How To Write a Nursing Assistant Resume
As a nursing assistant, your resume should mention the populations you have worked with, your health care experience, and whether you have handled activities of daily living (ADLs). Follow the steps below and use the examples to guide you.
1. Write a compelling profile summarizing your qualifications
The profile goes at the top of your resume and is the first thing the hiring director sees. It should clearly state if you’re certified as a nursing assistant and how much experience you have in the health care field. This is also a good place to mention if you enjoy working with specific populations, such as children or seniors, and what skills you have obtained, such as assisting with ADLs or educating patients on maintaining their health.
Senior-Level Profile Example
A certified nursing assistant with over 11 years of experience delivering quality patient care in a diverse range of health care settings. A proven track record of serving as a patient advocate and identifying opportunities to improve health care operations.
Entry-Level Profile Example
A nursing assistant with three years of clinical experience specializing in patient care, ADLs, communication, and team collaboration. Adept at delivering compassionate care to elderly populations and maintaining patient dignity.
2. Add an accomplishment-driven professional experience section
For each position you list in the professional experience section, focus on what your responsibilities included and how you contributed to high-quality patient care. A hiring manager will be looking for how many patients you are used to providing care for during each shift, how you can work with the rest of the patient’s health care team, and what experience you have communicating with and relating to patients. Use numbers like the facility’s patient satisfaction rating to quantify your duties.
Senior-Level Professional Experience Example
Certified Nursing Assistant
Oak Tree Acres Retirement Village, San Diego, CA | December 2016 – present
- Assist over 20 residents with ADLs, transport patients to meals and activities, and provide emotional and social support
- Coordinate with the activity director to plan events, activities, and entertainment for elderly patients, including live music and theater as well as comedy
- Build relationships with patients and plan activities and cognitive games to support quality of life for residents suffering from memory impairments and dementia
Entry-Level Professional Experience Example
Certified Nurse’s Aide
Right at Home, Miami, FL | July 2020 – present
- Support patients with activities of daily living, including toileting, washing, and eating, achieving a 98.5% patient satisfaction rating
- Carefully monitor bedbound patients and leverage pressure relief equipment to reduce incidents of bedsores in at-risk individuals
- Observe and record patients’ vital signs and report changes to RNs using clinical knowledge to notice and report concerning results
3. Include relevant education and certifications
Not all states require nursing assistants to be certified, but if yours does, you need a section on your resume listing your education and the date of your certification. If you have other education, you can also list this, even if it doesn’t pertain to the health care field. If you’re currently in school for nursing or another health care-related job, it’s a good idea to add this to your resume and note your expected graduation date.
Education
Template:
[Degree Name]
[School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] | [Graduation Month and Year]
Example:
Certified Nursing Assistant
CNA Training Institute, Sugar Land, TX | March 2013
Certifications
Template:
[Certification Name], [Awarding Organization], [Completion Year]
Example:
Certified Nursing Assistant, State of California, 2009
4. List pertinent key skills
Nursing assistants must operate seamlessly within a larger care team and are an important part of delivering high-quality patient care. Adding a key skills section to your resume allows you to work in more keywords and qualifications from the job description, which can help you get past applicant tracking systems. It shows the hiring manager you have the experience necessary for the job. If you need some ideas of what to include, this list can help.
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Attention to detail | Catheter care |
| Cultural competence | Documentation and record keeping |
| Empathy and compassion | End-of-life care |
| Feeding and nutrition | Health promotion activities |
| Infection control | Medical terminology |
| Medication management | Mental health support |
| Mobility and transfers | Monitoring vital signs |
| Patient education | Patient transportation |
| Rehabilitation activities | Teamwork |
| Upholding ethics and professionalism | Wound care |
How To Pick the Best Nursing Assistant Resume Template
Resume templates make it easier to create a high-quality resume quickly, and there are hundreds of templates for nursing assistants. When you’re deciding which one to use, look for templates that seem easy to skim and well-organized. It should be clear where your experience, education, and skills go in the template, and there should be enough white space left over so the text doesn’t look cramped. Approach your resume like you would documentation for a patient: avoid fancy fonts, distracting colors, or the inclusion of extra personal information like a headshot.
Nursing Assistant Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
Years of Experience
- Entry-level
- Mid-career
- Senior-level
Vanessa Verone
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
123 Main Street, Miami, FL 33101
Profile
A Nursing Assistant with three years of clinical experience, specializing in patient care, activities of daily living (ADLs), communication, and team collaboration. Adept at delivering compassionate care to elderly populations and maintaining patient dignity.
