Top 20 CNA Resume Skills That Will Get You Hired in 2026: Hard Skills, Soft Skills, and Certifications That Matter

The healthcare industry is hiring CNAs faster than ever, but that doesn’t mean landing your dream job will be easy. With approximately 211,800 openings projected each year according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, competition for the best positions at top facilities remains fierce.

Here’s the good news: the right skills on your resume can make all the difference.

Certified Nursing Assistants who showcase both clinical expertise and interpersonal abilities consistently outperform candidates who simply list their job duties. Employers aren’t just looking for someone who can take vitals. They want healthcare professionals who can connect with patients, adapt to new technologies, and collaborate effectively with nursing teams.

By the end of this article, you’ll know exactly which 20 CNA skills to highlight on your resume, how to demonstrate each one effectively, and what hiring managers are prioritizing as we head into 2026. Whether you’re a brand new CNA or looking to advance your career, these skills will help you stand out in a crowded job market.

Let’s dive in.

Why Your CNA Skills Section Matters More Than Ever

Your skills section isn’t just a checklist for applicant tracking systems. It’s your first opportunity to show hiring managers that you understand what modern patient care actually requires.

Healthcare facilities have transformed dramatically over the past few years. CNAs now work with electronic charting systems, support telehealth initiatives, and must demonstrate advanced infection control knowledge. The CNAs who thrive are those who combine traditional caregiving abilities with newer technical competencies.

The bottom line? A generic skills list won’t cut it anymore. You need to strategically showcase abilities that match what employers are actively seeking.

The reality is that most resume templates weren’t built with ATS systems or AI screening in mind, which means they might be getting filtered out before a human ever sees them. That’s why we created these free ATS and AI proof resume templates:

The 10 Essential Hard Skills for CNA Resumes

Hard skills are the technical abilities you’ve learned through training, certification programs, and hands-on experience. These are the measurable competencies that prove you can do the job.

1. Patient Care and Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)

This is the core of CNA work. You’ll assist patients with essential daily tasks that they can’t complete independently.

ADL support includes:

• Bathing and personal hygiene assistance
• Dressing and grooming help
• Toileting and incontinence care
• Feeding and meal assistance
• Mobility and transfer support

Don’t just write “assisted with ADLs” on your resume. Instead, quantify your experience.

Strong resume example: “Provided compassionate daily care support for 15+ residents, maintaining a 98% patient satisfaction rating.”

2. Vital Signs Monitoring

Taking and recording vital signs accurately is non-negotiable. Employers want CNAs who can not only collect this data but recognize when readings indicate a potential problem.

Essential vital signs you’ll monitor:

• Blood pressure
• Pulse and heart rate
• Temperature
• Respiration rate
• Oxygen saturation levels

Interview Guys Tip: When listing vital signs monitoring on your resume, mention specific equipment you’ve used. Terms like “digital sphygmomanometer” or “pulse oximetry” signal that you’re familiar with modern medical devices, not just outdated equipment.

3. Electronic Health Records (EHR) Proficiency

According to healthcare researchers, 96% of U.S. hospitals have adopted certified EHR systems. If you can’t navigate digital charting platforms, you’ll struggle in virtually any healthcare setting.

Common EHR systems to know:

• Epic
• Cerner
• Meditech
• Allscripts
• PointClickCare

Include the specific EHR systems you’ve worked with on your resume. This is one area where getting additional certifications can really pay off.

4. Infection Control and Prevention

The emphasis on infection control has only intensified in recent years. CNAs must understand proper protocols to protect patients and themselves.

Key infection control competencies:

• Proper hand hygiene techniques
• PPE selection and usage
• Isolation protocol compliance
• Equipment sterilization procedures
• Biohazard waste disposal

Facilities are actively seeking candidates who can demonstrate knowledge of current infection prevention guidelines from organizations like the CDC.

5. CPR and Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification

This certification is often required, not optional. Keep your CPR and BLS certifications current and list them prominently on your resume. You can obtain certification through organizations like the American Heart Association or American Red Cross.

Strong resume example: “CPR and BLS certified through American Heart Association, valid through December 2027.”

6. Patient Mobility Assistance

CNAs regularly help patients move safely, whether that’s transferring from bed to wheelchair, assisting with ambulation, or repositioning bedridden patients.

Mobility assistance skills include:

• Safe patient transfer techniques
• Proper body mechanics
• Mechanical lift operation
• Gait belt usage
• Fall prevention strategies

Employers value CNAs who have experience with mobility equipment and understand how to protect both themselves and patients from injury.

7. Medical Terminology Knowledge

You’ll communicate constantly with nurses, physicians, and other healthcare professionals. Understanding medical terminology helps you accurately relay information and follow instructions.

Don’t claim fluency in medical terminology unless you can actually demonstrate it. Focus on the terminology relevant to your specialty area, whether that’s geriatric care, rehabilitation, or acute care settings.

8. Wound Care and Skin Assessment

CNAs often assist with basic wound care and play a critical role in monitoring skin integrity. This is especially important in long-term care settings where pressure ulcers are a significant concern.

