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In this guide, you’ll learn what to include in your cover letter and how to write it. You’ll also have access to example cover letters and templates.
You made it through nursing school and passed the NCLEX. Now you are trying to get a job. You’ll have to brush up on your interview skills and network like crazy. Another key part of landing a job as a new nurse grad is writing a killer cover letter.
Don’t freak out in anxiety as you stare at a blank screen. In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know – what to include, how to write it, and I’ll even share some of my favorite templates.
What Is A Cover Letter?
Before we get into all the specifics, let’s look a little closer at cover letters.
A cover letter is your first impression to really explain why you are a good fit for this new job. A well-written one can move your resume from the bottom to the top of the pile and score you an interview.
A resume is all about you. It’s a list of all your experience and credentials.
A cover letter is all about them. It explains in a direct way why they should hire you and how you will benefit their team.
What To Put In A Cover Letter
When you write your cover letter, you need to include your contact information and explain why you are a good fit for their team.
Here’s a checklist of everything you need to include.
- Your name, address, and date
- Hiring manager’s name
- Company’s name and address
- Proper cover letter salutation (Dear Ms. Jones)
- Opening Statement in paragraph 1
- Describe your skills and experience and what you can do for them (paragraph 2 and 3)
- Showcase your achievements in the closing statement (paragraph 3 or 4)
- Complimentary Close with Your Signature (Sincerely)
Cover Letter Tips – How To Make Yours Stand Out
Writing a stellar cover letter will grab the attention of the hiring team and snag you that coveted interview. Avoid writing a dull letter that will cause them to just overlook your resume.
These tips will help you write a cover letter that makes them want to bring you in for an interview.
Create A Tailored Letter For Each Position You Apply To
Hiring managers can sniff out copy/paste templates. You might be applying to 5 or 6 different jobs at once, but don’t let your cover letter say that.
This is tough when you are a new grad nurse and every job you apply to is pretty similar. You can reuse the same letter, but make enough changes that it feels and reads like you are writing directly to them.
Research The Company/Hospital
This leads to my next tip: do your research. In your cover letter, write about how you are a good fit for their hospital/team and explain why.
In the body of the cover letter, share things like, “Community hospital has a holistic focus on health-care which I demonstrated when I volunteered at the women’s birthing center.” Show them that you care enough to know how to fit into their culture.
Don’t Echo Your Resume
The worst thing you can do is write, “as I said in my resume” and then rehash your skills and experience. They have your resume, they don’t need to read it twice.
Instead, you should expand on it and share more about yourself in a personable way.
“What my experience on my resume demonstrates is my internal motivation and drive to learn new skills quickly so I can help everyone around me.”
You can reference things that are on your resume, but use the cover letter as a way to explain why it’s so important for this new job.
Use A Clean Design
I can’t explain how important this tip is. Nurse managers are busy people, reading way too many cover letters every day. Keep your cover letter’s design clear and legible.
If you use a design or handwriting font that is difficult to read, it has little chance of even being read.
Use A Powerful Opening Sentence
Your opening sentence should grab their attention and pull them into wanting to read more. Need some ideas of powerful opening statements? This guide is fantastic.
Pull them in with something like, “As someone who is passionate about technology in health care, I am drawn to Community Hospital’s forward-thinking approach and would love to be considered as the newest nurse on your team.”
Share Stories But Keep It Brief
One of the best things you can do to your cover letter is to read through it after you write and cut out any unnecessary words. Being concise will keep the hiring manager’s attention and encourage them to read the entire thing.
The best way to do this is to use one strong adjective instead of stuffing sentences with 5 wordy ones.
For example, “My strong work ethic motivated me to never miss a day of clinicals.” That’s powerful. However, “I have a strong work ethic and internal motivation that propelled me to always attend clinicals with a positive and hardworking attitude, never missing a single day.”
They both say the same thing, but the first sentence is easier (and quicker) to read.
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Keep It Chronological
Next, when you describe your experience and skills, share your stories in chronological order. This will avoid confusion and make your letter easier to read.
Start out with describing any skills you learned first, then build on those throughout the letter, finishing with your most recent experiences.
Use Active Voice Not Passive
Your cover letter should always be in the active voice. This gives it more strength and shows them that you are taking ownership of your actions.
Active voice sentences have subject + verb in that order. Passive voice have something being acted on it.
Here are some examples to clear up the confusion.
- I created a new system that improved efficiency. – Active voice, “I created.”
- The system that was created by me, improved efficiency. – Passive voice. “was created.”
End The Cover Letter Strong
Focus on the summary paragraph at the end of your cover letter. Make it strong so it sells your attributes and compels them to call you for an interview.
Close with your desire to hear back from them and remind them why you are qualified. Glassdoor has 5 solid examples you can take and personalized.
