Certified nursing assistant Resume: Free Example (2026)

Start with a clean, single-column layout that highlights your name, credentials, and contact information at the top.
Keep margins consistent and use a readable font at 10 to 12 point so your resume scans well on screen and on paper.

Aim for one page if you have less than 10 years of experience, and two pages only when you have extensive relevant clinical history.

Place your full name, CNA credential, city and state, phone number, and professional email in the header so they are immediately visible.
You do not need to include your full street address, and you can add a LinkedIn URL if it is up to date and professional.

Check that your voicemail greeting is professional before sending applications.

Write a short professional summary of two to three sentences that highlights your CNA credential, years of direct care experience, and the clinical settings where you worked.
Focus on your strongest patient care skills and one measurable outcome when possible, such as patient satisfaction improvements or reduced incident rates.

Avoid vague phrases and instead use concrete duties you performed regularly so hiring managers can quickly see your fit.

List your CNA certification with the issuing state, certification number if required, and an expiration date so employers can verify you quickly.
Include other relevant certifications such as CPR, First Aid, or specialized training like dementia care, and place this section near the top if certifications are recent.

Keep the formatting consistent so each item is easy to scan.

Describe your work history in reverse chronological order with your job title, employer, location, and dates of employment for each role.
Use 3 to 6 bullet lines per position that start with strong action verbs and specify tasks you completed, patients you served, and outcomes you supported.

When possible, add quantifiable details such as number of patients per shift or charting accuracy improvements to show impact.

Create a short skills list that mixes clinical abilities and soft skills so an applicant tracking system can match your resume to job descriptions.
Include items like vital signs, ADL assistance, specimen collection, infection control, communication, and teamwork.

Keep this list focused and relevant to the CNA role you are applying for.

List your CNA program, training facility, and graduation date, and include relevant continuing education classes that relate to the job.
If you have additional healthcare education, such as a nursing degree in progress, put that information here as well and note expected completion dates.

You can also mention clinical rotations when they are directly relevant to the job.

Format experience bullet lines to combine action, task, and result so they tell a concise story about your contributions.
For example, write, Assisted with bathing and mobility for 12 patients per shift, reducing fall risk through proper transfer techniques, rather than a generic statement about assisting patients.

Use sample phrases you can adapt, such as, Performed daily vital signs and recorded changes to notify nurses, and Assisted with ADLs for patients with mobility limitations while maintaining dignity.

Use precise action verbs that hiring managers expect in caregiving roles, such as assisted, monitored, documented, transferred, and supported.
Match keywords from the job posting, for example infection control, wound care support, or electronic charting, and place those words naturally in your experience and skills sections.

Avoid repeating a single keyword too many times so the resume reads smoothly.

Customize your summary and experience bullets for each job by mirroring responsibilities and required skills listed in the job description.
Emphasize clinical tasks and patient populations that match the position, such as long term care, acute care, or hospice, so your resume shows direct relevance.

Keep a master copy of your resume with varied phrases you can copy into targeted applications to save time while tailoring.

Use standard section headings like Experience, Education, Certifications, and Skills so applicant tracking systems can parse your resume correctly.
Avoid graphics, text boxes, and unusual fonts that can confuse parsing software, and save your resume as a PDF only if the job posting allows it.

Proofread for spelling and consistent date formats to keep your application professional and error free.

Prepare short stories that expand on the most important bullets in your experience section so you can discuss them confidently in interviews.
Use the STAR format, focusing on specific Situations and Tasks, the Actions you took, and measurable Results, and practice saying each story aloud.

Bring a printed copy of your resume to the interview and be ready to speak about any certifications and training you list.