Nurse Cover Letter Example

Why a profession-specific cover letter matters 

Whereas a resume or CV is a concise rundown of your skills, experience, and certifications, a cover letter offers a chance to showcase your personality, values, and career goals. Your nursing cover letter should offer a quick, concise glimpse into who you are as a nursing professional.

This is your chance to showcase your passion for providing quality patient care and demonstrate your critical thinking skills. You should also briefly explain why you want to work at the medical facility that posted the job. When hiring managers understand who you are and what motivates you, they’ll feel more confident bringing you into the fold.

Key components of a nursing-specific cover letter 

Your nursing cover letter needs to include a broad spectrum of information about your nursing education, quality patient care, and nursing skills. It should also include the following key components:

• Personalized Greeting: Address the hiring manager by name to show attention to detail and avoid sounding generic
• Introduction: Clearly state the nursing position you’re applying for and how you learned about it
• Professional Experience: Recap your nursing experience, focusing on relevant areas to the position; mention specific roles, responsibilities, and achievements
• Skills and Certifications: Highlight any special skills or certifications that set you apart, such as Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) or Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC)
• Personal Attributes: Outline your soft skills and attributes, such as communication, emotional intelligence, and passion
• Motivation and Enthusiasm: Express your enthusiasm for the position and medical facility you’re applying to
• Closing Statement: Conclude by summarizing your qualifications, expressing your desire for an interview, and thanking the reader for their time

To land your dream job, you’ll need an eye-catching cover letter and a well-organized resume to match. If you need a rundown of what to include on your resume, check out our helpful resume examples. Before you know it, you’ll be sending out applications and booking interviews.

Nurse Cover letter format 

Much like your resume, your nurse cover letter should follow a standardized format to ensure that it includes all requisite information. Here’s the basic structure:

1. Header: Include your contact information at the top, followed by the date, then the employer’s contact information
2. Greetings: If you know the hiring manager’s name, address them directly 
3. Introduction: Briefly introduce yourself and state the position you’re applying for
4. Body: Sum up your experience, skills, and motivation in a few paragraphs
5. Closing: Express your interest in an interview, thank the reader, and mention why you believe you’d be an asset to the organization
6. Signature: End with a professional closing and your signature

While your nursing cover letter needs to include lots of information, hiring managers don’t want to read your life story. Stick to this basic format and make sure every sentence has a purpose and helps you stand out from other applicants.

Sample cover letter for nursing

Jane Cares
janecares@example.com
(512) 555-5555
Austin, TX 73301

Sandra Hyres
Austin Rehabilitation Center 
123 Main St, Austin, TX 73301 
30 October 2023

Dear Ms. Hyres,

My name is Jane Cares, and I am writing to express my interest in the Registered Nurse position at Austin Rehabilitation Center as advertised on Jobseeker. With a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Fairfield University and four years of dedicated experience in a fast-paced hospital setting, I am eager to bring my blend of clinical expertise and compassionate patient care to your healthcare team.

In my current role at Austin Hospital, I handle a diverse set of responsibilities that range from administering medications and developing patient care plans to assisting with emergency care and offering emotional support to patients and their families. I primarily work with elderly patients and those recovering from major operations, which has provided me with a skill set that aligns with the objectives and scope of care provided by your facility. 

My experience in the palliative care department has instilled in me the importance not just of clinical skills but also empathy, patience, and effective communication. I am proud of my involvement in a project to improve patient satisfaction scores, which we successfully raised by 10% through targeted improvements in patient communication and care protocols.

I am drawn to Austin Rehabilitation Center because of its commitment to extending the quality of life of its patients and its innovative rehabilitation program. I share this commitment and am excited about the opportunity to contribute to such a forward-thinking initiative. 

Furthermore, I am adept at working in interdisciplinary teams and remain calm and effective in high-pressure situations. I possess considerable proficiency in electronic health record systems and have acquired numerous certifications. I am also a fast learner and will be able to quickly acclimate to your organization’s record-keeping and charting software.

I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to bring my unique skills and passion for nursing to Austin Rehabilitation Center. I am dedicated to providing the highest quality of care and continuing to develop professionally to meet the ever-evolving demands of the nursing profession.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how my experience and commitment to nursing excellence can contribute to the compassionate care that Austin Rehabilitation Center provides. I am available at your convenience for an interview. 

Respectfully,

Jane Cares

Attachments: Resume

Dos and Don’ts 

As you look over various nursing cover letter examples, it’s wise to remember some general “dos” and “don’ts” that will help you write a great letter.

Do:

• Tailor each cover letter to the specific job and facility
• Use a professional tone and clear language
• Highlight your achievements with specific examples
• Show your knowledge about the healthcare facility and its values
• Proofread for grammar and spelling errors 

Don’t:

• Use a generic cover letter
• Include irrelevant personal information or overly personal anecdotes
• Simply repeat your resume; instead, provide context and depth to your experiences
• Underestimate the value of a great closing statement
• Forget to follow up if you haven’t heard back in a week or two

It’s also important to make sure your resume template and nurse cover letter template match — you can imagine how embarrassing it would be if there were subtle (or not-so-subtle) discrepancies between the two documents. Even something as small as a variation in font size and style could hurt your chances of landing the job. 

Additional tips 

As you can see, a lot goes into creating the ideal nursing cover letter. Here are some extra nursing cover letter tips to help you craft the perfect cover letter. 

• Research the Facility: Understanding its culture, values, and patient population can help you customize your cover letter
• Use Keywords: Many healthcare facilities use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to process resumes and cover letters; use keywords in your cover letter to help your application make it past these systems
• Be Concise: Limit your cover letter to one page, as the hiring managers will likely be reviewing dozens of applications 
• Tell a Story: When appropriate, use a brief story to illustrate your passion for nursing and relevant experience
• Follow Up: If you haven’t heard back in a week or two, send a polite follow-up email

We recommend checking out our CV examples so you can craft the perfect resume to go with your cover letter.

Distinguish yourself with our nursing cover letter examples 

When it comes to writing a cover letter, nursing professionals like yourself must adhere to established best practices while finding ways to make your application stand out. This can admittedly be tough, especially if you’re new to the nursing profession or are participating in a highly competitive hiring process.

The good news is that our nursing cover letter templates can jumpstart your writing process. Make sure to check out our resume and CV templates too. Together, Jobseeker’s vast selection of resources will take the hassle out of applying for nursing jobs and help you land the position of your dreams.