When writing your nursing student cover letter, express your eagerness to gain and apply skills in patient care. Show your interest in the school or organization, and describe any clinical or health care experience you already have.
This guide will help you write a cover letter for the next phase of your nursing career.
Nursing Student Cover Letter Templates and Examples
- Entry-Level
- Mid-Level
- Senior-Level
How To Write a Nursing Student Cover Letter
To write a great nursing student cover letter, you need to compensate for a lack of work experience by emphasizing your strongest clinical qualifications. Tell your unique story as a health care professional and convey your passion and commitment to patient care. Carefully tailor your document toward each hospital you apply to. Below, we’ll provide expert tips to help you craft each section of your nursing student cover letter.
1. Contact information and salutation
List all essential contact information at the top of your nursing student cover letter, including your name, phone number, email, and LinkedIn URL. Be sure to address the hiring manager by name — Mr. or Ms. [Last Name]. If you can’t find the hiring manager’s name, use a variation of “Dear Hiring Manager.” This shows you’ve taken the time to research the hospital before applying for the role.
2. Introduction
A strong beginning paragraph will quickly make a positive impression on your nursing student cover letter. Start by introducing yourself and conveying your interest in the role you’re applying for. Anchor your paragraph with an eye-catching clinical achievement to set the tone for your document and draw the reader in. Due to a lack of hands-on work experience, the best strategy here is to leverage accomplishments from your nurse externship.
In the example below, the candidate highlights awards they achieved during their time as a certified nursing assistant. Although the responsibilities of a CNA are much more limited in comparison to a registered nurse, these details help showcase the applicant’s track record of success working in fast-paced clinical settings.
Example
While serving Mount Sinai patients as a certified nursing assistant for over five years, I earned multiple Employee of the Month awards for compassion, level-headedness, and a strong work ethic. I’m elevating my nursing skills to contribute more to this wonderful institution, and I ask to be considered for the nursing student extern position in the emergency center.
3. Body paragraphs
Describe the most compelling aspects of your clinical experience and qualifications in the body of your nursing student cover letter. Whether you’ve previously held a health care-related position in the past, or if you’re graduating from a nursing program, you need to put your best foot forward. In the example below, the candidate emphasizes their genuine passion for improving the quality of life for patients. Creating a nursing student cover letter that is authentic and earnest is a great way to differentiate yourself from other candidates during the job search.
Example
As a committed health care worker with over two years’ experience and a passion for improving the lives of vulnerable community members, Miami Dade College’s reputation for excellent teaching appeals to me. The following achievements demonstrate I have the ability to excel:
- Received praise four times during my performance appraisals for providing dignified personal care and toileting assistance
- Reduced hospital admissions by 22% for my patients in 2020 by offering nutritious meals and facilitating safe physical activity whenever possible
- Was thanked by a patient’s relative for providing companionship after she experienced a major stroke
4. Nursing student skills and qualifications
In the early stages of your career, you’ll often need to rely on your clinical skills in lieu of a robust work history. Rather than providing a comprehensive list, incorporate keywords from the job posting into your nursing student cover letter using tangible examples from your academic program or externship. Below, we’ve compiled various skills to consider featuring on your document:
| Key Skills and Qualifications | |
|---|---|
| Activities of daily living (ADLs) | Acute care |
| Case management | Clinical operations |
| Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) | Electronic Health Records (EHR) |
| HIPAA | Infectious disease protocols |
| IV therapy | Medication administration |
| Oncology | Patient advocacy |
| Patient centered-care | Patient education |
| Patient management | Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) |
| Telemetry | Treatment planning |
| Vital sign monitoring | Wound care |
5. Closing section
In the conclusion of your nursing student cover letter, include a call to action (CTA) that encourages the hiring manager to schedule an interview. Reinforce how your unique clinical background and qualifications can support the delivery of quality patient care. Be sure to thank the hiring manager for their time and consideration in the last sentence.
