Nursing Cover Letter Examples & Templates
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Nurses use their skills to assess patient needs, develop care plans, administer medication, educate patients and their families and collaborate with other healthcare professionals.
Land your dream nursing job faster with a compelling cover letter that showcases your relevant skills and experience in the industry.
Explore our professionally crafted nursing cover letter examples and use our Cover Letter Generator to build a job application that impresses employers and wins interviews.
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Nursing Cover Letter Example (Text Version)
Nancy Rader
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(555) 555-5555
example@example.com
Sept. 13, 2024
Astrid Serrano, Human Resources Manager
Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
555-555-5555
example@example.com
Dear Astrid Serrano,
Please accept this letter expressing my interest in the registered nurse (RN) position. I am a highly motivated and progress-focused nurse with a long-standing background in this industry. With a track record of adaptability, leadership and dependability, I have devised strategic initiatives that will prove valuable to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital.
I have perfected my patient assessment, equipment management, intravenous therapy and charting abilities throughout my career. I am a capable and consistent problem-solver skilled at prioritizing and managing an average of 200 patients per week with proficiency.
In my previous role, I monitored a 12-bed unit and collaborated effectively with interdisciplinary teams, including physicians, specialists and other practitioners, to provide quality patient care. Additionally, I helped increase 50% of patient satisfaction by assisting individuals to carry out personal tasks such as dressing and walking.
I am excited about the opportunity to join your team. Please take a moment to review my attached resume and credentials. I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to speak with you regarding my candidacy and how my skills and experience can benefit your healthcare facility.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Nancy Rader
How to Format Your Cover Letter
A cover letter for a nursing job is your opportunity to introduce yourself to potential employers, expand upon your resume skills and demonstrate your unique fit for the role.
Your nursing cover letter should highlight skills that demonstrate your suitability for the job you are applying for. Here are a few examples of nursing skills to highlight in your cover letter:
- Clinical Competence: Emphasize your proficiency with clinical tasks and procedures. Detailing your experience with patient care, medication administration and the use of medical equipment shows employers that you have the necessary skills for the job.
- Communication Skills: Nurses must effectively communicate with patients, families, and other healthcare professionals. Highlight instances where your communication skillsimproved patient outcomes or enhanced collaboration within the healthcare team.
- Adaptability: The ability to adapt to rapidly changing conditions is crucial in healthcare. Provide examples of how you’ve successfully handled unexpected situations or adjusted to new healthcare environments, such as different units or hospitals.
Remember to include specific examples of how you’ve demonstrated relevant skills in previous roles and how you plan to implement them in the role you are applying for.
Use the Business Letter Format
A cover letter is a business letter, so your cover letter format should follow the standard business letter formatting conventions.
Use 1-inch margins on all sides, 1.15 to 1.5 spacing and left alignment on your one-page letter. Additionally, your nursing cover letter template must include the following:
- A header with your name, city, state, ZIP code and telephone number.
- The recipient’s address and contact information.
- A greeting like “Dear Mr. Lee,” “Dear Hiring Manager,” or “Dear HR Department.”
- A simple closing, like “Kind regards” or “Sincerely.”
Using a cover letter template is the best way to ensure your letter is formatted correctly and will pass through applicant tracking systems (ATS).
We also recommend reviewing how to make an ATS-friendly resume to ensure your job application reaches hiring managers.
How to Write a Nursing Cover Letter
Start With a Compelling Introduction
Think of your cover letter introduction as an elevator pitch, and be as clear and convincing as possible. Mention why you’re interested in the job and explain why you’re an excellent fit.
Mention your background in nursing and highlight relevant education, certifications or licenses that align with the job requirements.
Explain why you are passionate about nursing, such as your commitment to advancing your skills in a field that continually evolves and impacts community health.
Showcase Accomplishments
Outline accomplishments that demonstrate your suitability for the role. This could include improving patient satisfaction rates or successfully implementing infection control measures.
Use strong action verbs and numbers to describe your accomplishments in previous roles. Here are a few examples:
- Improved patient satisfaction scores by 30% through enhanced communication strategies and patient-centered care practices over a 12-month period.
- Led a quality improvement initiative that reduced central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) rates by 25% within six months.
- Coordinated a cross-training program for nurses that increased staff flexibility and reduced overtime by 15%, ensuring comprehensive coverage during peak times.
Remember to highlight both hard skills and soft skills relevant to the role throughout your nursing cover letter.
Close With an Invitation
The final paragraph of your nursing cover letter should be used to thank the hiring manager for their time and reiterate your enthusiasm for the role.
If you’ve researched the hospital or healthcare facility, briefly reiterate how your values and career goals align with theirs.
