When writing your licensed vocational nurse (LVN) cover letter, focus on how to carry out essential patient care for the hiring health organization. Also, emphasize your related skills like family relations, patient advocacy, or vital signs monitoring.
This guide will help you write a cover letter that gets you interviews for your next job as an LVN.
Note: For job seekers outside Texas or California, employers refer to this role as licensed practical nurse (LPN).
Licensed Vocational Nurse Cover Letter Templates and Examples
- Entry-Level
- Mid-Career
- Senior-Level
How To Write a Licensed Vocational Nurse Cover Letter
An effective cover letter usually has five sections. To write a great LVN cover letter, connect each section to the health care employer and its staffing needs. The tips and examples below will show you what to include in your cover letter so it generates interest among hiring managers.
1. Heading
At the top of the page, include:
- Your resume contact header, which should provide your full name, address, email, phone number, and LinkedIn if applicable
- The date
- The recipient’s name, title, organization, and contact information (when available)
(Note: Feel free to omit this section if you send your letter by email and your contact details are part of your signature.)
Example
Amar Singh
123 Santa Maria, San Francisco, CA 12345 | (123) 456-7890 | [email protected]
May 24, 2024
Mr. Tyrone Jackson
Hiring Manager
EFG Hospital
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
2. Salutation
When possible, address your recipient by name – this is the quickest way to signal you’re not just sending a boilerplate letter. If you can’t determine the person’s name, use a variation of “Dear Hiring Manager.”
Examples
Dear Mr. Morris:
Dear XYZ Hospital Hiring Manager:
3. “Hook” or introduction
Catch the reader’s attention by citing an achievement from your resume or a key credential the organization seeks in applicants. Then, connect that highlight to your main strengths and overall candidacy for the advertised LVN position. Refer to the hiring organization by name here to further convince the nurse manager you’re applying to them specifically.
You can also make your cover letter introduction stand out by networking when possible. Cite any personal or professional connections you have with your recipient. If someone at the organization alerted you to the job, use a line like “I was excited to hear from your colleague [Name] about [Hospital]’s new LVN position.” Or, if you’ve already met your recipient, mention that with a line like “It was great speaking with you at the [event] last month.”
Example
During my eight years of experience as an LVN at a local nursing home, I’ve consistently earned high marks for safely administering medications and helping residents carry out their activities of daily living. I’m very interested in the chance to continue this vital work at your facility.
4. Body paragraph(s)
On a separate document or sheet of paper, take 10 minutes to brainstorm why this LVN position or employer interests you. What details on the job posting caught your attention, and how do they compare to your past health care jobs?
When you’re done brainstorming, review your notes: Do any stand out as important or persuasive? Take another 10 minutes to brainstorm and elaborate on them. Repeat this process until you have at least two or three concise sentences that speak to the job opening. By making these sentences a central part of your letter, you’ll have the best chance of persuading the nurse manager to give you a call.
Following this explanation, cite a few more of your LVN skills or achievements, possibly as bullet points.
Example
I’m drawn to your description of the role as “an extra set of eyes and ears” for nursing staff. This is the kind of close collaboration I’ve enjoyed in my career, having thrived in three main LVN functions:
- Promptly identify and escalate health issues with high vigilance. Actively communicate with RNs about patient problems, including high blood pressure, temperature out of range, and alteration in mental status
- Maintain the utmost diligence in administering medications to patients under the direction of my supervising RN
- True patient advocate recognized for delivering top-quality care and maintaining kind, courteous communications with individuals and their families
5. Closing
Finally, request an interview and thank the hiring manager for their time and consideration. Consider briefly restating why this health organization interests you. You can also use this section to refer to your resume or other application materials. To end your cover letter, use a simple closing like “Sincerely” or “Best regards” and then your name.
Example
This is just a sample of the nursing skills I offer. I look forward to potentially telling you more about how I can help your organization, and I am available to talk at your convenience.
