What is the most important skill for a CNA resume?

ADLs (Activities of Daily Living). Every employer needs to know you can handle bathing, feeding, toileting, and ambulatory assistance safely.

How do I list my CNA certification?

List it prominently in a 'Certifications' section. Include your State Registry Number (if applicable/safe), expiration date, and the certifying body.

Should I mention specific medical equipment?

Yes! Hoyer Lifts, Gait Belts, Pulse Oximeters, and Glucometers are fantastic keywords that show you are 'floor ready' and need less training.

How do I describe difficult patients?

Use professional terms like 'Dementia Care,' 'Behavioral De-escalation,' or 'Palliative Care.' Never say 'difficult' or 'stubborn.'

Do I need to list HIPAA?

Absolutely. It filters out candidates who are a liability risk. Mention 'HIPAA Compliance' or 'Patient Confidentiality' at least once.

CNA Resume Keywords (2026): 60+ Skills for Nursing Assistants

🚨 There is a CNA shortage, but top hospitals still reject 50% of resumes.

Why? Because big health systems use strict ATS filters. They aren't just looking for "experience." They are looking for liability protection.

If your resume doesn't explicitly say "HIPAA Compliant," "Infection Control," or "Hoyer Lift Experienced," the hiring manager assumes you don't know them.

👉 Scan Your Resume for Clinical Keywords — Free

Beyond Bedside Manner: The Technical CNA

You got into nursing to help people, but to get the job, you need to speak "Medical-ese."

A resume that says "Helped patients eat and go to the bathroom" sounds untrained. A resume that says "Assisted with ADLs including feeding and toileting for high-acuity patients" reads like a generic professional.

In 2026, healthcare is high-tech and high-regulation. Your resume needs to reflect that. This guide gives you the 60+ clinical keywords to prove you are a safe, competent hire.

What Are CNA Resume Keywords?
Top 10 "Must-Have" Clinical Skills
ADLs (Activities of Daily Living) - The Core
Medical Equipment & Tech
Soft Skills: Empathy & Patience
Home Health vs. Hospital vs. LTC
Resume Examples: Unlicensed vs. Pro
FAQ

What Are CNA Resume Keywords?

CNA keywords are the specific medical terms that define scope of practice. They tell a Nurse Manager exactly what you are legally allowed to do.

Clinical: Vital Signs, Wound Care (basic), Range of Motion.
Compliance: HIPAA, OSHA, Infection Control.
Safety: Fall Prevention, Body Mechanics.

👉 Check Your Resume for Medical Keywords Now

Top 10 "Must-Have" Clinical Skills

These are the non-negotiables for any CNA or PCT (Patient Care Tech) role.

Keyword	Why It Matters	Context Example
Vital Signs	The bread and butter of the job.	"Recorded accurate vital signs (BP, Temp, Pulse, Resp) every 4 hours."
HIPAA Compliance	Legal requirement.	"Maintained strict HIPAA compliance regarding patient records and privacy."
Infection Control	Critical post-2020.	"Adhered to rigorous infection control protocols including PPE and hand hygiene."
Patient Safety	The hospital's #1 priority.	"Ensured patient safety through hourly rounding and bed alarm monitoring."
Charting / Documentation	If you didn't chart it, you didn't do it.	"Performed timely charting of I&O (Intake and Output) in the EHR system."
Fall Prevention	A huge liability metric.	"Implemented fall prevention strategies for at-risk geriatric patients."
Ambulation	Moving patients safely.	"Assisted with ambulation and transfers using proper body mechanics."
Measuring I&O	Critical for kidney/heart patients.	"Accurately tracked fluid intake and output for patients on restricted diets."
Specimen Collection	Lab work basics.	"Assisted with stool and urine specimen collection for laboratory analysis."
Post-Mortem Care	Handling end-of-life with dignity.	"Provided compassionate post-mortem care and family support."

ADLs (Activities of Daily Living)

Don't just list "ADLs." Break them down if you want to hit more keywords.

Bathing / Grooming: (Bed baths, shower assist).
Toileting: (Bedpans, catheters supervision, incontinence care).
Feeding: (Assisting with dysphagia patients, aspiration precautions).
Dressing: (Assisting patients with weak limbs).
Transfers: (Bed to chair, pivot transfers).

💡 Pro Tip: Use the term "Total Care" if you have experience with patients who cannot do anything for themselves. It shows high capability.

Medical Equipment & Tech

Prove you know how to use the tools.

