CNA Cover Letter Writing Tips and Sample

As a certified nursing assistant (CNA), you’re a critical member of a healthcare team, supporting nurses by taking responsibility for patient activities of daily living such as bathing, feeding, and toileting. You also provide much-needed comfort and companionship to patients in hospitals and facilities specializing in geriatric care. Learning how to write an impressive CNA cover letter that highlights your skills can give you an advantage over the other applicants when you apply to jobs.

Your CNA resume gives employers an idea of your training and experience, but your cover letter is just as important. It lets employers get a sense of your compassionate and caring nature.

Nursing Assistant Cover Letter Tips

Show that you’ve done your homework. You don’t simply want a position, but a position with this facility. Check out the employer’s website and review their mission and values. Share a story that reflects those same values to show the reader that you’d be a good fit in this role. This makes your cover letter stand out in comparison to the many who don’t take the time to make these connections. Explain, for example, why their company culture or community outreach programs make you want to work with them over similar facilities.

Pay attention to detail. Do your best to add personal touches, such as the manger’s name. And don’t forget to express your thanks. Hiring managers see many job applications when they’re looking to fill a role. At the end of your cover letter, thank them for their time and attention.

Feature your soft skills. If you’re new to the profession, you can still write a strong CNA cover letter with no experience. Emphasize your sense of responsibility, great organizational skills, and general desire to make someone’s day a little brighter, every day. This exhibits your dedication and competency and can get you one step closer to securing a CNA job interview.

CNA Cover Letter Example

Below is an example of a CNA cover letter template for an entry-level nursing assistant application at a long-term care facility. You can use this as inspiration for your own:

Lela Stewart, CNA
lstewart@emailhere.com | 555-555-5555 | linkedin.com/lstewartlpn
610 Flower Dr.
Upper Darby, PA 18989

[Date]

Ramon Bienvenido, MSN
Manor House
Bienvenido@emailisp.com | 555-555-5555
777 Rocky Road Ave
Aston, PA 19192

Dear Mr. Bienvenido,

I am writing in regard to your certified nursing assistant position at Manor House. I am an empathetic and driven individual who prioritizes the health, safety, and comfort of my patients. Manor House has a wonderful reputation for compassionate and quality care, and I would be honored to be a part of your team. My patient care skills and ability to learn quickly make me a great fit for this position.

Despite being a recent graduate of my nursing assistant program, I have plenty of experience providing patient care for the elderly. Before enrolling in the nursing assistant program, I worked at Plush Mills Nursing Home as a dietary aid serving over 300 patients for three years and volunteered for their activities department during that time. These experiences allowed me to gain knowledge and skills and gave me an understanding of the needs of elderly patients.

During my clinical rotations, I helped with activities of daily living such as feeding, grooming, and bathing at least 20 patients each day. I also have experience with transferring patients to different positions by myself, with help, and by using mechanical lifts. I assist the nurses with their daily tasks and communicate any physical and mental patient changes as needed.

I appreciate your time and consideration. I look forward to speaking with you in person so I can learn more about Manor House. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at your convenience.

Sincerely,

Lela Stewart

CNA Salary and Employment

The average salary for CNAs in the United States is $39,610 per year. The states and areas that pay the highest annual salaries to CNAs include:

• Alaska
• Washington DC
• California
• Washington
• Oregon

Like other positions in healthcare, the expected nursing assistant job growth over the next decade is promising. The metropolitan areas with the highest level of employment for nursing assistants are:

• New York City
• Los Angeles
• Chicago
• Philadelphia
• Boston

Find Your Next CNA Job Today

Now that you’ve learned what a good CNA cover letter looks like, you can impress your next employer with your personality and experience before you even meet them. Ready to get started? Check out all the great CNA jobs available right now and apply today.