Effective Nursing Cover Letters Examples

A cover letter is an essential part of a  job application. It accompanies a resume to help the applicant distinguish themselves from others and get noticed by potential employers.

This article outlines the elements of a cover letter to apply as a nurse and provides guidelines on how to draft one, along with some important considerations.

What is Nursing Cover Letter

Nursing is a very competitive field, and many registered nurses apply for jobs annually. A cover letter for a nursing position is a document that introduces an applicant to a potential employer when they are applying for a position. It is typically accompanied by a resume highlighting relevant skills, experience, and education related to the position being applied for. 

A cover letter is essential in some instances. Most listings require applicants to submit one with their applications. An applicant may use it to highlight that they have been recommended for the position by a healthcare professional.

Finally, a cover letter is required when applying directly to an institution or addressing an individual at that institution. For recently graduated nurses with limited to no experience, a cover letter is an essential part of the application.

Statistical insight: When receiving job applications, organizations prefer resumes accompanied by cover letters. However, almost half of the applications they receive do not include cover letters. In addition, 10% of employers claim they do not consider applicants who fail to include a cover letter when applying for a position. Worldwide, the demand for nurses has never been greater, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. By the end of 2022, there will be up to 100,000 nursing positions with insufficient registered nurses. Since 15% of nurses have children and no one to care for their children when they are working, many registered nurses are discouraged from applying for the available positions.

Given below are the nursing cover letter templates that you can download for free:

Advantages of Writing Nursing Cover Letters

There are several advantages to writing a cover letter when applying for a job. It demonstrates how your skills and experience align with the position you are applying for.

By writing a personalized cover letter, you can show the employer that you are interested in the specific job and have put effort into your application. It also communicates to the employer why you are suitable for the position. A cover letter allows you to amplify your resume and provide more details about your professional experience and qualifications.

The letter also addresses any gaps or weaknesses in your resume, such as a lack of experience, career gaps, or education. You can mention your abilities, weaknesses, experiences, and hobbies in it as well.

Finally, it shows your personality and suitability for the health facility’s culture. This is particularly important in nursing, where excellent communication and interpersonal skills are essential. In general, a well-written cover letter is effective in helping you secure a nursing job and advance your career.

Writing a cover letter may seem straightforward. However, most applicants fail to capture the most crucial aspects employers expect in a cover letter, so their applications are not considered. 

The following steps should be followed when drafting your letter:

Introduce yourself

After the salutation, introduce yourself to your potential employer in two to three sentences. Mention the role you are applying for and highlight the reasons that make you the ideal candidate for the job. Mention how you learned about the position. 

For example:

I am writing to tender my application for the charge nurse role at Providence Hospital. As a highly skilled and experienced nurse with two years of experience, I am confident that I would be a valuable asset to your team.

Discuss your background or experience in the field

This is the most crucial part of your cover letter. Mention how long you have been active in the field and in what capacity you have worked. You may also briefly highlight the institutions you have worked at. 

For example:

During my tenure at Samaritan Health Center, I had the opportunity to work with patients from diverse backgrounds and hone my skills in supervising nursing staff. This included delegating duties and ensuring smooth patient flow.

Expand on your qualification and achievements

Academic degrees and activities related to career advancements can all be included here. For example, you may mention where you obtained your nursing degree and when you registered with the relevant nurses’ association. Include some of your achievements as a nurse, for example, being awarded the nurse of the month award. Make sure that the examples you provide are relevant to the organization’s primary goals.

For example, you can write:

I have an undergraduate degree in nursing from Rutgers University and a Master’s degree in nursing from Cornell. I have a proven track record of leading nurses to reduce discharge times. I also developed a charting system that improved communication and coordination among staff at St. Peters Hospital.

Highlight your nursing skills

Emphasize your nursing skills, using statistics to emphasize your abilities. By listing your qualifications in a bulleted format, you can make complex information easier to understand and highlight your qualifications. You can mention how adept you are at computers and using medical and billing software such as MEDITECH. You could also highlight your pharmacological, patient evaluation and monitoring, counseling, or chart-keeping skills.

You may divide your skills into hard and soft skills. 

For example, your hard skills may be mentioned as shown below:

With five years of experience in nursing, I am well-seasoned in IV-line placement, patient assessment, CPR and BLS, patient management, and infection control.