Show that you understand their mission and why you believe you would be a good fit for their nursing team and healthcare organization.
Conclude by expressing your eagerness to further discuss how your nursing skills and experiences can benefit their patient care outcomes.
See how to write a cover letter for additional guidance on crafting a compelling cover letter that stands out to hiring managers and recruiters.
Pair your nursing cover letter with a matching resume
FAQ
How Do You Write a Strong Nursing Cover Letter?
To craft an effective nursing cover letter, begin with a compelling opening line that grabs the reader’s attention, such as a brief personal story related to nursing or a notable achievement.
Discuss specific skills and experiences that make you suitable for the position. Use examples from your clinical rotations, previous nursing jobs or relevant healthcare positions.
Mention any specialties or certifications you have, such as BLS, ACLS, or a specialization in a particular area of nursing like pediatrics or oncology.
Explore our guide on what to include in a cover letter for additional examples and tips on what to include throughout each section of your letter.
What Skills Should Your Highlight in a Nursing Cover Letter?
In a nursing cover letter, strategically highlighting specific skills can greatly enhance your appeal as a candidate. Here are key skills to emphasize:
- Empathy and Compassion: Nursing is a caring profession, and demonstrating your ability to empathize with patients and provide compassionate care is crucial. Share specific instances where your empathy improved a patient’s care experience.
- Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking: Nurses often face complex situations where quick and effective decision-making is necessary. Provide examples of how you’ve used your critical thinking skills to resolve issues or improve care.
- Teamwork and Collaboration: The ability to work well within interdisciplinary teams is vital in nursing. Describe situations where your collaboration contributed to better patient outcomes or enhanced team efficiency.
- Leadership and Management Skills: If you have management or leadership skills, such as supervising a team or leading a project, these are valuable to highlight. Discuss any roles where you’ve guided other staff or managed resources.
- Technical Skills: Proficiency with healthcare technology, like electronic health records (EHR) systems, is increasingly important. Mention your experience with specific platforms or your ability to learn new technologies quickly.
Explore the cover letter examples for nursing on this page and our library of cover letter examples to see how you can effectively showcase relevant skills throughout your letter.
How Long Should a Cover Letter Be In Nursing?
A nursing cover letter should typically be concise and to the point, ideally fitting on a single page. The ideal cover letter length is about three to four paragraphs, with each paragraph containing three to four sentences.
This length allows you to effectively communicate your qualifications, experience and interest in the position without overwhelming the reader.
The key is to be brief but impactful, ensuring that every sentence adds value and relevance to your application.
How Important Is a Cover Letter in Nursing?
While some employers may not require a cover letter, submitting one can significantly enhance your job application and improve your chances of landing an interview.
Explore the necessity of cover letters for additional guidance. Here are a few reasons why including a cover letter with your resume is important:
- First Impressions: It offers the first impression to potential employers, providing a glimpse into your communication skills, professionalism and personality. It’s your opportunity to express how you align with the organization’s values and goals.
- Detailing Specific Experiences: While a resume provides a broad overview of your skills and experiences, a cover letter allows you to delve into specific instances where you’ve applied those skills effectively.
- Demonstrating Fit and Interest: A well-crafted cover letter can demonstrate your enthusiasm for the position and your fit within the organization. It lets you explain in detail why you want to work at that healthcare facility.
- Addressing Gaps or Changes: If there are any gaps in your employment history or if you’re making a career transition, a cover letter provides a chance to explain these circumstances positively and proactively.
We recommend exploring our basic cover letter guide to learn how to craft a concise yet compelling cover letter for your next nursing role.
Best Practices
- Address the recruiter or hiring manager directly.
- Explain what attracted you to the company in one or two sentences.
- Customize your nursing cover letter for the job.
- Include keywords from the job description throughout.
- End with a clear call to action.
- Proofread your cover letter more than once.
- Write a generic nursing cover letter.
- Write more than one page.
- Use generic salutations, like “To Whom It May Concern.”
- Regurgitate your nursing resume.
- Rely on automatic grammar or spell-checkers.
- Write a fan letter, even if it is your dream job.
Resume examples for top nursing jobs
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- Chief Nursing Officer Resume
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- Public School Nurse Resume
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- Nursing Assistant Resume
- Patient Care Associate Resume
- Nursing Unit Clerk Resume
- ER Nurse Resume
- NICU Nurse Resume
- Patient Care Technician Resume
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- Geriatric Nurse Practitioner Resume
- Pre Post Operating Nurse Resume
- Advanced Practice RN Resume
- Nurse Practitioner
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Elizabeth is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and a member of the Professional Association of Résumé Writers & Careers Coaches. She is passionate about delivering information that empowers job seekers to achieve their professional goals.
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