Nursing Student Cover Letter Example & How to Write One

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”). Need more information? Check out our Cover Letter Dear Hiring Manager page.

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.