Nursing Student Cover Letter Example for 2024

Free nursing student cover letter template

Copy this free nursing student cover letter to a new template and edit it with your information!

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State ZIP Code]
[Email Address]
[Phone Number]
[Date]

[Employer’s Name]
[Hospital/Organization Name]
[Address]
[City, State ZIP Code]

Dear [Employer’s Name],

I am writing to express my enthusiastic interest in the [Job Title] position at [Hospital/Organization Name], as advertised on your website. As a recent nursing graduate with a strong foundation in patient care and a passion for delivering compassionate health care, I am eager to contribute my skills and knowledge to your esteemed health care team.

Throughout my academic journey, I successfully completed a rigorous nursing program at [Your School], where I gained comprehensive theoretical knowledge and practical experience in various clinical settings. My coursework and clinical rotations have equipped me with the necessary skills to excel in a fast-paced and dynamic health care environment.

I am particularly drawn to [Hospital/Organization Name] due to its reputation for providing high-quality patient care, emphasis on professional development and commitment to fostering a supportive work culture. During my clinical rotations at [Clinical Site], I worked with diverse patient populations and health care professionals. These experiences honed my ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams, adapt to new situations and provide patient-centered care. I am adept at performing assessments, administering medications and implementing care plans while focusing on patient safety and well-being.

In addition to my clinical skills, I am well-versed in utilizing electronic health record systems, ensuring accurate documentation and streamlined communication within the health care team. My commitment to maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and ethical conduct aligns seamlessly with [Hospital/Organization Name]’s values.

I am excited about the prospect of contributing to [Hospital/Organization Name]’s mission and vision, and I am confident that my skills and enthusiasm make me a strong candidate for this position.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to discussing how my qualifications align with the needs of your team.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

Nursing student cover letter example for nursing assistant

See how our professional resume and cover letter writer highlighted this candidate’s skills and experience. Even if you’re not applying for a nursing assistant position, you can get inspiration from the formatting and text of this cover letter example.

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Nursing student cover letter: 5 key tips

Bring new life to your nursing assistant cover letter by using these tips:

Lead off with a strong statement of purpose.

Let the prospective employer know more about yourself and where you want to take your career next — with them. Express what job you’re applying for and let the rest of your cover letter show why you think you’ll be a good fit.

Show you understand the job's needs.

Do your homework and tailor your cover letter to the job’s needs. Use the job description and the requirements listed to guide what skills and experience you should include in your letter. The more tailored you make your nursing student cover letter, the higher your chances of getting called for an interview because the prospective employer will see how well you match.

Get into detail on your skills and training.

Talk about the skills you learned through your training and provide a more detailed background on your education. You can discuss where you did your clinical training, how you used your skills and what you learned there that will be useful in this new position.

Stress important soft skills.

We know that hard skills are important to get the job done but don’t forget to highlight key soft skills, such as excellent communication, multitasking, interpersonal skills and active listening. As a nurse, you’ll be directly working with patients experiencing pain and loved ones worried about them, so it’s important to highlight soft skills that show you have good bedside manners.

Use an organized, professional letter layout.

What you write in your cover letter is as important as how it looks. Choose a professional, organized design that prospective employers can read easily. You can check our cover letter templates and select from dozens of ATS-friendly options.

Write a nursing student cover letter in 5 steps

Follow these steps to write a professional nursing student cover letter:

1. Heading

Format your nursing student cover letter similar to a business letter, meaning that your information (full name, phone number and email address) and the hiring manager’s contact information (phone number, email address and company’s physical address) will be aligned to the document’s left margin.

2. Salutation

Part of your research should be to find the hiring manager’s full name to address the letter to them — it’s a professional courtesy. Using a generic salutation like “Dear Hiring Manager” or “To Whom It May Concern” can come across as unprofessional, so do your due diligence and find their name.

If the search proves difficult, you can address the letter to human resources (“Dear Human Resources”).

3. Opening paragraph

A cover letter allows you to be more personal than you can be on a resume.

Use the first paragraph to introduce yourself. Tell the hiring manager or recruiter who you are and what makes you right for the position. Pick out special qualities or unique achievements from your nursing student resume, such as an oncology or neonatal nursing specialty or an award you received at school or work. Use bullet points to make these items stand out.

Dear Mr./Mrs./Ms. Name,

I’m applying for the nursing position listed on XYZ website. I am passionate about the nursing field and helping others, which led to my enrollment at ABC University. During my time here, I have maintained a 4.0 GPA. I have also received the ABC University Award for Healthcare Professionals. I was referred to the position at XYZ Company by my internship coordinator.