Cover Letter Examples and Template
Now that you know how to write your cover letter I’ll share some of the best examples and templates.
Yale School of Nursing has a helpful example. It explains what to say in each paragraph and how to design the cover letter too.
George Washington University also has an excellent document explaining how to write a cover letter and an example cover letter. I really like this one because it has tips, examples, and even lets you read a strong cover letter example.
Resume Genius is filled with templates. You can even use their cover letter builder if you don’t have time to design/format it yourself.
More Nursing Job Tips
Congrats on making it through nursing school! As you keep looking for a new job, here are some more tips.
- New Grads: Prep for Show Time!
- Best Nursing Specialty For a New Grad
- What are the Highest-Paid Nurses?
- Nurse Resume Template – Fresh RN
FAQs
What should a cover letter include for a new grad RN? ›
Include information of your education: program, graduation date, and academic successes. To keep the reader/hiring manager engaged talk a little about the company you're applying to – why are you interested in this position at this facility.
What makes you stand out as a new grad nurse? ›Networking is what is required. This seems difficult to do if you're not already working at a hospital, which makes working as a CNA and/or volunteering all the more important. Get involved on LinkedIn, try to meet people at work, and spend some time getting to know people and build professional relationships.
What are the 4 tips for a great cover letter? ›- Make It Personal. To make your cover letter seem more personable, it's a good idea to address the reader directly. ...
- Past, Present, and Future. ...
- Research is Key! ...
- Keep It Brief.
- Carefully review the job posting and research the company's website. ...
- List your contact information at the top of the document. ...
- Greet the reader and introduce yourself. ...
- Explain your skills and achievements relevant to the position. ...
- Remind them why you're best for the position.
A cover letter is a vital addition to any job application for a nurse. It serves to make a more personal connection with a potential employer while pointing out why you are the best candidate. This letter is crucial for a new grad nurse as you do not have any nurse employment experience.
What should a nursing cover letter include? ›Nursing cover letter template
[Explain your relevant experience and qualifications without repeating what's in your resume]. [Highlight one-to-two relevant achievements with facts and data when possible.] [Explain why you'd be a good fit for the company]. [Optional - address employment gap or career transition].
"Tell Me About Yourself" New Grad Nursing Interview Questions and ...
Is it hard to get hired as a new grad nurse? ›How Hard is it to Get a Nursing Job Right Out of School? According to one study, 76% of new nursing graduates had a job offer at the time of graduating. In my experience, I saw all of my 33 classmates get jobs after graduating — and we all spent plenty of time worrying that we would never get jobs!
How do you answer tell me about yourself in a new grad nursing interview? ›“TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF!” for Nursing Interviews ... - YouTube
What should a cover letter look like in 2022? ›- List your contact details. ...
- Address the hiring manager by name. ...
- Write an attention-grabbing opening paragraph. ...
- Explain why you're qualified for the job. ...
- Relate your experience to the company's needs.
What makes a strong cover letter? ›
Writing Your Cover Letter: Format and Structure
Keep cover letters short—three or four paragraphs and less than one page. Use the active voice, keeping your tone positive and professional. Avoid beginning too many sentences with “I”. Read your cover letter aloud to catch repetitious words and typos.
- Write a new cover letter for each application. ...
- Address the hiring manager by name. ...
- Follow the instructions. ...
- Highlight specific, relevant skills. ...
- Use simple and affirmative language. ...
- Proofread your cover letter. ...
- Don't mention what you lack. ...
- Limit your content.
Using your own words, try something along the lines of: "I am interested in an entry-level position. I know I have much to learn, and I'm looking for an opportunity that will let me build a solid professional foundation.
How do I write a cover letter for a fresh graduate? ›- Address the recipient with a formal salutation. ...
- State the position you're seeking and how you found the opening. ...
- Demonstrate your interest in the position. ...
- Summarize your coursework, experience and relative skills. ...
- Connect your qualifications to the job position.
Because it's usually perceived as the most difficult job application material to prepare, writing the cover letter usually takes up the most time. Simply put, it stumps a lot of applicants and can, therefore, be pretty slow-going.
How do you begin a cover letter? ›The opening paragraph of your cover letter should grab the hiring manager's attention and make them want to read your cover letter. Some tips to write an attention-grabbing opening paragraph include being direct, starting with a strong belief statement, or leading with a relevant achievement.
How do you write an expression of interest for a nurse? ›I believe my qualifications and experience make me an ideal candidate for this job. I have a Master's Degree in nursing and 8+ years of proven experience effectively and efficiently managing both patients and staff. I am an extremely organised, calm, and patient professional with excellent healthcare skills.
How do you address a cover letter with no name? ›Address the Cover Letter With “Dear Hiring Manager”
It is the most common way to address a hiring manager with no name and 40% of hiring managers prefer this salutation over no salutation at all.
