Resume Examples for Nursing Assistants

A nursing assistant resume or CV for a new grad differs significantly from one for an experienced professional. Explore what to emphasize at each career stage and use our Resume Builder to create your own tailored document.

Entry-Level Nursing Assistant Resume

Ideal for recent graduates, this resume with no experience template offers guidance on writing a resume. It also suits individuals transitioning into the nursing assistant role from other fields.

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Why this resume works:

This resume showcases excellent font selection with a clear, professional typeface that improves readability. When deciding on the best fonts for a resume, consider options like Calibri, Tahoma, and Times New Roman. These choices provide the polished appearance that hiring managers appreciate in healthcare settings.

Mid-Career Nursing Assistant Resume

A good fit for nursing assistants with several years of experience, this template highlights recent patient care achievements and supports advancement into specialized or supervisory roles.

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Why this resume works:

Action verbs such as “assisted,” “administered,” and “monitored” highlight active engagement in patient care. Quantifiable metrics like “assisted 15 patients daily” and “achieved zero patient complaints for 3 years” are presented in concise bullet points, improving readability.

Experienced Nursing Assistant Resume

An ideal choice for nursing professionals with over 10 years of experience, this template supports applicants pursuing leadership roles or advanced clinical opportunities in healthcare settings.

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Why this resume works:

The resume prominently features the reverse-chronological work history, showcasing over a decade of nursing experience that highlights practical skills in patient care. Education is positioned lower on the page since hands-on experience and demonstrated improvements in patient outcomes are prioritized over academic qualifications at this level.

Nursing Assistant Resume Template (Text)

Take this editable text version of a nursing assistant resume to copy, edit, and personalize directly in your document or file.

Min Lee

Oakridge, OR 97463

Professional Summary

Experienced Nursing Assistant with expertise in patient care, vital signs monitoring, and medical record management. Proven track record of reducing readmission rates and increasing patient engagement, ensuring high-quality care in clinical settings.

Work Experience

June 2024 – May 2026

Harmony Health Center – Oakridge, OR

Nursing Assistant

  • Assisted with daily tasks for 20+ patients
  • Monitored vital signs, ensuring accuracy
  • Engaged patients in activities, boosting morale

June 2021 – May 2024

Greenfield Hospital – Portland, OR

Certified Nurse Aide

  • Provided quality care to 15+ long-term residents
  • Administered medications, reducing errors by 10%
  • Supported nursing staff in emergency situations

June 2019 – May 2021

Meadowbrook Clinic – Portland, OR

Patient Care Technician

  • Managed patient records with 95% accuracy
  • Assisted in physical therapy sessions
  • Improved patient mobility outcomes by 15%

Education

May 2019
University of California, Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA
Master of Science in Nursing Nursing

May 2017
California State University, Long Beach Long Beach, CA
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Nursing

Certifications

  • Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) – American Red Cross
  • Basic Life Support (BLS) – American Heart Association
  • First Aid Certification – National Safety Council

Skills

  • Patient care
  • Vital signs monitoring
  • Medical record management
  • Medication administration
  • Physical therapy assistance
  • Patient communication
  • Emergency response
  • Team collaboration

How to Write a Nursing Assistant Resume

As a nursing assistant, knowing how to write a resume means showcasing your relevant skills and experience while using a clear format that highlights your qualifications. Apply the recommendations that follow to emphasize your strengths and tailor your resume for the positions you’re aiming for.

1. Contact Info

Your contact information should be clear, professional, and easy to find at the top of your resume.

Make sure to include:

  • Full name
  • Phone number
  • Professional email address
  • City and state (ZIP code is optional)
  • LinkedIn profile or personal portfolio (if relevant)
TipPRO TIP

Avoid including sensitive personal information like your Social Security number, religious affiliation, or age on your resume unless explicitly requested by potential employers.

