CNA Cover Letter: Sample & Complete Guide [20+ Examples]

Chaymae Samir

Contributing Writer

Updated 01/13/2023

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In a moment you will learn how to write the perfect cover letter for certified nursing assistants.

Because you really need one—

More than 50% of hiring managers still expect to get a cover letter.

But writing a good CNA cover letter is hard.

And writing a bad one is like breaking a mercury thermometer—avoid at all costs!

No worries. In a few minutes you’ll be all set to clock in and write a cover letter that will give you the nursing position of your dreams.

This guide will show you:

CNA cover letter examples better than 9 out of 10 others.
Proven templates to make the best entry-level nursing assistant cover letter in the stack.
How to write a cover letter for a nursing job step by step (even if you have no experience.)
How to describe your experience in a cover letter for nursing job applications and get any position you want.

Want to write your cover letter fast? Use our cover letter builder. Choose from 20+ professional cover letter templates that match your resume. See actionable examples and get expert tips along the way.

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Use this cover letter template

Sample cover letter for a resume—See more cover letter samples and create your cover letter here.

One of our users, Nikos, had this to say:

[I used] a nice template I found on Zety. My resume is now one page long, not three. With the same stuff.

Considering similar positions too? See other cover letter examples for jobs in your industry:

Want to explore your options further? See our full selection of cover letter examples for every career: Best Cover Letter Examples for All Professions

Let's start with a sample CNA cover letter:

CNA Cover Letter Sample

Hiring Manager Name

Title

Mailing Address

Phone Number

Email Address

Date

Your Name

Title

Current Employer (If Any)

Mailing Address

Phone Number

Email Address

Dear [Hiring Manager Name],

Decreasing the nursing turnover rate by 40% was one of my proudest moments. I believe this will help me in exceeding Silver Oak’s healthcare goals and providing the best medical support.

Silver Oak is renowned for its world-class medical staff. Here are ways I believe I fit that description well:

At Providence Medical Center, cared daily for a caseload of 56 patients with Alzheimer’s, dementia and cancer

Set up and organized an information bank for guidelines and schematics, which resulted in better access to needed information and less time searching for it

With five years of certified nurse assistant experience, I'm a master at juggling different patient and staff needs. I thrive in demanding environments and look forward to exploring the opportunity to help Silver Oak continue its reputation of excellence.

Can we pick a time to discuss how my work at PMC can translate to an enhanced care quality for Silver Oak’s clients?

Best Regards,

[Your Name]

PS—I’d love to tell you how I assisted with the planning and moving from a 60-bed nursery to the newly-constructed 90-bed nursery.

The Best CNA Cover Letter Template

You know how you avoid unhealthy looking people at the mall fearing that you may have to perform CPR on your day off?

You know how you’ll touch anything as long as you have gloves. Well, you’ll get any CNA job you want as long as you have the right nursing cover letter.

Keep reading on though! We’ll scan this nursing assistant cover letter, so you can write one just as healthy.

So how do you make sure they’ll pick your CNA cover letter out of all the other certified nurse assistant applications?

Making sure your nursing cover letter format is on point.

Here’s what to include:

The Best CNA Cover Letter Template [Checklist]

your contact details
the company’s details
a greeting/salutation (find the hiring manager’s name!)
an opening statement that grabs their attention
a short paragraph on how you can help them
a short paragraph on why the CNA position is perfect for you
a closing statement that seals the deal
a call to action that’s louder than a patient beeping
complimentary close (e.g., Regards,) and your name
a postscript (P.S.)

Remember: add relevant and quantifiable achievements to the body of your nursing assistant cover letter.

Numbers, dollars, and percentages scream: I’m efficient.

Unsure how long should a cover letter be for nursing assistant positions?

It depends on your experience. But not less than 200 words and not more than 300.

This should be enough to include relevant wins and help you land the job.

Want more info to write the best nursing assistant cover letter on record? See this guide: Cover Letter Format: A Complete How-To Guide

And if you’re looking for an intern position, make sure to read: How to Write a Cover Letter For an Internship [+20 Examples]

Plus: see the next section on how to write a killer opening for a cover letter.

A CNA Cover Letter Opener Hiring Managers Love

You’ve got three seconds to convince the nursing manager to read your CNA cover letter.

So how do you make sure it is well attended to by the hospital’s recruiter?

The first sentence—

This is what makes it pass the checks. So nail that cover letter intro and rest assured they will read on.

And don’t worry, even if you have no experience, you can still come up with a killer entry-level CNA cover letter opener.

Here’s how to hook the hiring manager:

CNA Cover Letter Sample—Introduction

1. Begin with the proper heading.

Add your and the hiring manager’s name, title, email, and phone.

2. Use the right salutation.

Use the nurse manager’s full name if you’re applying to a more traditional company. You can also go for “Dear Hiring Manager” if you can’t figure out who to address your cover letter to.

3. Fill your opening paragraph with your best achievement.

Show them why you’re the best candidate for the position and how they will benefit from hiring you.

Let’s examine these two entry-level CNA cover letter examples.

CNA Cover Letter Examples—Opening Paragraph

wrong

To Whom it May Concern,

I’m a recently certified nursing assistant, with a passion for excellent patient care. I’m writing to apply for the CNA position.