Sincerely,
Allison Rosenberg
Licensed Vocational Nurse Cover Letter Tips
1. Show you can provide essential patient care
Start your letter strong with a clear example or measure of your success as an LVN. What’s a key way you’ve facilitated patients’ recovery, assisted other nursing staff, or improved health care operations? With this highlight at the top of your cover letter, you can help the nurse manager envision your success in the role they’re trying to fill.
Example
Over the past year at ABC Regional Hospital, I’ve been praised in all four quarterly reviews for my excellent care of patients with diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and other chronic diseases. I would love to bring that same level of care to your advertised LVN position.
2. Tell why you’re drawn to this LVN job or employer
For instance, maybe it involves laboratory testing, a key focus of your recent experience. Or maybe the organization’s mission around patient-centered care resonates with you.
LVNs work in various health settings, from hospitals to skilled nursing facilities to doctors’ offices. What environments have you worked in, and do they compare to the place you’re now applying to? Highlight that related experience in your letter as well.
Example
Your job posting intrigued me, especially the statement that the LVN must “truly understand and achieve accuracy in medication administration.” I have an excellent safety record based on my diligence in confirming the correct route and dosage for every medication I’m assigned to provide.
3. Showcase your health care skills
Add a short list of bullet points on your success in key work areas for an LVN, such as family relations, task prioritization, or vital signs monitoring. With each bullet point, show the skill in action. For instance, you could show teamwork by describing how you’ve helped RNs and providers stay aware of new health issues or changes in each patient.
Example
Additionally, my health care work has been marked by these three highlights:
- Took an advanced role providing detailed instructions to clients and their families on maintaining mobility and daily physical activity
- Built positive relationships with the facility’s CNA staff by clarifying their list of both delegated and non-delegated duties
- Praised for effectively de-escalating situations and redirecting patients with dementia and other behavioral issues
Licensed Vocational Nurse Text-Only Cover Letter Templates and Examples
- Example #1
- Example #2
- Example #3
Allison Rosenberg
123 Convoy St, San Diego, CA 12345 | (123) 456-7890 | [email protected]
May 24, 2024
Mr. Caleb Morris
Hiring Manager
XYZ Hospital
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
Dear Mr. Morris:
As an LVN at a regional hospital, I’ve achieved zero medication errors and a 97 percent scan rate during my three years. I am interested in delivering the same level of care at your hospital.
Your job posting intrigued me, especially the statement that the LVN must “truly understand and achieve accuracy in medication administration.” I have an excellent safety record based on my diligence in confirming the correct route and dosage for every medication I’m assigned to provide. My background and strengths include:
- Thorough experience working with and under direction of RNs to conduct essential healthcare procedures such as starting IVs, taking vital signs, and inserting NG tubes
- Expertly manage workflow and prioritize many delegated tasks in a fast-paced healthcare setting. Praised for always keeping a clear view of the most important next step in patient care
- Pinpoint and escalate new health issues and changes, adding to the RN’s overall insight on the patient and provider’s grasp of necessary changes in prescriptions
This is just a sample of the nursing skills I offer. I look forward to potentially telling you more about how I can help your organization, and I am available to talk at your convenience.
Sincerely,
Allison Rosenberg
Licensed Vocational Nurse Cover Letter Frequently Asked Questions
Do hiring managers still read cover letters?-
Some don’t, but many do. All hiring managers seek fast ways to cut a large pile of applications down to just a few promising candidates. One common way they do this is by focusing on applications that include cover letters, then on cover letters that speak to their hiring needs. Send a custom cover letter with your resume, and you can be confident you’ll end up in that select group.
What traits are useful to highlight in my cover letter?-
Desired qualities in LVNs include diligence, empathy, collaboration, and alertness to health changes. Consider which of these traits best describe you, then give an example or two of how you’ve shown them in a work setting.
How should I format my cover letter?-
Like your resume. Carry over that document’s basic format settings, such as line spacing, page margins, and font style.
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