Don’t let your career fall into a coma. Learn how to write a standout nursing cover letter that lands interviews. I’ll help you provide the best care for your nurse cover letter.
Career Expert
After scrolling through the never-ending job boards, you’ve found the nursing job of your dreams. They’ve got excellent pay, great doctors and medical staff to work with, and a career ladder you can visualize climbing.
All that stands in your way to get that interview is the perfect nursing cover letter.
In this article, you’ll get:
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Looking for other cover letter examples for positions in healthcare and well-being? See:
To begin, let’s take a look at two different nurse cover letters examples:
First, I’ll show you Edward’s experienced nursing cover letter. He’s applying for a job that calls for a registered nurse who knows how to take accurate measurements and readings and administer appropriate treatment plans.
Take a look at Edward’s nurse cover letter sample to see how he rocks it:
Registered Nurse (RN)
Nevada State Licence #NV54998
Director of Nursing
Shamus T. Knight Memorial Hospital
360 Camden Street
I’ve been a registered nurse for over 3 years at University Medical Center in Las Vegas. Having recently moved back home to Reno, I was excited to find a job opening on your medical staff as an RN at Shamus T. Knight Memorial Hospital. With my well-rounded expertise in pain management techniques, reviewing laboratory data for anomalies and problems, communicating with patients, and assisting in the emergency room, I’m certain I would make a valuable addition to the nursing staff as a registered nurse.
The job ad mentions you are seeking an RN capable of accurately and efficiently evaluating patients for medical signs and symptoms, as well as initiating the appropriate responses. As a staff nurse at LV-UMC, I successfully evaluated and identified patient responses to treatment and signs of illness. During my employment there, I effectively managed a caseload of 15 per day while helping our nursing team achieve Magnet status recognition. I know I will bring that same level of dedication and commitment to work at STK.
I am sure that I’d love working at your hospital in particular, as I greatly respect the staff and the research conducted here. I’d be honored to become part of the nursing family at Shamus T. Knight Memorial Hospital.
Could we arrange a sit-down or phone call to discuss how I could help Shamus T. Knight Memorial Hospital lessen its workload while increasing the quality of care?
Edward Welch, RN
This registered nursing cover letter example will jolt the head nurse awake like a defibrillator. It tackles all the points from the job ad, showcasing Edward as a nursing master.
But what about a cover letter with no experience?
Meet Esmeralda. She hasn’t worked as a nurse before, having only studied at university and completed the LPN exam. However, her entry-level nurse cover letter still talks up her medical skills and knowledge in a compelling way. Here it is:
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
Nevada State Licence #NV54999
Head of Nursing Staff
Shamus T. Knight Memorial Hospital
360 Camden Street
As a medical student with a newly earned LPN certification, I want to apply for the licensed practical nurse position at Shamus T. Knight Memorial Hospital. As I finish my bachelor’s degree in nursing, I believe I have the book knowledge and classroom hours needed to be a perfect entry-level nurse candidate at your medical center.
According to the nursing job description, you are looking for an LPN capable of administering non-RN treatments, evaluating patient symptoms and reactions, and assisting the RN charge nurse in all aspects of general patient care. During my college studies and throughout my licensed practical nursing certification program, I learned about many medical topic clusters, including pharmacology, patient care, hygiene and nutrition, ambulatory care, and proficiency with EHRs.
I would love the opportunity to chat about the nursing unit’s upcoming objectives and current roadblocks and show you how my friendly attitude, willingness to learn, and medical knowledge make me a top contender for the LPN position.
Esmeralda Welch, LPN
Esmeralda’s nurse cover letter shows she has the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in her role, even without professional experience.
Now I’ll show you how to write your own cover letter for nursing jobs:
Nursing jobs demand an in-depth understanding of medical procedures, patient care, and strong interpersonal skills to address patient needs effectively. Your nursing cover letter must demonstrate your expertise in medical practices, empathy, and capacity to provide compassionate patient care.
Here’s how to write a cover letter for nursing jobs:
Your ICU or graduate nurse cover letter has to make a great first impression. And not only with the words you include but also with how you format the cover letter.
Here is how the cover letter outline should go:
A good cover letter can set up a resume perfectly, but a bad one can tank your application before your resume even gets read. The key is to keep it friendly but concise; anything more than a page is way too much. A brief summary of your skills and experience and how they relate to the job is more than enough. Your resume will go into more detail on your work history, so all you’re looking to do is match up enough key attributes from the job description that a hiring manager will want to look further.” Michael Green
Vice President at Nelson Frank
Adding address and personal details onto a cover letter is about as straightforward as it gets. But at the same time, an error here is as bad as an error in the hospital documentation.
Use this template for reference:
[ Your Job Title ] (Optional)
[ Your License Number (If Applicable)
[ Head Nurse’s Full Name ]
[ Head Nurse’s Title ]
[ Medical Facility Name ]
[ Medical Facility Street Address ]
[ City, State, Zip Code ]
Always make sure to triple-check each entry in the header. You wouldn’t want to miss the opportunity for an interview just because you accidentally made a typo in your email address.