4. Second paragraph

In the second part of your cover letter, let the hiring manager know why you are interested in this role and what you can bring. This is a great place to include soft skills that make you a good fit for this type of work or important achievements you did during your training.

You can also include topics like:

How you learned about the opportunity or who referred you
Requirements listed in the job description and how you will fulfill them
What value you will bring to the company
What inspires you about this line of work

During my experience at ABC Medical Center, I gained firsthand knowledge of the pediatric field. My primary goal was to support my patients in recovering as quickly as possible while maintaining their comfort. I believe my education and experience make me a great fit for the role.

Some of my responsibilities during my clinical experience were:

Maintaining accurate patient records in a high-volume location.
Administering fluids and medications.
Educating patients and caregivers on nutrition and pain management.

I am a responsible and caring individual who takes pride in my attention to detail and personal connection to patients. I heard of XYZ Company’s initiatives in pediatric nursing and would be honored to be a part of the work there. With my educational background and prior clinical experience, I believe I could contribute greatly to XYZ Company in the nursing position.

5. Closing and sign-off

The final part of your cover letter is a call to action where you can request a follow-up interview with the hiring manager. An effective call to action will include:

Your gratitude for their time and consideration
A reminder of why you are a good fit for this role
Your desire for an interview or an opportunity to discuss the position further

I believe that my health care education and clinical pediatric experience make me a great fit for this position. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to discussing the position further and how I may contribute to your team.

Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]

For more tips, read our How to Write a Cover Letter article.

Key skills for a nursing student cover letter

Before we dive into some important skills nursing students should have, remember that the hard skills and soft skills you include in your cover letter will depend on the job requirements. Read the job description carefully and only highlight the relevant skills in your letter. Some to consider include:

Strong Interpersonal skills
Excellent communication skills
Teamwork
Quick decision making
Conflict-resolution skills
Problem-solving skills
Multitasking
Cultural awareness
Empathy
Active listening skills
Critical thinking
Leadership skills
Flexibility
Detail-oriented
Stress management
Specialty care (Pediatric care, surgical care, etc.)
Wound care
Time management
Urgent care and emergency care
Computer skills

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FAQ: Nursing student cover Lltters

Have questions? We’re here to help.

How do I write a cover letter for a nursing student?

To write a cover letter for a nursing student, you must highlight relevant skills, experiences and passion for the field.

Introduce yourself in the opening paragraph, letting the reader know why you’re writing and the position you’re interested in.
Follow this with body paragraphs that focus on your nursing education, relevant clinical experience and any hands-on experience in different health care settings or specialized areas you focused on.
Include key nursing skills like patient assessment, medication administration and care planning, always making a connection between your experience and the requirements of the job.
Conclude your nursing student cover letter by expressing your enthusiasm for the job opportunity and inviting the hiring manager to get in touch with you for an interview.

How do you stand out in a cover letter?

There are two things you can do to stand out in a cover letter and impress hiring managers:

Make your opening statement eye-catching to motivate the reader to keep reading. So instead of saying, “My name is…and I’m writing because I want to apply…” you can write: “I knew I wanted to be a nurse from the moment I saw my father taking care of my mother after surgery. As a recent nursing student graduate, I was delighted to see a job opening at your institution…”
Tailor your cover letter to the job.We know that searching for a job takes time and that it might be tempting to write only one cover letter to send to every employer, but if you take a moment to include key skills, responsibilities and requirements mentioned in the job description, you can increase your chances of getting a call.

Do I really need a cover letter to get a nursing job?

Yes. Whether applying for a registered nurse position or an internship, you should always include a new cover letter for each position. This shows the hiring manager that you are enthusiastic about the job. It also gives you an opportunity to fill in the blanks from your resume. In short, your cover letter can be your passport to getting a job.

How long should my cover letter be to get a nursing job?

Aim to make your cover letter about 3/4 of a page long. This will typically be about 250-400 words. If your cover letter needs to be shorter, list just the highlights of your experiences as bullet points. The goal is to get the hiring manager to want to know more about you. You can always discuss the details in your interview.

Does this cover letter example work if I don’t have a lot of experience?

You can use this cover letter sample for different nursing jobs even if you don’t have many years of experience. You can apply for an entry-level position as a nursing student. When writing your cover letter, use your academic, volunteer or internship experiences to show why you are qualified to do the job. Check the requirements in the job posting and see how your extracurricular activities and training may relate.

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How to Write a Great Nursing Student Cover Letter