Are you looking for your next rewarding position in the nursing field?
Then you need to prove to the recruiter you’ve got what it takes to care for patients, complete paperwork and manage any other tasks that may be assigned to you.
Find out how you can highlight your impressive skill set, along with your training and qualifications using our step-by-step guide and nursing cover letter examples below.
Contents
Nursing cover letter example 1
Nursing cover letter example 2
Nursing cover letter example 3
These Nursing cover letter examples provide you with some guidance and inspiration for writing a cover letter that gets noticed and ensures your CV will get opened.
But if you really want to master the art of writing a winning cover letter, then follow our step-by-step cove letter writing guide below.
How to write a Nursing cover letter
A simple step-by-step guide to writing your very own winning cover letter.
Write your cover letter in the body of an email/message
Type the content of your cover letter directly into the email you are sending, or if you are applying via a job board, directly into their messaging system.
The reason for doing this it to ensure that your cover letter gets seen instantly and you can start connecting with the recruiter as soon as they open your message.
If you attach your cover letter as a separate document, the recipient will have to open up the document, which will slow the process down, or make them less likely to even open your cover letter – which could mean your application gets skipped over.
Start with a friendly greeting
To build an instant connection with the recruiter reading your cover letter, start with a warm greeting.
It should be friendly but not casual – keeping it professional at all times.
- Hi, hope you’re well
- Hi [insert recruiter name]
- Hi [insert department/team name]
Avoid overly formal greetings like “Dear sir/madam” unless applying to very traditional companies.
How to find the contact’s name?
Addressing the recruitment contact by name is an excellent way to start building a strong relationship. If it is not listed in the job advert, try these methods to find it.
- Check out the company website and look at their About page. If you see a hiring manager, HR person or internal recruiter, use their name. You could also try to figure out who would be your manager in the role and use their name.
- Head to LinkedIn, search for the company and scan through the list of employees. Most professionals are on LinkedIn these days, so this is a good bet.
Identify the role you are applying for
Now that you have warmed the recruiter up with a friendly greeting, firstly you need to let them know which role you are applying for.
Sometimes a recruitment consultant will be juggling 10 or 10 vacancies, so it’s important to specify which one you are applying to.
Give us much detail as possible (team/department, role title etc.) and paste in the reference number if you have one.
Here are some examples you can use.
- I am interested in applying for the role of *Nursing position* with your company.
- I would like to apply for the role of Sales assistant (Ref: 40f57393)
- I would like to express my interest in the customer service vacancy within your retail department
- I saw your advert for an IT project manager on Reed and would like to apply for the role.
See also: CV examples – how to write a CV – CV profiles
Highlight your suitability
The main purpose of your cover letter is to excite recruiters and make them eager to open your CV. And you achieve this by quickly demonstrating your suitability to the job you are applying for.
Take a look at the job adverts you are applying for, and make note of the most important skills being asked for.
Then, when you write your cover letter, make your suitability the focal point.
Explain how you meet the candidate requirements fully, and why you are so well suited to carry out the job.
This will give recruiters all the encouragement they need to open your CV and consider your application.
Keep it short and sharp
A good cover letter is short and sharp, getting to the point quickly with just enough information to grab the attention of recruiters.
Ideally your cover letter should be around 4-8 sentences long – anything longer will risk losing the attention of time-strapped recruiters and hiring managers.
Essentially you need to include just enough information to persuade the reader to open up your CV, where the in-depth details will sit.
Sign off professionally
To round of your cover letter, add a professional signature to the bottom, giving recruiters your vital contact information.
This not only gives various means of contacting you, it also looks really professional and shows that you know how to communicate in the workplace.
Include the following points;
- A friendly sign off – e.g. “Warm regards”
- Your full name
- Phone number (one you can answer quickly)
- Email address
Optional
- Profession title
- Professional social network – e.g. LinkedIn
Here is an example signature;
Warm regards,
Gerald Baker
Senior Accountant
07887500404
Gbaker213@hotmail.com
LinkedIn
Quick tip: To save yourself from having to write your signature every time you send a job application email, you can save it within your email drafts, or on a separate document that you could copy in.