There are three main types of cover letters: the application cover letter, the prospecting cover letter, and the networking cover letter. Short emails (we call these “non-cover letter cover letters”) are also an effective and increasingly common way to introduce your resume.
How do I write a cover letter for a hospital job? ›Healthcare cover letter template
I am writing to express my interest in applying for the [specific position name] listed on your website. Between my educational background and relevant experience, I am confident that I can help support your hospital's mission of [reference to facility's specific values and mission].
Why do I want to be a nurse? ›
As a nurse, you can make a real difference in someone's life. You can offer hope to people, sometimes during the worst time of their life. Nurses often counsel patients and families after a devastating diagnosis, celebrate with them when they receive good news, and become trusted confidantes.
How do I write an application letter for a nursing job? ›I believe my qualifications and experience make me an ideal candidate for this job. I have a Master's Degree in nursing and 8+ years of proven experience effectively and efficiently managing both patients and staff. I am an extremely organized, calm, and patient professional with excellent healthcare skills.
How do you address a cover letter with no name? ›Address the Cover Letter With “Dear Hiring Manager”
It is the most common way to address a hiring manager with no name and 40% of hiring managers prefer this salutation over no salutation at all.
How do I write a strong cover letter for nursing school? To write a strong cover letter for nursing school, include the best and most meaningful of your professional or volunteer work experiences. Highlight the skills and abilities you have that relate to the nursing profession and provide clear, relevant examples.
How do you write an effective cover letter for a job application? ›- Do your research first. Before you start writing, find out more about the company and the specific job you want. ...
- Focus it on the future. ...
- Open strong. ...
- Emphasize your personal value. ...
- Convey enthusiasm. ...
- Watch the tone. ...
- Keep it short. ...
- Get feedback.
The opening paragraph of your cover letter should grab the hiring manager's attention and make them want to read your cover letter. Some tips to write an attention-grabbing opening paragraph include being direct, starting with a strong belief statement, or leading with a relevant achievement.
Why do I want to be a nurse? ›As a nurse, you can make a real difference in someone's life. You can offer hope to people, sometimes during the worst time of their life. Nurses often counsel patients and families after a devastating diagnosis, celebrate with them when they receive good news, and become trusted confidantes.
Is cover letter and application letter the same? ›Typically, candidates attach a cover letter to their resume or application when applying for jobs. While a cover letter contains similar information to an application letter, a cover letter provides brief details about your experience, skills and goals.
What do you put on a cover letter if you don't know the hiring manager? ›"If the hiring manager's name is nowhere to be found and the company is unwilling to give you his or her name, you should use 'Dear Hiring Team' in your cover letter salutation," she says. "By addressing your cover letter to the hiring team, you increase your chances of getting it in front of the right pair of eyes."
What should you say in a cover letter? ›- introduce yourself.
- mention the job (or kind of job) you're applying for (or looking for)
- show that your skills and experience match the skills and experience needed to do the job.
- encourage the reader to read your resume.
Should I put my address on my cover letter? ›
No, cover letters do not need an address. Traditionally, cover letters were sent in the mail or submitted in person, so they included both the applicant's and the recipient's addresses. However, cover letters are now almost exclusively submitted electronically, so physical addresses are no longer needed.
How do you write an expression of interest for a nurse? ›I believe my qualifications and experience make me an ideal candidate for this job. I have a Master's Degree in nursing and 8+ years of proven experience effectively and efficiently managing both patients and staff. I am an extremely organised, calm, and patient professional with excellent healthcare skills.
What is nursing Short answer? ›Nursing encompasses autonomous and collaborative care of individuals of all ages, families, groups and communities, sick or well and in all settings. It includes the promotion of health, the prevention of illness, and the care of ill, disabled and dying people.
What should I bring to a nursing interview? ›What To Bring on the Nursing Interview. In addition to obvious items like your resume, make sure to bring your nursing license, proof of passing board scores, additional certificates from any advanced training programs, driver's license, immunization records and social security number.
What makes a strong cover letter? ›Writing Your Cover Letter: Format and Structure
Keep cover letters short—three or four paragraphs and less than one page. Use the active voice, keeping your tone positive and professional. Avoid beginning too many sentences with “I”. Read your cover letter aloud to catch repetitious words and typos.
Say thanks. Make sure to offer thanks for their time and consideration, and choose a professional closing salutation such as, “Sincerely,” “Best regards” or “Thank you for your consideration.” Avoid overly familiar phrases like, “Yours,” “Cheers” or “Take care.”
How do you write a cover letter for 2022? ›- Start with a well-designed cover letter header. ...
- Engage the hiring manager with an appropriate cover letter greeting. ...
- Write an irresistible cover letter introduction. ...
- Make your case in the body of the cover letter. ...
- Conclude your cover letter with a call to action. ...
- Make a sensible font your first formatting choice.