Sample Cover Letters for Nursing Job

Writing a great nursing cover letter can, at times, be as challenging as finding the perfect nursing job. Most job seekers usually tend to forget to include a cover letter when sending in their resumes. They tend to spend more time updating their resumes and adding more details to their certifications, education, accomplishments, and achievements.

When applying for any job position, it is always recommended to include a cover letter when sending in your resume. Other than acting as an introduction, it will help set you apart from other applicants. Even if the hiring manager only skims it, if something in the letter captures their attention, it can mean the difference between you and other applicants getting the job.

Free Downloads (Samples and Templates)

Free Printable Nurse Educator Cover Letter Sample as Word File

Great Downloadable Nurse Manager Cover Letter Sample For Word

Free Nurse Practitioner Cover Letter Sample as Word Document

Free Printable Registered Nurse Cover Letter Template as Word Format

Best Downloadable School Nurse Cover Letter Sample as Word File

    What is a Cover Letter?

    A cover letter (also referred to as a cover letter or an application letter) is a brief document that introduces a job seeker’s professional skills, personal interest, and work history in applying for a job.

    It acts as an invitation to the recipient of the letter to read your resume. The cover letter’s key objective is to showcase your personality as a nurse, expand upon your achievements in your resume, and explain to the hiring manager why you would be the best candidate for the position. Simply put, your cover letter, together with your resume, should help guide recruiters and hiring managers to screen your job application with ease.

    Types of Nursing Jobs

    With the constant change in the nursing field, there are several different types of nurses that you can be. However, with so many nursing specialties, it can be hard for one to decide on what type of nurse would be a great fit for them. From a nurse educator to a registered nurse, there is a type of nurse for every interest.

    Here are the different types of nurses and descriptions for the top five growing nurse specialties

    Nurse educator

    Nurse educators are tasked with teaching nursing students how to care for their patients. They may teach comprehensive lessons about nursing in general or simply focus on key areas of nursing.

    Nurse manager

    The task of a nurse manager is that of a supervisory clinical path. Most nurse managers move into administrative duty and handle tasks that include creating schedules, recruiting nurses, and making decisions regarding budgeting and management.

    Nurse practitioner

    Nurse practitioners serve as basic and specialty care providers. They deliver advanced nursing services to their patients and families. Nurse practitioners, depending on their main area of specialization and the state in which they practice, may also perform physical examinations on their patients, diagnose illnesses, provide evidence-based health education, and treat conditions.

    Registered nurse

    A Registered Nurse (RN) provides and coordinates patient care, educates the patients and the public about various health conditions, and offers advice and emotional support to the patients and their families. Most RNs work in a team with other healthcare providers and physicians in various settings.

    School nurse

    A school nurse has a vital role in the seamless provision of health services to the students and adults in a school. School nurses help in providing preventive services, interventions, early identification of problems, and referrals to foster health and educational success.

    They also facilitate positive student responses to normal development, intervene with actual and potential health issues, promote health and safety, and actively coordinate with others to build students’ and families’ capacity for adaptation, self-advocacy, learning, and self-management.

    How to Write a Nursing Cover Letter

    When drafting a great cover letter, most people misunderstand how to get the most bang for their buck. Having a solid resume and a well-drafted cover letter are key factors in advancing one’s nursing career.

    Here is how you should draft your cover letter:

    Address it to a specific person

    Starting your cover letter with a generic greeting is one of the biggest nursing cover letter mistakes that one can make when applying for a job. It is a red flag for the hiring manager that you did not take your time writing the letter. It also shows that you did not take your time to research the organization to try and find out who handles looking over applicants.

    Ensure that your formatting is consistent

    Attention to detail is a crucial element for any position but even more so in health-related careers. In your duties as a nurse, making mistakes can have a significant impact on your patients.

    It is important to show your potential employers that you are serious about your work by taking the time to format your letter properly. This implies crafting a great header that matches your resume, ensuring that all the key areas and fonts are consistent, and double-checking your work to ensure that it is free of errors.

    Focus on the employer

    When drafting your cover letter, you want to focus on showing your skills and experience in the best way possible. However, this does not imply that you should only focus on yourself. When writing, always keep in mind that you are trying to convince the reader that you are the best candidate to fill a position. Remember that they are looking for someone to help them out, not the other way around. Highlight your skills, experiences, and qualifications so that it shows the recipient what you are bringing to the table.