What to include in your Nursing cover letter
Here’s what kind of content you should include in your Nursing cover letter…
The exact info will obviously depend on your industry and experience level, but these are the essentials.
- Your relevant experience – Where have you worked and what type of jobs have you held?
- Your qualifications – Let recruiters know about your highest level of qualification to show them you have the credentials for the job.
- The impact you have made – Show how your actions have made a positive impact on previous employers; perhaps you’ve saved them money or helped them to acquire new customers?
- Your reasons for moving – Hiring managers will want to know why you are leaving your current or previous role, so give them a brief explanation.
- Your availability – When can you start a new job? Recruiters will want to know how soon they can get you on board.
Don’t forget to tailor these points to the requirements of the job advert for best results.
Nursing cover letter templates
Copy and paste these Nursing cover letter templates to get a head start on your own.
Template 1
Hi August,
I hope you’re well.
I am thrilled to apply for the Entry-Level Nurse position at Manchester General Hospital. Recently earning my BSc in Nursing from the University of Leeds, I am eager to bring my diverse skills and passion for patient care to your team.
Throughout my training placements at hospitals across West Yorkshire, I have completed specialist courses in venepuncture, catheter training, and wound management. I efficiently managed up to 30 patients during a shift, ensuring their emotional wellbeing alongside conducting non-clinical tests and assisting with personal hygiene and meal distribution. As a former Care Assistant at Tulip Care Homes, I cared for 45 residents, using assistive technology, and organising engaging workshops. I introduced a successful weekly gig night, highly attended by residents, with positive feedback from families.
I am available for an interview at your earliest convenience and look forward to discussing how my dedication and skills align with both your values and clinical requirements.
Kind regards,
Thomas Jackson
Template 2
Hi Stephanie,
I hope you’re well.
I am writing to express my interest in the Charge Nurse position at West Park Hospital. With 12 years of experience as an NHS registered nurse, I am confident in my ability to excel in this leadership role.
My background includes working on a wide variety of wards and within the community, gaining extensive training in complex procedures and establishing myself as a proficient mentor for staff. At NHS Carlisle General Hospital, I successfully supervised a 30-bed surgical ward, overseeing patient admissions, discharges, and transfers. Additionally, I implemented a peer-mentoring system that improved teamwork and staff relationships, significantly reducing senior staff workload. As a Charge Nurse, I will leverage my organisational skills to optimise staff wellbeing while enhancing efficiency on the ward. My achievements, such as streamlining patient discharge processes and reducing postoperative infections, demonstrate my commitment to quality improvement.
Thank you for considering my application and I am available for an interview from next week.
Kind Regards,
Amelia Simpson
Template 3
Hi Angela,
I am thrilled to apply for the Director of Nursing position at Bristol City Hospital. With over 23 years of experience, including 13 years in managerial roles, I am confident in my ability to lead and inspire the clinical team to provide exceptional nursing care.
As the current Assistant Director of Nursing at Brompton General Hospital, I successfully help oversee a team of 42 nurse managers, floor nurses, and certified nursing assistants, ensuring the protection of resident rights and providing unwavering support to patients and their families. Through strategic leadership, I have implemented changes to ward management procedures and training, significantly improving the QA audit score from 7 to 9 in just one year. During my tenure as the Nursing Manager at Magpie Care, I demonstrated my coordination skills and commitment to quality improvement by implementing a centralised patient progress system that reduced clerical errors by 32% in 2013.
I would welcome the chance to discuss how my leadership and managerial abilities align with your organisation’s vision. I am available for an interview at your convenience and look forward to the opportunity to further discuss my qualifications.
Kind regards,
Joy Jimoh
Writing an impressive cover letter is a crucial step in landing a Nursing job, so taking the time to perfect it is well worth while.
By following the tips and examples above you will be able to create an eye-catching cover letter that will wow recruiters and ensure your CV gets read – leading to more job interviews for you.
Good luck with your job search!