You’re a healthcare superhero with scrubs instead of a cape and expert RN skills. But how can you prove that to the hospital’s HR team? Do it with your RN cover letter.
You just found an RN cover letter sample that gets jobs. In a stack of other letters, it’ll shine like Katie Duke.
That matters more than you might think.
See, there are 203,000 new nurses every year. They all need jobs. And your cover letter for RN jobs must stick out like a standing order to get noticed. Release the panic button. Write a targeted RN letter and they’ll be calling stat.
In this article, you’ll get:
Save hours of work and get a cover letter like this. Pick a template, fill it in. Quick and easy. Choose from 18+ cover letter templates and download your cover letter now.
What users say about ResumeLab:
I had an interview yesterday and the first thing they said on the phone was: “Wow! I love your cover letter.”
Patrick
I love the variety of templates. Good job guys, keep up the good work!
Dylan
My previous cover letter was really weak and I used to spend hours adjusting it in Word. Now, I can introduce any changes within minutes. Absolutely wonderful!
George
Looking for other cover letter examples for positions in healthcare and wellbeing? See:
Haven't found what you're looking for? Check all our Resume Cover Letter Examples.
Let’s start with two professional cover letter examples for RNs:
Here’s JoBeth.
She’s been a nurse since M*A*S*H was on the air. She knows anatomy and protocols, but not how to convince the hiring team of that. She’s applying for her dream nursing job. The ad calls for skills in patient care, documentation, and administering medication.
Watch JoBeth nail it with this senior RN cover letter sample:
JoBeth Zerkle
RN
3376 Fancher Drive
Dallas, TX 75219
510-914-6820
jobethzerkle@gmail.com
linkedin.com/jobethzerkle
12/17/19
Aida Lemos
Human Resources Manager
Lower Valley Medical Center
331 Waldeck Street
Dallas, TX 75207
Dear Ms. Lemos,
I'm excited to apply to the RN position at LVMC. Being rated at a consistent 95%+ by administrators at SRMC for efficiency, accuracy, and teamwork puts me in a good place in my career. Working as an RN at LVMC would help me advance to the next step. Your mission of providing better care and furthering the education of employees is exactly where my career path leads next.
I believe my skills in medication administration, documentation, and patient care fit well with your needs. The following accomplishments at SRMC have prepared me for the job:
I'd relish the opportunity to speak with you about how I can contribute to patient care excellence at LVMC. Could we set aside some time to talk soon?
Best regards,
JoBeth Zerkle, RN
214-284-2795
jobethzerkle@gmail.com
PS — I'd also be glad to share how I helped our ward realize a 25% drop in medical errors through the development of new process guidelines.
With that sample RN cover letter, she’ll be rocking Allbirds soon.
“Hey, hit the brakes there, speedy! I just got my RN license! I can’t claim all that!”
Don’t fret. Same day, different state:
Kelly passed the NCLEX and found a listing for an entry-level RN job. It needs skills in phlebotomy, wound dressing, and specimen collection. This sample cover letter for an RN job will get her hired:
Kelly Dickey
RN
415-470-6900
kellyzdickey@gmail.com
linkedin.com/in/kellyzdickey
12/17/19
Iva Shelton
HR Director
Carlton Ramirez Medical Center
1608 Delaware Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94103
Dear Ms. Shelton,
I'm thrilled to apply for the RN opening at CRMC. Your facility has a reputation for its focus on healing, caring, and teaching. As a new graduate of Purdue University with a BS in Nursing, I know I've got a chance to help people. I believe working as an RN at CRMC would help me maximize my skill set.
Your job ad says you need an RN skilled in phlebotomy, wound dressing, and specimen collection. I excelled in phlebotomy coursework and worked as a teacher's assistant in wound dressing and medicine administration. I also maintained a 97% positive score for specimen collection as a precept nurse.
I'd love to chat with you about starting my healthcare career journey as an RN at CRMC. Could we set a time next week to meet?
Best regards,
Kelly Dickey, RN
415-470-6900
kellyzdickey@gmail.com
Get your scrubs ready. You’ll need them with that RN cover letter sample. But you'll also need a resume—So see our guides:
First step to getting hired? Get them to notice your resume. That starts with a Cedars-Sinai-level cover letter.
