Tips and examples for a successful nurse cover letter

To land a job as a nurse, it’s not enough to have a great resume that showcases your critical thinking, communication, and time management skills. You also need an effective cover letter to first get the attention of a potential recruiter or hiring manager. In this blog, we will take a look at what it takes to write a successful nurse cover letter and will also see some examples of what a good cover letter looks like.

Here’s what we will be covering:

• How important is a cover letter in nursing?

• How to make a nursing cover letter stand out

• Tips for writing a cover letter for a healthcare job

• Mistakes to avoid when writing a nurse cover letter

• Nurse cover letter examples

How important is a cover letter in nursing?

Regardless of your career, a cover letter is often the very first impression a potential recruiter or hiring manager will have of you. In a field that requires specialized skills, such as the nursing industry, having a cover letter is even more important.

Not only can it show a hiring manager you have what it takes to be a successful nurse, but it can also tell them why you want to work for their organization and what you know about them as well as why you’re the ideal candidate for their open position. You can also use your cover letter to explain how your transferable skills meet the qualifications of the job you are applying for.

Whether you are a seasoned nurse or just starting out, learning how to write a cover letter is a great way to stand out in a sea of qualified candidates. Here are some of the ways you can use a cover letter to your advantage throughout your career.

• Graduate Program Nurse. If you plan to apply for a graduate program in nursing, a cover letter can be especially beneficial. It allows you to address the selection committee directly and explain why you want to be included in the program. You can also use a cover letter to demonstrate the ways you meet the program’s criteria.

• New Nursing Grad. A cover letter can also get you in the door for your first nursing job after graduation. In your cover letter, you can include information about your education and any relevant clinical experience you have so that you can demonstrate that you are qualified for an open position.

• Experienced Nurses. Writing a cover letter as an experienced nurse will require you to focus on including the highlights of your credentials and your work experience. Add your most relevant achievements and skills and explain how they will make you successful in the position you are applying for.

• Field Change. A cover letter can also be beneficial to a nurse who is looking to change fields of practice because it can help you show what skills you have that will transfer to a new position.

How to make a nursing cover letter stand out

Since nursing is such a specialized field, when applying for an open position, you will find yourself up against many other qualified candidates in your industry. To stand out, you’ll need an eye-catching nursing cover letter that best shows off your unique skills and achievements.

One way you can pull this off is by tailoring your cover letter to each position you are applying for. Take some time to review the open position’s job description and add in the specific skills and experience you have that make you an ideal candidate for that position. 

Also, be specific about the things you can do to benefit the organization. The goal of any cover letter is to answer the question “How can you help my business if I hire you?” That applies to nursing roles as well. Adding specific ways you can contribute directly to a hospital or medical office in your cover letter allows you to answer this question quickly and efficiently.

Another way to stand out with your nurse cover letter is to include details of any highly specialized positions you’ve held in the past. For example, if you have been a travel nurse before or have worked with any top-of-the-line hospitals or medical facilities, be sure to highlight those in your cover letter as they will help give you an edge against other candidates.

Tips for writing a cover letter for a healthcare job

When writing a cover letter for a healthcare job, there are several things you can do to improve your letter as a whole. Keep these tips in mind when writing your own cover letter.

• Start by selecting a format that is professional, has your contact information readily available, and directly greets your hiring manager by name, when possible.

• Create a customized cover letter for each job application you send in and be sure to mention both the specific facility you are applying to as well as the job title.

• Catch the hiring manager’s attention early by writing an outstanding opening paragraph. Explain why you are applying for this specific role and don’t forget to be enthusiastic about the opportunity.

• In the body of your cover letter, include your specific skills and achievements that align with what is expected of candidates based on the job description.

• You will also want to include your education, certifications, and experience in your industry and mention the skills and qualifications that make you an ideal candidate.

• Include highlights of your career and achievements in a way that can be quantified, such as “increased patient satisfaction ratings by XX%,” but also showcase your soft skills.

• Keep your cover letter concise and professional and don’t forget to proofread and attach your resume.

A cover letter is a tool that can help you show your skills, qualifications, and achievements as a nurse, but it can do so much more. It’s also a great way to show your personality and how you will fit in with the current staff at the facility you are hoping to join. Just remember to keep things professional, honest, and focused on putting your best foot forward. 

Mistakes to avoid when writing a nurse cover letter

Naturally, there are mistakes you can make when writing a nurse cover letter, such as not being honest about your qualifications, making typos, and even forgetting to include keywords. The following chart can help you discover some of the common mistakes you’ll want to avoid as well as some of the tricks you will not want to forget when writing your cover letter.

Above all, one of the most important things you can do when writing a cover letter is to follow the instructions mentioned in the job description. Sometimes an employer wants to see specific information from their candidates, so make sure you review the job listing carefully to ensure you don’t miss anything.

Nurse cover letter examples

Now that we’ve taken a look at some of the ways you can write a successful nurse cover letter, let’s take a look at some examples. The first sample covers how a newly graduated nursing job applicant may want to write a cover letter. Feel free to customize any of these samples as your own.

Cover letters for more seasoned nurses will need to look a little different from those who are just starting out. Here is a sample of a nurse cover letter that highlights the skills of someone who has a few years in the industry.

We want you to find the best nursing position to fit with your goals and skillset! To learn more about how we can help with this task, stop by our website and check out our Cover Letter Builder.

Key takeaways

1. Regardless of where you are in your nursing career, a nurse cover letter can help you show off your skills and achievements in a unique way.

2. To make your cover letter stand out, be specific about the skills you have and how they can benefit a potential employer.

3. Customize your nurse cover letter for each position you are applying for.

4. Highlight your best achievements that are relevant to the open position, but never embellish upon your skills.