Professional Experience
Certified Nurse’s Aide, Right at Home, Miami, FL
July 2020 – Present
- Support patients with activities of daily living, including toileting, washing, and eating, achieving a 98.5% patient satisfaction rating
- Carefully monitor bedbound patients and leverage pressure relief equipment to reduce incidents of bedsores in at-risk individuals
- Observe and record patients’ vital signs and report changes to RNs used clinical knowledge to notice and report concerning results
Daycare Attendant, Bright Horizons, Coral Gables, FL
September 2015 – July 2019
- Delivered compassionate patient care to elderly residents with a wide range of conditions, provided support for activities of daily living (ADLs)
- Collaborated with a 15-person nursing team to maintain a sanitary, hazard-free environment and control infection risks
Certifications
- Nurse’s Aide Certification
Miami Community College, Miami, FL, October 2019 - CPR/ First Aid Certification
Miami Community College, Miami, FL, October 2019
Key Skills
- Patient Care
- Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
- Vital Sign Monitoring
- Patient Relations
- Communication
Education
CORAL REEF SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL, Miami, FL, September 2011- June 2015
Mike Samuelson
(713) 789-0123
[email protected]
8730 Alamo Blvd, Houston, TX 65498
Profile
A Certified Nursing Assistant with eight years of experience, specializing in patient advocacy, clinical operations, and patient education. A proven track record of leading efforts to enhance the delivery of patient-centered care.
Professional Experience
Certified Nursing Assistant, Boxman & Associates Rehabilitation Center, Houston, TX
August 2016 – Present
- Deliver patient-centered care for a rehabilitation center with 150+ patients, monitor vital signs, administer medication, and achieve a 95% patient satisfaction rating
- Provide training to 10+ certified nursing assistants on clinical workflows, patient care standards, and relationship building techniques
- Manage electronic medical records and ensure compliance with HIPAA regulations
- Educate patients and families on diagnosis and long-term outlook with empathy and compassion and provide emotional support
Certified Nursing Assistant, Pleasant Grove Senior Living, Sugar Land, TX
May 2013 – July 2016
- Provided nursing assistance to seniors in a long-term care facility and assisted residents with daily living activities, such as bathing and grooming
- Deliver compassionate care to maintain patient dignity and ensure satisfaction
- Maintain compliance with infection control and disease prevention regulations
Education
Certified Nursing Assistant
CNA TRAINING INSTITUTE, Sugar Land, TX, February 2013 – March 2013
Licensed Practical Nurse
HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE, Houston, TX, January 2021 – Present
Key Skills
- Patient Transport
- Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
- Vital Sign Monitoring
- Wound Care
- Medication Administration
Certifications
- CPR Certified
- BLS Certified
- STNA Certified
Jessica Rowntree
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
123 Main Street, San Diego, CA 12345
Profile
A Certified Nursing Assistant with over 11 years of experience delivering quality patient care in a diverse range of healthcare settings. A proven track record of serving as a patient advocate and identifying opportunities to improve healthcare operations.
Professional Experience
Certified Nursing Assistant, Oak Tree Acres Retirement Village, San Diego, CA
December 2016 – Present
- Assist 20+ residents with the activities of daily living (ADLs), transport patients to meals and activities, and provide emotional and social support
- Coordinate with the activity director to plan events, activities, and entertainment for elderly patients, including live music, comedy, and live theater
- Build relationships with patients and plan activities and cognitive games to support quality of life for residents suffering from memory impairments and dementia
Certified Nursing Assistant, New Ages Hospital, San Diego, CA
July 2009 – November 2016
- Delivered patient-centered care to up to 15 patients in the surgical ward, monitored physical changes in patient condition, and reported changes to nurses and surgeons
- Educated patients and family members on health risks of surgeries, patient outlook, and quality of life and provide emotional support for difficult medical decisions
Education
High School Diploma
BAY HIGH SCHOOL, San Diego, CA, September 2005 – June 2009
Key Skills
- Patient-Centered Care
- Patient Advocacy
- Relationship Building
- Communication
- Patient Education
Certification
- Certified Nursing Assistant State of California 2009
Frequently Asked Questions: Nursing Assistant Resume Examples and Advice
What are common action verbs for nursing assistant resumes?+
Action verbs can amp up your resume, making it more engaging and turning your job duties into patient-focused accomplishments that increase your chances of getting an interview. But it’s not always easy to think of unique action verbs for every bullet. If you’re repeating the same words or feel like your language is lackluster, try these common action verbs for nursing assistant resumes below:
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Administered | Assessed |
| Assisted | Collaborated |
| Comforted | Communicated |
| Coordinated | Demonstrated |
| Discussed | Documented |
| Educated | Evaluated |
| Facilitated | Inspected |
| Maintained | Monitored |
| Planned | Provided |
| Responded | Supported |
How do you align your resume with a nursing assistant job description?+
Creating a resume isn’t a one-and-done task. Every time you apply for a job, you need to tweak your resume to tailor it for that specific position. Incorporate qualifications and skills from the job description to increase the chances of your resume passing through applicant tracking systems and into human hands. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects openings for nursing assistants to continue to grow at an average rate, and taking the time to target your resume can give you an edge over the competition.
What is the best nursing assistant resume format?+
The right nursing assistant resume format depends on your level of experience and how well you fit what the job description is asking for. However, a traditional reverse chronological resume is generally a good choice. All hiring managers are familiar with this, making it easy to show your work history, education, and professional skills. If you’re worried you don’t have enough hands-on experience, highlight your coursework and skills from your nursing assistant training program below your profile.
Expert Advice: Include a cover letter with your resume
Once you’ve created your resume, tailored it to the position, and given it a final once-over for spelling and grammar, you’re ready to move on to the cover letter. Including a cover letter with your resume makes it easier to explain why you’re a top candidate and gives you another chance to connect with the hiring manager. Look at these nursing assistant cover letter examples for ideas.
