Nursing Cover Letter: Examples & Ready-To-Use Templates

After scrolling through job board after never-ending job board, you’ve found the nursing job of your dreams.

They’ve got excellent pay, great doctors and medical staff to work with, and a career ladder you can visualise climbing.

Now— 

All that stands in your way to get that interview is the perfect cover letter for nurse jobs.

No problem.

In this article, you’ll get:

• Two nurse cover letters samples, one for an experienced nurse and another entry-level nursing student cover letter.
• Step-by-step advice on writing nursing cover letters sure to land you more clinic and hospital interviews.
• An experienced or new grad nurse cover letter template for you to copy and use for yourself, able to have ready in just 15 minutes.

What does a perfect cover letter for a nurse look like? See below—

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Looking for other cover letter examples for positions in healthcare and wellbeing? See:

• Dental Assistant Cover Letter
• Medical Assistant Cover Letter

Haven't found what you're looking for? Check all our Cover Letter Samples.

Haven't written your CV yet? Check out these guides:

• Nursing Student CV
• Nurse Practitioner CV
• Icu Nurse CV
• Lpn CV

To begin, let’s take a look at two different nurse cover letters examples:

1. Nursing Cover Letter Examples

First, meet Edward.

Edward’s got a love for psychological thrillers, rock climbing, and experimenting in the kitchen (to his roommate’s dismay).

But that’s not relevant.

What is relevant is the fact that Eddie is an experienced RN. He’s applying for a job that calls for a registered nurse who knows how to take accurate measurements and readings and administer appropriate treatment plans.

Have a look at Edward’s registered nurse cover letter sample to see how he rocks it:

Example #1: Mid-Level RN Candidate (Experienced Registered Nurse)

What’d you think?

This registered nursing cover letter example is sure to jolt the head nurse awake like a defibrillator. 

But— 

What about a cover letter with no experience?

Meet Esmeralda.

Esme hasn’t ever worked as a nurse before, having only studied at university and completed the LPN exam. 

However, Esme’s entry-level nurse cover letter sample still talks up her medical skills and knowledge in a compelling way.

Let’s take a look:

Example #2: Entry-Level Nursing Candidate (LPN Without Experience)

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Not so hard, right?

Esme’s sample cover letter for nursing job applications shows she has the skills and knowledge needed to excel in her role without professional experience.

Now— 

Let’s learn how to write a nursing cover letter of your own.

Short on time?

Below you’ll find easy templates and cover letter examples for nurses. Just fill in the blanks and use it for yourself.

Is your nursing CV ready to be discharged and sent over to the head nurse or medical centre director? Make sure by reading our nurse CV example guide here: Nursing CV—Examples and 25+ Writing Tips

2. How to Write a Nursing Cover Letter for Hospital Jobs Step by Step (Template)

Here’s how to write a cover letter for nursing jobs with a clean bill of health:

1. Format a Nursing Cover Letter Like Any Formal Document

Your ICU or graduate nurse cover letter has to make a great first impression. 

And— 

Not only with the words you include, but also with how you format the cover letter.

Here is how the cover letter layout should go:

• Align all the text to the left, from your address at the beginning to your signature at the end.
• Choose the best font for a cover letter that’s easy to read and matches your nurse CV template.
• Use single line spaces in the body of your RN or LPN cover letter and leave room for a one-inch border around the edges.

A good cover letter can set up a CV perfectly, but a bad one can tank your application before your CV even gets read. The key is to keep it friendly but concise; anything more than a page is way too much. A brief summary of your skills and experience and how they relate to the job is more than enough. Your CV will go into more detail on your work history, so all you’re looking to do is match up enough key attributes from the job description that a hiring manager will want to look further.” ,

2. Construct a Perfect Nurse Cover Letter Heading Area 

Adding address and personal details onto a cover letter is about as boring as nursing is not.

Good thing is, it’s also super straightforward and easy.