Equipment

Hoyer Lift / Mechanical Lift (Huge keyword—shows you can move heavy patients).
Gait Belt
Pulse Oximeter
Manual Blood Pressure Cuff (Shows you don't just rely on machines).
Glucometer (Blood sugar checks - check your state laws, but usually a PCT skill).
Catheter Care (Emptying/Cleaninng, not inserting).

Software (EHR / EMR)

Epic
Cerner
Meditech
Point of Care (POC) Charting Tablets

Home Health vs. Hospital vs. LTC

Different settings need different keywords.

Long Term Care (Nursing Homes)

Geriatric Care
Dementia / Alzheimer's
Sundowning
Palliative Care / Hospice
Rehabilitation

Hospitals (Acute Care)

Acute Care
Med-Surg (Medical Surgical)
Trauma Informed Care
High-Acuity
Pre-op / Post-op Prep (shaving, cleaning)

Home Health

Autonomy
Travel
Household Management
Medication Reminders
Companionship

👉 Trying to move from a Nursing Home to a Hospital? You need to swap "Resident" for "Patient" and emphasize "Acute" skills over "Long Term" skills. Use ResumeAdapter to tailor your resume for the hospital ATS.

Soft Skills: Empathy & Patience

Nursing is emotional labor.

Compassion: "Delivered care with compassion and dignity."
Cultural Sensitivity: "Respected diverse backgrounds and consistent with cultural sensitivity."
Teamwork: "Collaborated with RNs and LPNs as a vital part of the care team."
Communication: "Reported changes in patient condition immediately to the Charge Nurse."
Patience: "Demonstrated extreme patience with cognitively impaired residents."

Resume Examples: Unlicensed vs. Pro

❌ Weak Example (Sounds dangerous)

CNA, Shady Acres (2022–Present)
Watched patients.
Cleaned them up when they had accidents.
Fed them lunch.
Took temperature.
Nice to families.

Why it fails: "Watched patients" sounds passive. "Cleaned them up" is unprofessional.

✅ Strong Example (Hospital Ready)

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), General Hospital (2022–Present)
Provided high-quality care for 12+ patients on a busy Med-Surg unit, assisting with all ADLs including bathing and feeding.
Monitored and documented vital signs and I&O in Epic EMR, immediately alerting RNs to abnormal values.
Expertly utilized Hoyer Lifts and Gait Belts to transfer immobile patients safely, maintaining a zero-fall record.
Adhered to strict Infection Control and Contact Precautions for patients with MRSA/C-Diff.
Provided compassionate care for hospice patients and emotional support for family members.

Why it works: It mentions the unit (Med-Surg), the Ratio (12+ patients), the Tech (Epic, Hoyer), and the Safety (Zero-fall, Infection Control).

Certifications to List

CNA State Certification (Active & Good Standing)
BLS (Basic Life Support) - usually required from American Heart Association.
CPR / AED
First Aid

FAQ: CNA Resume Questions

Can I include my clinical rotation experience if I'm a new grad?

YES! Absolutely. Treat your Clinical Rotations like a job. List the hospital name, the unit, and the skills you performed. Label it "Clinical Experience."

What if my certification is expired?

Don't list it as "Active." List it as "Expired (Renewal in Progress)" if that's true, or "Previous Certification." Hospitals cannot hire you as a CNA without an active license, but they might hire you as a "Patient Care Assistant" while you renew.

Should I list "Heavy Lifting"?

Yes. "Physical Stamina" or "Ability to lift 50lbs+" is often a hard requirement in the job description to prevent worker comp claims.

Is "Caregiver" the same as "CNA"?

No. CNA is a medical license. Caregiver is a general term. If you have the license, use the title CNA or Certified Nursing Assistant everywhere. It pays more.

How do I switch from CNA to RN on my resume?

If you are in nursing school, put "Nursing Student" in your objective or education. Mention "Currently enrolled in BSN program." Hospitals love to hire CNAs who will become nurses later.

Entry-Level Resume Hub: Start here if you are new to healthcare.
Nursing Student Resume Keywords: For when you start your RN program.
Medical Assistant Resume Keywords: A common alternative career path.
Free ATS Resume Scanner: Check for clinical keyword compliance.

Get your resume Scrub-Ready.

👉 Scan Your Resume for Missing Keywords — Free

Don't let a missing "BLS" or "HIPAA" keyword keep you from saving lives (and getting paid).