hospital. Please feel free to contact me with a date that best suits your schedule.

Kind regards,

Mary Bergevin

P.S. I have held a 98% patient satisfaction rating for 5 years.

Certified Nursing Assistant Cover Letter Frequently Asked Questions

What traits are useful to highlight in my cover letter?-

Desired qualities in CNAs include patience, compassion, collaboration, and calm professionalism. Consider which of these traits best describe you, then give an example or two of how you’ve shown them in a work setting.

What’s the best way to end my cover letter?-

Don’t just ask for an interview or thank the hiring manager for their time. Restate your overall expertise in daily patient care and your eagerness to contribute as a CNA of the hospital or facility soon.

How do I professionally say I’m willing to learn?-

There’s nothing unprofessional about describing yourself as “willing to learn” in your cover letter. Rather, the problem is that this phrase is too vague to impress hiring managers. To express the idea more persuasively, get specific. Give one or more examples of your training up quickly or learning new skills as a CNA, and spell out how that helped improve patient care.

Craft your perfect resume in minutes

Get 2x more interviews with Resume Builder. Access Pro Plan features for a limited time!

Jacob Meade headshot

Jacob Meade

Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW, ACRW)

Jacob Meade is a resume writer and editor with nearly a decade of experience. His writing method centers on understanding and then expressing each person’s unique work history and strengths toward their career goal. Jacob has enjoyed working with jobseekers of all ages and career levels, finding that a clear and focused resume can help people from any walk of life. He is an Academy Certified Resume Writer (ACRW) with the Resume Writing Academy, and a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with the Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches.

Sidebar image
Create your resume in minutes. Try for free.