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RN Cover Letter Example & Template (Good for New Grad)

Showcase your qualifications and passion for helping others with the help of our nursing cover letter examples. Follow our advice and RN sample cover letters!

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By Maria 3 minute read
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Free RN cover letter example

Copy this free nursing cover letter template onto one of our professional cover letter templates and make it your own.

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

[Hiring Manager’s Name]
[Hospital/Health care Facility Name]
[Address]
[City, State, Zip Code]

Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],

I am writing to express my interest in the registered nurse position at [Hospital/Health care Facility Name], as advertised. With a strong background in nursing and a passion for providing exceptional patient care, I am confident in my ability to contribute effectively to your team.

In my previous role at [Previous Health care Facility/Institution], I consistently achieved [insert metric, e.g., high patient satisfaction scores, zero incidents of medication errors, etc.]. These accomplishments were a result of my dedication to excellence and my ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure optimal patient outcomes.

I am particularly drawn to [Hospital/Health care Facility Name] because of its commitment to [insert specific mission or values, e.g., patient-centered care, innovative practices, community outreach, etc.]. I am eager to leverage my skills and experience to support these initiatives and make a positive impact on the lives of patients.

Furthermore, I am proficient in [list relevant skills or certifications, e.g., ACLS, PALS, etc.] and have a proven track record of [insert additional metric or achievement, e.g., reducing readmission rates, improving infection control measures, etc.]. I am confident that my background aligns well with the requirements of the position and that I would be a valuable asset to your team.

Thank you for considering my application. I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to contribute to [Hospital/Health care Facility Name] and am eager to discuss how my skills and experiences align with your needs.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

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RN cover letter: 5 key tips

Use these nursing cover letter tips to make a strong nursing cover letter:

1

Lead off with your top skills and qualifications

Administrators and hiring managers want to know what makes you unique. Show them you have what it takes to be the best RN in their organization by leading your cover letter with your top strengths and qualifications.

2

Be specific about your credentials and achievements.

Instead of repeating the same information that’s written on your resume, use your RN cover letter to talk about specific accomplishments you’ve achieved throughout your career that showcase your professionalism, qualifications and expertise. Most RN responsibilities overlap, so stand out by highlighting key achievements and credentials.

3

Tailor your letter to the specific job.

Registered nurses can work in different settings and specialties, so be sure to tailor your cover letter to the job. Whether you’re applying for a hospital, to work as an ambulatory care nurse, home health nurse or as a travel nurse, it’s important to customize your cover letter so it reflects the needs of that specific employer.

4

Present a mix of hard and soft skills.

As a registered nurse, you’ll have under your belt an array ofhard skills and soft skills needed to perform your job. Feature a mixture of both in your RN cover letter to give the employer a better understanding of who you are as a nurse. Because yes, it’s important to know how to administer medications but it’s also important to have empathy and strong communication skills.

5

Proofread for grammar and accuracy.

Nothing can tank your job application more than a typo or grammatical error. Read your RN cover letter a couple of times to make sure it doesn’t have a miswritten word and ask someone with fresh eyes to proofread it for you.

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Write a RN cover letter in 5 steps

Follow our advice to write a professional RN cover letter:

1. Heading

For standard cover letter format, contact information should be displayed at the top. It will come just before your professional greeting or salutation.

Contact information should include:

  • Your full name
  • Address
  • Email
  • Phone number

2. Salutation

Can I write Dear Hiring Manager on a cover letter? It’s better to do some research to address the letter to the person or group who will be in charge of hiring you instead of using a general salutation like “Dear Hiring Manager” or “To Whom It May Concern.”

3. Opening paragraph

In our registered nurse cover letter sample, Alice Brown discusses her years of experience in the health care industry and how they helped her become a better registered nurse. Your introduction should be strong, to the point and concise. It should show off your top qualifications to the hiring manager.

Dear Mr. Cooper,

I am excited to apply for a registered nurse position within the Oncology department at Roberts & Sloan Medical Center. I graduated from my nursing program four years ago. Since then, I have been looking for an oncology nursing job opportunity. Over the past three and a half years, I have worked in an RN position at a local community hospital. During this time, I have honed my nursing skills through a variety of tasks, including:

  • Coordinating patient care
  • Conducting lab tests under supervision
  • Providing updates on patients’ medical statuses.

I believe that this experience has contributed to my development as a strong candidate for the nursing job at Roberts & Sloan.

4. Second paragraph

Nursing jobs work with people who are physically and emotionally vulnerable. Hiring managers are looking for candidates who are kind, patient and reliable, in addition to possessing technical nursing skills. A cover letter allows you to be more personal than you can be in a resume format. Give the hiring manager a window into your motivation, such as when Alice says, “I believe that every patient deserves high-quality health care.”

