Cna Certification on Resume

What Is CNA Certification

The Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification is issued by the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP), which is administered by the National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB). This certification validates essential skills and knowledge required to provide basic patient care in nursing facilities, hospitals, and other healthcare settings. The CNA credential signifies a high level of competence in areas such as taking vital signs, assisting with personal hygiene, and administering medication under the supervision of registered nurses. In the healthcare industry, the CNA certification is crucial for entry-level positions and serves as a foundation for further career advancement.

Prerequisites for obtaining a CNA certification typically include completing a state-approved nursing assistant training program, passing a background check, and successfully passing both a written and skills test administered by the NNAAP. The validity period of the CNA certificate varies by state but usually ranges from one to three years, with requirements for renewal through continuing education and re-certification exams. IT is estimated that preparing for the CNA certification takes approximately 4-12 weeks, depending on individual study habits and prior experience, and is considered moderately difficult.

Should I Include CNA Certification on Resume?

Including your CNA certification on your resume can be highly beneficial for job seekers in the healthcare industry, especially those seeking entry-level positions or career advancement within nursing assistant roles. The relevance and recency of the certification should guide its placement on the resume. If you have recently obtained the certification, IT is best to list IT prominently under a dedicated Certifications section, highlighting the credential's importance to your professional development.

In some cases, including the CNA certification in the Education section may also be appropriate if IT was obtained as part of a formal training program. If you have significant experience in nursing assistant roles without the certification, briefly mentioning the certification in the summary or relevant experience sections could demonstrate your commitment to ongoing professional development.

Geographical differences exist when considering the importance of including the CNA certification on a resume. For example, states with stricter regulations may place more emphasis on this credential when evaluating job candidates.

Hiring Managers And CNA Certification on Resume

• Hiring managers view the CNA certification as evidence of a candidate's commitment to providing quality patient care and adhering to industry standards.
• They associate this credential with essential skills such as compassion, attentiveness, and competence in basic nursing tasks.
• In some healthcare settings, having a CNA certification may be a required prerequisite for employment.
• The presence of the CNA certification on a resume can set candidates apart from competitors who lack this professional credential.
• However, hiring managers may perceive a lack of recent or ongoing professional development negatively if a candidate's CNA certification is outdated or expired.

How to List CNA Certification on Resume

• Use the following format for listing your CNA certification: "Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), [State], [Issuing Organization], [Expiration Date]"
• Do not include the certification number/ID.
• If the certificate has recently expired or is in-progress, note this by adding "Renewal pending," "Expires MM/YY," or "In progress."
• Include the certifying organization (e.g., NNAAP) for clarity.
• Examples:
• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), California, National Nurse Aide Assessment Program, 06/2023
• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), New York, National Nurse Aide Assessment Program, Renewal pending

Where to List CNA Certification on Resume

• A dedicated Certifications section is the optimal place for listing your CNA certification. This allows hiring managers to easily find and evaluate your professional credentials.
• If you have recently obtained the certification and IT aligns with the position you are seeking, consider placing IT at the top of the resume under a Certifications heading.
• If the CNA certification is older or less relevant to the position, list IT in the Education section, especially if IT was obtained as part of a formal training program.
• Mentioning the CNA certification in the summary or relevant experience sections can demonstrate your commitment to ongoing professional development but should be used sparingly and only when applicable.
• If you have multiple certifications, list them in order of relevance to the position for which you are applying.

Examples of How to List CNA Certification on Resume

Example 1 - For a Technical Resume

Certification: CNA Certification, National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) Duration: January 2020 - Present

This format is suitable for a technical or medical resume that highlights the candidate's certifications and licenses. By listing the certification at the top of the resume, IT immediately catches the recruiter's attention. The validity period provides an indication of the candidate's recent activity in the field.

Example 2 - For a Recent Graduate

Education: Associate Degree in Nursing, XYZ University, May 2021 Certification: CNA Certification, National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP), January 2020 - Present

This format is ideal for a recent graduate who wants to emphasize their educational background and freshly acquired certification. By placing the certification after the degree, IT shows that the candidate has already taken steps towards practical experience in the field.

Example 3 - In a Dedicated Certifications Section

Professional Skills: Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Certified Basic Life Support (BLS) Certified CNA Certification, National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP), January 2018 - Present

In some resumes, IT can be beneficial to create a dedicated section for certifications. This format is suitable for candidates who have multiple certifications and want to showcase them all together in one easily accessible place.

Example 4 - In a Skills-First Resume Format

Skills: Patient care, including CNA duties (January 2018 - Present) Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) Basic Life Support (BLS) certified Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certified

This format is popular among candidates who want to emphasize their skills and practical experience before delving into their certifications. By listing the CNA certification within the skills section, IT demonstrates that the candidate has both the required skills and certifications for a nursing assistant role. The inclusion of the validity period helps validate the candidate's current status as a certified nursing assistant.