Wound care responsibilities may include:

• Skin integrity assessments
• Pressure injury prevention
• Basic dressing changes
• Wound measurement documentation
• Reporting changes to nursing staff

9. Specimen Collection

Collecting and properly handling specimens is a regular CNA responsibility. Attention to detail here directly impacts diagnostic accuracy.

Common specimen types:

• Urine samples
• Stool samples
• Sputum samples

10. Nutritional Support and Feeding Assistance

Many patients need help with meals due to physical limitations or cognitive impairments.

Nutritional support includes:

• Feeding assistance techniques
• Dietary restriction monitoring
• Intake and output documentation
• Swallowing difficulty recognition
• Aspiration risk awareness

The 10 Critical Soft Skills Employers Want

Soft skills are the interpersonal abilities that determine how effectively you work with patients, families, and your healthcare team. Many hiring managers consider these even more important than technical skills because they’re harder to teach.

11. Empathy and Compassion

Healthcare experts consistently identify empathy as one of the most valuable traits in nursing assistants. Patients are often scared, uncomfortable, and vulnerable. CNAs who genuinely connect with patients on a human level provide dramatically better care.

Ways to demonstrate empathy:

• Active listening during patient interactions
• Acknowledging patient fears and concerns
• Providing emotional comfort alongside physical care
• Treating each patient as an individual, not a task

Interview Guys Tip: Don’t just write “compassionate” on your resume. Instead, demonstrate compassion through your work experience descriptions. Something like “Developed individualized comfort care routines for hospice patients and their families” shows empathy in action.

12. Communication Skills

Strong communication works in multiple directions. You’ll need to communicate effectively with various people throughout your shift.

Communication responsibilities include:

• Explaining procedures clearly to patients
• Reporting observations accurately to nurses
• Coordinating with family members
• Documenting everything thoroughly
• Escalating concerns appropriately

The ability to clearly communicate a change in patient status can literally save lives.

If you’re preparing for CNA interview questions, expect to be asked about your communication approach with difficult patients or in high-pressure situations.

13. Patience and Emotional Resilience

CNA work can be physically and emotionally demanding. Some patients may be uncooperative, confused, or even combative. Maintaining professionalism and patience in these situations requires genuine emotional strength.

Situations requiring patience:

• Working with patients who have dementia or confusion
• Repeating instructions multiple times
• Handling combative or agitated patients
• Supporting families during difficult times
• Managing high-stress emergency situations

Hiring managers look for candidates who can handle stress without burning out.

14. Attention to Detail

Small details matter enormously in healthcare. Noticing subtle changes can prevent serious complications.

Details that matter:

• Slight changes in patient condition
• Accurate intake and output recording
• Proper specimen labeling
• Medication timing observations
• Documentation accuracy

Strong resume example: “Implemented systematic patient monitoring checklist that reduced documentation errors by 25%.”

15. Teamwork and Collaboration

CNAs are part of larger care teams. You’ll work alongside RNs, LPNs, physicians, therapists, and other healthcare professionals.

Collaboration skills include:

• Accepting direction gracefully
• Supporting colleagues during busy shifts
• Participating in care planning discussions
• Sharing observations with the team
• Covering for teammates when needed

When describing your experience, use phrases that emphasize collaboration: “partnered with nursing staff,” “coordinated care with therapy team,” or “supported interdisciplinary care planning.”

16. Adaptability and Flexibility

Healthcare environments are unpredictable. Schedules change, patient needs shift, and new protocols get introduced regularly. CNAs who can adapt quickly are invaluable.

Flexibility expectations:

• Working various shifts (days, evenings, nights)
• Adjusting to census changes
• Learning new procedures quickly
• Floating to different units when needed
• Handling unexpected emergencies

17. Time Management

You’ll juggle multiple patients with different needs, all while documentation requirements pile up.

Time management challenges:

• Prioritizing competing patient needs
• Completing documentation during shifts
• Managing interruptions effectively
• Meeting scheduled care requirements
• Balancing urgent vs. routine tasks

If you’ve ever created systems to manage competing demands or improved efficiency in a previous role, highlight those accomplishments.

18. Problem-Solving Abilities

Not every situation has a clear protocol. CNAs often need to think on their feet and find creative solutions to patient care challenges.

When preparing your resume, think about times you identified a problem and took initiative to solve it. These examples demonstrate critical thinking that employers value.

19. Reliability and Dependability

This might seem basic, but it’s huge. Facilities desperately need CNAs who show up on time, complete their assignments, and can be counted on during staffing shortages.

How to demonstrate reliability:

• Consistent attendance record
• Willingness to cover extra shifts
• Following through on commitments
• Meeting deadlines consistently
• Being punctual for every shift

Your work history speaks volumes here. A record of steady employment and positive references signals reliability better than any skills list.

Interview Guys Tip: If you have attendance awards, perfect attendance periods, or have been the person managers called when they needed shifts covered, mention it. Something like “Maintained 100% attendance record across 18-month tenure” demonstrates the reliability hiring managers crave.