    Be specific

    Try as much as you can to set yourself apart from other applicants as possible. Avoid using generic phrases like “detail-oriented” and “team player.” Most applicants will, in most cases, use these generic phrases. To set yourself apart, try and include specifics—the more numbers and statistics you include, the better- to set yourself apart.

    When writing, try to answer the following questions; What are you applying for? How many years of experience do you have? Have you had any achievements? What are some of the things you’ve been able to do?

    Highlight professional memberships

    If you are a member of any professional body, make sure to mention it. This can help convince the employer that you are serious about your career. It is also a great way for you to participate in events that can help you learn valuable things that you can use on the job.

    Show off your clinical experience

    Even as a new graduate, you still have some level of experience working with patients, and you would want to ensure that you include this in your cover letter. Think of some of the areas or things that you may have excelled in, either in school or while working as an attaché or intern and the impact you made. You also want to mention some of the things that you are looking forward to when it comes to working with patients.

    Conclude with a call to action

    End your cover letter with a positive and friendly note. Since most of the candidates will, in most cases, have the same ending, set yourself apart by thanking the potential employer/hiring manager for their time and consideration, show them that you are serious about the nursing position that you are applying for by giving them a time frame for when you will check back in with them to get their feedback on your application. Don’t forget to invite them to review your resume.

    Sample Nursing Job Cover Letters

    The subsequent segment features two distinct cover letters for individuals in the nursing profession. These samples offer a practical illustration of how candidates can articulate their skills and commitment in a compelling manner. 

    Sample letter 01

    Dear Mr. Smith,

    I am writing to express my interest in the Registered Nurse position at Sunshine Health Hospital, as advertised on your website. With over five years of experience in pediatric nursing and a member of the American Nurses Association, I am eager to bring my expertise in patient-centered care to your esteemed hospital.

    In my current role at Children’s Health Center, I have successfully managed a pediatric ward of 20 beds, demonstrating a 15% improvement in patient satisfaction scores. My dedication to providing high-quality care has been recognized with the ‘Nurse of the Year’ award in 2023. I am particularly proud of implementing an innovative patient education program that increased the understanding of treatment plans among patients by 40%.

    My commitment to the nursing profession extends beyond my job responsibilities. As an active member of the American Nurses Association, I have participated in various workshops and seminars that have enriched my clinical skills and knowledge. This involvement has enabled me to stay updated with the latest healthcare practices, which I am excited to apply in a dynamic environment like Sunshine Health Hospital.

    During my clinical rotations and internship, I focused on developing strong patient rapport and effective communication skills, which I believe are crucial in nursing. My experiences have prepared me to handle diverse patient needs and contribute positively to your team.

    I am looking forward to the opportunity to discuss how my experience and skills would be beneficial for Sunshine Health Hospital. I will follow up with your office in a week to inquire about the status of my application. Thank you for considering my application, and I invite you to review my attached resume for further details.

    Sincerely,

    Jane Doe, RN

    Sample letter 02

    Dear Ms. Davis,

    I am enthusiastic about applying for the Registered Nurse position at Happy Life Medical Center, as posted on the Health Jobs Portal. With six years of experience in emergency nursing and my active membership in the Emergency Nurses Association, I am confident in my ability to contribute effectively to your team.

    At my current position at Fast Aid Hospital, I have handled high-pressure situations in the ER, serving approximately 50 patients daily. My dedication to patient care led to a 20% decrease in patient wait times and a significant improvement in patient feedback scores. I have also been instrumental in mentoring junior nurses, fostering a collaborative and efficient work environment.

    My professional journey is marked by continuous learning and skill enhancement. As a member of the Emergency Nurses Association, I have attended several advanced training programs that have honed my clinical decision-making and emergency response skills. These experiences have equipped me to tackle the challenges faced in a fast-paced medical facility like Happy Life Medical Center.

    My clinical experiences, including my time as a nursing student, have been focused on developing effective emergency care strategies and patient communication. These experiences have sharpened my abilities to quickly assess situations and deliver high-quality care under pressure.

    I am excited about the prospect of joining Happy Life Medical Center and contributing to your mission of providing exceptional emergency care. I will contact your office within the next ten days to discuss my application further. Thank you for considering my candidacy and please refer to my enclosed resume for additional information.

