How to List Certifications on a CV (with Samples)
Guide for how to list certifications on CVs + examples and tips. Lists of easy certifications and job-critical certifications + how to put them on CVs.
Tom Gerencer
Career Expert
You’ve completed the CNA course, passed the exam, and found the perfect job opening. One last thing to score this ideal work opportunity—the best CNA CV they’ve yet seen.
From the chronically ill to the mentally disabled to the elderly, you help people who can’t help themselves.
Thing is, the hospital or long-term care clinic doesn’t yet know about your your extraordinary nursing skills.
So, you’ll inform them—
With the best CNA CV to talk up your medical skills, nursing experience, and professional background.
In this guide you’ll find:
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Also, have a look at these similar medical CV examples related to nursing:
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James Westerlock
Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA)
james.westerlock@gmail.com
(678) 876-6786
linkedin.com/in/jameswesterlock
Summary of Qualifications
Caring certified nursing assistant (CNA) with 2+ years assisting a variety of patients with healthcare, medical, and physical care needs. Worked with over 15 regular senior patients to increase quality of life. Trained 5+ student nurse assistants and home health aides on multiple elderly care operations.
Work Experience
Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA)
May 2018–August 2019
Montmartre Medical Services, Atlanta, GA
Key Qualifications & Responsibilities
Key Achievements
Nursing Assistant
February 2017–March 2018
Southern Senior Care, Atlanta, GA
Key Qualifications & Responsibilities
Education
Majoring Towards Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Expected Graduation: 2022
Relevant Coursework: Medical Assisting Fundamentals, Pathophysiology & Pharmacology in Nursing, Strategic Nurse Care, Personalised Medical Assistance, Clinical Reasoning, Common Adult Health Problems, Administering Senior Care, Nursing Diagnostics & Procedures.
High School Diploma
Benjamin E. Mays High School, Atlanta, GA
Graduation: 2017
Key Skills
Certifications
Memberships
Languages
Now—
Here’s how to write a CNA CV of your own:
A nurse wouldn’t just jab a needle in a patient’s arm before washing their hands and sanitising the area, right?
Similarly, before you begin writing a CV for certified nurse assistant jobs, the CV formatting needs to be prepared.
So—
Here’s how to format a CNA CV template:
Expert Hint: Export the CV as a PDF, unless directed otherwise. A CNA CV PDF can be read on any screen or device, while a Word document appears funny on certain phones or computers.
If a client comes into a medical office for a procedural consultation, the doctor’s competence and demeanour will either set their mind at ease or have them running away in fear.
It’s the same when starting a CV—
A CV header paragraph, known as an objective or summary, either compels the RN or LPN in charge to read further or makes them move on to the next candidate.
It has to be good.
But which intro statement is right for you?
If you have experience as a nurse assistant, go with the CV summary.
The career summary statement talks up your knowledge of nursing assistant skills, procedures, and protocols. It introduces you as a CNA candidate by briefly relaying your background, and it intrigues them by proving your abilities with a numbered achievement.
Here’s how to write a summary on a nursing assistant CV:
The first example CV summary is the winner because it is detailed, specific, and includes numbers to verify your nursing assistant skills. Furthermore, it’s tailored to the job—a key trait of CNA CVs that score interviews.
But—
When you’ve got little or no work history as a nursing assistant, go with the CV objective.
The objective statement on a CV for certified nursing assistants gives evidence of your skills and background, though unrelated. It provides your career goals to show your desire for this CNA job, and it also submits a numbered achievement for the win.
Here’s how to write a CNA CV objective introduction:
The bad example is generic and full of job-seeking jargon—you’ll prove you’re not the best nurse assistant because you’ll make them sick.
The good example is just right: to the point, detailed, personalised, and quantifiable.
Expert Hint: For the biggest impact, write the heading statement last. This way, you’ll have the best idea of what to talk about in your intro from writing the other sections.
Now we’ve come to the main part of any certified nurse assistant CV—
Here’s how to list past work in a CNA job description CV section:
Check out these two certified nursing assistant job description examples:
See this?
It’s not enough to give a monotonous, basic list of CNA duties.
To captivate the hiring doctor, RN, LPN, or LVN, give detailed bullet points of your job responsibilities, customise it for this particular position, and include quantifiable wins.
Focus on accomplishments. Most office assistants, CNAs, waiters, waitresses and others send lists with job titles and the job-candidate's job description. Hiring managers either know your job description or they can look it up online. They cannot look up your accomplishments in the job. What kinds of patients did you serve as a CNA? How many did you care for each day?
Also—
Beware the ATS.
An ATS, or applicant tracking system, assists the administrative staff at larger hospitals and clinics manage the large amounts of CVs they receive. A CV is fed into the software, given CV keywords to look for, and is graded by its match percentage.
If you get a poor grade, you’ll be deemed a poor candidate.
To locate the ideal keywords to use on a CV for CNA jobs, return to the job advertisement.
The CNA job description, particularly in the job responsibilities area, will tell you exactly which skills and abilities this medical facility is looking for in a CNA candidate.
Next up—
A great CV skills section.
Nursing assistants, aides, and orderlies are expected to increase by 177,700 jobs by 2026.
This 11% increase means more jobs—
But also more competitors.
Here is a list of sample CNA CV skills to ensure you get it right:
As we mentioned earlier, a tailored CV is a CV they’ll consider.
So, don’t think of every CNA skill and medical ability you have and throw them into a nursing assistant skills list. Instead, look at the job ad once more to find the skills they’re looking for. If you have one they request, add that into your certified nurse assistant skills CV list.
Consider including a core competency matrix of 9 hard skills in three columns to help ATS systems find your CV. This is especially important for CNA and related healthcare jobs where specific patient care competencies are key to being selected.
Expert Hint: Include a few soft skills to complement your hard skills! Communication skills, patience, and empathy are just as important for CNA jobs as knowing how to check vital signs.
The ResumeLab builder is more than looks. Get specific content to boost your chances of getting the job. Add job descriptions, bullet points, and skills. Easy. Improve your CV in our CV builder now.
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You don’t need more than a high school education for most nursing assistant positions.
However—
You do need to document your education correctly.
Here’s how a CNA CV education section should appear:
Here are guidelines to follow for a perfect CNA CV education section:
If you have completed a university degree, however, there’s no need to include your high school diploma.
Expert Hint: In most cases, your work history section goes above your education section. However, if you haven’t worked yet and your education section is more substantial, switch places and put this on top.
Additional sections on a CNA CV show the RN or LPN a clearer picture of yourself as a candidate.
Here are several top choices to consider for extra sections on a nursing assistant CV:
CNA & Nursing Organisations & Associations
Foreign Language Proficiency
Expert Hint: Don’t forget to include a cover letter for CNA jobs. Most employers require one, and many of the ones that don’t still prefer a CNA cover letter.
Double your impact with a matching CV and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter builder and make your application documents pop out.
Want to try a different look? There’s 18 more. A single click will give your document a total makeover. Pick a cover letter template here.
Let’s sum up—
Here’s how to write a CV for CNA jobs:
Have any questions on how to write a CV for certified nursing assistant jobs? Want more CNA CV samples? Let’s chat below in the comments, and thanks for reading!
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Guide for how to list certifications on CVs + examples and tips. Lists of easy certifications and job-critical certifications + how to put them on CVs.
Tom Gerencer
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