How to Write a CNA Description for a Resume

Words and Terms To Lean On

The first important element to understand is what words you should be using in your CNA job description. If you look through CNA resume samples, you’ll likely start to see many of the same CNA skills and job duties. Here are some skills to consider for a certified nursing assistant resume:

• Patient care
• Activities of daily living (ambulation, bedpans, personal hygiene, changing linens)
• Personal care plans
• First aid
• Medical equipment and medical records
• Avoiding bedsores
• Assist patients with call lights
• HIPAA
• Interpersonal skills
• Patient comfort
• Teamwork
• Patient well-being

These are all skills that a recruiter will likely be looking for throughout your resume. However, remember that a professional resume isn’t just a list of skills. You also want to talk about those skills appropriately, especially in other resume sections, like your resume objective or your work history section.

This is where action verbs come into play. When you use action words to describe your past job experiences, you create a picture of yourself as an active, involved employee. Here are a few examples of action words you may use in your resume template or cover letter:

• Charting patient’s vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, etc.)
• Talking to family members
• Providing emotional support
• Recording intake information
• Understanding patient conditions

Note how instead of just saying “Family member discussion,” this example emphasizes exactly what was done. You spoke to the family members yourself. This is an important part of putting your experience into perspective for a hiring manager.