2. Resume Profile

A resume profile is a brief introduction (two to four sentences) that highlights your key qualifications and presents who you are to hiring managers. Its purpose is to capture attention quickly and motivate employers to explore your resume further.

Typically located at the top of your resume, the profile can be structured as either a summary or an objective, each serving distinct roles. A summary provides an overview of your experience, while an objective outlines your career goals:

  • A resume summary highlights your key experiences, skills, and achievements, showcasing your ability to provide quality patient care and support in a healthcare environment. This format is particularly beneficial for individuals with previous roles or relevant experience who wish to illustrate their contributions as a nursing assistant.
  • A resume objective emphasizes your future aspirations and highlights what you aim to achieve in your career. It’s particularly beneficial for nursing assistants, recent graduates, those shifting careers, or individuals with limited experience who want to showcase their goals clearly.

Let’s take a look at an example of each to see how a resume summary and a resume objective differ:

Nursing assistant resume summary example:

Dedicated nursing assistant with over 6 years of experience in diverse healthcare settings, including long-term care and rehabilitation facilities. Proficient in patient support, vital signs monitoring, and assisting with daily living activities. Commended for fostering a nurturing environment that improves patient comfort and satisfaction.

Nursing assistant resume objective example:

Recent graduate with a CNA certification eager to start a career in a dynamic healthcare setting. Committed to compassionate patient care and looking to contribute strong teamwork and adaptability skills in a hospital or assisted living environment.

3. Work Experience

The work experience on your resume is an important selling point. Employers evaluate your job history to understand not only where you’ve worked, but also the impact you’ve had on patient care.

Your background as a nursing assistant illustrates how your hands-on experience and skills make you an ideal job seeker for the role.

The work experience section should contain:

  • Job title
  • Employer name and location
  • Dates of employment (month/year)
  • 3–5 bullet points describing your relevant responsibilities and achievements

Tailor your content to highlight relevant experiences for the nursing assistant role. Start each bullet point with an action verb (like “Assisted,” “Monitored,” “Documented”) to strengthen your statements and emphasize your contributions.

Incorporate quantifiable information where possible. Specific metrics, such as patient satisfaction scores or the number of patients assisted, illustrate your impact and help distinguish you from other job seekers in the field.

In general, consider following the format of:

[action verb] + [responsibility] = [result/achievement]

For example:

Assisted 15+ patients daily with daily living activities in a long-term care facility, contributing to a 95% resident satisfaction rating.

Note that you can also flip the result/achievement with the responsibility:

Achieved a 20% improvement in patient mobility rates through personalized rehabilitation support and encouragement.

Discover more work experience examples for nursing assistants further down the page.

4. Skills

This skills section provides a concise overview of the essential abilities for a nursing assistant. It allows hiring managers to quickly assess qualifications relevant to patient care and support.

Skills can be categorized into three distinct groups:

  • Soft skills are interpersonal abilities that influence how well nursing assistants interact with patients and colleagues. Key qualities such as compassion, active listening, adaptability, and teamwork are essential for fostering trust and collaboration, which ultimately improve patient care and create a supportive workplace environment.
  • Hard skills are specific, measurable abilities gained through education, training, or experience. For nursing assistants, examples include taking vital signs, assisting with personal hygiene, and documenting patient care.
  • Technical skills refer to the specific knowledge and abilities required to perform tasks in a particular field. In nursing, this includes skill in using patient management systems, medical imaging software, and various diagnostic equipment.

In general, aim to include a balanced mix of relevant skills that align with the job requirements to showcase your overall capabilities. See below for more skills examples for a nursing assistant resume.

TipPRO TIP

If you’re a newer nursing assistant, place your skills section near the top of your resume, right after your summary. For those with more experience, it’s better to position this section lower and mix your skills throughout your work history for a cohesive presentation.

5. Education

Understanding how to list education on your resume is essential for showcasing your qualifications. Begin by listing your most recent or relevant nursing degree, including both the degree type and the school name.