    Warm regards,

    Michael Johnson, RN

    Analysis

    The analysis of both cover letters reveals several key strengths that make them effective for nursing professionals seeking guidance on writing their own cover letters:

    1. Both letters begin with a clear introduction, including the writer’s name, professional title, and the specific position they are applying for. This immediately establishes their qualifications and the purpose of the letter.
    1. Both writers highlight their relevant nursing experiences and notable achievements. The specifics not only demonstrate their competency but also their impact in their respective fields.
    1. The use of quantifiable data effectively showcases the writers’ contributions measurably, making their achievements more concrete and impactful.
    1. Both writers exhibit their ability to take initiative and contribute innovatively to their workplaces.
    1. Both candidates underscore their ongoing professional development through their association memberships and participation in relevant workshops and seminars. This ongoing learning demonstrates a dedication to keeping abreast of the latest practices in their fields.
    1. The letters are well-organized with a logical flow. This makes the letters easy to read and professional in tone.

    In conclusion, both cover letters are excellent examples of specific nursing position applicants.

    The Do’s and Don’ts

    There are a few dos and don’ts you must keep in mind in the process of preparing a cover letter for nursing jobs. The importance of introducing yourself properly cannot be stressed enough. So remember that it is simply a highlight of who you are and why you are applying for a specific position.

    Don’t forget to introduce yourself properly at the very beginning of the cover letter. A proper introduction can motivate the hiring manager to go through your resume to find out more about you. Apart from that, you must write properly and confidently. Confidence is very important when drafting it. However, do not be overconfident about yourself. Tell the hiring manager why you believe you are the best candidate for the position and mention some of the things that you believe will set you apart from other applicants.

    Lastly, don’t forget to highlight what matters to you. Do some research and try to put your focus on what the employer is most interested in. Focusing on these points can help convince them that you are the best candidate for the position. You can include some anecdotes that better showcase your qualifications for the role you are applying for and expand upon your skills and achievements to convince the hiring manager that you are the ideal candidate.

    Nursing Cover Letter Tips

    Here are some tips that you should consider when drafting your nursing cover letter:

    • Research: It is important to always research the company before drafting and sending in your application letter. Knowing the company’s culture can help you come up with the right words for your letter, giving you a competitive edge against other applicants.
    • Prioritize your network: When you are looking for a job, it is important to start by contacting the people around you for leads on where to start. Communication, just like networking, is very important- Ask your friends and former colleagues for any leads and follow those leads to find your way to job interviews.
    • Be relevant: Don’t just write for the sake of writing; for a nursing job, in particular, you should tailor the letter towards the healthcare sector and only include content that is relevant to the nursing field that you are applying for.
    • Include soft skills: As a nurse, the more skills you have, the better your chances of getting the role that you are applying for. For instance, you may want to include skills such as communication skills and any general skills that you have to help convince the employer that you can handle your patients.
    • Proofread: Just like any other job, it is important to show your potential employer that you are a detail-oriented person. To do this, ensure that you follow the application guidelines and countercheck your work to ensure that it is free of any errors.
    • Follow-up: If you have indicated in the letter that you will follow up after one week, you must do so. Showing the employer that you are dedicated and that you need that job can go a long way in convincing the employer/hiring manager that you are the right candidate.
    • Stay confident: No matter how many times you send in your application and get rejected, never give up. There is always someone/an organization somewhere looking for the skills that you possess. Keep sending the applications, and don’t let the length of your search influence your attitude.
    • Know what you are doing: when you are looking for a job, it is important to know what you are looking for. Decide on what role you are applying for, your goals, and the steps you need to take to achieve those goals.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is the most important part of a cover letter?

    The body paragraphs: The body of your cover letter is the most important part. It tells the employer what job you’re applying for, why they should bring you in for an interview, and how you’re going to follow up.

    What is a good length for a cover letter?

    One page: The cover letter should be one page long and divided into three to four paragraphs. The first paragraph should indicate the reason you are writing and how you heard about the position. Include attention-grabbing, yet professional, information.

    When drafting a nursing cover letter, it is important to tailor it to the specific role or medical facility that you are applying for. You must share your goals and vision with the hiring manager and the company. Keep it brief, and make sure to highlight your strengths, skills, qualifications, and accomplishments. Each cover letter you draft should properly highlight your nursing talents and your unique skills and experience. After drafting it, make sure to go through it several times to ensure that it is free of any errors.

    About This Article

    Megan V.
    Authored by:
    Award-Winning Resume Writing, Cover Letters, Executive Bios, Public Relations
    Megan V. is an acclaimed resume writing professional, celebrated repeatedly as one of the "Top Ten Best Resume Writers in the Bay Area," a title she proudly reclaimed in 2023. Transitioning from her extensive experience owning and steering a public relations agency since 2009, Megan has tailored her writing prowess to cater to individuals seeking standout resumes, compelling cover letters, and detailed executive bios.

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