Expert Hint: Avoid Hello, Hi, Dear Sir or Madam, and To Whom It May Concern phrases. They come off as lazy, generic, and spammy. Don’t know the recipient’s name? Look on the hospital’s website, or browse LinkedIn for clues.
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The first paragraph of a nursing cover letter needs to be like a shot of adrenaline. The person reading it has to want to know more about you instantly. It’s not an easy job, but so is nursing. I’ll show you how to start a cover letter for a nurse practitioner:
Dear [Name of Head Nurse, Medical Director, etc.]:
It excited me to come across the [Nursing Job Position] position at [Name of Hospital, Lab, or Clinic]. As a [Current Nursing Job Title] with [###] years of experience with [Nursing Skills, e.g., Cardiac Care, Emergency Room Care, Infection Control, Patient Charts, Pain Management, OR Procedures, Surgery Prep, Patient Evaluations, etc.], At my previous workplace, I [Quantified Achievement]. I’m sure I’m the right candidate for this job.
This template works wonders because it’s relevant, specific, personalized, and brief. It clearly states the position you’re applying for, gives the reader an overview of who you are and how many years of experience you have, what’s your proudest achievements, and lists multiple vital skills from the job posting.
Also, look at the tone of voice. It’s formal and exudes confidence with excitement.
Expert Hint: Most nurses report burnout as the reason for quitting their previous job. Before you apply somewhere, research the hospital/clinic so you don’t end up harming your mental health.
In the second paragraph of the nursing cover letter, show them how you’re the dream candidate they’re searching for. Go to the job posting and scroll down to where it says “job requirements.”
There, you’ll find nursing skills in the form of job keywords, you’ll want to target on your cover letter.
Check out this easy, fill-in-the-blank example:
I see you’re seeking a [Name of Nursing Job Position] with knowledge in [State a Particular Medical Skill or Two Mentioned in the Job Ad]. As a [Name of Current or Former Medical Job Title] at [Name of Current or Former Lab, Hospital, or Clinic], I diligently handled [Responsibilities, e.g., Operating Room Procedures, Maternal Care, Lab Testing, ICU Operations, Exams and Treatment, etc.]. I am confident that I will bring that same expertise and level of care to [Hospital, Clinic, or Laboratory Name].
If you have several work accomplishments you wish to showcase on your nursing cover letter, you can do so by including a couple of bullet points. This can often help you save space and create a more impactful short cover letter.
Expert Hint: If you’re applying for a leadership nursing position, mention your leadership achievements. Transformational leadership style has a positive impact on nurses’ job satisfaction, which in turn reduces burnout and improves work quality.
The hospital administration and nursing manager want to know that you’ll fit in well with the workplace culture. So, compliment them in the final paragraph of your nursing cover letter.
It’s important because anyone would prefer to hire a nurse who wanted to work at this specific hospital, rather than one just wanting a nursing job anywhere. Show them you care. Let them know you’d be a perfect addition to the nursing staff.
End your cover letter for nursing jobs by making them feel special. Here’s another nurse cover letter template to use as a guide:
I admire [Clinic or Hospital Name]’s focus on [Give a Point or Fact About the Hospital or Clinic That Interests You, e.g., Research, Values, Quality of Care]. This is truly admirable and inspiring, and it easily is in line with my own values. I know that working at [Hospital or Clinic Name] as the [Name of Nursing Position] would be a perfect opportunity for me to learn, develop, and help others.
One of the most efficient ways to increase your chances of getting a callback is to request a callback. And that’s no placebo trick—you can trust me on that.
Add a short and sweet call-to-action and follow it with “Sincerely”, adding your name, and repeating your contact details. Here’s a simple closing template on a sample cover letter for nursing jobs:
Could we make time for a quick video chat, phone call, or face-to-face to discuss how I could help [Hospital or Clinic Name] as a new nursing staff member?
[Digital Copy of Signature]
[First & Last Name, Post-Nominal Letters]
[Phone Number]
[Email Address]
Expert Hint: Are you applying for a specific nursing position? See our RN cover letter and CNA cover letter guides.
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Here are the main things to remember when writing a cover letter for nursing jobs:
Do you have a question on how to write a nursing cover letter? Need ideas for how to come up with accomplishments on a cover letter for nursing positions? Head down to the comment section below to ask a question, and I’ll reply as soon as possible!
At ResumeLab, quality is at the crux of our values, supporting our commitment to delivering top-notch career resources. The editorial team of career experts carefully reviews every article in accordance with editorial guidelines, ensuring the high quality and reliability of our content. We actively conduct original research, shedding light on the job market's intricacies and earning recognition from numerous influential news outlets. Our dedication to delivering expert career advice attracts millions of readers to our blog each year.
Written by Christian EilersCareer expert who has been sharing his expert knowledge since 2017. His advice will guide you smoothly through all recruitment processes: from job hunting to getting a promotion. Christian offers comprehensive advice on career development and each step of the job search, from start to finish and beyond. His guides cover looking for new jobs, sending application documents such as resumes and cover letters, acing interview questions, and settling into the new position. Since 2017, he has written over 200 in-depth, meticulously-researched career advice articles in collaboration with the most renowned career experts in the world. Hundreds of thousands of readers visit Christian’s articles each month.
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