According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for registered nurses is expected to grow by 7% over the next 10 years. Even though the BLS forecasts more than 220,000 new nursing jobs by 2029, that doesn’t mean you won’t have competition, especially for the coveted positions. A great entry-level nurse cover letter can help you stand out from other applicants.

Below you’ll find downloadable cover letter examples, tips on writing an excellent nursing cover letter, and examples to match a variety of circumstances. Following these tips can help you write an attention-getting cover letter so you can move on to the next step — the interview.

Entry-Level Nurse Cover Letter Templates and Examples

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Entry-Level Nurse Cover Letter Checklist

Your entry-level nurse cover letter should have these five elements:

1. Heading. Emphasize the heading by using a formatting template. Include your contact information, the date you wrote the letter, and the recipient’s contact information.

2. Salutation. If the job advertisement mentions the HR rep or hiring manager’s name, use that name in your cover letter: “Dear Ms. Jones” or “Dear Mr. Thompson.” Otherwise, use “Dear Hiring Manager” as your greeting.

3. Introduction. Write an opening paragraph that convinces the hiring manager you’re interested in the job.

4. Body paragraphs. The body paragraphs should provide information on your education, professional skills, and work experience to help the hiring manager understand why you’re qualified. Consider breaking up large blocks of text with a bulleted list.

5. Closing section. Bring your cover letter to a close with a call to action: a direct request for the hiring manager to contact you to schedule an interview. To draw even more attention to your achievements, add a P.S. below your signature.

Introduction

Your introduction is where you need to grab the hiring manager’s attention and explain why you’re interested in the entry-level nursing job. Start by picking one of your greatest accomplishments and mentioning it in the first sentence of the intro. For best results, choose an accomplishment that can be quantified in some way.

When writing your intro, avoid generic statements about your education and work experience. You’ll want to be as specific as possible to make a good first impression.

Good


Passing the National Council Licensure Examination with a score of 97% is one of my greatest achievements as a recent BSN graduate. I’m committed to applying the same amount of effort to the entry-level nursing role at Rio Rancho Community Hospital as I did studying for the NCLEX.

Bad


I recently graduated from nursing school and am interested in working at Rio Rancho Community Hospital.

Body Paragraphs

Start the first body paragraph with a statement that expresses interest in the position and explains why you’re excited about working with a particular employer. Be as specific as possible; if you can copy and paste the same paragraph into multiple cover letters, it’s too generic and should be revised.

The next step is to pick out several accomplishments to mention in the next paragraph. As a recent graduate in search of an entry-level nursing job, you may want to focus on your education, clinical placements, and NCLEX score. For each achievement, include a measurable outcome to show the hiring manager you have potential. Avoid generic achievements that can’t be quantified.

Good


As a recent graduate of the University of New Mexico, I’m excited about the prospect of working for Rio Rancho Community Hospital and supporting the mission of providing quality care to every member of the community, regardless of their financial circumstances.

I’m excited to apply my clinical skills and knowledge of nursing theory in an acute-care setting. Some of my most recent accomplishments include:

  • Receiving a 4.8/5 overall rating for all of my clinical placements, including a score of 5.0 for my pediatric nursing assignment
  • Ranking in the top 5% of my graduating class at the University of New Mexico School of Nursing
  • Earning a $4,000 academic excellence scholarship for seniors in the UNM nursing program, awarded based on my 3.78 GPA

Bad


Your ad mentioned you’re looking for a recent graduate for an entry-level nursing position. I just graduated in May and would like a nursing job at Rio Rancho Community Hospital.

Closing

The closing section should include a strong call to action — a direct request for the hiring manager to contact you. In most cases, you want the hiring manager to call or email you to schedule an interview. Avoid generic statements about how you appreciate the hiring manager’s time or look forward to getting a response.

For an even stronger conclusion, pick another achievement and include it in a P.S. underneath your signature. An eye-catching P.S. gives you another chance to draw attention to your qualifications. Remember to choose something quantifiable to make the greatest impact.

Good


It would be a privilege to meet with you and discuss why my qualifications are a great fit for Rio Rancho Community Hospital and its mission to provide affordable medical care to patients of all ages. Please call me at (123) 456-7890 or email me at [email protected] to set up an interview at a time that’s convenient for your schedule.

Best regards,

Jamie O’Hara

P.S. I’d love to tell you about the time I received a patient satisfaction score of 98% during my med/surg rotation!

Bad


Thank you for reviewing my application. I hope to hear from you about this nursing job soon.

Best regards,

Jamie O’Hara

Entry-Level Nurse Text-Only Cover Letter Templates and Examples

  • Entry-Level
  • Mid-Career
  • Senior-Level

Sarah Davidson
Home Health Aide | [email protected] | (923) 758-8374 | 64 Zoo Lane., Tampa, FL 33613

February 11, 2021

Charlie Brown
Senior Hiring Manager
Tampa Hospital
(364) 193-1163
[email protected]

Dear Mr. Brown,

In my current role as a home health aide, I am regularly commended for my comforting manner and care efficiency. At present, I am responsible for the care of 15 elderly patients who remain in the 98th percentile for lack of sores. With my dedication to patient well-being and seven years of home caregiving experience, I believe I would be an asset to the Tampa Hospital nursing team.

I am looking to begin a career in nursing as I feel it would allow me to expand my skills and provide care to a greater number of patients. I was initially drawn to the nursing role at Tampa Hospital because of the organization’s focus on patient well-being. Despite being new to nursing, I believe I have many transferable skills and achievements, such as:

  • Managing patient mobility to ensure all patients remain in the 98th percentile for lack of falls
  • Handling a daily caseload of 15-20 patients
  • A comforting bedside manner, which is regularly praised by patients and staff

I am very interested in scheduling an interview to discuss my transferable skills and how my experience can benefit your team.

Sincerely,

Sarah Davidson

P.S. I’d love to explain how I got 99% scores in all record-keeping spot checks for the past two years!

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