If you’re a recent graduate, consider adding your graduation year, GPA (if it’s 3.5 or above), any honors received, or relevant coursework to further improve your profile.

Nursing assistant resume education section example:

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Community College of Denver, Denver, CO
Graduated: 2023 | Top 10% of Class

TipPRO TIP

If you’re progressing from an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), or have earned another relevant degree, list both in reverse-chronological order.

6. Certifications

Listing certifications on your resume demonstrates your commitment to the nursing profession and can help offset limited experience. While not always included in a traditional resume, this section is valuable for most nursing assistants looking to stand out. Employers often require specific credentials for specialized roles, such as CPR certification for emergency care or additional training for geriatrics.

Be sure to provide only relevant certifications that support your candidacy in the healthcare field. Keep these credentials current and clearly listed to make it easy for hiring managers to recognize your qualifications.

Nursing assistant certification examples:

  • Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) License, New Jersey #987654 | New Jersey | Expires: 12/2028
  • Basic Life Support (BLS) | American Heart Association | Expires: 05/2027
  • First Aid Certification | National Safety Council | Expires: 01/2028
  • Patient Care Technician Certification (PCT) | National Center for Competency Testing | Expires: 11/2027

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Tailor Your Work History to Beat the ATS

Your work experience is more than a list of job titles. It’s a chance to show the measurable impact you’ve had on patients, teams, and healthcare outcomes. Including this information can also lead to a more ATS-friendly resume that can be easily scanned by applicant tracking systems (ATS).

A strong work history should be tailored to the job you’re applying for, using keywords and phrasing that match the employer’s needs. Start by carefully reviewing the job description. Look for repeated skills, certifications, or patient populations mentioned, and then reflect those elements, if possible.

These examples are pulled from our most-used entries in the resume builder—based on what hiring managers respond to most.

  • Assisted nursing staff in providing care to 15+ patients daily, improving patient comfort and satisfaction by 20%.
  • Monitored vital signs and reported changes to the nursing team, ensuring timely interventions for high-risk patients.
  • Supported the training of new nursing assistants, fostering teamwork and improving efficiency within the unit.
  • Used electronic health records to document patient information accurately and maintain compliance with care standards.
  • Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop personalized care plans for patients with diverse needs.

Example of Skills for Nursing Assistants

Including the right skills for your resume demonstrates to employers and ATS that you possess the necessary abilities for a nursing assistant role. Since resumes are often scanned quickly, ensure your skills are focused, relevant, and closely match the job description.

The skills listed reflect what is currently valued in the nursing assistant field. These capabilities frequently appear in successful resumes and resonate strongly with healthcare hiring managers looking for qualified job seekers.

5 Soft Skills for Your Resume or CV

  • Empathetic communication
  • Teamwork
  • Crisis management skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Time management

5 Hard Skills for Your Resume or CV

  • Patient care and monitoring
  • Vital signs assessment
  • Mobility assistance
  • Basic life support (BLS)
  • Electronic health records (EHR) management

What’s a Fair Nursing Assistant Salary?

Understanding what nursing assistants earn across the country helps you evaluate job offers, negotiate better pay, and make informed career decisions. The data below comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and reflects the most recent nationwide averages for nursing assistants.

Keep in mind that factors like location, years of experience, certifications, and clinical specialty can all influence your actual salary. Nursing assistants in hospitals often earn more than those in residential care facilities, while advanced certification as a geriatric nursing assistant can lead to higher compensation opportunities.