Talk about anyone who’s just received a CNA certification and this will literally sedate the hiring manager. Instead, do it like this Certified Nurse Assistant cover letter sample:

right

Dear Jennifer (hiring manager’s name),

Decreasing the nursing turnover rate by 40% was one of my proudest moments. I believe this will help me in exceeding Silver Oak’s healthcare goals and providing the best medical support.

Nailed.

(You get paid to stab people with sharp objects after all.)

The right example shows you know what you’re doing and that you’re doing it well (%).

But how to write a CNA cover letter when you have no experience?

Pick a transferable achievement from your other positions or mention a side project you completed.

Entry-Level CNA Cover Letter No Experience

right

Dear Jennifer (hiring manager’s name),

As a former hospital cleaner, I was thrilled to see the opening for a certified nursing assistant. As a fresh graduate of First Aid, CPR and Medication Administration Training with hospital background, I know I can use my skill set and knowledge to quickly become a valuable teammate at Princeton Hospital.

Pro Tip: Still in the process of getting your additional certifications? Just bet on your best accomplishment. Even a commendation from a professor will do the work.

Just like understaffed days, finding the perfect opener for your CNA cover letter can make you want to pull your hair out. Not to worry, you can see our guide here: How to Start a Cover Letter: Sample & Complete Guide

When making a resume in our builder, drag & drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check. Start building a professional resume template here for free.

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When you’re done, Zety’s resume builder will score your resume and tell you exactly how to make it better.

Write a Great Certified Nursing Assistant Cover Letter Main Body

So, you have the perfect intro and the recruiter’s attention.

What’s next?

You have to still keep them on the edge of their seat.

How?

By tailoring the main body of your CNA cover letter to the position you’re applying for.

How to tailor your cover letter for a CNA job?

Open the job ad and read it mindfully.
Underline the CNA skills and CNA duties in it.
Pick matching achievements from you past to wow the recruiter.

These CNA cover letter samples show how.

CNA Cover Letter Examples—Middle

Let’s assume the job is looking for a (1) carer who can (2) implement best practices.

Here’s a Certified Nursing Assistant cover letter middle that commits:

Silver Oak is renowned for its world-class medical staff. Here are ways I believe I fit that description well:

(1) Cared daily for a caseload of 56 patients with Alzheimer’s, dementia and cancer at Providence Medical Center.
(2) Set up and organized an information bank for guidelines and schematics, which resulted in better access to needed information and less time searching for it.

If the hiring manager doesn’t call you straight away for an interview, he might actually be needing intensive care.

The bullet points draw the eye and add accomplishments to the mix. You identified the hospital needs and proved how you can fill them.

Pro Tip: Send your nursing assistant cover letter directly to the hiring manager. If you don’t know their name, call the hospital’s HR department or check LinkedIn. Read our guide on how to address a cover letter for more job-winning cover letter tips.

Learn how to write about your CNA experience and skills on a cover letter. Use our guides: CNA Job Description for a Resume and Nursing Skills for a Resume & Cover Letter

How to End CNA Cover Letters With a Bang

You started off strong, and you’ve kept that momentum going this far.

The shift is almost over.

But this is where it could all go wrong.

Using a powerful closing statement is what allows you to go home, aka get the interview.

First, make an offer, like the CNA cover letter examples below.

CNA Cover Letter Sample—Ending

wrong

So when is the interview?

Thanks for your consideration.

Eww, that’s just nasty. Plus, no one likes needy patients. So don’t be a needy nurse either!

Check out the next of our CNA cover letter samples:

right

Can we pick a time to discuss how my work at PMC can translate to an enhanced care quality for Silver Oak’s clients?

Best Regards,

[Your Name]

PS—I’d love to tell you how I assisted with the planning and moving from a 60-bed nursery to the newly-constructed 90-bed nursery.

Now we’re talking.

This ending makes you impossible to forget.

That feels just like when a patient’s blood sugar is low enough you won’t have to cover it.

Pro Tip: Put an accomplishment in a “PS” and you’ll have too many interview requests to handle.

Want to fix your CNA cover letter ending? Need more examples of solid offers that will make the manager pick up the pager? See our guide: How to End a Cover Letter: Sample & Complete Guide [+20 Examples]

Key Takeaway

See how painless that was?

I know it. You know it. If you can put ted hose on patients, you can do anything.

Here’s a recap of how to write a professional CNA cover letter:

Make it personal. Use the hiring manager’s name and make sure you know their needs just as well as your patients’.
Use a compelling hook. Start with your best achievement. That shows the recruiter you are one in a million.
Show you belong together. Use the middle section to present that you’re the best fit for the company and that you’re the best teammate to go to combat with.
End with an offer, and a PS. Don’t demand, offer to give. Plus, the “PS” allows you to sneak in an extra accomplishment.

One last thing—

Your CNA cover letter will make miracles only if it is attached to a perfect CNA resume. Learn how to make one in a flash. Check our guide: CNA Resume: Sample & Complete Guide [+20 Examples]

Got any questions on how to write a CNA cover letter? Hungry for more cover letter writing advice? Get at us in the comments below, and thanks for reading!

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CNA Cover Letter: Sample & Complete Guide [20+ Examples]

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