Use this example template for reference:

Nursing Cover Letters Sample Header Template

On any nursing student or nurse practitioner cover letters, add your details first. Always include your state and licence number, if relevant.

Next, add the date you’ll send this nursing job application in to them.

Finally, add their deets. Include the name of the charge nurse or nurse manager, their title, then the hospital or laboratory’s name and address.

Double your impact with a matching CV and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter builder and make your application documents pop out.

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Want to try a different look? There’s 18 more. A single click will give your document a total makeover. Pick a cover letter template here.

3. Introduce Yourself & Identify the Nursing Position You’re Applying To

The first paragraph of a nursing or nurse practitioner cover letter needs to jolt the employer awake like a shot of adrenaline.

How?

Be relevant, specific, personalised, and brief.

In the opening greeting, use their name. Don’t know it? Look on the hospital’s website, or browse LinkedIn for clues.

Next, open the cover letter by introducing yourself, stating the specific nurse job you’re applying for, and giving a quick overview of your professional medical background. 

Have a look at the below example of a great opening paragraph:

Nursing Cover Letter Sample: Introductory Statement

Expert Hint: A study by Nursing for Women’s Health gives this advice: “Give examples that elaborate on your CV rather than just restating that information. If you held an elected position in a professional nursing organisation, what did you accomplish in that position?” Also—never hand in a generic cover letter! 

4. Advertise Your Nursing Skills & Medical Expertise

You woke them up with that first paragraph.

Now, keep ‘em interested.

In the second paragraph of the nursing CV cover letter, show them how you’re the dream candidate they’re searching for.

How?

Go to the nursing job description and scroll down to where it says “job requirements.” There you’ll find exactly the kind of OR nurse or ICU nurse they want.

Check out this easy, fill-in-the-blank example:

Sample Cover Letter Nursing: Middle Paragraph

Expert Hint: While adding your nursing licence number is necessary, letters of recommendation for nurses are usually optional. Check the job ad, and, if they request letters of recommendation for nurses, use our reference guide to ensure it’s properly formatted.

5. Describe Why This Hospital or Clinic is the Best Place for You

Now, compliment them.

Nursing jobs are all about skills and bedside manner, sure.

However, the hospital administration and nursing manager want to know that you’ll fit in well with the workplace culture. Also, anyone would prefer to hire a nurse who wanted to work at this hospital, rather than one just wanting a nursing job anywhere.

So— 

Show them you care. Let them know you’d be a perfect addition to the nursing staff. Make them feel special.

Here’s another nurse sample template to use as a guide:

Nurse Cover Letter Example: Motivation Statement

6. End an LPN or RN Cover Letter Using an Effective Sign-Off

To write your covering letter closing, request a callback or an in-person meeting. 

Emphasise the proposal you’re making, and let them know you’d like to chat with them more about it.

Here’s a simple closing template on a sample cover letter for nursing jobs:

Sample Nursing Cover Letter: Call-to-Action & Complimentary Close

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Key Points

Here are the main things to remember when writing a cover letter for nursing jobs:

• Address the head of nursing directly in your RN or LPN cover letter salutation.
• Introduce yourself, identify the nursing or nurse practitioner job you’re applying for, and quickly sum up your professional medical accomplishments and skills thus far.
• Show the hospital administrative staff that you are a perfect match to the candidate they requested in the nursing job description.
• Let them know your motivation in joining the hospital with some praise and enthusiasm.
• Ask for a meeting or phone call to end your experienced or new grad nursing cover letter.
• Check out more specific cover letter guides like the CNA cover letter.

Need more cover letter resources? See:

• How to Write a Cover Letter
• Are Cover Letters Necessary?
• Free MS Word Cover Letter Templates
• Cover Letter Heading: Examples, Templates & Tips 

Have a question on how to write a new grad RN cover letter or school nurse cover letter? Need ideas for how to come up with accomplishments on a cover letter for nursing positions? Head down to the comment section below to ask a question, and thanks for reading!

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