Nurse Cover Letter

This is the main resource for nurse cover letters across all nursing specializations and experience levels. Whether you are applying as a registered nurse, a new graduate, or a nurse with decades of clinical experience, this guide covers what to include, how to structure each section, and which details hiring managers in healthcare actually read. Use the links throughout to find cover letter pages tailored to specific nursing roles and career stages.

If you are starting from scratch, our guide on how to write a cover letter covers the core structure that applies to every nursing application.

What employers look for in a nurse cover letter

Nurse hiring managers and recruiters scan cover letters for evidence that you can handle real clinical demands -- not just that you hold a license. The strongest letters address the following areas directly:

• Clinical skills and specialization -- Name the unit or setting where you have most of your experience, whether that is med-surg, ICU, ED, labor and delivery, or outpatient care. Generic language about being a "caring professional" does not differentiate you.
• Patient ratios and workload management -- Showing that you can safely manage five to seven patients on a busy medical floor, or two to three critically ill patients in the ICU, tells the employer you understand the demands of the job.
• EMR proficiency -- Mention the electronic medical record systems you use, such as Epic, Cerner, or Meditech. Many job postings screen for this during the initial review.
• Certifications -- BLS and ACLS are baseline requirements for most acute care roles. Additional credentials such as CCRN, CEN, or PALS signal specialization and commitment.
• Interdisciplinary teamwork -- Describe how you collaborate with physicians, case managers, pharmacy, and therapy teams to coordinate patient care.
• Measurable patient outcomes -- Where possible, quantify your contributions: reduced CAUTI rates, improved patient satisfaction scores, or shortened average length of stay on your unit.

How to write a nurse cover letter that gets interviews

1. Lead with your clinical identity

Your opening sentence should immediately tell the reader who you are as a nurse. State your years of experience, your primary specialization, and one result you are proud of. Hiring managers for registered nurse roles and nurse practitioner positions alike respond to specificity over enthusiasm. Avoid opening with "I am passionate about nursing" -- every applicant says that.

2. Connect your certifications to the unit's needs

Do not bury BLS, ACLS, or specialty certifications at the end of the letter. Mention them early and tie them directly to the requirements of the role. If the posting lists CCRN as preferred and you hold that credential, say so in the first or second paragraph and explain what it means in practice -- not just that you passed the exam.

3. Address the specific patient population

A cover letter for a pediatric oncology position should read differently from one for a cardiac step-down unit. Reference the patient population by name, describe the acuity level you are comfortable with, and explain what draws you to that specialty. This level of detail is particularly important for nursing roles in competitive specialties where many qualified candidates apply.

4. Close with a confident, concrete ask

State that you would welcome a conversation about the role and confirm your availability. If you are relocating or transitioning from a related specialty, name it directly rather than hoping the reader will infer it. A strong close reinforces your clinical confidence and makes the next step easy for the hiring manager to take.

Nurse cover letter example

Replace hospital names, units, and patient outcomes with your own experience.

Subject: Application for the Nurse position

Dear Hiring Manager, I am writing to apply for the Registered Nurse position in the Medical-Surgical unit at Riverside General Hospital. With four years of acute care experience at a 400-bed urban trauma center and current BLS and ACLS certifications, I am confident in my ability to deliver safe, efficient care in a high-acuity environment. In my current role on a 32-bed med-surg unit, I consistently manage a patient assignment of six, prioritizing care for post-surgical, oncology, and telemetry patients. Over the past year, my unit reduced CAUTI rates by 22% following the adoption of a nurse-led insertion protocol that I helped develop and train. I am proficient in Epic and document assessments, care plans, and discharge instructions with accuracy under time pressure. I collaborate closely with hospitalists, case managers, and the pharmacy team to coordinate transitions of care and reduce avoidable readmissions. Last quarter, my discharge planning efforts contributed to a 15% reduction in 30-day readmissions for patients with congestive heart failure on my floor. I am drawn to Riverside General because of your Magnet designation and your commitment to shared governance. I believe strongly in nurse-led practice improvement, and I would welcome the opportunity to contribute to your unit's quality initiatives. I would be glad to speak with you at your convenience about how my clinical background fits the needs of your team. Sincerely, Alex Rivera, BSN, RN

Before you send your nursing application

Use this checklist to review your nurse cover letter before submitting:

• Does your opening paragraph name your specialization, years of experience, and a specific result?
• Have you listed your active certifications (BLS, ACLS, and any specialty credentials) early in the letter?
• Did you mention the EMR systems you are proficient in?
• Have you referenced the specific hospital, unit, or patient population from the job posting?
• Are your patient outcomes or quality improvement contributions supported by numbers?
• Is your letter free of generic phrases that apply to every nursing applicant?
• Does your closing sentence include a direct request for a conversation?

For more examples, review the full healthcare cover letter hub or compare your draft against a new grad nurse cover letter if you are early in your career.

FAQ

How long should a nurse cover letter be?

One page is the standard. Aim for 250 to 400 words. Nurse managers and HR teams review a high volume of applications, so a focused letter that leads with clinical specifics performs better than a longer one that buries the relevant details.

What certifications should I include in a nurse cover letter?

Always list BLS and ACLS if you hold them, as most acute care positions require both. Add any specialty certifications relevant to the role: CCRN for critical care, CEN for emergency nursing, PALS for pediatric settings, or ONC for oncology. If you are a nursing student or new graduate, list any certifications you have earned and note expected completion dates for those in progress.

How do I write a nurse cover letter with no experience?

Focus on clinical rotations, simulation experiences, and any patient-facing work from school. Describe the units you rotated through, the patient populations you encountered, and the skills you practiced. Our new grad nurse cover letter page covers this scenario in full. The general principles in our no experience cover letter guide also apply.

Should I tailor my nurse cover letter for each application?

Yes. Each application should reference the specific hospital, unit, and patient population in the posting. Hiring managers can identify a recycled letter immediately. Tailoring takes ten to fifteen minutes per application and meaningfully improves your callback rate, especially for competitive specialty roles.

What is the difference between a nurse cover letter and a nursing resume?

Your resume lists credentials, work history, and skills in a structured format. Your cover letter explains the context behind those items -- why you chose this specialty, what you accomplished in each role, and why you are applying to this specific hospital or health system. The two documents work together; the cover letter should not repeat the resume word for word. For role-specific variations, see the nursing cover letter and nurse practitioner cover letter pages in this cluster.