Creating a strong resume as a nursing assistant is essential to landing a good job in healthcare. This article gives examples of effective resumes and offers strategic advice. Learn how to highlight clinical skills, patient care experience, and certification details. We will also discuss the proper format and language that appeal to employers. Make your resume work for you.
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Here's what we see in the best resumes for nursing assistants.
Show Impact With Numbers: Good resumes use numbers to show impact, like
Include The Right Skills: Include skills on your resume that you have and are mentioned in the job description. Some popular ones are
Highlight Certifications: It's key to list any licenses or certificates. Sample phrases:
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As a nursing assistant, your education is critical to your role. If you are new to the workforce or have recently finished your nursing studies, you should list your education at the top of your resume. This will help hiring managers see your qualifications right away. Make sure to include any certifications such as Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) or any relevant training you've received.
If you have been working as a nursing assistant or in a related field and have built up experience, your education should follow your professional experience on your resume. In these cases, your hands-on experience can say more about your skills than your formal education. Always keep the content focused and relevant, which in your case, means highlighting any specialties or areas of healthcare you are trained in.
Nursing assistants should list any certifications, such as CPR or First Aid, prominently. These are crucial qualifications that healthcare employers look for.
Experience with electronic medical records (EMR) is also valuable. Mention any software platforms you are proficient in, as this skill is highly regarded in the industry.
When you're applying for a position as a nursing assistant, keep your resume to one page. This is especially true if you have less than 10 years of experience. Your resume needs to show that you can communicate your background effectively and efficiently. If you have more experience that is relevant and important, two pages are acceptable.
Focus on including recent and relevant experiences that highlight your skills in patient care and teamwork. Make sure important details like certifications and special skills are easy to find. If you have trouble fitting your information on one page, consider editing less critical items or choose a layout that uses space wisely. Remember, readability is important, so avoid tiny fonts or margins just to cram more in. It's better to present clear, concise information.
Include specific examples of your patient care skills, such as assisting with daily activities or monitoring vital signs. These details show your hands-on experience.
References from previous roles in healthcare can also strengthen your resume. Mention them briefly and note they are available upon request to prove your competency in a clinical setting.
When you apply for a job as a nursing assistant, your resume might first be read by a computer program called an Applicant Tracking System (ATS). To help you get past the ATS and into the hands of a hiring manager, follow these tips:
Make sure your resume is clear and simple. Use a standard font and format. Complex designs can confuse the ATS. Remember, a resume that the computer can read easily is one step closer to getting you an interview.
To stand out, tailor your resume to show you're a good match for a nursing assistant role. Read the job posting carefully and make your experience look relevant. Show how your skills will help in daily nursing tasks.
You need to show what you've achieved, not just what you did. When you're a nursing assistant, think about how you made a difference. Let's turn common tasks into accomplishments that catch an employer's eye.
Before: Responsible for taking patient vital signs
After: Enhanced patient care by accurately monitoring and recording vital signs of 20+ patients daily, leading to a 15% decrease in critical incidents over 6 months.
Before: Assisted with daily living activities for patients
After: Improved patient satisfaction through compassionate assistance with daily living activities, contributing to a 10% increase in positive patient feedback surveys.
When you're putting together your resume, remember that certain skills are crucial for nursing assistants. Here's a list of skills you may want to include if they match your experience.
You don't need to include all these skills. Pick the ones that best show your expertise. Place them in a dedicated 'Skills' section on your resume. This helps with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), which employers use to scan resumes. The ATS looks for specific keywords related to the job, so including relevant skills is important.
Remember to mention any certifications, like
As a nursing assistant, showing your growth in leadership roles can be a key factor in landing your next job. You might have more experience leading than you think. Here are ways you can show this growth on your resume:
Even if you have not had a formal title change, these examples show that you have taken on more responsibility and have leadership experience. Remember to keep it clear and simple, focusing on how your leadership improved patient care or team performance.
Using numbers on your resume can show how you have made a clear impact in your past roles. When you apply for a job as a nursing assistant, think about the tasks you do every day and how you can measure them. For example, how many patients do you help? Or how much time do you save with efficient practices?
Here are some ideas for metrics you can use:
Even if you are not sure about the exact numbers, think about your daily work and estimate. For example, if you know you help with meal times, estimate how many meals you deliver each shift. Always be honest and do your best to give true numbers. Employers look for evidence of your good work. Numbers help them see it quickly.
When you are applying for nursing assistant positions, think about the size of the health care providers. For bigger hospitals like Mayo Clinic or Cleveland Clinic, focus on your ability to handle a high workload and work with a large, diverse team. Use phrases like 'experienced in a fast-paced environment' and 'collaborated with a large team of health professionals.'
For smaller clinics or local care homes, highlight your personal touch and versatility. Phrases like 'provided personalized patient care' and 'adapted to various roles as needed' can show your value in a setting where staff may need to wear multiple hats.
In both cases, make sure to talk about your strong communication skills and your attention to detail, as these are key in any nursing assistant role.