New CNA cover letter example
A newly certified nursing assistant who just finished a state-approved program applies for an evening shift at a long-term care center.
Dear Ms. Johnson,
I am applying for the Certified Nursing Assistant position on the evening shift at Maple Grove Care Center. In August I completed the state-approved nurse aide training program at Bellows Community College, passed the state competency exam and was added to the state nurse aide registry. I would like to begin my career caring for your residents.
During my clinical training at Contoso Senior Living, I worked under the supervision of a licensed nurse on a 30-bed long-term care unit. I helped residents bathe, dress, eat and use the bathroom, and I took and recorded vital signs for up to eight residents per shift. I practiced safe transfers with gait belts and mechanical lifts, and I learned to watch for changes in skin, appetite and mood and report them to the nurse right away.
One resident living with dementia often refused help at mealtimes. Her family told me she had been a schoolteacher, so I began asking about her students while I set up her tray. By the end of my rotation she was finishing most of her meals, and her nurse asked me to share the approach with the rest of the team.
Before my training, I worked two years as a host at a busy family restaurant, where I learned to stay patient and friendly when things get hectic. I hold current BLS certification from the American Heart Association, and I am available for evenings, weekends and holidays.
Thank you for considering my application. I would welcome the chance to meet your team and learn more about your residents.
Sincerely,
Tasha Green
(216) 555-0129
tasha.green@example.com
Experienced CNA cover letter example
A CNA with six years in long-term care and short-term rehab applies for a hospital orthopedic unit.
Dear Mr. Patel,
I am applying for the Certified Nursing Assistant position on the orthopedic unit at Lakeview Regional Hospital. I have six years of experience as a CNA in long-term care and short-term rehab, my certification is active on the state registry, and I am ready to bring my mobility and fall prevention skills to an acute care team.
At Fabrikam Rehabilitation and Nursing, I care for 10 to 12 residents per shift on a 40-bed rehab unit where most patients are recovering from hip and knee replacements. I help with bathing, dressing, toileting and meals, take vital signs and weights, and document care in PointClickCare. I report changes in condition to the charge nurse right away, and I have spotted early skin breakdown and new confusion that led to quick changes in a resident's care plan.
Fall prevention is the part of my work I am proudest of. I helped our unit set up hourly rounding and a bed alarm check at every shift change, and our unit's falls dropped from about six a month to two over the following year. I am trained on mechanical lifts, sit-to-stand lifts and gait belts, and I have taught safe transfers to 12 new aides.
I also know how much families worry. I introduce myself at the start of each shift, tell families what to expect and pass their questions to the nurse.
I hold current BLS certification and am available for 12-hour day or night shifts, including every other weekend. Thank you for considering my application. I would welcome the chance to discuss how I can support your nurses and patients.
Sincerely,
Robert Ellis
(412) 555-0186
robert.ellis@example.com
Home caregiver to CNA cover letter example
A home care aide who just earned CNA certification applies for a memory care position at an assisted living community.
Dear Ms. Rivera,
For three years I have worked as a home care aide with Contoso Home Care, helping older adults stay safe and comfortable in their own homes. This summer I completed a state-approved nurse aide training program, passed the competency exam and was added to the state nurse aide registry. I am applying for the CNA position in the memory care neighborhood at Brightside Senior Living.
As a home care aide, I support four regular clients each week, including two living with Alzheimer's disease. I help with bathing, dressing, meals, medication reminders and light housekeeping, and I keep a written log for families and the agency nurse after every visit. Because I work alone in clients' homes, I have learned to notice small changes, such as a new bruise, a smaller appetite or more confusion than usual, and to report them the same day.
My CNA training added skills I could not practice in a home. During my clinical hours, I took and recorded vital signs, practiced transfers with a mechanical lift and learned the infection control steps a facility requires. My instructor noted that I already knew how to approach residents with dementia calmly, using short sentences and familiar routines.
I chose memory care because I have seen how much a steady, familiar face matters to people with dementia and to the families who visit them. I want to be part of a team that gives residents that consistency every day.
I hold current CPR and first aid certification and can work day or evening shifts, including weekends. Thank you for your time and consideration. I would welcome the chance to meet with you.
Sincerely,
Grace Morales
(702) 555-0117
grace.morales@example.com
Opening lines you can adapt
I am applying for the Certified Nursing Assistant position at Maple Grove Care Center, and I am newly certified and listed on the state nurse aide registry after completing my clinical training in long-term care.
In six years as a CNA, I have helped hundreds of rehab patients get back on their feet safely, and I would like to bring that experience to your orthopedic unit.
Your posting asks for a CNA who is calm, observant and comfortable with mechanical lifts, which describes the care I give 10 to 12 residents every shift.
Kara Wilson, a charge nurse on your rehab unit, suggested I apply for your night shift CNA opening after we worked together during my clinical training.
The best part of my day is the moment a resident who was having a hard morning smiles at me during breakfast, and that is the kind of care I want to bring to your team.
After three years as a home care aide, I recently earned my CNA certification and am ready to bring my experience with dementia care to your memory care neighborhood.
Closing lines
I would welcome the chance to discuss how I can support your nurses and residents. I am available for an interview any weekday afternoon.
Thank you for considering my application. You can verify my certification on the state nurse aide registry, and I can provide my BLS card at your request.
I am available for evenings, weekends and holidays and can start within two weeks. I look forward to hearing from you.
I would like to learn more about your unit and your residents. You can reach me at (216) 555-0129 or tasha.green@example.com.
More on structure: how to start a cover letter and how to end one.
Tips for a CNA cover letter
Confirm your certification and registry status
Say in the first paragraph that you are certified and listed on your state nurse aide registry, or give the date of your competency exam if you are still waiting. Employers check the registry, so make it easy for them.
Give your care setting and resident load
Name the setting, such as long-term care, rehab, hospital or memory care, and how many residents or patients you care for per shift. "Cared for 10 to 12 residents per shift" tells a nurse manager what you can handle.
Show that you observe and report
Nurses rely on CNAs to notice changes in skin, appetite, mood or mobility. One example of a change you caught and reported to the nurse shows good judgment within your role.
Mention lifts, transfers and safety training
Safe transfers protect residents and staff. List the equipment you use, such as gait belts and mechanical lifts, and any fall prevention or infection control work you have done.
Tell one short story about compassion
A two or three sentence example of how you helped a resident through a hard moment shows the patience employers look for. Leave out names and any detail that could identify the person.
Mistakes to avoid
- Describing tasks outside a CNA's scope, such as assessing patients or giving medications, unless your state and training allow it. Describe what you did under a nurse's supervision.
- Leaving out your certification and registry status, which many employers look for first.
- Sending a generic letter that never names the facility, the unit or the shift you want.
- Including resident names, room numbers or other details that could identify someone.
- Listing duties without any numbers or examples, such as "helped residents with daily care," instead of saying how many residents you supported and how.