Nursing is one of the most cardinal sectors of healthcare. Every medical forum needs a brilliant and proficient set of nurses who are ready to put the needs of their patients first. If you are planning to kick start your nursing career, the first step to consider is creating a professional cv and writing a cover letter.
Whether you have been up and running in the nursing department or just graduated from nursing school, a well-maintained and competent cover letter can take you places. In the blog below, we will get to know what a cover is and propose a guide: how to write a nursing cover letter.
What is a cover letter?
It is a one-pager document submitted along with your resume to provide extra details which are not covered in the resume itself. It emphasizes more on the skills and achievements to help the employer get to know you better. It also provides you with an opportunity to let your employer know why you are a perfect fit for a specific job role. In a cover letter, you can stress upon your interest in the job and why you are excited to join.
A cover letter is not a requirement for every job vacancy, but it is always a good idea to submit one. This extra effort will help you stand out from all the other candidates. Moreover, it draws the employer’s attention to the seriousness you possess for a specific position.
The standard formatting of a cover letter:
- A header: This includes your full name, your contact details, the position that you are interested in, and the date of application.
- Greeting: The letter should start with a professional and personalized greeting according to the organization. For example, Respected hiring manager or Dear (name of the hiring manager).
- Introductory paragraph: This includes a brief introduction to your qualifications, previous work experience and the role you are applying for. It should not be more than 4-5 lines.
- Body paragraphs: This is your time to persuade the employer to consider you for the role. In body paragraphs, you can highlight all your skills and achievements that make you qualified for the role. These are two to three paragraphs in which you prove your competence and assert your importance in the healthcare industry.
- Concluding paragraph: It is a polite wrapping up of your cover letter. Here, you summarize your interest in the role and thank the reader for considering your application. The concluding paragraph must always include a call to action where you open doors for the recruiters to get back to you i.e. looking forward to hear back from you.
- Signature: Bring your letter to a professional end with your personal signature.
Professional tips to consider while writing a nursing cover letter
- Conduct thorough research about the organization:
Before writing a cover letter, make sure you have properly researched the organization’s goals and accomplishments. It gives your employer an impression that you are professional and serious about the opportunity. Aligning your skills with the organization’s pursuit will instantly make you a better choice for the hiring manager.
- Be precise and relevant:
Having multiple copies of resumes to review, your employer would have no time to linger on irrelevant details. Make sure that your cover letter only includes job-specific skills and experiences so that it does not look crammed up.
- Pitch in a professional story:
This is a great idea to build a stronger connection with your employer by providing interesting details about any professional encounter that is worth sharing. For example, any instance when you saved your organization from an unpleasant situation or when a patient was delighted by your service.
- Emphasize on soft skills:
The department of nursing requires an extremely empathetic and compassionate persona. If you are keen to help others, be sure to include this personality trait in your cover letter to let the employer know. An example would be;
Throughout the day, I rely on my critical soft skills such as communication, time management, and interpersonal skills to effectively work with patients and team members. I would be pleased to illustrate how these skills have helped me in various situations.
- Proofread your letter for any mistakes:
Once you are done writing, make sure the letter is free of all structural and grammatical errors. Also ensure that the tone of your letter is professional and to the point. In the next section, we have highlighted a few mistakes that should be avoided at all costs to craft a flawless cover letter.
Common mistakes to avoid in a cover letter
- Spelling mistakes
- Punctuation mistakes
- Structure errors
- Using an unreasonable tone
- Font and formatting errors
- No white space
- Copied content
- Cliches and robotic language
- Lack of personalization
- Including unnecessary details
- Repetition of concepts
Writing a nursing cover letter with no experience
If you are a newbie in the nursing field and have no professional experience, you can still write an inviting cover letter by following these strategies:
- Focus on your skills and achievements
- State how you can bring value to the profession
- Provide an honest overview of your interest in the job and your willingness to work hard
- Even if you haven’t worked professionally, you still have some experience as a certified nurse. For instance, any volunteering or internship experience during your education. This can also be covered in your cover letter.
- Paint a picture of how you see yourself as an accomplished nurse in the next five years.
Key takeaways:
Nursing is a valuable profession that increases the utility of the healthcare department. If you are an aspiring nurse, look for healthcare jobs near you: apply today. Having a well-written cover letter boosts your nursing career and aids you in getting your first job. It comprises of a header, an introductory paragraph, a few body paragraphs and a concluding paragraph.
A cover letter is your opportunity to hit the bullseye by satisfying your employer. It allows you to give a brief overview about how interested you are in the job and how you can be fruitful for the organization. You can do this by encompassing the relevant skills and attributes in your cover letter. Make sure that the final letter is well-organized, engaging and free of all errors.