Your soft skills may be highlighted as shown below:

I am empathetic, effective in communication, and a team player. Additionally, I have exceptional problem-solving skills and the highest levels of integrity.

Remember to incorporate keywords that are mentioned in the job description.

Show your passion for helping others

Mention how you are eager to assist patients by giving them the best quality of care in a high-stress environment to demonstrate your dedication to the profession. This will present you as an empathic person and increase your chances of being considered for the position. 

You may structure the section as shown below:

I have always been eager to assist patients in need. It is tremendously gratifying to watch the patients I care for get discharged and leave the hospital healthy.

Include a call to action

Include a solid call to action to mention your eligibility and qualifications for the role. A strong call to action leaves a lasting impression and encourages your potential employer to take action by inviting you to an interview. 

The following is an example of a call to action:

I would like to discuss how my expertise as a head nurse may elevate Auburn Hospital’s reputation as an excellent care provider. Feel free to contact me to schedule an interview at your convenience.

Conclude the letter

In the final paragraph, thank the employer for considering your application and state that you look forward to discussing the position further. End the letter with an appropriate closing statement, such as “Best Regards” or “Sincerely,” followed by your name.

When drafting a cover letter, it is essential to adhere to specific standards to increase the chances of your application being noticed. Many other qualified nurses may also be applying for the same position, and your letter has to be distinctive when compared to others. 

The following are some do’s and don’ts when writing a cover letter:

The do’s

• Research the facility and highlight any relevant experience, skills, and competencies that would make you a suitable match for the institution. It will help you tailor your letter to the specific job and facility you are applying to. Thoroughly reading information on their website would be sufficient.
• Remember to keep your letter concise and relevant. It should be no longer than one page, so focus on the most relevant and important information. Most of the information is already highlighted in your resume. 
• Follow the business letter format when drafting your letter. Use Times New Roman font and 12-point font size. A cover letter is a formal letter and should be presented as such. 
• Emphasize your patient care skills and compassion. As a nurse, your primary role is to provide care and support to patients, so it is important to highlight these qualities in your letter.
• Highlight your attention to detail by using specific examples to illustrate your experience and skills. Instead of making general statements, provide specific examples of your work and achievements to demonstrate these attributes.
• Your cover letter should be at least 300-400 words and include relevant information. This allows the recipient to go through the key points as quickly as possible.
• Use white space to emphasize important points and make the letter easier to read. By using line and paragraph breaks to separate different sections and ideas, the recipeint can easily follow the text and understand the main points you are trying to convey.
• Use keywords highlighted in the job description. Using keywords can ensure that your cover letter is noticeable to the recruiters and hiring managers sifting through hundreds of applications.
• Consider using a template. A premade downloadable template will help you save time and adhere to formatting guidelines. You also avoid making mistakes when you use it.

The don’ts

• Avoid making errors in grammar or spelling. You must proofread your nursing cover letter carefully to ensure no grammar or spelling mistakes. These errors can make a poor impression on the hiring manager and may lead them to believe that you are not detail-oriented and professional.
• Do not lie in your letter because honesty, trustworthiness, and integrity are values that are important in every job. As a healthcare professional, your cover letter is an opportunity to demonstrate your commitment to these values. If you provide false or misleading information, you risk damaging your reputation and potentially jeopardizing your career.
• Addressing your letter to the wrong person can make a poor impression on the recipient and may indicate that you are not paying attention to detail or not taking the job application process seriously. 
• Do not focus too much on your personal life. While it is acceptable to include a a few sentences about your interests or background, it is essential to focus on your professional qualifications and experiences.
• Avoid drafting a generic cover letter and Tailor it to the nursing position and institution you are applying to. You will have a better chance of being shortlisted if you write with a specific institution in mind and mention your skills and experience in a way that is consistent with the organization’s vision and goals. 

A cover letter is an important part of the job application process and should not be overlooked. It is a chance to introduce yourself to the employer, explain why you are the most suitable candidate for the position, and highlight your most relevant skills and experiences.

You should be honest and straightforward  in your cover letter and focus on your strengths and achievements. It is also crucial to address it to the correct person and to use a professional and concise writing style. You can write a strong cover letter for a nursing position that will help you stand out as a top candidate and improve your chances of landing the job by using the strategies described in this article.