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:
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.
CNA Cover Letter for a Resume—See more cover letter templates and create your cover letter here.
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:
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:
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.
1
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:
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.
2
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:
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.
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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 |
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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.
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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 your resume here.
When you’re done, Zety’s resume builder will score your resume and tell you exactly how to make it better.
3
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?
These CNA cover letter samples show how.
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:
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.
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
4
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.
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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 |
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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]
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:
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!
Most job openings never get advertized. Plus, recruiters often revisit candidates from past recruitment processes. You can cut the line by applying "in advance" using a letter of interest.
Applying for a job via email? You need a perfect email cover letter (No, copy-pasting your regular cover letter will NOT do.) Check out this guide to see an email cover letter sample that gets jobs. Plus, you’ll get an email cover letter template you can adjust and use, tons of expert advice, and actionable cover letter tips.
How to write a general cover letter? Copy our sample generic cover letter template, adjust and use it to land an interview. Read more!
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