CNA Letter of Recommendation Template

Because many nursing-related positions — such as certified nursing assistants (CNAs) — have direct contact with patients, healthcare organizations often use rigorous onboarding practices. A CNA letter of recommendation is a key piece that hiring managers use to decide whether an applicant is skilled, safe, and compassionate when it comes to patient care.

If you want to write a recommendation letter CNAs could use to find their next job, you may be stumped about what to include. We put together a template to help you organize your thoughts and write a meaningful letter. Check out the tips that go along with each section for ideas and inspiration.

Why Is a CNA Letter of Recommendation Important?

As the supervisor or coworker of a nurse’s aide, you have important insights to share with the hiring organization. You know the applicant well, so your assessment of their moral character and professional skills could be the deciding factor in whether they get the job.

Furthermore, your input will reflect back to you and your facility. Because of this, you should only endorse a CNA that you have confidence in. If you’re unsure whether an aide would be a positive addition to another team, it may be best to turn down the opportunity.

How to Write a Letter of Recommendation for CNAs or other Nursing Support Staff

Once you’re sure you want to recommend a former colleague, it’s time to write your CNA recommendation letter. Here is a section-by-section guide to help you create a letter that will shine a positive light on the applicant and your facility.

1. Start With a Professional Greeting and Introduction

Tips: Begin your CNA letter of recommendation with a greeting, and then introduce yourself and your position within your facility. Describe the intention of the letter, then move into your connection to the applicant, including how long you’ve worked together in that capacity.

This is a great place to put in some of the candidate’s most stand-out strengths. Consider top CNA skills, like the ability to recognize safety issues during patient care and communicate pertinent information to the healthcare team.

You can use your natural writing voice, but keep in mind that the tone should be conversational yet professional. If you know the name of the person or committee you’re addressing, use it. If not, it’s generally considered proper to begin with “To Whom It May Concern.”

Template:

To Whom It May Concern,

My name is [your name], and I am the nurse manager of the medical-surgical unit at Regional City Hospital. I am writing to recommend Dania Wilson, who is applying for the role of CNA at your facility. I have had the pleasure of supervising Dania for the past six years.

Dania consistently goes above and beyond when it comes to caring for the patients on our unit. I think her attention to safety issues, prompt communication, and positive attitude would make her a valuable addition to any nursing team.

2. Describe the Candidate’s Strengths, Skills, and Qualifications

Tips: The next section of your CNA letter of recommendation will go deeper into the candidate’s professional strengths and skills.

The hiring party will have access to the applicant CNA’s resume and a list of relevant certifications. This is your chance to support that resume. If you choose to include a story here, keep it succinct. In all, your letter should not exceed one page.

Template:

Dania came to our unit with 10 years of experience as a CNA at a variety of nursing homes, and our team quickly recognized her exceptional patience when helping patients with ADLs, transfers, and ambulating. Her ability to provide compassionate and safe care extends to all patients on our unit, including children and infants.

Her name often pops up on patient experience surveys thanks to her stand-out ability to make patients feel at home and nurtured. She is also safety conscious. There have been several times when she brought a safety issue to my attention, along with thoughts about how we could address it.

3. List Personality Attributes and Behavior Traits

Tips: Give the hiring manager insights about what it’s like to work with the CNA. The knowledge you’ve gleaned from supervising or working with the applicant is the focus of the letter of recommendation. For CNAs, potential positive attributes could be:

• Reliable
• Trustworthy
• Responsible
• Safety-oriented
• Empathetic
• Caring
• A strong communicator
• Detail-oriented
• Honest
• Kind
• A team player

Also, consider the position they’re applying for and highlight related qualities. For example, if the desired position is at an acute rehab facility, you could discuss the aide’s ability to provide emotional support to patients with long and complicated recovery processes.

Template:

The RNs on my staff who delegate tasks to Dania often report that she’s reliable, thorough, and detail-oriented. Her CNA coworkers have said that she is quick to help out if they have heavy assignments, whether it’s with ADLs, ambulating patients, or taking vital signs.

Over the years I’ve noticed that she consistently comes to work with a positive attitude, and this has an uplifting effect on the coworkers she collaborates with as well as the patients she cares for. Last year, Dania was the recipient of the Certified Nursing Assistant Excellence Award for her commitment to our facility values, including integrity, honesty, and service with compassion.

4. Conclude With a Final Commendation

Tips: Wrap up the content of the CNA letter of recommendation by sharing a final, definitive statement about your confidence in the candidate, along with any last thoughts about what it was like working with them.

Template:

I believe Dania Wilson would be a great addition to your nursing team. Her extensive experience, caring nature, and collaborative and helpful attitude make her a joy to work with. It is an honor to recommend her for the position.

5. Provide Your Personal Contact Details for Further Questions

Tips: The hiring party may have questions about the candidate, so it’s standard practice to close with your personal contact information. Make it clear that you’re available for further conversation.

Template:

If you have any questions for me, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I would be happy to discuss Dania’s contribution to our unit in more detail.

Best regards,

[Your name and credentials]

[Place of employment]

[Email address]

[Phone number]

Discover More Ways to Support Current and Former Staff

If you’ve been asked to write a CNA letter of recommendation, consider it an honor. You’ve played an important part in your staff member’s career journey, which is why they’re looking to you for help with their next step. Want more ways to support your staff? Get our latest expert-written healthcare management insights delivered right to you.