Here’s how to write a cover letter for RN jobs that works:
They’ll ignore your RN application if your cover letter format is pumpkin positive. Here’s how to format an RN cover letter:
Don’t goof your cover letter heading. Put the right contact info in the proper order.
See this cover letter sample for RN jobs:
[Your Name]
RN
[Phone Number]
[Email]
[LinkedIn Profile]
[Date]
[Hiring Manager Name]
[Title]
[Facility]
[Address]
[City, State, Zip]
Expert Hint: Nurses get more back injuries than construction workers, according to research by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. If the job listing describes “physically demanding work,” show stamina in your RN cover letter.
Double your impact with a matching resume and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter generator and make your application documents pop out.
Want to try a different look? There's 21 more. A single click will give your document a total makeover. Pick a cover letter template here.
Warning:
That hospital hiring manager is bored, bored, bored. She’s read 100 resumes today. They look as alike as johnnies. If you don’t catch her eye, you’re CTD.
So—address your cover letter with the manager’s name. Then, switch to something that’ll keep her reading.
Follow this template:
Dear [Hiring Manager Name],
I'm excited to apply to the RN position at [Facility Name]. Achieving [Achievement That Fits Their Needed Skills] puts me in a good place in my career. Working as an RN at [Facility Name] would help me advance to the next step. Your mission of [A Fact or Two From Their Mission Statement] is exactly where my career path leads next.
That sample cover letter for RN jobs is on point. But, what if your RN experience is still prenatal? In a new grad RN cover letter with no experience, start with:
You want the interview. But you won’t get it if you look generic like Lisinopril. To sell the charge nurse on your skills show healthcare accomplishments in your RN cover letter.
Here’s a template:
I believe my skills in [3 Skills They Asked for in the Job Ad] fit well with your needs for the role. The following accomplishments at [Your Last Employer] have prepared me for the job:
Expert Hint: There are over 200,000 new nursing degrees awarded every year—and rising! That’s according to a report from Dartmouth University. To stand out, suture your cover letter for RNs to the job by basing it on keywords from the ad.
Patients who advocate get more attention. It’s the same in a cover letter for RN jobs. If you ask for the interview you’re more likely to get it. But there are rules.
In paragraph #3 of your cover letter, remind them of your interest. Then ask.
This sample RN cover letter ending nails it:
I'd relish the opportunity to speak with you about how I can contribute to patient care excellence at [Facility Name]. Could we set aside some time to talk soon?
Best regards,
[Digital Signature]
[Full Name, Title]
[Phone Number]
[Email]
With ResumeLab’s resume builder you’ll write your resume in a flash. Get specific content to boost your chances of getting the job. Add job descriptions, bullet points, and skills. Improve your resume in our resume builder now.
Nail it all with a splash of color, choose a clean font, highlight your skills in just a few clicks. You’re the perfect candidate and we’ll prove it. Just pick one of 21 resume templates and get started now.
To write a cover letter for RN jobs:
Do you have questions about writing RN cover letters? Need more cover letter samples for RN jobs? Let’s chat in the comments below. And thanks for reading!
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.
Having published over 200 career-advice articles, Tom Gerencer is a career expert who covers the whole array of job-seeking topics for people at all career stages, from interns to C-suite members. His insights, commentary, and articles reach over a million readers every month. With inside knowledge of key industry players and in-depth research, Tom helps job seekers with advice across all professions and career stages. Tom holds a degree in English from Colby College.
Can a resume be two pages? Or should you always make it shorter? The best answer: if your relevant and eye-popping achievements can’t fit on one page, write a 2-page resume.
Tom Gerencer, CPRW
Career Writer at ResumeLab
To land a perfect job, you need the best-looking resume. This guide will show you what should a good resume look like, and what you need to do to have one.
Maciej Duszyński, CPRW
Career Expert
You come first, leave last. You put in the effort, the hours, the sweat. You’re a big fish in a small pond. Let’s make a splash.
Dave Rygielski
Career Expert