Do You Need A Cover Letter For Nursing?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Do you need a for nursing? Writing an effective nursing cover letter may seem unnecessary–trust us: it's not.

Roughly 45% of job seekers send resumes without a cover letter

. Yet, a majority of employers prefer to go with a resume. Nurses often spend the most time developing their resumes.

What should a nursing cover letter include?

A cover letter should accompany your resume, and offer

a brief summary of the job you're applying to and your qualifications

. It should be successful in advancing your achievements, expertise, and practicalities.

Is it unprofessional to not have a cover letter?

So if you're wondering whether you should include a cover letter, the answer is yes in most cases.

You should include a cover letter even if it isn't required

. There are only a few exceptions. For example, you might not need a cover letter if you're applying online.

How does a new nurse write a cover letter?

How long should a cover letter be nursing?

Your nursing cover letter should be

one page

long, single-spaced, and typed in a professional, business-letter format. Formatting a cover letter for nurses as a business letter means it should include the date, the employer's mailing address, and your address at the top.

What are the 3 types of cover letters?

There are three main types of cover letters:

the application cover letter, the prospecting cover letter, and the networking cover letter

. Short emails (we call these “non-cover letter cover letters”) are also an effective and increasingly common way to introduce your resume.

Is application letter and cover letter the same?


A letter of application, also known as a cover letter

, is a document sent with your resume to provide additional information about your skills and experience to an employer. The letter of application is intended to provide detailed information on why you are are a qualified candidate for the job.

How important is a cover letter 2021?

Are cover letters important?

Yes, cover letters are still important

. Even if your cover letter goes through the application process unread, an employer may still expect to see it attached to your resume. This is especially true if the hiring manager asked for a cover letter as part of the application process.

Are cover letters a waste of time?


Yes, some recruiters still say

. Ultimately, your cover letter is “your one opportunity” to stand out – to show off what specifically you bring to the position in a way that you can't fully describe in your CV or with an online profile. And perhaps surprisingly, cover letters may be more important than ever.

Is cover letter a must?

Notwithstanding the above,

the only time you should submit a cover letter is when you have valuable information to share that's not conveyed in your resume

. I've hired many candidates based on something that stood out in their cover letter. Here are some examples: 1.

Do you need a cover letter as a new grad RN?

A cover letter is a vital addition to any job application for a nurse. It serves to make a more personal connection with a potential employer while pointing out why you are the best candidate.

This letter is crucial for a new grad nurse as you do not have any nurse employment experience.

How do I write a cover letter for a hospital job?

What is the purpose of a cover letter?

The cover letter is a marketing tool;

it communicates to the employer that you are interested in their position and their company and that you have something valuable to contribute

. In certain situations, a well- written cover letter can be more effective than the resume itself.

How do I write a nursing resume?

  1. Write a compelling resume objective showcasing your nursing experience. …
  2. Highlight nursing-related skills on your resume. …
  3. Include facility and unit-specific information in your experience section. …
  4. Organize your resume according to ANCC preferences. …
  5. Highlight your licenses.

How do I write a cover letter for a nursing student?

  1. Your Contact Information.
  2. Today's Date.
  3. The Hiring Manager's Contact Information.
  4. A Salutation.
  5. 1st Paragraph Explaining Why You're Writing.
  6. 2nd Paragraph Explaining Why You're Interested in the Position.
  7. 3rd Paragraph Explaining Why You're a Good Fit for the Position.

Why do you wanna be a nurse?

A job that makes a difference

As Val Saintsbury once said, “

Nurses dispense comfort, compassion, and caring without even a prescription

.” It's true—Nurses do more than give medicine and treat wounds; they care about the patients they care for, helping them improve their lives and disease outcomes.

How do you begin a cover letter?

The opening paragraph of your cover letter should grab the hiring manager's attention and make them want to read your cover letter. Some tips to write an attention-grabbing opening paragraph include

being direct, starting with a strong belief statement, or leading with a relevant achievement

.