Alabama$32,670
Alaska$48,550
Arizona$43,060
Arkansas$33,350
California$48,790
Connecticut$44,860
Delaware$40,120
District of Columbia$47,480
Florida$38,320
Georgia$37,090
Hawaii$45,480
Idaho$37,740
Illinois$43,950
Indiana$38,610
Iowa$40,590
Kansas$38,600
Kentucky$37,960
Louisiana$31,700
Maine$45,500
Maryland$42,070
Massachusetts$46,130
Michigan$40,210
Minnesota$45,230
Mississippi$31,750
Missouri$37,650
Montana$42,020
Nebraska$40,830
Nevada$44,360
New Hampshire$47,190
New Jersey$44,480
New Mexico$38,320
New York$47,530
North Carolina$37,980
North Dakota$42,530
Ohio$39,840
Oklahoma$34,900
Oregon$49,970
Pennsylvania$41,700
Rhode Island$43,740
South Carolina$35,970
South Dakota$38,070
Tennessee$37,040
Texas$37,010
Utah$39,240
Vermont$43,610
Virginia$40,160
Washington$49,960
West Virginia$36,320
Wisconsin$43,050
Wyoming$41,040
Guam$34,750
Puerto Rico$25,060
Virgin Islands$40,970

Key Takeaways

  • Tailor your resume to the job description. Use the specific language from the posting to align with both ATS and human reviewers.
  • Highlight quantifiable achievements. Illustrate your impact with metrics like patient care tasks completed (e.g., daily patient assessments, support hours provided, satisfaction ratings) to make a strong impression.
  • Select an appropriate format for your experience level. New nursing assistants might benefit from a functional layout, while those with experience often opt for reverse-chronological resumes.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Last Update:

What resume format should I use for my nursing assistant resume?

There are three main resume formats to consider when applying for a nursing assistant position. Your choice will depend on your experience level and the aspects of your background you wish to highlight:

  • Chronological: The most popular format, a chronological resume emphasizes your work experience by detailing responsibilities and achievements in reverse order. This approach is particularly effective for applicants with a relevant job history that reinforces their qualifications and highlights their growth in the nursing assistant field.
  • Functional: Also known as a skills-based resume, the functional resume emphasizes a qualifications summary and an expanded skills section to highlight your relevant abilities. By minimizing focus on work history, this format is helpful for applicants without direct experience in the field or those with gaps in their employment.
  • Combination: A combination resume integrates both chronological and functional elements, featuring a skills section alongside work experience. Nursing assistants benefit from this format because it highlights their relevant abilities while also demonstrating their career advancement and experiences in various healthcare settings.
Should I include a cover letter with my resume?

Yes, you should include a cover letter with your nursing assistant application. A tailored cover letter complements your resume by allowing you to share your passion for patient care and highlight specific experiences that set you apart. It demonstrates to employers that you’ve put thought into your application, which can be a deciding factor in a competitive job market.

If you’re feeling uncertain about how to write a cover letter, don’t worry. There are many resources available to guide you. You can find articles specifically for nursing roles, explore various examples that match the style of positions you’re applying for, or look at different formats that suit your experience and preference.

For an efficient approach, consider using a cover letter generator to help structure your content. These tools can provide valuable suggestions tailored to the nursing field while saving you time in the writing process.

What keywords should I include to pass applicant tracking systems (ATS)?

To improve your resume for the ATS, focus on incorporating keywords and phrases directly from the job posting. Terms like “patient care,” “vital signs,” and “medication administration” are important to highlight your nursing assistant skills. Look for specific requirements in the listing and tailor your language accordingly.

Don’t forget to mention relevant certifications such as CPR, First Aid, or CNA. Additionally, if you’re familiar with technical tools like Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems or scheduling software, include these as well. This will demonstrate your qualifications and help you stand out to potential employers.

Should I include volunteer work or caregiving experience?

Yes, especially if you’re new to the field. Listing volunteer roles or informal caregiving demonstrates your hands-on experience with patients and shows compassion, which can set you apart when formal nursing assistant roles are scarce.

Elizabeth Muenzen profile image
Elizabeth Muenzen Career Advice Writer

Elizabeth Muenzen is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and member of the Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches who empowers job seekers to take control of their career paths using Monster’s comprehensive job search and resume tools.

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