Nursing Cover Letter | Examples & Template
A concise yet specific nursing cover letter is crucial for securing your dream job. The cover letter should illustrate your passion for patient care as well as your nursing credentials and skills. It should also showcase your interest in working for the specific healthcare provider, so every nursing cover letter you submit is a bit different.
As with any industry, a cover letter for a nursing position should be 1 page with 3–4 paragraphs and 300–400 words. The purpose of a cover letter for a nursing role is to convince the healthcare organization that you have substantial experience with the required nursing skills.
The nursing cover letter examples, tips, and template that follow will equip you with the tools and techniques to stand out from other nursing candidates.
How to write a nursing cover letter
A cover letter for nursing includes the same components as the standard cover letter format. The main difference is that it should highlight your experience with the nursing skills and medical area (e.g., pediatrics, labor and delivery, or oncology) that the role entails.
You should also tailor each nursing cover letter to the employer and the job posting. To do so, take some time to research and brainstorm before writing a draft.
- First, research the healthcare organization’s website to learn about their mission, values, and priorities. You’ll need this information to explain why the hospital or facility appeals to you in the introduction and conclusion.
- Next, review the job posting, and take note of the nursing skills that are listed as responsibilities or requirements. For each required skill, brainstorm at least one example from your nursing school coursework, clinical rotations, or past jobs that you could use as evidence in the body of your letter.
After you research the employer and job posting, write your nursing cover letter by following these steps.
- Write a heading at the top of the page. On the first line, put your full name, a comma, and your nursing credentials (e.g., RN, CCRN, CPN, or CNA). On the next line in the same font as the rest of your letter, add your contact information (city and state, phone number, LinkedIn URL–if applicable, and email).
- Add the date you’re applying for the nursing position (e.g., “March 31, 2025”).
- Address your cover letter to the nursing director, nurse recruiter or recruiting team (e.g., “Dear Miranda Bailey” or “Dear GSMH Recruiting Team”)
- Start your cover letter with a concise introduction. Say what nursing job you’re excited to apply for, what your background and certification is, why the employer appeals to you, and 1–2 reasons why you’re a great fit (e.g., “With detailed expertise in oncology and a proven track record for exceptional patient care, I’m confident that I will thrive as a GSMH oncology nurse”).
- Write 1–2 body paragraphs that elaborate on the main nursing skills or medical expertise that will drive your success at this organization. Provide examples from your clinical rotations from your degree program or your current/past nursing roles.
- End the cover letter with a 2–3 sentence conclusion paragraph. Reiterate your qualifications and why you’re drawn to this organization. Also express your interest in an interview and thank the reader(s) for their time.
- Sign the letter with a complimentary close (e.g., “Sincerely”) and your full name.
Nursing cover letter examples
The following fictitious examples illustrate a couple of ways to approach a nursing cover letter.
In the first example of an introduction, the applicant summarizes the position he’s applying for, his overall background and certification, and his enthusiasm for the organization. The introduction ends with a claim about why he’s well suited to the role, which would drive the focus of the two body paragraphs that would follow.
Devonte Jones, RN
Middle City, OK | [email protected] | (222) 999-5555
February 15, 2025
Dear SCM Health Recruiting Team:
I’m excited to apply for the RN position in the coronary care unit because I’m drawn to SCM Health’s welcoming environment and commitment to innovation. As an RN with CV-BC credentials and 3 years of ICU experience, I’m eager to apply my passion for heart health and cardiac rehabilitation in a collaborative and patient-focused environment. My expertise in post-operative and rehabilitative care combined with my knack for communicating effectively with patients have prepared me to excel as a CCU nurse at SCM Health.
In the next example, a recent nursing graduate applies for her first job in pediatrics. To convince the reader that she’s prepared for the job, she provides evidence from clinical rotations and coursework.
Kelly Lin, CCRN
Springfield, CA | [email protected] | LinkedIn/Klin | (123) 555-5555
April 21, 2025
Dear Recruiting Team:
I’m writing to request your consideration for the critical care nursing position at Springfield Children’s Hospital. Your hospital’s dedication to inclusivity and holistic care resonates strongly with my professional values. As a recent graduate and fully licensed RN with a BS in Nursing and critical care certification, I’m eager to make a positive impact in a collaborative and innovative environment such as yours. My clinical experience with age-appropriate care and expertise in evidence-based practices have prepared me to deliver exceptional care in your PICU.