What is the best cover letter for a job?

  1. List your contact details. …
  2. Address the hiring manager by name. …
  3. Write an attention-grabbing opening paragraph. …
  4. Explain why you're qualified for the job. …
  5. Relate your experience to the company's needs. …
  6. Finish with a concise closing paragraph and sign-off.

How do you make an amazing cover letter?

Is resume and cover letter the same?


A resume states the facts – who, what, when, and how. In contrast, a cover letter provides an opportunity to explain why you are qualified for the job

. This document adds a bit of color and personality and is intended to persuade employers that you're a good fit for the position at hand.

Is a cover letter the same as a personal statement?


A personal statement focuses on you; a cover letter focuses on the job

. The main topic for your personal statement must be yourself in relation to the company you are pursuing. Write about how your educational background shaped you into who you are today.

Does a cover letter have a reference?


Only provide references after the prospective employer requests them

. Do not include the phrase “References available upon request” in your cover letter, resume, or email. Providing references is an opportunity to inform a potential employer about your accomplishments and attributes.

Do employers still want cover letters?

Do employers look at cover letter or resume first?

Once your resume and cover letter pass the initial screening,

the employer typically reviews a cover letter before the resume

. To ensure that your application documents pass screenings, make sure that your resume and cover letter meet the formatting requirements for the job posting.

Do you need a cover letter in an interview?


Yes, you should bring a cover letter to an interview

. A cover letter is a great addition to your resume, and most employers expect you to have one. If you plan on bringing a hard copy of your resume to the interview you should also bring a copy of your cover letter.

Can a cover letter hurt you?


Errors in your cover letter can hurt your chances of getting an interview

. Errors make you look sloppy, or worse, not educated. Be sure to thoroughly read your letter before submitting it.

What should a cover letter say?

  • introduce yourself.
  • mention the job (or kind of job) you're applying for (or looking for)
  • show that your skills and experience match the skills and experience needed to do the job.
  • encourage the reader to read your resume.

Should a cover letter be a PDF?

Notably,

sending your cover letter as a PDF has some widely accepted pros over using the Word document format

: PDFs are thought to look more professional. PDFs won't present font or formatting issues. PDFs can work with any operating system (unlike Word documents)

What makes a strong cover letter?

What should not be included in a cover letter?

What should a nursing CV look like?

  • All your strengths, qualities, nursing philosophies and/or passions/interests within nursing.
  • A list of your previous jobs, with details of the duties, responsibilities, achievements, skills, knowledge and experience obtained within those roles.
  • A list of all of your qualifications.

Should I put GPA on nursing resume?

How long should a nurses resume be?

Length: Even an experienced nurse resume should aim for

no more than one page

. Anything longer is usually for an RN with 10 or more years of experience and numerous certifications and/or specialties.

What a cover letter should not include?

  • Any Spelling or Grammar Errors. …
  • The Wrong Company Name or the Wrong Name of the Contact Person. …
  • Anything That Isn't True. …
  • Paragraphs That Are Too Long. …
  • Your Salary Requirements or Expectations. …
  • Negative Comments About a Current or Past Employer. …
  • Information Not Related to the Job.

How do you write a powerful cover letter?

  1. Address the letter to a specific person. …
  2. Clearly state the purpose of your letter. …
  3. Don't rehash your entire resume. …
  4. Use action words and don't overuse the pronoun “I” …
  5. Reiterate your enthusiasm and thank the reader. …
  6. Be consistent in formatting.

What should a cover letter say?

  • introduce yourself.
  • mention the job (or kind of job) you're applying for (or looking for)
  • show that your skills and experience match the skills and experience needed to do the job.
  • encourage the reader to read your resume.
James Park
Author
James Park
Dr. James Park is a medical doctor and health expert with a focus on disease prevention and wellness. He has written several publications on nutrition and fitness, and has been featured in various health magazines. Dr. Park's evidence-based approach to health will help you make informed decisions about your well-being.