Example
I’d appreciate the chance to discuss how my proven record of exceptional care, academic success, and passion for nursing can complement Mount Sinai’s mission of excellence in service to the community. Please feel free to contact me at your convenience to set up an interview.
Best regards,
Nicolas LaTouche
Nursing Student Cover Letter Tips
1. Show you’re eager to build patient care skills
Start your letter strong with a clear example of your commitment to patient health and recovery.
Example
Reducing falls by 32% for patients on my roster in 2023 was my proudest achievement as a home health aide so far. My excellent knowledge of dementia care and a keen awareness of health and safety best practices for people with limited mobility helped me keep my patients safe. I hope to bring the same dedication to a career in nursing.
2. Explain why you’re drawn to the opportunity
On a separate document or sheet of paper, take 10 minutes to brainstorm why this school or opportunity interests you. For example, maybe you share the organization’s commitment to improving the lives of vulnerable community members.
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 two or three concise sentences that speak to the opportunity at hand.
Example
As a caring and empathetic home health aide dedicated to providing dignified and sensitive health care and assistance, the University of San Diego’s reputation for high-quality nursing education appeals to me. My hardworking attitude and quick learning ability will make me an asset to the San Diego health care system.
3. Showcase your health care knowledge
Use bullet points to present your knowledge of key health care or nursing areas like patient assessment, family relations, or medication administration.
Example
My recent achievements include:
- Received a letter of thanks from a patient’s family for recognizing stroke symptoms and seeking prompt emergency assistance
- Trained three new hires last year to improve their understanding of healthy meal planning and preparation
- Scored 100% for accuracy and efficiency for health documentation during spot checks
Nursing Student Text-Only Cover Letter Templates and Examples
- Entry-Level
- Mid-Career
- Senior-Level
Nicolas LaTouche
Nursing Student | [email protected] | (305) 098-7654 | 111 Main Blvd., Doral, FL 33198
January 1, 2024
Mr. Michael Atisha
Emergency Center Director of Nursing
Mount Sinai Medical Center of Florida
(305) 674-2121
[email protected]
Dear Mr. Atisha,
While serving Mount Sinai patients as a certified nursing assistant for over five years, I earned multiple Employee of the Month awards for compassion, level-headedness, and a strong work ethic. I’m elevating my nursing skills to contribute more to this wonderful institution, and I ask to be considered for the nursing student extern position in the emergency center.
My associates and supervisors at Mount Sinai have constantly encouraged me to pursue a nursing degree. Moreover, the University of Miami’s nursing program has helped solidify my determination to help save lives. During my studies, I have:
- Accumulated over 1,200 hours of clinical experience
- Observed and treated patients with acute conditions, including heart attacks, respiratory distress and trauma
- Worked alongside registered nurses and assessed patients in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit
I’d appreciate the chance to discuss how my proven record of exceptional care, academic success, and passion for nursing can complement Mount Sinai’s mission of excellence in service to the community. Please feel free to contact me at your convenience to set up an interview.
Best regards,
Nicolas LaTouche
Nursing Student Cover Letter Frequently Asked Questions
How should I start my nursing student cover letter?-
With a clear example of your success in the type of role you’re pursuing. The concept of “show, don’t tell” absolutely applies to your cover letter’s first paragraph. For instance, don’t tell the reader you’re a “proactive health care professional.” Show you’re proactive by citing a time you exceeded expectations in your practicum or found a new way to support and advocate for patients.
What’s the most important part of a nursing student cover letter? -
Any explanation you give for why the specific organization or opportunity interests you. These details distinguish the cover letter from your resume and other application materials and can help you get past applicant tracking systems (ATS).
What traits are useful to highlight in my nursing student cover letter?-
Desired qualities in nursing professionals include empathy, precision, dedication, collaboration, and emotional resilience. Consider which of these traits best describe you, then give an example or two of how you’ve demonstrated them.
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