Mention how your actions made an impact on patient care or why you were a valuable asset to your previous team. Highlighting achievements will help you stand out from the crowd.

During my time as a nursing student and as a practicing nurse, I have also volunteered for a local hospice foundation. I have gained a profound understanding of the importance of bedside manner in patient care. I was voted volunteer of the month for eight consecutive months in the past year. I value teamwork and go out of my way to help my coworkers, even if the tasks are not within my job description. I believe that every patient deserves high-quality health care and I’ve dedicated myself to obtaining the skill set to provide such care.

5. Closing and sign-off

In the nursing cover letter example below, Alice closes by stating that she is looking forward to hearing from the hiring manager for an interview. A call to action will display your enthusiasm for the job and invite the hiring manager to contact you. This will enhance your chances of getting an interview because it will stand out in the mind of the reader.

Becoming a part of the Roberts & Sloan Medical Center team would be an honor for me. I believe that I have the skills, experience and attitude to perform the job. I appreciate your consideration, and I look forward to hearing from you soon regarding an interview.

Sincerely,
Alice Brown

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

Key skills for an RN cover letter

Here are some hard skills and soft skills you can consider featuring in nursing cover letters:

  • Clinical skills
  • Wound care
  • IV insertion
  • Interpreting diagnostic tests
  • Documentation
  • Patient care skills
  • Problem-solving skills
  • Critical thinking
  • Medication management
  • Infection control
  • Cultural competence
  • Communication skills
  • Empathy
  • Collaboration
  • Adaptability
  • Time management
  • Stress management
  • Leadership skills
  • Patient Advocacy
  • Strong Interpersonal skills
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FAQ: RN cover letter

Have questions? We’re here to help.

How do I write a cover letter for a registered nurse?

Here’s how to make a strong cover letter for any nursing position:

  1. Include your contact information (full name, phone number, email address and city and state) in the header.
  2. Align to the left of the page the hiring manager’s contact information and include the date you’re writing your RN cover letter.
  3. Address the letter to the hiring manager, if possible.
  4. Start with a strong opening sentence that grabs the reader’s attention and mention what job you’re applying for, where you found the job posting and your top qualifications.
  5. Highlight relevant experience and skills in the body paragraphs. Discuss your nursing experience, emphasize any specialties or areas of expertise, describe specific accomplishments and use metrics to illustrate your impact (e.g. “Decreased patient readmission rates by X%”).
  6. Reiterate your interest in the position and organization in the closing paragraph. Invite the reader to contact you to discuss your qualifications and thank them for their time.
  7. Sign off with “Sincerely” or “Best Regards,” followed by your full name.

How do I write a simple application letter for a nursing job?

A simple registered nurse cover letter should be tailored to the job you’re applying for. Highlight your top strengths and qualifications, expressing interest in the position and organization. Use your cover letter to summarize your nursing experience and feature important achievements that are not in your resume. Keep it focused and to the point, as hiring managers typically spend less than a minute reviewing job applications.

How do I sell myself on a cover letter for nursing?

The best way to sell yourself in a nursing cover letter is to highlight your unique qualifications, experiences and passion for patient care. Make sure your letter reflects the requirements listed in the job description and focus on talking about any specialized training or skills you have that will make you an asset to the organization.

How do I make my resume stand out as a registered nurse?

The key to making a registered nurse resume that stands out is to tailor it to the nursing position. Use the job description as a guide to determine what skills, qualifications and achievements to highlight in your resume. The more you include these keywords, the higher the chances of making it through ATS and reaching a hiring manager’s hands.

Do I really need a cover letter to get a registered nurse job?

During your job search for a registered nurse position, you will need to write a number of cover letters. Career experts recommend including a professional nursing resume and cover letter with each new job application. While your resume is the meat of your application. it can help you get noticed by the hiring manager and further elaborate on how you can benefit the organization you’re applying to. Tailor your cover letter to each job posting that you apply to by using keywords and skills.

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

Hiring managers do not have time to read long letters, so make sure yours is short and sweet. Keep the letter under a page. You can use ResumeHelp’s Cover Letter Builder for more cover letter tips and help with cover letter format.

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

If you do not have a lot of work experience, then stress your skills, training and any related experiences and accomplishments. If you have volunteer experience, then include that in your cover letter. You may have experience in health care even as a new grad. Your academic or internship experience can also help you present yourself in the best possible light. Create the perfect cover letter by relating your experiences to the job posting.

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WRITTEN BY Maria

Maria is a Puerto Rico-based Content Writer with ample background in digital marketing and copywriting. She graduated from the University of Puerto Rico with a B.A. in English and enjoys making information accessible to others.

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