20. Cultural Competence and Sensitivity

Healthcare facilities serve diverse populations. CNAs who can provide culturally appropriate care while respecting different backgrounds, beliefs, and preferences deliver better outcomes for all patients.

Cultural competence includes:

• Respecting dietary and religious preferences
• Understanding cultural approaches to healthcare
• Communicating across language barriers
• Avoiding assumptions based on background
• Adapting care approaches appropriately

Language skills can be valuable here. If you speak Spanish, Mandarin, Vietnamese, or other commonly spoken languages in your area, include this on your resume.

Specialized Skills That Set You Apart

Beyond the core 20 skills, certain specializations can significantly boost your resume’s appeal and your earning potential.

Dementia and Alzheimer’s Care

With an aging population, expertise in caring for patients with cognitive impairments is increasingly valuable.

Dementia care skills include:

• Specialized communication techniques
• Behavior management strategies
• Memory care best practices
• Redirection and de-escalation
• Creating calming environments

Hospice and Palliative Care

End-of-life care requires a unique skill set.

Hospice care competencies:

• Symptom management support
• Family emotional support
• Comfort-focused care approaches
• Understanding the dying process
• Grief and bereavement awareness

Rehabilitation Support

CNAs working in rehabilitation settings assist patients recovering from surgeries, strokes, or injuries.

Rehab-specific skills:

• Range-of-motion exercise assistance
• Ambulation techniques for recovering patients
• Progress monitoring and documentation
• Motivation and encouragement strategies

Pediatric Care

Caring for children requires different approaches than adult care.

Pediatric care involves:

• Age-appropriate communication
• Working with anxious parents
• Pediatric vital sign norms
• Child development awareness
• Play-based care approaches

How to Showcase CNA Skills on Your Resume

Knowing the right skills is only half the battle. You need to present them effectively.

Create a Dedicated Skills Section

List your top 8-10 most relevant skills in a scannable format near the top of your resume.

Tips for your skills section:

• Match keywords from the job posting
• Group similar skills together
• Use industry-standard terminology
• Prioritize skills the employer emphasizes
• Keep formatting clean and readable

Demonstrate Skills Through Experience

Each bullet point in your work history should illustrate skills in action.

Weak example: “Responsible for patient care.”

Strong example: “Provided comprehensive ADL support for 20+ memory care residents while maintaining detailed EHR documentation and coordinating with nursing staff on care plan updates.”

Include Relevant Certifications

Create a separate section for certifications and credentials.

Certifications to highlight:

• State CNA certification
• CPR/BLS certification
• Specialized training (dementia care, wound care)
• EHR system certifications
• Any additional healthcare credentials

Quantify Whenever Possible

Numbers make your accomplishments concrete.

Metrics to include:

• Number of patients cared for per shift
• Patient satisfaction scores
• Attendance records
• Training completion rates
• Error reduction percentages

For more guidance on building a powerful resume, check out our comprehensive guide on how to list skills on a resume.

What Employers Are Looking for in 2026

The CNA role continues to evolve. Here’s what’s shaping hiring priorities right now.

Technology Readiness

Digital transformation in healthcare is accelerating. According to industry trends, EHR adoption in the UK is expected to exceed 77% by 2025, with similar trends in the U.S.

Tech skills that matter:

• Tablet and mobile device proficiency
• Digital charting applications
• Telehealth platform familiarity
• Basic troubleshooting abilities

Person-Centered Care Philosophy

Facilities increasingly emphasize individualized, patient-centered approaches rather than task-oriented care.

Person-centered care means:

• Treating patients as individuals
• Respecting personal preferences
• Involving patients in care decisions
• Focusing on quality of life, not just tasks

Career Advancement Potential

Many employers prefer hiring CNAs who show interest in growing their careers.

Ways to show advancement potential:

• Pursuing additional certifications
• Expressing interest in LPN or RN programs
• Taking on leadership opportunities
• Volunteering for special projects

Putting It All Together

Landing your ideal CNA position requires more than just certification. You need a resume that clearly demonstrates both the technical competencies and interpersonal qualities that modern healthcare facilities demand.

Focus on the 20 skills outlined in this guide. Document them through specific, quantified examples from your experience. Keep your certifications current, and stay open to learning new technologies and specialized skills.

The demand for qualified CNAs isn’t slowing down. With approximately 211,800 openings projected annually and growing emphasis on quality patient care, skilled nursing assistants have tremendous opportunities ahead.

Your next step? Review your current resume against this skills list. Identify gaps, gather examples of each skill in action, and update your resume to position yourself as the complete CNA package employers are actively seeking.

For more help preparing for your job search, explore our resources on customer service interview questions (many of these skills transfer directly to healthcare) and healthcare interview preparation.

Good luck out there!

The reality is that most resume templates weren’t built with ATS systems or AI screening in mind, which means they might be getting filtered out before a human ever sees them. That’s why we created these free ATS and AI proof resume templates:

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