During my clinical rotations, I worked extensively with PICU patients at St. Jude’s Medical Center. In addition to honing skills in pediatric assessment and age-specific norms, I developed and implemented age-appropriate plans of care for children facing a variety of complex medical conditions. I also utilized child-friendly communication techniques, such as play-based distraction and visual aids, to explain procedures and reduce anxiety. Working closely with multidisciplinary teams, I learned the value of clear communication and compassionate advocacy in achieving optimal outcomes in high-acuity situations.These experiences honed my ability to remain calm and focused under pressure while delivering comprehensive care and meeting the emotional and medical needs of young patients. With this clinical experience in a pediatric setting, I’m well prepared to provide compassionate, age-appropriate care in the SCH PICU.
My RN education also emphasized the importance of evidence-based practice as the foundation for effective nursing. Through my coursework and capstone projects, I gained experience with reviewing research studies and applying clinical guidelines to pediatric care scenarios. For example, I applied pediatric protocols based on current evidence from the American Academy of Pediatrics to simulate early recognition and intervention strategies. I also used guidelines from my PALS certification training to inform my decision-making during high-fidelity and virtual simulations. I’m deeply devoted to staying informed about best practices and new innovations in pediatric critical care so that I can deliver the best possible outcomes for children and families.
I would be honored to start my career at SCH and welcome the chance to discuss this opportunity further in an interview. With clinical experience providing age-appropriate care and a commitment to evidence-based practice, I’m confident that I would make a valuable asset to the PICU team. Thank you for considering my application and for all you do for children and families.
All the best,
Kelly Lin
Nursing cover letter template
To help you get started on your nursing cover letter, QuillBot offers a customizable Nursing Cover Letter Template. Simply follow the link to copy/paste the template into your own document, and follow the instructions to add your own details.
Frequently asked questions about nursing cover letters
- How do I write a new grad nursing cover letter?
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To write a new grad nursing cover letter, follow these steps:
- Start a cover letter with an introduction that includes the position you’re applying for, your degree program and certifications, and the reason(s) you’re a great fit for the prospective nursing role.
- Write 1–2 body paragraphs that each focus on a separate reason why you’re a great fit for the organization and role.
- Develop the body paragraphs with examples from your clinical rotations and coursework. Include the number of clinical hours in the medical area where you’re applying (e.g., pediatrics).
- In the conclusion of your cover letter, reiterate your enthusiasm for the role, let the reader know you would like to discuss the opportunity in an interview, and thank them for their time.
The final step of a nursing cover letter is to proofread carefully. Luckily, the QuillBot Grammar Checker can instantly point out typos and show you how to fix them.
- What skills should I highlight in a nursing cover letter?
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The skills you should highlight in a nursing cover letter should match the required skills from the job posting or the medical area of the opportunity. These may include:
- Soft skills–such as effective patient communication, critical thinking, and teamwork
- Hard skills–such as IV placement, electronic medical record (EMR) charting, patient safety protocols, and medication management.
Use the same wording for each skill that the employer uses in the job posting to increase your chances of passing initial screenings from applicant tracking systems (ATSs).
In addition to highlighting relevant skills, make sure that your nursing cover letter is error free. Running your cover letter and resume through the QuillBot Grammar Checker is a fast and easy way to find and fix typos.
- How do you start a cover letter greeting?
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Start a cover letter greeting with a formal or semi-formal salutation. “Dear” is a good option for starting a cover letter.
To address your cover letter to a specific person, use the person’s full name (e.g., “Dear Diane Smith,”). Avoid gendered titles like “Mr.” or “Ms.”
To address a cover letter without a name, direct it to the relevant team (e.g., “Dear People Team,”), or to a generic position (e.g., “Dear Hiring Manager,”).
Regardless of who you’re sending your letter to, make sure it’s error-free by using QuillBot’s Grammar Checker.
- What is the purpose of a cover letter conclusion?
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The purpose of a cover letter conclusion is to restate your claim about why you’re a great fit, reiterate your enthusiasm, and motivate the reader to contact you for an interview.
Your cover letter conclusion should leave a positive impression so that the recruiter or hiring manager is excited to review your resume.
To maximize the purpose of a cover letter, always proofread before you send it to employers. QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker instantly finds and fixes errors.
- What is the best font for a cover letter?
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A cover letter is your chance to make a good impression on a potential employer. Both content and cover letter format are important.
The best fonts for a cover letter are fonts that are professional, legible, and familiar to the majority of readers. A few of these are:
- Arial
- Times New Roman
- Georgia
- Garamond
- Calibri
- Helvetica
No matter how good the font, your cover letter won’t make a good impression if it has grammar and spelling errors, so use QuillBot’s Grammar Checker to make sure your cover letter is error-free.
